The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 99

The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 99

As I took command of the army, I set up camp in the Calec Mountains as Sophia suggested.

The Tunkai army moved in response to our movements. They joined the frontline where Crossing and the West were facing off.

There were three frontlines where the West and Crossing were confronting each other.

We positioned ourselves at the lowest point.

‘I can see a way to defeat the Tunkai army.’

Using tactics rashly could cause discord. The previous operation could have ended the war itself, so there was no need to consult with Juras, but now that we were sharing the same frontline, we had to coordinate.

After stationing the army, I headed to Juras’ camp with Sophia.

We were able to participate in Crossing’s military council meeting.

Twenty core officers of Crossing greeted us in a solemn atmosphere. One of them, Anton, slightly bowed his head towards me.

“Ugh!” Sophia let out a groan, seemingly overwhelmed by the atmosphere, but I just shrugged my shoulders lightly.

“Still as fierce as ever, the Crossing military.”

At my words, 2nd General Creeper Nolak narrowed his eyes.

“You’ve got some nerve showing your face, Wade. Aren’t you part of Calliper now?”

“You’re hitting a sore spot. Well, you should ask your superior about that part.”

As attention turned to Juras. He spoke with his trademark smile. “Wade is not our man. On the other hand, he’s not part of Calliper either. Have you forgotten? He’s a mercenary.”

Juras drew a line, considering that I might have to establish a kingdom in the south someday. Well, when that time comes, I’ll establish a kingdom under the name of Ars, so there was no need for that, but anyway.

“And… It’s nice to see you too, Sophia Veron. Is this the first time since the victory party of the Chimera War?”

“…I don’t want to say it’s nice to see you. Let’s just start the strategy meeting.”

“Don’t be so cold. At least I’m on your side.”

“My side…?”

“I mean about not adopting the bypass strategy and deciding to save Arandal. You were right about that.”

Even Sophia’s eyes widened at this.

Juras continued. “A young officer from Calliper proposed the strategy, right? Well, youngsters can’t see the big picture.”

“What do you mean by that?”

When I asked, Juras smiled slyly.

“Why are you reacting? Did you propose the strategy?”

“I’m just asking. I thought that strategy was the best option too.”

“The best? Nonsense. That’s why you’re still lacking. Even if you win a battle, it’s meaningless if you don’t win the war. Even if you win the war, it’s useless if you don’t capture the greater nation. Remember this, Wade.”

Juras clarified the purpose of this war. “We’re going to inflict great damage on them in this war. Through that, we intended to make sure they never target this region again. That Calliper brat was trying to ruin that.”

“…!”

“Do you understand? Even if we had won the war with that method, because the enemy preserved their forces, war would have broken out again before long. From the start, the method chosen by that Caliper novice was not the best option.”

From that perspective, he wasn’t wrong.

“And yet, to try to use such a rash strategy without any consultation. If that Calliper fledgling had been under my command, I would have scolded them loudly.”

Pfft! Sophia, who was next to me, burst out laughing. Seeing me getting scolded seemed to be relieving her pent-up stress.

Feeling slightly annoyed, I asked Juras back. “For your words to be true, there needs to be a sure way to inflict great damage on the opponent. What exactly is that? If such a thing exists, why have we been in this meaningless standoff until now?”

“Why are you getting angry?”

“I’m not angry. Don’t talk nonsense when you can’t even see my expression.”

“Huhuh. Fine. Regarding the strategy, measures have already been taken. It’s about time the opponent takes the bait.”

The bait he threw was revealed half a day after I participated in the military council meeting.

A spy rushed in and started reporting.

“Urgent news! The enemy’s guerrilla unit has destroyed the Veratorium supply base!”

“What!?” Sophia cried out in shock.

The Veratorium supply base was the most important supply depot providing for the three frontlines currently formed.

With this destroyed, the Crossing army had no choice but to retreat.

But even if they retreated, it would take at least a day and a half to reach the stronghold. Because the enemy army wouldn’t stay still.

“Report! The Western army is preparing to advance! They will approach soon!”

The worst situation.

Despite this, Juras smiled coldly. “They finally did it. The enemies are quite slow. Good. We’ll retreat as planned.”

“W-wait a minute! What do you mean by that!” Sophia screamed in anger. “You’re not going to abandon us like this, are you!? Saying you have no choice but to withdraw because the supply depot was destroyed!”

Getting just the justification and abandoning Beckavia.

Then, when the West occupies most of the Beckavia region, that’s when they would defeat the West and occupy the entire Beckavia.

Reading Juras’s plan, Sophia cried out in indignation, but he just sighed lightly.

“I thought about doing that at first, but rest assured. As far as this war is concerned, Beckavia won’t be destroyed.”

“…!”

Sophia shuddered, getting goosebumps from meeting his gaze.

I said to him. “So that was your strategy.”

Juras just grinned at my question.

***

Meanwhile, in the Western military camp.

“Hmm…!”

Hanneman couldn’t hide his uncomfortable expression.

It was because of the battle that took place in the Rest Mountains.

The deaths of Barret and Fischer. As they were among the top ten talents out of numerous vassals, when the two died along with the operation’s failure, wariness towards the opponent and unbearable anger welled up.

“Wait for me, Fischer. I’ll soon send you the heads of those Crossing bastards.”

It was then.

“Reporting! The guerrilla unit led by General Edelson has attacked the Veratorium supply depot! They’ve burned and destroyed everything!”

“Well done…!” Hanneman, in a manner unbefitting his age, let out a cheer and then collapsed into his chair with a thud. 

“Phew! It wasn’t easy.”

All the strategists had to put their heads together for this operation. Even so, it wasn’t easy. The Crossing’s intelligence network was that persistent.

They had barely managed to break through it, so he couldn’t help but be pleased.

As such, he naturally didn’t notice that this could be a trap.

“If I may have a moment.”

“What is it?”

It was the words of a senior strategist serving Hanneman.

“Could this possibly be the enemy’s trap?”

“What nonsense. Don’t you know how much effort it took to make this operation successful?”

“That may be true, but… The enemy commander, Juras Pamilion, is said to be seamless.”

Meaning that everything seems so natural that one can’t find any signs of fabrication.

This was precisely what made Juras frightening. No matter what action he took, it made one think there was a hidden intention behind it.

In reality, there might not have been such an intention, or there really might have been. Only Juras himself knew that.

Normally, such intentions should be visible in movements, but the army commanded by Juras showed no such awkwardness at all.

So, it can’t help but be painful for those on the receiving end. Because they have to be wary of Juras in everything and engage in a psychological warfare of their own.

“I’ve learned through this confrontation that his skills are excellent. But that doesn’t mean there’s a problem with this operation. If there is such a problem, you tell me. What exactly are the enemies aiming for right now?”

“I don’t have any guesses about that either…”

“It’s impossible from the start. All the enemy can do is retreat. There’s no room for strategy to intervene in that process. Am I wrong?”

“Your judgment is correct.”

“Then there’s no need to hesitate. Everyone prepare to advance! We’ll tie down their feet so they can’t retreat quickly!”

If they tie down the enemy’s feet and delay their retreat, this war will end. Even if they can’t annihilate them, they can greatly wear down their forces.

The Western forces began to advance on a large scale.

The place where they would clash with Crossing was the Epona Plains.

The Crossing army, which began to retreat simultaneously from three fronts, converged at one point.

It was the Epona Plains, the main supply route leading from the Veratorium supply base.

Here, 100,000 from Crossing and 30,000 from Beckavia’s armies gathered.

The same was true for the enemy forces.

The West had set the Epona Plains as the decisive battleground. If they were to retreat further from the Epona Plains, they would have to cross mountainous terrain, which would inevitably cause delays.

In the meantime, if they could catch up, they could inflict significant damage.

That’s why 100,000 from the West and 30,000 from Tunkai were in pursuit.

“Hey, Ars.” Olaf called me with a sour expression. “You didn’t come up with this operation, did you?”

“No. It was Juras who did it.”

“Then that Juras Pamilion fellow isn’t all that great after all. At this rate, we’ll suffer heavy losses.”

“Even so, retreating through the Epona Plains is the most efficient route. It seems very reasonable.”

“Seems reasonable, huh… You must have something else in mind. But what strategy could there be in this situation? Do you have any other reinforcements?”

“None. No reinforcements, no strategies. They don’t exist.”

“Then what is it?”

“Just… Devouring the enemy.”

No sooner had I finished speaking than an unexpected turn of events occurred.

Swish! Swish! The Crossing army reversed as if they had been waiting for this moment.

They turned around, using the mountainous terrain behind the Epona Plains as their last stand.

Olaf frowned at this formation.

“Don’t tell me they’re just going to fight?!”

“It’s time. Olaf, please act as my proxy. You should be able to command the army in coordination with Sophia Veron.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll be going to the Crossing side.”

I still had doubts about this operation.

Juras’ plan was very simple.

First, he designated three locations as bases and increased the importance of one supply depot based on their positions.

That was the Veratorium supply depot.

After that, he cleverly allowed the enemy’s operation to destroy the supply depot.

In this case, the retreating Crossing army would naturally gather at the Epona Plains.

The same goes for the enemy. Thus, a confrontation of 130,000 versus 130,000 is completed.

This is what Juras aimed for.

A naturally occurring scenario of a full-scale battle on the plains.

‘Indeed, for inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy forces, a battle on the plains is perfect.’

But how can we win? Our supplies have been cut off. If the battle goes beyond a day, we’ll be at an extreme disadvantage.

In other words, we need to achieve results that will decide the outcome in just one day.

When I arrived at the Crossing camp and asked about this, Juras said, “Then watch. I’ll leave you in command of the remaining forces. I hope you’ll live up to expectations too.”

“What do you mean…”

Juras left abruptly.

To me, who was bewildered, Anton said, “Lord Ars. It might be hard to understand, but this is the very form in which he can reveal his true colors. …It would be best to watch closely.”

Anton’s words sounded as if I might have to face him someday.

‘What exactly is he planning to do?’

This is different from when I caught Julian Craig. Back then, we could achieve a great victory because there was preparatory work, but now it’s different. Rather, we’re at a disadvantage.

In this situation, Juras’ action was simple.

“Well then, let’s all go.”

Juras at the vanguard.

At his signal, his aides, including Anton, shouted at the top of their lungs.

“Charge──!”

And so, the 20,000 troops at the vanguard began to charge towards the enemy.

TL NOTE:

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