Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Northern Conquest (1)
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A year had passed since the subjugation of the Thurner Tribe, and in that time, significant changes had occurred in the plans for the Northern Conquest Operation.
First, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor had declared that evil barbarians like Ludwig had no right to exist in this world, and that a mere 50,000 troops were insufficient.
As a result, we pulled a total of 20,000 troops from the relatively stable eastern Chekovia and southern fronts, allowing us to launch a massive expedition with around 70,000 soldiers.
What hadn't changed was that the initial tactics for this expedition were based on the conquest operation I had proposed for pacifying the North.
In light of this situation, the secret letters frequently sent by His Highness the Crown Prince contained signals that even the smallest achievement in this battle would guarantee a promotion to general.
'Count Venner—no, the Commander—has been eyeing a marshal's baton lately. Make sure you support him well.'
Receiving pressure to assist someone of such lofty status made the burden on my shoulders feel a bit heavier.
Yet, the expectations of so many people, combined with the opportunity to put my devised tactics into practice and shape the war myself, set my heart racing.
Clutching my pounding chest, I stepped into the strategy conference room of Nodport Fortress, the Northern Army's main base, where the command headquarters for leading over 70,000 troops had been established.
"The Thurner bastard and his tribe's soldiers lost to that guy?"
"He's just a kid—barely 24, no, 25 now."
"I heard the foundation of this operation came from a report he wrote... Wonder what kind of plan he'll show us."
Words laced with envy and jealousy toward me drifted into my ears.
Back when I was a student platoon leader, everything I did was met with scorn and dismissal. After my exploits on the Rhineland Front, reactions split between deliberate ignoring and grudging acknowledgment.
After my successes on the Chekovia Front, I had truly established myself as a formidable rival among the highborn nobles.
Now, with so many achievements under my belt, even among the star-studded generals gathered here, some eyed me with jealousy and admiration.
It really makes you think—time flies, but fortunes change even faster.
As the planner of this subjugation operation, I took my place at the podium beside Count Venner, the overall commander of the barbarian subjugation army, to present the initial operational draft before everyone.
"Well, son-in-law—no, Colonel Jaeger. How have you been?"
In most cases, a commander wouldn't warmly inquire about someone's well-being in a voice loud enough for all to hear at a briefing like this.
But in this instance, Count Venner was deliberately showing off our close relationship.
"The North is a bit chilly, but thanks to your concern, Commander, I've been doing well. Major Laura and I greatly enjoyed the finest wine you sent last time."
As I replied, Count Venner laughed heartily as expected, patted my shoulder a few times, and said,
"Is that so? Hearing that makes me happy. I'd love to stay up all night swapping stories of everything that's happened... but we'll catch up properly after the expedition ends. Now, begin the briefing."
With that, I tapped the map board with the silver baton gifted by His Highness the Crown Prince and declared,
"I'll now explain the operation in detail, so all generals and officers present, please pay close attention. Our barbarian subjugation army will attack the enemy based on a scorched-earth strategy, and subsequent policies will maintain the same approach."
The Northern Army's strategic goal was to fully incorporate the peninsula they controlled into the Reich Empire's territory.
To achieve this, we would burn all the villages the barbarians used, turn their fields into wastelands unfit for habitation,
and then relocate the second or third sons—or daughters—of serfs who couldn't receive farmland from the Empire and had to work as day laborers, allowing them to establish new homesteads here.
Conversely, among the captured barbarians, we would execute all males over 15, while tearing the rest apart and sending them to grueling jobs across the Empire or forcing them into land reclamation.
"Therefore, before launching surprise attacks, we will openly threaten them: surrender, or we'll kill all the men and burn the villages."
Normally, other nations would counter such threats by claiming that surrendering would still mean death, boosting their morale.
But the semi-nomadic, semi-agricultural barbarians we faced had tribal affiliations but no sense of loyalty to anything beyond—a nation.
That's why we needed to wield the whip while also offering a carrot.
"At the same time, as the full expedition begins against the tribes following Ludwig, we will proclaim: even in the midst of battle with us, surrender and we'll preserve your villages, property, and families. This will plant seeds of doubt in Ludwig, who doesn't fully control the chieftains, making him suspect betrayal among them. The subordinate chieftains, seeing the tide turn, will seriously consider defection."
For nobles in the Imperial Army, surrendering on their own initiative would cost them their property, honor,
and even see their loved ones executed for treason—barring special cases allowed by military law, they never surrender.
That's why even in hopeless situations warranting surrender, many choose to fight to the death.
Few would risk their lives for a thug like Ludwig, who forces other tribes and barbarians to follow him through brute strength alone.
After all, the Empire properly compensates families if commanders or nobles die fighting without surrendering, whereas among nomads, not only is there no reward for heroes' families who die for the tribe—survivors often divide up their wives and children.
"By fostering mutual distrust like this, as we slowly advance northward, Ludwig will grow anxious and rush into action. Just like when the Thurner bastard charged out after my regiment scorched just two villages. He'll be forced to fight before the war even starts—or deliberate surrender—leaving his demoralized, unwilling forces to battle from a disadvantageous position."
"But what if they abandon their villages and flee? We can't ignore that possibility."
"I don't think that's something to worry about. It was the same during the Thurner subjugation. The tribesmen and chieftains, seeing Ludwig abandon their burning villages, will fear they've lost their homes with nowhere to return—and offer us his head."
It's one thing to bend and serve under a chieftain to protect one's property, but serving for free after losing family and tribal lands is absurd.
In that case, they'd rather surrender to the Empire to safeguard their property and tribe.
"Furthermore, from the lessons learned against the Thurner Tribe: their horse archers are formidable, but as long as we don't fall for their provocations, the Imperial Army is guaranteed victory."
Because their infantry is weak, making it easy to win by simply decimating the bulk of their forces—the infantry.
Even accounting for arrow casualties, with proper equipment like maximum protective gear, we can repel barbarians with far fewer losses than fighting regular armies like Chekovia or the Franco Republic.
"Thus, we must arm our soldiers as heavily as possible and use knights and infantry to inflict maximum damage on their central forces. To counter their mounted archery, prepare as many shields and armor as possible. We'll also need measures against incendiary arrows."
Everyone, including Count Venner, nodded in agreement.
"Analyzing records of defeats against them, we always lost trying to chase their horse archers with infantry or cavalry."
"You can't catch them by speed, so they ignore you and hit weak units first. Innovative and effective plan."
With that, I concluded my overview of tactics and strategy and returned to my seat.
The generals, sensing their chance, fought like lasers shooting from their eyes, each vying to claim the glory.
"My brigade will take the vanguard! Entrust it to us."
"No, that's not right. The Brandenburg will show the Empire's might at the forefront."
"Why not just put Colonel Jaeger's regiment in the vanguard again this time..."
Watching them, I quietly approached Count Venner and whispered,
"Give us the far left of the left wing or the far right of the right wing. We'll fight moderately and strike any gaps."