Chapter 246
Southern Front ② — The Eve of War
Translator : PolterGlast
In the Kyle
Kingdom Army at the southern border, defended by Margrave Hastburg
and others, reports on the situations of the eastern, western, and northern
borders were delivered in rapid succession. With the outbreak of war imminent,
the tension had reached its absolute limit.
While the various
armies of the southern lords had already taken up their predetermined positions
and assumed combat readiness, only the key figures who would serve as generals
of each sector had gathered at the newly constructed Southern Gate Fortress
on the border. For the final sharing of information.
"Everyone, forgive
me for summoning you from your respective sectors during such a critical hour
before the outbreak of war. Over the past few years, thanks to everyone's
efforts, our military strength has been bolstered far beyond my expectations,
and it is safe to say
that our preparations to intercept the enemy are complete. First, I wish to
express my gratitude before the battle."
As the Margrave
said, those leading each legion were gathered here, and the final deployment of
each legion was also complete.
◆
Central Defense Unit (Deployed at Southern Gate Fortress)
·
Margrave Hastburg Army: 4,400 troops
·
Viscount Kyrias Army: 1,400 troops
·
Baron Kreitz, Baron Bold, Baron
Herald Armies: 1,200 troops
These 7,000 troops,
composed mainly of infantry equipped with crossbows, would barricade themselves
in the Southern Gate Fortress at the border, playing the role of a
massive wedge against the enemy invasion. Even if the enemy army invaded from
the hilly areas on the left or right, as long as this fortress remained intact,
the enemy army would constantly have its rear threatened, leaving them with
anxieties about supplies and retreat routes.
However, this
operation was built upon a bitter decision to completely abandon the defense of
the left-wing side.
◆
Mobile Unit (Deployed at Southern Gate Fort, etc.)
·
Frontier Knights Main Unit: 4,000 cavalry
·
Central Left-Wing Selected Unit: 1,000 cavalry
Leading the 5,000
cavalry serving as the mobile force is my brother, Darek, Commander of
the Frontier Knights.
Although this unit's
base is the Southern Gate Fort, one step back from the border, its main
focus is to use mobile power to blunt the vanguard of the enemy bypassing the
border fortress, moving from base to base established within the Demon
Territory and elsewhere, employing guerrilla tactics with cavalry to halt the
enemy army's advance.
They are also
expected to coordinate with the reinforcement Royal Capital Knights and
act as a striking force during the final decisive battle.
◆
Right-Wing Defense Unit
·
Demon Territory Knights: 2,000 cavalry
·
Demon Territory Count Army: 1,000 troops
·
Longbowmen: 2,000 troops
·
Colonial Militia: 200 troops
·
Armed Vigilante Corps: 600 troops
·
Count Gorman Army: 1,200 troops
·
Count Solis Army: 900 troops
·
Viscount Cornell Army: 400 troops
The right-wing camp
has a total force of 8,300 troops, but the defense line is vast, extending from
the Ishtar area through Aegis, and through the Demon Territory to
Count Gorman's territory, with a total length far exceeding 50 km.
Therefore, as a whole, the forces are forced into a situation where they must
disperse and deploy at key points to focus on defense, adopting a single-point
breakthrough strategy against the enemy headquarters with only the main unit.
Incidentally, the
branch of the Frontier Knights led by Commander Weiss has been renamed
the Demon Territory Knights.
"Now then,
information has come in that the Imperial Army has finally begun to move from
the fortress of Galt.
In another day, they will likely cross the border and invade. I must ask
everyone to return to their assigned posts immediately after this, but I wish
to share final information. I apologize, Demon Territory Count, but you
are likely the most well-versed in the situation. I ask you to share within the
permissible scope."
"Yes. At this
juncture, I will share information consolidating the situation in each sector.
There may be parts everyone already knows, but the general war situation is
progressing as we predicted."
At this juncture, I
decided to disclose a certain amount of information. I did so at the request of
Margrave Hastburg himself, and only
after we had carefully consulted on exactly how much should be revealed.
"First,
regarding the Istoria Imperial Kingdom Army that invaded the eastern
border: although there was a hard struggle at the beginning of the war, we have
succeeded in repelling them. Currently, Margrave Hamish has launched a
counter-invasion into enemy territory and established a bridgehead, so we can say this sector is
secure."
"Is that true?"
"Viscount
Kyrias, it is true.
The invading army of about ten thousand has been annihilated. We may consider
the threat temporarily removed. However, the problem lies in other sectors. The
western sector has been invaded by the Fearalt Principality Rebel Army,
and currently, a counteroffensive operation is underway in the land of Kleirat."
"They were
allowed to invade as far as Kleirat!"
"Yes, this is
also a planned action. We have been constructing a defensive line in Kleirat
for some time. The ones defending it are the Third Royal Capital Knight Army.
They repelled 10,000 enemy troops in the opening battle, and currently, the
battle lines are stalemated."
Well, it's natural
for Viscount Kyrias and other generals who didn't know the information
to be surprised... If we told our allies everything in advance, it wouldn't
work as a trap.
"And regarding
the Northern Front, reports say the Istoria Imperial Kingdom main unit
has commenced invasion there. The Minister of Military Affairs, Count Model,
has rallied an army from the central nobles and is confronting them, with the Royal
Capital Knights waiting as a rearguard."
"Ah, no, the Demon
Territory Count says it casually, but surely, even if he hurriedly rallies an army in the center, will
they make it in time? Moreover, if the Royal Capital Knights enter as a
rearguard, does that mean only one army can be spared for our front? I can only
think that we are in the midst of a grand encirclement operation."
...Indeed. Ideally,
I would have preferred to keep this information under wraps, as it directly
impacts morale. However, the Margrave pointed out the danger: if enemy spies
were to leak this reality later, the resulting chaos would be uncontrollable.
Thus, we decided to disclose the situation only to the senior command. Though I
am filtering some parts, as telling everything might affect operations.
"Viscount
Kyrias, your concerns are
entirely justified. Under his responsibility, the Minister of Military
Affairs has been preparing armaments and recruiting soldiers since the spring
of this year. Therefore, it is not a hasty, impromptu army. He has thoroughly
analyzed the terrain advantages and deployed based on that, so breaching their lines will be
no easy feat."
"Then... what
about the Royal Capital Knights?"
"At present,
they are moving on the premise of directing ten thousand to twenty thousand
cavalry here. In the Royal Capital,
with His Majesty at the center, Duke Klein has become the Chief of
General Staff, establishing a system to respond according to the surrounding
war situation. I assert that the nation is united and prepared for this
national crisis. The Southern Noble Army of about ten thousand, excluding us,
is also deployed on the highway leading to the Royal Capital, securing the rear. We only need to concentrate on
the enemy before our eyes, according to the prescribed plan."
"Ooh!"
A murmur of
admiration arose from the generals at this. Indeed, in past battles, we were
often dragged down by power struggles in the center and forced to fight
isolated battles. This time is different. We have been preparing under this
assumption.
"Kyrias,
you may have various doubts and dissatisfactions, but we only bear the roles
predetermined for us. The Demon Territory Count and others have arranged
the calculations to win this battle. If a general wavers, it affects
morale."
The Margrave
himself, who admonished Viscount Kyrias, has placed himself in the most
dangerous position this time.
"Until now, we
were not blessed with the opportunity to confront the Empire head-on. But this
time... At long last, we can settle the scores of the past! In the name of the
late Count Farmus—a
legacy we three have inherited—we shall demonstrate our valor to the very
fullest!"
Three men with the
highest morale in this battle—Baron Kreitz, Baron Bold, and Baron
Herald—stood up. Going back some twenty-odd years, when the Griffonia
Empire Army first invaded, the current Margrave Hastburg had three
sworn allies. The excellent family heads lost in that battle, for whom the Old
Raccoon had previously shed tears.
One of them was Count
Farmus, who at the time governed all the territories of the current Viscount
Kyrias and the three Barons, boasting vast territory and influence.
However, partly due to allied blunders, he fell on the battlefield despite
fierce fighting.
They, who were still
in their teens at the time, as survivors of the clan in that battle, inherited
a fragment of the lands once held by the now-extinguished Count Farmus
and have fought until now dreaming of restoring their main house. As lieutenants
serving under Viscount Kyrias, who newly appointed to govern a portion
of those very same former Count Farmus territory.
By preparing a
combined force of over 1,000 for this battle, the three families were given the
status of an independent army by Margrave Hastburg and permitted to act
as the Farmus Army.
"..."
For Viscount
Kyrias—a man who was
young, highly capable, but a perfectionist at heart—this situation had been a
source of frustration from the very beginning. He held no leading role in the
grand strategy, nor even within a single theater of war. Furthermore, he was
forced to adopt a scorched-earth tactics, effectively surrendering his own territory to
the enemy.
Yet, the hard truth remained: the Left Wing
Army possessed neither the manpower nor the strength to withstand the enemy's
advance head-on. He was relegated to a limited sector with scant opportunity
for major military distinctions. To make matters worse, his trusted
lieutenants—his very hands and feet—were operating independently for this
engagement. It goes without saying that agreeing to this operation was a
decision of the utmost bitterness for him.
"Kyrias,
and the other generals as well. The result of this operation, the Southern
Front, concerns the survival of the Kingdom. And that hope lies in the victory
of the Right Wing Army. You may have various thoughts. But do not forget that
we are entrusting the most painful and heavy role to the Demon Territory
Count. Our job is to maintain the battle line for even one day longer for
the sake of that victory, supporting our allies. I'm counting on
everyone."
"Yes, sir!"
Thus, the generals
scattered to their respective positions. Regarding the conversation and secret
agreement with Sieghart that has been kept secret all along, only the
Margrave and my brother share it at this point. They are aware that Sieghart will command the enemy's Right Wing, while the First Prince
leads the Left Wing—which will serve as the primary assault toward Teigoon direction.
I have secretly requested that, so long as the
enemy's Right Wing continues to feign combat, we should follow suit. To
minimize our own casualties, I asked them to merely go through the
motions—mirroring the enemy—while dedicating our true efforts to sabotaging
their logistics.
Of course, the
premise is that they will respond with full force if the enemy starts moving in
earnest, but Sieghart's tactics cannot be taken lightly. If he attacks
our left wing seriously, it could lead to the collapse of the Southern Front.
For that reason too,
we must crush the enemy Left
Wing—the First Prince's
army—as quickly as possible. We must devote ourselves to this.
"Then,
Margrave, Brother, I will now depart for the defense of the right wing. I pray
from the bottom of my heart for everyone's brave fighting and good
health."
"Demon
Territory Count, I have had a strange connection with you for a long time.
The day you visited me alone regarding the investment matter feels very
nostalgic now. I was in the position of supporting, but now I rely on you for
everything. I apologize... but I'm counting on you. Lord Darek, of
course, but I think of you as my own son as well. Never die."
"Takuhir,
when the battle is over, let's drink the night away together, slowly and
without restraint! Show me your child, who made you a father earlier than me.
Let's invite Father-in-law too and drink and talk the night away, just the
three of us."
Seen off by the two,
I left the Southern Gate Fortress. Looking at that scene, an
indescribable anxiety welled up in me, but I tucked it away in my heart.
Everyone is heading
into a place of death. An unprecedented national crisis and war campaign is
beginning, so that is only natural.
"Raphael,
I leave the rest to you. Please look after the Margrave's safety."
Muttering that, I
spurred my horse without looking back. I will never forget the scene at this
time for the rest of my life. Thinking back on it later, it was a parting
tormented by immense regret.
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