Chapter 221
(Kyle Calendar Year 512: Age 19)
Dispatch of the Imperial Trade Delegation
Translator : PolterGlast
By the time autumn arrived and the measures against the
drought were more or less in sight, I departed for the inspection—and trade
mission—of the Northern Imperial Frontier. This was the plan I had
proposed during the First Regular Royal Capital Conference, and which
had been officially approved during the second conference in the summer.
Accompanying me were 200 cavalrymen selected from the Frontier
Knights and a group of Mages.
<Combat Personnel>
I selected Mages who primarily serve as the vanguard
of the Demon Territory Count's army, anticipating potential pursuit
battles. All of them possess high combat capabilities as warriors in their own
right. Masrur, originally being from the Empire, is also familiar
with the geography.
- Wind
Mages: (Alexis, Gale, Gold)
- Earth
Mages: (Astor, Masrur)
- Fire
Mages: (Danke, Isaac)
<Support Personnel>
Should any unforeseen situations arise during this
itinerary, their powers will be essential. They were added to the selection to
support the combat personnel.
- Holy
Mage: (Marianne)
- Light
Mage: (Leia)
- Sound
Mage: (Shannon)
<Commerce & Intelligence
Personnel>
Bart and Raphael
are leading an intelligence unit disguised as merchants. This unit consists of
individuals who actually engage in trade across various parts of the Kingdom
while conducting intelligence activities; they are genuine merchants as well.
- Dark
Mage: (Raphael)
- Spacetime
Mage: (Bart)
- Intelligence
Merchant Unit: 20 members
In addition to these, Sigurd and Carla are
accompanying me as bodyguards.
After gathering the entire expedition force at Ishtar,
we first headed toward the fortress line constructed by Margrave Hastburg
at the border.
It was near the battlefield where my father and brothers had
once deployed the Crane Wing Formation and fought against Margrave Goth. The area was surrounded by hills, making it a difficult
location to deploy a massive army exceeding ten thousand.
"Commander, what do you think of this fortress?"
I asked the Commander, who was accompanying us to the
border to see us off and to conduct training for the Frontier Knights
branch.
"Well," he replied, "I believe I can see the Margrave's
intent. It seems designed as a defensive stronghold that utilizes the terrain
to prevent easy encirclement, with the objective of drawing the enemy army in
for as many days as possible. Even if the enemy gathers a force of fifty
thousand, likely only ten to twenty thousand can fight effectively at the
front. In that scenario, even a friendly force of around six thousand could
manage to hold the line. Well... with our current military strength, holding
the line is all we could do, so the enemy would likely aim for that
weakness."
"You mean they would leave about ten thousand soldiers
to pin us down and then flank us through the hills on the left and right?"
"Exactly. However, there is a high probability that
such a strategy would be a bad move. Whether they try to go behind the left or
right hills, the terrain—already difficult for broad deployment—has been
further modified. The enemy won't be able to spread out their formation,
forcing them, particularly the cavalry, to advance in a long column.
Our mobile force, the 4,000 riders of the Frontier
Knights, would ambush the extended Imperial column after they clear
the hills, surrounding the vanguard and whittling down their strength. If we do
that, the vast majority of the Imperial Army would become idle soldiers,
while only the vanguard is forced to bleed heavily. I believe the Margrave
has such calculations in mind."
"What would you do if you were the enemy, Commander?"
"If it were me, though it would take time, I would
mimic the tactics of the Imperial Kingdom. In this case, I would have
all cavalry dismount and fight as infantry. Then, I would spread out the
archers, have all infantry carry abatis, and gradually move the entire
defensive formation forward.
If the Kingdom side attacked with cavalry, it would
be a golden opportunity to counterattack. Since the invading side moves
entirely on foot, they can traverse the hills that act as obstacles. By doing
this, they maintain safety while being ready to intercept immediately upon
clearing the hilly area.
The only problem is whether the Empire's leadership
can discard their obsession with tactics centered around their prized heavy
cavalry."
Hahaha,
advancing the defensive formation while maintaining Dublin Tactics to
close the distance... that’s exactly the tactic Henry V of England
used at the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years' War in
medieval Europe. The French Army got absolutely pummeled there,
too.
"Your concern is whether there is a man in the Empire
capable of doing that, right? Just like you, Commander, I have an idea of a man
who thinks like that. The one I plan to meet up ahead..."
"Indeed. He is a man one cannot let their guard down
around. However, the fact that those who do the unexpected exist not only in
the Empire but also on our side is at least some salvation for us."
The Commander looked at me and laughed. I’m just a
'cheat' who knows a lot of random things. Of course, I couldn't say that.
The day after staying overnight at the border fortress, we
advanced to the border. Ideally, I wanted to take the Commander with us,
but it was necessary to leave the chain of command behind in case of
emergencies.
The 800 cavalry led by the Commander would conduct
intense training around the border fortress until our return, remaining on
standby to cross the border and advance at any time should I face a crisis.
Impassable great mountain ranges line the border between the
Kingdom of Kyle and the Empire,
but only to the south of the Southern Gate Plains is there a break in
the mountains, spanning about two kils (approx. km).
"If we could just build a strong gateway here, things
would surely be easier. Border defense would be simple."
"That’s true for the eastern border where you were, Alexis.
Though the scale here would be a bit larger. But there are two problems."
"Whether the enemy would just suck their thumbs and
watch while we build it, and the possibility of the gateway being taken once
built."
"Right. It doesn't go as easily as one hopes."
Ah, but honestly, if I gathered a massive number of Earth
Mages and built it in two stages... maybe it's not impossible? Could that be an
option for the future? Well, that’s a story for after we win the coming war.
Building a strong defensive base capable of completely
blockading the border is an option. Designed with traps beforehand so we can
retake it if the enemy captures it...
When we carve open the future ahead, let's do that. Thinking
about the future during my conversation with Alexis, we crossed the
border.
Simple checkpoints for both the Kingdom and the Empire
are established on the highway at the border. There was a rule for crossing the
border that had to be absolutely obeyed:
Border crossing must be done via the highway.
Anyone violating this would be treated as an illegal entrant
(or departee) by both nations and attacked without question. Facilities to
strictly monitor this, along with stationed soldiers, were in place.
Regardless of the armistice agreement, a decent number of
merchants traveled back and forth. Naturally, they also followed this rule.
"To secretly pass through here with absolutely no
cover... maybe only a Dark Mage capable of hiding could do it? What do
you think, Raphael?"
"I suppose so. Since the Empire side is likely
on high alert, perhaps one could do it alone without subordinates. However,
during the day there are no obstacles to hide behind, nor any shade, so it
would be a struggle. But at night, it seems easy enough."
"I see. That just shows how difficult and dangerous it
is."
We stated our business at the Empire's checkpoint and
entered Imperial territory, following the guide prepared by Count Kampfer.
After passing through several small villages and travelling
for less than half a day, the fortress known as Gault came into view. Bart
brought his horse closer and spoke in a low voice.
"I've been thinking this since we passed those villages
earlier, but the appearance is quite different compared to when we passed
through here five years ago. The villages we passed, including ones that didn't
exist before, have become considerably wealthier. Furthermore, regarding the
fortress ahead... previously, it was just a desolate small town on the site of
a ruined city. It implies that significant effort has been poured into this
region."
"I see... So Count Kampfer has talent not only
in war and strategy but in domestic administration as well. And he’s even
established a new defensive base."
"We won't know until we get inside, but this fortress
might be capable of garrisoning tens of thousands of soldiers. Even if the Empire
is invaded, they could use this as a base to launch a counterattack. It seems
the trade merchants visiting the Kingdom are coming from here as
well."
Looking in the direction Raphael pointed, toward the
fortress gate, I could confirm that many merchant caravans were currently
entering and exiting.
"Raphael, Bart. Once we're inside,
separate from us and proceed with the planned actions. Now then, shall we
intrude into the belly of the enemy army?"
I looked up at the sturdy gate and spoke with forced
playfulness.
Honestly, the tension I felt entering completely hostile
territory was immense. Conversely, last year, Count Kampfer had come
from the demon territory side into enemy lands with far fewer attendants than I
have, and without a guide.
Am I losing in terms of guts, too? I couldn't help but sigh.
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