Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: The Square Phalanx
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What came to mind was the Tercio unit's square formation.
The reason the Tercio formation emerged in Spain involved various factors, like the equalization of firepower and more, but I adopted that format because each unit could respond flexibly to situations and it was easy to defend against attacks from multiple directions.
After all, it was more efficient to have moderately dispersed soldiers move appropriately according to the circumstances rather than scattering tightly clustered troops in the center.
The difference from real-life Tercos was...
"...You're saying you'll command them by company units?"
"That's right."
Instead of formally organizing a Tercio formation, I planned to command the soldiers by company units so they could move in a Tercio-like shape.
The process would differ, but the result would be movement in Tercio units.
"Even if you divide them into larger companies, there'll be over fifty. Honestly, I don't understand what you're saying."
Axel reacted as if it were absurd, but
"You'll understand once you see it for yourself."
As Klaus said, stepping up beside him, it was a tactic I could fully execute using the minimap and tactical map.
The officers from the 5th Legion, including Axel, were skeptical of Victor's claim that shattered common sense.
"...This works?"
"Good heavens..."
In the demonstration using some troops from the 1st and 3rd Infantry Regiments, the soldiers perfectly utilized the formation Victor showcased.
Against imaginary enemies, the musketeers and pikemen moved organically, responding appropriately.
Moreover, the 3rd Infantry Regiment soldiers, who had never experienced Victor's command, moved with the proficiency of veterans after long training, leaving them stunned.
"The entire force moves like this?"
"Yes."
"..."
Axel was speechless at the Red Dragon Legion officers who took it as a matter of course.
"...What?"
"Did you hear that?"
"...Yeah."
The 3rd Infantry Regiment soldiers were equally dumbfounded.
They had felt anxious about being incorporated into the Red Dragon Legion and worried about adapting to the sudden change in organization.
But Victor's orders ringing directly in their heads were like a whole new world, unlike the shouts or bugle calls that barely carried in battle.
As elite soldiers who had guarded the border, following clear orders was easy for them.
"Advance!"
"Advance!"
After a few short training sessions, most reached a level where they could execute the operation without issue.
In the end, the Red Dragon Legion formed six units of about 2,000 men each: 1,300 musketeers from the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments, 600-700 infantrymen from the 3rd Infantry Regiment, supported by cavalry from the rear.
Each unit had the 3rd Infantry Regiment's infantrymen in a square formation, surrounded by musketeers, with a few extra at each corner.
Overall, the units were positioned like the vertices of a hexagon.
"March."
At Victor's command, they began slowly climbing the hill while maintaining that shape.
"The Empire army is moving!"
"...They're coming after all."
At the urgent report from the messenger, Sancho grabbed his telescope and stepped out of the command tent.
"..."
"Here's the enemy's current formation!"
"Hm."
As Sancho observed the Empire army, another messenger approached and handed him a paper depicting their formation.
"...Hm?"
"...What is that?"
While Sancho was puzzled by the unprecedented arrangement, other officers emerged from the tent to inspect the Empire army.
"What kind of deployment is this?"
Alfredo's scoffing remark spoke for all the Kingdom army officers.
"They're already short on numbers, and now they've scattered like this."
"You said there was conflict between the 5th Legion and the Red Dragon Legion, right? Maybe that's showing in their formation."
"Once is happenstance, but it doesn't mean they won't do it twice."
Common sense dictated that infantry facing numerous cavalry should stick close together to minimize breakthrough gaps, especially concentrating firepower when using ranged weapons.
The Red Dragon Legion's previous movements had followed basic principles, efficient or not.
"...What are they thinking?"
"Just a simple mistake or loss of control?"
"The ranks are too orderly for that. Compare it to the 5th Legion's charge a few days ago."
"..."
Now, they approached slowly in a form that completely violated conventions.
"The enemy's legion commander, Victor, is renowned for his strategy and tactics. He's not one to make sudden mistakes. There must be a reason for that deployment."
"...I think so too. Their advance is slow, so gather more intel."
"Yes, sir."
Sancho and a few officers, aware of Victor's command prowess and the Red Dragon Legion's combat strength, advocated caution and awaited further reports without dropping their guard.
"Each unit has pikemen surrounded by musketeers. Estimated size per unit: around 2,000."
"..."
After hearing the follow-up report, Sancho fell into thought.
"...I get the intent, but..."
Tactics like placing ranged troops on the perimeter and rotating with melee infantry upon enemy approach had existed since ancient times, as had near-circular formations to counter multi-directional attacks.
However,
"I can't fathom why they'd split their forces that much."
Facing masses of cavalry by breaking into small units spaced nearly 200 meters apart wasn't the response he expected.
Against an ordinary officer, he'd call it a mistake and an opportunity, but
"Couldn't we just send cavalry through those gaps to disrupt them easily?"
"Probably. We could focus on one unit and crush them individually. But do you think the enemy doesn't know that?"
"They might be relying on their cavalry. Few in number, but the Empire cavalry's strength is famous."
"...True, but..."
Having already pegged Victor as a superior commander,
"It could be a trap. Every unit might be bait."
"...?"
"If we concentrate on one direction, that unit retreats into its allies. Then surrounding units hit our flanks?"
"A lure deployment?"
"Mm. Or maybe they want us to charge those seemingly sloppy gaps."
Pondering Victor's intent and mulling the best counter, he snapped to attention at an officer's words.
"...What do we do? The enemy keeps advancing."
Slow as it was, the Empire army was still climbing the hill while he deliberated.
No time to retract and revise the encirclement pouch he'd already ordered.
He wanted to retreat, analyze the peculiar formation, and replan, but
"..."
Those grumbling about not advancing wouldn't accept retreat easily, and yielding the advantageous high ground wasn't ideal.
"Their musketeers are up front, but they'll bring pikemen forward when we close. If we try breaching gaps, the units will tighten and defend."
"..."
"It's not far from a standard circular formation, just shaped differently. Treat it like one, but never lose sight of their movements."
"Then...!"
"We'll stick to encircling with cavalry help, but adjust the scale based on enemy moves. If cavalry blocks them from closing gaps, prioritize smashing isolated units."
He decided on a slight modification to his anti-circular strategy.
"Don't worry! This'll be easier than a circular formation!"
"Right! No easier prey than scattered troops!"
With Sancho shifting to aggression, the officers hungry for victory cheered excitedly.
"Bring back their guns, and I'll pay based on condition."
"Pay... Gasp."
"...Jackpot."
"Good luck."
Sancho approached the less enthusiastic mercenary captains and offered huge bounties on Empire guns to fire them up.
"Commence the operation!"
At Sancho's order, 20,000 infantry in thick, long lines advanced,
-Thud thud thud thud thud.
while 8,000 light cavalry tasked with rear and flank harassment split left and right, charging the enemy.
"Heh heh..."
"Hope we snag some of those siege guns too. We have to retake Adenze, right?"
"Retake? We'll annihilate them and then see who's defending empty Manzheim!"
"Haha! Exactly!"
The officers left in the rear chatted confidently, but
"..."
"Worried? They'll handle it. The Kingdom army is strong."
"...Yeah, probably."
Sancho watched their overconfidence with a bad premonition.