Chapter 191
Chapter 191
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: Linz Plains Great Battle (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Grand Duke of Ostrica felt that Lieutenant Venner's confident proposal was actually quite solid.
Why? Because what he was saying backed up exactly what the Grand Duke himself had argued at yesterday's meeting, and it was the very operation he wanted his staff officers to suggest to him now.
On top of that, it came from the man who knew the Reich Empire's forces better than anyone else there.
Reading the shift in the Grand Duke's expression, Lieutenant Venner thought to himself:
'I need to press this now.'
"Major General Jaeger resorting to such an aggressive move means he knows full well he's going to lose in a battle of stamina with our troops. That's why he's pulling this bizarre maneuver early on to swing the momentum his way. So, Your Highness, whether his plan succeeds or fails is entirely up to your judgment."
Normally, in a situation like this, you'd point out the enemy commander's blunder and say something encouraging like, "This is our chance!"
But when the opponent was a general of such renown, it was better not to harp on "mistakes" right up until his defeat...
'Better to stroke his ego by hyping up the prestige he'll gain from victory, praising the abilities of the man he'll want to flatter. The best outcome would be making the Grand Duke believe, when looking back on the battle's tactics, that he lured Major General Jaeger into making that blunder.'
"Your Highness, I strongly recommend ordering a full infantry assault right now. And when the clash between our forces and the enemy is at its fiercest, send in the knights. Since we have the numerical superiority in manpower, sticking to textbook maneuvers is the safest and most reliable path."
The Grand Duke smirked at those words.
"That's a fine strategy. Especially against a guy on the cusp of becoming a legendary commander—better to go straight by the book than waste time on flashy nonsense."
"I am honored, Your Highness."
"No need. If you ever have questions about the battlefield situation or suggestions to make, speak up as one of my staff officers. Even if I don't ask—feel free."
At those words, the other staff officers shot jealous glares at Lieutenant Venner, who had just earned the Grand Duke's full favor. But the man himself paid them no mind.
He was too busy pondering, per Major General Jaeger's orders, how to inflict maximum damage on the Ostrican army in this battle.
'If they find out I've been posing as an Ostrican spy all this time and betray them now, my old friends Matthias and the others will lose their heads. But my family and I matter more than those who betrayed His Highness the Crown Prince.'
The Grand Duke thought Venner's words rang completely true, but rather than follow them to the letter, he decided a slight variation would be better. He issued his orders.
"Send in the reserve infantry and push them all at once. The longer our soldiers engage the Imperial troops, the more their numbers dwindle compared to ours, and with fewer rotations, those Imperial bastards will tire out faster. Also, prepare the knights—including the Guard—to strike the rear of the Imperial 7th Guard Division on my command."
At that, the military band and standard-bearers signaled the deployment of the full 40,000 reserve infantry—five divisions.
A messenger from headquarters galloped off toward the nearby waiting knights.
"Reporting to Deputy Commander Jaeger. Scouts report the Ostrican Grand Duchy army is mobilizing their infantry reserves."
"How many reserves? Have we pinned down the exact numbers?"
"Around 40,000, sir. It looks like they've committed their entire infantry reserve."
Considering the Ostricans had mobilized just over 20,000 knights, their total infantry came to roughly 160,000.
And reserves typically made up 25-33% of infantry strength, so 40,000—25%—meant they'd thrown in everything.
This confirmed the Ostrican Grand Duke was playing right into Major General Jaeger's hands: a head-on slugfest with full commitment.
"Everything's going even better than expected. And the world sure is fun—always throwing curveballs."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing important. Not for you scouts to worry about. Knights might move soon, so keep eyes on enemy knight activity. Remember, His Highness the Crown Prince's life hangs on how accurate and swift your reports are."
He wasn't exaggerating.
Major General Jaeger's deputy command post was only 40 meters from where the Crown Prince sat guarded by a mere 3,000 Imperial Guards.
A defeat here could mean the Crown Prince's capture.
"Understood, Major General!"
As the scout departed, Major General Jaeger brandished the gold-plated command baton symbolizing his delegated authority over the Imperial Guard and gave the order.
"All Imperial Guard units except the 7th Guard Division and the company directly escorting His Highness—advance to the front lines immediately. But all other reserves, excluding our 7th Guard Division, hold position in the rear. Conserve strength until orders come."
At his words, soldiers of the 7th Guard Division and Imperial Guard roared in unison.
"The stamina forged in guerrilla training and the miracle-workers who survived the hell of Lichten advance!"
"Time to show those Ostrican bastards hell!"
"His Highness the Crown Prince stakes his life—we Guards stake ours to bring him victory! Charge!!"
They swiftly relieved the division that had been holding the front, and the Ostrican soldiers reacted fiercely to the newcomers.
"Fuck, it's Major General Jaeger and that Crown Prince bastard..."
"...What the hell? Those crazy bastards look even meaner. Scary."
"Form ranks! Those guys are all worthless trash! Long live Ostrica!"
Normally, the division commander would step up for a rousing speech in a spot like this—but the 7th Guard Division didn't need such superficial pomp.
Instead, he pointed his baton at the enemy and commanded.
"7th Guard Division—charge! Lay down your lives for the glory and honor of Her Highness the 4th Princess Louise. Prove courage and strength beyond what you showed on Lichten Hill."
It was corny as hell, but in this era alive with knightly dreams and aspirations, it landed perfectly with the troops and officers.
A little too perfectly—they advanced slowly but with earth-shaking momentum, like they might applaud.
"Cute little chirpers... I'll crack every last skull."
"Fight without shame to Her Highness the 4th Princess's name!"
"Only come at us if you don't mind dying, you fucks!"
The Reich Empire's soldiers advanced with such ferocity, unleashing a battlefield more terrifying than ever on the Ostricans.
Officers and lowly privates alike wore cold, impassive expressions, unfazed by spear tips.
They moved with ruler-straight precision, thrusting and withdrawing spears, slamming hafts.
No single soldier was a one-man army, but masses of men each capable of handling three foes turned the tide.
The Ostrican lines began crumbling at the center under the 7th Guard Division's assault, as Imperial infantry slowly pushed forward.
At that moment, Major General Jaeger issued the order to seal victory.
"Relay to His Highness the Crown Prince: Move to the rear of the 7th Guard Division. And warn the six nearby divisions to watch for enemy flanking maneuvers."
As the messenger rode off, he issued yet another order.
"Order the two leftmost divisions on the left flank and the two rightmost on the right flank to send elite troops forward. They're too busy glaring over long spears right now—time to crawl under, trip 'em up at the ankles."
'This'll slowly envelop them from both flanks like a vice. Seeing that, the Ostrican Grand Duke will go for a desperate haymaker to break free.'
And that haymaker's target could only be the 7th Guard Division with the Crown Prince.
"Order the Guard Captain to support His Highness. I'll leave a body double in my armor here and head that way myself."
Thirty minutes later, the Ostrican Grand Duke—right on cue—raged as intended.
"Damn it all! No choice now—stab those 7th Guard Division bastards in the back where the fight's hottest! Lieutenant Venner, Captain Matthias—what do you think?"
Matthias wondered if this was wise; Venner pondered how to drag the Grand Duchy army into hell.
Surprisingly, their answers aligned.
"Time to deploy the knights."
"Your Highness must display your majesty. Lead with the Guard Knight Division."
Venner thought to himself as he spoke.
'Major General Jaeger, my brother-in-law said it: Our Imperial troops have reached the level where they can match Swisserland infantry. Especially the 7th Guard Division—they're stronger than most non-mounted knight orders. The Grand Duke's finished.'