Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Opportunity for Promotion (2)
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At those words, the division commander asked with a highly intrigued expression.
"That's a solid plan. Care to explain it in detail?"
In normal circumstances, I might have been thrilled at the fact that I'd captured the division commander's interest and successfully gotten the chance to present my own ideas on the operation.
But the reason I'd been given the floor now was because of the division commander's intention to discourage the other staff officers and field-grade officers from offering their own plans.
And as his ploy worked and a mere acting company commander began explaining the operation, the other senior officers looked noticeably more relaxed than they had just minutes ago.
They were probably thinking something like, 'Even a lowly lieutenant gets to speak on the operation without getting chewed out right away, so as long as I don't spout nonsense, I won't get reamed out for suggesting a plan.'
Which meant that from here on out was the real moment of truth.
"Understood. In that case, may I use the wooden rods, the strategic map, and the wooden horse pieces on it?"
"Granted."
With that, I placed the wooden horses to mark the enemy's main base and our own, then pointed at them with a rod as I spoke.
"First, our available forces have dwindled to 5,000 due to accumulated losses. Meanwhile, the enemy exceeds 9,000, including the newly joined Black Lion Mercenary Corps. Their numbers outstrip ours by 1.8 times. Our morale has plummeted from the heavy losses in the previous battle, while the enemy's is likely sky-high."
The division commander flushed red with anger at my barrage of facts painting a picture of our impending defeat, while the other officers shot me looks that screamed, 'Who let this madman speak?'
I could fully understand their feelings.
After all, what I'd said—though softened a bit—could easily be interpreted as advising retreat since we'd already lost the battle.
So, to quickly calm the division commander's fury, I pressed on without pause.
"But if we make full use of this situation, we can turn the tables."
Normally, a lieutenant like me saying something like that would earn a dressing-down for arrogance, but since none of the senior officers here had spoken up until now, the opportunity had fallen to me.
Instead of openly berating me, the division commander fixed me with a piercing gaze that said he wouldn't tolerate anything less than a proper plan, and asked,
"The duty of an Imperial soldier is victory. I won't believe a talented young man who earned the Silver Knight's Sword Cross Medal at your age would waste our time with useless drivel. Explain in as much detail as possible."
One wrong word, and the positive image I'd built with the division commander could shatter in an instant.
I didn't feel the least bit precarious or anxious about it.
As the saying goes, crisis breeds opportunity—and that's exactly why I'd been given this chance to propose an operation.
If my plan was accepted here, I'd get to dictate the strategy for a clash of thousands against thousands, and even take on the most crucial role in it.
In a situation like that, things like tension, fear, or trembling were trivial distractions.
"Before diving into the operation itself, allow me to reiterate our armies' strategic objectives. The enemy's goal is to seize the villages and territory up to Weinberg Castle. Ours is to annihilate the Franco Republic forces before us and press on to claim the land up to Lesin Castle."
"Strategically speaking, yes. But without supporting tactics, strategy is little more than waste paper. Now, let's discuss the tactical level."
"Understood. First, sir, your division is structured with Weinberg Castle's defense forces accounted for, and the enemy knows it. In our current state with only 5,000 men left, they'll assume we're retreating to focus on defending the castle."
I'd already mentioned the strategic goals and Weinberg's garrison, so there was no need to spell out that we'd have no one left to defend the castle if we got wiped out here.
No one in this room was ignorant of that.
Perhaps because I'd laid it out so clearly?
The officers, who had been watching me with expressions of 'What nonsense is this lieutenant about to spout?' now eyed me with glimmers of interest and possibility.
"So, if we make it look like we're hastily preparing to retreat—abandoning heavy supplies and equipment—the enemy will think we're pulling back. They won't suspect a surprise attack for a moment. After all, strategically speaking, the textbook move is to fall back into Weinberg Castle to hold it at all costs."
I paused there, and the division commander—clearly pleased by my mention of a reversal via surprise attack—gave me an expectant look brimming with interest, urging me to elaborate on the specifics.
"To make the surprise attack succeed, here's the plan I've devised. First, the Reich Empire's 8th Division will hurriedly prepare to retreat today or tomorrow at the latest. Leave the tents standing, pack only light rations—enough to reach Weinberg Castle. At the same time, spread rumors within the division that if the Black Lion Mercenaries and Franco Republic scum hit us all at once, we're done for. That way, the troops and junior officers will truly believe we're retreating."
There might be Franco Republic spies even among the captains and above here, but the odds were slim.
Academy graduates were all nobles with families and retainers to protect. Betraying the Empire meant execution for their loved ones and abandonment for their vassals.
The daily education I'd received at the academy hammered home that nobles must safeguard their retainers' livelihoods and uphold honor.
Breaking free from that ingrained mindset wasn't easy, and in the novel, it was even noted that none of the senior officers in this battle were spies for the Franco Republic's generals.
"Spies colluding with the enemy within our division will pass on the intel that 'Reich Empire forces are preparing to retreat.' That's when we seize the moment—feign a rapid withdrawal, and the enemy won't dream of a surprise attack."
No matter how exalted the commander of a division, most judgments are based on common sense.
But the battlefield is full of filthy variables, which is why they rely on spies for intel.
If the spy's report aligns with their common sense, they'll absolutely believe we're retreating.
"I see."
"In that scenario, we keep up the pretense of retreat preparations and wait. Meanwhile, my company slips out under cover of night, circles to the enemy's right flank, and hits them all at once. Caught completely off guard, the enemy will panic. At that point, the entire company charges into their camp with no regard for our lives, sweeps through, and sends the signal."
I said we'd fight with no regard for our lives, but if my predictions held, there wouldn't be heavy casualties in the company.
Suddenly ambushed by over a hundred troops while sleeping, the enemy division would plunge into utter chaos.
Before they could get their wits about them, we'd look like a battalion or even a regiment in their eyes.
Assembling forces to counter that would take considerable time.
In the meantime, we'd only be facing half-awake, half-armed foes fumbling around—so with enough grit, we could rampage freely.
And if the division commander moved the troops on cue, their aggression would pull the enemy's focus, letting us withdraw from the camp without issue.
"Upon receiving the signal, sir, deploy the division's knights to strike the enemy's left flank, followed by the infantry in a full assault. The enemy won't stand a chance."
Just as they'd shaken off the shock, rallied, and prepared to counter my company... only to get hit from behind?
The enemy division commander and his officers would think they'd been encircled, flail about in panic, and suffer massive losses.
"That's the operation I've prepared."
He'd been furious at my initial words evoking defeat, but after hearing the details, my plan clearly appealed to him.
A faint smile on his lips, he patted my shoulder and turned to the other officers.
"A mere lieutenant—no, a platoon leader who was still a student just a month ago—comes up with this? The Empire's future looks bright. Any objections?"
The senior officers then proposed all sorts of plans to curry favor with the division commander.
But none pleased him; opinions split, and they couldn't reach consensus.
As the meeting dragged on and the division commander grew visibly irritated, our battalion commander rose to speak.
"Among all the plans presented, I believe Lieutenant Jaeger's is the most realistic. Therefore, I, Heine von Blancia, support Lieutenant Jaeger's operation."
Soon after, Major Franchu—who'd escaped battalion annihilation thanks to the operation I'd led—stood and backed the claim.
"Analyzing the situation objectively, there's no other way to overcome this disadvantage aside from the lieutenant's surprise attack."
The remaining officers found it grating that a mere lieutenant's idea might pass, but with no better reversal plan on the table...
"Very well. Then, starting now, prepare to execute Lieutenant Jaeger's operation. All officers, return to your units and ready the retreat."