Chapter 381 (1/2)

Chapter 381

Translator: Nat

–Third Person POV–

South Yuguria Frontline Headquarters – Occupied Trisnia .

「「「Salute!」」」

Men dressed in military uniforms decorated with gold ornaments all salute in unison .

Zaphnes returns a simple salute and takes his seat in the center .

「Everyone, at ease . Report the current situation . 」

All but one person sits down after Zaphnes says his order .

「The western army of 80 000 have already departed Trisnia . Although resistance from the Goldonia side is sporadic, things are going as planned and we should be able to set up camp on the south of Arkland by the week after next . 」

「Well done Acevedo . Your western army is the crux of our invasion on Arkland, so while I know this may be unnecessary concern on my part, I want you to remain focused . 」

When Zaphnes replies, the brusque man sits down with a straightened back .

「The central army of 50 000 have deployed several corps in a wide area, gradually occupying the various territories between Trisnia and Arkland, and are also keeping the enemy army from trying to gather together . The feudal lords’ armies are generally quite weak, mostly avoiding combat, abandoning territory and retreating to the north . As soon as we control the area, we will try to siege Arkland in support of the western army as planned . 」

「Understood, Maestus . The mobility of your central army may decide the outcome of battle . Only one more step was needed in Roleil …… so in Arkland, show me you can thoroughly annihilate the enemy . 」

The brazen-looking man smiles fearlessly and sits down calmly .

「Supplies are steadily also being gathered by the transport corps for the upcoming great battle . 」

「Trained recruits have also arrived . They should be able to withstand a series of battles . 」

「Umu, don’t let the logistics hold back the frontline army . Ensure it goes well . 」

After Zaphnes nods in content, he clears his throat once and his eyes sharpen .

「Now then, I’m waiting for one more report . 」

Everyone’s eyes concentrate on one point .

The bearded man at the end of their line of sight stands up while keeping his large frame small .

「T-the eastern army of 70 000…… the capture of Zan Dora in Hardlett’s territory…… has failed . They were defeated twice in battle and suffered major losses…… upper level commanders died in battle one after the other…… unless officers and men are replenished in large amounts, further advance would be impossible . 」

「To what extent do you mean by major?」

Zaphnes makes a point to keep his voice calm, questioning with a rather plain tone .

「D-deaths amount to 20 000, wounded amount to 30 000…… 20 000 of who suffered severe enough injuries to render them incapacitated and require transportation to headquarters . 」

There was a brief moment of silence, then Zaphnes slams the desk with his inherent brute strength .

「40 000 lost? That’s basically annihilation!」

A cup placed on the desk falls over and spills its contents .

Western army commander Acevedo doesn’t change his expression, while central army commander Maestus quickly rescues his own cup .

「……h-how shameful-」

「So how much damage was dealt to the enemy?」

Zaphnes threw another question before the man finished apologizing .

The man answers with a face that looks close to tears and a feeble voice, both in contrast to the size of his body .

「I-important enemy base, Zan Dora, has been completely destroyed……」

「Zan Dora is a crucial point for our operation’s logistics, what good does destroying it do?」

Acevedo growls at the man who emphasized the word “important” .

「I asked you what kind of damage was dealt to the enemy . 」

Zaphnes repeats himself .

The man slumps his shoulders in resignation .

「Of the approximately 25 000 in Margrave Hardlett’s army…… the damage dealt in this battle was…… a-about 10% . 」

Maestus spits out his drink after just saving it .

「Attacking with three times the military force and suffering 20 times the amount of casualties in defeat…… goodness, it’s surprising how you lost like that . 」

Zaphnes lets out a long and heavy sigh .

「Dabol……I’ve known you for a long time, but I didn’t think you would be this incompetent . 」

Zaphnes shakes his head as he stares at the man named Dabol .

It was then that a graceful voice rings out like a bell .

「Wait right there . A battle’s outcome can also be attributed to luck at the time . Is there any meaning in censuring him now?」

Appearing is Wilhelmina, wearing a thinner and more decorated dress than usual .

All those present stand up from their seats and greet her with a salute . decorated .

「Dabol, you have something to do before giving excuses or apologizing, don’t you? Report the cause of defeat and details of the enemy, then suggest what the next steps are . That is what will lead us all to victory . 」

Dabol turns to Wilhelmina with tears welling up in his eyes .

Then he erases his servile att.i.tude and pushes his chest out .

「Neither morale or skill of Hardlett’s soldiers are inferior to that of Goldonia’s legitimate army, their arms surpa.s.s that of a typical legitimate army, and they are outside the realm of a va.s.sal lord’s forces . 」

Those who criticized Dabol could not interject in the face of such beneficial information .

「The greatest feature in Hardlett’s army, the mounted archers, total several thousand and are not only naturally gifted in shooting on horseback, but also show prowess in small skirmishes, acting in groups the size of families, almost like a tribe…… most likely the people living in the mountains――」

Dabol faces Zaphnes again after he finished reporting his findings .

「Currently, our eastern army is unable to make a move . At this rate, we will not only fail to keep Hardlett in check, we allow him to possibly interfere in our plan to conquer Arkland . I respectfully request for reinforcements . 」

Zaphnes receives the gaze lacking any submissiveness and puts a hand to his forehead .

「……we cannot spare any troops for a defeated army right before a big operation . However, it would be bad to leave it alone as well . 」

As Zaphnes’s eyes drop to a map, a pale slender finger reaches out to point at a spot .

「This squad doesn’t look like it’s moving . 」

Wilhelmina pointed at the Malt Kingdom .

One man bounces up out of his seat and steps forward .

「The second eastern army has, after accepting Malt’s surrender, stationed in the capital, Biado! They can move at anytime!」

「That’s what he says . 」

Zaphnes and the other commanders don’t react positively .

「The second eastern army…… they are certainly an army in name . 」

「They were a mishmash group put together for the purpose of controlling a small kingdom like Malt…… can they really match up against Hardlett’s army?」

「……at the very least, there are 40 000 of them . 」

Wilhelmina speaks to the reluctant group without breaking her smile .

Her gaze was not directed at Zaphnes .

「Leading a defeated army of 30 000 and an inexperienced group of 40 000 to strike down a powerful opponent . Do you not have the confidence to do so?」

Dabol, the one at the end of her line of sight, closes his eyes and shakes his head side to side .

「A general of a defeated army like me does not have such wit . 」

Wilhelmina smiles at Dabol then swiftly turns her gaze elsewhere .

A few brief moments of silence later, a woman nominates herself .

「With all due respect Your Majesty, I am confident enough to fulfill that duty . 」

「Patricia, huh?」

The surprised Zaphnes places a hand on his chin and contemplates .

「It’s true that you have outside-the-box tactics and clever schemes which n.o.body else has . But you have no experience mobilizing tens of thousands of soldiers . Suddenly imposing the responsibility of 70 000 may not be……」

Patricia brings herself close to Zaphnes in an instant .

「I have no experience, but I have confidence . I ask that you trust in me, someone who has accompanied you to many battles . 」

The way she sticks out her chest with confidence goes beyond fort.i.tude and even seems arrogant .

However, she seems to instill a sense of relief to those around with how definitive she spoke .

「Isn’t it fine? There are firsts for everybody . This just happens to be hers . 」

Patricia gains more momentum with Wilhelmina backing her up .

Zaphnes, who was still undecided, gets one final push .

「She should experience this . Her first, under you . 」

「Guh . 」

Zaphnes’s body twitches as Wilhelmina whispers inaudibly to everyone else .

「Where did you learn of Patricia’s relations.h.i.+p with me? Don’t tell me, you asked her . 」

「Who knows . 」

Zaphnes turns to face Patricia with a bitter face .

Meanwhile, the woman’s eyes are sparkling, br.i.m.m.i.n.g with confidence .

「……understood . Patricia Raleigh . I appoint you as the commander of the eastern army . Meet up with the squad in Malt, engage Hardlett’s army, and if possible, capture Rafen . 」

「It is an honor, Your Excellency!」

Zaphnes turns to Dabol next .

「Dabol . Despite fighting to the best of your ability, you were defeated, so you must take responsibility . You are dismissed as Corps commander and will be demoted three ranks to Battalion commander . Got it?」

Dabol silently lowers his head, almost touching the ground .

「War council is now over . All of you, return to your respective armies . 」

At the end of the meeting, Dabol follows after Zaphnes as he was about to leave the room .

「What do you want? I don’t need any worthless pleas or apologies . 」

「It’s not that, I actually have something I want to tell Your Excellency . It is information yet to be confirmed so I did not want to invite unwanted confusion by telling the others . 」

Dabol whispers to Zaphnes .

「Se-…… you said you saw that woman!?」

Noticing he raised his voice enough to make it echo, Zaphnes hurriedly covers his mouth .

「It was during the chaos within the city so it isn’t certain . The one who spotted her is a staff officer under my direct command so I believe it is her without a doubt . 」

「Alright . I will investigate on my own . Until then, not a word to anyone . 」

「Yessir . 」

After Dabol leaves, Zaphnes ensures no one is around him and talks out loud to himself .

「I thought you disappeared with the waves of the river…… I didn’t think I would see you here in the Central plains . 」

Zaphnes turns eastward and stares off into the distance .

「According to Dabol, you’re fighting as a common soldier . If you are acting like a mercenary in order to survive…… then I can send notice that I hold a high position and you will come to me for help . If I do that, you――Sekrit, you will become my woman . Your brown b.r.e.a.s.t.s and a.s.s will be mine to freely…… fu, fufufufufu . 」

A belligerent smile emerges on Zaphnes’s face and he hastens his steps while slightly leaning forward .

Capital: Goldonia .

A harsh bellow resounds in the royal palace .

「Your Majesty, why can’t you understand!? This is not the time to be wasting even a single soldier on pointless duties!」

「Lord Radhalde, refrain from speaking so rudely to His Majesty . 」

Erich yells back at the Minister of Justice of Kenneth’s faction who admonished him .

「Rude or not, there is something more important to discuss than manners . The enemy army is closing in on Arkland with great numbers! If that place falls, not only will Goldonia lose the entire southern area, but its national power will drastically lower . 」

The Minister of Justice recoils at Erich’s threatening look, to which the king smiles wryly in response and speaks .

「I understand what you are saying . But to leave the treacherous insiders who targeted me and the one I love――」

「With all due respect, Your Majesty, it’s wrong to focus on that . 」

The minister, the close aide, and even Kenneth gulps .

n.o.body expected Erich to interrupt the king .

The king’s slight smile disappears and he directs a cold stare typically meant for enemies at Erich .

Nevertheless, it doesn’t stop Erich .

He knew that stopping half-heartedly would really lead the nation to ruin .

「We should defeat the fierce tiger in front of us before exterminating insects . Right now, we should ignore the mere itching and engage the main enemy resolutely . 」

「……do you intend for me to fall prey to those insects?」

「First and foremost, they are not man-eating insects . The same cannot be said of the tiger . If we continue doing side jobs, the tiger will no doubt destroy the kingdom and harm Your Majesty . 」

He couldn’t bring himself to tell the king that those insects all over his body were nothing more than his own delusions .

「Doing something about that is your job! It is clear that the one responsible for the defeat in the first battle is yours, Military Commissioner, that is why I insisted on settling this through diplomacy from the start!」

One of the civil officials belonging to Kenneth’s faction shouts at Erich .

Not even one second pa.s.sed and a yell was returned at twice the volume .

「Shut up! Can’t you understand that peace is no longer an option!? You’re incompetent if you don’t and a traitor if you do but are still saying that!」

The large rebuke held bloodl.u.s.t which put it on a different scale than ordinary arguments between officials, and that made the civil servant’s hips give out .