Book 14 (1 of 5)
Tch Even if you are a rcenary, this is still an Imperial War Camp, so watch your attire.
Jessica and Marion glared at each other.
Why did things turn out this way?
Regis stomach started to ache.
Erm, Second Grade Combat Officer Marion, I will leave the command of the security periter to you. Ms Jessica, how can I help you?
Marion finally rembered she had work to do, and said with a salute:
I will take my leave then! I will make haste and complete my assignnt!
She ran off in a hurry.
Jessica who was left behind shrugged.
As expected of soone from the boondocks.
Im surprised that you are bothered by her so much.
Because that little girl looked down on entertainnt novels.
You even heard that.
Jessica was actually a heavy book addict, a fellow book lover like Regis.
She wouldnt recomnd books to the people around her, but she would still simr in anger if anyone disparaged a book she liked.
How dare she belittle the masterpiece of Boisset without even reading it.
Well, it cant be helped since she never read it.
Like I said, Lord Auric, boorish people like her wont understand, so theres no need to tell them about it.
Alright. Im not reading for the sake of earning peoples respect. I might get belittled, but since I ntioned it, she might read that book soday.
You are really
Jessicas expression softened.
Regis said with an awkward smile:
Are you here to discuss books with ? I would be happy to oblige.
She said resignedly:
On the night just after a battle concluded? What rcenaries are interested in would be information of the big picture.
Thats true. Although its a pity, I just read a book I wanted to talk about.
Even though you are so tired?
I could still talk about it into the morning hours.
Then talk all you want with the Gnralissi.
Huh? Well, if Id tell Altina about it, she would only fall asleep halfway. Its about religion, so the content is a little difficult to understand.
Regis answered Jessica, still eager to talk more about books.
Its a complete victory, right?
After ushering Jessica into the tent, Regis took out two cups and poured water into them from a jug.
I think its just half a win. I wanted to force a surrender.
Wheres the enemy army?
The Hispania Army went back to their stronghold, the Bassetti fort. They have around 15,000 n left.
Regis proffered her a cup.
Jessica took it and sat down.
A splendid war accomplishnt.
After all, the Belgaria Empires Fourth Army and Thirteenth Army that numbered 20,000 each didnt suffer any significant losses yet.
Regis took a sip of water.
She was sitting in the only chair in the room, so Regis had to sit on the bed.
Hispania is a naval nation. They only share a border with the Belgaria Empire, so their army isnt strong.
Then why did they kept clashing against the Empire?
One of the reason is their alliance with the Etruria Theocracy, which made it hard for the Empire to invade them. The unrest of the southern nobles is also another factor.
Thats true, we had only seized complete control recently.
The southern nobles were originally the vassals of a small Kingdom. As they surrendered without a fight with the Empire, they were bestowed with peerage titles and continued their rule over their land.
However, there was an uprising.
And Lieutenant General Dorval of the Sixth Army took half a year to quash the rebellion.
More importantly, the Belgaria Empire had been stalling on expanding its territory. The previous Emperor wasnt too enthusiastic on conquering new lands.
They only invaded the land to the south to feed their ever growing population.
And if the small southern Kingdom didnt submit to the Belgaria Empire, they would be subjugated by the Etruria Theocracy and the Hispania Empire.
Jessica nodded.
The policies of Emperor Latreille will give plenty of work for us rcenaries.
You said that the rcenary band is like your family, right? In a war, there would always be casualties. If it becos peaceful, you wont lose your family mbers, and everyone can find better work.
You think those guys can do other jobs?
They are healthy enough to fight a war, so they definitely can learn another trade.
It will be great if that is true.
She shrugged.
Jessica was dubious on the accuracy of his words, but she didnt brush it off either. She still had so hope about it.
The topic returned to the war at hand.
Firstly, the enemy is defending the fort stubbornly with 15,000 troops, so we need to seize this Bassetti fort.
And what happens after that?
I estimate the Hispania Empire to have an army of 50,000, maybe even more.
Thats unexpectedly large.
They didnt need to guard against other nations, so they could muster all their forces for a single battle. Another reason is that they could gather the forces spread out in the other cities quickly with their ships.
Most of the ships in Hispania were small sail ships, but they were really convenient for travel near the shoreline. Faster than traveling by wagons.
The downside was the difficulty in sailing in them further from the shoreline due to their substandard seaworthiness.
Regis pointed to the map.
Fort Bassetti is located near the ocean. However, the battles we have fought so far happened in away from the sea.
Regis went out to the sea before, but the unit only had experience fighting on land.
Jessica nodded after perusing the map.
Even for small sail ships, we can still hit them at this range.
Yes. We have the new cannons on our side However, we could only transport the mid sized cannons through the mountain range at the borders. On the other hand, the enemys vessels are outfitted with the large old type cannons.
We will lose in a shootout?
Maybe.
It would be hard to tell if they didnt try.
However, it was very likely that they would suffer great casualties.
Regis scratched his head.
It would be great if we can defeat them in the sea.
Speaking of which, I heard your side captured steamships from High Brittania, correct?
Yes, vessel one has been dismantled for research, while vessel two is still operational.
Can it be deployed? If we can win in the sea, then the terrain would be advantageous to us instead. We can even force them to surrender without a fight.
I think so too. However, the captured vessels are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Military Affairs, and is now owned by the First Army. Researching the steamship and training on its usage are both dependent on it, if the Imperial Navy loses this ship, and we would be twenty years behind in terms of technology. Emperor Latreille would probably not agree to this.
Jessica smirked:
How unexpectedly timid Stowing things away so carefully and never ever utilizing items happen quite often too.
Well, it cant be helped. Lets look forward to the ships built by the Empire.
When can it be finished?
I heard it is already being tested in the water. As they are chanized sail ships built by modifying an Athena Class ship, it could be deployed if it could move.
Then use that then.
Haha Well, I already submitted a request, but they didnt reply to .
Most of the Navy was under the control of the First Army.
If they had to fight against Latreille in the future, this might beco an obstacle.
They had to avoid their communication with High Brittania from being cut off.
Regis needed to consider counterasures early.
Jessica asked:
Well, I understand the situation with the Hispania Empire. Have you thought up any tactics to deal with the enemys naval bombardnt?
No, I couldnt co up with any sches.
I see.
Jessica knew what he ant.
Hahaha, Regis smiled awkwardly:
You heard of an old novel called Pueri and Roy?
Never heard of that before. When was it published?
About ten years before we were born.
Ara, I believe I never told you my age.
Speaking of which
Regis thought.
From her appearance, she was probably about his age, maybe a little older.
Maybe Im older than your mother?
That was improbable.
However, he heard that Jessica was known as the Magician.
No, it couldnt be.
Regis gave up.
Lets drop the discussion about a womans age. That book is so old that its hard to purchase a copy.
Thats true. Maybe thirty years old books like that can be found in the Military Library?
Actually, its sold in a normal book shop in Sembione city!
What?!
The two of them talked about books as they exchanged military opinions.
The next day
The Belgaria Imperial Army marched on fort Bassetti.
Altina rode on a horse with the headquarters unit.
On the other hand, Regis rode on a white carriage. He did so because he couldnt ride a horse, and the desk inside let it serve as a mobile war room.
The maid Clarice sat opposite him.
Sir Regis, your eting ended really late last night.
Ah, yes.
You were speaking with Ms Jessica, right?
Well, I was discussing the coming war plans, and giving her the assignnt of supply team escorts.
I see.
She is the strategist of a rcenary band that had been through countless battles. Her opinions are very insightful.
I see, Clarice nodded:
So thats how it is. I thought you two would definitely be talking passionately about books.
Regis broke out in cold sweat.
You overheard?
Ara, I didnt know its a secret.
Hahaha Well, its still a war conference after all.
It was still formally a war conference.
My apologies. So for Sir Regis and Ms Jessica, its a secret I see.
Why did you make it sound ambiguously towards the end?
He seed to have caused unnecessary misunderstanding again.
Clarice said quietly:
Im just kidding.
Ms Clarice, you are always like this How troubling.
I wonder if the Princess will think this is a joke too?
Dont!
Clarice smiled cheerfully.
Regis knew she was just teasing, but it was still nerve wrecking.
There wasnt any unsightly relationship between him and Jessica, but he didnt want Altina to know that they were talking about books.
There wasnt any need to hide it though
Clarice added:
Last night The Princess was waiting for Regis to co the entire ti.
Ehh, really!? She could have just summoned .
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