Chapter 131

The principal’s speech, similar to the speeches made by battalion commanders, regimental commanders, or division commanders in the army, should be brief in all public settings where it is delivered unilaterally.

Because people who listen to overly long speeches tend to forget what was said, and the meaning gradually begins to fade.

Therefore, a good speech must necessarily be restrained in order to clearly convey the message.

As I contemplated this, I ascended to the platform prepared for my speech, met their gazes, and shouted.

“You’ve already heard it from your superiors, but a month ago, Architel Duke declared war on us! Soldier standing before me, do you know what the justification is?”

The soldier suddenly pointed out by me stared blankly for a moment before responding loudly.

“Lieutenant Heintz Miller, I’m not sure!”

“He claims he will reclaim the territory for the son of Helzman Count, who was defeated by me years ago. But, what’s even more amusing… that son is merely the third child of a concubine, not even the legitimate heir. To wage war for someone with no legitimacy to inherit the territory… isn’t Architel Duke a rather good person?”

While I said that, I didn’t genuinely believe that Architel Duke would try to recover the territory for the concubine’s son out of goodwill.

Once he recaptures the territory, he will likely present various justifications like age, ability, and surrounding dangers to seize practical control for himself.

Well, if he considers the perspectives of other Franche nobles, he might end up sending a woman too old to marry someone of a similar class in the nobility as the ‘wife of Helzman Count,’ controlling her like a puppet…

Whether they realized it or not, a wave of laughter spread among the soldiers surrounding me.

“Architel Duke is such a good person!”

“Haha, Architel Duke Your Excellency is so kind that he sacrifices his soldiers while taking care of the illegitimate son of the Helzman family!”

“Indeed, he really can’t do anything but eat, just like a typical Franche!”

After a short while, I drew my longsword, still sheathed at my waist, and slammed it down, stating.

“However, comrades, that good Architel Duke making his soldiers die at will doesn’t concern us. However, we cannot forgive this kind-hearted fool Your Excellency trying to meddle with our land and property, and further, our families.”

At those words, the soldiers burst into cheer, and I continued speaking shortly after.

“Therefore, raise your weapons to fight against those who seek to take our land, families, and property! Next, let’s seize the territory governed by those attempting to trample our places to return, and show all of Europia what fate awaits those who threaten our peace! After that, I will return with you and convey your sacrifices, courage, and loyalty to my wives and my daughter Victoria, rewarding you abundantly.”

At the mention of rewards, even the officers, who usually maintained their composure, and the soldiers who rolled about until their strength was spent, began to cheer in unison.

“Let’s win and return!”

“Victory! Victory! Only victory awaits!”

Amidst their cheers, I unsheathed my sword and swung it through the air, declaring.

“All troops, advance! After we win at Waine, we will seize all lands of the overly kind Architel Duke!”

**

After three days of moving the infantry loaded in carriages, which are heavy like armor and slow-moving, our army was advancing at nearly double the speed compared to when traveling on foot.

Thus, we just passed Miles village, which normally requires at least six days to reach by marching.

Although it’s slower compared to military vehicles or various passenger cars, moving by wheeled carriages…

It’s nice to be able to go comfortably and quickly with the soldiers.

I need to ensure we can move like this next war as well.

As I thought this, I looked around, seeing soldiers sitting comfortably in the carriage, chatting with cheerful expressions.

“Corporal Miller, so… are you really going to confess to Ailey after you get promoted this time?”

“Yeah, buddy… Oh, I forgot. I’ll be promoted to sergeant next month, so call me sergeant.”

“What nonsense are you talking? Before you get promoted, you’re just the same corporal as Corporal Cent sitting next to you or even you who has a month until promotion…”

“Oh, Sergeant Salt… you’ll be getting promoted to sergeant soon too.”

“I’ve failed the promotion exam twice… damn it, is it true that I need to know how to write in Elaline to get promoted to sergeant? If it weren’t for that, I would have passed.”

While I ordered them to take turns driving the carriage, and let the rest sleep unhindered…

I never expected them to converse so comfortably while coming.

Looking closely, I saw some soldiers already draped in military cloaks sleeping.

After observing the soldiers in the adjacent carriage for about ten minutes, I heard the voice of Short Lieutenant from behind.

“Count Your Excellency, may I report?”

“Go ahead.”

Then, Short began to quietly speak as he placed his horse next to mine.

“As of now, we have identified 20 enemy scouts, and among them, 4 were intentionally allowed to escape per your orders.”

“Well done, Lieutenant Short.”

“I merely did what was expected. Should we continue in this manner moving forward?”

“Indeed. However, if the enemy scouts attempt to damage our weapons or supplies, they are to be captured immediately for interrogation.”

Upon hearing this, Short showed a puzzled expression.

“Your Excellency, however, it’s assumed that they are sufficiently aware of our rapid movement at this point. But to continue releasing the enemy scouts…”

If I had been marching as usual, I would have concealed my position as much as possible so that the enemy could not detect my movement.

Because the more precisely the enemy grasps my movement and pace, the easier it is for them to devise a response strategy.

However, it’s a completely different and special circumstance now, and what I am doing could pose a significant threat to the enemy.

Since there’s nothing else to do during the march, I should explain to the elite spy why I’m doing this.

“Lieutenant Short. I’ll provide you with a lesson.”

At that statement, Short looked at me with a very puzzled expression.

It seemed as if he was thinking, Your Excellency has never personally experienced infiltration or information gathering, has he?

To clarify this misunderstanding, I spoke in a relaxed voice.

“I have no intention of teaching you, the best in information gathering in our territory, how to obtain information. I’m only saying that if you get promoted in the future… you will often need to think from the enemy commander’s point of view and deceive him completely as per my command. So, I will teach you how to think from the enemy commander’s perspective.”

Perhaps due to my mention of further promotion, Short’s eyes sparkled as he began to listen.

“First, all commanders are virtually blind without scouts, unaware of what’s right in front of them. However, they always receive reports saying things like there’s a carriage 10 meters ahead and pretend to see everything before devising their tactics.”

To understand what this means, it’s helpful to think of it as a mini-map covered in fog from a certain universe game called ‘Folk Game of the People.’

The difference from that game is that, in that game, if you place reconnaissance units, speed and appearance are visible…

In real warfare, you only get information about what has passed with a gap of minutes, hours, or sometimes days.

“I’m the same. So, even though I have thoughts regarding where Architel Duke might be through the scouts, I can’t know his real position.”

Upon hearing this, Lieutenant Short nodded, indicating he understood my words.

“Now, think of yourself as being unable to see. And if you keep hearing I’m quickly swinging a sword straight in your direction, what will you do?”

“I suppose I should quickly dodge in any direction.”

I nodded in agreement with Short’s response and said.

“You should dodge as you said. By the same reasoning, if Architel Duke thinks I am marching at an incredible speed, he will likely try to march as fast as he can to go at the same time as me.”

“Based on my combat experience, I know that the more a commander speeds up the march, the fewer soldiers can keep up with them.”

“That’s true… So, we can just march comfortably. Also, is the news of our conflict spreading well among the enemy nobles?”

Short grinned wickedly as he spoke.

“I made the ex-riff-raff under my command pretend to be soldiers in debt from gambling and had them tell the enemy scouts about our conflict for money.”

It’s surprisingly common for soldiers of this era to fall into debt from gambling and, due to the temptation of money, betray their lords.

So Architel Duke and the others would likely believe there’s some conflict among our retainers.

“Good, then let’s continue marching.”

Thanks to Short managing to deceive them well, I let out a sigh of relief, expecting troop losses for the enemy even before this war starts…

**

As we marched, I continued to receive reports through Short and give orders, and in the encampment, we discussed operations once every two days for ten days.

Before long, we reached the nearest village to the Waine Plain.

Upon arriving at the village, all commanders and I received very encouraging reports.

“Lieutenant Short, I report to you and the nobles. As per Your Excellency’s diversion plan, Architel Duke has started marching rapidly a week ago, and as a result, it is estimated that about 20% of his troops have deserted or are missing from the march.”