Translator: Skythewood
Editor: Hiiro
「... That was close, Princess...」
After that incident. He stood before the cot of the sleeping baby that the Emperor wanted to kill and discard.
「You have a very similar experience as me, but your limbs are intact and your body is healthy. That’s right, you are undoubtedly a member of the Imperial family.」
He said with envious eyes, and carefully picked up the baby. He called out passionately to the baby who possessed everything that he had lost.
「Please grow up well and healthily. May you display the makings of an Empress, and return to this country.」
Shortly after getting agitated over the incident of the child, the Emperor even got tired of sitting on the throne. He ran around the palace in search of his lord, and found that figure in a nostalgic place.
「Oh, so you’re here, Your Majesty. I’m relieved. You didn’t bring any attendants with you, so I was wondering where you were.」
The Emperor was inside the room that displayed the art pieces by the palace artists. He was seated in the chair at the leftmost edge of the room, staring at a painting. He walked to the back of the Emperor and said:
「Are you looking at the paintings? The battle of the Founding Emperor Luciaro… this is your favourite art piece.」
He said as he thought about the past. The Emperor said quietly:
「... I wanted to be like him.」
He spoke of his dream that had ended. Tears welled in the Emperor’s eyes.
「That’s right, I wanted to become like him. Sweeping away the enemy without giving any grounds, and governing with excellence from the throne. I deeply believed that I have such a talent...」
「......」
「... But I’m wrong. I left war to the generals, and governance to your group… I’m just a foolish monarch you can find anywhere. The mystery hidden in the Imperial bloodline didn’t revive in me...」
Tears fell on the tightly clenched fists on the Emperor’s knees. He cut off the Majesty’s self loathing with a firm voice.
「That’s not true, Your Majesty. You can──」
「Don’t ask more of me, Trisnai.」
The Emperor cut him off before he could finish. His lord said to Trisnai who was frozen in place.
「... Please, don’t ask anything more of me, it’s too painful. Bonded by the dreams I couldn’t achieve no matter how much I struggle pains me...!」
He understood that the Emperor was at his limits, and his Liege’s life wouldn’t improve further. Arshankrut Kitra Katjvarna could never blossom as an Emperor.
「... Next time...」
The despairing man said. It was clear from his tone that he felt useless for betraying the Imperial bloodline.
「Maybe the next generation can realize it? Maybe they can show the superiority of the Imperial bloodline?」
He creased the corner of his eyes in sadness. He might be utterly disappointed in himself, but this wish has never changed── the revival of the mysterious bloodline in its rightful glory. He knew this was impossible for him, but the man wants to entrust this onto someone with the same bloodline.
「── Is that your wish, Emperor Arshankrut?」
He asked with a trembling tone. As if his head was losing out to gravity, the Emperor nodded slowly.
「Revive the bloodline of the Eternal Sprite Tree in it’s rightful glory. This takes priority over all things, Trisnai. Even if I end my life as a foolish monarch, this is the only thing that won’t change. It can’t change...」
「... Your will is my command.」
He nodded heavily and reached into his pocket── he had an inkling that things would turn out this way for a long time now. That was why he made preparations as he hoped this moment would never come.
He took out a sachet of powder, placed it beside a pot of water and served it to the Emperor.
「This is a medicine to sedate your emotions. Please take this and rest, Your Majesty.」
「... Yes...」
The Emperor poured the powder into his mouth without hesitation and washed it down with water. He bid farewell in his heart── this medicine will dissolve everything that was tormenting this man, along with his ability to think.
「Please don’t worry, Your Majesty── I will make your dream a reality.」
He didn’t feel lost anymore. He decided to do whatever it takes until a proper Emperor takes the throne.
The first thing he thought of was── there needs to be a 「selection」. He had to see which member of the Imperial family was most suited for the throne. Not a deformed child like him, or his brother who failed── a true Emperor must take the throne.
「── Just one more step, Emperor Arshankrut, and our dream will come true. Under the reign of your daughter, Empress Chamille, the Katjvarna Empire will prosper forever.」
He yearned for that day to come. In a corner of the market, Trisnai Izanma said to himself in a daze.
「Ikuta Sankrei── be proud that you can become the foundation of a prosperous nation. You can pay for the sin of attempting to make Empress Chamille into a mere mortal with your life.
No matter what, this war is your last job── work hard in the time you have left.」
「──Field Marshal Sir!」
The tense call from his subordinate stirred Ikuta from his deep sleep. He opened his eyes and saw Major Megu hanging her head vexingly.
「... My deepest apologies, I wanted to let you sleep until the scheduled time...」
「It’s fine, I slept well── Is Jean making a ruckus?」
Ikuta sat up and said, then returned to the headquarters. He observed the changes to the flag’s position on the map as Major Megu explained:
「Three defensive bases are doing badly. Especially Brigadier General Sazarf’s base, the enemy’s attack is intense...」
「Connect me to the scene right away──Kusu!」
「── Sazarf here! Like I reported an hour ago, the situation is really bad!」
His first words conveyed the harshness of the battle. With gunshots and explosions in the background, Sazarf raised his voice so he wouldn’t be drowned out.
「The enemy is putting in a lot of effort too…! They moved their Blast Cannons to high ground, and are aiming directly at our base! The accuracy and pressure is unlike before!」
「... They took the high ground? From the terrain there, the cliff will block their way, and the trajectory shouldn’t reach the base...」
「That is correct in the start, but they used Dynamic Air to demolish it── I mentioned before that they used this trick on me in Arfatra, right? This time, they used just a few short days to blow up that cliff. They seemed more proficient in using Dynamic Air now...!」
「... Tell me honestly, how long can you hold out?」
「... Three days at most. Any longer… we can still manage, but we will lose a lot of soldiers.」
Sazarf said bitterly. Accepting that this number couldn’t be extended further, Ikuta answered without hesitation.
「I understand. Then please start to retreat two days later. I will arrange our allies on the other routes to match your withdrawal.」
「... Is that really fine?」
「Yes. From the looks of things, your name will likely be on the KIA list on the third day──」
<KIA: Killed in Action.>
Ikuta ended the call after giving his orders, then took the next step.
「Kusu, connect me with big bro Sariha.」
Kusu did as he was told, and the call connected a few seconds later.
「Solork here, can you hear me?」
「... This is Sarihasrag! The battle is tougher than we expected!」
Sariha and Sushuraf were lying low in a trench, taking cover from the spread shot raining from above.
「Brigadier General Sazarf’s zone is at their limit, once they break through, the enemy will flank to your rear. So please withdraw after 32 hours.」
「Is that fine? That’s far earlier than the schedule!」
「My policy is to prioritize the soldiers over the plan, so come back safely, big bro Sariha. Oh, please take care of Suya too.」
「Huh? Hey──」
After giving the necessary order, Ikuta ended the call. Sariha clicked his tongue and told his brother.
「... Start the retreat in 32 hours. Tell the men to get ready and keep things inconspicuous.」
「Understood, big brother.」
After finishing up the calls swiftly, Ikuta shifted to the next person.
「── Help me contact Solvenares Honorary Field Marshal.」
The Sprite in his pouch notified him of a call. The vermillion haired general who was sitting down for a long rest after quite some time picked up immediately:
「── Solvenares here. The guerilla mission is proceeding smoothly.」
「Brigadier General Sazarf’s unit will withdraw two days later. I predict that the enemy will pursue them. Please protect their rear.」
「Understood.」
Solvenares ended the call after receiving that order. He stood up and told the riders around him:
「We will move to our ally’s retreat path. Follow me.」
「Huh, wait, I’m only half done with my food…! Ah~ really!」
Niam shoved the rest of her food into her mouth and stood up, and the other riders walked to their horses.
「Don’t fall behind. We will sleep in six hours according to the schedule. If we don’t maintain our pace, that number will increase.」
The vermillion-haired general mounted his horse after saying that. Niam followed quickly and shouted:
「You don’t need to tell me that! Just watch, I will get my beauty sleep tonight!」
「Just keep down your snoring.」
「Same to you!」
She retorted her comrade’s joke quickly and held the reins.
「... Our defence line have fallen back greatly.」
Major Megu said with a worried face. Ikuta stretched his arms up to loosen his muscles that had turned stiff during his sleep.
「Sigh, I will try to adjust to it. I want to avoid having any adverse effects for the latter half of our battle.」
He said as he looked down at the map, looking at a prominent terrain along the Kioka’s predicted advance route.
「The next chokepoint is the river, huh.」
＊
「── This is the Third Division. We have broken through the enemy’s stronghold, and are advancing.」
Two days later. The Kioka headquarters received a message from the forces on Imperial grounds.
「The pace isn’t bad. And the pursuit of the enemy forces?」
「We sent out cavalry and infantry, and should be able to catch them this time.」
「Good. But be careful. We lost many scouts that we sent out, so the enemy appears to have a strong guerilla cavalry.」
「Yes… I will keep that in mind.」
The white-haired officer ended the call after warning his subordinate. He considered the smooth movement of his forces in the past few days, and Miara said to him:
「Your condition is getting better, Jean.」
「I have been in perfect condition since the start, Miara. It seems our technique in using Dynamic Air has exceeded the enemy’s expectations. It is a stroke of luck that we can shave off the protruding terrain by demolishing it. In battles on enemy grounds, such things are a matter of luck.」
He explained as he looked at the map, and thought about the future developments.
「We can’t rest on our laurels with just this much of an advantage. It’s the nature of war for luck to switch sides on a whim.」
「You are right.」
「There’s nothing to worry about… If we win the naval battle and land on their shore, the war will lean heavily on our side.」
Jean said as if to calm himself, and looked at his partner on the table.
「Let’s check in with the situation on the sea── Luna, connect me to the 『Great Mother of White Wings』.」
「── This is Elulufay Tenerexilla. We have been in pursuit of the defeated enemy ships since a few days ago.」
The Great Mother answered as she watched the enemy fleet from the deck of the 「White Wings」. They were the leading elements of the Kioka fleet, but were a few nautical miles away from the rear of the enemy fleet.
「We can’t catch their tail. This being the Empire’s turf is one factor, but they simply have better sails technique than us. If a few ships including mine pursue in force, we might catch them, but...」
If she was prepared for some risk, she would have already done so. Elulufay’s proposal received an answer a few seconds later:
「... No, continue the pursuit at the pace of the whole fleet. I trust your skills, but that’s exactly why I don’t want you to take unnecessary risks under such circumstances. I want you to make a landing without taking any losses.」
「Understood, I will do so… In that case, we can’t ignore the enemy fleet. If they cut off the sea route after we enter the port, we might run out of supplies before we link up with you. We need to eliminate the enemy remnants first.」
「That’s fine. How much time do you need?」
「It’s hard to gauge If we match the pace of my commander… It will depend on the wind, but I will try pursuing them for five more days. If we can’t catch them, will you consider my proposal?」
She suggested again. Jean didn’t refuse this time.
「... I understand, I will give you a direct order when the time comes. I will try to shoulder the accusation from your commander, but you should be ready to get dragged in too.」
「Don’t worry, I’m used to such things.」
She answered with a smile, then focused on pursuing the enemy fleet after ending the call.
When Jean and Elulufay’s call ended and he was about to issue a different order, his partner alerted him of an incoming call.
「A call from Prime Minister Kyakushii.」
Jean’s face turned tense. As Miara watched on with concern, he picked up the call from the Prime Minister.
「... This is Jean Arkinex.」
「── Hi, Jean. The war seems to be going smoothly.」
Capital Norandot’s Parliament house, main office. With a large group of secretaries battling with mountains of documents in the background, Ario Kyakushii spoke with the white-haired officer.
「This isn’t under your purview, but news of the navy’s victory made me relieved. Because in this war, the greatest source of uncertainty is the sea. It’s a blow that Elulufay can’t be the fleet commander because of her two years in captivity. I wanted her to lead this crucial battle because she had learned from her defeat.」
The man said as he stamped on a document before him. At this moment, he was working to replenish the supply line.
「However── it might not be enough to make up for that, but I’m proud that I managed to convert the entire fleet into Blast Cannon ships. The war is already decided before tactics on the battlefield come into play. I couldn’t help laughing whenever I look at the budget I robbed for this.」
「Thanks to that, we had more options available to us.」
「Yes. Oh, I know the general situation of the battle on land. But Jean── tell me what you think about our chances?」
The Prime Minister asked frankly. After pausing for a moment, a voice answered:
「... We have the advantage, six to four.」
「Excluding the victory in the sea?」
「Excluding… We can only include them in our calculations after the fleet landed and linked up with our forces.」
Ario accepted Jean’s answer that didn’t make any assumptions.
「I’m happy to see you’re not being careless── are the supplies alright?」
「Thanks to you, we don’t have such troubles. I can’t thank you enough for providing ready supplies to such a large army.」
「I’m happy to hear that── use them generously. Whether it is food, munitions or medical supplies, don’t hold back on using them. Such worries should be shouldered by us politicians after the war ends. As a soldier, you just need to focus on how to defeat the enemy.」
The man stated firmly, then added as if he remembered something:
「The only exception is the shells for the large cannons, we can’t manufacture and transport that thing easily. I hope you can consider the ammo left and use it during key moments.」
「Yes, we relied heavily on the large cannon in our first battle. We have half of our ammunition left── but that’s enough.」
A reliable answer came from the Sprite. Ario imagined the face of the youth and said:
「I will await for your good news about the capture of their capital── work hard, my son.」
When the white-haired officer ended the call with his adoptive father, Miara talked to him before he made the next call.
「...Jean, why don’t you rest for a while?」
Jean turned back, frowning in surprise by what she said:
「When the situation is 6 to 4?── I will never rest. Because at this moment, that guy must be thinking up a strategy to turn the tide.」
Miara couldn’t refute that. Ignoring her worries, the youth continued:
「With the advent of Sprite communication, all the information on the battlefield can be sent to the officers in real time, and my orders can be carried out in real time too. This can only mean one thing── this is a war between commanders. That guy and me are facing each other over a gigantic chess board.」
Jean said as he glared into space. As long as he could see Ikuta Solork there, there was no room for others to interfere. Miara bit her lips and hung her head.
「I can even feel his breath. I know it── that guy hasn’t given up.」
Jean was certain and returned his eyes onto the map. The future developments were playing out vividly in his mind.
「The next chokepoint is the river.」
＊
The defensive base was abandoned close to the limit, and the soldiers retreated to the next base. Repeating these steps to exhaust the Kioka forces was the Imperial army’s strategy, but once the enemy saw through it, it would be difficult to pull it off for the second time.
「Run, run!」「Quickly! The enemy is closing in!」
The soldiers ran down the road with ragged breath. There was no time to idle, the enemy was right on their heels. But they had run for almost two hours── and were almost at their limits.
「Huff, puff… I-I can’t breath...」
「Pull yourself together! We tossed our gear midway, it will be all over if they catch up...!」
A voice encouraged the soldiers who had slowed down. When they were moving to the rear, they had permission from the commander to abandon their equipment── this was Ikuta’s orders. They would have been caught if they were lugging their heavy equipment with them.
The soldiers ran towards the next base. However── the sound of hooves reached their ears, and they felt a chill on their backs.
「E-Enemy attack──」「Damn it──!」
The few people who turned back saw the approaching enemy cavalry. Having abandoned their weapons, they couldn’t even resist. When they had almost resigned themselves to their fate──
「──Seh!」
The next moment, a friendly unit came from the flank and scattered the pursuing enemies. He opened his eyes and──
「... A-Allies...?」「A roving cavalry unit...! Hey, we’re saved!」
The excitement from escaping death filled the soldiers with exhilaration. One of the riders approached them and said:
「Hey, hurry up and run! The defence line is 5 km away! We can only stall them for 30 minutes!」
Niam herded the soldiers like a shepherd dog, and they ran on her urging.
「T-Thank you...!」 「Five more kilometers… And we can survive...!」
Thirty minutes later, Sazarf saw the last units arrive without being pursued by the enemy.
「They are finally here! Quickly, get in!」
Lieutenant Colonel Melza ushered in the panting soldiers into the trenches. After they went in, they blockaded the gap.
「We have finished confirmation! All retreating units have arrived, Lieutenant Colonel Melza!」
「Understood! ──the preparations are complete, Brigadier General Sazarf!」
She walked down the trenches and shouted, and Sazarf nodded and raised his voice:
「Good── from now on, we will begin the garrison of the river defence base!」
The soldiers turned tense. The trenches they were garrisoning were made by piling a lot of soil alongside the river. Since it was beside the river, water would flood in if they dig too much. It was more troublesome to work on the trenches here compared to other work sites, but given the tactical importance of this base, it was worth the effort.
「This is the only river defence base we can prepare along the enemy’s invasion route. It will be a disgrace if we can’t hold out here── all of you, give it your all!」
A few hours later, the Kioka army was facing off that same base. In a corner of the troops spread out along the river, a buff officer snorted. He was Jean’s ally, Major Taznyado Harrah.
「── It can’t be helped, this is the only place where we can cross the river. I know that but...」
He muttered, and a petite soldier── Sergeant Major Mita Kenshi jogged towards him.
「I measured the water level. It’s not too deep, but not shallow enough for us to force our way through. We should give up on breaking through with numbers.」
「It will be easy if we can seize the bridge.」
「They intentionally left the bridge intact because that’s what we will think. I can bet all the money in my wallet that the bridge had been set to be blown up.」
She turned and looked at the enemy base. Like she said, there was only one bridge across the river leading to the enemy. It might seem like the optimal advance route, but since the Empire already had Blast Cannons, they could demolish a large bridge quickly. They would suffer heavy losses if they got greedy and attempted to cross the bridge.
「I feel the same way, it is up to Jean to figure out what we need to do── I will make a report.」
「── A combination of a river and trenches, and the water depth is unfavourable?」
After hearing Harrah’s report, Jean thought for a few seconds and concluded:
「... It will be best to assume that your group alone isn’t enough to break through.」
「It’s rare hearing you say that.」
「I can think of a way, and if the enemy has a mediocre commander, there must be a method to break through. However── not this time. Assuming that guy will come up with a countermeasure, I can’t think of a way to break through without incurring heavy casualties.」
「So── we wait for the detachment unit to flank them?」
「Best to assume that. Continue pressuring them with bombardments and wait for your chance── I won’t let you wait long.」
At the same time. A few km behind the Kioka forces at the river.
「── Heave ho, this one’s finished!」
The Kioka soldiers wielding hammers and chisels were making canoes hollowed out of trees. Their comrades were impressed by the results:
「This is the first time I’m seeing a dugout canoe… And it looks better than I expected.」
<TL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dugout_canoe>
「Right. Are such canoes common in the former Nitagua region?」
「It’s not that common. My family happens to operate a river transport company, and this is a traditional art from the time of my ancestors. All family member will have a small canoe by age 10.」
The female soldier answered the question as she crafted the next canoe:
「Suitable trees are brought here from the rear, going at this pace, we can make quite a number of canoes in a few days… Sigh, I was really shocked to find all the trees near the river had been cleared.」
「However── since we are getting lumber from the rear, that means the 『Insomniac Brilliant General』 already expected this?」
Another soldier besides her said as he worked on a different canoe. A soldier then said:
「If we go further, for all of us from a town with river transport to be assigned to this unit… I finally understand the reason for my posting. This is really far sighted thinking.」
He chiseled away the bark, and a new canoe was completed.
「Normally, we will do the final touch up here, but this is enough for a river crossing. We need to prioritize on the numbers.」
「Yes, got it.」「My arms are tired...」
The soldier wiped away the sweat on her brow. They continued crafting canoes for their comrades on the frontlines.
「── Phew...!」
The sound of exploding compressed air echoed throughout the river bank. After confirming that the enemy had been scattered, Torway contacted headquarters.
「... It’s tough, Ik-kun. The enemies has increase their number of invasion routes.」
「Yes, I know. Where are you right now?」
「The northern outskirts of the upstream fifth zone. The enemy tried to cross the river with boats, and we came to engage them. We should have fell the trees around the river...」
「They probably transport it in through their supply line. They brought it out shortly after encountering the river base, they are really well prepared.」
Ikuta said in awe, then continued:
「Including this incident── we already expected this, but the enemy is well supplied. They expended munitions so freely, and are still not showing signs of rationing their shells for the second half of the battle. The frontlines are confident that the rear will keep sending in supplies.」
「Keep sending in, huh? Amazing. I heard that the anti-war faction in Kioka is gaining momentum.」
「That’s exactly why, they have no way back if they lose this war. Ario Kyakushii must have bet all his political chips to get the budget. This is a total war.」
<TL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_war>
They weren’t just fighting the Kioka army, but the entire Kioka Republic. Feeling that again from Ikuta’s words, Torway said:
「I can say for certain that the enemy’s main force isn’t here. I have stationed many soldiers to keep watch at the river bank… but even my team can not block small units infiltrating under the cover of night. If they linked up with their main forces, they will become a huge threat.」
「I will deal with that somehow. Continue patrolling the key points along the river to stop the enemy’s infiltration.」
Before ending the call, Ikuta added:
「And it’s about time to pay attention to the sky… Given the situation, they will probably send that out.」
「── And so, now is the key moment to use the Air Troopers.」
Continuing his duty as frontline commander since the war broke out, Colonel Gatra listened to his adjutant, Major Mazeya’s advice.
「Hmm. The shallow banks that can be crossed on foot are being tightly guarded, so the only way to cross is via boats or balloons. Especially the balloons, which are capable of reaching deep into the opposite bank in one go. If used properly, we can surround the enemy base by the river.」
「However… if the enemy see through our plans, all of them might get shot down.」
「I want to avoid such a tragedy… To be safe, we can wait and link up with the Navy. What will the Brilliant General think about that?」
Colonel Gatra glanced at the Sprite inside the pouch on his waist. They didn’t plan to strike before their next orders arrived.
「── How about sending out cavalry upstream and downstream as a diversion?」
Miara suggested to Jean as an adjutant, helping him strategize an attack on the base by the river.
「If they see us massing forces along the river, they have to gather their troops there to oppose us. We can then use balloons or boats to invade with a large number of people… That’s the plan I have in mind.」
Jean crossed his arms and nodded solemnly at that proposal.
「Not bad, it’s a good idea. However── it would be a bad move in this case.」
「Bad move──?」
「Do you remember the battle in the Gagarukasakan Forest? Water has replaced the fire, but both situations are similar. We want to send our troops to the opposite bank, while the opponent wants to stop our invasion.」
「... That’s right.」
「The main force back then was the Aldera Holy Army, but there was an overwhelming difference in numbers. Even so, that man still stubbornly resisted our invasion. He deftly used a small force to defend a wide area. His proficiency in mobile defence is mind boggling. And he has plenty of prep time for this war, so we shouldn’t assume that crossing the river will be easier compared to that time.」
After eliminating any optimistic thoughts, Jean concluded:
「A simple diversion will be seen through. Since there is Sprite Communication, he won’t allow his subordinates to do something as shallow as gathering their forces at the sight of enemy units. We still need to work on the plan further.」
「...Yes.」
After learning how hopelessly bad her opinion was, Miara hung her head in shame.
「... Use the balloon as a diversion… No, if we raise a balloon, the enemy can see through it? Then increase the number of canoes...」
Jean lost himself in formulating a tactic, as if nothing else exists to him. The intangible barrier that was right before her made Miara feel powerless.
「... Make a show of a forced river crossing at these five points. We don’t need to cross completely, if we put the canoes into the water, they would have to defend against us. Observe the units they sent out to ascertain the numbers of their roving unit. We will send a battalion of Air Troopers through the two weakest defence points upstream and downstream… Depending on how the enemy reacts, the canoe team can be converted from a diversion into the main attack...」
What he said was just a fraction of his thoughts. Miara was scared just imagining how much he compartmentalized his mind.
「... At the same time, we will launch an all out attack on the river base… Aside from normal cannons, we will also use the giant cannons. The attack will be launched in concert with the troops upstream and downstream. Will the enemy retreat before it falls…? No, the river base is a key point for the second half of the war. It’s hard to imagine them not fighting to the last here. How should I...」
Jean kept mumbling, but the voice of his subordinate cut off his train of thought.
「── Commander, a report! An enemy cavalry unit has crossed the shallow parts of the river upstream! They are about one company strong!」
The moment she heard that news, Miara looked confused.
「Their cavalry there is crossing on their own initiative──?」
「... Even if they want to attack the branch supply line… It’s hard to accomplish that with just one company. Did they see us crafting boats near the river, and came over to stop us? It’s an unexpected timing for an attack, but...」
Even Jean couldn’t fathom the intention behind that move. After a slight hesitation, he turned to his adjutant and said:
「...Miara, inform the commander of the boat crafting unit, tell them to stay on their guard.」
「Y-Yes Sir!」
Miara wanted to open a communication channel immediately. But another subordinate yelled at this moment:
「── Commander, a report! The enemy is building a bridge downstream!」
Even Jean stared with his eyes wide at that. He remained still. Miara stopped using the Sprite for communication and said puzzledly:
「B-Bridge? At this point in time?」
Jean felt the same way. It’s obvious that the Kioka army wanted to cross the river, but he couldn’t fathom what the Imperial army was trying to do. Jean asked:
「... How’s their progress?」
「They are about 20% finished, but considering when they started, that’s really fast. According to the scouts, they used a building techniques unknown in Kioka...」
「Building techniques unknown to us… No, that’s not important. Why are they building a bridge there? If they want to cross the river, they don’t need to spend so much effort… A well planned diversion? Are they using the bridge as bait to divide our forces? No, that man knows I won’t fall for that kind of bait...」
Jean thought further in an attempt to discern the enemy’s intentions. And that made him bothered about the earlier report.
「... Matching this timing with the cavalry crossing upstream? The bridge isn’t a bait, but a lifeline for them to escape from enemy grounds? If so, that company of cavalry will cut across our supply line. Can one company move so boldly? I-Impossible──」
「...Field Marshal, what’s the point of your orders?」
At the same time, in a different location. Inside the Imperial headquarters, Major Megu questioned the youth about sending cavalry across the river and building a bridge downstream.
「The point? There’s no point.」
When Ikuta answered plainly, Major Megu was shocked.
「W-What did you say...?」
「There’s really no point. Sending the cavalry across the river upstream, building a bridge downstream, and letting the enemy observe both actions at the same time, there is no point in any of that── However, Jean won’t think so. He will keep thinking with his brilliant mind, and try to make sense of it.」
Ikuta said with a malicious tone. After accepting all that, Major Megu continued:
「Anyway, it’s a diversion to make the enemy commander make the wrong decision?」
「That’s not possible, our opponent isn’t cute enough to make mistakes over something like this. He will think and think again, and pick the best answer after considering all possibilities.」
「Then why...」
Ikuta looked at the confused adjutant and smiled boldly:
「I guess, it’s to tell that guy that only I can play such a chess move?」
「... I’m really grateful that we can get hot meals almost every time.」
Sarihasrag muttered as he looked down at the steaming soup in his hands── In a different base 20km upstream from Sazarf’s position. The enemy was right across the river, and they were having a meal before the battle started in earnest.
「I agree. The enemy is tough── but we can fight a better war compared to the Northern Unrest or the military coup.」
Suya said as she shoved stew meat and vegetables into her mouth. Sushuraf who was munching on steamed yam nodded quietly. A figure approached them at this moment.
「My work feels meaningful when I hear you say that.」
The familiar gentle voice reached their ears. They turned and saw Haro with a medic armband holding a tray.
「Major Becker? What are you doing in the frontlines?」
「I’m here to check on everyone, and to see whether the Ikuta doctrine is running smoothly on the grounds. Oh, please have some tea.」
She squatted down, and offered her tray to the three of them. They brought the tea to their mouths with a puzzled look.
「Oh… So sweet.」「There’s a lot of sugar.」
「Fufu, I wanted to try realizing a dream I had during the Northern Unrest. I think this tea should be served to those who work the hardest.」
Haro stuck out her tongue mischievously. She looked at their faces in turn, then turned to the officers eating around them, and said:
「Not too tense or too relaxed… Everyone’s faces look good.」
When they heard that, the three looked at each other. Sarihasrag gently rolled his shoulders.
「Now that you mentioned it… Compared to the tough campaigns, my body feels lighter this time.」
「That’s right, my men said the same thing. Especially the old timers, they said this is the first time they had a war that didn’t make any unnecessary actions.」
Suya said and suddenly turned to Haro.
「... A relaxed war is the correct way to fight a war, is that what he means?」
「As expected of his disciple. That’s right── this is how a war directed by Ikuta-san is like. The communication Sprite is also a big help, but that’s only supplementary support. If that person didn’t nurture his idea, it wouldn’t have been realized.」
Haro said with respect. Sarihasrag snorted.
「Measly tricks to slack off that troubles his superiors to no end, and he researched it into an ideal condition when fighting wars? ...Was Toruru drawn in by that too? Damn it, that Field Marshal really piss me off.」
The eldest son of house Remeon downed the tea in one go as if he was venting his anger. Haro stood up with a smile.
「I’m going to the next site. I think the battle here will be intense… I hope everyone can stay safe.」
When they heard that, the three of them saluted, and Haro returned their salute.
On the other hand, in a base downstream from Sazarf’s position. General Shiba led the defences here, repelling the Kioka forces swarming at the point where the river turned narrow.
「── Hmm.」
General Shiba muttered as he looked towards the rear with his telescope. An incoming cavalry unit from their home territory entered into his field of vision.
「The roving unit has returned── let them in!」
His men scattered on his command, and the cavalry streamed into the base. General Shiba walked over and greeted the vermillion-haired general who didn’t seem tired at all.
「Good work, Honorary Field Marshal Sir. You have done outstanding work.」
「Call me the guerilla captain, General Shiba. And you don’t need to call me Sir, that will confuse the chain of command.」
Solvenares advised coldly. His tired men behind him dismounted wobbilily.
「Huff～! Puff～!」「Oh～ We are finally here...」「Help me tie up my horse...」
They assisted a few retreating units on their way here, and accomplished more results compared to other units. Solvenares told his exhausted men the order they had been waiting for:
「You have performed splendidly. Everyone, rest well until 0700 tomorrow.」
「We have prepared enough beds for all of you over there. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to tell the medic.」
「I’m gonna get my beauty sleep──!」
Niam ran off with the other riders right behind her. General Shiba burst out laughing.
「Hahaha! Your subordinates are really lively.」
He turned to the vermillion-haired general after laughing out loud, then looked into his eyes and said:
「You must be tired too── I will take care of everything else, do rest up in the tent.」
「Understood, you have my thanks.」
General Shiba looked at that figure walking towards the tent with those curt words.
「I never thought I would fight alongside Solvenares at this age… The battlefield has gotten so interesting, Hasa, why aren’t you here with me?」
He looked up to the sky with a grunt before looking down again.
「Anyway, the guerilla team needs to have a good rest──」
At dawn, the Kioka army attacked all the bases along the river in force.
「── Start the shelling!」
The rows of Blast Cannons spew fire at the same time, and the shells rained down on the trenches where the Imperial soldiers were taking cover. Sensing the tremors from the ground, Sazarf issued the order to return fire.
「They are attacking for real...! Engage, we will bombard them too!」
The cannons spread out behind the trenches started firing in retaliation at the enemy. Everything so far was similar to the opening battle, but the developments differed a lot
「Enemy units sighted crossing with canoes at point C upstream! We need more soldiers! Please send reinforcements!」
「Got it, I will send them right now, hold out until then!」
Sazarf sent the closest unit over, and answered the reinforcements request he received. Major Sarihasrag and General Shiba should be making similar arrangements── however, shortly after the battle ensued, the enemy attacks suddenly intensified.
「Reporting! Enemy unit sighted at point O downstream!」「Enemy unit is pushing canoes into the water at Point E upstream──」
「Again? How did they prepare so many canoes in such a short period of time...!」
Sazarf clicked his tongue at the unexpectedly busy workload. A new notification hit him again.
「Reporting! Enemy balloon unit sighted at point C upstream──!」
The air invasion has finally started. Sazarf ordered without hesitation:
「Send over the reserves! Hound them until they reach their landing spot!」
「Yes Sir!」
To suppress the Air Troopers, a large number of troops were sent over. They couldn’t let the balloon land. Sazarf could imagine the deployment of his troops getting more difficult with time, and smiled with a cramped face── then one of his subordinates shouted a more direct threat:
「The Kioka infantry is crossing the river by force──!」
「... Huff～! Puff～!...」
「Don’t panic and keep your head down!」「Keep your shoulders submerged, and advance with your waist bent...!」
The enemy watched as they stepped into the river. Sergeant Major Mita crossed her arms as she observed her troops staying low and advancing as one.
「── The methods of crossing a river to attack have changed a lot. What I learned was to charged with all our might.」
「That is possible if the water is less than knee deep. But we can’t sprint in this depth. And if we rush them, some might slip and drown.」
Harrah beside her added. New tactics were implemented gradually, and their leader Jean would naturally keep himself updated.
「Furthermore── I learned from Professor Anarai that water is a surprisingly good defence against bullets. The bullets will stop less than 1 metre in water. In order words, the soldiers can hide themselves in the water.」
「Oh～ Is that so～」
「It’s true. Submerged until shoulder level, take care not to slip, and keep pace with the others and advance. After reaching the other bank, sprint at full speed. The key is to maintain discipline before reaching the other bank.」
Sergeant Major Mita listened carefully as she observed the battle. However, her point of view differed from Harrah. As her rank of Sergeant Major suggested, Mita Kenshi held the perspective of the soldiers soaked in the river, so her view on things differed from an officer. That was why Harrah kept her with him even after he was promoted to Major.
「The enemy will split their forces to deal with the canoes and balloons, if we keep this up, we can break through sooner or later… but we will need to make a lot of sacrifices, right? I don’t think our general will agree to a plan of filling up the river bed with the corpses of our troops.」
Sergeant Major Mita looked sharply at her superior. Questioning things was her job, and the buff officer accepted her gaze.
「Don’t worry, that won’t happen. We can’t allow too many sacrifices── But our opponents are even more desperate to hold on to their base. Because there aren’t any better defence bases along the route to the capital. And so── once they realized the base will fall with time, they will have to take other measures.」
「... Other measures?」
「You’ll know soon, just watch.」
「... The enemy’s bombardment is too intense, and has evened out the terrain advantage we have at the river.」
A day and a half after the battle ensured, Sazarf muttered as he surveyed his base’s defences. How long can he keep up his defences── he could tell at this stage that he couldn’t last long enough.
「We can’t last long by just defending… We have to wait for the right moment to make our move, huh?」
Sazarf clenched his fists. If a steady way of fighting couldn’t bring about the result he wanted, then he had to take a risk and use an unorthodox method. Having made his resolve, he turned and ordered his men.
「Tell the cavalry to stand by!」
「Damn it! At least stop the bombardment when they send in their infantry...!」
「Don’t stop firing back! If we don’t pick them off in the water, it will be bad!」
The Imperial soldiers poked their guns out of the trenches and continued firing. They felt frustrated that the enemies in the water were hard to hit, and the frustration threw their aiming off further. In a different sense from the Kioka soldiers braving the river crossing, they were exhausting their mental endurance too── The bombardment fell mercilessly onto the trenches. A corner of the trenches collapsed, and a crater blew up there.
「It’s the giant cannon again...! The adjacent sector is buried, send help!」
「We are tied up just from engaging the enemy! Send us the reserves～!」
Recovering the wounded and repairing the trenches took up manpower, and the density of retaliatory fire dropped. The Kioka soldiers in the water could see that too.
「Yes, we are gaining momentum...!」 「We can crush them if we keep this up! Charge!」
The leading elements had crossed 3 quarters of the river, and the depth only reached up to their waist. They were no longer hunched over, sprinting along the slippery river bed. The Imperial soldiers realized that the enemy would rush into their trenches and fix on bayonets.
「Now── start the charge!」
At that moment, the well prepared Sazarf gave his order. The cavalry standing by at the front trenches charged up a ramp and onto the bridge that was separated from the intense battle. When the Kioka soldiers saw the cavalry charging towards their base, they stared with their eyes wide open with shock.
「What!? The cavalry is charging across the bridge──?」
「Oh no, they are flanking to our rear! There’s no way our backlines are ready to defend against a cavalry charge──」
The Kioka soldiers realized the reason the enemy left that bridge untouched── it’s for this surprise counterattack. With their attention on the enemy opposite the river, Kioka was not prepared for the cavalry charging at full speed──
「No. We are prepared for this.」
── Something like that would never happen to a unit led by Jean Arkinex.
Aim at the gunners on the bridge from an unassuming angle, then use crossfire to hit the approaching cavalry. The horse and men fell onto the bridge.
<TL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossfire>
「A bridge that would be blown up if we attempt to cross it── it’s something that will make us anxious, but not so for the opponent. Because it’s a direct route to attack us as they please.」
Harrah raised the corner of his lips. Things were turning out just like Jean advised him.
「Making us assume that this is a one sided defence battle, and when we send most of our troops to cross the river, they will charge with their cavalry and bite our throat. This is an excellent plan. If I’m in command, I might fall for it. However──」
Before his eyes, the cavalry was losing momentum under the crossfire, and the riders were stuck behind them on the bridge. Some of them realized the plan had failed and wanted to turn around, but it was hard for many horses to turn on the narrow bridge.
「── This plan is unexpectedly shallow against the Insomniac Brilliant General. It’s pitiful, but the commander has to pay the price for the failure of your tactics.」
Harrah muttered and ordered his foot soldiers to attack. They didn’t cross the river, and were running towards the bridge choked by the cavalry.
「No matter what way we use to cross the river, the bridge will be destroyed… However, there are cases where you can’t demolish it. For example── when your comrades are on the bridge.」
This was the risk of using an unorthodox tactic── a golden opportunity to use the normally unusable bridge had presented itself.
「I heard that you are respected by your subordinates and takes great care of them── do you have the resolve to abandon your comrades, Mr Senpa Sazarf?」
「── They saw through us──」
Sazarf stared with his eyes wide open. Lieutenant Colonel Melza’s shout pierced through his back.
「Brigadier General Sir! The enemy is crossing the bridge! If this continues──」
That snapped him back to reality── That’s right, now wasn’t the time to daze off. He had to take measures to minimize his losses, that’s the obligation of an officer.
「... F-Fire… the bridge...…」
The words got caught in his throat. If they blow up the bridge now, the people on the bridge would get killed from the colatorial damage. He needed to bury the cavalry who believed in him and got on the bridge── and pay the price for his failed tactics.
「... Ughh...!」
He couldn’t make a sound, as if there was lead inside his throat. Senpa Sazarf’s body was resisting against that order. However── However, he had to execute it. If the enemy crossed the bridge, the losses they would suffer would be on an entirely different level. There really was a line when an officer had to give up, and it was clear to everyone that the situation had come to this.
「── I-I’m sorry──」
The fear made Sazarf’s teeth chatter. However, his sense of responsibility didn’t allow him to hesitate any longer. He was about to make the painful order to abandon his allies── but the sound of shelling sounded out a second earlier.
「── Huh?」
Sazarf shouted stiffly. The part of the bridge closest to the opposite bank had collapsed.
In a corner of the trench some distance away from Sazarf. An officer standing before the cannons that had been aiming at the bridge all this while opened a Sprite communication channel.
「── This is Metrache Lance. I ordered a shelling on my own initiative.」
She reported to her superiors through the Sprite. There wasn’t any answer from the connected channel, only silence. She paid it no mind and continued her explanation:
「Many of our wounded are on the bridge, so I only aimed at the enemy end of the bridge. About a third of the bridge has collapsed… The foundations of the bridge is separated into three parts when it was constructed, so it shouldn’t collapse further if we stop further bombardment.」
──Focus bombardment to destroy only one part of the bridge── She made that snap decision to realize her fleeting idea. She knew she was out of line, but instead of leaving her comrades to their demise── or letting Lieutenant Colonel Melza’s record become tarnished from that, it would be better for her to be court martialed.
「It is obvious that the responsibility lies with me alone. I’m will accept any punishment, please don’t blame the artillery men──」
「Great～!」「Well done!」
The Sprite shook from the joyous cries of her two superior officers. The reaction that ran contrary to what she expected made First Lieutenant Lance open her mouth wide.
「── They only aimed at one part of the bridge and demolished that?」
Harrah, who was watching from the opposite bank, had a cramped face.
「How troubling. What a flexible response in this crucial moment. Is Senpa Sazarf smarter than I expected? Or… is the officer in charge of their Blast Cannons exceptionally capable?」
Harrah muttered as he scratched the back of his head. High ranking enemy officers aside, he didn’t even know the first of the enemy junior officers. But he knew that such things happen occasionally. All famous generals started out as unknown officers after all.
「Hey～!」
Sergeant Major Mita grabbed the back of Harrah’s head with both palms.
「Now isn’t the time to reflect on the points of failure! Like you said, if the tactic fails, the commander has to pay the price!」
「── That’s true, you are right.」
Harrah returned his attention to the current situation. Like Sazarf, he had the obligations of an officer too.
「Time won’t turn back even if we regret it. Fire all the giant cannons, commit all our reserves── we will capture the enemy base with our full forces!」
While an intense battle was playing out in Sazarf’s defence base, the two forces faced off against each other downstream where General Shiba was in charge.
「... When the enemy is focused on Brigadier General Sazarf’s position, if the opportunity present itself, send the troops to attack the enemy’s rear── that was the plan, but...」
General Shiba said with a serious face. He looked at the Kioka soldiers deployed along the opposite bank. They were in tidy formation without showing any openings.
「The enemy before us is on guard, and won’t let us do that… They seemed confident that we aren’t just a diversion. If we get greedy, we might get wiped out instead.」
「Indeed.」
The vermillion-haired general behind him concurred. General Shiba said to the man behind him:
「Rest in the tents for now, guerilla captain… no matter which way the tide leans, we will need you.」
「......」
Ikuta who was in the headquarters receiving reports from all the battlefields had a serious expression.
「... All our units are fighting valiantly. The question is, how long can we hold out...」
Major Megu said with a low tone. A new notification came in at this moment, and the youth answered── the sound of an intense firefight rang out.
「── This is Sarihasrag! Can you hear me? We have been attacked from the rear! Send reinforcements! The enemy is one battalion in strength!」
The eldest son of house Remeon spoke urgently. Ikuta gestured to Major Megu with his eyes, and answered as calmly as possible:
「My adjutant is arranging the reinforcements. I want to confirm, the enemy came from your rear? Did they crossed the river?」
「They came from behind! From what I can see, they didn’t cross the river! They suddenly appeared from downstream! I could have engaged them properly if I had early warning, what are the guys watching the river doing!?」
Sariha’s grumble made Ikuta realize everything. Since there wasn't any contact from the observation post, the reason was clear.
「The signalman has probably been taken out… It’s the Phantom.」
「── It has been exposed. Pull out.」
「Mmm, mmm...」
The Phantom standing before the tied and gagged Imperial soldier said quietly with a Sprite in his hand. That wasn’t his Sprite. He had threatened the signalman, forcing him to send false reports all this while.
「How useless… After spending so much time, less than 30 of us made it through to the enemy’s rear. It will be hard to support our allies with just this numbers.」
He lamented with a sigh. They broke through the tight defences by swimming across the river, but that was a last resort. They should have flanked to the enemy’s rear earlier── if not for the fearsome hunters blocking their paths.
「Because of them, how many of the 800 strong units had fallen…? We have less than a hundred survivors.」
The captain’s words made the Phantoms around him hang their heads with their fists clenched… No matter the outcome of this war, the Phantom Unit’s fate was sealed. They could clearly tell that their existence would disappear through the cracks of the rapid torrent of history.
「But we still fulfilled the minimum requirement of our mission── take a good look, Imperials, this is the final claw marks from the Phantoms.」
「...! Sorry, Ik-kun. We can’t block the enemy’s infiltration completely...」
The jade-eyed youth’s voice was transmitted through the Sprite. Ikuta rebuked the bitter apology without any hesitation.
「Don’t be daft. If they had to use the roundabout trick of switching out the signalman, that means they failed to infiltrate with a large group. It’s wrong to say that you failed to block their infiltration completely── instead, you made the best of a bad situation.」
Ikuta merely stated a fact, and wasn’t trying to console him. Since he had a limited number of troops to defend a wide area of operation, it was impossible to completely block the Phantom's infiltration from the start. Even so, the hunters still came close to achieving the impossible. Torway had nothing to apologize for.
「After taking serious casualties in their battle with you, the Phantom is rendered ineffective as a fighting unit… But they still stubbornly carried out their mission, which is frankly impressive to me.」
「......」
「Honorary Field Marshal Igsem’s unit is heading to relieve Major Sarihasrag’s position right now. The Remeon brothers should be able to hold out until they arrive. Suya is there too.」
「...Yes!」
After Torway squeezed out a cheerful reply, they ended the call. With the battle as dangerous as walking on a tight wire, Torway couldn’t spare the time to worry about his brothers. It was the same for Ikuta, he could only hope they could last until reinforcement reached them. Most importantly── the biggest risk he would take was coming up soon.
「... Which unit should I withdraw at which timing? Yatori, would you know the answer?」
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