Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Attack Over Defense
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It was a satisfactory result.
Truth be told, I don't fully understand the principles behind my minimap and tactical map either.
I've verified them multiple times, and since they've proven helpful, I've been using them diligently.
According to those who've experienced my command, the instructions I issue through the tactical map resonate directly in their minds in real time.
For example, when I order the 1st Company to advance forward on the tactical map, they instantly hear my voice commanding something like, "1st Company, move at a steady pace toward 12 o'clock!"
Thinking back to the Officer Academy days when some ignored my orders, it seems the compulsion is either absent or very weak. Keeping that in mind, I've made efforts to build bonds with the soldiers.
The Northern War and today's training both went smoothly, so those efforts must have paid off to some extent.
"Thank you all for following so well."
Of course, pulling off such a flawless demonstration was largely thanks to the soldiers who executed my orders without a single deviation.
After Gerhard left.
As always after battles or training, I approached my subordinates gathered in the temporary barracks and expressed my gratitude.
Being able to relay orders without wasting time is an incredible ability, but I'm the one issuing them.
In the end, it's the soldiers who move and fight.
"We couldn't have achieved this without you."
"...Do you really mean that?"
"Of course. Even if I led the 10th Legion's soldiers myself right now, I doubt we'd get better results."
"Haha..."
"Hmph..."
Anna and the other officers exchanged strange looks upon hearing my words.
"What's wrong?"
"N-No, nothing. We'll keep giving our all."
"Alexandrov, thank you."
"We trust only you, General!"
"Boris... I'll repay that trust."
I might be playing the part of a brilliant commander, and they could have their own private thoughts.
But hearing words like that just naturally lifts my spirits.
"Everyone, take the afternoon off. Training resumes tomorrow."
"Understood!"
"Thank you!"
"I won't keep you any longer. Dismissed."
I turned away, savoring their reactions of gratitude even for a short break.
"He's saying that because he hasn't experienced it himself."
"Probably. Once you've been under his command, you can't help but know..."
"Anna?"
"Yes, coming right away!"
I exited the barracks with Anna, who had been whispering something to Alexandrov.
With the elite prowess of the 1st Provisional Legion proven, the 10th Legion and 1st Provisional Legion promptly moved to Roshel, a city on the border with the Brotan Kingdom.
"10th Legion, Gerhard Weisilt."
"1st Provisional Legion, Victor."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Friedrich Günter, Legion Commander of the 8th Legion."
After linking up with the 8th Legion responsible for the Brotan front, the Imperial officers immediately convened a meeting.
"Let me brief you on the current situation."
Friedrich's adjutant stepped forward first, pointing at the map with a baton.
"Recently, troop movements have been detected along the Brotan Kingdom's border. They previously stationed around 60,000 troops on our border, but now they've deployed approximately 90,000 across Montfieu, Saint Touar, and Anyac."
"90,000..."
The war between the Brotan Kingdom and the Empire occurred even in The Great War grand strategy game, so Victor wasn't entirely in the dark. But acting on game knowledge alone was risky with so many variables.
Gerhard mainly conversed with Friedrich or his adjutant, while Victor sat quietly beside him, listening and grasping the situation.
If the Northern War had been the Noble Faction's venture, this war with the Brotan Kingdom was led by the Emperor Faction—and it was already underway when the campaign began.
Taking advantage of the Brotan Kingdom's distraction with its war against the rear Kaen Kingdom, General Friedrich of the Emperor Faction had the 8th Legion launch a surprise attack.
A combination of circumstances and luck allowed them to cross the Bildorne River on the border, occupying central Roshel, the northern canyon gateway at Triel, and the southern plains city of Chene.
In the game afterward, they swiftly annexed the Ruth Kingdom, freeing up troops to push the Brotan Kingdom back...
"What's the estimated enemy strength at each point?"
"Around 35,000 at Saint Touar, 30,000 at Anyac, and 25,000 at Montfieu. The 8th Legion has 20,000 defending Roshel, 10,000 at Triel, and 10,000 at Chene."
This world's Northern War had dragged on for a full two years.
Without reinforcements, the 8th Legion halted its advance after securing bridgeheads, giving the Brotan Kingdom time to wrap up its war with Kaen.
Now, having won that war, the Brotan Kingdom was gathering forces for a counterattack against the Empire.
Friedrich's 8th Legion was around 40,000 strong—one of the Empire's larger ones—but Brotan had deployed 90,000, exceeding expectations.
"They've pulled troops from the Ildmar Kingdom border too."
"It seems so."
The Ildmar Kingdom below Brotan maintained tense relations in the game, waiting for an opening to strike. But with Brotan suffering relatively little damage, it had instead shifted forces to the Empire border to check the Imperial army.
They weren't strong enough to attack first, but this pinned down Imperial forces from moving toward Ildmar.
"How far along are the wall repairs?"
"They're gradually taking shape, but not yet ready for a siege."
The 8th Legion had aggressively used dwarf-imported cannons in sieges, and Brotan had destroyed fortifications during their retreat to prepare for reoccupation. Most captured strongholds had lost their functions.
Retreating to defensible positions meant falling back across the Bildorne River again, but that wasn't an easy call.
"Withdrawal... won't be simple."
"Indeed. The Bildorne is wide with swift currents—if Brotan's prepared, crossing back will be tough."
They hadn't crossed without losses; success stemmed from coincidences and Friedrich's bold decisions.
Once retreated, another chance like this might never come.
"Triel is one of two gateways to the Brotan capital. Roshel blocks the bypass to the Bildorne without passing Triel. Chene is a key point to prevent enemies from infiltrating the rear of Triel and Roshel along the river."
"Hm... Abandoning them won't be easy."
"No."
"Then we'll have to fight in open field battles."
"..."
Silence fell over the meeting room as Gerhard mentioned field battles.
Not all Brotan troops were elites, but mobilizing all three points meant 90,000.
The Empire could field 55,000 including reinforcements.
Even on defense without walls, they'd gain only partial terrain advantages.
Field battles especially favored sheer numbers, so the Imperial officers lacked confidence in defeating Brotan that way.
Smaller forces beating larger ones happened, but victories with nearly double the disparity—like now—were rare enough for history books and tactical manuals.
"What's the status of the Kingdom's forces?"
"They're gathering supplies and preparing to march. Given their size and supply consumption, our 8th Legion staff predicts movement soon."
"I see."
The adjutant said Brotan was still preparing, but Victor—having expanded his minimap range—saw differently. He could roughly track their movements.
Still distant, but the clustered red dots were already leaving garrison and advancing slowly.
He quietly pondered strategies, awaiting the right moment.
A moment later.
-Boom!
"This morning, the Kingdom troops at Montfieu have begun marching!"
"What?"
"The scale is..."
A messenger burst in with door-rattling urgency, reporting Montfieu's forces on the move.
"35,000 from Saint Touar have set off toward Chene!"
"..."
Almost simultaneously, Saint Touar's troops,
"Legion Commander! 30,000 from Anyac are approaching Triel!"
Reports hit that Anyac's forces had also launched attacks.
"...We need to withdraw Triel's troops. Defending 30,000 from here is impossible."
"Hm... Roshel's walls are the most repaired, so the 10th Legion could support Chene or Triel."
"Defeating them piecemeal... seems difficult. Our control is weak, terrain's rugged—scouts can't operate properly."
"True. We've only seized footholds; this is still Brotan territory."
Friedrich and Gerhard calmly weighed options but offered no standout plan.
"We must send reinforcements to Chene. It's open terrain—10,000 can't hold."
"No. Chene can be retaken later, but Triel's narrow entrance makes it hard to reclaim once lost. Send the 10th to Triel!"
"Losing Roshel means surrendering all gains beyond the Bildorne. Even if we lose Triel and Chene, we must hold Roshel. I say the 10th and 1st Provisional thoroughly defend Roshel, with Triel and Chene forces falling back to join."
Even as bolder officers spoke up, no sharp solution emerged.
"We should withdraw across the Bildorne now. Ceding territory hurts, but better than losing troops and bases."
"...Good grief."
Some staff and generals, spooked by the numbers, even advocated full retreat across the river.
Victor watched them spout disorganized ideas for a bit, then glanced at frowning Gerhard.
"...Got a good idea?"
"Yes."
"..."
Confirming the resolve in Victor's eyes, Gerhard pondered briefly, then nodded with trust and expectation.
"For now, withdraw and wait for reinforcements..."
-Thud!
"Gah!"
"...What?"
"Legion Commander Victor?"
With Gerhard's approval, Victor stood immediately and slammed his fist on the table, drawing all eyes.
The room's air grew heavy.
After staying silent throughout, Victor's sudden intensity made everyone pause and look at him.
"I have a good plan, so hear me out."
Victor slowly walked to the center where the map hung.
"Legion Commander Victor, you..."
"Hear him out first."
"Legion Commander Gerhard... Understood."
Friedrich felt Victor's action rude and tried to stop him, but Gerhard—the Empire's symbol—intervened, so he sat quietly, waiting.
Victor scanned the hushed room, took the baton confidently from Friedrich's adjutant.
"We must choose attack, not defense."
"...What."
"Hmph."
Friedrich and Gerhard let out simultaneous grunts at Victor's words, directly contradicting Friedrich's prior stance.