Tyranny of Steel

Chapter 762 Defeat is not an Option!

Heimerich von Graz sat in the Royal Palace of Granada, which the Field Marshall of the Imperial German Army, Adelbrand von Salzburg, currently resided. The two of them were in an office, staring at each other with differing expressions. Adelbrand had a grim look on his face, while Heimerichʼs appearance was smug and confident. The two Field Marshalls glared at each other in silence for several moments before Adelbrand spoke up.

”Repeat what you just said to me!”

Heimerich sipped on a teacup which was filled with coffee before he gently placed it down on a saucer while repeating the words he had just spoken moments before.

”The Kaiser fears this war is taking too long, and is consuming far too many resources. Though your soldiers have done their best to remove the threat, he has decided that a more ruthless approach is necessary to crush the spirits of the Iberian Catholics. In the following days, me and my Reichsgarde shall march on Madrid, where we will unleash a barrage of chemical shells onto the city, annihilating all of its inhabitants in the process.

This is not up for negotiation, Adelbrand. I have my orders, and they are to compel you to listen to the Kaiserʼs commands. I know you have spent more time here in Iberia than you have back in the Fatherland. However, your concern for the lives of these people has clouded your judgement.

The Moors love you. It is through your actions and those of the Kaiser that Iberia was united under their banner. However, you have been tasked with bringing an end to this rebellion, and despise those orders, the situation here only seems to be getting worse. It is because the Moors love you that the Kaiser has asked me to unleash this ruthless assault on the city of Madrid. After all, he wouldnʼt want to stain your reputation.

I assure you, I will annihilate this rebellion even if I have to burn a couple million Catholics in the process. After all, from the moment I was given the position of Field Marshall of the Reichsgarde, it was made very clear to me that I would be tasked with the dirty work that the regular Army could not be caught engaging in. I just need you to clear your soldiers out of Madrid. After you have done that, we can begin our attack.”

Adelbrand sighed heavily when he heard this. He tapped his fingers on the desk repeatedly. This attack would ensure a monumental loss of life. However, orders were orders, and he would not dare disobey the Kaiser, especially when he was so close to gaining Eckhardʼs old position. Thus, he could only sigh in defeat as he nodded his head in acceptance of his orders.

”Very well. I shall dispatch word to the garrison in Madrid, informing them to withdraw from the city and return to Granada. Is there anything else I can help you with before you begin the attack?”

Heimerichʼs lips curled into a smile as he heard Adelbrandʼs question. He indeed had further orders for the man and because of this, he quickly pulled out a briefcase that he had brought with him for this meeting and opened it. Revealing several classified documents as he did so.

”The Kaiser believes it is time for an Iberian Reformation. This is a coordinated effort put together by the Departments of Propaganda and Intelligence to spin these terrorist attacks that have taken place as a way to justify our actions, and demonize the Papacy. His Majesty wants you to lead the effort to kick-start this reformation, so that peace and unity can be achieved between the Iberian Christians and the Moorish Muslims.”

Adelbrand looked over the documents for several moments before nodding his head and expressing his agreement with his orders.

”Very well. I will begin to enact the Kaiserʼs will at once. Though it may not be immediate, within the next few years, I guarantee an Iberian Reformation will take place.”

Heimerich nodded his head after hearing this. Now that business was out of the way, he intended to ask Adelbrandʼs personal opinion about the war at large.

”Off the Record, how goes things? Iʼve heard rumors from soldiers on leave that the cities with a catholic majority have turned into a meat grinder...”