The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 86

The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 86

The atmosphere in the military meeting room became tense at Ars’ reproachful comment that it was ridiculous.

Delbadova narrowed his eyes and glared at Ars.

“What do you mean? Ars Elaine.”

“I’m sorry. My peers were saying strange things, so I couldn’t help it.”

“Strange things? Are you saying there’s a problem with the plan Chase just outlined?”

“Of course. That plan has no possibility of being realized in the first place.”

Ruan hardened his expression and glared at Ars.

“Hmm, then tell us your thoughts.”

“Understood.”

Ars didn’t particularly want to stand out, but he also didn’t want to remain silent and allow many soldiers to die as a result.

That’s why he had voiced his opinion during the Battle of Foldick Mountain in the past, and why he had given frank advice even if it meant sparring with Dunan during the Chimera War.

It was the same now.

Putting aside not standing out, he decided to step forward directly because if things continued like this, many lives would be lost due to wrong choices.

“Why do you say Chase’s plan has no possibility of being realized?”

“Explaining that part would get a bit complicated, so for now I’ll just state the relatively correct direction we can take in this situation.”

“Correct direction? Are you saying there’s a correct answer to break through this situation?”

“Of course there is. It’s to move the army here.”

With that, Ars moved a piece on the map to one point.

It was to the south of the Kalon Mountain, in the direction of the Kingdom of Alvard.

“If we move here, all problems will be solved.”

“Wait. What does this mean? Towards Alvard? Surely not…”

“Yes, that’s exactly it. If we request and secure new supplies from Alvard, there won’t be any problems. The enemy will have blocked the routes towards Calliper and Crossing, but they won’t have deployed troops towards Alvard. It’s not only difficult to imagine, but they also won’t have the luxury of deploying troops towards Alvard after blocking off the Crossing and Calliper directions. So if we move first and secure that point, they will be in a situation where they can’t do anything.”

“But how do we secure supplies from Alvard?”

“It shouldn’t be difficult. Consider the diplomatic situation.”

Originally, Alvard is Beckavia’s ally.

It was just that Alvard couldn’t provide help because the situation wasn’t favorable.

“Alvard’s diplomatic face has been greatly damaged due to this incident. They abandoned their alliance just because the political situation was unstable. So there’s no way Alvard will side with the West and Tunkai. If they did, not only would their diplomatic face be damaged, but the credibility of the nation would hit rock bottom.”

“Hmm…”

“Then which side would Alvard want to help? It’s our alliance. That’s the only way they can recover their damaged face. So if we go down to this area and request supplies, Alvard won’t refuse. They won’t want to miss this opportunity to indirectly help Beckavia and also put our Calliper in their debt. If we make the request, they’ll probably provide supplies within a day. That’s it. At the point where we’ve secured a supply route without any damage, the enemy army that has invaded the mountains will lose their way. They can’t pressure us with supplies anymore, so they’ll have to secure their own supplies. However, if they try to establish a supply route to the Kalon Mountain, problems will arise.”

This is because the route for that supply line would be too long.

“This is the southern end, far from the frontlines. If the enemy forms a supply route, it will be formed long like this. Such a supply route is highly likely to be cut off by a separate unit. So the enemy will abandon the Kalon Mountain and withdraw their army. We can then rebuild our supply route from the Calliper direction, and that’s it.”

Silence fell.

It was such a perfect response. Delbadova’s direct officers were simply convinced that this was indeed the correct answer.

Ironheart, who knew Ars’ true identity, let out a sigh of admiration.

Even Delbadova, who had been refuting the cadets’ opinions until now, couldn’t think of anything to rebut.

“…Excellent. It’s chilling how good it is.”

If they do as Ars said, they can make the enemy suffer without incurring any damage themselves. It was that ingenious.

“But if by any chance Alvard doesn’t provide supplies, problems could arise. That’s why you said it was a relatively correct direction, right?”

“That’s true, but it’s a slim possibility. Our diplomats won’t be sitting idle. In the end, Alvard will provide supplies.”

“Hmm, I think so too. However, I’d like to go in an even more certain direction than a relatively correct one. Would you tell me that?”

“This method carries risks. There will be casualties among the troops.”

“I’ll listen first and then decide.”

“…Alright.”

Ars came right to the front, took the command baton, and pointed at the map.

This military meeting had already become Ars’ one-man show.

At this, the expressions of the cadets, including Casper and Ruan, hardened. Only Dorofei was smiling, saying, ‘See, it suits him well after all’.

“This is about why Chase’s plan from earlier has no possibility of being realized. The enemy’s goal is not to do something to us, but merely to drive us out of these Kalon Mountain. So they will thoroughly block the supply routes and hold out. With that in mind, they would have prepared much more individual rations than the general mentioned. Even if we try a holding operation, the enemy won’t be shaken. That’s why Chase’s plan had no possibility of being realized.”

“Drive us out? What does that mean?”

“Let’s say we couldn’t find another method. Or let’s say we suffered losses while trying to rashly secure a supply route. What would you do then, General?”

“We’ll have to find another way. When I said I hadn’t thought of getting help from Alvard…”

“Yes, conversely, not towards Calliper or Crossing, but the remaining place. They would have tried to get help from the Beckavia direction. In this case, we need to leave the mountains.”

“Ah…!”

“In other words, their goal is to draw our Calliper army into the main battlefield.”

“But why? It’s not at all advantageous for them if our army joins the battle.”

“That’s right. So there must be another purpose. For example, spreading false information.”

“False information?”

Ars pointed to a spot on the map.

It was the area where Beckavia’s 40,000 troops were stationed.

“This is speculation, but the enemy will likely spread this false information towards Beckavia when we leave the Kalon Mountain. They’ll say the Calliper army is being pursued. They’ll probably actually chase us too.”

Everyone in the conference room was focused intently on Ars’ words.

“And at the same time, the enemy will deploy the Tunkai forces that were above towards us, who are supposedly being chased. As if they’re going to annihilate us with a pincer attack. What do you think Beckavia will do then?”

“They’ll send reinforcements. To save us…!”

“Yes, the enemy will try to increase the size of those reinforcements somehow. They’ll make at least 30,000 of the 40,000 stationed troops go as support. The moment the garrison’s forces are reduced like that. They’ll break through the garrison and surround Arandal, the main city of Beckavia located in the rear, and then occupy advantageous positions to defend.”

“I see! Arandal is the supply center for that front! They’re trying to neutralize it to gain control of the war situation!”

“That’s right. By then, our forces and the Beckavian forces deceived by false information will have to reluctantly attack to save Arandal. Originally, the other side was supposed to be in the attacking position, but this way, we end up in the position of having to attack the enemy who has established their position.”

“So we have to fight an unfavorable battle. And in a situation with unstable supplies at that.”

“Yes, but this is where we need a change in perspective.”

Ars presented a brilliant move to shatter the enemy’s strategy.

“If we move like this, the enemy will be caught off guard. Because it becomes a situation where the outcome of the war could be decided if they don’t respond, they’ll have to abandon everything and come back. At that moment, the war situation will tilt greatly in our favor.”

Gulp! Delbadova swallowed dry saliva. He was utterly shocked.

‘What is this guy.’

It was an insight difficult to attribute to a mere cadet.

Reading the intentions behind the enemy’s actions, grasping everything, and laying out the overall plan. Ars had already created a path to checkmate at this moment.

‘Golden generation? No. He’s not just material to become gold. This guy is already well-refined gold! He’s complete!’

After explaining everything, Ars stepped back with a tired sigh.

“That’s all. I’ll leave the choice to you, General.”

Whether to ensure safety by getting help from Alvard. Or to take the risk and use the enemy’s strategy to their advantage to lead the war situation.

Delbadova’s choice was the latter.

“Tell the entire army! We will descend the mountain tomorrow and head towards Beckavia!”

* * *

The military meeting concluded.

Ars said he was tired and returned to the camp with Dorofei.

As Ars walked away, the officers of Delbadova exclaimed in admiration.

“Indeed, he deserves to be called the golden generation. It’s amazing!”

“Ruan and Casper’s plans were decent, but this is really…”

“He’s definitely going to be big. He might even become our superior soon.”

“Huh, if that’s the case, that guy’s fortune is looking up. Wasn’t he the fourth son of a baron’s family?”

With the military’s importance significantly increased now, even if he’s the fourth son of a baron, if he becomes a core member of the military, his value skyrockets.

In Ars’ case, he was at the perfect age for marriage talks, so if he really became a general, marriage proposals might flood in explosively.

“Damn it, damn it…!” Casper, consumed by inferiority, kept cursing under his breath.

He had been conscious of Ars, knowingly or unknowingly, even before his involvement with Erina. Ever since that chess match he lost as a child.

At that time, he thought it was just a chance defeat, but since then, he had never surpassed Ars in academy grades.

He was able to take his mind off it somewhat when Ars went to Rainpol Academy and he went to Grancel Academy, but the nightmare started again in the higher academy.

The academy grades he thought he wouldn’t lose anymore were pushed back again. Although not out yet, it was almost certain that Ars would be the top student in this year’s academy grades as well.

‘If that guy becomes a general…’

It bothered him that Gilbert favored Ars.

What if, in the slightest chance, Gilbert sends Erina to Ars?

“That can’t happen…! Haa! Haa…! Wait, Ruan!” Casper grabbed Ruan, who was about to leave.

“…Fix your expression. It’s unsightly, Casper.”

“This is not the time to worry about that. That guy has shot ahead!”

“I don’t particularly have any grudges against Elaine.”

“Are you saying you don’t care even if Erina goes to him!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but Lady Erina is someone I serve officially. I don’t have any particular personal feelings. Lady Erina seems to have good feelings towards Elaine too, so if their family circumstances align and they get engaged, it would be a cause for celebration.”

“Nonsense! He’s the fourth son of a lowly baron family! Do you think he’d match with a duke’s daughter!”

“You, your words are all mixed up now. Just a moment ago, you were asking if I’d be okay with Lady Erina going to Elaine. Now you’re saying that will never happen? And to begin with, that’s not for you to think about, it’s Gilbert’s decision to make.”

“Kuk!”

“However… I’m not completely satisfied with the current situation either.”

The strategy Ars proposed doesn’t involve any actual combat.

In other words, their chance to gain military achievements disappears.

“Even if we have to hand over the main role to Elaine, I don’t want to end without doing anything. If there’s an opportunity, I’d like to seize it. If you’re of the same mind, I’m willing to cooperate.”

“…Alright. Then when that moment comes, I’ll give you a signal. You just need to respond.”

“I won’t follow if it’s an unreasonable strategy. Keep that in mind.”

The war where everyone’s purposes are intertwining.

One of the decisive battles of this war was about to begin.

TL NOTE:

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