The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 85
Ars’ command, which stopped the western advance through the coordination of crossbows and bows.
Delbadova, who was watching the scene from the lowlands, raised the corner of his mouth.
“General, who is commanding that area?”
“Yes! The 2nd Cavalry and 6th Infantry! It’s the cadets Dorofei Grimwood and Ars Elaine!”
“Hmm, Dorofei wouldn’t be capable of such high-level command, so it must be the commanding ability of this Ars fellow.”
Delbadova was also paying attention to Ars.
An elite who quietly took first place. During his elementary and middle school academy days, he wasn’t noticed due to his poor family background, but once he entered actual combat, he showed outstanding performance and stood out.
“Indeed, they’re not called the golden generation for nothing. Good, have the 1st Cavalry match their fire with the 2nd Cavalry!”
A rain of arrows.
At this moment, the enemy’s unusual behavior began.
When the soldiers’ feet stopped, they divided their army into left and right and infiltrated the mountainous area.
“What…?”
Delbadova frowned at this action.
The left and right sides were difficult terrain to climb.
That’s why no troops were deployed there.
If where the Calliper army had deployed was the ridge, where the Western army had infiltrated was the valley.
“General! The enemy has entered the mountainous areas on the left and right! What should we do?”
Once the enemies entered the mountainous interior, arrows were no longer useful. They needed to create some way to keep them in check.
“Nngh…!”
Delbadova, as a general directly under the royal family, didn’t have much combat experience.
He had leadership skills, but wasn’t quick in situation assessment.
‘Their aim is to enter the mountain interior before us and cut off our supply route!’
Unlike the Calliper army who had to climb the ridge, the opponent could quickly ascend to higher ground through the valley.
If the West climbed the mountain first, there was a high possibility that the pre-established supply route would be cut off.
‘Oh no, has meeting them head-on become a mistake!’
Delbadova had come down to the mountain entrance, which was easy to intercept the enemy, judging that he would break the enemy’s spearhead.
He thought the opponent would retreat for now if he made a show of force at the entrance.
He didn’t expect the opponent to forcefully squeeze in while ignoring them.
The West’s intention that can be understood from this movement is one.
Although their supply has been cut off because they forcefully squeezed in, if they cut off Calliper’s supply route as well, it would eventually become an equal situation.
“We’ll quickly retreat towards the stronghold!”
Delbadova decides to retreat to the stronghold they had created inside the mountain.
That’s when it happened.
“General! A message from the 6th Infantry! They say that rather than retreating now, we should launch a full-scale attack on one of the enemy forces that have entered on both sides!”
A message from Ars.
General Ironheart, who knew Ars was Wade, immediately says, “General, it seems like a good move, although risky. If the enemy is currently climbing the valley, we could inflict significant damage by attacking from the side.”
“But in the meantime, our supply route will be completely cut off.”
“Well, we can secure it again with the gains we make.”
“If there’s a delay, it might become difficult. It’s a good suggestion, but for now, I’ll prioritize securing the supply route. All troops, retreat to the stronghold immediately!”
The Calliper army hastily retreats.
Meanwhile, the Western army occupies key points inside the mountain area and forms an ambush unit. While tying down the retreating Calliper army, they manage to cut off the supply route.
Calliper army’s stronghold located midway up the mountain.
The officers were confused due to this engagement.
Partly because some of the officers were inexperienced cadets, and above all, because they couldn’t understand the enemy’s principle of action.
Dorofei, also seeming confused, asks me, “How on earth did the enemy army attack first? We were just stationed here…”
Common sense would dictate that from the enemy’s standpoint, it would be right to leave alone the Calliper army that was merely observing the war.
This is like needlessly poking a beehive.
“They must have another objective.”
“Another objective? Ars, do you have any guesses?”
“Well…”
To be honest, I’ve figured it all out.
Why the opponent moved like this. What they’re aiming for too.
‘Was it Hanneman? Whether he came up with it directly or not, it’s pretty good.’
It means the West isn’t a pushover.
‘Even if we had followed my suggestion and struck their side, we probably wouldn’t have achieved a satisfactory result.’
They must have calculated for that too.
Rather, retreating to the stronghold like General Delbadova chose wasn’t bad either.
It means we let the opponent make the first move, but we also preserved our power to respond.
The real phase starts now.
The immediate problem facing us is how to rebuild the cut-off supply route.
We can get through tonight, but we’ll start running short on rations from tomorrow lunchtime.
General Delbadova immediately convened a military meeting to come up with countermeasures.
* * *
Meanwhile, 20 minutes before the military meeting began.
Four cadet commanders, including Casper, were gathered together.
The only ones absent were Dorofei and Ars. Joshua Herald, who had gathered them, had intentionally excluded those two.
“Joshua, why did you call us together?”
When Denian Geglish asked with a tired expression, Joshua looked around and spoke in a whisper.
“Because the battle has really begun. There’s something I want to tell you guys.”
“Something you want to tell us?”
“This is something my father tipped me off about before heading out. Apparently, if we achieve great military merits in this battle, even we could become generals.”
“What!?”
Everyone’s expressions changed at these words.
“Think about it! That was His Majesty the King’s arrangement for this war. You can tell just by the fact that cadets like us were put in charge of 2,000 troops! His Majesty desires talented individuals for a new era!”
“Certainly…. Looking at how General Dunan’s vacancy wasn’t filled with existing military personnel….”
“That’s what I’m saying! Now imagine if we achieve military accomplishments in this war! Of course, tremendous promotions would be waiting for us!”
“And that goes as far as becoming a general?”
“I’m not sure about that, but my father said that if this war ends successfully, Second General Delbadova will be promoted to First General and Commander-in-Chief, and the vacant position will be filled by someone who has achieved military merits. And that could be us.”
A strange silence fell.
“General…. If we become generals…!”
Casper clenched his fist.
He recalled Gilbert’s words telling him to build up achievements.
‘This must have been what he had in mind when he said that!’
If he could achieve results here and reach a truly high position, he could throw away his fake identity as Wade and make Erina his own.
Casper’s motivation was beyond imagination.
“All of you…. From now on, come under my command.” Casper said threateningly.
“What nonsense is that?”
“Shut up, Joshua. Follow if I say follow! Have you forgotten who I am?”
“Well, it’s not that….”
To achieve the great military merits needed to become a general, more troops were necessary. 2,000 troops weren’t enough.
Casper was thinking of absorbing the troops of other cadets to command 8,000 troops.
“Ah, alright. Don’t make such a scary face.”
“Good, Denian, you don’t have any objections either, right? You too, Ruan!”
However, Ruan Chase shook his head. “Don’t order me around, Casper.”
“What?”
“You’re not the only one who wants to become a general, idiot.”
“You bastard! Do you know who I am…!”
“Wade? Yeah, okay. Then try to subjugate me. I don’t care if you use force or wisdom, just try it. Why don’t you bring Eonia Mirabel if you can? What, is it impossible?”
“E-Eonia is resting at the mansion due to injury.”
“Ha!” Ruan snickered and leaned in to whisper to Casper. “I’ve been keeping quiet only because you joined our faction, you idiot. I never believed you were Wade in the first place.”
“Ugh…!”
“From now on, I’ll be above you. By becoming a general, that is.”
As soon as the opportunity for insubordination came, Ruan unhesitatingly betrayed Casper.
Glaring at Ruan’s retreating back, Casper managed to pressure the other two and gain command of troops numbering 6,000.
This conspiracy of the cadets excluded only Ars and Dorofei.
While they thought they were sharing top-secret information, surprisingly, Ars and Dorofei were also aware of this fact.
This was because Dorofei wasn’t just a cadet, but a current high-ranking noble holding the title of Count.
Dorofei, heading towards the military meeting room, casually says to Ars.
“Come to think of it, Marquis Reinhardt told me something. He said we might even become generals if we achieve military merits in this battle.”
“What’s that about? I really hate it.” Ars was disgusted.
He seemed to understand why such talk had come up.
‘They’re obviously targeting me. Duke Hellian must have decided he wants to make me a general.’
As the intention was so obvious, Ars sincerely didn’t want to accumulate military achievements.
“Why? Ars, don’t you want to become a general?”
“Of course not. Why would I do something that’s just troublesome? You don’t want to either, Dorofei.”
“Yeah, I’m not cut out for it in the first place. It’s a shame. I think you’d do well, Ars.”
“I’m telling you, I wouldn’t. Besides, it would look strange if I became one in the first place.”
“Well, Casper will probably take the general position anyway. After all, he’s Wade.”
“Haha….”
“I wonder if Eonia Mirabel will appear in this battle too? In the last Chimera War, she suddenly appeared and helped with the logging operation. She also played an active role in the final battle. Maybe Casper brought her this time too.”
“It won’t work. Eonia is resting due to an injury right now.”
“Did Casper say that?”
“No, it’s true.”
In reality, Eonia was suffering from mental anguish, overly worried about Ars heading to the battlefield alone.
Casper’s random excuse turned out to be true.
“…?? What do you mean?”
“Haha, just kidding. Anyway, let’s hurry. We seem to be a bit late.”
The two arrived last among the officer cadets. Shortly after their arrival, Delbadova appeared.
“Adjutant. Explain the battle situation.”
“Yes, sir!”
Delbadova’s adjutant explained the battle situation in detail.
The current location of the Calliper forces was at the center of the mountainous area. A supply route was established along the mountain path in the 5 o’clock direction from here.
“The enemy has cut off that supply route and set up camp nearby. Their intention is to deny us the supply line at all costs.”
“The enemy’s intention is clear. Now, what do you all think?”
At this, Joshua Herald raised his hand high.
“We must annihilate them immediately! We have a better understanding of the terrain. We can surely gain the upper hand in tactical combat.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Pardon?”
“In the previous engagement, they infiltrated the valleys on both our sides and climbed the mountains for all to see. Moreover, their movement to cut off the supply route was unprecedentedly swift. All of these actions are impossible without a thorough understanding of the Kalon Mountains. Even so, can you be confident that we have a better understanding of the terrain?”
“Well, that…”
“The idea of going to annihilate them is good, but explain in detail how to deal with possible enemy ambushes and how we can stay ahead in tactics. This isn’t a classroom where your ideas are generously understood. This is a battlefield where lives are at stake!”
At Delbadova’s rebuke, Joshua shrank back a step.
“Next, anyone else?”
“How about forming a special detachment?”
It was Casper’s suggestion.
“A special detachment?”
“We divide the army to find a way out.”
“Explain in more detail.”
“Our current problem is low mobility. And this mobility will decrease over time as our supplies are cut off. So, while we still have the strength, tomorrow morning we divide the army into several squads and use high mobility to carry out an operation to recapture the supply route.”
Casper explained the operation of the special detachment, including specific marching routes.
General Delbadova watched for a long time and then shook his head.
“No. The risk of being defeated in detail is too high.”
“We need to take that risk.”
“It’s too big a risk to take. The enemy has surely placed ambush troops. During the movement of troops as you proposed, several units will be caught by the ambush forces. At that point, the command structure will break down. Especially since we’ve divided the troops. At that moment, the enemy will try to defeat us in detail. How can this not be dangerous? Or do you have a way to command all the divided units?”
“Ugh…!”
Casper was at a loss for words.
“The idea is good, but refine it more. Next, anyone else?”
This time it was Ruan Chase.
“We need to exhaust the enemy’s patience.”
“Their patience?”
“General. Just as our supply route is cut off, the enemy’s supply route is also cut off.”
“That’s right, they’ve come deep into our territory ignoring their supply route.”
“Then they will surely make some move for resupply. We should prevent that and corner them in return.”
“You’re suggesting a battle of endurance. But we don’t have enough food. On the other hand, the enemy likely came prepared for this situation and their soldiers probably have ample personal rations. That should last at least three days.”
“We can hold out for about three days. If we conserve the remaining food, that is. Fortunately, this area where we are located is rich in groundwater, so we can create several wells. With sufficient water, we can endure.”
“Hmm.”
“Besides, what’s important now is not the presence or absence of food, but how we make the enemy think.”
“You’re suggesting using deception tactics.”
“That’s right. If we make them think we have a lot of stored food, they’ll have no choice but to become impatient.”
So we hold this position. We pretend to have a lot of food to draw out the enemy.
“…Not bad.”
Delbadova liked Ruan’s strategy. At the very least, it was better than charging at the opponent.
Ruan breathed a sigh of relief at this reaction, but then…
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” Ars cut in, expressing his disbelief.
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