Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: The Most Ideal Commander (4)
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"What an utterly irredeemable bastard."
The already icy gaze of Johanna von Bauer grew even colder.
Her contemptuous expression was no different from the one she wore when looking at her own father.
I could guess what she was thinking.
She probably saw me as a shameless, unscrupulous scoundrel who would sell out even his own subordinates to achieve his goals.
I didn't bother denying it.
I had only asked a question.
"So, even with a chance for revenge right in front of you, you're saying you won't take it?"
Instead of answering, she squeezed her eyes shut.
As if she wanted nothing more to do with the likes of me.
She probably didn't realize it.
How brutally honest the human body could be.
The subtly quickened breathing, the eyes darting ceaselessly beneath her eyelids.
The knee turned toward me, the body leaning in my direction.
It was as good as hearing her answer.
Yet I pretended not to notice.
"Fine. If you're not inclined, I won't push you any further."
When reeling in a big fish, blindly pulling on the line wasn't the way to go.
"Then our conversation ends here."
It was time to loosen the taut line.
"Considering the Bauer family's circumstances, paying the ransom would be impossible anyway. Even if you did manage it, there's no guarantee the higher-ups would accept it. And even if by some miracle you were released, I doubt there'd be a place for you."
Coincidentally, the fortress housing the daughter of a traitor who betrayed the homeland had fallen into enemy hands.
Perfect grounds for assigning blame.
"From Astoria's perspective, it won't be easy to find a better scapegoat than you."
I said it with feigned sympathy.
She flinched.
Johanna von Bauer's eyelids trembled faintly.
"What a pity."
I meant it sincerely.
I truly understood and deeply pitied the hardships she must have endured because of her irresponsible father.
But that didn't mean I was willing to send her back to Astoria.
If she refused my overtures, I had no choice.
Loose ends had to be tied up.
"If you change your mind, just say the word anytime."
I stood up.
"But don't take too long. I don't have much time left to pull strings for you."
I left and didn't seek her out again after that.
Turning the enemy's fortress fully into our own was far more laborious and time-consuming than imagined.
Repairing the damage from the siege wasn't urgent.
First, we had to check for secret passages or hazards unknown to our forces, and ensure no overlooked remnants were hiding inside.
If any dangers were found, the standard procedure was to halt all work, swiftly destroy the fortress, and withdraw.
If total destruction was deemed impossible—fortresses designed to withstand magical bombardment weren't easy to obliterate—we were to at least demolish the gates and key defenses.
Fortunately, no signs of Astorian sabotage had been discovered in Renkamp Fortress so far.
But that didn't mean we could jump straight into repairs.
Every fortress was designed for specific purposes.
Simply put, Thracia's fortresses were built to repel Astoria pushing down from the north, while Astoria's were made to block Thracia advancing from the south.
In short, even fortresses that looked identical from all directions had strong points and weak points.
That's why our main force had targeted Renkamp's north wall in this siege.
We hadn't gained much from it, thanks to Johanna von Bauer's absurd command.
Anyway.
There were countless other factors to consider when converting a fortress into our military base.
Mutual support with other fortresses, supply lines, the feasibility of renovations—all had to be weighed.
If the benefits of holding it didn't outweigh the maintenance costs, we were to destroy it without mercy, just like if hazards were found.
Fortunately, Renkamp had already passed Thracia Command's feasibility review for conversion.
The issue was that renovations required not just military expertise, but specialists in architecture and engineering.
"Major Sanov will be coming here soon."
Conveniently, such a talent was nearby.
"Major Sanov?"
I was surprised that the 8th Legion's quartermaster had such skills.
"You don't know the Sanov family?"
The 8th Legion commander looked at me as if I were the surprising one.
"The Hand of God, Sanov—it's no exaggeration to say there's no castle or mansion in the kingdom untouched by their hands."
It turned out Major Sanov came from a renowned architect family.
His suspiciously broad connections now made sense.
"His ability to teach Thracia to the surrendering knights and Doppelzoltner stems from his studies in the Empire."
He'd even studied abroad in the Empire.
"His excellence as a logistics staff officer isn't unrelated to the Sanov family tradition. They oversee building materials and laborers directly from childhood."
It all rang true.
The more I thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.
Administration, logistics, architecture, foreign languages.
Minus strategy and tactics, was there a more perfect talent?
Evgen Sanov, what in the world are you...?
Reminding myself of my resolve to one day bring him into my unit, I parted ways with the 8th Legion commander.
While we hunkered down in Renkamp Fortress for reorganization, the Thracia army's offensive continued unabated.
We had already reported the fall of Renkamp and Fahrenheit Fortresses long ago, and our frontline forces had publicized it widely.
For the Astorians, already plagued by rumors of crumbling rears and rock-bottom morale, it was a knockout blow.
"The Astoria forces are collapsing rapidly."
Fortresses adjacent to the fallen ones were wavering.
Astoria's defenses cracked under plummeting morale, while Thracia's troops, buoyed by successive victories, soared to the heavens.
And as always, a fired-up Thracia army was terrifying.
"The 4th Legion has captured Langtringen Fortress!"
"Venklerbach Fortress garrison is retreating; the 7th Legion has taken it!"
"The 2nd Legion has successfully breached Hommel Fortress!"
The stalled offensives of the past three months were finally bearing fruit.
The methods varied wildly.
Some battered fortresses down over a week of relentless assault; others coaxed internal responses from the enemy.
One even seized the walls and flung open the gates in half a day.
Rumors abounded of young officers' brilliant exploits.
Someone scaled the walls alone, cut down a hundred foes, and turned the tide.
Another held the gate with a single company until reinforcements arrived.
Someone else sniped enemy commanders with uncanny archery, shattering their chain of command.
It was impressive enough to make one wonder if Thracia had always been brimming with such talent.
I was duly impressed.
"Hm. Impressive."
"Is that all?"
The others seemed unimpressed.
"Someone annihilated three times their number in open plains and saved our forces—what's a fortress compared to that?"
"Someone else took an ironclad fortress in three days."
The 8th Legion commander was his usual self, but even the 6th Legion folk treated me like some unparalleled hero, leaving me flustered.
"You don't seem to grasp just how massive your achievements are this time."
Colonel Kalashnikov looked amused watching me.
"Most died to Astoria's magical bombardment, but the prisoners you sent to our camp alone make up nearly battalion strength. If that's what you captured, you must've wiped out at least twice that."
Add the 1,200 who attacked our camp, and I'd single-handedly annihilated legion-scale Astorians.
"Oh."
Hearing it laid out, I was genuinely awed by the scale.
"No 'oh' about it—that's others' feats."
"See? He doesn't even realize what he's done. That's what's truly amazing about you—achieving the impossible so casually."
Colonel Kalashnikov chuckled in disbelief, and the 8th Legion commander joined in with the same grin.
I felt like I was being teased.
Since when did these two click so well?
"Oh, right—about the merits you credited to us."
As I pouted alone, the colonel spoke up as if it just occurred to him.
"We'll gratefully accept your intentions."
Stunned by the unexpected response, I asked why.
"We already owe you our lives—can't pile on merit debt too."
We're not that shameless.
His face was firmer than ever.
"Reporting it under my name would make it worthless anyway."
I repeated what I'd told the 8th Legion commander.
With five promotions in two years, no further rewards were possible.
"I can't agree with that."
The colonel smirked.
"Two thousand Astorians and a fortress."
With just three hundred men— if that didn't warrant promotion, whose would?
"It's unfair and bad for the whole Thracia army."
I got the fairness part, but what did he mean by bad for Thracia overall?
"General Marek was right—you have no idea of your own standing."
"See? Told you. That's how he is."
I couldn't follow their words.
"Notice how many young officers stood out this time? Guess why."
"...?"
"It's all because of you."
I'd become their fierce motivator.
In essence, their exploits stemmed from rivalry with me.
"And now exclude the biggest contributor from promotions? Over some pointless tradition?"
Colonel Kalashnikov cackled like it was the funniest joke.
The 8th Legion commander laughed too.
The other commanders, less acquainted with me, didn't laugh—but their nodding showed deep agreement.
"Look at your path so far."
The colonel's amusement faded.
"Five ranks in two years."
A different emotion surfaced.
"If Thracia traditions were as rigid as you claim, they'd have shattered long ago."
Something tickled my heart oddly.
"You're the idol of young officers. More than that."
It was a mark of respect.
"The name Yannick Schrelgriff is already Thracia's legend."
Their gazes held something similar.
Even Major Barnichi, who disliked me, had it.
Good lord!
Didn't these people know shame?
I was certain.
They meant to embarrass me to death.
No sane person would spout such cringe otherwise.
"Enough. Any more and I might desert."
From shame!
The 8th Legion commander's words—stopping or egging?—made me scowl.
"Anyway, we'll accept your goodwill in spirit. It's the will of all 6th Legion officers and men."
After a pause, Colonel Kalashnikov continued.
"War's not over. Chances for the 6th to reclaim honor aren't just this once."
They'd reorganize and join another legion soon; their faces burned with resolve.
For a different reason, my face heated.
As if their inner fire had spread to me.
"So, you called me because you've had a change of heart."
Johanna von Bauer sought me out exactly half a month after our last meeting.
She looked noticeably gaunt, as if tormented inwardly during that time.
"...I'll do it."
Yet her voice held unprecedented resolve.
"Revenge."
I silently regarded her.
Misreading my silence, perhaps, her face grew worried.
"I mean defecting to Thracia."
She reaffirmed her intent, a touch urgently.