The term 'Pre-War State' held extraordinary significance within the Saxon Empire's legal system.
It signified the end of peacetime, the final, and most critical, step before general mobilization.
Once the declaration to enter a 'Pre-War State' was made, the Imperial Government had the authority to suspend most civil liberties and allow the military to issue direct orders to local civil administrative bodies.
This meant the machinery of the entire nation would begin to operate in service of the war effort.
Morin put down the telegram, the last trace of calmness in his heart shattered.
He walked to the window, watching the soldiers on the training ground conducting their routine drills. They were still unaware that their ordinary lives were about to be completely upended.
"Issue my orders," Morin turned and instructed Manstein and Kleist.
"All personnel in the battalion are to have all leave and outside privileges canceled."
"Companies are to immediately inventory all weapons, ammunition, uniforms, and personal gear. Maintain all equipment at maximum readiness."
"Battalion signal platoon is to set up backup communication lines to ensure fail-safe contact with the high command."
"Effective immediately, no personnel or vehicles are permitted to enter or leave the garrison, excluding logistics transport vehicles."
"Yes, sir!"
Kleist and Manstein snapped to attention, responding loudly.
They could sense the gravity of the situation in Morin's stern tone.
The two accepted the order and left. The entire garrison of the Teaching Assault Battalion quickly became a hive of activity.
Soldiers were urgently summoned. Company commanders and NCOs relayed the order to increase readiness levels.
The sentries at the camp entrance and perimeter were doubled, and roadblocks were erected.
Officers moved quickly, checking every detail to ensure all equipment was in perfect order.
The air was thick with the tension preceding a major conflict.
At 4:00 PM that afternoon, the Saxon Imperial Government formally issued a decree of martial law nationwide via broadcast and newspaper.
The news plunged the entire city of Dresden into an eerie silence.
Fewer pedestrians were on the streets. Shops closed early.
All theaters, concert halls, and entertainment venues received orders to suspend business.
People no longer discussed leisure activities. The only topic was the war and how to sustain themselves and their families during the impending conflict.
Patrols of soldiers in field gray uniforms appeared on the streets. Their faces were expressionless. Their rifles, fixed with bayonets, gleamed coldly in the sunlight.
Inside the Teaching Assault Battalion garrison, Morin assembled all the battalion officers for a meeting in the conference room.
"Gentlemen, from now on, we must be prepared to move at any time and to any location."
Morin stood before the map, his expression grim.
"I don't care how you trained before. From this moment, I demand that you treat every single drill as if it were your last."
"I need you and every soldier under your command to be like tightly wound machines, ready to operate at a moment's notice."
"Is that clear?"
"Clear, sir!" the officers responded in unison, their voices ringing out.
After the meeting, Morin detained Manstein.
"Manstein, how is the production of our 'new toys' going at the factory?" Morin asked.
The 'new toys' he referred to were naturally the MP14 submachine gun and the accompanying modified Type 56 chest rig—which was ultimately designated the M1914 Assault Carrying Gear.
"Reporting, sir," Manstein immediately replied. "The first batch has been delivered as planned. The Assault Carrying Gear has been issued to the entire battalion. The first batch of 120 MP14s and accompanying equipment have also been issued as planned, but I am unsure if subsequent batches will arrive in time."
Morin: "That is sufficient. We will use what we have."
The same day.
Upon receiving the 'advice' from London and Paris, 'Supreme Ruler' Kolchak symbolically announced that the 'All-Russian Supreme Autocracy' was entering a state of general mobilization.
Although, given the current situation in the Russian region, the mobilization status of the various factions made little practical difference.
However, the gesture had to be made.
This news was the final straw that broke the camel's back.
For the Saxon and Austro-Hungarian Empires, Kolchak's general mobilization was tantamount to a public declaration of war—even if they didn't take the enemy seriously.
Dresden, Sanssouci Palace.
Upon receiving the news, Emperor Albert II convened the final Privy Council meeting.
This time, the conference room lacked the previous optimistic rhetoric about a 'local conflict' and 'swift victory.'
The final conclusion of the meeting was simple:
"Since they want war, we will give them war!"
Morning of August 1st, after confirming the intelligence that the Saxon Empire was about to launch a general mobilization, the Gallic Republic and the Holy Britannian Empire did not wait.
They immediately and publicly announced that they would launch 'necessary military intervention' against the Austro-Hungarian Empire's invasion of Serbia.
Following this, the Gallic Republic issued a general mobilization order.
By noon, the Britannian Empire also announced the formation of a new, unprecedentedly large Expeditionary Force to 'maintain peace and stability in Europa.'
The news, transmitted by telegraph, triggered a brief period of panic among the Saxon populace.
A war against two of the world's leading powers was a nightmare no Saxon could have imagined.
However, the panic was quickly replaced by a stronger, long-suppressed wave of patriotic fervor.
"This is an outrage! The Gauls and the Britannians are trying to force our ruin!"
"They are determined to destroy us! We must never back down!"
"For the Saxon Empire's living space!"
Massive crowds began to gather in major cities, shouting slogans and waving flags, demanding that the government immediately declare war.
Near the Dresden Royal Palace, over twenty thousand citizens gathered. The dense crowds packed the square and surrounding streets.
They sang the national anthem and shouted the Emperor's name, their emotions running high.
At 5:00 PM, just as the crowd's fervor reached its peak, an Army officer appeared on the street.
Using a tin megaphone, he loudly announced to the crowds in the square:
"His Imperial Majesty has issued the order for general mobilization!"
A brief, suffocating silence first fell over the square.
Everyone seemed to hold their breath, unable to believe their ears.
Then, a roar of cheers, like a landslide and a tsunami, erupted into the sky!
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live Saxony!"
For many, the general mobilization order was a complete release from the unbearable pressure of the past month, caught between the uncertainty of war and peace.
Uncertainty is more tormenting than the worst possible outcome.
People cheered madly, hugging strangers nearby, and weeping with excitement.
The poor and the wealthy forgot their class divides, shaking hands and talking on the street, sharing a singular, passionate fervor that belonged to all people of the Saxon Empire.
Everyone's mindset was unified—to unite, defend the homeland, and defeat all enemies who dared oppose Saxony.
At 7:30 PM, Emperor Albert II of Saxony, dressed in full military uniform, appeared on the balcony of the Palace's second floor.
Facing the dense crowds outside the Palace, and looking into their fervent, worshipful faces, he delivered a short, powerful speech.
"In the face of this impending war, I no longer recognize party distinctions among my people!"
"We are all simply Saxons!"
"Certain parties have opposed me during periods of disagreement in the past, but I fully forgive them now!"
"The most important thing is for us to unite as brothers!"
"If we do so, God will grant victory to the Saxon sword!"
The Emperor's speech pushed the atmosphere to its absolute peak.
The cheers of the crowd nearly tore the night sky over Dresden.
The next day, even the Social Democratic Party, which had consistently advocated for anti-war sentiment, ran a front-page article in major newspapers, showing a complete shift in tone.
The headline read: 'We Will Never Abandon Our Homeland.'
The article stated: "In this dangerous hour, we will not leave our homeland isolated. The Saxon Social Democratic Party is prepared to resist to the last man. We, like the bourgeois parties, will defend our nation."
Thus, all political factions within the Saxon Empire achieved unprecedented unity in the face of war.
The state of 'Castle Peace' had been achieved.
After the general mobilization order was issued, the entire national machinery began operating with unprecedented efficiency.
Countless reservists received call-up orders. They had only one to two days to settle their personal affairs.
Some reservists in critical positions had less than 24 hours.
The streets of the city were filled with young people rushing about.
They hurriedly returned home to see their parents and say final goodbyes to their friends.
Photography studios were busier than ever. Young soldiers, dressed in new uniforms, took quick snapshots with their sweethearts as the only keepsake before departing for the front.
Newlyweds spent one final, bittersweet night together.
The cries and sobs of loved ones separating echoed through the streets and alleys.
This situation climaxed at the railway stations.
The platforms were packed with farewell crowds.
Parents straightened their sons' collars, repeatedly offering final instructions.
Young wives held their infants up to their husbands, asking for one last kiss on the soft cheeks.
Lovers embraced tightly, as if trying to merge into one body.
The train whistle sounded. The train slowly began to move.
The faces in the train windows were young and determined. Outside the windows were countless waving hands and unending tears.
Inside the Teaching Assault Battalion garrison, Morin also received the formal order from the Army General Staff.
[The 1st Teaching Assault Battalion of the Guard is to immediately complete all combat preparations and await the next deployment order.]
Morin stood at the window of his office, watching every busy soldier in the camp.
Their faces, too, were etched with tension and anxiety.
Manstein, on the other side, opened his diary and wrote down his final thoughts for the day.
"Even for professional soldiers who have trained for this moment for years, the possibility of never seeing their loved ones again diminishes their enthusiasm for war."
He closed his diary, picked up his military cap from the desk, and placed it on his head.
Then, he followed Morin, striding out of the office.
The war had begun.
(End of this Chapter)