Trench Bolts and Magic

Chapter 140 Before the Avalanche
Graham's slightly sarcastic question left everyone speechless.

The facts are right in front of us.

No matter how difficult the motive may be to understand, the emergence of the "Silence Technique" has pointed the finger of suspicion in a direction that no one expected.

Finally, the chief archmage slowly spoke, ending the discussion.

"No matter who did it, it's pointless to investigate now."

"Vienna's anger has reached its peak, and the shadow of war is looming over all of Europe."

"What we need to do now is not to solve this mystery, but to remind Her Majesty the Queen to prepare for the coming storm."

His words silenced all the high mages present.

Yes, when an avalanche called 'World War' is about to engulf all the countries of Europe, it is pointless to dwell on which snowflake started first.

……

In the days that followed, every snowflake in Europe embarked on its own daring journey across the world.

June 29, the day after Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated.

Before the official Austro-Hungarian statement framing the country was released, an emergency imperial meeting was held at the Hofburg Palace.

In the conference room, everyone had a stern face, and no one spoke.

Only Army Chief of Staff Conrad paced back and forth in the room, the sound of his leather boots striking the marble floor echoing through the room.

This time, no one can check or balance the imperial hawks led by him.

Archduke Ferdinand's death removed the last pillar of support for the doves.

Even the politicians who usually advocate peace find no reason to resolve the issue through diplomatic means.

The empire's crown prince was blasted to obliterate his body in broad daylight, on the empire's own territory, by a fireball.
If the empire cannot respond with the strongest possible response, then the outside world will only think that this ancient and vast empire has become a lamb to the slaughter.

"war!"

Conrad finally stopped and slammed his hand on the conference table with a loud bang.

"Our only option is war!"

His voice echoed in the empty conference room, carrying an undeniable resolve.

For the next two hours, Conrad single-handedly dictated the direction of the entire meeting.

According to post-event statistics, Conrad used the word 'war' 127 times at this emergency meeting that determined the fate of the empire.

In the end, all participants reached a consensus.

Declaring war on the Kingdom of Serbia.

An irrefutable military victory is necessary to wash away the humiliation suffered by the empire and to completely eliminate this major threat entrenched in the Balkans.

Schönbrunn Palace, afternoon of June 30.

Austrian Foreign Minister Leopold von Berchtold reported the final results of the meeting to Emperor Franz Joseph I.

The old emperor listened quietly to Berchtold's report, his wrinkled face revealing no emotion.

He knew very well that this war was unavoidable.

But we've been sitting on this 'powder keg' of the Balkans for so many years.

This made him understand a truth better than anyone else present—that in Europe, there has never been an isolated war.

"War is permissible."

The old emperor finally spoke.

"However, we must first obtain the commitment of our allies."

“Bechtold, you must go to Dresden yourself. I need the assurance of Emperor Albert II of Saxony.”

"I need to know that when our troops set foot on Serbian soil, we have a loyal and powerful ally standing behind us."

July 5, Dresden, Sanssouci Palace.

A black sedan, escorted by the Royal Guard, slowly drove into the magnificent palace.

The car door opened, and Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister Leopold von Berchtold stepped out, straightened his collar, and looked up at the power center of the Saxon Empire.

In Emperor Albert II's study, Berchtold personally handed the letter from Vienna to the Saxon Emperor.

The envelope was not overly decorated, sealed simply with sealing wax and bearing the Habsburg family crest.

Albert II opened the letter and read it quickly.

The letter was written by Franz Joseph I himself, and it was filled with the old emperor's grief and anger, but the core message was only one.

With Austria-Hungary about to take military action against the Kingdom of Serbia, is the Saxon Empire willing to fulfill the Treaty of Sao Touquet and maintain complete political and military alignment with Austria-Hungary?

After reading the letter, Albert II remained silent for a moment.

He gently placed the letter on the table and then said to Berchtold:
"I will give His Majesty King Franz Joseph I a clear answer this afternoon."

Berchtold bowed slightly and left the study.

He knew he had done all he could.

Now, it's up to the Saxons to choose.

Soon, Imperial Chancellor Holwig, Army Chief of Staff Moltke the Younger, and other high-ranking imperial officials were urgently summoned to Sanssouci Palace.

During the subsequent Supreme Council of the Empire, Albert II circulated the Emperor's personal letter to everyone.

When the letter reached Chief of the General Staff Moltke the Younger, the supreme commander of the Imperial Army, he hardly hesitated.

"Your Majesty, we must support the Austro-Hungarian Empire."

His tone was firm.

"The Lucian Empire has fallen, and Serbia has lost its greatest backer. Even if the Gauls or Bretons wanted to intervene, their support would be extremely limited." "The Austro-Hungarian Empire is fully capable of resolving the Serbian problem completely through a swift and decisive local war!"

“We could even help Austria-Hungary make the annexation of Serbia a fait accompli before the Gauls and Britannia could react substantially.”

Moltke's words were echoed by most of the military generals present.

In their view, this was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"Once Austria-Hungary has resolved its troubles in the Balkans, we will be able to completely consolidate our eastern front."

Army Secretary Falkingham added:

"By then, even if the Gauls want to take military risks, we can concentrate all our efforts on the western front, and even seize the opportunity to deal with them once and for all!"

The atmosphere in the conference room gradually heated up, with voices advocating for war gaining absolute dominance.

The last to speak was the Imperial Chancellor, Holwig.

The prime minister, known for his composure, had a serious expression.

"I also agree with supporting Austria-Hungary's war against Serbia."

He spoke slowly, first affirming the military's proposal.

"However," he changed the subject, "we must emphasize one point to the Vienna side: a swift and decisive victory is essential!"

"The scale of this war must be strictly controlled within the Balkan Peninsula."

"We cannot allow this local conflict to escalate into a major war that engulfs the entire continent of Europe! This would not benefit the Empire."

Albert II nodded, agreeing with the prime minister's opinion.

A controlled local war could help allies resolve their problems and deter potential enemies, which was in the interest of the Saxon Empire.

That afternoon, Albert II received Berchtold again.

"Your Excellency, please convey this message to His Majesty Franz Joseph I."

The emperor wore a confident smile.

"The Saxon Empire, as the most loyal and reliable ally of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, will fully support any necessary actions taken against the Kingdom of Serbia."

"No matter what happens, even if it leads to Gallic intervention, Dresden's position will always be aligned with Vienna's."

"But the prerequisite is that your actions must be swift."

This resounding guarantee completely put Bechtold's mind at ease.

He knew that he had secured what the empire needed most.

This blank check from the Saxon Empire would become the final cornerstone for the Austro-Hungarian Empire to launch the war.

When Berchtold left Dresden satisfied and returned to Vienna to report back...

On the diplomatic stage of the entire European continent, a very strange scene unfolded.

The Holy Britannian Empire, which had always been eager for Europe to be thrown into chaos, has surprisingly taken an unusual stance and called for peace in various international forums.

They hope that Vienna and Belgrade will exercise restraint, resolve the dispute through negotiations, and prevent the situation from escalating further.

This sudden 'pacifist' stance has left politicians in many countries puzzled.

Only a few people sensed something unusual about the Brittany's unusual behavior.

July 10, Paris, Élysée Palace.

As night fell, an unmarked carriage quietly stopped at the side gate of the palace.

Sir Edward Grey, the Foreign Minister of the Holy Britannian Empire, strode into the heart of the Gallo-Republic's power structure, discreetly led by a Gallo official.

His sole purpose for this trip was to hold a top-secret meeting with Raymond Puengale, the president of the Republic of Gaul.

In the president's study, there were no attendants, no secretaries, only Puengale waiting for him.

"Sir Grey, it's a pleasure to meet you in Paris."

After Puengalai stood up and shook hands with the other person, he led him to the reception room.

"Although there are always some minor frictions between our two countries."

"But when faced with that threat from the east, I think our positions should be aligned."

The "threat from the east" that Puengalai mentioned was naturally referring to the increasingly powerful Saxon Empire.

Edward Gray nodded and began to speak:
"Mr. President, I think we all know what the consequences would be if Austria-Hungary were allowed to annex Serbia."

"A Saxon Empire without any worries about its rear will become the most powerful land power in the entire European continent."

"By then, both your country's Alsace-Lorraine and our planned transformation of the Huijing industry will be nothing but a pipe dream."

Puengalai nodded; he had to admit that Gray's words resonated with him.

Gaul and Brittany, these old rivals with a 'century-long friendship,' shared a surprisingly common interest in containing the Saxon Empire.

"So, Vienna's accusation that you plotted the assassination is utter nonsense?"

Puengale then changed the subject and asked a question that concerned him most.

"I swear on my personal honor and on the national reputation of the Holy Britannian Empire."

Gray's expression turned extremely serious.

“This time, we were absolutely not involved in it in any way.”

“Then this must be a Saxon conspiracy!” Puengalai blurted out.

"I agree."

Gray immediately agreed.

(End of this chapter)