Volume 3 Chapter 19 (1/2)
Chapter 3 Episode 19
Editor: SniperIRL
Proofreader: mr.tanen
Early 10th Month, the Year 2812, Western continent calendar: (Eastern Invasion 3)
Hearing what General Belharres said the expressions of everyone present turned pale.
Who would have thought that their top commanding officer would admit defeat here?
”Y-Your Excellency...”
One of General Belharres' adjutants called to him with a trembling voice due to shock.
In this world, combat was fought mostly in close quarters, but no matter what world, the morale of the soldiers would always be a determining factor for the outcome of a battle.
And in order to keep that morale always high, trust towards the commander is more important than anything else.
Soldiers can bet their lives in war because they believe that their commander will win. Conversely, there are few humans who would stake their lives for a commander who they know cannot win.
And in this war, General Belharres was the highest ranking commanding officer of the Kingdom of Zalda's armed forces.
This meant that their victory or defeat depended on how he thought.
No matter how many soldiers had been lost, as long the commander did not admit defeat, the war would still go on. Even if they lost the battle, the war itself was still not lost as long the soldiers did not lose their fighting spirit.
On the other hand, if the soldiers were already losing their fighting spirit, no matter how many of them remained, the war was as good as lost already.
All this points to the fact that one of the most important qualities that any military commander must have is an indomitable will and strength of mind.
One could compensate the ability to formulate strategies by appointing skilled subordinates. However, it is impossible to compensate for a commander that lacks mental fort.i.tude.
In that sense, General Belharres should have been the best commander.
The Ortomean Empire, the Kingdom of Ernestgora. It was him who prevented those two countries from invading the eastern kingdoms for many years.
Together with the coalition of the eastern kingdoms, he has repeatedly helped to stop the ambitions of the great powers in the west many times.
For his adjutants, hearing an admission of defeat from such a general was akin to hearing words of despair. From their minds, Joshua’s arrogant manner had already disappeared.
”Your Excellency... Isn't that a bit too much?! Many knights still believing that victory is still possible are fighting on the front lines, betting their lives... Yet, why does Your Excellency admit defeat so easily?!”
One of General Belharres' adjutants shouted in anger.
He showed a violent behavior that should have never been permitted to happen, but no one tried to stop him this time.
The reason for this was that all of them felt the same. General Belharres then raised his hand slowly to stop him, and turned his sharp gaze to the surroundings.
”Who said I accepted defeat in this war?”
He said those words with a calm voice.
Both confidence and the air of dignity from a warrior who had survived many battles could be felt from his voice.
There was no indication of fear in those words. Only firm resolution existed within them.
”Eh? But Your Excellency... Just now...”
”I never said we’ve lost the war. Joshua did not say that either.”
None of the officers present could understand the meaning of what the General had just said.
The adjutants were sure that the General had said that they had already lost.
And they could not all be mistaken.
”What I meant by ‘lost’ is in term of strategy... Well, as long we've already been defeated strategy-wise, the way towards victory would be almost non-existent.”
General Belharres deeply sighed. Then he showed a dark smile and continued talking.
”Ortomea has executed a multilayered strategy for this battle, limiting our movements ... Is there anyone here who understands what this means?”
No one opened their mouth. Everyone keeps quiet and waits for him to continue.
It can't be helped that they could not understand the General’s words.
It is unreasonable to ask knights who live on the battlefield about grand strategy. <tln: in=”” our=”” term,=”” the=”” topic=”” is=”” above=”” their=”” pay=”” grade.=””>
General Belharres then starts talking so that the others could follow.
”In the first place, why did we choose an open field as the battlefield.?”
”That is because Ortomea only mobilized a small force which we thought that we had a chance of defeating by mobilizing the army under His Hajesty the King’s direct command.”
”Correct, now let me ask all of you, in the past, has our country have ever won against Ortomea by fighting alone?”
In the past, Zalda never fought against Ortomea alone. They always cooperated with the neighboring countries.
The adjutants start to realize what the General is talking about. Then, they all reach a single conclusion.
”””Ah!!”””
”It can't be... The Rozeria civil war is...”
General Belharres' adjutants turn a probing gaze at him.
”That is right... Of course, I have no proof. However, this invasion, the timing is too perfect for the Ortomea side... Perhaps they have prepared for this invasion for many years... Waiting for the chance when our allies won't be able to send reinforcement.”
Territory, population, and economy. In all aspects, the kingdom of Zalda is inferior compared to the Ortomea Empire.
Still, the reason why the Zalda Kingdom has been able to maintain its independence is because of the existence of the alliance between the eastern kingdoms.
Rozeria, and Mist, whenever an emergency occurs, those two nations always sent their reinforcements. That is why, the kingdom of Zalda has survived this far.
Of course, they weren’t helping out of the kindness of their hearts.
If the Zalda Kingdom were to be destroyed, that would mean the territory of a great country will spread into the eastern region of the western continent.