Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Franco Eastern Expedition (1)
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They say that when a person's status rises and their wealth grows, good fortune with women naturally follows. Just like that, beautiful women had suddenly started gathering around me.
My wife, Laura, with her shimmering long silver hair and sharp red eyes that gleamed with intelligence, exuding a cool, captivating charm. And then there was Major Anastasia, whose white skin, bright blue eyes, and long golden hair made her look like she'd leaped straight out of a painting of a Russian beauty, radiating passionate energy.
And even Charlotte, with her petite frame around 150 cm tall, black hair, and sparkling dark eyes that reminded one of a bright, sweet Korean idol star.
Of course, Anastasia probably had no romantic interest in me. But she did look at me like some grand hero for having executed Ludwig, the man who killed her parents and ravaged her tribe.
She'd also applied to serve under me specifically, as the representative of the northern tribe she'd naturalized into, hoping to rack up military achievements under someone friendly to her in order to secure her position within the Empire.
As for Charlotte, she was just a girl assigned by imperial order to attend to me, but her cheerful and bubbly personality always lifted my spirits whenever she was around.
For some reason, right now in the 12th Division commander's office, Major Anastasia and Laura were...
"Major Kerzhit, now that introductions are done, why don't you head back to your quarters and rest? The general and I are already well aware of your light cavalry unit's combat prowess and tactics. You must be tired from the long journey."
"The general may have fought against our northern light cavalry multiple times as enemies, but he likely doesn't know how to best utilize them from a commander's perspective. That's why I've brought some special wine made from grapes harvested in the north. We can share it while I explain how our light cavalry can shine in the upcoming operations."
"That's certainly valuable intel, but hasn't Major Werner—who came with you—or Major Marco already excused themselves to rest after brief greetings due to the long trip? I think you should do the same and rest today, Major Kerzhit."
It was early April, with warm sunlight streaming in, yet just being near those two sent a chill my way.
It seemed like Major Anastasia and Laura were competing to win over their superior—me—as fellow soldiers...
If it were a personal matter, I'd side with Laura without question. But when it came to official duties, treating everyone equally seemed like the mark of a true leader.
As I pondered this, Charlotte set down three cups of warm tea on the table in front of my desk.
"As Major von Venner said, the moment I heard your light cavalry unit was joining us, I sought out and read every paper analyzing its strengths and weaknesses. I've even sketched out some tactics and strategies we could employ with you."
Laura flashed a triumphant smile, thinking I'd taken her side.
"That said, as Major Anastasia pointed out, the experience of someone who's fought long as a light cavalrywoman and even commanded can't be ignored. Plus, your proactive attitude on your very first day here is commendable."
Major Anastasia beamed at me, delighted that I'd acknowledged her enthusiasm.
"Thank you, General."
"No need. I never dreamed the White Wolf Tribe's light cavalry would actually be assigned under me. You offered your support to our unit, and headquarters approved it—it's all come together thanks to that. It's doubled the tactical options I have on the battlefield."
And that made perfect sense. Back in my fief of Thurner, I'd ordered the development of saltpeter fields and gathered retired imperial blacksmiths and engineers to mix sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter into gunpowder.
But I'd only heard that it'd be nearly a year before it could see real combat, so we couldn't use it in this campaign either.
In the end, we'd have to fight with knights, infantry, crossbowmen, and mages. Adding light cavalry to the mix...
Tactics like having the cavalry tear through enemy lines, then slamming knights into the gaps—it massively expanded our combat playbook.
"That's the highest praise our Kerzhit family has received since surrendering to the Empire. Fighting alongside a strong warrior is always what we've hoped for."
"Is that so? Coming from you, Major Anastasia—who survived the icy north while dodging Ludwig's blade—it warms my heart."
"Those close to me or who know me well call me Anya instead of Anastasia or Kerzhit. Please call me Anya."
Her service record noted that at 17, she'd suffered the massacre of her father and many tribesmen at Ludwig's hands. By 19, she'd led her tribe and others in surrendering to the Empire.
Though she'd earned a knighthood, a small fief, and a commission as major in recognition of her achievements and status as chieftain...
The Empire wasn't exactly kind to outsiders or commoners, so she must have struggled inwardly.
Seeing how I'd treated her favorably amid all that, she was now working hard to build good relations with me—for the sake of her loyal followers' survival and settlement.
"Understood, Major Anya. So, what are the light cavalry's strengths?"
"We're fast, so when facing enemy knights, we can strike one-sidedly without getting caught. We're confident in scattering infantry formations too."
It was the kind of dirty trick I'd often fallen victim to from the northerners and that bastard Ludwig back in Thurner.
"Moreover, while other imperial scouts just ride around reconnoitering or launching weak raids, our tribe's warriors can dismount and fight knights on near-equal terms in close quarters. With hit-and-run tactics, we can lure entire enemy armies—or even if we don't, their morale plummets wildly."
Even Laura, who'd eyed Major Anya skeptically until moments ago, nodded at that.
The 24th Regiment under my command during the northern campaign had never fallen for such ploys—not once.
But imperial records of clashes with the barbarians were full of tales where infantry battalions or regiments lost their minds, got strung along like beads on a needle, and saw their formations utterly collapse.
And so, Laura, I, and Major Anya continued debating the light cavalry's pros and cons.
In the meantime, the chilly tension between Major Anya and Laura eased a bit.
It'd be nice if we could all just get along from here on out.
Anyway, all three of us shared a keen interest in military knowledge and enjoyed diving into new topics, so a few hours flew by before we knew it.
"Is Brigadier General Jaeger inside?"
"He is. What is it?"
"The commander of the Franco Eastern Expeditionary Force has summoned all officers above major. Please come at once."
We wrapped up there, tidied our uniforms, and donned the dress jackets hanging on the rack.
Charlotte naturally cleared the teacups and snacks, while Major Anya approached me and asked,
"General Jaeger, since I've only recently been commissioned and don't know much about the imperial army, may I come by often at times like this for your guidance?"
Until now, only Laura had received personal instruction from me in my private quarters... where conversations sometimes veered into side paths, leading to, well, you know.
But as Major Anya said, she'd been commissioned recently, so she inevitably lacked knowledge of the imperial army.
No matter how talented she was, her understanding of the broader imperial forces would lag behind her rank.
On the battlefield, such gaps could turn into catastrophes.
Sorry, Laura, but I figured I should spare her at least a little time.
"I'll teach you one or two days a week, for an hour or two after regular hours. And with months still until deployment, study diligently from the notes and textbooks I compiled at the Staff College."
Hearing that, Major Anya looked a touch disappointed—apparently at the realization that even as an active officer, she'd have to study from books.
Laura, meanwhile, gazed at me with a smile that suggested she was suddenly in high spirits.
She must've been pleased that I'd be taking less time away from her than she'd feared.
"Let's hurry then. Once the commander's operations meeting ends, skim the first chapter of that book before coming in tomorrow. I'll quiz you."
I'd spoken just like I used to as a Staff College instructor, but it was all for Major Anya's benefit.
As we all hurried toward the conference room, Charlotte lightly tugged my collar and said,
"I can help with the division's miscellaneous tasks. So if you need anything, just let me know, General."
Saying that, Charlotte—who was eight years younger than me and around 150 cm tall—somehow looked like a little sister.
I found myself responding to her in the gentle tone one might use to encourage a young girl.
"Really? Then I'll be counting on you from now on."
"Yes, leave it to me, General."
**
Franco Eastern Expeditionary Force headquarters building, main conference room.
Upon entering, I and many other generals took our seats by rank amid the overwhelming presence of the stars on their shoulders, while the field-grade officers faded into the background like extras.
As everyone chatted about the upcoming expedition,
the door opened, revealing a man entering in full imperial army armor despite coming for a meeting.
Judging by the four stars on his rank insignia, he must be the commander.
No one reaches four stars in the imperial army without competence, so he probably wasn't some armchair general like that "Shadow Independence Army" type from history.
"I am General Heinz von Patton, commander of this Franco Eastern Expeditionary Force."
Hearing the name Patton somehow gave me a hunch about his personality.
Extremely capable, but unlike other generals, incredibly... incredibly...
"Brigadier General Jaeger will handle the operation briefing, but before he begins, let me outline our expeditionary force's doctrine."
Every general and officer's eyes and ears turned to General Patton.
"Maximum speed in maneuvers, maximum precision in logistics, maximum aggression in combat and tactics. Like the northern barbarians—like white wolves—we'll swiftly plunge into the Franco Republic's eastern territories and tear them apart!"
He seemed a perfect fit for the core of my proposed plan: rapid mobility and aggressive penetration into enemy territory.
I had a feeling I'd experience the most intense battles of my officer career here.
With that, I delivered the operational briefing—essentially the explanation I'd given Minister of War Moritz, but fleshed out in greater detail—before the assembled officers.
Three months later, we launched our full-scale invasion into the heart of the Franco Republic.