Vol 10 Chapter 1 (1/2)
Altina the Sword Princess Voluue, Chapter 1
Prologue: Situational Report
Translator: Skythewood
Editors: Darkdhaos, Ruzenor, Seir K
Imperial year 851 July 21st—
The sun rose from behind the mountains in the east
Regis left his tent and came here before dawn
Even though there was a dense forest on the slope of the hills, barren ground could be seen as they had harvested plenty of trees
There werehere
This wasn’t a battle
They dug the grounds single-mindedly with shovels
The leader of the pioneers saluted as he saw Regis
“Thank you for your hard work, Strategist Auric Sir!”
“ Ah, thank you”
Even though Regis’ current position should be ‘Deputy Chief Strategist’, he would forgo the trivial details
Right now, he was seconded to the First Army
He was invited by the Field Marshall Latreille himself— This neas already widespread
The soldiers around him all looked his way
“ That is the legendary ‘Wizard’?”
“I heard he won all his battles against High Britannia so far”
“He seenable for 40 years with just 2,000 men”
“But he lost yesterday”
“Hey, if he hears that…”
The soldiers whispered ast themselves
Yesterday—
The Ie weapons in their assault of the steel production street side of Grebauvar fortress city
But the plan failed
It was effective as a feint attack, but from the results, it was indisputable that many soldiers died in battle
Regis’ rank was low, but he still held the position of a staff officer, and the troops weren’t duht in his presence
He had not fallen to the point of losing their trust, but he wouldn’t be so sure of that if he lost again
Regis scratched his head
The ruis took part in this ca
But part of the reason was hidden
————————————————————————
Regarding the Third Grade Admin Officer promotion examination
He recalled what happened before the First Army set off, when he went off to see Minister Beylard at the Ministry of Military Affairs
Back then, Latreille stopped Regis as on his way there to explain hi
It was inside the palace, so they didn’t walk far
But the probleoal
Field Marshall Latreille who cois, as rade admin officer This was abnormal
—— Is this really okay? Even though Regis thought that, he didn’t have the authority to question Latreille
He followed behind Latreille and headed towards the Ministry of Military Affairs
Inside Beylard’s office
As Latreille ca important happened and stood up hastily with a salute
“F-Field Marshall Sir… What is theI can do for you, you just need to summon me over…”
Latreille nodded regally
“Alright, I willthe promotion exams”
Yes Sir! May I ask what is the issue!?”
“For Regis d’Auric’s proht in an actual battle in lieu of the exam”
“ Re Regis?”
Only now did thebehind Latreille He then pointed at Regis and shouted without a second thought
“It’s you!?”
After his outburst, the ain
“Ah, no… So it is you Sir!?”
“Good day Erm… Sorry for the trouble”
Regis lowered his head
Latreille asked again to confirm
“Sir Regis here is slated to take the prorade admin officers correct?”
“Y-Yes Sir… A sie from books into practice”
Regis was certain — No matter how much expectations others put on him, it was still impossible for him to pass
They just needed to see Regis swing a sword once, if the eyes of the exais to ‘Do it seriously!’ When they finally understand that this unsightly swordsis’ best effort, they would undoubtedly call for a re-test
Failing the prois wasn’t that keen on
But the rules state that failing the exam meant he would need to re-take it If he had to take the nor it for the rest of his life
— It would be great if there was a way for the practical exaht
Latreille continued:
“Lord Beylard, you probably heard… Grebauvar city has been taken Many soldiers and citizens have become captives I want to take back the city as soon as possible, but I can’t commit too much forces After all, the capital needs to be defended too”
“I received the report too of course That fills me with pain”
“And so, I have decided to recruit Sir Regis as a staff officer into the First Arn soon”
“Really!? But he is the Fourth Princess’…”
“Yes, I know his allegiance lies with Argentina He is now transferred under my command with a temporary secondreement”
“ It wouldn’t be a problem then”
“Fufu, even if it’sthis national crisis as a chip in a political power struggle”
Latreille laughed
— It is true that he was an honorable person
Wasn’t this proof that he was so confident that he didn’t need to forcefully recruit talent? That was how Regis felt
As expected, he was a man well suited to be the next emperor
Latreille just needed to expel the High Britannia and Langobalt forces, and he could secure the throne without any more worries
Few men dared oppose him now
“I’is as a strategist purely for military reasons”
“ I-Is he someone worthy of such a treatment? Even if his prorade adht?”
Minister Beylard looked at Regis in surprise He looked absolutely bewildered Regis’ appearance probably played a part — he didn’t look like a soldier with his slender body, weak posture, hunches his back and soft voice
It was natural for him to be doubtful
— After all, Regis was the one who doubts himself the most
Regis sighed
Latreille smiled wryly
“If you know a strategist who could take Fort Volks with a small number of troops, defeat the stea the newest models of rifles and cannons, please introduce entina either”
“Ah, erm… Well…”
“There isn’t anyone more suited We can’t let the recapture plan fail, and time is of the essence There isn’t time to wait for the exam to finish’
His tone didn’t permit any objections In response, minister Beylard lowered his head deeply
“It is as you say If the Field Marshall supervises the actual battle exam personally, no one would dispute the results”
“Very well then I will leave the procedures to you”
“Understood”
And so, things turned out this way The situation changed before Regis even said anything
The two of them walked out of the office
They walked along the corridor A young General Affairs Officer stood up straight and moved close to the wall hurriedly to
The salutingthe theme of the artwork
That officer showed a look of surpriseGermain to be by Latreille’s side
Actually, Regis had no other business in the palace
He should be able to go back… but the Field Marshall spent so ant if he begged his leave right after the matter was finished
Regis considered himself someone who could read the mood
He waited for Latreille to speak
“Sir Regis, the prorade adh…”
“No, not at all! Field Marshall Latreille, you have been a big help I arateful”
“It is too early to thankwill have to wait until we retake Grebauvar city”
“Ah, that won’t be a problem then”
“Fu… You are unexpectedly confident”
“Ehh? No, I just happen to know Fro it won’t be a problem The question is how to rescue the captives, and minimize our losses”
When he heard what Regis said, Latreille opened his eyes wide
And laughed heartily
————————————————————-
Regis sighed in his heart
He saw the pioneers looking at hi hi part to waive my practical test”
The pioneer leader laid out the plans onto the table
“Sir Strategist, this much has already been done”
“H well”
“That’s right! But we are justthis?”
“Yes we can”
The leader looked to the south But the city wasn’t visible from this slope
“Are we laying the foundations here, then building a fortress? But it would be better if we build it to the south towards the direction of the capital, right? What exactly is our goal?”
“Ah— … That… It is only natural for you to be confused…”
Regis said vaguely
He couldn’t hand all the design plans to this pioneer teaht leak
In the battle yesterday, the eneh his plan
Even if there was a spy, there wasn’t tience, so the eneis’ scheme
However, you can never be too careful
He split the plans and assigned them to several pioneer teams, and will make use of their effort as a whole
“Well… This will probably be a very lad if you can take my word for it”
“Ah, o-of course, I have never doubted Sir Strategist’s plan!”
“Thank you Alright then, I need to visit the other sites…”
Regis saluted sloppily and then left that place
——————————————————————
The Imperial First Army set up camp about 60Ar (4287m) from Grebauvar fortress city that had been taken by the allied ardom
Regis returned to headquarters after inspecting several pioneer teams
It was almost time for lunch
Headquarters—
After returning a salute to the guards outside, he entered the tent
When he ith Altina, he would sort through documents and read books inside the headquarters without worries
But he couldn’t be so laid back and flaunt the rules in the Imperial First Army
Latreille supported himself with both hands on the table at the deepest end of tent Germain stood besides him, ready for any orders
The knights around the conference table all turned their gazes toward Regis
The young knight — Batteren, cohts asked anxiously
“Is the plan proceeding sist?”
“ Just as planned”
The atmosphere was heavy because of yesterday’s failure, everyone was on edge
As the infiltration plan conducted in parallel succeeded, their efforts weren’t for naught But the I at Regis, who proposed this plan, with accusatory eyes
Latreille said:
“We have confirmed the tally for yesterday’s battle”
“ Yes”
Germain turned over the document and reported as he confirmed the numbers
“The 3,000 cavalry are unharmed We lost 600 artillery soldiers and 7 artillery pieces And for the infantry… We lost 3,000, and are left with 11,000”
“I see”
Regis nodded, that was all he could do
3,000 souls were lost in a battle he planned, Regis felt as if his heart was being stabbed
However, if the one who planned the battle shoeakness, it would only make the other staff officers uneasy
Regis wasn’t concerned about others evaluating him poorly But if the plan was called off because he couldn’t put up a strong front —it would be very difficult to rescue those ere taken captives
At the very least, he is pursed his lips
Batteren glared at him
“Did you expect such losses, Sir Strategist?”
It ithin his expectations indeed
But if he answered it so directly, it would definitely spur negative emotions unnecessarily He didn’t want his relationshi+p with the other staff officer to beconores the laid out plan, the battle would head towards failure
Regis pondered for a
“ I give you ave their lives for this plan”
“That’s…”
Batteren didn’t say anyis, but this was the headquarters and in the presence of the Field Marshall Latreille, and the chief strategist Ger the results of the battle,
Batteren didn’t continue He ht have an emotional side because of his youth, but he was someone who could restrain himself
Ger
“Our food stock is plentiful We have a steady supply of water and firewood Because of the large nuh But it shouldn’t be a problem as we can resupply from the capital”
The capital kept on sending food and other supplies over
This was arranged by the adistics and was proceeding smoothly It was cois did everything himself
Latreille asked:
“What about the enemy?”
“Yes Sir Froht, we can assume that 30 of the enemy’s cannons have been destroyed However, there should be 50 more cannons deployed on the walls…”
“If we have a shootout… Can in?”
“We have 23 cannons left If we continue at the same rate as yesterday, maybe we can”
We should continue shooting if we can win! Before the atis interjected:
“ If we kept doing that, the infantry and artillery troops would suffer heavy losses Considering our national defense in the future, we should avoid such a battle”
“Yes, we should avoid unnecessary losses”