Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: The Support Force Marches
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It was the dawn of the day when the deal with Marquis Reinhardt had been struck.
Bisceta Clen, who had been summoned and come looking for me in Rainpole, expressed reluctance at my proposal.
“It would certainly be a great help, but….”
She seemed to have reservations about sending people who trusted and followed her into the battlefield.
“Well, fine then. There are more than enough people eager to do it besides you.”
This mission was a huge opportunity for those in slave status.
The condition was that participating in this war would free them from slavery.
To make that happen, Juras had to shoulder a staggering 800 million silane.
Freeing 20,000 slaves and compensating for the labor shortage that would result required that massive sum.
Even though Juras was in a position where he might have to bear the full cost if they couldn’t extract the amount from Caliper, he handled it nonchalantly, saying, “Just bring me some entertaining news from the battlefield, and that’ll be payment enough.”
“Lord Wade, don’t go like that. Why not talk it over a bit more?”
Eo tried to stop me as I moved to leave without hesitation.
She then whispered to Bisceta.
“Growth…! This is an opportunity you can’t miss! Our lord cherishes me more than anyone, so he came to me first about this!”
“I know, but….”
“If you ask the lord, I can lead the troops. So please entrust it to me.”
“That’s exactly what worries me most. Eo, you’re inexperienced at commanding armies.”
“Yes!?”
After agonizing over it, Bisceta finally nodded.
“I’ll at least look into how many volunteers there are.”
The 20,000 volunteers appeared almost immediately.
Many of the slaves from Kurabel were former soldiers captured in war, so plenty wanted to head to the battlefield.
They seemed resistant to deploying to the front under Crossing’s banner, but since the objective was defending Caliper Kingdom and Eonia would command the army, they accepted that much.
‘That settles the army’s organization.’
The afternoon after the deal with Marquis Reinhardt concluded, a total of 20,000 regular troops arrived in Rainpole.
“Then we’re off!”
Under Eo’s command, we headed toward Caliper’s western region where the war was unfolding.
These movements by Caliper and Crossing were fully captured by the intelligence network of the Albad & Madon allied forces.
The 20,000 troops led by Als were detected around the time they passed Alpenserd, the capital.
“Report! An army of 20,000 has begun marching from the Crossing direction! Their final destination appears to be the western front!”
“From Crossing, you say.”
Grand General Kaien narrowed his eyes in surprise.
The allied forces were holding a military council just before their final advance.
Originally, they planned to devour Salleon faction’s army and then push straight into Caliper territory to secure supply lines.
But a minor problem had arisen.
Helian faction’s forces had put up desperate resistance in the north, dragging things out, and in the south, where they’d devoured Salleon’s army, friction had erupted over prisoner distribution.
“Damn it, isn’t this because you got greedy for no reason?!”
Gillas vented his frustration at Madon’s Grand General Julian Craig.
A night assault that perfectly devoured 30,000 Salleon troops.
That operation had netted 14,000 prisoners.
Madon wanted to manage most of them.
They’d committed 23,000 troops to the operation—far more than others—so they claimed the right to take the prisoners.
But the battle had taken place squarely within Albad territory.
Madon had no immediate place to house the prisoners, so Julian Craig took the time to transport them all to Madon lands. He judged that leaving them in Albad territory might mean they couldn’t retrieve them later.
Because of that, the allied advance was delayed by about three days.
“It’s fine, isn’t it? Why are you getting so worked up, Gillas?”
Craig smirked faintly at Gillas before turning to Kaien.
“Teacher. The war situation hasn’t changed much. If anything, it’s better for us.”
“Hmm. And why do you think that?”
“Look at the places the enemy’s using as bases. Didn’t they judge they had time to spare and make an unnecessary move?”
He was referring to Caliper’s forces deploying forward.
“Their best option would’ve been to conscript troops, wait for Crossing’s support, and hole up in key fortresses for a siege defense to block supply line development. But they arrogantly pushed out instead. Stubbornly refusing to yield even an inch.”
Kaien’s deputy, the Fourth General Yussis, voiced agreement.
“Julian’s right. It’s hard to see them having the capacity to succeed against our army with such an aggressive strategy. Plus, Madon troops are advancing from the south, aren’t they?”
40,000 additional troops formed in Madon homeland were marching north toward Caliper’s south. Caliper’s southern and southeastern fronts, scrambling for emergency conscription to counter them, could be considered paralyzed.
Gillas shook his head and bellowed.
“But Crossing dispatched 20,000 as reinforcements. This is clearly because we gave them time!”
“No.”
Kaien shook his head.
“Even so, it’s too fast. Juras could pull it off, but he’s never shown much interest in saving Caliper to begin with.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“That guy probably wants Caliper to fall.”
“You want an ally to perish?”
“If we destroy Caliper and occupy its territory, chaos is inevitable. He plans to exploit that gap, swoop in, and snatch the land we’ve taken.”
“Such madness…!”
“He’s fully capable of it. I can’t read that man’s mind at all.”
Silence fell over the military council chamber.
Thwack! Kaien tapped his staff on the floor and continued.
“That 20,000 reinforcement force surely involves something else. First, find out who’s commanding it.”
But no sooner had he spoken than a scout entered the tent and bowed.
“Urgent report! We’ve confirmed the identity of the general commanding Crossing’s reinforcements! A man in gray armor was sighted in the enemy camp!”
Gillas shot to his feet.
“Wade…! He’s finally shown himself!”
He burned with fighting spirit.
“Teacher! Pit me against him! I’ll bring you his head for sure!”
“Whoa, whoa. Calm down, Gillas.”
It was Julian Craig. He spoke as if he’d been waiting.
“Judging by the army’s size and march route, their garrison will be the Setes Crossroads in the southwest. Isn’t that the spot our Madon forces are set to attack?”
“Then hand over command, Julian!”
“…Enough of your nonsense, pup.”
“…”
Sparks flew between the glaring pair.
Julian glared at Gillas for a moment before scoffing.
“So that’s how it is. Leave Wade to me. I’ll handle him nice and proper. Then I’ll take my leave. Good luck, teacher.”
As Julian departed, Gillas expressed his frustration.
“Teacher! That guy’s aim is to capture Wade alive and drag him into their ranks! Yussis! Back me up here!”
“Obvious, isn’t it? Everyone knows Madon’s desperate for talent. Julian defected to Madon for the same reason originally.”
“That traitor. Strutting around now that he’s Grand General…!”
Kaien dismissed their complaints lightly.
“Even so, this is the ideal assignment.”
“Yes!?”
“Julian’s skills surpass both of yours. He’s the right man to lead the southern main force.”
“Then have yourself take the southern army, teacher!”
“No, I need to be in the north. Juras might swoop down from there on a whim.”
“But you said Juras wants Caliper to fall….”
“Didn’t I say it? That man’s impossible to read. Hard to predict his whims.”
What Kaien truly warily eyed wasn’t Caliper’s Grand General Dunhan Grimwood, but Juras. That’s why he was personally leading the northern forces.
“I doubt Julian can pull it off. He’s recklessly impulsive.”
“If he can’t handle Wade, then neither can you two. Tsk tsk. If only Lutger were here right now….”
Kaien muttered bitterly, gazing into the distance.
*
*
*
Pollack, one of the key cities in the west.
It was a territory ruled by Marquis Geglisy, one of the leading figures in the Salleon faction.
Here, I met the 20,000 troops Caliper had prepared.
The soldiers’ faces were tense. Some were too young or too old to be proper soldiers. They were hastily gathered.
‘I knew it, but I didn’t expect the training to be this poor.’
The 15,000 conscripts were below expectations.
‘I’ll need some countermeasures.’
For now, I gave the weary Crossing army time to rest, then immediately convened a military council.
My master and Lutger, who had arrived ahead to gather intelligence, also attended.
My master spread out the war map and began the briefing.
“The enemy is advancing with their army split into four.”
He pointed to key points in the north and west.
“Godin Valley in the north. Moro Mountains below it. Pollick Mountains in the west. And Setes Crossroads here in the southwest.”
“What about their numbers?”
“Estimated at 30,000, 10,000, 20,000, and 30,000 respectively.”
“I see….”
The areas we needed to defend were Setes Crossroads and Pollick Mountains. Blocking just Setes Crossroads would’ve sufficed originally, but with the 20,000 reinforcements, they’d asked us to cover Pollick Mountains too. In exchange, they’d reinforce the north.
It felt like we were shouldering the burden, but strategically, it was sound.
‘Albad’s northern forces will be wary of Juras swooping down unexpectedly.’
Bolstering the north would pour oil on that fear. Albad would end up fighting a nonexistent Juras.
Juras might actually strike—it was possible. The man was utterly unpredictable.
“The enemy numbers we face total 50,000….”
Our forces totaled 40,000 by contrast. 10,000 fewer than the foe.
“Lutger. Have you gathered intel on Albad’s camp?”
“No need to dwell on Albad. They’ll have deployed with Teacher Kaien and his aides—Yussis and Gillas. What matters is Madon’s Grand General Julian Craig, whom we’ll face.”
“Do you know anything about him?”
“Of course. I taught him myself once.”
“You did?”
“Precisely, he’s Teacher Kaien’s disciple. Unlike Gillas or Yussis who stayed under him, he defected to Madon for his own ambitions. He figured he couldn’t rise high with Teacher Kaien blocking the way in Albad.”
“Becoming Grand General worked out well for him then. How’s his skill?”
“Top among the three in talent. Not quite Ten Heroes level, but he matches the top 20 warlords in prowess.”
“Impressively strong. What are his main tactics? His tendencies?”
Compiling the intel from Lutger, I simulated the path to checkmate in my mind.
It was just sketching the outline, but that was enough for now.
“Alright. Time to assign troops. First, Lutger. Take 15,000 and head to Pollick Mountains. Defend it thoroughly. Anton, you’ll assist him as deputy.”
“Understood.” “Yes, sir!”
“And Master, I’ll detach 1,000 mercenaries under you. As a multipurpose unit, stay responsive to my commands. Head to nearby territories first and procure as many warhorses and bows as possible. Tell them Caliper’s military will pay later—gather the maximum.”
“Got it.”
“And Eo. Select archers from the Kurabel slaves.”
“Yes, sir!”
With assignments set.
Before they dispersed, I issued one more order.
“This could be key to the operation, so carry it out naturally without arousing suspicion. Before heading to your garrisons….”
My retainers held their breath, eyes fixed on me.
“Gather all the soldiers’ uniforms in one place, mix them thoroughly, and redistribute them at random.”
Everyone tilted their heads in confusion at the order, not understanding.