Mage? Spell Engineer!.

Chapter 513: The Gamble Begins

Two large-scale battles that could determine the direction of the war were brewing almost at the same time.

After the National Guard on the Western Front made a decisive breakthrough, a gap was briefly opened in the Empire's defense line. With the support of Istani, the Valois boldly attempted to transport supplies and reserve troops by sea, while Paul's main force headed north without hesitation.

The Empire's operations on the Eastern Front were also very smooth, and the main force of the National Guard on the Eastern Front was driven to the "Wall of Sighs".

The "green gas of death" equipped to the Eastern Group of the National Guard did not play the expected role. It was greatly affected by natural conditions such as wind direction. Even if it successfully detained and killed the enemies in the trenches, its own soldiers would not be able to quickly pass through these trenches emitting deadly gas.

In short, the "Helmuth Line" stood the test at a certain cost, and a large number of Valois died in the area between it and the Imperial Army.

Now both sides face the same choice: should the main force that has achieved results attack or defend?
The countermeasures of the Empire and the Republic were almost mirror images. The Republic directly withdrew its defensive forces in the southeast and opened the door to the Allied Forces. The withdrawn troops gathered to the east of Valuana to organize defenses and guard against the main force of the Imperial Army in the east.

The Empire also withdrew its western front troops from the edge of the defense line and organized defense to the south of the imperial capital.

The purpose of the two countries' defensive deployments was the same: to buy time for the main attack. And both sides made a huge gamble at the same time - to strike at each other's heart with all their strength.

In the command post of the Western Front of the National Guard, Paul preached to other generals in front of a huge map:
“Although the intentions of our army and the main forces of the Imperial Army are both clear, the strategic goals we seek are still different.

"The national conditions of Valois and the Empire are different. Our capital not only has a lofty symbolic status in the hearts of all citizens, but also actually concentrates the vast majority of the population and industrial output. It can be said that if the enemy invades Valois, we will no longer have the possibility of resisting or counterattacking.

"Although the majority of the Empire's population is from the former Kingdom of Marin, its industrial areas are relatively scattered. Including Byrne, there are at least three groups distributed there. Even if we take down the Imperial Capital, the Empire's vast territory can still organize resistance against counterattacks.

"So our actual mission should be to attack the imperial capital and force the main force of the imperial army on the western front to fight us. We must destroy as many living forces as possible in the battle. In essence, we want to destroy the Marin Kingdom's leading ability in the imperial system and force the main force of the imperial army on the eastern front to return north for support."

After saying that, he threw the pencil away, and what was left on the map was his deployment and thoughts. Now no one in the command post looked down on this rapidly rising boy. He was a spellcaster, but his greatest talent should be his keen strategic sense and strong execution ability.

The opponents only spoke cautiously: "Do the National Salvation Committee and the Military Committee agree to this deployment? If we continue to advance, will our flanks be exposed to the enemy?"

Paul patted the table and said, “Of course the two committees agree with the judgment from the front line. The defense of Valuana has begun to be organized. They already have the experience of the first defensive battle, so they will surely be able to buy us enough time.

"As for the flank problem, we have the Black Forest to our east to protect us. At the same time, our army's movement direction is not directly northward, but to the northeast with the Imperial Capital as the target.

"There is no time to hesitate, gentlemen. If we retreat, the entire main force of the Imperial Army will surround our capital. Think about that scene, isn't it much worse than our current situation?

"Everyone, there is another very important issue: the Republic can no longer afford to support our army today! If we return to our homeland, millions of people will eat precious food reserves in Valuana. Only if we look for supplies on the land of the Empire can we give the poor logistics a break. No matter how we consider it, the pace of our attack can only be faster, faster!"

Inside the command post, kerosene lamps and the light balls emitted by Pascal lit up the tents, revealing a variety of faces, all of whom were staring at the young man. Finally, someone spoke up: "I agree with General Paul." "I agree, too."
Of course, the National Salvation Committee could not have been unaware of the danger to the capital. The central port area had been closed and turned into a fortress in the north of Valois. Defenses were also being arranged in the east. The once beautiful hunting grounds of the royal family had changed their appearance, with trenches and barbed wire laid out in layers. The castle that used to belong to Charles had been transformed beyond recognition and was equipped with the largest caliber cannons.

Compared with the tense atmosphere in the royal capital, the northeastern city of Besan, which was nominally occupied by the Imperial Army, was unusually calm.

Slight traces of fighting were left at the foot of the city, and the city gates were charred and broken by artillery fire, indicating the presence of the imperial army. While the city residents were in a panic, the imperial army simply forced the farmers and the city's granaries to open to them and disarm. After completing this, the invaders hurriedly left the city and continued their pursuit and interception of the National Guard.

Just when the residents of Bessan thought that the enemy would pass by like a gust of wind and they would be left alone, a group of armed Bains came again.

These people talked to the city managers about something, then left the city and began to repair roads and move equipment into the mining area. A few days later, they actually recruited workers from the residents of Bessan City, exchanging food for labor.

Some people thought they were aiding the enemy, while others were forced to work for the Byrne people because their food was stolen by the imperial army.

As a result, the two sides lived in peace for the time being. Even if the rich people fled in carriages, the Byrne people just let them go.

The person who was most hurt might be the former mine owner. He tried to incite nearby farmers to cause trouble at the mine, but unexpectedly two tall four-legged iron monsters jumped out of the mining area, scaring the mob away.

This is one of the microcosms of the enemy-occupied areas northeast of Valois. Until one night, the first carriage from the direction of the Valois capital quietly entered the city.

Several people, all covered up tightly, walked out and did not take off their hoods until they were led into a mansion.

Both the newcomers and those who greeted them showed surprise.

"I didn't expect you to come in person, Mr. Maxime."

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

Rorschach waved his hand, and all the robes of the visitors were automatically untied and hung in the hallway. He led the representatives of Valois into a private space: "It is my duty to come. I am the only one who can represent both the Senate and Byrne, so there is no need to trouble others. In addition, my personal presence can also show my sincerity.

“Just You”

"I have decided to stay away from the center of power. Coming here is the last thing I will do as a member of the National Salvation Committee, something that is not glorious in public opinion, but is very important to the Republic." Maxim slowly followed Rorschach upstairs.

(End of this chapter)