Chapter 43
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Advance the Offensive Culmination Point
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While the situation on the front lines was changing by the minute for both the Empire and Koenihesen...
The Imperial Army's Supreme Headquarters, positioned in the rear, was just as frantically busy.
"Are you joking right now? You can't send any more reinforcements?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Our elves no longer have any troops to..."
Bam!
An Imperial high-ranking officer, unable to bear listening any longer, slammed his fist down on the table with all his might.
It was an utterly rude act. Something that absolutely should not be done in front of allies. It could easily be misinterpreted as the Empire looking down on other races just like Koenihesen did—a grave issue.
Yet not a single person from the Empire, nor even from the beastkin or elf sides, said a word about it. On the contrary, they seemed to be waiting for him to say more if he had anything else to add.
"I'll ask the elves directly. Do you truly, truly intend to join the Empire in exterminating the massive evil that is Koenihesen?"
"Of course."
"But you can't commit any troops."
"Instead, we'll provide as many resources, magic stones, and long-range weapons as possible..."
"Do you think the Empire is in this mess because we're short on bows and arrows?!"
The Empire was currently facing Koenihesen's ferocious assaults across the entire front.
They had to stop the enemy from pushing further inward. And they had to launch a counteroffensive.
In that sense, it was only natural to need more troops, more power.
"As the Empire well knows, us elves have a very small population by nature. The forces we can mobilize are but a handful compared to the Empire. Right now, looking at the situation..."
"Everyone. Didn't we come together under the banner of the Allied Forces?"
"...You're right."
"Yet one member of this alliance is shouldering the entire defensive line, while asking the other two forces for just a bit of support—and even that's too much for you?"
Alliance. The Empire, elves, and beastkin. A massive front against Koenihesen formed by these three powers.
Nearly seventy percent was borne by the Empire, with the remaining thirty split between the elves and beastkin.
The reason was simple. Those two races simply didn't have the numbers.
Already fewer than humans to begin with, nearly half had been wiped out by Koenihesen's mass slaughter of other races. If they hadn't hastily allied with the Empire, extinction might have been on the table.
Even after forming the alliance, the gap between the Empire and those two races was vast.
The only reason they could remain part of the alliance was their intelligence-gathering capabilities, which matched or even surpassed the Empire's. Plus, though few in number, their individual soldiers' skills outclassed the Empire's.
The Empire knew well the elite nature of elf and beastkin warriors, so they hadn't complained about quality over quantity.
But not now. At the very least, this moment called for them to show some 'sincerity'.
"Hoo..."
The Imperial officers sighed as they stared at the elf representatives.
Small population, every individual a precious resource—yes, they understood.
But did the Empire have people to spare? Did they think losing tens of thousands meant nothing?
If they were allies, shouldn't they at least make some effort to fight together?
Our soldiers' deaths hurt us too. We hate seeing so many fall.
Still, fighting side by side with reinforcements is what makes it an alliance.
But they're too scared to lose even one and just sit there twiddling their thumbs? Does that make sense?
"Not just the elves, but I'm disappointed in the beastkin representatives too. Isn't this less than half of what you sent before?"
"I have nothing to say. But this is the limit for us as well..."
Creeeak—
In the midst of the heated meeting, the door suddenly opened, and a man entered, followed by several high-ranking officers and aides.
"S-Supreme Commander!"
William Reinhardt of Kenes. Imperial Army Marshal, Allied Forces Supreme Commander.
He had clearly gone forward for the on-site operations meeting—why was he suddenly here?
"Enough with the greetings. Everyone, sit. You as well."
The awkwardly standing elf and beastkin representatives took their seats.
William watched them for a moment before abruptly removing his Supreme Commander insignia.
He then slammed it down on the table with a loud thunk!.
"S-Sir?!"
"Supreme Commander?"
Supreme Commander, my foot. These fools who wouldn't follow orders and kept spouting nonsense.
"It seems your two forces have no interest in this alliance. So I have no need for this fancy position. I'll step down right here."
"Supreme Commander! Why—why are you doing this?"
"That's what I want to ask. Am I really the Allied Forces Supreme Commander? How, after issuing a full mobilization order, is it only the Imperial Army that assembles, while the elves and beastkin send barely a handful?"
"Th-that's because we're trying to explain..."
"Explain. Fine, explain. But why not do it in front of our Imperial sons dying endlessly on the front lines, instead of here?"
The representatives from the two forces were instantly speechless.
It was shocking. Not just the words, but the fact that it was William saying them.
He had always been extremely gentlemanly, tactful, and gentle.
His soft command style had minimized conflicts, leading to his election as Supreme Commander.
He showed courtesy not only to other races but even to the navy, which the army despised.
Yet now William was sharpening his blade and pressing them—leaving the representatives dazed.
"Of course, the Empire knows your situations. That scraping together barely makes one division. And considering those needed to defend your homelands, giving even one brigade is your best. We know."
"Y-yes, Supreme Commander."
"But. When the Empire falls and the defensive line completely breaks, can you really stop Koenihesen with that handful?"
"..."
"Fearing the loss of one and hoarding, only to lose ten. The Empire is not your shield. We are your comrades, friends, partners in battle. I'm worried that friendship is shaking."
He was phrasing it as gently as possible, but everyone knew. This was an ultimatum.
If they didn't cough up the troops as demanded, things would get ugly.
From now on, fight Koenihesen yourselves. We're out.
When an Imperial Army commander went this far, it meant no backing down.
Any wrong word here, and the alliance would crumble.
For elves and beastkin alike, national gain took a backseat now.
"...We'll contact our homelands and mobilize everyone, even those guarding our lands."
"We'll do the same, Supreme Commander."
"Thank you for your cooperation. The Empire will never forget the sincerity of our allied members."
Right. We won't forget. How these wretches, begging to be saved just recently, now hesitated to commit troops once they felt safe.
Still, prioritizing national interest over personal glory—we'd let it slide. If it were the latter, an aide's sword would have already beheaded those pointy-ears and beasts.
Having wrung every last troop from the two forces who had whined they couldn't send more, the Supreme Commander finally stood with a satisfied expression.
"The forward units are planning a counterattack."
"Yes, Division Commander."
Douglas stroked his chin as he listened to the news his aide had brought.
Just days ago, it was all pleas for more troops, warnings that the defensive line was in danger.
Now suddenly, the time for counterattack had come—prepare?
"Something's up."
"I'm worried we might be falling for the enemy's scheme."
"It's not impossible. But thinking of who the 9th Infantry Division Commander is... I'd bet on no."
The 9th Infantry Division—that was Heres's command. No doubt.
Recalling him, Aide Kreighton nodded in agreement with his division commander.
Wasn't he the man who had racked up merits big and small in every battle so far?
Above all, Heres knew when to advance and when to hold.
So in this critical situation, he was leading from the foremost line.
"We'll shine in this battle, then the 1st Cavalry Division withdraws to the rear."
"Division Commander?"
"Casualties far exceed expectations. If we push for glory and lose more men here, our division—filled with seasoned veterans—will collapse. We can get new recruits, but lost experience? Irreplaceable. The 3rd Cavalry Division will take our place."
Kreighton remained silent instead of replying. Withdrawing to the rear carried multiple meanings.
It could be for rest, reorganization, and preserving the division, as now.
But it also implied cases where the top commander met misfortune and had to fall back.
"Once in the rear, I plan to step down from this post."
"Division Commander."
"Under my command, the unit lost. Casualties were heavy."
"By that logic, every Imperial commander should resign."
"No need to worry. It's not a demotion, removal, or standby. Just a transfer. Don't fret. I've been here long enough—time for new experiences."
Douglas hadn't told his aide yet, but he was starting to sense it.
A new star was coming to take his place and lead this unit.
And the protagonist of this wind of change blowing now... was that person.