Prologue: Situational Report
He waited for Latreille to speak.
Sir Regis, the promotion exams wont be a problem now. I feel that Third grade admin officer isnt high enough
No, not at all! Field Marshall Latreille, you have been a big help. I am very grateful.
It is too early to thank . Everything will have to wait until we retake Grebauvar city.
Ah, that wont be a problem then.
Fu You are unexpectedly confident.
Ehh? No, I just happen to know. From the intelligence we know, retaking it wont 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 him with reverence, and couldnt bring himself to say I am only taking part to waive my practical test.
The pioneer leader laid out the plans onto the table.
Sir Strategist, this much has already been done.
...Hmmm Things seem to be progressing well.
Thats right! But we are just moving earth Can we really retake the fortress city by doing this?
Yes we can.
The leader looked to the south. But the city wasnt 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 couldnt hand all the design plans to this pioneer team after all, since the battle plan might leak.
In the battle yesterday, the enemy saw through his plan.
Even if there was a spy, there wasnt ti for them to relay the intelligence, so the enemy had simply seen through Regis sche.
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 aningful plan I will be glad if you can take my word for it.
Ah, o-of course, I have never doubted Sir Strategists 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 armies from High Britannia and Langobalt kingdom.
Regis returned to headquarters after inspecting several pioneer teams.
It was almost ti for lunch.
Headquarters
After returning a salute to the guards outside, he entered the tent.
When he was with Altina, he would sort through docunts and read books inside the headquarters without worries.
But he couldnt 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, commander of the White Hare Knights asked anxiously.
Is the plan proceeding smoothly, Sir Strategist?
... Just as planned.
The atmosphere was heavy because of yesterdays failure, everyone was on edge.
As the infiltration plan conducted in parallel succeeded, their efforts werent for naught. But the Imperial Army still lost many n. They couldnt help staring at Regis, who proposed this plan, with accusatory eyes.
Latreille said:
We have confird the tally for yesterdays battle.
... Yes.
Germain turned over the docunt and reported as he confird the numbers.
The 3,000 cavalry are unhard. 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 showed weakness, it would only make the other staff officers uneasy.
Regis wasnt concerned about others evaluating him poorly. But if the plan was called off because he couldnt put up a strong front it would be very difficult to rescue those who were taken captives.
At the very least, he must not appear shaken, Regis pursed his lips.
Batteren glared at him.
Did you expect such losses, Sir Strategist?
It was within his expectations indeed.
But if he answered it so directly, it would definitely spur negative emotions unnecessarily. He didnt want his relationship with the other staff officer to beco really bad. If that happens and the frontline commander ignores the laid out plan, the battle would head towards failure.
Regis pondered for a mont before answering.
... I give you my word I an no disrespect to the troops who gave their lives for this plan.
Thats
Batteren didnt say anymore. He wasnt fond of Regis, but this was the headquarters and in the presence of the Field Marshall Latreille, and the chief strategist Germain was still in the midst of reporting the results of the battle,
Batteren didnt continue. He might have an emotional side because of his youth, but he was soone who could restrain himself.
German continued reporting.
Our food stock is plentiful. We have a steady supply of water and firewood. Because of the large number of pioneers our food consumption rate is high. But it shouldnt 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 admin officer in charge of the First Armys logistics and was proceeding smoothly. It was completely different from the Fourth Army where Regis did everything himself.
Latreille asked:
What about the enemy?
Yes Sir. From the battle last night, we can assu that 30 of the enemys cannons have been destroyed. However, there should be 50 more cannons deployed on the walls
If we have a shootout Can we win?
We have 23 cannons left. If we continue at the sa rate as yesterday, maybe we can.
We should continue shooting if we can win! Before the atmosphere turned in that direction, Regis 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.
Latreille nodded.
According to Germains report the shroud bridges seems to have been burned. Because they couldn't leave the bridges like that, so that was a natural course of action.
The enemy seed to have many riflen deployed on the walls.
Sir Regis, what is our next move?
... We can only trust Third grade combat officer Vallis who infiltrated the steel production street. Since he didnt send any smoke signal to call off the plan, we will proceed with the rescue operation in 5 days in accordance to the original plan.
If Vallis is killed, he wont be able to send smoke signals right?
... Regrettably We cant do anything about that.
Should we give up on the captives then?
We will have to.
It was a painful decision, but he didnt have any follow up plan.
If the campaign dragged on too long, there was a high chance that enemy reinforcent would co. The probability that the other nations would attack was high too.
This would lead to further losses of lives.
No matter how many citizens got captured, he couldnt let the elites of the Imperial First Army continue to suffer losses.
Soldiers should protect the citizens Even though that was how he felt.
But if the Imperial First Army falls in the Grebauvar liberation campaign, it would expose even more citizens to danger.
This battle was watched closely by many. He had confird that the neighboring nations had sent people to spy on them.
They needed to display the strength of the Belgarian Empire.
The night of July 20th, in the steel production street of Grebauvar fortress city
Vallis spied at the situation from inside the building.
Then pulled his head back imdiately.
In the dark, a girl Fel was waiting. Her distinctive features of blonde hair and green eyes glimred faintly under the pale moonlight.
How is it, Vallis?
Your information is accurate, Fel. There are four enemy guards at the entrance to the alley They are equipped with the new rifles, combat knives on their waist.
In front of them was a main road that divided the zone.
He would definitely be spotted if he crossed that road.
His adversaries were four guards.
But they were poorly trained. Vallis could tell their quality from the way they stood. Even though their eyes were sweeping the surroundings, their minds were mainly occupied by their chatters.
It would be easy to defeat them.
... However If they fire off just one shot, the plan would beco a ss.
Yup.
Right now, the enemies were wary about the Imperial First Army that was outside the city. But if they hear gunshots, they would definitely dispatch people to the northern zone.
I have the mission of relaying the details of the rescue plan to the representative of the citizens.
I understand. This is to save everyone right?
Yes.
After that, will you kill those bastards?
There is no reason to let them off.
Fels mother was killed by a High Britannian soldier. Despite that, she had to peddle to the enemy soldier in order to survive in the city occupied by the enemy.
Vallis might be a chevalier now, but when he was still a commoner orphan, he trained nonstop to be a soldier. He didnt understand what kind of existence a mother was.
But he did understand her hatred.
... In order for the plan to succeed, we need to avoid a battle with those sentries. Is there a way to do that?
Yes, leave it to . I will draw their attention, then you can use the chance to slip through.
What are you going to do?
You want to know? Can I not say it?
... My mission will affect many lives. If the probability of success is low, we will need to find another way.
Hmm How about hiding yourself, and then slip through when you think I succeeded?
Will you be in danger?
Maybe.
He didnt intend to drag the citizens into this
But he didnt have the leisure of wasting too much ti here. He needed to relay the detailed plans to the representatives and then complete the preparation for the escape before the plan was enacted.
Vallis nodded.
I understand. I will leave it to you. I will cross the road when I feel the sentries have let their guard down.
Yes!
Umm, the young girl clenched her fists.
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