Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Feigned Retreat on Eppona Plains
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Having taken command of the army, I set up position in the Calrec Mountains as Sophia suggested.
The Toonkai Army moved in sync with us and joined the front line where Crossing and the West were facing off.
There were three such front lines where Crossing and the West were clashing.
The spot we occupied was the lowermost one.
‘I can see a way to crush the Toonkai Army.’
But if I rashly deployed a stratagem, it could lead to discord. The previous operation had ended the war outright, so there was no need to consult with Juras, but now that we were sharing the same front, we had to coordinate our steps.
After stationing the army, I headed to Juras’s camp with Sophia.
We were allowed to participate in Crossing’s military council.
About twenty core Crossing officers welcomed us in a solemn atmosphere. Anton, one of them, gave me a slight nod.
“Ugh!”
Sophia let out a stifled groan, intimidated by the mood, but I just shrugged lightly.
“Still as intimidating as ever. Crossing’s military, I mean.”
At my words, Second General Creeper Nolak narrowed his eyes.
“You’ve got some nerve showing your face, Wade. Aren’t you no longer with Caliper?”
“You’re hitting a sore spot. As for that, why don’t you ask your superior?”
All eyes turned to Juras. He spoke with his trademark grin.
“Wade isn’t one of us. Nor is he with Caliper, for that matter. Forgot? He’s a mercenary.”
It was Juras drawing a line, considering I might one day establish a nation in the south. Well, if that time came, I’d found it under the name Als, so it wasn’t necessary, but still.
“And… good to see you too. Sophia Veron. First time since the victory banquet after the Chimera War, right?”
“…I’m not glad to see you. Let’s just start the strategy meeting.”
“Don’t be so cold. At least I’m on your side.”
“My side…?”
“Choosing to save Arandal without a flanking maneuver. You were right about that.”
Even Sophia’s eyes widened at this.
Juras continued.
“Some young Caliper officer proposed a plan, didn’t they? Rookies just can’t see the big picture.”
“What do you mean?”
When I asked, Juras smirked slyly.
“Why are you reacting? Did you propose the plan or something?”
“Just curious. I thought it was the best approach myself.”
“Best? Nonsense. That’s why you’re still green. Winning battles means nothing if you lose the war. Winning the war means nothing if you don’t seize the greater game. Remember that, Wade.”
Juras clarified the goal of this war.
“We’ll inflict massive damage on them in this war. Enough to make them never eye this region again. That snot-nosed Caliper kid tried to ruin that.”
“…!”
“Got it? Even if we’d won the war that way, the enemy would’ve preserved their forces and come back soon enough. That pup’s choice wasn’t the best from the start.”
He wasn’t wrong from that angle.
“And yet they tried to use that reckless plan without any consultation. If that Caliper fledgling had been under my command, I’d have chewed them out loud.”
Pfft! Sophia burst out laughing beside me, like some pent-up indigestion had cleared. Seeing me get scolded must’ve helped.
A bit annoyed, I shot back at Juras.
“For your words to hold, there has to be a surefire way to inflict massive damage on the enemy. So what is it? If it exists, why the pointless standoff until now?”
“That’s why you’re getting mad.”
“I’m not mad. You can’t even see my face—don’t spout nonsense.”
“Heh. Fine. As for the strategy, the preparations are already done. The enemy’s about to bite the bait.”
The bait he’d cast revealed itself half a day after I joined the meeting.
A scout rushed in and began reporting.
“Urgent report! Enemy guerrilla unit has destroyed the Veratorium supply depot!”
“What!?”
Sophia cried out in shock.
The Veratorium supply depot was the critical hub supplying all three current front lines.
With it gone, Crossing’s forces had no choice but to retreat.
Even retreating would take at least a day and a half to reach the stronghold, since the enemy wouldn’t sit idle.
“Reporting! Western forces are preparing to advance! They’ll close in soon!”
The worst-case scenario.
Yet Juras grinned wickedly.
“Took them long enough. The enemy’s sluggish. Good. We withdraw as planned.”
“W-wait a minute! What are you saying!?”
Sophia screamed in fury.
“You’re not planning to abandon us like this just because the depot’s gone, are you!? Forcing a retreat now that you have your excuse!”
Gain the pretext, then abandon Bekavia.
Once the West occupied most of the Bekavia region, they’d drive them out and seize all of Bekavia.
Reading Juras’s scheme, Sophia raged, but he just sighed lightly.
“I considered it at first, but rest easy. Bekavia won’t fall in this war.”
“…!”
Sophia shuddered, chills running down her spine as their eyes met.
I said to him.
“So that was the plan.”
Juras just flashed a toothy grin in response.
*
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*
Meanwhile, in the Western camp.
“Hmm…!”
Hanneman couldn’t hide his unease.
It stemmed from the battle in the Rest Mountains.
The deaths of Barrett and Fisher. They were among the top talents of his many vassals, so their loss in the failed operation ignited wariness toward the enemy—and an unbearable rage.
“Wait there, Fisher. I’ll send those Crossing bastards’ heads your way soon.”
That was when it happened.
“Reporting! General Edelson’s guerrilla unit raided the Veratorium depot! It’s all burned and destroyed!”
“Well done…!”
Hanneman cheered with uncharacteristic glee for his age, then slumped into his chair.
“Phew! That wasn’t easy.”
All his strategists had racked their brains for this operation. Even so, it had been tough. Crossing’s intelligence network was tenacious.
Breaking through it was cause for joy.
Naturally, he didn’t suspect a trap.
“Mind if I speak?”
“What is it.”
It was the senior strategist attending Hanneman.
“What if this is an enemy trap?”
“Nonsense. You know how much effort went into this.”
“True, but… Enemy commander Juras Pamillion is called Seamless.”
Meaning everything seemed so natural, no fabrication detectable.
That was what made Juras terrifying. Any action hinted at hidden intent.
It might not be intent at all—or it might be. Only Juras knew.
Normally, intent would show in awkward movements, but Juras’s army showed none.
So the opponent suffered, forced into a psychological war of suspicion.
“I know his skill is top-notch from this standoff. But that doesn’t mean this operation has issues. If it does, tell me. What are they aiming for?”
“I have no idea…”
“Impossible from the start. All they can do is retreat. No room for stratagems there. Right?”
“Wise judgment.”
“Then no hesitation. Prepare to advance! We’ll pin their feet so they can’t retreat quickly!”
Delaying their retreat while tying them down would end the war. No annihilation, but heavy attrition.
The Western forces began a massive advance.
The clash with Crossing occurred at Eppona Plains.
*
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*
Crossing’s forces began a simultaneous retreat from all three fronts, converging at one point.
The main supply route from the Veratorium depot: Eppona Plains.
There, Crossing’s 100,000 and Bekavia’s 30,000 would gather.
The enemy was no different.
The West saw Eppona Plains as the decisive ground. Retreating further meant crossing the mountains, inevitably delaying them.
They could inflict massive damage in the interim.
Thus, the West’s 100,000 and Toonkai’s 30,000 pursued.
“Hey, Als.”
Olaf called me with a sour face.
“This plan isn’t yours, is it?”
“No. Juras’s doing.”
“Then that Juras Pamillion’s nothing special. We’ll take heavy losses like this.”
“Even so, Eppona Plains is the most efficient retreat route. It looks perfectly reasonable.”
“Reasonable… So there’s something else. But what stratagem in this situation? Other reinforcements?”
“None. No reinforcements, no stratagems. Nothing.”
“Then what?”
“Just… devouring the enemy.”
No sooner had I spoken than the twist came.
Crack! Crack! Crossing’s forces wheeled about as if they’d been waiting.
Turning the rear mountains into a death trap, they reversed.
Olaf scowled at the formation.
“They’re just going to fight!?”
“Time’s up. Olaf, take command in my stead. Coordinate with Sophia Veron to lead the army.”
“And you?”
“I’ll head to Crossing’s side.”
Even I still had doubts about this plan.
Juras’s scheme was simple.
First, designate three camps to elevate one depot’s importance by position.
That was Veratorium.
Then, subtly allow the enemy’s depot raid.
This naturally drew Crossing’s forces to Eppona Plains upon retreat.
The enemy too. Thus, 130,000 versus 130,000.
That was Juras’s aim.
A full-scale plain battle emerging naturally.
‘To inflict heavy casualties, a plains battle is ideal.’
But how to win? We were cut off from supplies. Past a day, we’d be at extreme disadvantage.
In other words, decide victory in one day.
When I arrived at Crossing’s camp and asked, Juras said.
“Then watch. I’ll leave the remaining forces to you. Do live up to expectations.”
“What are you—”
Juras hopped away.
Bewildered, Anton said to me.
“Sir Als. Hard to accept, maybe, but this is his true form. …Watch closely.”
Anton’s words sounded like a warning for a future foe.
‘What’s he planning?’
Unlike capturing Julian Craig, where prep allowed a great victory. This was different—disadvantageous.
In that situation, Juras’s action was straightforward.
“Alright, everyone. Let’s go.”
At the vanguard, Juras.
His signal, and Anton and the aides bellowed.
“Charge──!”
Thus, the vanguard’s 20,000 charged the enemy.