Chapter 363
(Kyle Calendar Year 515: Age 22)
Northern Front ② – Messengers of
Arrows
Translator : PolterGlast
Alexis, who had
strategically retreated to the second defensive line to lure the invading Istoria
Orthodox Theocracy army—who used the territory's residents as shields—into
a tight bottleneck trap meant to strike their main unit, felt a slight edge of
impatience. The enemy's sudden, abrupt halt had completely thrown him off
balance.
To remain flexible regardless of which route the invaders
chose, he had established his main camp right at the midpoint between the three
pre-set trap locations.
「 Now
then... is their sudden halt a deliberate maneuver to remain and form an
encirclement net, or did they stop because they have completely seen through
our calculations? It's a point of worry. If only that could be cleared up
this time... 」
Muttering to himself as he studied the massive map spread
across the table inside his main camp tent, Alexis raised his head as
the sound of hurriedly approaching footsteps caught his attention.
「 Reporting! As a reconnaissance
unit, I have just returned after verifying the enemy army's latest movements!
The military forces of the Lute, Ville, and Cain Kingdoms,
having crossed the border into Empire territory and intruded upon our defense
line within the Third Prince's mandate
territory, have shifted to a brand-new maneuver. Their numbers are estimated to
exceed 30,000 troops! 」
「 I see... with this, the first question
is resolved. Those fanatics were simply waiting for them... that explains it
perfectly. And what are the marching routes of those three armies? 」
「 About that... they are not
advancing straight northward. Instead, they temporarily retreated and are proceeding
west as if threading the edge of the Third Prince's mandate territory. The
15,000-strong Ville Kingdom army, which advanced furthest west, forms
the left wing; the 10,000-strong Cain Kingdom army is placed in the
center; and the 10,000-strong Lute Kingdom army is placed on the right
wing. From now on, it is believed the three armies will advance north running
parallel. 」
Hearing the report, Alexis sank into deep thought,
his eyes scanning the map. From their position, there were only two rational
strategic routes to adopt as an invasion route:
·
First: To march
straight north from the eastern border to merge with the Istoria Orthodox
Theocracy army, launching an overwhelming offensive with a massive,
combined force.
·
Second: To
utilize their massive numerical advantage by deploying dispersedly across the
western sector, pushing northward in parallel to form a colossal, large-scale
encirclement net.
If possible, Alexis desperately wanted to avoid the
latter scenario. If they adopted a large-scale encirclement operation, his few
forces would be stretched far too thin to cope, forcing them to pull back all
the way to the Izumo defense line. In such a scenario, dividing his own
meager military to launch interceptions individually was also considered a textbook
poor plan.
「 At
first glance, their maneuver utilizes the advantage of numbers and suits
military logic... but looking deeper, it is actually an incorrigible strategy
for them... 」
While Alexis himself had anticipated this development
as one distinct possibility, he had initially deemed that scheme an absolute
bad move. Had they been a unified army, that deployment would rather be
extremely natural. However, it was hard to say the four countries were
coordinating closely, and it was glaringly obvious that each was moving
entirely based on their own respective speculations instead.
Under those fractured conditions, the armies deploying
further west would have a higher possibility of becoming prime targets for
defeat in detail, facing a massive risk of becoming completely isolated and
sustaining catastrophic losses.
「 Is
there a wise man in the Istoria Orthodox Theocracy who deliberately
drove the three countries to the west, or...? Either way, the reality remains
that they have made a disagreeable move against us. Trying to counter an enemy
that properly utilizes their numerical advantage is going to be incredibly tough. 」
Muttering this to himself, after verifying a few more
crucial details from the messenger, Alexis made his ultimate resolve,
stood up, and issued his commands.
「 Orders to the commanders of each
unit! Request Marquis Gorman, Marquis Solis, Count Falmus,
Viscount Bold, Viscount Durul, Commander Gail, and
Commander Masrur to assemble at the main camp immediately. We shall
immediately share our newly determined operational plan! 」
Following his command, the messengers swiftly departed the
main camp, sprinting off as couriers. Watching them go, Alexis turned
his gaze to a letter that had arrived via post horse a short while earlier,
letting out a small, quiet sigh.
「 Did
they somehow... make it in time? With this, we too can be a little... 」
Gently clutched in his hand was the very letter he had been
staring at. The document bore a distinct wax seal cast in the design of a
monster, the Fire-Eating Bird (Cassowary). It had been dispatched via
post horse by Raymond, who was currently struggling in Kusanagi
to support the front lines and receive the massive influx of refugees.
※
In response to Alexis's urgent summons,
commander-class personnel from across the theater arrived one after another,
ushered directly into the tent of the main camp. Every single one of them
stared intently at Alexis, their expressions taut with tension at the
sudden appearance of a massive new enemy army.
「 No doubt many of you might have
already heard the progression of the situation through the espionage unit, but
first, allow me to express my gratitude anew for responding to the summons so
promptly. 」
「 So, General Commander, in the face
of this difficult situation, what kind of operation do you intend to adopt? 」
Seeing Alexis standing there completely unfazed and
calm without any signs of tension, Marquis Solis posed the question, as
if expecting the resourcefulness Alexis showed in the previous battle.
The Marquis's expression betrayed zero irritation or anxiety; instead, a faint,
confident smile played upon his lips.
「 First, as a premise, it is believed
the enemy has taken advantage of the long east-west defense line and adopted an
operation utilizing the advantage of a large army. In all likelihood, they are
thinking of taking advantage of our small force by forcefully expanding the war
zone. Looking at it from a bird's-eye view, while the Istoria army
suppresses the absolute easternmost flank to keep us firmly pinned down, across
the central sector, the Ville Kingdom army forms the left wing, the Lute
Kingdom army takes the center, and the Cain Kingdom army holds the right
wing, all advancing north in parallel. 」
「 Indeed... and the grim reality is
that our forces are truthfully missing 10,000 more soldiers than the enemy
assumes. If attacked in such a form, supporting all the front lines will be an
absolute impossibility. 」
「 It is exactly as Marquis Gorman
says, 」
Alexis nodded firmly. 「 Because of our circumstances of undertaking the defense, we
have devoted ourselves to the defensive until now, completely lacking the
position to move the situation. However, the time has come for us to take the
initiative, shift to a position where we lead from here, and dictate the war
situation. 」
「 That is true, but... with our
severely limited numbers, if we move poorly, won't we become entirely unable to
maintain the front line? 」
「 Viscount Bold, that was the
case up to now. However, there are points advantageous to us as well. First: As long as we are within the mandate territory, it is a
land we know inside out, and we hold the absolute advantage in movement speed. Second: We, on the side being surrounded, can utilize the advantage
of interior lines and move our army ahead of them. 」
Saying so, Alexis pointed at the large map in the
main camp with his baton.
「 Against the military forces of the
four countries, we will intercept them with an oblique order with Izumo
at our backs. 」
「 An oblique order... is it? 」Except for Marquis Gorman,
who muttered the tactical term aloud, every commander in the room struggled to
fully grasp Alexis's true intent.
As if knowing that, a brilliant smile spread across his
face.
「 This formation itself shall serve
as the ultimate bait to fish for the enemy. On the absolute westernmost
flank—the far right wing of the oblique order—I will ask Viscount Durul
to take his position. Moving eastward from there, we will deploy Marquis Solis's
army, Marquis Gorman's army, and the army commanded by Commander Gail.
」
「 Hmm... I understand the operation
itself, but with that, wouldn't each army lack thickness and become easily
breakthrough-able? 」
「 Yes, Marquis Solis's point
is reasonable. Therefore, armies other than Viscount Durul's will be
thoroughly reorganized. Marquis Solis, please lead the Second Unit
and firmly solidify the flanks of Viscount Durul's army. Marquis Gorman,
please lead the First Unit along with Count Falmus's army, and
coordinate the link with both wings. Commander Gail, please lead the Third
Unit and actively check the enemy so they do not outflank our main unit.
Viscount Durul will deploy furthest west, acting as an immovable wedge
so the enemy does not advance any further west. 」
「 I see... I understand the intent of
what you say. But that alone does not answer my doubt, does it? Is each army
not overwhelmingly lacking in military strength? 」
「 It is exactly as Marquis Solis
says. And that is precisely why we are reorganizing our military strength to
send massive reinforcements to each army. The 5,000 troops of the Izumo
Garrison Army, the 1,200 troops of the New Territory Garrison Brigade,
and the 800 troops of the Espionage and Disruption Unit will be
allocated to each unit. With this, each unit will respectively become a robust
force of nearly 5,000 troops! 」
「「「 What?! 」」」 At this incredibly bold and sweeping reorganization plan,
several of the assembled generals raised voices of pure surprise.
「 Then... even excluding the people,
there should be 20,000 soldiers of the Orthodox
Theocracy. Does the General Commander honestly intend to face their main
unit with only the 2,000 troops of the Special Fire Corps? 」
「 Marquis Solis, that is not
the case. I do not intend to formulate a reckless operation either. Prior to
this war council, a crucial letter arrived from His Excellency Gouras,
Commander of the Royal Capital Knights of the Kyle Kingdom. The
reinforcements dispatched as an advance party—5,000 elite cavalry selected from
the Royal Capital Knights' Third Army—have already arrived in Kusanagi.
Furthermore, a massive follow-up force of 10,000 cavalry consisting of the
First Army and Second Army will also depart as soon as their organization and
preparations are complete. 」
「「「「 Ooh! 」」」」
「 The Third Army is the unit that was
equipped with crossbows the earliest and received direct guidance from Gord-san
and his team. Furthermore, they also possess firsthand experience fighting on
the battlefield alongside Takuhir-sama. They should be absolutely
perfect as an immediate fighting force. 」
「 I see... meaning the main unit,
combined with the Special Fire Corps, shall transform into a terrifying
7,000-cavalry horse archer unit! 」
The realization rippled through the entire assembly, and the
commanders nodded deeply, their expressions washed with immense relief. The
fact that the entire force is composed of cavalry meant they could deploy with
absolute, lightning speed, and their ability to conduct long-distance attacks
as horse archers could easily compensate for their numerical disadvantage. If
they coordinated with Mages to conduct devastating wave attacks, there
were sufficient chances of winning even against a 20,000-strong enemy army.
「 According to our espionage, it is
hard to say the military forces of the three countries are closely
coordinating; they do not seem to be cooperating as allies. If anything, they
even appear to be recklessly competing for merits and aggressively sticking
out. 」
Alexis had
flawlessly seen through their fatal flaw based on the espionage up to now.
「 Information has also come in that
they are actively marching while individually conducting looting in various
places. Discrepancies will surely arise in their northward advance as well. The
First Unit to the Third Unit shall strike those gaps all at once!
」
Here, at Alexis's instruction, the freshly drafted
organization chart of the units to be reorganized was prominently displayed:
◇ First
Unit
·
Marquis Gorman Army: 1,700 troops
·
Count Falmus Army: 1,000 troops
·
Izumo Garrison Army: 2,000 troops
·
Espionage and Disruption Unit: 200 troops
◇
Second Unit
·
Marquis Solis Army: 1,700 troops
·
Izumo Garrison Army: 3,000 troops
·
Espionage and Disruption Unit: 200 troops
◇ Third
Unit
·
Baron Gail Army: 3,200 troops
·
New Territory Garrison Brigade: 1,200 troops
·
Espionage and Disruption Unit: 200 troops
◇
Headquarters Defense Army
·
Special Fire Corps Residual Group: 2,000 troops
·
Espionage and Disruption Unit: 100 troops
·
Headquarters Escort Army Residual Group: 100
troops
·
Royal Capital Knights Advance Party: 5,000
troops
◇
Mobile Unit
·
Viscount Durul Army: 8,000 troops
·
Espionage and Disruption Unit: 100 troops
「 General Commander, the Espionage
and Disruption Unit is attached to each unit. Don't tell me your true
intent behind this is... 」
The point Viscount Bold perceptively noticed
instantly locked onto the key detail—the very linchpin that formed the absolute
bedrock of Alexis's newly determined operational plan. They had been
rigorously trained under Raphael not only as simple espionage units but
also as peerless tactical couriers capable of traveling back and forth across
the deadliest battlefields at breakneck speeds.
「 Exactly. From this moment forth, we
officially activate Operation 'Messengers of Arrows' against the three
invading countries! Generals, maintain absolute, flawless information
coordination just as we practiced in our rigorous drills. They have already
brutally violated Empire territory and attacked innocent people. I leave the
exact timing of opening battles
and the tactical coordination entirely to the discretion of each army
commander. Move out and take your positions immediately from here on! 」
「「「「 Yeah!!! 」」」」
The generals, who had endured the accumulating stress of
solely fighting defensively, also roused themselves, letting out a fierce roar
of exhilaration. Because they would finally strike out for the first time in
this battle!
With powerful, resonant replies, the generals dispersed to execute their roles in the brilliant new operation: 'Messengers of Arrows'.
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