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The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 44

The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 44

A simple prisoner-of-war camp set up within the military camp.

I headed towards where he was, accompanied by Eo.

“They’ve captured quite a lot.”

The number of prisoners reached 9,000. The number had increased exponentially as soldiers who were hit by arrows and wounded all surrendered.

“Eo, where did you say that guy was?”

“…”

“Eo?”

“I’m sorry, Lord Ars.” Eonia suddenly apologized. The reason was trivial. “I should have been the one to understand the strategy you set up…”

“It can’t be helped since I didn’t tell you.”

“But…!”

“That’s not what I expect from you. So you don’t have to be gloomy.”

She seems to have felt that I was disrespected by other officers. She appears to be disheartened that she couldn’t properly defend me in that situation.

“If it bothers you that much, come to my room later. I’ll teach you some basic military tactics.”

“To your room, Lord Ars!?”

“When I have time. It would be troublesome for me too if you come anytime.”

“I, I’ll definitely come!”

As I comforted Eo like that and walked for a while, I was able to face the individual I was looking for.

“Ugh…!”

A man kneeling down. It was Julian Craig, the grand general of Madon.

He looked up at me and gritted his teeth. “So you must be Wade…!”

“And you must be Julian Craig, who betrayed Alvard and commit to Madon. I’m surprised you even thought of cooperating with Alvard.”

“Hmph, to win a war, personal loyalty or affection is meaningless. My Master knew that, which is why he reached out to me.”

“Well, I agree with that part. That’s why I sought you out.”

“You, don’t tell me…”

“That’s exactly it. Please divulge internal information.”

“I underestimated you too. To think you’d make such an outrageous demand to me, Julian Craig. I am the grand general of Madon! Do you think I would divulge internal information!”

“I’m not asking for Madon’s internal information. I’m asking you to give up Alvard’s internal information. You’ve already betrayed once, so shouldn’t the second time be easier?”

“Nonsense. I have nothing to say to you.”

“Is that so? Then fine. Hey, execute him.”

At my command, the executioner stepped forward with an axe. Julian’s eyes widened more than ever.

“W-wait! Ex-execution?! I demanded prisoner treatment! Executing a high-ranking prisoner before prisoner negotiations is…!”

“Do I care? I’m a mercenary, you know? I don’t care about such trivial armchair theories. What are you doing, execute him quickly!”

“Wait! Wait!” Julian shouted desperately. He must have realized that my words weren’t a bluff.

When he really faced a life-threatening situation, he changed his attitude like flipping his palm.

“I’ll give you information! I’ll tell you anything about Alvard, not Madon! So stop!”

“If it turns out to be false information, I’ll cut your head off immediately.”

“I understand. I understand, so tell them to lower the axe…”

“Hmph. Put away the axe.”

Julian started to tell everything, whether it existed or not.

Based on that information, I decided to make my final move.

The result of the engagement at Setes intersection was immediately conveyed to other battlefields.

The battlefield that first heard this news was the Foldick Mountains, located closest to the Setes Plains.

“S-s-say that again.”

Ushis Goldray, the general of Alvard, couldn’t believe his ears.

“Yes, the Calliper army completely defeated Madon’s army! Madon’s army, having lost its command strength, is scattered and retreating!”

“How is that possible!”

Madon must have had more troops. Moreover, the plains are where tactical interlocking is likely to occur. It’s a terrain where it’s difficult for one side to unilaterally beat the other.

“Damn it! This makes our position dangerous! Adjutant! Quickly concentrate our reconnaissance forces to the southern direction!”

“Yes!”

And this news was also delivered to the Calliper military camp stationed in the Foldick Mountains.

Rutger laughed in disbelief.

“Is that really true? Not false information?”

“Yes, it is!”

“I can’t believe it. Julian’s skills shouldn’t have been lacking at all. When will the detailed report arrive? I’m curious.”

“The detailed report of the battle should arrive around dawn tomorrow!”

Anton, who had been listening quietly, spoke. “Lord Rutger. In this situation, the enemy before us will inevitably have to be conscious of the southern direction.”

“That’s right. If the army that defeated Madon’s forces moves north, the Foldick Mountains will immediately become the target.”

“Then shouldn’t we move in step as well?”

“Normally, yes…. But it seems Wade doesn’t want that.”

“What? Our lord?”

“If he wanted that, he would have told me in advance. But he only told me to guard this place and didn’t say anything else.”

“Are you saying our lord has a different plan?”

“I’m not sure, but…”

“But even if there’s a different plan? The best thing we can do now is to drive out the army in the Foldick Mountains.”

“There is one. A risky method.”

“And what method is that?”

“It’s…”

After hearing that plan, Anton was momentarily at a loss for words.

* * *

Due to distance issues, this news was arriving a step later in the northern regions.

Gillias Melbourn, who first received the report in the Moro mountains, headed towards Kaien in the Godin valley along with the messenger.

Upon receiving this report, Kaien let out a deep sigh.

“To deal with Julian so easily. Mercenary Wade… It seems he has skills comparable to the Ten Heroes.”

“What! Master, the Ten Heroes?! That guy Julian whom he defeated couldn’t even make it into the Twenty Heroes!”

“Gillias, you know Julian’s skills best. His abilities are not inferior when compared to the Heroes.”

“Ugh…!”

Gillias gritted his teeth and said, “Master. Give me 10,000 troops! I’ll go straight down to the Foldick mountains, join forces with Ushis, and buy time by preparing our stance!”

If Kaien could break through the north using that time, the war situation would become even.

Kaien was already using a strategy that could deal with the opponent. In three days, that strategy would be complete and was expected to deal a severe blow to Calliper’s army led by Dunan.

However, Kaien shook his head. “No, we’re already in a dead end.”

“Pardon?”

“Mercenary Wade. If that guy is looking at the same place as me, he won’t bother coming up to the Foldick mountains. Because there’s an even more fatal method.”

“What on earth could that method be…”

It was none other than this.

A few hours later, a messenger came running in, out of breath.

“Urgent news──!! The southern Calliper army has crossed the border and is invading our territory!”

This was precisely why Ars had Ilya forcefully deal with the enemy’s guerrilla units.

He himself had already crossed the border and was marching into Alvard’s territory.

“That, that bastard…! Quickly, sound the emergency alarm in the east! Lock the gates and enter a siege! If we can buy time…!”

“It’s already too late.”

“What? But if we buy time at the gates…”

“They already have detailed intelligence. Not only did the Saleon faction’s army enter our territory to gather information… I don’t think that Julian fellow will keep his mouth shut either.”

Kaien was certain that Julian had spilled all the internal information. That internal information would include everything about supply routes and storehouses.

“Now we need to retreat as quickly as possible.” Kaien immediately issued an order for a surprise retreat.

This essentially meant Alvard’s defeat.

The key was that Calliper’s army had won such a great victory in the Battle of Setes intersection that they unexpectedly had the capacity to continue with a counterattack.

Moreover, because Madon’s defeated army had fled to the south, which was Madon’s territory, rather than to the west where Alvard’s territory was, even the remnants of the army couldn’t be mobilized for defense.

Ars quickly crossed the border and invaded Alvard’s territory.

With those swift movements, three military fortresses fell, and one fortress city that was caught off guard also fell. They rapidly attacked by digging into weaknesses based on the information Julian had divulged.

At this, the Kingdom of Albard was thrown into chaos.

Alvard immediately tried to respond by controlling travel between cities and conducting emergency conscription in major cities.

However, at this point, Calliper’s army had already achieved its goal.

They had succeeded in temporarily paralyzing Alvard’s eastern territory. This meant a paralysis of overall supplies.

Supplies heading to the Foldick mountains, supplies heading to the Moro mountains, and supplies heading to Kaien’s army in the north were all suddenly cut off.

Ars looked at the forest, not the trees.

Rather than simply destroying supply routes or storehouses, he cornered the entire Alvard army into a dead end by cutting off the source of supplies.

The Alvard army that had marched into Calliper’s territory had no choice but to hastily retreat.

In this process, Ars, leading all 20,000 troops, caught up with the Ushis Goldray’s army in the rear that was retreating from the Foldick mountains.

“Damn it…!”

Ushis lowered his head. In front, Rutger’s army was closing in, chasing them, and behind, Ars had cut off their retreat path.

An engagement without retreat in a situation where supplies were cut off was hopeless.

“It’s over.”

He had only one choice left.

Total surrender. They gave up on engagement and surrendered.

Usually, since one cannot know how prisoners will be treated, cases of complete surrender without even fighting are rare, but this war is special.

The Alvard & Madon alliance already holds over 10,000 Calliper prisoners.

In post-war agreements, prisoner exchanges will naturally occur, so surrendering gives a high chance of survival.

“Everyone, throw down your weapons. I can’t let you die like dogs here.”

Alvard’s soldiers tearfully put down their weapons at Ushis’s order.

Rutger, who captured all of them as prisoners, finally faces Ushis.

Ushis bites his lip hard. He bit so strongly that part of his lip was cut off.

“As expected, it was you! Lord Rutger…!”

“It’s been a long time, Ushis. I never thought we’d meet again like this.”

“Ugh! How dare you show your face on this battlefield after turning your back on Alvard! And pointing your sword at Alvard as part of Calliper!”

“No, Alvard turned its back on me. I still can’t forget. The territory people there changed their expressions and threw stones and curses at my daughter. Those noble bastards who coldly rejected my pleas for help!”

“Master Kaien didn’t turn away! Don’t you remember he promised to find a way!”

“And? What solution did the master find for me who waited 6 years in the Kalon mountains believing only those words?”

“Master did his best!”

“Yes, but results are everything. Wade actually cured my daughter.”

“What…!? Is, is that really true? How could such a terrible disease…”

“Ushis. The Rutger Rosenberg you knew is dead. I no longer have the pride or honor of those days.”

Abandoning his kingdom, abandoning his subordinates. He lost everything. Nothing remained in his life except his daughter.

“I’ve decided to live the rest of my life for my daughter, to repay the kindness I received from Wade. If anything interferes with that… I’ll cut down even master Kaien’s neck.”

“You’re serious… You’re really going to betray your kingdom and your master!”

“Yes, tell master that too. If we meet on the battlefield next time, I’ll take his life!”

Ars who was watching their conversation with interest said.”Eo, quickly bring some popcorn.”

“What!? When you say po-popcorn…?” Eonia seriously ponders what popcorn could be.

Ars smiled as he munched on some emergency rations he had brought.

‘With this, five of the seven vassals remain.’

Ars decided to make one thing clear.

That he had definitely succeeded in recruiting Rutger Rosenberg, one of the seven vassals.

* * *

Alvard withdrew all the troops that had invaded Calliper and began the work of normalizing the eastern territory that had been paralyzed by Ars.

Ars, judging that he could be isolated by Alvard’s forces, quickly returned to Calliper’s territory after devouring Ushis’s troops.

The war entered a lull as both sides withdrew their armies.

At that point, Ars received a request to attend a military council meeting. The location was Grancel, the midpoint between the northern and southern battlefields.

After giving his soldiers rest, Ars set off for the military council meeting, accompanied only by Eonia.

“Commander Wade is entering!”

At that, the noisy military council chamber fell silent.

“……”

A reverent gaze, as if looking at an unknown creature.

Ars walked in heavily and took a seat at the far end. Then he says, “Please continue with what you were doing?”

As if it had nothing to do with him.

At this, Duke Hellian grins. “How could we? The main character has appeared. Wade, it was a splendid performance. Who would have thought you’d crush Julian Craig to that extent? No one could have predicted this achievement.”

“I was just lucky.”

“Luck… You say. Well then, I’d like to borrow that luck for the upcoming battle.”

Hellian points to the war map and says, “Now is the perfect opportunity to corner Alvard. Wade. Lend us your strength.”

“…Haha.”

“What’s that laugh?”

“I’m sorry. Please continue.”

“Hmm, currently we have Madon’s grand general Julian Craig and Alvard’s 4th general Ushis Goldray as prisoners. In terms of manpower, the enemy’s strength has noticeably weakened. If we push in, we should be able to easily push back the enemy. Don’t you think so, Wade?”

“It’s not wrong, but it won’t be as easy as you say. Because I stirred up the eastern territory, Alvard has also entered emergency conscription. If we attack again, those conscripts will be deployed in key areas. This will naturally lead to a confrontation, and the war will be prolonged. That’s not desirable for either Alvard or Calliper.”

“Hmm.”

“Besides, I hate to say this, but several territories in the southwest have been looted and burned. Relief measures are needed for those territories and their people.”

“Huh, for example, Ribel?”

“……”

“Well, alright. There’s going to be a temporary agreement for prisoner exchange before we reopen the war anyway. If that agreement falls through, we might have to contract with you again. Keep that in mind.”

“Surely that agreement won’t fall through. The head of the Saleon faction is captured. The nobles of the Saleon faction will try their best to make sure the agreement is successful. And you’ll use that as leverage to squeeze them. So aren’t you just saying things you don’t mean here, like continuing the war?”

Duke Hellian raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?”

“You need to advocate for continuing the war to make the prisoner exchange more difficult, and the more difficult it becomes, the more the Saleon faction nobles will have to give up. You’re putting on an obvious act for that purpose.”

“You knew everything. That’s why you laughed earlier. Huh, Wade, I like you even more. To think you have political acumen as well.”

“Even kids would know this much.”

“Well, since that’s the case, let’s all pretend we didn’t hear this conversation.”

As all the officers here were Hellian faction members, they silently nodded.

“Then can I leave now?”

“You may go. You’ve admirably met my expectations.”

“Yes, then Duke… I hope you keep that promise.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not a petty man like those Saleon fellows.”

Ars leaves the military council chamber.

As Ars leaves, Grand General Dunan, who had been silent all along, speaks, “Duke, will it be alright?”

“What do you mean?”

“Seeing that fellow’s capabilities, if he were to switch to another kingdom, he would be a great threat.”

“So you’re saying we should have some leverage over him? Forget it. The more you push someone like him, the sharper fangs he’ll bare. I can’t fathom his true intentions, but at least he doesn’t seem to have any intention of being hostile to our Calliper. He also didn’t seem to have any sincere intention of colluding with Crossing.”

“Then…”

“Maintaining this current relationship is the most ideal.”

“What if he decides to join hands with the Saleon faction?”

“That’s something we can prevent in advance. Even if he really does go over to the Saleon faction, he’d still be working for Calliper in the end, so we could overlook it for the greater good.”

Hellian looked down at the war map and said, “Dunan, the international situation will change rapidly soon. The Three Lions War that Crossing started, and this war, are just the beginning. If our Calliper is to survive in that torrent, we absolutely need talents like him.”

Hellian felt a near-certainty.

That a massive war that would shake the entire continent would occur in the near future.


TL NOTE:

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The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road

The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road

Score 9.2
Status: Completed Type: Author: Released: 2022 Native Language: Korean
I ended up possessing Ars Elaine, a supporting character in the game. Struggling to prevent my death, I pave my way.

Comment

  1. Jay Crowler says:

    Duke Hellian is one of the smartest people in the story. He keeps noticing when things are about to go horribly wrong.

  2. Tinyant says:

    Honestly the Duke is very smart miltary and political pretty rare character

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