Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Battle of Jungfrau Plains (1)
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Ticino Canton, Leven Village—village chief's house and assembly hall.
A crudely made wooden desk and chairs, walls evenly plastered with clay as if some care had been taken, and a massive hearth the size of a man's torso.
It wasn't lavish by any means, but it was the sort of home that would earn compliments anywhere in Europa for being "a bit upscale."
By rights, this was the residence of the family that had produced village chiefs for generations, used only occasionally for village gatherings.
But right now, it hosted the ruler of Ticino Canton, Count Ticino, along with the leaders who had brought supporting troops from other cantons, all engaged in a tense meeting.
"Your Excellency, the Duke's orders to us were to dig in somewhere suitable and wage a delaying action. In our current state, even that might prove difficult."
"Too many soldiers have died. We lost three hundred trying to ambush that Jaeger Major and kill him, and nearly as many wounded besides. It's too risky."
"The enemy believes we can't mount another attack. Thanks to that, they've already seized several of our allied castles. Tal, Lichteneck, Luxembourg, Heinel—all fallen. We need a plan, Your Excellency."
In a feudal state where lords held both military and administrative authority, barons—practically the count's vassals despite technically different affiliations—openly protesting was tantamount to baring their necks.
But Switzerland's geography, with its abundant, towering, and treacherous mountains, made centralized governance difficult, fostering strong local autonomy.
A count here wielded power equivalent to just two or three barons combined.
Thus, in a situation where their own faults were glaring, the count couldn't simply invoke ducal authority to silence them.
So Count Ticino showed a hint of regret for their words while racking his brain for a way out of this mess.
When a decent idea struck, he slammed the desk and spoke forcefully.
"Enough! That's enough! I proposed this ambush, true, but didn't you all enthusiastically endorse it, convinced it would work like our great victory over the Empire's swine two hundred years ago? And now you men whine about your own decisions? Besides, this operation aligned with the Duke's wishes as well."
The barons fell silent, tails tucked.
After all, they had indeed jumped in to support the count's ambush proposal.
So the real monster was Jaeger Major, who had predicted such tactics, marched through Switzerland's rugged paths in full battle gear, and maintained obsessive vigilance.
A typical Imperial general might have been cautious, but not prepared for immediate combat like that.
They had launched the ambush confident of success.
Thus, they began clearing their throats, a touch embarrassed.
The count decided to give them a chance to shake off the shame, like soothing a crying child.
"Of course, as you say, I bear the greatest blame for this poor decision. But it was a collective one. From now on, even if I think something sound, I won't push it blindly. Let's pool our heads and devise a solid plan together."
The room's rigid atmosphere didn't turn jovial, but it eased enough for everyone to voice opinions.
Count Ticino laid a map on the table and continued calmly.
"Let's accept the ambush's failure and move on. How many troops do we have left?"
Viscount Lichten, second-in-command of Bern Canton, replied.
"Around nine thousand."
"A Reich Empire division is roughly eight thousand, so we hold a numerical edge."
"But the foe is that Jaeger Major of the Reich Empire. And they have plenty of cavalry."
When the enemy had knights and cavalry but allies none, it was common enough to abandon battle and flee.
Heavy cavalry truly swung the tide of battle.
Yet Viscount Lichten advised the count as if the enemy's cavalry weren't such a dire threat.
To outsiders, it might look like the commanders had all spiked their drinks with narcotics...
"Switzerland has always faced down arrogant knights on horseback with our infantry and claimed victory. This time will be no different."
"It's been two hundred years since we last fought the Reich Empire, but we've clashed with knights from Checobia and the Ostrica Dukedom multiple times since—and won every one. Even in open-field battles, their specialty."
"That's why our mercenaries are renowned across Europa."
Indeed, Switzerland's mercenaries fought fearlessly to protect their families and livelihoods in this harsh land.
Given solid formation, they were Europa's toughest warriors, capable of repelling even knightly lance charges.
Though the cost in lives to halt such assaults was never trivial.
"Still, the Duke ordered a delaying action, so we must focus on tying their feet. I plan to station six thousand between these Lindenhof hills for a defensive stand."
"An excellent idea. Where will you place the remaining three thousand?"
"Resting behind the Lindenhof hills, then striking the enemy rear when the battle heats up. A pincer to prolong the fight. This delaying battle will be our chance to properly avenge ourselves against the Reich swine."
To some, it seemed a simplistic tactic, but most great captains lured foes into disadvantageous spots and won with straightforward, efficient means.
Count Ticino's plan was just that.
From the Reich Empire army's perspective, bypassing the waiting Lindenhof hills was practically impossible.
Even if Jaeger Major tried to detour around them, any overlap would allow the Swiss to sever his supply lines trailing from the rear.
Thus, Jaeger had no choice but to pass through the broad path between the hills.
The viscount and other Swiss nobles smirked wickedly as they added,
"Plus, Count Bern has feigned betraying Switzerland for years now. To fool the Crown Prince, he's leaked quite a bit of intel on this operation, from what I hear."
"Haha, thanks to that, the other divisions—minus Jaeger's—will stroll right up to Liechtenstein Castle."
"And when the Crown Prince hears Peter Jaeger Major's division was annihilated by us, Imperial morale will hit rock bottom. If we time it right and strike the expeditionary force's rear then..."
Having heard that far, Count Ticino stabbed his dagger into the Lindenhof hills on the map and declared,
"Our infantry are the strongest in Europa. The path between those hills isn't wide, so the enemy won't deploy knights effectively. In a battle where knights can't maneuver, victory is already ours."
He caught his breath, then added,
"But our foe is Jaeger Major, who pierced our ambush once already. No complacency—prepare as thoroughly as possible."
A week later, the Swiss army finished fortifying the road beside Lindenhof.
"Just try coming, you damned boar-like bastards."
"Daring to invade our sacred soil—we'll bring divine thunder upon them."
"They handled the ambush well enough, but Swiss soldiers shine brightest in a head-on fight. We'll slaughter them all."
The troops, veterans serving as NCOs and junior officers—worn from nonstop labor—ground their teeth in resolve.
Count Ticino surveyed the scene, chest swelling with anticipation of finally claiming Jaeger Major's head.
"I will slaughter those vile Reich Empire dogs with my own hands."