Trenches, Guns, and Magic

Chapter 101: Proactive Negotiation

The loss of Vallecas meant the Saxons had officially pointed their cannon barrels at the heads of the Madrid defenders.The Artillery Brigade of the 8th Infantry Division, eager to deploy, dragged their 105mm howitzers and 77mm field guns onto the high ground after daybreak.

After a morning of intense labor, rudimentary artillery positions were completed on the heights.

The artillerymen took turns conducting several rounds of ranging shots, preparing to establish a temporary firing table here…

Most of the shells slammed into the sturdy old city walls of Madrid, kicking up plumes of dust but causing no substantial damage.

Yet, this was enough to strike fear into the hearts of the city’s defenders.

Today, the shells were only landing on the walls. Where the Saxons would dare to throw them tomorrow was something they dared not imagine.

The atmosphere within the city grew increasingly oppressive due to the sporadic sound of artillery fire.

Douglas Haig, Commander of the Britannian Expeditionary Force, had sent multiple telegrams back home even before the Vallecas Heights were lost.

He earnestly described Madrid’s precarious situation, requesting immediate reinforcements, especially the desperately needed support from the High-Level Mage Corps.

However, the several replies from the homeland were nothing but boilerplate political talk.

In summary, they all said the same thing: ‘Hold the line firmly, and a solution will be found.’

This infuriated Haig, who nearly smashed the command post’s telegraph machine.

It wasn’t until noon that a detailed telegram from the Minister of War finally arrived.

In the telegram, the Minister of War sternly instructed Haig to hold Madrid at all costs.

He emphasized that Madrid was the Empire’s most crucial strategic foothold in the Kingdom of Aragon and its most important bargaining chip in the upcoming negotiations.

Only by holding Madrid could the Empire have room to maneuver at the negotiating table; otherwise, all previous sacrifices would be in vain…

Haig looked at the telegram and, momentarily losing control, crushed the cigar in his hand.

With the war in this state, what negotiations could there be?

Would the Saxons really spit out the meat they had in their mouths?

With no other choice, Haig reluctantly went to the High-Level Mage Corps garrison in the city again.

He conveyed the news exactly as he received it to the High-Level Tutors of the Mage Corps.

He hoped they would assist him in organizing a counterattack, even if only to retake the Vallecas Heights, for the sake of the Empire’s interests.

The High-Level Tutor’s response made him want to draw the revolver at his hip.

“Please rest assured, Commander Haig, should the Saxons begin their siege, I will lead all the High-Level Mages to fight until the last moment for the glory of the Empire!”

The words sounded noble, but the unspoken meaning was perfectly clear: until the siege truly began, do not expect the Mages to risk leaving the city to meet the enemy.

They had no desire to repeat the fate of their comrades in Seville.

Haig’s last hope of launching a counterattack with the High-Level Mages’ assistance was completely dashed.

Now, he could only watch helplessly as the Saxon shells crashed onto the city walls of Madrid one after another, continuously wearing down the morale and will of the defenders…

On the other side, at the Saxon Expeditionary Force’s temporary headquarters, a heated discussion was underway regarding whether they should immediately launch the siege.

The commanders of the two Corps and their subordinate Division Commanders almost unanimously advocated for the siege.

After all, the prospect of ‘capturing the enemy capital’ held immense allure for military men.he attack and preserve their forces.

Instead, they were to maintain pressure on the enemy through continuous encirclement, creating more advantages for their own negotiation representatives.

War, ultimately, was the continuation of politics.

General Mackensen, upon receiving the order, felt a tinge of regret that he couldn’t take Madrid in one fell swoop.

But this was actually the order he truly desired.

As a veteran general, he was keenly aware of the losses a forced siege would entail…

He immediately ordered the entire army to cease all aggressive actions against Madrid and shift to a full-scale state of encirclement.

On the other side, after the night raid melee at the Vallecas Heights, the 1st Company, having suffered significant casualties, finally earned a precious chance for temporary rest.

On this day, as Morin reorganized his troops for routine drill and physical training, a new notification popped up on the system’s 【Intelligence】 page.

【The Holy Britannian Empire and the Saxon Empire have begun the second round of negotiations in Paris】

(End of this Chapter)