Chapter 229
(Kyle Calendar Year 513: Age 20)
Movements in Neighboring Nations: The Griffonia Empire
Translator : PolterGlast
In the Griffonia Empire, figures from each faction
began moving energetically from early in the new year. This was because the
expedition to the Kyle Kingdom scheduled for this year had become a
full-scale operation.
"Your Highness, to what extent do you plan to speak
your true intentions at today's meeting?"
"Fufufu, Sieghart, you don't need to worry so
much. Only the parts that are safe to disclose. The military force we are
sending out, and the main commanders, that's about it."
"So, will I be included in those main commanders? If
possible, I'd like to read a book and sleep..."
"Don't ask things you already know at this late hour!
So, what is your assumption?"
"The number we can pull from the south is at most
20,000, I suppose? We need to leave at least 10,000 for the defense of the new
border. Unlike the Kyle Kingdom, we can't say for sure that that country
will abide the armistice agreement."
"That's right. Pulling them out is as you say, but the
number I will lead is a little more than what you say. Thanks to the man you
got rid of before, Durul, who has now been promoted to Viscount,
performing well."
"The Principality of Sura soldiers who became
prisoners? Are they... useful?"
"Yeah, they
were impressed by the treatment in the camps and are leaning considerably
towards us. In addition, I promised that if we win the next battle, they will
become soldiers of the new territory, or those who wish can return to the Principality
of Sura. The place they fight is not their homeland, but a strange country
where they have no reservations. Due to this, 5,000 infantry have newly
increased. How many can you provide from your domain?"
"Let's see. In addition to the 5,000 soldiers of Your
Highness originally brought, Count Astray's army is 2,000, and newly
recruited soldiers here are about 1,500, but considering the remaining units,
maybe around 7,000."
"Hoh? Then the total is 32,000..."
"I would recommend that you keep things vague and say
around 25,000. If they know we are dispatching over 30,000, the other side will
also stubbornly scrape together soldiers. If that happens, it will be
troublesome, and the losses won't be negligible."
"Hahaha, are you thinking about losing already?"
"What I am thinking about is both. To win tactically
and win strategically, and to lose tactically and win strategically."
"What is the difference?"
"The former and the latter are completely different. If
the opponent we win against strategically is the former, it's the Kyle
Kingdom; if the latter, it's Prince Glorious's camp. And the one who
loses tactically is Prince Glorious in both the former and the latter.
However, in the former case, since we also win tactically, the result is more
than one win and one loss, so overall it will be our victory."
"Fewer sacrifices for our allies, is that it?"
"Yes, if the soldiers we lead increase, Prince Glorious's
soldiers will also increase. The number of wasted deaths in battle will
increase by the number of increased soldiers. Therefore, Your Highness will
lead a publicly announced 25,000 soldiers. And after the war begin, 7,000 as reserve forces will cross the border and invade,
securing the retreat path and supply line. It would be unbearable if the
retreat path and supply line were cut off by those called allies."
"Who do you intend to command it?"
"Uncle will publicly manage the 2,000 remaining troops
and handle security maintenance within the territory. That should be
fine."
"I see, saying 2,000 while leaving 8,500, and having
7,000 of them participate later as a rearguard. What excuse will you give
them?"
"In the former Margrave Goth's territory, we will leave Count Astray's army for
security maintenance. If the battle lines stretch, a part of it will
participate in the front lines as a rearguard supply unit to maintain
logistics. There is no lie, so that should be fine. Most likely, they will
assume on their own that Uncle's forces are 2,000 to 3,000. Of course, to
prevent unnecessary suspicion, we will have soldiers lie in ambush in advance,
but... Please send the Principality of Sura prisoner soldiers here in
advance, calling them territory development slaves or something."
"Hahahaha! Is it a game of deception between a fox and
a raccoon again?"
"Calling me a fox again... that's terrible."
Around the time the Third Prince and Sieghart were
exchanging secret discussions, there were those exchanging
secret discussions similarly.
"Harry, how large do you predict his army will
be? And our army against it?"
"Although peace has been made, the threat of the Principality
of Sura remains unchanged for them. The new border is vast, and just
maintaining it will require leaving a force of at least around 10,000.
Therefore, combined with the army stationed in the north, 25,000. Probably this
is around appropriate."
"Then we should just scrape together the maximum
number, 35,000 troops?"
"Your Highness, that is a bit of a problem. Firstly, if
you take 35,000 troops, the territory will become empty. Secondly, if we go to
win with a force exceeding them by more than 10,000, it cannot be called a fair
match. We must demonstrate superiority. If he has 25,000, we should claim the
same number while secretly leading 30,000."
"With that... can we win?"
"There are other reasons. We need to drive deep and
strike the enemy country's Royal Capital
while he attracts the Royal Capital Knights. Increasing the number of
infantry will only be a hindrance. 10,000 Iron Cavalry, 5,000 Cavalry units,
5,000 Light Infantry, 5,000 Archers—this will be our main force, and after we
have captured the border fortress, we will deploy 5,000 men as a rearguard."
"I see. Dealing with it only with elite units. That is
indeed typical of my camp, is it? However, I have my own ideas regarding the
troop composition. The force shall consist of 10,000 Iron Cavalry, and 20,000
Light Infantry that have absorbed the Archer units. Furthermore, all infantry
shall be equipped with sturdy shields."
"Your Highness, then..."
"Are your eyes knotholes? Are you saying Iron Cavalry
are useful for fortress capture? I am not so foolish as to charge into hard
shields from the front."
"B-But the Royal
Capital is..."
"Since our army has experienced food shortages, we will
go leading a large amount of packhorse units accompanied by infantry. In
preparation for a long-term battle. However, what is loaded does not need to be
food, and the horses pulling the cargo do not need to be packhorses."
"I see, 5,000 draft horses, and using military horses
at that, is that what you mean?"
Duke Harry nodded greatly as if he was satisfied.
"That's what it means. With this, we can deceive his
eyes too. By the way, what will we do about the letters from those fanatics?"
"Their boasting is somewhat unconvincing, but the Kyle
Kingdom side is probably not foolish either. It is believed that they have taken
appropriate measures to fortify the defenses
of the eastern border. Having lost the majority of their treasured Longbowmen,
they will amount to nothing more than decoys to create a diversion, at best.
From our perspective, however, if the Royal
Capital Knights were to divide their forces between the southern front and
the east, that would be a most welcome development."
"Hahaha, does that mean we can push through like
conquering an uninhabited field and occupy the thinly guarded Royal Capital while glancing sideways
at Grat fighting desperately?"
"It is exactly as you surmise."
A few days later, in the Imperial Capital Griffin of
the Griffonia Empire, the annual successor selection meeting was held. However,
speaking specifically of this year's meeting, the proceedings were progressing
swiftly. There were no objections to the Third Prince's war result
report, so the proceedings went smoothly.
"Your Highness Grat, first of all,
congratulations on the peace treaty with the Principality of Sura and
winning more than half of its territory. There is probably no one who doubts
Your Highness's achievements and authority anymore. Following that, I would
like to ask about the expedition this autumn. About how large an army do you
plan to lead?"
"Harry, things proceeded quickly thanks to your
cooperation last year. I thank you again. Also, regarding the question, there
is also the northern border defense. I want to lead 15,000, if possible 20,000
from the south."
"Then combined with the northern garrison, around
20,000 to 25,000, is that about it?"
"That's right. Since the supply line will also stretch,
it is thought to be a tough battle, so I plan to have Astray remain
within the Empire territory and
cover supplies as a reserve force. Depending on the situation, I will have them
cross the border for material transport etc., though."
"Understood. Then we shall also follow Your Highness Grat
and set out with 25,000."
At this time, there was a small ahem from Sieghart.
Grat, with a slightly mean smile, spoke to Glorious.
"Regarding the left wing, there are reports that Demon
Territory Count Solis and others have brought in thousands of new soldiers
into the territory and are diligent in training. The plan... is secure, is
it not? A repeat of Bradley's blunder would be most troublesome for us."
"Grat. Are you mocking us?"
"I only stated facts. If you presented a concrete
capture method, we could also be relieved, but... If we get dragged into it, it
would be unbearable for us too."
"There is no way we can publicly disclose operational
secrets in advance! This is not a place for a war council. Conversely, how
about you? How do you plan to win against the Royal Capital Knights?"
"Such a thing is simple. We have also grasped
suspicious movements in the Imperial Kingdom! It is impossible for the Royal Capital Knights to
confront us with their entire force! At most
20,000 cavalry will come out from them. Compared to them who have no decent
battle experience, we are the most elite who have gone through battles with the
Principality of Sura for many years with 20,000 cavalry here. If the
numbers are equal, it won't even be a contest!"
The First Prince's camp did not notice the true intention of
the provocation Grat made upon receiving Sieghart's proposal.
Although the expeditionary force was as expected, Grat merely provoked
to avoid unnecessary scrutiny and changed the topic.
The subsequent exchange ended in meaningless tactical theory
hiding the essence from each other.
Thus, the meeting ended in confusion, with each side
nitpicking the other until the end.
Sieghart,
desperately suppressing his laughter, watched the situation while feigning a
solemn expression on his face.
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