Chapter 189
Chapter 189
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: Linz Plains Great Battle (1)
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And so, the next day, on the Linz Plains.
The Reich Empire's 110,000-strong army and the Austrika Grand Duchy's 180,000 faced off against each other, maintaining a certain distance between them.
Both armies' morale was sky-high, as they were personally led by the Reich Empire's Crown Prince and the Austrika Grand Duchy's Archduke.
The two supreme commanders—the Crown Prince and the Archduke—were both absolutely convinced of their victory in this war and were biding their time for the perfect moment to strike.
The Austrika forces, with their numerical superiority, grew increasingly impatient among their high command.
"Your Grace, we have more troops. And according to reports from Captain Mathias and Lieutenant Venner, the quality of the soldiers is about the same on both sides. In that case, it all comes down to numbers. We're in the advantage. We should attack now."
Under the premise that troop quality was equal, the side with more numbers had an almost guaranteed edge.
So, the Austrika generals urging an immediate attack weren't wrong.
The Archduke himself was itching to charge straight ahead and clash head-on to settle the score...
But there was one existence that made him hesitate.
'The bastard I have to face is that damned Peter Jaeger, Lieutenant General. That sly, wicked son of a bitch can make a troop disparity of 110,000 against 180,000 seem like no big deal.'
If Peter Jaeger himself heard that, he'd retort, "What general in this world would think a 60% numerical disadvantage for the enemy is no problem?"
But considering his battle record across the Europan continent, the Archduke's concerns had solid grounding.
"Major General Humpros, it's not time yet. And the one we're facing is that cursed Jaeger Lieutenant General, not some brainless Crown Prince who almost got captured by a double agent!"
At those words, the man called Humpros bowed his head quietly and replied.
"But if we keep this up, won't we just drag out this standoff needlessly?"
"Hah, true enough. But what can we do?"
"The four who defected from the Reich Empire have petitioned Your Grace and are now at the forefront, but how about we summon Lieutenant Venner and Captain Mathias to ask their opinion?"
To the Archduke, those two—who had risen to the rank of major in the Reich Empire—were invaluable spies who let him see the Imperial forces like they were in the palm of his hand.
If those two spouted nonsense, he could dismiss them outright without issue.
"Captain Mathias, Lieutenant Venner. What do you think? What's the best way to deal with the Imperial forces?"
Mathias drew on his experience commanding Imperial troops until two years ago, combined with his newfound insight from leading Austrika soldiers, took a moment to organize his thoughts, and answered.
"Push them head-on. The 7th Division under Lieutenant General Jaeger's command is a bit concerning, but the other units are pushovers."
"Even the strongest unit can't exert much power on its own. Since they're not coming to us, we'll go to them first. What do the rest of you think?"
The other generals pondered the choice of striking first once more before speaking.
"We have more troops, so if we force a frontal melee, we can win for sure."
"Our opponent is Lieutenant General Jaeger. Rather than trying risky ambushes or flanking maneuvers to minimize losses, I think pushing straight ahead is best."
"Place our division at the vanguard. The Stainhown Division will fight at the forefront for Your Grace's glory and bring you the heads of the enemy."
Confirming that all opinions aligned on a frontal assault, the Archduke swung his baton and issued the order.
"The entire army will charge the Reich Empire forces. Division commanders, do not attempt independent flanking or ambush tactics without my command."
And so, the order went out across the entire Austrika Grand Duchy army: raise your spears and charge straight at the Imperial forces ahead.
Majestic trumpet blasts rang out, lively drumbeats echoed, and division, regiment, battalion, and company flags fluttered to signal acknowledgment of the command.
Officers at every level shouted loudly as they marched.
"They've only got 110,000—we have 180,000! We're 70,000 stronger!"
"If we lose here, your families will be slaughtered by the wicked Reich Empire bastards! Young women and children will be raped and killed—that's what I'm saying!"
"Just follow the company commander's orders! Then you can go home alive! Got it?!"
These were the same lines officers always used to drag soldiers into battle, and by sergeant rank, you'd heard them so often you'd be sick of them.
You might think they'd lose all impact from overuse, but clichés worked precisely because they hit home every time.
The soldiers felt reassured hearing they outnumbered the enemy, and rage boiled up imagining their families ravaged by the Reich Empire if they lost.
Even the cowards pushed aside a sliver of their fear at the promise that obeying their ever-nagging company commander would get them home alive.
"Fuck, man. This time we've got 70,000 more, so we're definitely winning. How about we snag a knight's armor from the enemy?"
"Sell it on the black market quietly, and you could bring two cows back to your village home."
"That's a damn good idea. But if I get lucky and grab some high-ranker's armor..."
"Idiot, you'd have to give that to the brass. The bribe money would be worth more than the armor."
Veterans with even one battle under their belts shook off their fear with hopeful banter.
Boom, boom-boom, boom-boom-boom!
"Fuck, arrows are coming soon! Everyone, keep pace, eyes on the ground! Your helmet and armor will protect you!"
Dozens of seconds later, arrows and magic from the Reich Empire army rained down on the Austrika forces.
"Fire back! Fire back, you morons!"
"Shoot if you don't wanna die! Shoot even if you're dying from arrows!"
"Hold those spears straight! If you wanna live, don't run with spears straight out! Break formation, and we're all dead."
The melee hadn't even begun properly, but arrows and spells already caused soldiers to panic across companies and battalions in the Austrika lines.
Company and battalion commanders tried to regain control by shooting the panic-stricken themselves, having NCOs beat or behead them, or whatever it took.
They marched on, killing one to control a hundred.
Meanwhile, arrows flew at the Reich Empire side too, but their response differed.
"Anyone disrupting formation from incoming arrows will be punished under military law! Act like we did in mock battle drills!"
"Lower your heads and aim spears at the enemy!"
"Company and battalion commanders, order indiscriminate arrow fire! We need to thin their numbers here!"
Despite the hail of enemy arrows, the Reich Empire soldiers didn't fluster—they moved with eerie naturalness.
If not for the unlucky dead and wounded being carted off now and then, it could've been a training exercise.
Archers, crossbowmen, and mages didn't fumble loading or slow their chants from fear.
Spearmen held steady as if death held no terror, unshakable like enlightened monks facing life and death.
But it wasn't from abandoning fear of death or desire to live.
"Sergeant, aren't you scared at all? Not even a drop of cold sweat."
"Shut your nonsense. I'm shaking in my boots. You too, right? But the training paid off—you're trembling but not bolting."
"Don't remind me. In mock battles, running or panicking meant 50 lashes. Guess those beatings helped toughen us up."
As he said, it wasn't transcendence over fear or life's desires—it was rigorous training and iron discipline overriding instinct.
Thanks to that, unlike the trembling Austrika troops, the Reich Empire soldiers could face the enemy with clear heads and judgment.
Knowing this, platoon leaders bellowed at their men with venom.
"We survived those hellish drills from the 7th Guard Division's red-hatted instructor bastards for this exact moment! Endure! And let's outperform those pricks!"
"Obey orders. Cowards die first."
"Charge order coming soon. Deep breaths, get ready."