Chapter 38
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Summer Grand Offensive
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Commander Yutrgen of the Koenihesen 7th Guard Infantry Division was in a very foul mood.
"Another report of defeat?"
"Yes, sir."
Victory and defeat were natural parts of war. It was foolish to fixate on any single battle.
But after securing a victory, seeing defeats steadily pile up within it was enough to get under anyone's skin.
A overwhelming offensive across the entire front line from their own forces. The result had been the collapse and retreat of the Imperial lines.
They had even struck a blow against the Imperial 1st Cavalry Division that had come to provide support, forcing it to withdraw.
Thanks to that, numerous Imperial infantry divisions—the core of their forces—had suffered heavy casualties.
It was a great victory. It would be hard to achieve more overwhelming results than this.
No matter how formidable the Empire was, they couldn't shrug off damage on this scale.
All that remained was to press the attack relentlessly, not giving the enemy even a moment to catch their breath...
"We can't even figure out how large their force is or how they're fighting."
They had clearly broken through the enemy lines and advanced, only to turn around and find their own lines being pushed back instead.
When they asked what was going on, they were told the enemy had launched a counterattack while their forces were advancing.
At first, they dismissed it as mere resistance, but it was far beyond that.
A single assault would push their lines back deep into their own territory.
Overwhelmed by that sheer power, they couldn't even mount a proper defense before being swept away.
By the time they shook off the shock and tried to counterattack, the enemy had vanished as if they'd never been there.
Then, they'd suddenly pop up elsewhere and unleash another barrage.
His subordinate units reported they couldn't even gauge the enemy's numbers.
"What about the pursuit forces?"
"The enemy is so elusive, but more than that, we can't pin down their exact numbers, making pursuit difficult. Intelligence on this area is still lacking, so getting ambushed would be disastrous."
The Imperial lines had collapsed, inflicting heavy losses, but plenty of survivors remained.
There was no way they'd surrender meekly to Koenihesen. They'd surely resist.
If the rear became unstable, they could lose the momentum they'd barely seized. This wouldn't do.
On top of that, the uncertainty about the enemy's numbers was deeply unsettling.
If they gathered stragglers from all over, they could swell into a massive force in no time.
"We're estimating their size at least at the regimental level or higher."
If Richi had heard that, he probably would have thrown his hands up in triumphant cheers.
It was the moment all his grinding preparations—down to wearing himself out—finally paid off.
Troop reallocations, supply preparations, perfectly timed insertions like interlocking gears.
And crucially, Erwin was the one commanding it all. A commander fully prepared.
In reality, it was just company-to-battalion strength, but it felt double that to the enemy.
"Could it be Imperial infantry we failed to wipe out?"
"We can't say for sure. But according to the pursuit forces, it might be an entirely different army. The positions they appear in, attack speeds, and methods all differ..."
"Could be other surviving Imperial units joining them."
Yutrgen stared down at the operations map, lost in thought.
The orders from above were straightforward: lightning war. Maintain the overwhelming offensive.
They couldn't lag in speed. They couldn't yield in strength. Stopping meant the end.
The goal was to relentlessly drive the Empire back into their own territory.
Push them to their limits, then hold Koenihesen's advantage.
Secure the territories they'd seized, and they could offset all prior losses.
That was the high command's conclusion...
'Damn fools. Is that a conclusion or wishful thinking? What a load of crap.'
Yutrgen—no, everyone leading frontline units—felt skeptical.
Their high command had clearly lost their minds.
Being detached from the front had dulled their sense of reality.
How else could they issue such nonsense?
Would a sane Empire just hand over captured territory on a platter saying, 'Here, Koenihesen, take it'?
Once their offensive reached its limit, the Empire could launch a massive counterattack.
And this wasn't even like the glorious past when they'd nearly crushed the Empire.
The Empire now was Koenihesen's equal. No, actually superior.
The front was holding steady because neither side had shown weakness yet.
'William Reinhardt, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces. As long as he's there, the Empire won't fall.'
He had rallied the Imperial forces and other races—who constantly clashed in the past—into a cohesive whole.
At the same time, he withstood Koenihesen's assaults without crumbling and struck back sharply.
He knew the enemy's strengths and weaknesses well. He had deep respect but wasn't naive.
Above all, he never took war lightly. That was what made him terrifying.
No matter the advantage, he never underestimated, making traps impossible.
Their counterattack would begin soon. They needed a more decisive victory before then.
To achieve that, Koenihesen's elite units like his had to keep up the pace.
'They're just remnants anyway. Sharp now or not, with no reinforcements or supplies, they'll collapse on their own.'
The rear stragglers would be mopped up by the follow-up forces.
Their training was a bit lower than the main body, but still usable.
They could handle that level of Imperials.
'...I have to believe that, but why does it feel so uneasy?'
As if sensing his unease—or not—new orders arrived.
"Sir, high command orders an immediate advance."
"Goddamn it. Can't they at least give the men time to rest?"
"We've relayed our situation, but no change. The corps says they can't do anything either..."
"I wonder if the corps is even trying."
Those bastards who just nodded yes every time and climbed the ranks on promotions alone.
They didn't care how much their subordinate commanders and soldiers suffered.
Yutrgen suppressed his anxiety and issued the advance order.
"Report casualties and submit them to me right away. Separate light wounds from severe!"
"Horse treatments to the left. Water and fodder to the right! Move it. Next unit's coming."
"Newly arrived troops, stand by here. We'll reassign you."
This is insane. Busier than I ever imagined. Even the academy wasn't this bad.
First time I'm nostalgic for double-major life. At least there, no 'lives' were at stake.
Erwin was out there striking Koenihesen from all directions.
Word had spread, drawing in Imperial survivors from everywhere.
Not just the 1st Cavalry Division—infantry units that hadn't escaped in time were showing up too.
All had lost their original units. Every one needed reassignment.
Temporary or not, it was essential. Basically reorganizing units from scratch.
Only then could Erwin focus on real combat without worry.
"Direct command, supply, recon, comms... Damn it, when the hell will we finish organizing all this?!"
Enter—Erwin's adjutant, but more like my slave now—clutched his head.
He'd muttered he couldn't do it, lacked confidence.
But I wrapped an arm around his shoulder and said, Hey, you can do it.
Then Enter grumbled, Why do you rate me so highly?
War hero family is Reinhardt, not Prize.
True enough. By family talent alone, I might be a bit superior.
Plus, conveniently possessed, and I had some know-how in military stuff.
But I had faith. This guy was a top-tier lottery ticket.
Otherwise, why would my friend's full name be none other than 'Enterprise'?
The author always borrowed important names from real history.
"Enter, no time for that. Prioritize and get to work."
"Damn it! I thought being an officer meant just commanding troops!"
"Commanding's great, but other jobs too. If everyone's out fighting, who's handling the rear? Don't worry. Once things stabilize here, I'll stick you with Erwin even if you hate it."
I didn't need combat experience, but Enter did.
Stuck here forever, people would notice soon enough.
Oh, he's better at this than the front lines. Better with a pen than a baton!
Fine by me, but not for Enter. I wanted him versatile.
"Richi. Erwin just arrived."
Ariete's words made me drop everything and rush to meet him.
This was the pivot: Koenihesen's 1st Army shifting, follow-ups and 2nd Army incoming.
"Enemy forces are rotating. Looks like they're committing reserves. Or maybe dumping everything into the offensive without them."
Erwin's report confirmed my prediction had come true.
That left one job for me: disrupt their offensive as much as possible.
Make it so they couldn't ignore us and push past.
"Leak it. Erwin."
"Leak what?"
"Leak that I'm here. Son of the Imperial Army Marshal, Allied Forces Supreme Commander. Subtly let the enemy know."
Time to toss out bait they couldn't resist biting.