The Worst-Case Scenario

The Rhine Alliance's army began to mobilize. The first sign was that the taverns in Hanma City became packed.

With troops about to be deployed, anyone with a little money went out for a good meal first. The Wesen Army was no exception.

The Northern Front Corps of the Wesen Army went on a wartime footing. Everyone was ordered back to their units and forbidden to leave. They began inspecting weapons and equipment and distributing ammunition and medical kits, while cartloads of chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, cattle, and sheep were brought in one after another.

In the command center, Young Franz, Heinz, commander of the 1st Division, Jürgen, commander of the 4th Division, whose rotation was originally imminent, and Eugene, commander of the 3rd Division, who had cut short his rest to come provide support, gathered around the sand table to discuss the next steps.

After the staff officer had briefed them on the situation on the battlefield, Jürgen said, "It would be great if the King approved the assault plan. The 4th and 3rd Divisions could reach the walls of the Sverier Kingdom's main army camp in five or six days."

Eugene nodded in agreement.

The 3rd and 4th Divisions were both highly mobile, wheel-based forces. Eugene's 3rd Division had once demonstrated its formidable mobility by encircling and annihilating the enemy, making it ideally suited to surprise attacks.

Young Franz said, "We need to prepare for the worst."

"The Piaster Kingdom is gathering its troops now, so it must have some purpose. We have to be ready to respond."

After speaking, he turned to Eugene.

Eugene replied at once, "Leave those Winged Hussars to me. I hope more than a hundred thousand of them show up this time."

They had won a major victory in the west, and upon