Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Request for Command
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I don't usually consider myself a genius.
The achievements I made in the Ruth Kingdom came from studying the great victories led by genius commanders in history and from being able to leverage the minimap and tactical map.
Once I've assessed the situation, terrain, and each side's strengths and weaknesses, plugging them into the right historical precedent and directing forces via the tactical map doesn't seem all that difficult.
But right now, I need to showcase my capabilities and push my opinion through.
"Do you truly believe that?"
When Friedrich, who had previously dismissed the possibility of defeating them piecemeal, eyed me with suspicion and asked,
"Yes. With defense offering no significant advantage at present, it would only hand the enemy the chance to choose their preferred battlefield."
I replied in a firm voice.
When facing a numerically superior foe with a smaller force, utilizing terrain advantages for defense is generally considered the best approach.
Artillery hasn't been fully integrated into warfare yet, and mages are even rarer than artillery, so many generals still far prefer a well-prepared defense over risky offensives.
It was the same back in the Ruth Kingdom.
To convince stubborn, prideful, and conservative soldiers with a strategy that might seem irrational at first glance, I need to appear as a genius—or at least highly competent—and drive it home with consistency and conviction.
In my view, victory is well within reach, and with Gerhard's endorsement, now is the moment.
"Though the enemy outnumbers us, the Brotan Kingdom's forces are advancing in separate columns. By concentrating our Imperial forces at key points and launching preemptive strikes, we can achieve local superiority and defeat them piecemeal."
"Hah."
Friedrich shook his head in disbelief after hearing my argument.
"Your strategy seems predicated on the Brotan Kingdom's forces remaining divided while attacking their strongholds. But they've only begun advancing separately—they could still concentrate at a single point, couldn't they?"
He shuffled the markers on the map this way and that.
"The predicted advance routes are divided by lakes and mountains, true, but there are connecting points between them. They could rally the entire army right in front of Montfieu here, or converge about 40km from Roselle at this spot. Even if they just merge the two columns, that's 60,000 men. It's no strategy to attempt lightly."
Montfieu and Roselle are about 120km apart, as are Saint-Touar and Cheney, Anyak and Triel.
As Friedrich said, rugged mountains separate the Montfieu and Anyak routes, while a long lake blocks Montfieu from Saint-Touar, limiting convergence points.
The Brotan Kingdom forces, having started from each point, could link up at just three locations: right in front of our strongholds, near Montfieu before the mountains and lake begin, or at the lake's end.
"They absolutely won't start consolidating from near Montfieu."
Contrary to Friedrich's claim that the kingdom's army could rush to unite immediately, I believed they'd at best converge at the lake's end.
"...I'd like to hear the basis for your confidence."
The basis was, of course, the minimap currently revealing the Brotan Kingdom army's movements—but I couldn't say that outright.
They wouldn't believe it anyway, and I had no intention of exposing my lifeline to others.
"The kingdom forces we're facing are numerous, but mostly conscripts, and their ranks have expanded dramatically recently, making control and logistics inherently unstable. Yet Brotan opted for rapid advances over thorough preparation."
So, I filled in the gaps plausibly to align with what the minimap showed.
Drawing on points raised early in the meeting as "evidence."
"That decision was likely influenced by the armistice between the Empire and Ruth Kingdom, news of our reinforcements, and supply concerns. The kingdom army is hoping for a swift victory. Consolidating now would slow their advance, complicate control further, and exacerbate supply burdens."
By weaving in some plausible speculation with established facts, I could frame my "certainty" as logical deduction from known truths.
"Hm..."
"For the Brotan Kingdom army, the only viable option is to advance separately to disperse our forces, gauge our response, then select attack points. That lets them dictate favorable terrain, so to prevent it, we must strike before they unite."
"..."
I paused briefly, giving the staff officers in the meeting room space to exchange views.
"Supplies, huh. That's a fair point..."
"Come to think of it, even after winning against Kaen Kingdom, they didn't reinforce for quite a while."
"It's only been about a month since they bolstered their ranks, so this rapid movement is unusually fast."
"Legion Commander Gerhard, what do you think?"
"...It's persuasive. If it goes according to plan, it could be a golden opportunity. But."
Gerhard, who had been discussing with the officers and staff including Friedrich, turned to me.
"I need to hear more before judging. Can you explain the detailed plan?"
"Yes."
I began my explanation, referencing terrain from the minimap.
"The 15,000 troops from the 10th Legion and 1st Provisional Legion under me and Legion Commander Gerhard will merge with half of Roselle's garrison—10,000 men—for a total of 25,000. This force will link with Cheney's 10,000 defenders, making 35,000, then rapidly advance to engage and crush the Saint-Touar column before it can receive aid."
"Heh heh..."
"Triel's forces will advance to the mouth of Arde Gorge here and hold. The gorge narrows to about 20m wide, making it hard for even three times our number to break through."
"..."
"The remaining 10,000 at Roselle will push to just before the lake ends, delaying the Montfieu column from linking with Saint-Touar."
"Then join the force that drove out Cheney's enemy to attack their 25,000?"
"Exactly."
Overall, Triel on the left wing draws the enemy in, while we concentrate on Cheney on the right for a breakthrough and encirclement.
The officers pondered the projected advance routes I'd sketched on the map.
"...What do you all think?"
At Gerhard's question, staff and officers alike raised hands or stood to question me.
"What if the Brotan Kingdom army unites faster than expected and advances? Any countermeasures?"
"We'll deploy scout companies from the 1st Provisional Legion, veterans of Ruth's rugged terrain, extensively. Larger concentrations slow them further and make concealment hard. Controlling 90,000 conscripts simultaneously is nearly impossible, so avoiding pitched battles while raiding supplies and night-harassing will shatter their morale easily."
These elite Imperial officers, once panicking about retreat, now debated my strategy earnestly.
"Our forced march will be fast, but with the kingdom army starting first, timing might be tricky."
"Their size and conscript indiscipline make advances glacial—especially fresh units top out at 20km a day. Our forced march hits 40km, enough to seize key points."
"Hm..."
"Sending cavalry ahead to show ourselves will make them think our main force is coming and slow down. Plenty more ways to bog them down."
"Is that so?"
I cited various stratagems from history's great generals, convincing the officers one by one.
"In your plan, Roselle's 10,000 must hold 25,000 in the field. Even elites need something special to pin double their number for a day."
"Of course. The 10th and 1st Provisional just arrived at Roselle, so the kingdom doesn't know our full strength. We exploit that."
"Ah, then..."
After some thirty minutes of back-and-forth,
"Shall we proceed like this?"
"Yes."
"...Understood."
With even Friedrich agreeing to execute, the Imperial strategy was set.
"I'll take Roselle's forces."
"Yes. Legion Commander Gerhard and I head to Cheney."
After briefly assigning roles.
"Time is critical, so we depart immediately."
"Got it. Legion Commander Gerhard, before you go, could you visit my tent alone? There's something I need to discuss privately."
"Hm, alright."
The officers dispersed swiftly, maps in hand.
Before leading his troops out, Gerhard visited Victor's tent as requested.
"Ah, Legion Commander Gerhard. Go right in."
"Hm."
Anna, standing outside, ushered him in then quickly left.
Gerhard cautiously opened the tent flap and entered.
"What is it, Legion Commander Victor?"
No one else was in Victor's tent.
He turned at the sound of Gerhard's voice from behind, having been studying the wall map.
"Legion Commander Gerhard."
"..."
Victor called his name in a deeply sunken voice.
Gerhard sensed an inexplicable gloom in Victor's eyes.
"I have a favor to ask."
"A favor."
Gerhard intuited this wouldn't be ordinary, given Victor's stark shift from his assertive meeting demeanor.
And as expected,
"For this battle, would you hand command of the 10th Legion to me?"
"...What?"
Victor's request far exceeded Gerhard's expectations.