Mage? Magic Engineer!

Two large-scale battles that could decide the course of the war were brewing almost simultaneously.

After the National Guard on the Western Line achieved a decisive breakthrough, a gap was briefly torn open in the defense line established by the Empire. With support from Istani, the Valois people boldly attempted to transport supplies and reserve troops by sea, while Paul’s main force thrust northward without hesitation.

The Empire’s operations on the Eastern Line were also proceeding smoothly. The main force of the National Guard’s eastern contingent was driven to the "Wall of Sighs."

The "Death Green Qi" issued to the National Guard’s eastern forces did not perform as expected. Its effectiveness was heavily dependent on natural conditions like wind direction. Even when it successfully lingered and killed the enemy in the trenches, their own soldiers couldn’t quickly advance through the ditches, which were still emitting the lethal gas.

In short, the Helmut Defense Line had withstood the test, albeit at a price. A great number of Valois people died in the land between it and the Empire Army.

Now both sides faced the same choice: should their main armies, having already made gains, press the attack or consolidate their defense?

The strategies of the Empire and the Republic were almost mirror images of each other. The Republic directly withdrew its defensive forces from the southeast, leaving the front open, and pulled the troops back to organize a defense east of Valuva against the main body of the Empire Army’s eastern forces.

The Empire, in turn, did the same, pulling its Western Army back from the edges of the defensive line to organize a defense south of the Imperial Capital.

The purpose of both nations’ defensive deployments was identical: to buy time for their main armies to attack. And both sides, without consulting the other, had decided on the same high-stakes gamble—an all-out strike at each other’s heart.

Inside the command post of the National Guard’s Western Front Army, Paul stood before a massive map, addressing the other generals:

"Although the intentions of our main army and that of the Empire are clear, our strategic objectives are different."

"The circumstances in Valois and the Empire are different. Our capital not only holds a sacred, symbolic place in the hearts of all citizens, but it is also where the vast majority of our population and industrial production are concentrated. In other words, if the enemy were to break into Valuva, we would lose any possibility of resisting or launching a counterattack."

"The Empire, on the other hand, while its population is predominantly from the former Marlin Kingdom, has a more dispersed industrial base. Including Bayern, its industry is spread across at least three major blocs. Even if we capture the Imperial Capital, the Empire can still organize resistance and mount a counteroffensive from its vast territories."

"Therefore, our true objective should be to use our attack on the Empire Capital to force the main body of the Empire’s Western Army into a decisive battle with us. We must annihilate as much of their effective strength as possible in the engagement. The goal, in essence, is to destroy the Marlin Kingdom’s dominant role within the Imperial system and to force the Empire’s main eastern army to turn back north in reinforcement."

When he finished, he tossed his pencil aside, leaving his strategy and vision laid out on the map. By now, no one in the command post looked down on this young, rapidly rising officer. He was a Caster, but his greatest talents were his sharp strategic intuition and his powerful ability to execute his plans.

A dissenter voiced a cautious objection, "Do the National Salvation Committee and the Military Commission approve of this deployment? If we continue to push forward, won’t we leave our flank exposed to the enemy?"

Paul slapped the table. "Of course the two committees will agree with the assessment from the front. The defenses at Valuva are already being organized. They have the experience of the first siege, so I’m certain they can buy us enough time."

"As for our flank, we have the Black Forest to our east for cover. Furthermore, our army won’t be advancing directly north. We’ll be moving northeast, toward the Imperial Capital."

"There is no more time for hesitation, gentlemen. If we falter and retreat now, all of the Empire’s main armies will converge to besiege our capital. Just imagine that. Wouldn’t that scenario be far worse than our current predicament?"

"Gentlemen, there’s another critical issue: the Republic can no longer afford to support this great army of ours! If we return to our own territory, that will be a million men in Valuva consuming our precious food reserves. Only by foraging for supplies on Imperial soil can we give our poor supply lines a chance to breathe... No matter how you look at it, we can only press our attack faster—and then faster still!"

Inside the command post, kerosene lamps and a light orb conjured by Pascal illuminated the tent, lighting up a host of different faces. But one thing was the same for all of them: their eyes were fixed on the young man.

Finally, someone spoke. "I agree with General Paul." "I agree as well." ...

Of course, the National Salvation Committee was not oblivious to the capital’s peril. The Central Port District had been closed and converted into a fortress for northern Valuva. To the east, they had also begun to set up defensive lines. The Royal Family’s once-beautiful hunting grounds had been transformed; trenches and barbed wire were now layered across the landscape. The castle that once belonged to Charles was renovated beyond recognition, mounted with the largest-caliber cannons.

In contrast to the tense atmosphere in the Royal Capital, the small northeastern city of Beisang, though nominally occupied by the Empire Army, possessed a jarring tranquility.

Faint traces of battle lingered at the base of the city walls, along with a gate charred and shattered by artillery fire—testaments to the Empire Army’s passage. Just as the city’s residents were gripped with anxiety, the Empire Army simply forced the farm owners and city granaries to open up to them and confiscated all weapons. Once done, the invaders hastily departed, continuing their mission to encircle and intercept the National Guard.

Just when the residents of Beisang City thought the enemy had passed through like a gust of wind and they could live in peace, another group arrived: armed Bayern people.

These newcomers spoke with the city administrators, then withdrew from the city proper and began repairing roads and hauling equipment into the mining district. A few days later, they unexpectedly began recruiting workers from the residents of Beisang City, offering food in exchange for labor.

Some considered it collaborating with the enemy, but others, whose food had been seized by the Empire Army, had no choice but to work for the Bayern.

Thus, the two sides coexisted peacefully for the time being. Even when wealthy residents fled in their carriages, the Bayern adopted a completely laissez-faire attitude.

Perhaps the most aggrieved party was the original mine owner. He tried to incite nearby farmers to cause trouble at the mine, but to his surprise, two tall, four-legged iron monsters charged out of the mining district, sending the ragtag mob scattering in terror.

This was but a snapshot of life in the enemy-occupied territories of northeastern Valois. That is, until one night, when the first carriage from the direction of the Valois capital quietly entered the city.

Several figures, their features heavily concealed, emerged from within. They did not remove their hoods until they were guided into a private mansion.

Both the newcomers and their host wore expressions of surprise.

"I did not expect you to come in person, Mr. Maxim."

"I, too, could hardly have predicted that we would meet here, Master Rorschach."

With a wave of his hand, Rorschach caused the visitors’ cloaks to unfasten and hang themselves in the foyer. He then led the representatives from Valois into a private room. "It was only proper for me to come. I am the sole representative for both the Elder Council and Bayern, so there was no need to trouble anyone else. Furthermore, my being here in person shows our sincerity."

"But as for you..."

"I have already resolved to distance myself from the center of power. This visit is my final act as a member of the National Salvation Committee—a task that is far from glorious in the eyes of the public, but one of vital importance to the Republic," Maxim said as he slowly followed Rorschach up the stairs.