Chapter 113: The Three Armies on High Alert

"Your Highness Kevil!"

"Deploy our Army's 1st Armored Division along with the infantry. The target is Wales, held by Trexi. Additionally, dispatch the Navy's 2nd Fleet from the reserves. Scramble the aircraft immediately for tactical reconnaissance. Remind the pilots: do not carry excessive equipment that might impede flight speed. Their mission is strictly tactical reconnaissance, not strategic bombardment."

Across the way in Scotland, Kevil was conducting his own tactical deployments, though it seemed his focus did not lie solely with Trexi.

"Your Highness Kevil, is the Navy's focus still on Prince Charlie's side?"

The Scottish command center looked much like the one in Wales, though it was already filled to capacity. Several prominent figures were busy directing their respective forces: the rising army star Cromwell and the naval prodigy Hesbrown. Most of them were descendants of the previous generation's legendary commanders. Though they were new to the ranks of general, they were filled with ambition and possessed sufficient "experience" and keen observation. Five minutes was enough to complete the initial combat deployment. Prince Kevil clearly had no intention of playing a defensive game; he intended to strike first, indifferent to drawing the ire of both sides.

"Don't forget, Prince Charlie has that 'Young Nelson' with him—the son of Marshal Nelson. Do you think their naval warfare skills will be lacking?" Kevil couldn't help but chuckle. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't approach, nor could they find, those true titans of war to assist them. Those high-ranking figures were the pillars of the nation; how could they possibly participate in such petty squabbles? That said, Kevil's so-called 2nd Fleet actually comprised two-fifths of his total naval strength. How could he be careless? "Hesbrown, you are in charge of the 2nd Fleet. I intend to deal with that brat Charlie myself. I'll let Young Nelson see that I am not someone to be trifled with!"

What the others didn't expect, however, was that Prince Kevil would personally confront Prince Charlie. Yet, there was one thing they were all unaware of...

"General Cromwell, you are responsible for handling the forces of my royal brother. I refuse to believe that after being away from the United Kingdom for so many years, he still possesses any significant depth."

***

In Ireland, although Prince Charlie had chosen this strategically advantageous position to avoid direct land attacks, it was unlikely they could withstand a forced beach landing should Prince Trexi and Prince Kevil choose to launch one.

"General Nelson, I leave the maritime situation to you. Please eliminate the Welsh fleet as quickly as possible!"

Inside the Irish command center, Prince Charlie was discussing naval tactics with Young Nelson. For the United Kingdom, the navy was the most critical military force, as the army and air force were relatively weaker. Yet, it was hard to imagine that such a nation had managed to launch a frontal assault on Brussels, the capital of Europe.

"Ha! No problem. As long as it isn't my father, even Hesbrown can only fight me to a draw in naval combat. I don't believe Prince Trexi has anyone with my level of skill." General Nelson was arrogant, a byproduct of being raised in aristocratic circles, surrounded by the finest education and the most elite social tiers. Within their circle, there was simply no one else with comparable naval prowess.

Unfortunately, Prince Trexi’s camp held more than a few people they didn't recognize.

***

"Master Nelson, is this really okay? I am going up against the generals of the military department; I am not confident!"

Within Prince Trexi's camp, aboard the flagship of the naval fleet—the lead ship of the Nelson class, the *Nelson*—an elderly man nearing sixty and a young man in his early twenties were discussing the military exercise on the bridge. While it wasn't a real battle, the stakes were just as high.

"And so what? You are my student, and he is my son. In what way are your skills inferior to his? Relax and stop overthinking. Prince Trexi asked me to mentor you precisely because you possess this talent—the ability to conceive diverse ways to adapt. Therefore, I believe in you!"

This was something none of the other participants would ever believe: Marshal Nelson himself was involved in this event. Not only that, he had brought someone with him, though for now, only the audience outside the screen knew of it.

"I understand, Master."

"Little one, you must know that even your unpredictable tactics sometimes catch me off guard. I am not trying to cultivate a commander who follows the book; I want to foster a brilliant, elusive Marshal, much like my own fleet in the old days and the tactics that left the Europeans stunned. My son can no longer listen to such things; my hope now rests solely on you. Promise me, Master, that you will complete this battle. Will you?" The elder Marshal Nelson patted the young man's head and said softly.

"I understand, Master. I will certainly live up to your expectations!"