Saxon Empire, Potsdam, Sanssouci Palace.
The rococo palace, known as the "Versailles of Saxony," stood quiet and imposing beneath the night sky.
But that tranquility was soon shattered by hurried footsteps.
After two hours of transmission and decoding, an encrypted telegram from the front in the Kingdom of Aragon finally reached the study of Albert II, Emperor of the Saxon Empire.
Arriving with the telegram were the hurried Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Helmuth Ludwig von Moltke, and Imperial Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg.
Helmuth von Moltke the Younger's uncle was none other than Helmuth von Moltke the Elder, the Saxon Empire's legendary military genius.
Though Moltke the Younger had a relatively weak disposition, ever since becoming Albert II's military aide, he had surpassed many men more capable than himself in every aspect of his career, eventually rising to Chief of the General Staff of the Saxon Imperial Army.
Inside the study, flames burned quietly in the fireplace, illuminating the emperor's slightly weary face.
Albert II took the telegram from an attendant and quickly read through it.
As his gaze passed over the first half, the empire's supreme ruler's expression darkened dramatically, and his fingers tightened around the paper until they turned faintly white.
But as he read on, the tension in his face gradually eased. The attendant standing beside him could even hear the emperor's relieved murmur.
"They got him back. That's what matters. They got him back..."
Albert II laid the telegram on the desk, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long breath.
An imperial army lieutenant general, captured by hostile forces in a foreign land...
That would have been more than a military setback. It would have triggered a terrible diplomatic disaster and a storm of public outrage.
Thankfully, the worst had not happened.
"Your Majesty, this act by the Britannians is a blatant assault on the empire's dignity!"
Moltke the Younger's voice broke the brief silence in the study. He was not particularly tall or imposing, but his immaculate gray uniform lent him a commanding presence.
"Ambushing our military observer delegation without a declaration of war is not merely an insult to the Saxon army. It is a challenge to your authority as emperor!"
Moltke the Younger stepped forward, his tone brimming with undisguised anger.
"We must make them pay! The Kingdom of Aragon is crucial to extending our influence southward. We cannot allow it to fall into Britannian hands! If the 'Royal Army' they support wins, the Britannian sphere of influence will extend right to our doorstep!"
Imperial Chancellor Hollweg, who had remained silent, also spoke at an opportune moment. His tone was calmer than Moltke the Younger's, but his words carried no less weight.
"Your Majesty, the chief of staff is correct... Politically speaking, Crown Prince Alfonso studied in the empire and advocates adopting our model of industrial development. He was already our ideal ally. More importantly..."
Hollweg paused, then delivered a bombshell.
"The latest survey reports indicate that a vein of luminescence crystal ore has been discovered in the southern mountains of the Kingdom of Aragon. Its reserves may be the largest on the entire continent of Europa... That means the nature of this civil war has changed completely."
Luminescence crystal ore!
Albert II's gaze instantly sharpened. Of course he understood what that meant.
The luminescence crystal technology that allowed the Saxon Empire to hold its own against Britannia and Gaul depended on that ore.
The largest vein in Europa would be enough to completely shift the balance of power across the continent.
He also knew perfectly well that the discovery of this vein was precisely why the Britannians had intervened in the Kingdom of Aragon's civil war...
Indeed, had the Gauls not been busy suppressing the massive uprising that had recently erupted in their colonies, their country, which also bordered the Kingdom of Aragon, would undoubtedly have joined the fray!
As for why two countries that pursued magic-based technology had suddenly begun coveting luminescence crystal ore?
The reason was simple.
Keep mining an ore deposit, and it would eventually run dry...
That was especially true of magic crystal ore, which had arrived on this planet in meteorites from outer space.
Its reserves had always been far smaller than those of the planet's native minerals.
After so many years of unrestricted mining by the Britannians and Gauls, magic crystal ore reserves had long since fallen close to critical levels.
Thus, these two powers built on magic-based technology had actually been considering a change in technological direction for some time. To them, the vein discovered in the Kingdom of Aragon was a godsend...
Albert II frowned, then set those thoughts aside for the moment and turned his gaze to his chief of staff.
"Helmuth, if I give you a free hand, how confident are you? And one more thing... If we launch an offensive, would that constitute a declaration of war against Britannia?"
After hearing Albert II's questions, Moltke the Younger considered them for a moment before answering earnestly.
"Your Majesty, please have faith in the training, courage, and discipline of our imperial soldiers! As for declaring war... Since the Britannians have chosen to wage war without declaring it, why should we be bound by such hollow formalities?"
Albert II had little objection to that point.
Over the years, conflicts with Britannia and Gaul over resources and territory had never ceased in the empire's African colonies... Bloody armed clashes had long since become commonplace.
If every clash required a declaration of war, all of Europa would probably have descended into chaos long ago.
"Go on."
"Yes, Your Majesty... If we do launch an offensive, the troops deployed in the Kingdom of Aragon will conduct operations in coordination with the National Army and the 'International Brigades'!"
At the mention of the "International Brigades," the corner of Moltke the Younger's mouth twitched involuntarily.
"The International Brigades..."
A flicker of conflicting emotion also passed through Albert II's eyes as he mentioned that force.
"I recall you telling me recently that the eleventh contingent of International Brigades volunteers had finished assembling and entered the Kingdom of Aragon overland?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. The International Brigades currently in the Kingdom of Aragon have reached a strength of seven brigades..."
Moltke the Younger nodded. At that moment, his feelings were every bit as conflicted as Albert II's.
These volunteers from around the world had answered the call to "break the hegemonic monopoly and share the advances of civilization." Though they were not professional soldiers, their will to fight and their fearless spirit had earned Moltke the Younger's respect... and a trace of fear.
The Saxon Empire had organized the "International Brigades" and covered almost all their needs for basic weaponry, logistical supplies, and transportation.
In a sense, the two sides were close "allies."
But more than once, he had wondered whether, one day, these workers, farmers, teachers... and other so-called "progressives" might turn their guns on the Saxon Empire for some reason.
Imperial Chancellor Hollweg also stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, with all the publicity the major newspapers have recently given the International Brigades, the Social Democratic Party members leading this effort have become increasingly... brazen. They have even organized several large demonstrations in succession in some cities! I must remind you that these leftists remain a ticking time bomb for the empire."
"Of course I know that. But for now, at least, we still need these 'international volunteers' to maintain the situation in the Kingdom of Aragon."
Albert II sighed. As heir to the House of Wettin of Saxony, he understood the threat posed by these left-wing forces within his country.
"Those people in the Social Democratic Party... Let them carry on for a while longer. We must focus our attention on the fighting in the Kingdom of Aragon first."
At that point, Albert II finally made up his mind. He rose from his chair and walked to the enormous map of Europa, his gaze settling on the border between the Kingdom of Aragon and the Saxon Empire.
"I authorize the troops already in the Kingdom of Aragon to carry out the necessary military operations in cooperation with our allies! Teach the Britannians a lesson!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Moltke the Younger snapped to attention, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"However..."
Albert II shifted his tone and lightly tapped Seville on the map.
"I regret sending General Mackensen to command the fighting in the Kingdom of Aragon... Draft a joint transfer order in my name and that of the General Staff, instructing him to return home and recuperate."
Moltke the Younger froze for a moment. He could not understand why the emperor wanted to recall the battle-hardened Mackensen at a time like this.
After all, changing commanders in the middle of a campaign was a major military taboo.
But before Moltke the Younger could ask why, Albert II continued.
"Lieutenant General Mackensen is more than an imperial general. He is the empire's most precious 'living fossil'! He should be deployed in a true full-scale war, not a limited conflict..."
The emperor's voice was calm and clear.
"Besides, we cannot afford to lose a general like him in the Kingdom of Aragon. As a small-scale, limited war... it does not call for reckless offensives. It calls for someone steadier who can keep the situation from deteriorating further!"
Albert II turned to look at Moltke the Younger. "My chief of staff, whom would you recommend as the new commander of the expeditionary force in the Kingdom of Aragon?"
After a brief moment of thought, Moltke the Younger quickly offered an answer. "General Maximilian von Prittwitz, Your Majesty."
"Are you certain he is up to the task?"
"Yes. While he is not as outstanding as General Mackensen, his command style is steady and cautious, and he excels at defensive counterattacks. With him overseeing the war in Aragon, nothing should go wrong!"
"Prittwitz..."
Albert II repeated the name several times under his breath before finally nodding.
"He's the man, then. Issue his appointment immediately and have him leave at once for the front in the Kingdom of Aragon to replace General Mackensen!"
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