Chapter 31

“Let’s skip the formalities and get straight to the point. What’s the current situation? What’s the status of our remaining forces and the enemy’s strength?”

On the battlefield, etiquette is a luxury. After instructing colonels and below to handle the construction of the garrison, I immediately sought information. During the few weeks we were on the move and unable to receive updates, I needed to grasp any minor changes on the frontlines.

“Have you read the report sent to the central command?”

“Yes.”

“Not much has changed since then. A few artillery batteries were destroyed, and we lost about 3,000 more soldiers. Meanwhile, the Imperial Forces have received 3,000 reinforcements.”

Lieutenant General Mauer, sitting in his chair, arranged chess pieces on the map. Artillery, cavalry, infantry, mage units—it roughly looked like this:

“`

□□□□

□□ ++++++++++++++++ □□

+++++++ ○○○○○○ ++++++++

○○○ ○○○

●● ●

+++++ ●●●● +++++

■■ ++++++++++ ■■

■■■

“`

The top represents the enemy, and the bottom is our forces. ○ = cavalry, + = infantry, □ = artillery and mage units. Considering terrain and elevation, it gets more complicated, but that’s the gist.

In simple terms, we’re at a clear disadvantage across the board.

“Not a single favorable point.”

“Apologies. We did our best, but…”

“It’s fine. I wasn’t blaming you. You’ve done well, Mauer.”

The central, left, and right flanks—all three sectors of the front are being pushed back. Our soldiers are holding on, relying on the terrain, but the Imperial Forces are pressing from all sides. The slight gap in artillery fire and Mauer’s command are the only reasons we’re still holding. Otherwise, the front would’ve been breached long ago.

‘Now it’s my turn to turn this around.’

How can I reverse the situation with the 20,000 troops I brought? Disperse them across the front? That’s a heavy burden. Even with 20,000 more, the Northern Army’s total strength is still below the Imperial Forces. The numerical disadvantage remains.

Then keep them in reserve? That’s the worst option. A suicide move. If we’re short on manpower now, what’s the point of conserving troops? If the front breaks, what then?

History has already proven the answer: focus and concentration.

“Brigadier General Elan.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Grant the marching troops two days of rest, including today. They’ve been walking for weeks and won’t be ready for immediate action.”

“Understood.”

Napoleon once said he always won by outnumbering the enemy in specific battles. I plan to use the same logic. Even if we’re outnumbered overall, gaining local superiority in certain areas isn’t hard. It’s a viable tactic if the operation is well-planned.

“The right flank has many hills, right? That makes it hard for regiments to move together.”

“More like ridges. Frozen streams and lakes are scattered around.”

“Either way, movement is difficult.”

The right flank is out of the question due to terrain. The center is hard to attack unless the flanks are secured. That leaves the left flank.

“Good. Then we’ll concentrate reinforcements on the left flank. Who’s the current commander there?”

“Brigadier General Hashibalt. The friend you recruited last time.”

“Ah, him? Tell him I’ll be taking command. His unit will be integrated under me.”

“Won’t mixing different units and formations cause confusion?”

“Better than having two heads in one army. I’ve handled mixed units before as the Northern Army’s deputy commander. Don’t worry.”

The enemy’s right flank is estimated at around 20,000, while our left flank has only 12,000. But if we commit the entire central army of 20,000? That’s 32,000—60% more than the enemy.

With our newly arrived troops, detailed information hasn’t leaked yet. If we hurry, we can achieve numerical superiority and even the element of surprise.

“The operation begins at 0800 the day after tomorrow. Until then, reorganize and relay instructions to your units. That’s all.”

Two days of rest, then a day to move to the battlefield. The full-scale engagement began three days later.

* * * * *

“General! The Royal Army is on the move!”

“What?!”

Three days later, in the morning. The general commanding the Imperial Forces’ right flank was stunned by the sudden news.

“Why would they move now? Weren’t they always holed up in trenches because of their lack of numbers?”

“Exactly. They have no advantage in a field battle.”

In a prolonged standoff, factors like terrain, morale, and supply are well-known. It’s like playing poker with the cards face-up—whoever has more troops usually wins.

From this perspective, the Imperial Forces have two divisions, while the Royal Army has barely one division and a couple of battalions. The Empire has the clear advantage. Even if the enemy commander were a genius, reversing such a gap would be difficult.

“Did they all eat something bad and go crazy?”

“Maybe pressure from above to do something after just sitting around…”

“No, it could be a new commander. New officers often do stupid things to prove themselves.”

They couldn’t figure out the reason. They could only guess something had happened within the Royal Army.

Normally, they might have considered reinforcements, but the situation prevented that.

“The Eastern Front (Royal Army’s Western Front) must have drained their reserves. They couldn’t possibly have reinforcements left.”

“Exactly. Didn’t they deploy 150,000 there?”

“Losing that many would make it nearly impossible to manage other fronts.”

Lieutenant General Liebert’s reckless ambition led to a massive defeat, losing nearly 100,000 troops. The Royal Army must have scraped together whatever reserves they had, even conscripting untrained soldiers. They wouldn’t have the capacity to send reinforcements here.

The Imperial Forces believed this. And honestly, they weren’t wrong. Karolus had to pressure nobles to contribute troops to deal with the aftermath.

What they didn’t anticipate was the Royal Army pulling troops from the central command.

“Anyway, this works in our favor. How many enemies have appeared?”

“About 8,000.”

“Then there can’t be many ambushes. Order the troops to move out. Let’s wipe them out in one go and return.”

The general, thrilled at the chance for glory, ordered the entire Imperial right flank to advance, unaware of the danger lurking on the battlefield.

* * * * *

“Kuhuhu, those idiots actually came out of their fortress! What fools!”

On a flat plain between hills, the two armies faced each other. 8,000 vs. 20,000—almost a threefold difference. The Royal Army formed thin lines, while the Imperial Forces deployed thick defensive formations. It seemed the battle would be decided quickly.

“General, something’s off. I don’t see any spearmen in the Royal Army…”

“So? They must’ve run out of spears.”

The adjutant noticed something suspicious, but the general dismissed it. The glory he was about to seize blinded him to minor oddities.

“With enemies like these, victory is a piece of cake. Advance!! Wipe out those Royal dogs!”

The order to advance was given with great enthusiasm. The entire Imperial right flank began to move, using their numerical superiority to encircle the enemy like a crescent moon, gradually closing the distance.

1,000 paces.

800 paces.

600 paces.

400 paces.

200 paces.

Just fifty more paces, and the musketeers would open fire. The battle would continue until the distance closed to zero, turning into a brutal melee. That was the standard of warfare in this era.

But just as the Imperial Forces were feeling confident…

–Ratatatat!!

“Enemy forces are firing in unison!!”

The Royal Army, lined up in rows, began volleying musket fire. The first row knelt, the second stood, and the third rested their muskets on the shoulders of those in front.

Countless sparks and lead bullets poured out from the entire formation, not just a part of it.

“Th-these madmen! Did they make their entire unit musketeers?!”

Only then did the Imperial Forces realize. The thin lines weren’t due to a lack of troops—they were a tactic to maximize firepower.

“General! Our soldiers are being slaughtered! Even the sergeants and junior officers! We need a plan!”

“G-get closer! Somehow close the distance and force them into melee! We have the advantage there!”

Musketeers are strong, but they’re at a disadvantage in close combat. Even with losses, closing the distance would give them a chance.

With that reasoning, the Imperial Forces pressed forward despite the hail of bullets.

But when their blades finally met…

–Clang!

“You idiots. Did you think we’d just bring guns without any preparation? Huh?”

“Th-they attached blades to their guns?!”

They realized the existence of a new invention: the bayonet. A simple but revolutionary idea—attaching a blade to the end of a musket to replace melee weapons.

While less convenient than actual spears or swords, its efficiency was undeniable.

The Imperial Forces, instead of pushing the Royal Army back, found themselves trapped, unable to advance or retreat.

And in that moment…

“General! An unknown unit has appeared on our flank!!”

The hidden Royal Army forces revealed themselves, targeting the Imperial Forces’ weak spot.