Conquest (6)
Two days later, after meticulous calculations, I devised a plan to withdraw each legion to its base. To pull back the army without chaos after our feint, we needed a watertight strategy. I shared this plan only with a select few of my trusted commanders.
But I said nothing to the barbarians. Though they were on the Empire's side, I couldn't fully trust their lips.
I intended to inform only a handful of reliable allied tribes of our plan, letting the rest return as is.
This way, through the mouths of the departing barbarians, the Sartia and Goti will learn that our operation has been canceled.
I wanted the Sartia and Goti to hear about our withdrawal. If all went well, they'd charge straight into the trap we'd set.
"Rikius."
"Yes, sir."
"You've started on the preparations I ordered?"
"Of course."
I nodded at his response.
To convince the Goti and Sartia, I ordered the construction of wooden pontoon bridges across the Drvina River.
Building bridges signaled the expeditionary force's intent to cross, but openly doing so offered little tactical gain. Nomads could flee long before we arrived.
By erecting these bridges so blatantly, I planted the nuance that our expeditionary force would attempt a frontal assault and then withdraw. Of course, this was pure bluff, displayed for all to see.
"We must build the bridges swiftly to keep the barbarians from suspecting anything else. They need to believe we might actually attack using them."
"Yes, sir."
I clapped Rikius on the shoulder and surveyed the riverbank. Our soldiers, thinking they'd cross the Drvina as soon as the bridges were ready, brimmed with high morale.
I'll end this war within a month.
As I stood with hands clasped behind my back, gazing at the river, Briginsa approached and bowed his head.
"Sir."
"What is it?"
"There's a strange rumor circulating among the barbarian tribes, so I came to report it."
"Strange rumor?"
"Yes."
Briginsa lowered his voice.
"The rumor is that as soon as this war ends, the Imperial army will slaughter all barbarians except our allied tribes. In simple terms, they're suspicious that we'll boil them alive once the hunt is over."
My expression hardened at his words.
"Why do you think such a rumor is spreading?"
"Obvious. The Sartia and Goti are behind it, spreading false rumors."
"To incite mutiny in our ranks."
"Or perhaps to induce betrayal at a critical moment."
"The enemy isn't complete fools."
I felt a renewed wariness toward our foes even as I spoke.
"The rumor says the new Sartia king, Aldemark, is cruel and cunning. Apparently, right after his uncle the king died, he poisoned his cousins and seized the throne."
"Skilled in intrigue, then."
"Yes. Aldemark is likely behind this rumor."
"How do you think we should counter this rumor?"
Briginsa wore a relaxed expression.
"Leave it be for now."
"Leave it?"
"You're in a position where you need to lure them here anyway. If they think they've swayed our barbarians and gain confidence for a preemptive strike, it could make the fight easier for us."
"Ignoring the enemy's scheme. That's one way. But what if they strike us where we're vulnerable?"
"Of course. That's why we send a few firmly loyal tribes to pretend they've been swayed—then stab them in the back."
"Punish betrayal with deception. Not a bad idea. But the enemy aren't idiots; they won't incorporate just anyone into their plans."
Briginsa's green eyes sparkled.
"What if I pretend to be swayed?"
I looked into the prince's eyes for a moment.
The shadow of the Black Star that had threatened the Empire, the destroyer that had nearly ruined my world, lingered there.
But I had chosen to accept him as a comrade. The Empire's eagle doesn't give trust easily, but once given, it stakes its life on it.
"If it's you, your tribe, and your neighboring tribes, they'll believe it."
"Yes. They will."
I gripped Briginsa's shoulder firmly with my thick hand.
"I'm entrusting you—and the Empire's fate—to your shoulders."
"Thank you."
"No need for thanks. We're eagles that trust those we've once believed in—until they betray us."
I turned, my cloak billowing as I walked away.
While the bridges were under construction, the emperor spent most of his time in the bathhouse. With his poor health and the chilly weather, he rarely showed his face elsewhere.
Apart from sleeping in his chambers, he practically lived in the bathhouse, so even I had to visit there to meet him.
This is ridiculous.
Accustomed to frontier life, I rarely bathed. Imperial citizens in the capital could visit bathhouses whenever they pleased, but I couldn't.
With barbarians potentially attacking at any moment, there was no time to lounge in a bathhouse. Besides, most border forts and outposts lacked them.
As I stripped and entered the bathhouse, thick white steam clouded my vision. I groped through the haze toward the emperor, submerged in the steaming pool.
"Your Majesty."
"What brings the Praetorian Prefect to the bathhouse?"
The emperor asked in a languid tone.
"I came to see you briefly."
"Is that so?"
The emperor's eyes flicked over my naked form, then he smiled. Unsure of the reason, I glanced at his face.
"Then get in the bath. You look like you could use a wash yourself, General."
Hearing that, I cleared my throat awkwardly, noticing the dead skin flaking from my body.
As I sank into the bath, warm sensations enveloped me. I understood why the emperor lingered here—the body quickly grew languid and relaxed.
While soaking, I spoke to him.
"Actually, I have something to report."
"Speak."
"Soon, I'll send the troops back to base and return to the capital."
"Really?"
The emperor's face lit up with obvious joy.
For the still-young emperor, this frontier life must be a torment.
I nodded with a wry smile.
"Yes."
"Ha ha. Excellent. No war means no soldiers die. And honestly, there's no point fighting in this cold weather."
The emperor laughed as he spoke.
I nodded but didn't reveal the truth.
We wouldn't start the war, but the barbarians would strike first soon enough.
There was reason not to tell the emperor everything. Inexperienced as he was, he lacked the skill to conceal what he knew.
A slip during meetings with barbarian chieftains could spell disaster. And if he heard they might attack, he'd want to flee to the capital immediately—restraining him wouldn't be easy.
If he fled on the eve of battle, the impact on the troops would be unimaginable.
To prevent such issues, I chose to withhold the truth.
"So, please prepare your and the princess's luggage."
"Of course. I'll order it at once."
The emperor shot up from the bath. His eagerness to leave this place as soon as possible was plain.
I licked my lips as he exited the water.
Forgive me, Your Majesty. Even your packing needs to be visible to the barbarians.
I closed my eyes, savoring the warmth.
Sartia King's Missive
If the Empire seeks to save face, you'd best reconsider.
As the pontoon bridges neared completion, a few arrows flew toward our outpost on the north bank. Tied to them was a letter from the Sartia king. The sentry rushed it across the river to me.
"Hmm. If the Empire thinks of saving face, it would be better to think again?"
I read the letter and chuckled.
This was provocation.
They planned to lure our expeditionary force deep into their territory once the bridges were done, then use swayed tribes to block our rear and annihilate us. Their scheme was as clear as day.
"Arrogant bastards."
The legion commanders slammed fists on the table after reading it.
I steepled my fingers, adopting a relaxed expression.
"They've sent an invitation. What should we do?"
"Their behavior is outrageous, but falling for the provocation is unwise. Even if we send our main force across, they'll flee, making mop-up impossible. We'll just exhaust ourselves. Why not end the operation by purging the barbarians attached to them and withdraw?"
Rubiot said.
"That won't do. Purging them will take time, and if Goti and Sartia act meanwhile, we'll be in trouble. Instead..."
I continued, looking at the legion commanders.
"First, send barbarian cavalry to raid and burn the villages of those attached to Sartia and Goti. Then, once the bridges are complete, dispatch envoys with a 'warning' and withdraw. How's that?"
"But that would just make us a laughingstock."
True. Assembling thirty thousand men to burn a few villages, bluff once, and retreat would draw ridicule.
But my intent went beyond merely intimidating a few tribes.
"Of course, stopping there would. You all know the withdrawal plan by now. If we pull back from here, what will Sartia and Goti think?"
"They won't see the Empire as a pushover?"
"Exactly. And if there are swayed barbarians in our camp, they'll eye our dispersal to probe the border."
"Then shouldn't we keep the army concentrated?"
Cogol asked.
"The Empire lacks that capacity. We can't afford to keep a massive army assembled long-term. Even these barbarians we summoned aren't here for free—they came for promised land. To keep them longer, we'd need to pay, but we have no funds. So we lure the barbarians in and sever their windpipe in one blow."
"But is that feasible?"
I had a map brought out.
As the staff officer unrolled it, I pointed with my sheathed sword to a spot midway along the Drvina River.
"This is Belgorod, and one kilometer east, the pontoon bridges are under construction. As our army withdraws, we hand the bridges to the barbarian traitors on their side and order them 'destroyed.' Where will the Sartia come then?"
"Straight to the bridges."
"Precisely. For a large force, bridges beat boats. We wait for them to enter and burn the bridges."
"!!!"
The generals looked stunned for a moment.
"Can we burn the bridges guarded by traitorous barbarians that quickly?"
"Easily—if those 'traitors' are actually on our side."
Everyone swallowed hard at my words.
"Then they'll be trapped south of the Drvina. Even nomads can't cross waters colder than ice without trickery. We'll take their heads before they ready boats or rafts."
"But they'll foresee the risk and hesitate to cross."
"Not with bait like this. We have Your Majesty and me here. With barely ten thousand guarding us within reach, the barbarians won't overthink it."
"That's too dangerous, sir."
I gave them a wry smile.
"Can victory come without risk? I've always risked for the Empire. Today is no different."
"Sir."
"Trust me. Who am I?"
Emphasizing my words, my comrades bit their lips briefly before roaring in response.
"The Empire's Imperator, our symbol of victory!"
I smiled at their shout.
Thus, I began the perilous gamble.
(To be continued)