Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Extra Strategist's Royal Road
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As soon as the mobilization order for the war was issued, the nobles began to move busily.
This royal decree set a minimum number of troops to dispatch based on rank, and barons had to bring at least 500 soldiers.
We decided to bring exactly that minimum of 500. Though we had some leeway after migrating to Rainpole, we didn't have enough surplus food to show off.
Purji hyung would take command of that unit.
I gathered only my close aides to join Purji hyung's unit, but that's where the problem arose.
"I'm thinking of deciding who will go to this war."
My retainers, gathered together for the first time in a while.
"This war might not even see actual combat, and since I'm not the commander, I won't be leading a large force. So, I want a few of you to stay in Rainpole and handle internal affairs and security. First, does anyone want to stay in Rainpole?"
Anton cautiously raised his hand.
"My lord, I'll go to the battlefield. But Ilyia..."
"Why Master?"
"Well..."
Anton, uncharacteristically hemming and hawing. Master Ilyia let out a small sigh and spoke.
"Als, would it be okay if I stay in Rainpole?"
"I thought you'd want to go to the battlefield, Master. Surprisingly not. I wanted to take you if possible."
"Sorry. It might be a bit tough right now... No, I could manage, but I think it's best to be cautious."
"What's going on?"
At that moment, Gaspar burst into laughter.
"Khahat! I wondered why your edge seemed gone. Makes sense. If you're pregnant, you'd naturally hesitate to go to war."
"Pregnant!?"
Thinking about it, it made perfect sense. She had been so passionate.
"I-Is it true, Master?"
"...Yes. About two months now."
Everyone was shocked by Master's pregnancy announcement.
"Congratulations, Master."
"Haha..."
It was the first time I'd seen her looking embarrassed.
"Thanks. It's a bit awkward to ask now, but could you help me with naming the baby later? I want to ask you, who brought Anton and me together."
"Of course I'll help. But if you're pregnant, you should have a wedding soon."
"What's the point of such formalities?"
"Anton doesn't seem to think that way. I'd like it if you did, too."
"Ugh... F-Fine, I'll think about it."
With Master suddenly unable to join due to this happy event, our lineup got messed up.
I had planned to leave Lutger behind and take Master, but now that Master was staying, I had to rearrange.
"Eo, looks like you'll have to stay. It might be tough for Master alone, so stay and connect with Bisceta."
"Ugh, I want to go with you, Als."
"I understand how you feel, but..."
Then Lutger nodded and spoke.
"No matter what, we can't let a pregnant woman overwork herself. I'll fully handle Rainpole's internal affairs. I got acquainted with Bisceta Clen recently, so it'll be fine. Anpei, don't worry about work—just rest easy."
Anton sincerely thanked Lutger and bowed.
"Hmm, good. Then Master, just help a little with security. No overdoing it. The rest—Eonia, Ymir, Gaspar, Anton—you four will come with me."
This new lineup excluded Lutger and Master, who had made great contributions in the last war, and added Ymir and Gaspar. How I used them was entirely up to me.
*
*
*
Returning to the mansion with the selected retainers, Purji hyung was waiting.
He had about 500 professional soldiers under him, and combining them with our territory's troops made roughly 1,000. Enough to execute a tactic with ease.
"To think I'm commanding a force nearly 1,000 strong... Even 500 is overwhelming."
"Well, it'll be fine, right?"
"Yeah. With your help, Als, it should be no problem."
"I'm just assisting. The key to commanding a unit is how well your subordinate officers perform. If I may ask, does Purji hyung's unit have any reliable officers?"
"Not ones I'd boast to you about..."
Looks like none.
Of course. Capable officers usually attach themselves to units led by powerful nobles.
Unless there's strong loyalty, they don't stick around in unremarkable units. It could block their path to promotion.
"That'll be a headache."
Ymir was good at intelligence but not military command. Eonia excelled at assault tactics but was clumsy with defense or disruption ops, and poor at managing subordinates.
Gaspar could command troops but, being a pureblood beastkin, might face resentment from soldiers.
That's why I wanted to bring Master, skilled in small-unit command, but it couldn't be helped this time.
'At least entrust it to Eo.'
Still far better than average officers.
As I thought that, unexpected reinforcements arrived.
"Wade, sir, at your service. I'm Elbery Colton."
The man knelt on one knee. Men in similar uniforms followed behind him.
"By Juras's order, we'll serve as your limbs in this war."
As if knowing my situation, Juras had sent 20 of his military officers.
"My lord, these are at my request."
It was Anton's doing.
"Since Ilyia can't join the battlefield because of me, I asked King Parline to lighten your burden."
"I see..."
They exuded an extraordinary aura. Not ordinary officers.
"...Just for reference, what were your original ranks?"
"I commanded 5,000 soldiers. The other officers did as well."
"Now that you mention it, your faces look familiar."
"Yes, we were under your command in the last Carrington battle."
They were elite among elites. Just two or three promotions away from general.
"Wha— the Crossing unit commanders!?"
Purji hyung gaped, unable to close his mouth. Their previous ranks were several levels above his.
Their joining bolstered our shoulders but also raised concerns.
'King Parline's hidden matters... Until I know, I don't want Crossing figures close except Anton.'
But Juras had foreseen even that.
Elbery said,
"Also, Juras asked me to relay this: After the war, if you wish, he'll tell you everything you're curious about."
"...!?"
Anton widened his eyes in shock, at a loss.
"Is that true!? Juras really said that!?"
"Yes."
"No way! King Parline wouldn't just let it slide!"
But he soon hung his head in resignation and turned to me.
"Hoo... My lord, when the time comes, I'll tell you everything too."
"Good. I don't know how big a deal it is, but okay. For now, Anton, you command these officers."
"Yes, sir!"
With 20 officers under him, Anton—whose weakness was unit command and tactics—transformed into an excellent assault general, with the officers covering his gaps.
"Ugh..."
Eonia eyed them warily, sensing a threat.
She soon whispered to me.
"Als, you can't trust those guys. They're clearly spies from Crossing to monitor us."
Eonia, fully displaying her sycophantic traits.
Not really trying to sow discord, but venting her resentment toward Crossing and checking Anton.
"Thanks for worrying, but it's fine. I'm fully accounting for that."
"Yeees..."
Eonia pouted sulkily.
Meanwhile, Purji hyung had been unable to hide his excitement since earlier.
Nominally, Anton and his aides were joining Purji hyung's unit.
"I—I'm going to have Red Knight Anton... as my adjutant..."
Purji hyung couldn't continue. Anton bowed his head and spoke.
"Don't worry, sir. My men and I are ready to carry out any order."
"That's what worries me more... Whether I can command properly..."
Whatever the case, their addition helped us, who had been fretting over lacking aides.
I hurriedly decided to make uniforms to hide their identities. We couldn't have them in Crossing uniforms.
Eonia, Ymir, and Gaspar also needed disguises, so I planned plain black combat gear, but Eonia insisted on color.
"I hate bat colors. I want pure white."
Subtly dissing Anton while throwing a tantrum. Ymir wanted light green for stealth, Gaspar earthy brown.
"What is this, a ranger team...? Anyway, fine."
Eonia beamed holding her white uniform.
Seeing white, black, green, and brown lined up left me a bit stunned.
'I'm gray, so we've got a full five.'
Maybe Power Rangers would form later.
By the time the uniforms were ready, Max hyung had organized our territory's 500 private soldiers, so I decided to head to Burek—the assembly point—with Purji hyung.
*
*
*
Burek was a city in the northwest, on the border with Crossing.
Our Caliper would assemble there and move to the front.
With 420,000 Western Union troops clashing against 400,000 Central-Eastern Union forces, the battlefield was vast.
Eight major fronts. Ours was assigned Galran Ridge.
"Third son of Baron Ilrain: Purji Ilrain. Commanding 500 regular troops, plus 500 territorial privates."
The gate officer looked bored at Purji hyung's words.
"500? Hah, got it. Handle procedures at the integrated barracks and get your assignment. Actually, no need—even that's overkill for this number."
"...Understood. We'll head straight to the assignment barracks."
"Get in quick. Big shots coming behind you."
He glanced at our rear.
A massive force swarming like humanity itself.
The combined 20,000 troops of Duke Salleon and Marquis Milias houses had arrived.
Forty times our privates.
At the front, that Casper punk strutted in shiny gray armor.
"Pathetic. Let's go, Als."
"Yes, hyung."
We went to the assignment barracks and completed procedures.
Since we weren't numerous, they just merged us with Purji hyung's unit—done in a flash.
We seemed to gain personal prep time, but after making custom uniforms, all assemblies ended soon.
Order to attend the total command meeting.
Burek's command center was packed with Dunan's close aides.
Dunan General sat at the head, aides and staff densely seated by rank before him.
I was crammed in a corner with Purji hyung.
So far back, voices barely carried—I strained to hear Dunan.
It was a briefing on our Galran front.
"The enemy we'll face is Tunkai Kingdom's army. 70,000 strong—matching ours."
Our Caliper force was also 70,000, so victory hinged on strategy.
"HQ deems full-scale battle unlikely, but we on-site can't think that way. Prepare as if combat could erupt any moment."
—Yes, General!
Then came terrain briefing.
Galran front was gentle ridges.
Not high, but expansive with dense trees.
"I'll distribute terrain maps of Galran Ridge to each officer. Memorize before arrival. Mountain specialists marked key points—focus there."
Why Burlang Union assigned Galran to Caliper.
Caliper Kingdom, with many mountains, traditionally weak in cavalry, strong in infantry. Mountain warfare was their specialty.
"Conversely, Tunkai excels in cavalry. Enemy's walked into a trap."
This mismatch felt off—I sensed unease.
'Dunan General's right. But...'
No rule against cavalry in ridges.
Galran had many trees but gentle slopes—skilled riders could maneuver mounts fine.
'Well, they're probably accounting for it.'
Then Casper raised his hand. Unlike me, he sat near the front.
"General. Enemy commander's identity confirmed?"
"Not yet. Intel soon."
Then—a bustling officer entered.
The same gatekeeper who'd shamed Purji hyung.
He rushed to Dunan, whispering. Dunan frowned.
"What? That true?"
"Yes. Knew you were in meeting but wanted to relay ASAP..."
"Tch, can't refuse king's request. Send him in."
"Yes, sir!"
King's request. Everyone tilted heads. Caliper's king was in the capital.
"Hmm, hrm. Working hard, I see."
An old man appeared, saying so.
Some recognized him and gaped in shock.
"Cr-Crossing's king!?"
"Why here!?"
Murmurs filled the room.
Dunan rose to bow, but King Parline waved him down.
"No intent to disrupt—sit easy."
Being border with Crossing.
Crossing was assembling nearby too—Parline came to encourage troops.
"Huh, Caliper military's sharply disciplined—impressively so. Not envious, though."
It was Juras.
Grinning slyly beside Parline, he spotted me and smirked creepily.
Purji hyung beside me trembled under the snake-like gaze.
"Your Majesty. What urgent message?"
Dunan asked.
"Hm, our intel net spotted Tunkai's commander. Caliper unaware, so I came personally."
"Could've sent a messenger..."
"Hahaha! Wanted to see your faces too."
"Hoo, fine. Blame our intel lag. Speak."
"Straightforward— I like that."
Juras stepped forward for Parline, relaying intel.
"Klaus Faulkner. He's on the field. Given his traits, he's Tunkai's sole general there."
"...!"
Room buzzed again.
"That demon on the battlefield...?"
"No way..."
Demon Klaus. Tunkai's special forces general, infamous.
Western barbarian thief origin. Before Tunkai scouted him, called Thief King.
True to roots, his warfare was brutally ruthless.
So ruthless, despite victories, he damaged national dignity—indefinite grounding.
Now breaking that for this war.
'Klaus Faulkner. First I've heard.'
All new to main story.
Even Caliper vs. Tunkai unseen. Klaus not in game.
"Dunan General. Tunkai released Klaus's grounding for this. You guess why?"
"...That intent."
"Yes. Full-scale battle more likely. Caliper should consider."
"What specifically?"
"Bluntly, Dunan—you're too upright for Klaus. His provocations will snap your patience, leading to errors. But Wade differs. He'd coldly discard what's discardable, seize what's seizable, choke Klaus instead. Hand command to Wade. Caliper's best move."
This guy's insane. Saying that in their command meeting.
Dunan, feeling insulted, shut Juras down curtly.
"Grateful for intel, but no further interference! Your Majesty, take him and withdraw?"
"Hm, understood. Saw what I wanted. We'll go."
Parline's group left.
The ripples weren't small.
Juras's last words drew meaningful gazes to Casper—the Wade impersonator.
"Ugh..."
Casper paled, flustered.
Even his reckless impostor act faltered with Crossing's king and prime minister naming Wade—stomach churning with anxiety.