Trench Bolts and Magic

Chapter 265 Armored Train
Molin stared in disbelief at the last piece of information that had been unlocked on the system interface.

"Holy shit."

He couldn't help but curse inwardly.

These Brittanyans really didn't disappoint him at all.

His performance in terms of 'major flaws and moral failings' can be described as extremely consistent; it's a traditional skill he's mastered.
What are allies to Brittany?
Allies are meant to be sold to, and their technology is naturally meant to be 'shared'.

Despite her surprise, Morin quickly calmed down and began to analyze the hidden information behind the intelligence.

First of all, the fact that the Gauls' "Sentinel Project" could make the Britannians, who always considered themselves the "kings of magic," so envious that they went so far as to devise a special theft plan speaks volumes about the value of this technology.

This also indirectly confirms Morin's own guess—the Britannians probably haven't yet developed a magical super soldier like the 'Sentinel'.

Even if they did, the effect would definitely not be as good as what the Gauls did.

"These highland mages, who spend all day in their mage towers figuring out how to create bigger fireballs, probably never imagined that someone would combine magic with human modification to create something like this."

Morin stroked his chin, pondering to himself.

However, he was also quite curious about where the Brittany got their intelligence from.
The 'Sentinel Project' sounds like a top-secret Gaulish project, and the reason I was able to obtain this intelligence is simply because it was 'once it was started, it was never turned off'.

How did the Britannians across the sea find out?
Could there be a mole within the Gallic leadership? Or is Brittany's intelligence service truly incredibly powerful?

These questions currently have no answers.

But one thing is clear: this Gaulish technology did indeed have extremely high military value.

“A super soldier, huh?” Morin clicked his tongue.

Even in the world before he transmigrated, several major powers had secretly researched this thing.

From the start of the Cold War to the 1990s, the rumors circulating about "enhanced humans," "super soldiers," "superpowered forces," and "qigong" all reflect the explorations of various countries in this area.

However, due to limitations in technology and ethics, they haven't been able to achieve anything significant.

But in this world of magic, radiant crystals, and all sorts of strange technologies, the concept of 'super soldiers' seems to have a real possibility of being realized, and its application prospects are even broader.

Morin didn't even dare to dream of mass-producing battle mages like the 'Sentinels'.
If the product of this 'Sentinel Project' is merely the ability to mass-produce elite soldiers with physical abilities far exceeding those of ordinary people and a certain degree of magical affinity.

That would be a qualitative leap for the entire Saxon army's combat capabilities.

"No, we absolutely cannot let the Britannians get their hands on this so easily." Morin instantly had an idea.

Not to mention that Saxony and Brittany are already in a state of hostility and are fighting each other fiercely, any action that can annoy the Brittanyians is something that can be carried out without losing anything.

Moreover, the Saxon Empire itself needs such excellent technology!

However, the information provided by the system right now is still too little.

Aside from knowing that the Brittanyans were plotting something sinister, they knew nothing about their specific plans or objectives.

"It seems we really have to wait until we've stormed into Paris before we can figure out a way to investigate this matter slowly," the thought flashed through Maureen's mind.

Perhaps we can find clues on the corpse of the 'sentinel' we killed?

As Morin was pondering, the cheers and gunfire in the distance gradually subsided.

The last vestiges of the Gallic defenders on the Cree line were utterly crushed.

The entire defensive line has gone from being breached to a complete rout.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the forward command post of the First Army Group in the rear was far less relaxed than at the front.

Upon receiving the news from the front lines, General Mackensen and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Seekert stood before a huge sand table, silently watching the blue arrow representing their own forces finally pierce through the red marker representing the Kree Line.

"Finally, we broke through."

Lieutenant General Seeker let out a long breath, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

The First Army paid a heavy price to break through this defensive line.

Tens of thousands of soldiers lie buried here, and the entire army group, from top to bottom, is permeated with an indescribable weariness.

"Yes, it's been breached."

General Mackensen's expression was equally grave. Looking at the torn opening, he said with a complex expression:
"But do we have enough strength left to reach the outskirts of Paris?"

This is a problem that everyone is well aware of.

The First Army Group is now like an athlete who has run the entire marathon but is told that the finish line is still a kilometer away. Both their physical and mental limits have been pushed to the limit.

Although the last barrier to Paris has been removed, the road to victory remains long.

Just as the command post fell silent, a communications staff officer rushed in.

"General! Chief of Staff! We've just received an urgent message!"

“Speak,” Mackensen said, raising his head.

"The fortification troops and engineering units on the rear railway have sent a telegram saying that the main railway line, which was destroyed by the Gauls and Britannians starting from Amiens, has been completely repaired!"

"The 'Odin' armored train has been heading towards us at full speed along the repaired track for an hour!"

"what?!"

Seeker turned around abruptly, his usually composed face showing surprise.

"The Odin has arrived at this time?"

"Yes, Chief of Staff! Not only that, we also received news from the Air Force that the L28 armored airship, which made an emergency landing for repairs, completed emergency repairs last night and took off again. Theoretically, it should be arriving soon!"

Inside the command center, a suppressed cheer erupted instantly.

These two pieces of news were like a shot in the arm for the First Army Group, which was already exhausted at this moment!

"They didn't come earlier or later, but they just happened to arrive after we had taken down Kree."

After a brief moment of excitement, General Seeker shook his head with a hint of helplessness.

"If the Odin had arrived two days earlier, we wouldn't have shed so much blood in Kree."

“Johannes, you can’t expect all plans to be perfect.” General Mackensen patted his old partner on the shoulder.

"War is not a war game; it is full of variables. The fact that the 'Odin' is here now is already the best news. I had already prepared for the possibility that it would not be able to make it in time to attack Paris."

He walked to the map, his gaze shifting back and forth over the area between Claire and Paris.

"Although we defeated the main force of the Gallic garrison in Crey, they were not completely annihilated."

"Once they retreat to Paris, they will be quickly replenished and reorganized to defend themselves. We must seize the opportunity presented by their current disarray and chaotic state to launch a decisive attack and directly threaten Paris!"

A sharp light rekindled in Mackensen's eyes.

"The arrival of the 'Odin' has given us just the right opportunity! Its mobility and firepower are enough to allow us to clear all obstacles on the road to Paris in the shortest possible time!"

"You mean to send the 'Odin' on a solo mission?"

Seeker frowned slightly. He immediately understood his old partner's thoughts, but he was also a little worried.

"But if I remember correctly, this is also the first time the 'Odin' has been used in actual combat, and its 'Gungnir' has never been used on a real battlefield before. What if something goes wrong?"

"Experience is always accumulated in real-world practice."

Mackensen's tone left no room for argument.

"Moreover, 'Odin' and 'Gangnier' were originally prepared by the General Staff as the final blow to breach the defenses of Paris. Now is the time for them to come into play."

Upon hearing the words "city defense fortress," Seeker's expression turned serious.

According to pre-war intelligence, the Gauls not only built a strong fortress complex along the border, but also constructed a series of small but formidable permanent fortifications near their capital, Paris.

There are even intelligence reports that there are some kind of hidden defensive weapons in Paris.

"Bring me the railway map of Gaul," Seekert ordered one of his staff officers.

Soon, a detailed railway map was laid out on the sand table.

Seeker looked at the crisscrossing railway lines on the map and suddenly laughed:
"Speaking of which, we really have to thank the Gauls. A few years ago, they were ambitious and wanted to carry out some kind of transformation of the crystal industry. In the end, the industry transformation failed, but they did upgrade the entire national railway system according to our standards."

General Mackensen nodded as well.

Indeed, if the Gauls hadn't built such a good railway, it would have been a real question whether a heavy armored train like the Odin could have made it to the outskirts of Paris.

"So what we need to do now is to ensure that the railway from Créil to Paris runs smoothly."

Mackensen drew a straight line on the map with his finger.

"We need a highly mobile force to seize the railway line first, and then, accompanied by the 'Odin,' launch a lightning attack on Paris!"

Seekert looked at Mackensen and suddenly asked, "My old friend, you wouldn't be thinking of having Captain Morin lead the team, would you?"

General Mackensen met his chief of staff's gaze and nodded without hesitation.

"Yes, that's him."

Upon hearing this, Lieutenant General Seeker gave a wry smile:
"You really don't care about this kid at all. He and his troops just had a brush with death, and you immediately assign him another dangerous task. Aren't you afraid he'll hate you later?"

"Hate me?"

General Mackensen's expression was complex. He remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, expressing his feelings:

"If he were still the same Friedrich who was living a life of debauchery in Dresden, and if his performance in the army were unremarkable, to be honest, I would have found a way to transfer him to a relatively safe and leisurely post in the rear some time ago."

The old general's tone contained a mixture of relief and helplessness, as well as a hint of pride that even he himself hadn't noticed.

"But who would have thought that this kid would become a completely different person after joining the army? From the civil war in the Kingdom of Aragon to now with Kree, he has surprised me and everyone else time and time again."

"Even he and his training assault battalion have now become an important trump card in my hands."

Mackensen turned around, looked at the sky outside the tent, which was dyed orange by the flames of war, and continued:
"Since it's a trump card, there's no reason to hold it back. At the most crucial moment, we must play it without hesitation!"

"Moreover, looking at the entire First Army Group, apart from its training and assault battalion, which other unit has the capability to advance at high speed alongside armored trains?"

"Send other infantry units along? They'd run themselves ragged trying to keep up with the 'Odin's' speed, and they'd only become a burden."

Hearing Mackensen's words, Seekert nodded slightly.

He was also well aware that the training assault battalion was currently the only battalion-level unit in the entire army group, and even the entire Saxon army, that had achieved full motorization.

Their trucks were the only guarantee that this force could keep up with the armored trains.

Seekert suddenly laughed: "Speaking of which, we have to thank Bilo and Ludendorff for this; these vehicles belong to their Second Army."

"Hahaha, it really is."

General Mackensen smiled and shook his head, then continued:

"Of course, I won't let him go alone. Grand Commander Leonia will also lead her elite armored knights to accompany him."

"Moreover, as long as the Paris campaign ends successfully, I will personally submit a report to the General Staff and His Highness the Crown Prince, suggesting that the training assault battalion be transferred back to the rear, expanded with them as the backbone, and that their tactical experience be promoted throughout the army."

Mackensen's eyes gleamed.

"After a month of fighting, the training battalion has achieved convincing results. It's time to push for a radical reform of our ancient army."

"I believe that Friedrich himself will also obtain a position in the army that will allow him to make full use of his abilities."

Upon hearing these words, Seeker's last trace of worry vanished.

He knew that Mackensen was paving the way for Morin—using a decisive victory as a 'first shot' to secure a bright future for the young man.

“I understand.” Seeker straightened up. “I’ll go draft the battle orders right away.”

"Well, let's go."

Mackensen nodded, then turned to the communications officer beside him and said:

"Once the order is drafted, immediately send someone to convey it to Captain Friedrich Morin and Grand Commander Leonia von Foltis respectively."

"Yes! General!"

(End of this chapter)