Operation Citadel ended up with the withdrawal from the 1st Panzer Division, the mission breakthrough fortification didn't accomplish due to valiant resistance of Mondstadt defenders and a surprise new factor on the battlefield: Magicals.
Nevertheless, their stunning success at the first day attack of the operation had made Mondstadt fall into a passive position, they couldn't easily replenish in a short time.
"The surprise attack we did was unpredictable, we gained the upper hand right in the first day of the operation." - Günter triumphantly said.
"However, magicals factor interfered, and it saved Mondstadt right in front of our eyes."
Currently, Günter and his generals couldn't find a way to deal with the magicals Mondstadt had. It's like a trump card revealed from both sides in the first move, Günter's army had suffered heavy losses, and Jean's army also had to hesitate in counterattack.
"What we need now is..." - Günter lowered his voice abnormally, "... Waiting for them to attack us."
He has his own reason, Günter's Headquarter located on the hill, behind it is the forest, in front of it is the empty steppe. With that terrain, he can easily neutralize any attack waves with his impressive arsenal.
He knows that the Mondstadt will operate a counterattack soon, they have no reason to not pursuit a low morale army with weak resistance.
"That's too risky! Lieutenant General!" - Schneider said.
"Mobilize the artilleries to both flanks, wait for your show I prepared."
"But..."
"Order is order, are you skeptical about my command?"
"No, sir."
"Then go."
Schneider reluctantly obeyed, he nodded, and turned his back to Günter. He walked outside, gaining his artillery troops.
"Attention all of the artillery squads! We got a new job today!"
His strategy is to toll the artillery up to the hill, where in front of the forest, that position will give him great range view and open-space for his elite artillery. If the situation goes rough, they can retreat back to the forest and call the tank corps to support below.
"Squad 2 and 3 will be deployed at the right flank, my squad will be at your left. Without magic support, their motley force with a shattered army which we defeated not too long ago will make this mission not even more than your anti-infantry exercise."
He continues: "Nevertheless, do not be triumphant, we don't know if they still have any surprises for us."
The command had given, artillery was tolling up by the halftracks, perhaps, what he was skeptical about is not about the command, but the mystery factor that he can't explain since he has been here.
"That God... He must be watching me...?"
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"..." - only the rustle of leaves sounded.
He might get it.
"That's the last artillery, Lieutenant General ."
"..."
"Lieutenant General?"
He suddenly was pulled back to reality.
"Yes."
.
.
.
The angry crowd is more aggressive when Jean and her knights didn't do anything when they received Amber's death report. They stepped out onto the street, joined the rebellion against Jean.
"This can't be accepted!"
"Jean you sinner! Your Knights and you have no affection for your hero's sacrifice for Mondstadt?!"
They started to storm to the main castle, where Jean's office was located. The crowd began with pursuing the guards, then violently occuring, which began to chaos when the watchers and the guards couldn't control angry civilians. It became chaotic until the Chief of Staff Guerilla Force Eula repressed the situation.
"Calm down my Civilians! What made you this way?"
"You asked us? Asked Jean! Why can't she fight back the invaders, is she letting us die out there?"
"No! You all get it wrong!"
She tried to explain to folks, but it seems like the conversation heats up by the time ticked.
"Eula! If you or Jean or any Knights of Favonius can't fulfill the responsibility to protect Mondstadt, we will do that by ourselves!"
"But outside is dangerous, you can't..."
"Say no more!"
The crowd turned back to Eula, and marched toward the gate. With rake and sword, with spear and bow, they, with highest morale, are marching on.
"Eula! What Happened?" - Jean walked from upstairs to the ground.
She tiredly said: "They decided to go and beat the mysterious forces on their own."
It was too late to convince the people to turn back, She can do nothing, they have gone too far.
Whether the circumstances we are in, we shall not step back, we fight for Mondstadt, we fight for Teyvat, as they shout while marching, the motley army group formed with peasants, guards and regular soldiers.
.
.
.
"Here they come!"
"Everyone! Prepare! Prepare!!"
They quickly gave up everything, rushed to the artillery. High Explosive Shell hastily loaded into the gun, perhaps its tank penetration is not considerable, but since it's vulnerable group infantry, the dominant lethality is shown off in this unfairness game.
They get closer, the Mondstadt army is in an ideal distance for artillery strike, Schneider looks down, he can sense the stalwart will from each soldier.
"Soon I and my excellency squads will shatter them without mercy..."
Schneider put his goggles down, slightly nodding to his men.
"All set lads. Your exercise officially started."
In an instant, loads of artillery fired, blasting waves blowing the grass below, a dazzling shiny light struck the sky, and fell down the ground like meteors, 7.5cm guns tilling the ground hard. The Mondstadt army was heavily surprised by those strikes.
Without hesitation, the second waves pour down the ground, and the third, rapidly until they no longer survive.
"I knew it... This will not go to anywhere." - Eula and the knights secretly watched behind them.
One of the Favonius Knights spoke: "We shall do something now. We can't let it go."
Eula took out her weapon, charged toward.
"A threat comes. Focus on her."
An honor of Favonius Knights isn't just nominal, she ingeniously dodged all of the artillery fires and ran to Schneider spot.
"Cover! Take Cover!"
She hopped up, easily evaded pistol firing, heavily charged broadsword, by all her will, Eula slashed down Schneider. He can sense death is coming to him just a moment before it slashed to his chest.
"The destination... Hmph..."
Who is there? He asked himself.
"The Destinated One, your journey must be in front of your eyes, can you sense It?"
I can feel it in my heart.
"Believe in miracles, and the miracles will come true."
The voice continues: "Perhaps, if my miracle comes unconditionally, you will not feel it. I have to purge you, I will take part in your will, that is the will of triumphant."
Suddenly, he dragged back to reality, the shells fell off when she swung down the sword. That makes her distracted, taking advantage, Schneider swiftly kicks her back.
"So you must be their captain?"
He ignored it, cautiously asking: "... You must be the Favonius Knight?"
"No matter, this is the end of the line, your sins shall be judged by here."
The soldiers shouted: "Don't think about it, lady." - they pulled out Luger.
"Put that back, lads."
They were confused, "What did you say?"
"Put that back, my judgment shall be here, right now."
"Very well then." - Eula whispered.