Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Als's Counterstrategy
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Als's incredulous remark stiffened the atmosphere in the military conference room.
Delbadova narrowed his eyes and glared at Als.
"What do you mean by that? Als Ilrain."
"I'm sorry. My classmates were saying strange things, so I spoke without thinking."
"Strange things? Are you saying there's a problem with the plan Chase just proposed?"
"Of course. That plan was never feasible to begin with."
Ruan hardened his expression menacingly and glared at Als.
"Hmph. Then tell us your thoughts."
"Understood."
Als didn't particularly want to stand out, but he had no intention of staying silent while watching many soldiers die because of his inaction.
That was why he had spoken up during the past Pollick Mountains battle, and even in the Chimera War, he had voiced his opinion straight out, even if it meant clashing with Dunan.
It was the same now.
Even if it meant drawing attention—which was secondary—if they proceeded like this, wrong decisions would lead to many deaths, so he decided to step forward himself.
"Why is Chase's plan unfeasible?"
"Explaining that would get complicated, so for now, I'll just suggest a relatively correct course of action for this situation."
"A correct course? You're saying there's a right answer to breaking through this situation?"
"Of course there is. It's to move the army here."
With that, Als moved the marker on the map to one point.
It was the south of the Kallon Mountains, toward the Albad Kingdom.
"If we move here, all problems are solved."
"Wait. What does this mean? Toward Albad? You don't mean..."
"Yes, exactly that. If we request resupply from the Albad side, the issue resolves itself. The enemy has likely blocked the routes toward Caliper and Crossing, but they won't have stationed troops toward Albad. It's unthinkable, and with Caliper and Crossing sealed off, they won't have the spare forces to cover Albad as well. So if we move first and secure that point, they'll be left helpless."
"But how do we secure resupply from Albad?"
"It won't be difficult. Consider the diplomatic situation."
Bekavia's original ally was Albad.
The problem was that Albad couldn't provide help due to their own circumstances.
"Albad has lost a great deal of diplomatic face over this incident. They abandoned their ally just because the situation was unstable. So they absolutely cannot side with the west or Toonkai. That would not only damage their face further but also shatter their national credibility."
"Hmm..."
"So who would Albad want to help? Our alliance. That's the only way they can recover their damaged reputation. If we head to this region and request resupply, Albad won't refuse. It's a chance for them to indirectly aid Bekavia and put our Caliper forces in their debt. They'll provide supplies within a day of the request. And that's it. Once we've secured a supply line without any losses, the enemy army that infiltrated the mountains will lose their path forward. They can't squeeze us with supplies anymore, so they'll need to secure their own. But if they try to establish a supply line through the Kallon Mountains, problems arise."
The supply route would be too long.
"This is the southern end, far from the front lines. If the enemy forms a supply line, it'll stretch out like this. Such a line is highly vulnerable to guerrilla raids. So the enemy will abandon the Kallon Mountains and withdraw. At that point, we can simply reestablish our supply line toward Caliper."
Silence fell.
It was a perfect response. Delbadova's direct officers were already convinced this was undoubtedly the right answer.
Ironheart, who knew Als's true identity, let out a sigh of admiration.
Even Delbadova, who had been refuting the cadets' opinions until now, couldn't find any grounds to object.
"...Impressive. It gives me chills."
If they followed Als's words, they could repel the enemy without a single casualty. It was that ingenious.
"But what if, by some slim chance, Albad refuses supplies? That could cause problems. So that's why you called it a 'relatively' correct direction."
"That's true, but it's a very low probability. Our diplomats aren't just sitting idle. Albad will provide supplies in the end."
"Hmm, I think so too. But I'd prefer something more certain than 'relatively' correct. Will you share that?"
"This method carries risks. There will be casualties."
"I'll hear it and decide."
"...Understood."
Als stepped fully to the front, took the pointer, and indicated the map.
The military conference had already become Als's one-man show.
Kasper and Ruan, along with the other cadets, froze in expression. Only Dorothy smiled, thinking, 'He really suits this.'
"This addresses why Chase's plan from earlier is unfeasible. The enemy's goal isn't to destroy us—it's simply to drive us out of the Kallon Mountains. That's why they'll thoroughly blockade our supply lines and hold out. Having come with that in mind, they've prepared far more individual rations than the general mentioned. A siege won't shake them. So Chase's plan had no chance of success."
"Drive us out? What do you mean by that?"
"Suppose we can't find another way. Or say we rashly move to secure a supply line and take losses. What would you do then, General?"
"We'd have to find another way. If we assume we didn't think of Albad's help..."
"Yes, we'd turn to the remaining option—not Caliper or Crossing, but Bekavia. In that case, we'd have to leave the mountains."
"Ah...!"
"In other words, their goal is to draw our Caliper forces into the main battlefield."
"But why? It doesn't benefit them at all if our army joins the battlefield."
"Exactly. So they have another objective. For example, spreading false information."
"False information?"
Als pointed to a spot on the map.
It was the area where Bekavia's 40,000-strong army was stationed.
"This is speculation from here, but once we exit the Kallon Mountains, the enemy will leak false information toward Bekavia—like the Caliper army is being pursued. They'll probably pursue us for real too."
Everyone in the conference room was drawn in, hanging on Als's every word.
"And at the same time, the enemy will deploy the Toonkai forces above to chase our side. Making it look like a pincer attack to annihilate us. What do you think Bekavia will do?"
"They'll send reinforcements. To save us...!"
"Yes, the enemy will try to inflate the size of those reinforcements however they can. They'll draw out at least 30,000 of the 40,000 stationed troops. The moment the garrison thins out, the enemy will overrun it and surround the major Bekavia city of Arandal behind it, seizing advantageous positions for defense."
"I see! Arandal is the supply hub for that front! They'll neutralize it to seize control of the war!"
"Correct. At that point, our forces and the Bekavia army duped by false info will have no choice but to attack Arandal to relieve it. Normally, the attackers should be the enemy, but this flips it—we'd be attacking their fortified positions."
"A disadvantageous fight. And with unstable supplies, no less."
"Yes, but here's the paradigm shift."
Als revealed the masterstroke to shatter the enemy's scheme.
"If we move like this, we'll catch them off guard. They'll have to abandon everything and turn back, or the war's outcome will be decided. The tide will turn dramatically in that moment."
Gulp! Delbadova swallowed dryly. He was utterly shocked.
'What is this guy?'
It was insight beyond that of a mere cadet.
He read the intent behind the enemy's actions, grasped the full picture, and laid out the entire board. In this instant, Als had already paved the path to checkmate.
'Golden Generation? No. He's beyond prodigy material. This guy's already refined gold! He's complete!'
After explaining everything, Als stepped back with a weary sigh.
"That's all. The choice is yours, General."
Play it safe with Albad's help? Or bear the risks and turn the enemy's scheme against them to seize the initiative?
Delbadova chose the latter.
"Pass the word to the entire army! Tomorrow, we descend the mountains and head toward Bekavia!"
*
*
*
The military conference concluded.
Als, claiming fatigue, returned to camp first with Dorothy.
Watching his back, Delbadova's officers let out exclamations.
"Worth the Golden Generation title. Truly astonishing!"
"Ruan and Kasper's plans were good, but this is on another level..."
"He's destined for greatness. Might even become our superior soon."
"Hah, then that kid's in luck. Fourth son of a baron's family, right?"
With the military's importance surging now, even a baron's fourth son becoming a key figure would skyrocket his value.
Als was at prime marriageable age, so if he became a general, marriage proposals might flood in.
"Damn, damn...!"
Kasper spat curses, consumed by inferiority.
He had subconsciously been aware of Als even before Erina entered the picture. Ever since losing a chess match to him as a child.
He'd dismissed it as a fluke then, but he'd never surpassed Als's academy grades afterward.
He'd managed to ignore it after Als went to Rainpole Academy and he to Gransel Academy, but the nightmare resumed in upper academy.
He'd thought he wouldn't lose in academy scores anymore, but they'd slipped again. Though not official yet, Als was all but guaranteed top of the year.
'If that guy becomes a general...'
Gilbert's fondness for Als worried him.
Slim chance though it was, what if Gilbert sent Erina to Als?
"That can't happen...! Hah! Hah...! Wait, Ruan!"
Kasper grabbed Ruan as he tried to leave.
"...Fix your face, Kasper. It's unsightly."
"This isn't the time for that. That guy's surging ahead!"
"I don't have any grudge against Ilrain."
"You don't care if Erina goes to him?!"
"I don't know what you're talking about, but Erina-sama is just someone I serve publicly. No personal feelings. She seems to like Ilrain, so if family circumstances lead to engagement, it'd be worth celebrating."
"Nonsense! He's the lowly fourth son of a baron's house! You think he matches a duke's daughter?!"
"You're contradicting yourself. You just asked if I didn't care if Erina went to him. Now you're saying it absolutely won't happen? And that's for Gilbert-sama to decide, not you."
"Urk!"
"But... I'm not entirely satisfied with the current situation either."
Als's proposed operation meant no battles would occur.
In other words, their chance to rack up achievements vanished.
"Even if we have to yield the spotlight to Ilrain, I don't want to end with nothing. If an opportunity arises, I'd like to seize it. If you're in the same boat, I'm open to cooperating."
"...Fine. Then when the moment comes, I'll signal. You respond."
"I won't follow a reckless plan. Remember that."
In this war, where personal motives intertwined, a pivotal battle—one that could decide the outcome—was about to unfold.