Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: Taking Command
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Following Gerhard's instructions, the imperial officers had gathered in the empire's barracks, awaiting Victor and Gerhard.
"We have to fight other races, but do they even know anything about them properly?"
"...I watched them plan the strategy earlier, and they didn't seem completely clueless."
"Eh. They might know about elves and dwarves, but those guys here? I doubt they understand what's going on in their heads."
"...Yeah, that's true."
Officially, they hadn't been introduced yet, but the news that Victor was taking command of the imperial forces had already been relayed.
Most of these officers, who had operated in the south, had only heard rumors about Victor.
So, they chatted among themselves, centered around those who had observed the conversation in the central tent.
"His Excellency Weisssilt has mentioned him a few times. He said not only is he skilled in military strategy, but his battlefield command and adaptability to variables are exceptional..."
"I saw how pleased he was when he heard Victor was coming. Personally, I'm not expecting much."
Opinions were divided, but many officers didn't trust Victor much, since he had no experience fighting in the south.
"Did you see that earlier? He pushed Vittorio without even blinking... Whew."
"Made me feel good inside. I wanted to say something myself, but it worked out."
His firm attitude toward the elves and dwarves was completely different from what Gerhard had done so far, splitting opinions between those worried about the backlash and those who welcomed the boldness.
As they engaged in this heated discussion,
"What the hell is going on... Hup."
They hurriedly shut their mouths the moment Victor and Gerhard appeared together.
Regardless of personal feelings, no one could deny Victor looked short-tempered, so they averted their gazes and sneaked peeks at him.
"..."
In response, Victor casually rested his hand on the sword at his waist but followed quietly behind Gerhard as if oblivious to the officers' odd reactions.
"Since everyone seems to know already, I'll introduce him right away."
Gerhard stopped next to a spot where a large map was hung.
Uncertain how Victor would act, the officers swallowed hard and watched him closely.
"This is General Victor Stilberg, who will oversee the operations of the 7th Legion and the imperial forces, as well as foreign diplomacy."
"I'm Victor Stilberg. Pleased to meet you."
Unlike with the elves, he greeted them in a neutral tone and gave a slight bow.
"...?"
This attitude was completely outside the officers' expectations.
The flustered officers stared at him blankly.
"I know you all have significant concerns about me."
Confirming their gazes fixed on him, Victor slowly began to speak.
A few officers opened their mouths to say something, but
"My homeland is in the northern continent, and all my achievements so far have been against humans. It's natural to worry about me taking overall command here, in unfamiliar terrain full of dense forests, where the only humans are the imperial forces."
With Victor speaking without hesitation, they couldn't find an opening to interrupt.
"I'm also aware the situation isn't ideal. The reinforcements from the Este Kingdom and Eckni Kingdom are strong in force, but their race, tactics, and cooperation differ greatly from ours. Hmm. 'Far from model allies' is the most fitting description."
When Victor preemptively voiced what they had intended to point out, the officers naturally clamped their mouths shut and focused on his words.
"So, I promise you this."
Victor paused briefly,
"I'm not talking about unrealistic goals like annihilating the enemy right now or forcing the Lavria Republic to surrender immediately."
and said with a faint smile.
"I can't say how long it will take or what the process will be like. But I will bring this war to a decisive victory for the Dragonia Empire."
Some of the younger officers were already impressed by his resolve, but the veterans furrowed their brows.
Replacing the proven general Gerhard with someone much younger and less tested was already dissatisfying to them.
Victor's declaration still felt too vague to convince them.
"I could explain a hundred times that I know the enemies and terrain well and have confidence in it, but I won't bother with words."
Stopping those who stepped forward with a raised hand, Victor picked up the command baton in front of the map.
"I will show you solely through the process and results."
"...General Victor came at my recommendation and by His Majesty's direct order. Trust him, and you won't regret it."
"..."
With Gerhard's endorsement added, the officers, still suspicious of Victor, shifted to at least observing for now.
Though Victor had come bearing the emperor's will, he had shown confidence first.
They figured criticizing him could wait until shortcomings appeared.
Gerhard, with no intention of saying more, quietly stepped back.
"Conveniently, the strategy I designed is already marked here, so I'll explain based on that."
Victor hung up the map of Adige with markers as per his strategy.
He explained the detailed strategy he had discussed with the dwarves,
"In summary, Blake's forces advance along the central main road to draw the enemy's attention, Vittorio's forces strike from the forests on both sides, and we wait at the midpoint to support wherever the enemy concentrates."
"..."
The explanation, lasting a few minutes, concluded with that brief summary.
Victor's strategy was textbook, but given the coalition's situation, it seemed unlikely to succeed.
Not wanting to openly undermine Gerhard, they didn't show it blatantly, but the officers couldn't hide their disappointment.
"This is the official operations plan,"
Victor dipped a pen in the inkwell beside it,
-Scratch.
"but it doesn't matter."
and drew a long diagonal line across the map.
Surprised by the unexpected action, the officers grew intrigued about what the man Gerhard had acknowledged would say next.
"The dwarves will be lucky to advance half the planned distance, and the elves won't emerge from the forest until we've engaged the enemy and drawn their eyes. You've seen it plenty by now, haven't you?"
"..."
Though battles varied, the outcomes always played out as Victor described.
The officers nodded almost reflexively.
"What we need to do is simple."
Drawing an X over the existing markers, Victor quickly redrew the coalition forces' positions on the map.
"We will hold this position at all times: ahead of the dwarves, behind the elves. Depending on the enemy's moves, we guide them toward the appropriate side."
The remapped strategy retained the overall shape of the original plan but with major differences in each force's positions.
Watching Victor speak confidently like during the eastern campaign, Gerhard smirked subtly to himself.
"Up to here, the forest is less dense, and the terrain is relatively flat. If we prepare in advance and move swiftly, we can fight efficiently without issue."
"..."
As Victor finished, a middle-aged officer at the front raised his hand.
"Please introduce yourself."
"I'm Hannes Groeben, commander of the 7th Legion's 2nd Infantry Brigade."
Stating his rank and name, he stepped forward about three paces.
The surrounding officers looked at the advancing Hannes with worried eyes.
Hannes was intimidated by the sword at Victor's waist, but
"I understand General Stilberg's intentions. However, to execute this, we must move faster than the elves, paying attention to timing, speed, direction, and more."
"..."
As an imperial officer, he couldn't stay silent.
"His Excellency Weisssilt tried a similar strategy... Forgive me, but I consider it a failure. The elves were cunning to a fault, and the dwarves were disastrously lazy. In the end, we suffered the most losses compared to the others."
Pausing briefly, Hannes
"I heard tomorrow is the operation start date. Do you believe, arriving with the unit today, that we can proceed as you say despite all this?"
continued with words that could sound rude, then gritted his teeth bracing for Victor's reaction.
"It's possible."
"...?"
Contrary to expectations of an outburst, Victor replied lightly.
"If you trust me and follow my orders. We can accomplish anything."
"...Confidence, is it?"
"Conviction."
"..."
Faced with Victor's arrogance bordering on hubris, Hannes glanced at Gerhard beside him.
Gerhard nodded once, maintaining his smile.
"Relay to the soldiers so everyone knows: I, Victor Stilberg, will command this battle."
"...Understood."
Hannes acquiesced to Victor's order and stepped back.
"If you have any questions, feel free to speak."
"..."
With him retreating, the officers exchanged glances but raised no hands.
"I'll take that as full agreement. So please,"
-Click.
Victor flicked his sword sheath to make a sound.
"follow my orders diligently."
The officers nodded silently.
"Good. Now, please introduce yourselves one by one."
Only after confirming their assent did Victor begin the roll call.
Watching Victor dominate the officers with sheer presence, Gerhard gazed at him with a faint smile.