A disaster on the way

The German Empire is a state that is largely lacking in resources.

Importing food, iron ore, cloth, coal, wood, lead and such all across the globe, the prosperous industrial might of theirs means that they had to rely heavily on import for their daily needs and production.

And when the British Royal Navy comes over to the German's sea to blockade their port while the German fleet is hiding inside it, they can only pray that the war will end sooner with the quick capture of Paris.

Diedrich on the other hand is enjoying his moment in this world where he doesn't need to crawl over the muddy trench with stenches all over himself fighting from teeth to teeth on every corner. Checking at his new uniform that he was issued to be replaced by the already badly damaged one, it's already been a week ever since his division was ordered to be refitted from the battle.

And now, he went from an average soldier to a slightly higher rank that is a corporal, mainly due to his level of education that he seemingly displayed to his superior and the floods of new recruits to replenish the number of men lost.

Though he still prefers to be a civilian if possible, using his knowledge to have a slightly above average life in this world. But of course the Empire wouldn't allow that, he will probably be required to fight till the war ends unless he loses a limb or two during this period, don't know which one is better to be honest.

But soon, he will be heading to the frontline again, whether he likes it or not.

"Diedrich, Diedrich!" A man whispers into Diedrich's ear, bringing him back into reality. "Don't space out, we are almost there."

Besides Diedrich sits Baugalf who is still in his rank that is sergeant. Inside a carriage that is transporting them to Alsace Lorraine which they had lost a few days ago, their division will be reinforcing the offense at the French's position.

"Oh, sorry about that." Apologizing to Baugalf, Diedrich turns his eyes into the carriage he is in who is stuffed with as many men and supplies possible inside, making it cramp and rather uncomfortable to ride. Inside are young men that are assigned to his squad, some from Saxony some from Oldenburg, inside their eyes filled with worry and fear after witnessing the many other carriages on the road that have transported the wounded and dead towards the rear.

Their eyes reminded Dierich of the first few days that he had gone through in this world, people screaming for help, body parts flying from the mage explosion, he can't help but feel a chill down his spine again despite the experience he has.

He still needs some time to adapt to the feeling of bullets passing by your head.

"Young, aren't they? Just like you." Realizing Diedrich staring into the recruits, Baugalf comments. "There is even one who lies about his age to get into the army, damn the people who are doing the recruitment for allowing this to happen."

Looking towards where Baugalf is pointing at sits a young boy who although bulky but face clearly shows youthfulness that hasn't faded yet. Hand gripping on the still unfamiliar rifle that was issued to him last week tightly, his patriotism to fight for the fatherland clearly wasn't enough to overcome the horror that is the war. He now misses the cooking of his mother, the father that has always been strict yet loving to him.

"Couldn't we send him back to his home? It's clear that he won't make a great soldier." Knowing that he will lead a child to battle not long after, Diedrich's sense of morality urges him to do something to change this. "I can't possibly let a child fight in a war."

Shaking his head however, Baugalf knows that there is no return after you step onto this cursed land.

"The higher up won't allow anyone to desert from here with the fear of morale being affected, he will have to go home either after this battle or after suffering serious wounds." 'Death too, of course.' Baugalf didn't mention one of the likely outcomes though, as bullets normally don't have an eye to watch out for children in the field.

"..." Silent begins to set into the carriage after Baugalf's sentence, the recruits who are still preparing their heart for the upcoming war brace themselves while hearing the sharp whistle coming from the shell of artillery and the other experienced soldier like Diedrich pondering upon his lingering morality.

And soon, the carriage came to a halt. Baugalf and Diedrich who are in the front proceed to then jump down from it, instructing their squad to follow suit.

As soldier after soldier begins to be deployed on the field with it reaching roughly the size of two divisions roughly, Diedrich turns his head towards a town that isn't far away from here, standing upon a hill and large in size. With smokes and collapse roofs appearing from most of the building there and some occasional gun firing, they station a French division which is halting the advances of the German forces.

Today, they will have to take down this point with any means necessary.

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.

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The French army has already stepped foot into Strasbourg three days ago after forcing the Empire to retreat further back into their territory, at least that is what they think they manage to do.

With their chest lifted up the French march into the empty town where civilians have already been evacuated, proudly reclaiming the old land of theirs as the intruder has cowardly given up this town without firing a single bullet. With joy and pride they celebrate with their cheers, handsome horses ride into the street, their marches tremble the earth beneath them.

Yet when the news of the Empire army breaking through Belgium's territory finally arrives, only then they realize what all these gains in the Empire territory mean to them.

A complete encirclement of the main force of the French army, roughly around 1,000,000 in numbers.

Now however, dear Lewis is trying to prepare for the oncoming battle in this average size town. His Lebel model 1886 rifle stands against the brick wall which is right beside a window, meanwhile he is preparing the cartridge that has been assigned to his squad an hour ago, inserting bullets into clips.

Their sergeant says that they will have to cover the retreat of the main forces by holding this position as long as possible. And now their squad is stationed in this two storey tall building, able to look at the surging german forces who are out of their rifle's firing range. Without any support of mages or artillery, they are to hold this position for two days.

Young Lewis who is 18, who volunteers out of the propaganda from the Republic of France when he hears about it in his farmland doesn't understand why they have to retreat so hastily despite the gain they have gained, despite the many officers saying that the German are just cowards and are afraid to fight against the mighty army of theirs.

He was told that the duty of a soldier is obedience, and he is to obey every command given without question. At least he thinks that this is the sentence used by the officer from his bootcamp that lasted for a month, who teaches them how to march, to use their rifle and the bayonet that comes with it. Though, the experience will be much better if those officer noses aren't pointing at the sky all the time.

"Lewis, you think we're gonna make it through this?" With a whisper entering into Lewis's ears from the right side, he immediately recognizes it as his fellow comrade that is in his squad. Turning his eyes to the blonde hair man who is clearly nervous about the upcoming battle, the man continues. "I hear the German are bringing in all the big guns and the mage here while we had to fight them off with our flesh, and they are expecting us to hold out for two days!?"

Scene of their artillery support and mage being transferred off play in his mind, irritating the men deeply. "At least assign us with some mage, it will just be a slaughter!" Follow by a furious hit from the rifle butt towards the ground. Lewis can sense the desperation of his.

Staying silent, poor Lewis doesn't know how he should answer his comrades. All he knows is to aim his rifle at the enemy, pull the trigger and reload. Until the war is won, or he dies during this process. Plan and strategy are too complicated for him, he just knows that their supposedly mighty army is retreating now, like what their German counterpart was doing a few days ago.

Lewis considers himself as lucky, as his squad at least gets to station at this building who has quite some cover. Others however will have to make do defending the narrow street with anything they manage to find or can do. Digging holes, using barrels, abandoned carriage that no longer has any uses, anything that can be used to block a bullet is being treated by the French as treasure now.

Looking at one of the officers who is shouting orders around while the men nervously handing down extra ammo to the soldier, Lewis prays to God that the enemy wouldn't triumph over his great nation.

And with a loud whistle like sound tearing through the bright blue sky coming closer every second, eventually creating pillars of dust over their position, Lewis witnessed the body of a French soldier turning into pieces from the edge of the window that he sees through. The leg of his flying far and into his building, announcing the bombardment of the German artillery on this area.

Gulping, Lewis knows that it will be a rough day ahead.