Chapter 188
Chapter 188
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: Ostrica Invasion (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Humans can adapt and survive in just about any environment short of one that's outright uninhabitable.
That goes not only for natural settings like deserts, jungles, snowfields, plains, and riverbanks, but even for places ruled by strict military discipline or battlefields where countless people die—if you get used to it, you can live there too.
When I first killed on the battlefield, I struggled a bit, but now I can mercilessly cut down hundreds of enemies if the need arises.
Even so, there's one thing I still haven't adapted to: the crushing pressure of devising strategies on the battlefield as a commander.
Especially now that I've taken on the role of deputy commander—no, the de facto supreme commander—the weight bearing down on my shoulders and back is no joke.
"First, let's hear the reconnaissance team's report. Tell us about the enemy's size, morale, and anything else unusual, no matter how minor."
At those words, the reconnaissance team's leader cautiously spoke up.
"The Archduke of Ostrica has personally taken the field in this war. As we reported last time, their total force numbers around 180,000. Enemy morale is extremely high, likely because the Archduke himself is leading the troops."
Their numbers are about 30,000 more than we'd anticipated before the expedition began, but that's within the margin of error—no need to see it as a major problem.
That said, with the Archduke himself—the monarch of the Ostrica Archduchy—on the field, the enemy's morale will stay high, making them far from an easy opponent.
But if a commander shows any sign of agitation or tension, his subordinate officers, NCOs, and soldiers will plunge into endless fear.
"The Archduke's personal involvement is a minor concern, but since it's within our margin of error, it won't shake our victory. Continue your report."
His Highness the Crown Prince nodded in agreement at my words, and the generals and officers at the meeting looked somewhat relieved.
"As the Archduke of Ostrica marched out, his personal guard knight order came with him. On top of that, one of our own personnel staff officers, Major Venner, betrayed us and defected, so there's a high chance our exact troop numbers and organization have been leaked. In terms of the information war, we have to assume the Reich Empire is at a disadvantage."
My brother is probably happily spouting this nonsense right now alongside that idiot Matthias, who betrayed the Reich Empire, and the other four majors.
'Reich Empire infantry or Ostrica infantry—they're all the same. They can't stand up to knights. Well, we'd just need to be a little careful with the 7th Division at most...'
And logically speaking, they'd assume there's no infantry capable of facing knights head-on unless it's that insane elite mercenary force from the Switchland Duchy.
We can use that arrogance to target their weaknesses.
"Anything else noteworthy?"
"No, sir, Deputy Commander. From our reconnaissance, there's nothing else beyond what we've reported."
"Understood. Then I'll issue the operational orders."
With that, all eyes and attention turned to me.
"There's no need to worry about our forces being outnumbered. Our soldiers have all been reborn. In the past, running 5 kilometers in full gear was a struggle, but now, thanks to training, they can do 15 kilometers fully equipped."
At those words, the generals—all in their fifties at least—nodded proudly at how strong their subordinates had become.
Meanwhile, those who'd participated in the training—the colonels and lieutenant colonels under forty-five—shook their heads vigorously, their faces twisted in the clear reluctance to relive those memories.
But undeniably, by first exhausting every ounce of stamina through guerrilla gymnastics, then repeatedly running high-exertion drills like mock battles and close-order training...
The soldiers, NCOs, and officers alike had seen their physical endurance explode. The longer the battle dragged on, the more it would tilt in our favor.
"The enemy outnumbers us, so if we go for a protracted war, they'll happily oblige. But we'll charge head-on from the start."
Normally, the side with fewer troops prefers short, decisive battles or ambushes where victory comes in a flash.
Because in a drawn-out defensive slog, the side with more numbers has a massive advantage.
"Frankly, unless it's the Switchland Duchy, everyone knows infantry combat power is about the same across the board—so the Ostrica bastards, with their superior numbers, will absolutely take the bait on our provocation. That's how we'll drag it out."
Our soldiers' vastly superior stamina means they can fight effectively for far longer.
By the time we're starting to get winded, their infantry will be on the verge of collapse, unable to mount a proper counterattack.
If we then squeeze out our remaining strength and hit them all at once, no matter how many they have, it'll be a one-sided Reich Empire victory.
When I mentioned only infantry, one division commander spoke up.
"Deputy Commander, what about the knights and cavalry? Ostrica brought their personal guard knight order, so they'll have around 20,000 heavily armored knights. Even including Colonel Kerjit's horse archers, we only have about 13,000 on our side. Infantry can fight infantry, but knights versus knights..."
Infantry can endure with stamina, but knights clash with raw numbers and impact—there's no dragging those out.
But since infantry are the main event, the countermeasure is surprisingly simple.
"Aren't there just two key uses for knights? Breaking the enemy's formation while infantry are engaged, or chasing down the fleeing survivors after victory."
For the former, they form their signature wedge and charge. For the latter, they break formation and pursue wildly.
"That's right. But I asked when and how you plan to deploy the knights, so what does this have to do with it?"
"Just like I did against the enemy knights on the Bisocia Front in Checobia: have the infantry form pike square formations to intercept them. There will be heavy casualties, of course, but under strict military discipline, our soldiers will grip their pikes and face the knights with resolve, ready to die."
It might seem absurd—standing against nearly ton-heavy metal masses with mere pikes—but...
The training regimen I introduced was the same one used to harden line infantry in their era, and its effects were outstanding.
How effective was it? On battlefields where thousands of enemy bullets flew, they could march straight at the foe in perfect ranks without any cover.
"Of course, we're not without countermeasures. We'll position the horse archers to blunt the enemy knights' charge in various ways mid-assault. Plus, we'll use our 10,000 knights like a hammer."
"So, like last time, receive their charge and then hit their flanks?"
"Not a bad idea, but this time, I have something different in mind. After receiving the enemy knights' attack, have the neighboring infantry units on both sides semi-encircle them, then drive our knights into their rear. If we can seal them off on all sides and wipe them out, that'd be ideal."
Even if they go textbook and strike the flanks of our left or right wing infantry, we have a plan for that.
"If they target the left or right wing's flanks instead, it could throw things off. In that case, we'll use the same tactic as them. Though I suspect the enemy knights will definitely aim for the 7th Division in the center."
The division commanders looked puzzled at that, so I signaled to His Highness.
Receiving the signal, the Crown Prince spoke.
"Normally, when royalty takes the field, they hunker down in the safest HQ. But I won't leave you to fight alone on the front lines. As supreme commander, I'll lead my guards and fight alongside the 7th Guard Division."
Of course, even if His Highness says he'll fight with the 7th, he won't be charging the front lines himself.
Still, having him fight on the front rather than in HQ will give the troops tremendous psychological stability and courage.
Beyond that, we've prepared detailed contingency plans for whatever tricks the enemy pulls. Now all that's left is to bury them.