French Rapid Reaction Force

Led by the officer, Lützk climbed the low hill and saw that representatives from Austria, the United Kingdom, Bavaria, and other countries had already gathered there. A Major in a Baden uniform was pointing down the hill and loudly explaining something to them.

"Gentlemen, this joint military exercise, 'Steadfast Will,' is being held to rehearse how France and Bavaria would resist should trade routes within our territories come under attack. It is not directed at any country."

Joseph had naturally drafted those words. The Baden officer was merely reading from the script.

The officer gestured for the guards to distribute Telescopes to the negotiators, then continued, "This exercise consists of a mixed force of 1,800 soldiers from the Baden Royal Guards and 48,000 soldiers from the French Royal Guard Legion.

"The exercise force will be divided into the Blue and White Sides, conducting a week-long offensive and defensive drill around Karlsruhe. The exercise subjects include town defense, encirclement and counterattack, pursuit and counteroffensive..."

Lützk's face darkened somewhat. Fifty thousand French Army soldiers had suddenly come here for an exercise—who could fail to see their intentions?

And with a name like "Steadfast Will," it was practically the same as hanging a sign in the trade negotiation hall declaring, "France is unhappy. France is angry."

A fresh burst of dense cannon fire rolled up from below, jolting pain through Lützk's eardrums.

He raised the Telescope he had just received and looked downhill. Amid the dust and gun smoke filling the sky, large formations of soldiers in blue or white uniforms moved back and forth in exceptionally neat ranks, occasionally halting to unleash several volleys.

Between the Infantry formations, the White Side's warhorses dragged more than a dozen Cannons past in a flash through the smoke.

Those Artillery troops moved with astonishing speed.