Trench Bolts and Magic

Chapter 77 Reencounter with Mackensen

The expeditionary force command, which was once again taken over by General Mackensen, quickly issued new orders.

The troops that suffered heavy losses in the defense of Seville were rotated out and given rest.

Two well-equipped and highly motivated Saxon infantry divisions, along with a portion of the National Army, entered Seville in a grand procession via military train, relieving the 16th Brigade and friendly forces of their defense duties.

Meanwhile, the 16th Infantry Brigade, which had suffered more than half of its casualties, was given a valuable opportunity to rest and recuperate.

Since Seville was already firmly under their control and the railway was unobstructed, Morin and his men were spared the hardship of a long journey.

They could board military trains directly from the train station in Seville.

At the same time, the notification in the [Intelligence] tab has also been refreshed.

The Zeppelin-class armored airship L30 also left Seville and headed towards the Atlantic Ocean.

While completing another round of maritime replenishment, it will also rendezvous with the Mediterranean Fleet passing through the Strait of Gibraltar.

Are the Gauls trying to stir up trouble?

Morin raised an eyebrow as he looked at the message, because the Strait of Gibraltar and North Africa in this world were under the control of the Gauls.

Although the Holy Britannian Empire had been single-handedly suppressing the European continent, the Gauls and Saxons did not maintain friendly relations under such external pressure.

Especially after losing Alsace, Lorraine, and access to the Mediterranean Sea in the Sagau War, the relationship between the Saxon Empire and the Gallo-Baltistan Republic has been extremely hostile.

Therefore, many people predict that the two sides will inevitably have a major battle in the future; it's just a matter of time.

"Sigh, things in old Europe are always so chaotic~"

On the platform, troops arriving for rotation and soldiers from the 16th Brigade about to leave passed each other by.

The newly arrived soldiers, each one full of energy and impeccably dressed, curiously surveyed the soldiers who had just experienced a bloody battle and the city behind them.

The officers and soldiers of the 16th Brigade mostly looked exhausted, their uniforms still covered in the indelible smoke and dust.

Although their ranks remained orderly, many companies had lost nearly half their personnel, making the empty spaces particularly glaring.

However, the soldiers of the 16th Infantry Brigade stood tall and straight. Having experienced the baptism of blood and fire, these surviving soldiers had gained a sense of composure and perseverance.

The train slowly started moving, carrying the exhausted officers and soldiers of the 16th Brigade towards the rest area located at the rear.

Maureen sat by the car window, watching the Seville cityscape rushing past outside, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He experienced the most brutal battle of his life so far here, and he was also reborn here...

"Sir, have some hot water."

Morin's habit of drinking hot water was also well known to his officers.

Bowman, not knowing how he got the hot water from the train, put it in a kettle and handed it to Maureen.

This corporal, who had served in the military for many years but used to be somewhat shy when he smiled, now had a touch of vicissitude on his face.

"Thank you." Morin took the water bottle and took a sip.

The carriage was quiet, and most of the soldiers were fast asleep in their seats.

The continuous fighting and subsequent cleanup work had exhausted all their energy.

Now, they can finally put everything aside for a while and get a good night's sleep.

The military train carrying Morin and his group of soldiers eventually stopped in a rear area near the border of the Saxon Empire.

This is a newly built rear base for the expeditionary force in a small town. Large areas of temporary barracks and warehouses have sprung up, and there are busy soldiers and military vehicles coming and going everywhere.

The 16th Brigade obtained a sizable campsite here.

According to information that Morin obtained from the brigade headquarters and Ludwig, who had secretly come out to drink with him, the remaining troops of the 8th Infantry Division, the superior unit of the 16th Brigade, would soon be transferred from the country.

At that time, the 16th Brigade will be reorganized and replenished with reserve battalions to replace the personnel and equipment lost in the Battle of Seville.

This means that for the foreseeable future, they will no longer need to go to the battlefield.

Because replenishing troops also requires adjustment and training.

This news is fantastic news for everyone.

However, the volunteers of the International Brigades did not rest for long in the rear.

After replenishing personnel and equipment, they resumed their journey to the front lines via the railway.

For them, the war would not end until the Kingdom's army was destroyed and the Britannians were driven into the sea.

Upon receiving the news, Morin rushed to the station after settling his troops, just in time to see Andrei and his men boarding the train.

Upon seeing Morin, the bearded Andrei was somewhat surprised, but also touched.

Although they hadn't fought together for very long, he could still sense genuine emotion from Morin.

This was a completely different feeling from the politeness of other Saxon officers.

So Andrei, who had already boarded the train, returned to the platform and gave Morin a big bear hug.

Whether it was other international brigade volunteers waiting to board the vehicle or some Saxon soldiers on duty, they all stopped and turned their attention to them.

Many of them also recalled the scenes of fighting alongside these friendly forces of different backgrounds.

At this moment, the friendship forged on the battlefield transformed into something that transcended nationality and identity, manifesting itself at this train station, which belonged to a foreign land to both of them.

"I don't know when we'll meet again after this parting, Lieutenant Morin. You're the first Saxon officer I've ever met who I find so agreeable."

"If we're meant to be, we'll definitely meet again."

Morin smiled, then turned to look at the chemistry professor who was sticking his head out of the car window, and the workers.

"You too, next time we meet, I'll treat you to a Saxon beer."

"Although I'm not a big drinker, it's a deal."

The chemistry professor said with a smile, and the other workers nodded in agreement with grins.

The steam engine began to puff out plumes of white smoke, and the whistle sounded on the platform. Andrei bid farewell to Morin, nimbly jumped onto the slowly moving train, then waved to Morin, a thought flashing through his mind.

"Lieutenant Morin, I hope we never meet on the battlefield again."
-
The 16th Brigade settled into the camp on the second day.

Just as Maureen and Klaus were inspecting the 3rd Company's camp and planning how to arrange the next training after the reinforcements arrived, a messenger from the Expeditionary Force headquarters approached him.

"Excuse me, are you Lieutenant Friedrich Morin?"

The messenger jogged over, saluted him, and asked.

“Yes, it’s me.” Morin nodded, somewhat puzzled.

"Lieutenant, General Mackensen wants to see you. Please come with me to the Expeditionary Force Headquarters immediately."

The messenger handed over a warrant.

"General Mackensen?"

Morin took the warrant, a hint of doubt rising in his mind.

Morin had become 100% certain of Lieutenant General Mackensen's identity, given his close relationship with the original owner of the body.

In the world before he transmigrated, this was a renowned German Field Marshal who swept across the Balkans during the war, achieving numerous military exploits.

His swift and decisive offensive style also earned him the nickname "Marshal of the Advance".

Such a legendary figure, coupled with the complex relationship between him and the original owner of this body, made Morin somewhat nervous.

"Why are you suddenly seeing me at this time?"

Morin muttered to himself, but still dared not be negligent.

He gave Klaus some instructions, then followed the messenger into a waiting car and sped off towards the expeditionary force headquarters.

The headquarters of the Saxon Imperial Army's expeditionary force within the Kingdom of Aragon was located in a temporarily requisitioned manor.

The manor was surrounded by barbed wire and multiple checkpoints, with guards every three or five steps, creating a tense atmosphere.

Led by a messenger, Morin went through multiple checks by guards, and his identity card and warrant were repeatedly verified before he was finally allowed to enter.

He followed the messenger through the courtyard to a separate courtyard in front of the main building of the manor.

This is General Mackensen's residence and office.

At the entrance of the courtyard, two tall, heavily armored soldiers of the general's guard stood like statues, their eyes sharp, their hands gripping their greatswords to the ground, exuding a chilling aura.

After the messenger brought Morin here, he turned and left.

Morin stood at the door, took a deep breath, straightened his uniform, and then went up and knocked on the door.

Soon, the door opened from the inside, and it was General Mackensen's adjutant who opened it.

"It's Lieutenant Morin. Please come in. The general has been waiting for you for quite some time."

When the adjutant saw that it was Morin, he gave him a gentle smile and invited him inside.

The courtyard was quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind.

The adjutant led him to the door of the main house, opened it for him, gestured for him to enter, and then stood there without going in.

Mo Lin steeled himself and stepped into the room.

The room was simply furnished with a large oak desk, a few chairs, and a huge military map of the Kingdom of Aragon hanging on the wall.

General Mackensen was sitting at his desk, looking down at a document.

He was dressed in a crisp general's uniform, his gray hair was neatly combed, and his signature beard was trimmed to perfection.

Although he is over sixty years old, he still stands straight and exudes the dignified aura of a seasoned veteran.

"Second Lieutenant Friedrich Morin, reporting for duty!"

Morin stood at attention with his feet together, saluted sharply, and reported in a loud voice.

Upon hearing this, General Mackensen merely glanced at him from his documents, then nodded slightly, gesturing for him to sit down.

He didn't say a word.

Maureen's heart skipped a beat; she sensed something was off.

He carefully sat down in the chair opposite the desk, even subconsciously only daring to sit on the front half of the chair.

General Mackensen remained silent, continuing to look down at his documents.

The room was eerily quiet, with only the monotonous ticking of the wall clock and the scratching of the general's pen across paper.

Time ticked by, and Morin felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

He dared not move or make a sound, and could only keep his eyes and nose closed, trying his best to keep his breathing steady.

This sense of oppressive silence is even more unbearable than being directly scolded.

Morin could even feel sweat starting to bead on his forehead.

Perhaps the original owner of this body had always harbored a deep-seated fear of General Mackensen, and this emotion has also affected the current Morin.

He felt that the old general in front of him was like a silent volcano; you never knew if he would suddenly erupt the next second.

Finally, just as Morin felt he was about to suffocate, General Mackensen finished reviewing the documents in his hand.

He picked up a pen, signed his name at the end of the document, and then neatly placed the document aside.

After doing all this, he finally raised his head and looked directly at the restless Morin.

"Why are not you talking?"

The general's voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.

(End of this chapter)