The scene at Montaña Port was naturally witnessed by the public near the harbor.
In the crowd, a man dressed in ordinary worker’s clothes watched the fleet disappear over the horizon, his eyes flickering.
He exclaimed along with the people around him and discussed the sight with a few acquaintances.
After watching for a while, the man quietly left the crowd and turned into a dark alley nearby.
After winding through the alley, he finally arrived at a seemingly abandoned residential building.
The man cautiously scanned his surroundings, ensuring no one had followed him, before pushing open the creaking wooden door and slipping inside.
He expertly made his way to the second floor of the residence, moved a dilapidated wardrobe, and exposed a narrow, hidden compartment behind it.
Inside the compartment, a wireless telegraph machine lay quietly on a table.
The next day, in the capital of the Holy Britannian Empire, London.
Inside Buckingham Palace, the atmosphere in the magnificent Audience Chamber was solemn.
Queen Victoria, ninety-four years old, sat high upon the throne. The surface of the throne, crafted from gold and magic crystals, flowed with visible magical light, making the figure of the ‘Eternal Queen’ appear both majestic and mysterious.
Her appearance and physique showed none of the expected decay of a ninety-four-year-old. Instead, she had miraculously maintained the peak condition of when she ascended the throne at the age of eighteen.
Her long, jet-black hair was pinned back, her skin was smooth and firm, and her eyes were clear and sharp, as if time had utterly ceased to affect her.
Below the throne, the Prime Minister, the Ministers of War, the Navy, and Colonial Affairs, as well as several heads of military intelligence, stood with solemn expressions and hands clasped.
“Your Majesty, the Saxon Army is undergoing partial mobilization, but according to our latest intelligence, twelve of their infantry divisions have already crossed the border into the Kingdom of Aragon. Our Expeditionary Forces in Cuenca and Valencia are preparing their defense, but the situation is not optimistic due to the troop disparity.”
The Minister of War Intelligence spoke first, his voice echoing in the empty hall, his tone urgent.
“On the naval front, the Saxon High Seas Fleet and Mediterranean Fleet have both left port, Your Majesty…”
The Minister of Naval Intelligence immediately added:
“Their Mediterranean Fleet is moving toward Gibraltar, and the High Seas Fleet has entered the North Sea… This is a very clear signal. The Saxons’ posture is extremely aggressive.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than the Minister of the Navy, standing on the other side, stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, the Royal Navy must issue a reciprocal response! The Home Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet must immediately sail out to demonstrate the Empire’s resolve to the Saxons!”
After speaking, he glanced at the Minister of War, who also spoke with a grave expression:
“The Army also requires reinforcements. The Saxons share a border with the Kingdom of Aragon. Their ground forces can be continually deployed to the battlefield via rail… ”
“Whereas every one of our expeditionary soldiers, and every shell, must cross the ocean by sea transport! Before reinforcements arrive, our forces in Aragon will face a significant numerical disadvantage!”
The tone of the two military ministers was fraught with urgency. The change in the situation in the Kingdom of Aragon had frankly exceeded their—or rather, the entire Britannian high command’s—expectations.
In the initial analysis, the plan was for Seville, supported by elite forces, to be captured first.
Then, they would leverage that success to control the port southwest of Seville and the Aragonese Navy within the port…
Other fronts, including Madrid, were primarily intended as a distraction.
But unexpectedly, the target of the campaign, Seville, was not taken, yet Madrid was inexplicably captured.
And the Expeditionary Force’s subsequent push to the Mediterranean coast, while tactically encircling a large force, strategically cornered themselves…
“We cannot stand by and watch the Expeditionary Force be annihilated!” the Minister of War continued to argue. “Therefore, regardless of the cost, we must send reinforcements to the Kingdom of Aragon, and on a massive scale!”
Just as the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense, the Imperial Prime Minister and the Minister of Colonial Affairs exchanged glances, and the former stepped forward.
“Gentlemen, before deciding whether to drag the Empire into a new war, perhaps we should first assess our current losses.”
The Imperial Prime Minister looked around at everyone, then continued:
“I believe everyone here has seen the battle reports from the front. We have suffered extremely severe losses in Seville. The Northumberland Musket Regiment, the elite of the Expeditionary Force, has had its three main battalions almost completely shattered and will require significant replenishment from the rear to regain combat effectiveness.”
“The special detachment of the Guard Knight Order was completely wiped out.”
At this point, a High-Level Tutor, representing the High-Level Mage Corps and who had remained silent, also spoke:
“Including His Excellency High-Level Tutor Eldridge of the High-Level Mage Corps, a total of five High-Level Mages fell in Seville… The only surviving Mage also suffered extreme mental trauma and is currently being urgently transported back home.”
Everyone present was already aware of this news.
But hearing it again still made them feel as if they were trapped in a nightmare.
Five Mages falling in a single day was unprecedented in the history of the High-Level Mage Corps.
Not even the rampant ‘Spell Plague’ of the past had caused this level of single-day loss…
“All these facts point to one thing,” the Prime Minister summarized. “Our assessment of the Saxon Empire’s military capabilities had a serious deviation!”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: “Furthermore, our relationship with the Gallic Republic has not yet thawed. If we rashly provoke a full-scale war with the Saxons now, who can guarantee that the Gauls won’t stab us in the back?”
The Prime Minister’s words plunged the entire hall into silence.
Although the Minister of the Navy and the Minister of War were reluctant to concede, they could not refute him.
But as representatives of the military’s hardline faction, they clearly knew that if they failed to make a strong response, the Empire’s prestige would suffer a severe blow, and those Saxon barbarians would only become more aggressive.
“Prime Minister, are you suggesting we sit by and do nothing? Allowing the Saxons to run rampant in Aragon?” the Minister of War couldn’t help but challenge. “That would undoubtedly be showing weakness to the world!”
“That is not what I mean.”
The Prime Minister shook his head. He looked at the two military heads, his tone suddenly becoming stern.
“I only want to remind you not to repeat past mistakes! You military men seem incapable of learning lessons…”
He emphasized his point, speaking clearly, word for word:
“The Boer Wars, years ago, were they not initiated under the extreme pressure of you military officials?”
“And what was the result? The Empire paid a heavy price and barely secured a so-called ‘Pyrrhic victory’!”
“The money, resources, and lives of soldiers we expended were completely disproportionate to the gains we achieved!”
The Prime Minister’s voice resonated through the hall. Every word was like a hammer blow landing on the hearts of the two military ministers.
“Tell me!” He took a step forward, challenging the Minister of War. “Do you wish to repeat the Boer Wars and drive our great Empire completely into the abyss?”
The Prime Minister’s challenge was sharp and direct, making the Minister of War’s face flush red and then pale, unable to find a strong argument to counter him.
The shadow of the Boer Wars still haunted the minds of many Britannians.
That seemingly certain victory ultimately escalated into a quagmire of attrition, severely damaging the Empire’s finances and prestige.
“Prime Minister, the times are different now!”
The Minister of the Navy, also a member of the ‘Queen’s Most High War Council,’ attempted to shield his colleague.
“The threat from the Saxons is far greater than the Boers they secretly supported back then! If we retreat now, we will pay a much heavier price in the future!”
Just as the two sides were locked in dispute, the Minister of Colonial Affairs, who had remained silent, also stepped forward, adding new weight to the Prime Minister’s viewpoint.
“Your Majesty, Prime Minister.”
He first paid his respects to the Queen and the Prime Minister, then turned to the others, his face clouded with deep concern.
“While the situation in the Kingdom of Aragon is worrying, we cannot ignore the issues in other parts of the Empire. Especially North America…”
He raised a document he had been holding for a long time, speaking loudly:
“Over the past few months, I have received dozens of urgent telegrams from His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, Governor-General of the United States of America. The situation in the North American colonies is far more unstable than we imagined. Rebel sightings have been continuously reported in many areas.”
“Although they have not yet coalesced into a major force, and are only small-scale riots and attacks, this trend is very dangerous! His Royal Highness has repeatedly telegraphed London, requesting troop and supply reinforcements to stabilize the local situation!”
The Minister of Colonial Affairs’ words added to the already tense atmosphere.
He emphasized, deepening his tone:
“Gentlemen, we must be clear on one point! Compared to the Kingdom of Aragon, which has yet to yield any resources, the North American colonies are the most dazzling ‘Jewel’ in the crown of our Holy Britannian Empire! Its impact on the Empire’s economy and strategic position is more direct and far more crucial!”
“If our North American colonies catch fire while we are engaged in a protracted war with the Saxons, the situation will become unthinkable! We could face the predicament of fighting on two, or even multiple, fronts!”
This dose of cold reality was perfectly timed, cooling down the militaristic fervor of the hardline faction considerably.
The Empire’s strength was not infinite.
Not only did their long-standing disputes with the Gauls over African colonies tie up a large number of troops.
Now, with the Iberian Peninsula conflict escalating, if North America also posed a problem, the Empire’s global strategic deployment would be completely disrupted.
“That is simply absurd!”
The Minister of War continued to argue:
“Those North American rebels are nothing more than a ragtag bunch. The forces His Royal Highness commands are sufficient to handle them! We cannot abandon our interests on the Iberian Peninsula because of some uncertain risks!”
“Ragtag bunch?”
The Minister of Colonial Affairs sneered, his tone becoming less cordial:
“Weren’t those people fighting the so-called ‘War of Independence’ in North America also viewed as a ‘ragtag bunch’ by the military at the time? And what was the outcome? If Benedict Arnold hadn’t captured Washington and handed him over to us, the status of the North American colonies would still be unknown!”
“You—” The Minister of War was choked, unable to utter a defense.
Seeing the cabinet on the verge of completely breaking down in front of the Queen, the Prime Minister stepped forward again, attempting to quell the dispute.
“Enough, let us keep our voices down.”
He waved his hand, signaling the Minister of Colonial Affairs to calm down, and continued:
“There is merit in all of your concerns, but this is not the time for mutual recriminations. We need a plan that ensures the Empire navigates this crisis safely.”
The debate between the two sides paused, but neither had convinced the other.
The military faction insisted on a strong response to save the Empire’s face and its interests in Aragon.
The other faction, led by the Prime Minister, believed they must act cautiously to avoid a war quagmire and prioritize stabilizing the more crucial North American colonies.
The argument lasted for a long time. Various proposals were made and then rejected.
The entire Audience Chamber was filled with tension and anxiety.
Finally, everyone’s gaze turned in unison to the ‘Eternal Queen’ on the throne, who had remained silent throughout.
No matter how heated their arguments, the final decision-making power rested solely with this Queen, who had ruled the Empire for nearly a century.
Queen Victoria’s face betrayed no emotional fluctuation. Her deep eyes scanned every person present, as if seeing through all their innermost thoughts.
The hall was silent enough to hear a pin drop.
Everyone held their breath, awaiting the Queen’s final verdict.
Finally, the Queen slowly spoke. Her voice was not loud, but it carried an inherent majesty that was clearly heard by everyone.
“There is truth in what all of you say, but…”
The Queen’s tone suddenly sharpened:
“I also agree with the military’s view that when dealing with the Saxon Empire, our Holy Britannian Empire must not show any hint of weakness.”
“My wayward grandson, what he wants to see is our hesitation and retreat.”
“The more we back down, the more aggressive he will become. As his grandmother, I know this better than any of you.”
Queen Victoria slowly rose from the throne, walked to the steps, and looked down at the massive world map on the floor of the Audience Chamber.
“Therefore, the posture must be struck.”
She looked up at the crowd, her gaze blazing, and issued a series of commands that brooked no argument.
“I approve the reinforcement plan! The War Office shall immediately formulate a plan to mobilize troops from the homeland and North Africa, and prepare for immediate sea transport to Aragon!”
“The Admiralty shall order the main forces of the Home Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet to immediately leave port! I care not whether you call it a combat patrol or a military exercise; what I want is for the Saxon fleets to constantly see the flag of the Royal Navy!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” the two military ministers responded in unison, their voices filled with excitement and fervor.
Queen Victoria I’s decision was almost perfectly synchronized with the thoughts of her grandson—Emperor Albert II of the Saxon Empire.
She also believed that regardless of whether a full-scale war ultimately broke out, they absolutely could not let the opposing side perceive any possibility of retreat on Britannia’s part, at least in their posture.
After issuing the military orders, the Eternal Queen’s gaze turned to the Foreign Secretary.
“Sir Edward Grey.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Foreign Secretary, who had been standing in the corner as if detached from the world, stepped forward.
The Queen’s tone softened somewhat now.
“While the fleets are sailing out, maintain constant contact with the Saxon side, and prepare for negotiations. War is the continuation of politics, but not the only means! I require all of you to secure the greatest interests for the Empire, whether on the battlefield or at the negotiation table.”
This sentence was almost identical to what Albert II had said to his Foreign Secretary back in Dresden.
“As you command, Your Majesty!” the Foreign Secretary replied respectfully.
(End of this Chapter)