Magic Industrial Age.

Chapter 487-485: Scheming and Manipulating People's Hearts (Please Subscribe)
On the silver sea, dozens of warships formed a wedge-shaped charge, sailing at high speed with the momentum to crush everything in their path.

In the largest and most luxurious flagship, Earl Hoven Xavier, the Grand Commander of the Coast Knights and the supreme commander from the Kingdom of Sardinia, stood quietly in front of a magic mirror.

In the Marquisate of Castro, at the fishing port of Crab Island, Bonaparte's soldiers, having landed, arrogantly drove out the port's inhabitants and brutally occupied the town.

When Marquis Castro rushed over, he was met with helpless stares of anger and expectation from his homeless subjects.

He could only console himself that at least these Bonaparte soldiers did not loot as recklessly as the Slavs.

In the heart of Crab Island's fishing port, in the largest manor, General Fack Wood, the commander-in-chief of Bonaparte's 13th Division, also stood before a magic mirror.

In the westernmost part of Earlhood of Wick, on the grasslands, the busy Wick people dispersed like a tide, fleeing as if they were escaping.

Only the newly built camp, large enough to accommodate 10,000 people, was left behind, and it was taken over by the newly formed 113th Division of the Slavic Empire.

The powerful Infernal Knights charged in recklessly, and after confirming there was no danger and that there was plenty of food, they let out a deafening laugh.

The laughter was full of mockery and sarcasm, which made Earl Wick's face turn ugly as he walked away.

Even with his timidity and caution, he cursed in his heart these Slavs, wishing they would all die far from home.

Looking west from this campsite, the horizon stretches to the steep, undulating mountains of the grassland, and narrow, winding mountain paths.

The castle in Frostmoon Valley is nestled between the two steepest peaks.

Of course, despite their pride, the soldiers of the 113th Division of the Slavic Empire still demonstrated sufficient professionalism, quickly completing the alert and deployment.

In the center of the camp, in the most luxurious and conspicuous tent,

Duke Aquinas Graham, the commander of the newly formed 113th Division, the Grand Master of the Infernal Knights, a powerful, arrogant, and young man, also stood before a magic mirror.

When the magic mirror is activated, a massive amount of magic power pours into it and spreads outwards.

Thus, in the endless void, three subtle magical forces came into contact, intertwined, adjusted, and synchronized.

Ultimately, they were perfectly linked together.

Thus, the invisible magic transformed into a flow of information, which was interconnected using the three magic eyes as base stations, and then processed by the magic mirror before being presented to everyone.

Then, the magic mirror lit up, revealing three sets of images on the left, center, and right: three generals, commanders of the army, each standing proudly.

Perhaps they should maintain awe in front of the true leaders of the coalition, but when the three of them looked at each other, it was a clear case of mutual dislike and competition.

Even General Fak Wood, who had received earnest instructions from Marshal Joffre, showed no fear at this moment, his head almost reaching the sky.

However, he still had reservations.

Seeing that the silence was going on for longer and longer and the atmosphere was becoming increasingly oppressive, and thinking about the situation in China and Marshal Joffre's hardships, he sighed inwardly and spoke first.

"Duke Aquinas Graham, Earl Hovan Xavier, I believe you are well aware of the great significance of this battle."

If we lose, no matter what powerful backers or connections we have, we won't be able to explain ourselves when we return home.

"Therefore, I hope that we can cooperate sincerely, at least during this battle, to communicate and work together to put as much pressure on the Flower Territory as possible."

His words broke the silence, and the other two lowered their proud heads and began to think seriously.

Duke Aquinas Graham was the first to respond: "Cooperation is fine, communication is fine, but anyone who wants to command me is a joke."

I will not allow the Knights of Inferno and the Imperial Legion to be subject to the meddling of outsiders.

Earl Hoven Xavier nodded in agreement: “That makes sense, and that’s what I was thinking too. The interests of the Kingdom of Sardinia are inviolable.”

So, what's there left to talk about?

"Yes! How come there aren't any left?"

General Falkwood demonstrated his brilliance by having risen through the ranks from the bottom, unlike the other two noblemen.

If it weren't for this war, which broke down class barriers, he, as the son of a merchant, even with considerable strength, would never have been able to rise to the rank of general and be valued by Marshal Joffre.

Compared to these nobles, he possessed a greater degree of worldliness and sophistication.

Then he slapped his thigh and said, "For example, we all need to clearly define our command authority and ensure absolute control over our own legions. Isn't that reaching a consensus?"

Upon hearing this, the other two were taken aback, but after tilting their heads and thinking about it, it seemed to be true.

General Fak Wood immediately pressed his advantage, saying, "I propose that the three of us form a supreme command team for the operation against Flower Territory, with all orders issued by the team."

This signifies the unified will of the three great empires!

Earl Howard Xavier nodded almost instinctively, but then, as if remembering something, he shook his head and said, "You're not thinking of having some kind of three-person decision-making process where only the one with the most votes gets the decision, are you?"

"No, no, no, it will only be implemented if all three of us vote in unanimous approval. If anyone raises objections, then it will be shelved or abandoned."

"What if I absolutely have to carry out the plan?"

"That's your own business, it has nothing to do with anyone else. Do it if you want."

Duke Aquinas Graham was puzzled: "But what's the point of doing this?"

"It has many uses. For example, we can reach a non-aggression pact to prevent unnecessary conflicts after the start of war."

That way, we can both feel more at ease and focus on facing the enemy.

"If that's the case, then it makes sense."

"That does make some sense."

General Fak Wood pressed on, "For example, the Flower Territory is very wealthy, but too much money can be overwhelming. How should we divide the spoils? There are some nuances to it!"

"Robbery is robbery. What's with all this talk about dividing the spoils? It's disgusting and high-sounding."

Duke Aquinas Graham scoffed, but then added, "Wealth, machinery, even talent—whoever seizes it, keeps it!" General Falk Wood immediately followed suit, saying, "Your Grace is right, whoever seizes it keeps it. Therefore, we have reached another agreement."

Whoever enters Brussels first, what they get is theirs; we don't allow anyone to steal it from us.

You both agree on this, right?

Upon hearing this, Duke Aquinas Graham looked somewhat uncomfortable. Taking from someone else is one thing, but taking from an ally is not entirely unacceptable.

But he said those words himself, and there was a so-called non-aggression pact in the meantime, so he got himself into trouble.

But at this moment, all he could say was, "That's right!"

Earl Hoven Xavier nodded and said, "I agree!"

"Alright, since everyone agrees, it means that the establishment of this three-person command team is indeed very necessary."

I hereby announce the official commencement of the first plenary meeting of the three-person command team.

"The first topic is, when do you all plan to start a war?"

General Fak Wood paused briefly, then said, "Let me explain my plan first."

I have landed and will march north from the Marquisate of Castro, heading straight for the territory of the Flower Territory.

The war is expected to begin in three days!

After he said that, the other two had no choice but to go along with it.

Earl Hoven Xavier paused for a moment, then said, "I am currently two days' sailing from the west coast of the Flower Territory."

Two days later, the warships opened fire, creating a barrage of fire. The mage contingent then used spells to clear away the underwater torpedoes, allowing for a direct beach landing operation.

Duke Aquinas Graham pondered for only a moment before saying, "I will break through the Flower Territory's defenses head-on through Frostmoon Canyon and give that bastard a shock."

So, I expect it to be in two days!

"Then, may we achieve a resounding victory!!!"

"Forward without hesitation!"

"Invincible!"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

All three laughed, their laughter filled with joy, but how much of it was genuine, how much was fake, and how much was calculated, only heaven knows.

Until the magic mirror dimmed and the connection was severed, the three people who had just been laughing all stopped smiling in different places.

Inside the command post at Crab Island Fishing Port, the adjutant asked, somewhat puzzled, "General, is it alright for us to reveal our battle plan?"

General Fak Wood looked puzzled: "When did I leak it?"

"So what you just said was?"

"I didn't lie to them, but I only mentioned the time, not the attack location. So what if the information leaked?"

Upon reflection, the adjutant seemed to have a sudden epiphany, exclaiming, "General, you are brilliant!"

"What a little trick! Howard Xavier saw through it too, so he only mentioned the time, not the location."

Of course, time can also be fake when needed.

"But why should we do that?"

"Of course, we should have a certain Grand Duke take the initiative. The Flower Territory is not weak, and it has a developed industry. Its only weakness is that it lacks troops and combat experience."

But that illegitimate son is not to be underestimated, so someone has to pave the way for us first, drawing attention and manpower to him.

Seeing that his adjutant was still a little confused, he added, "We agreed that whoever takes it keeps it. Given the nature of the Slavs, do you think they'll be able to sit still?"
So, the talk about war starting in two days is just a lie. I reckon that guy will be itching to start tomorrow at the latest.

"General, you are brilliant."

This time, the adjutant's praise was genuine.

Meanwhile, as General Fak Wood noted, Duke Aquinas Graham could no longer contain himself.

When the magic mirror dimmed, he jumped up immediately after only three minutes of thinking.

"Lieutenant! Lieutenant!"

"Yes, Commander. What are your orders?"

"Pass down the message: quickly prepare the food, get some rest, and we'll attack first thing tomorrow morning."

The adjutant hesitated slightly: "But Frostmoon Canyon is indeed difficult to breach. The mountain is too steep. Should we wait for the siege equipment we have later?"

"No need. Tell the warriors that tomorrow I will personally lead the Infernal Knights as the vanguard to clear obstacles for everyone."

One battle, victory achieved!

The Flower Clan is also notoriously wealthy; once they step inside, they can take whatever they want!

"Yes!"

This time, the adjutant's promise seemed to shatter the roof, and his eyes even turned slightly bloodshot.

P.S.: I rushed as fast as I could, but it was still past midnight. Sigh...

(End of this chapter)