“Tch, easier said than done.” On the other side, the representative from Napoli started provoking intentionally again.
“If I’m not mistaken, Young Master Orson, you should have no experience leading troops in battle. I’m afraid you don’t even know how to issue commands on the battlefield, do you?”
His task here was actually to provoke the people from the Antica Duchy and, incidentally, incite others who were dissatisfied with the Duke of Antica to resist Lucius’s orders.
Therefore, upon seeing that Lucius had sent Orson, who had no experience whatsoever, he felt an opportunity had arisen.
You see, although Carlisle’s abilities were average, he had at least been fighting alongside Lucius, and his military achievents were sufficient to command respect. Additionally, his willingness to hold joint military councils and widely solicit opinions ant that although people didn’t completely obey his orders, they would still relent if it was clearly beneficial to the situation and Carlisle persuaded them.
However, now with Orson suddenly appearing, it was a different story.
Although there was no saying “armchair strategist” in this era, compared to top students directly assigned from academies, the army still trusted officers who had risen through the ranks from lower levels step by step.
Especially in the face of such a major battle, letting a student who was still studying beco the commander-in-chief sounded too much like child’s play.
The representative from Napoli’s words also resonated with the others present.
Everyone knew you were capable, Orson, but no matter how capable you were, it was on a personal level. Commanding troops and fighting battles wasn’t necessarily tied to your personal ability.
“I know everyone might not trust my abilities completely, and I indeed have no relevant experience in this area. However, I still hope everyone can give ti to demonstrate my strength.” Orson didn’t get angry after being provoked by the representative from Napoli. Instead, he smiled.
On the contrary, Litte, standing behind Orson, was staring intently at the representative from Napoli, her expression unfriendly.
“At the Imperial Academy, military theory courses are arranged in the general education classes every year. To be honest, everyone, I have already completed all four years of military theory courses at the academy, and in the subjects I have already tested in, I have received perfect scores in all of them.”
Upon hearing Orson say this, so of the officers present changed their view of Orson sowhat, but most still held a skeptical attitude towards Orson’s ability.
After all, exam scores did not equate to real ability. Everyone knew this as well.
“Of course, I understand everyone’s concerns. I can also understand if you are unwilling to hand over your armies for unified command and deploynt to .” Orson said this, looking at Carlisle. “General Carlisle, may I know what the main topic of discussion for this eting was?”
“Ah, reporting to Young Master Orson, the content of this eting is mainly related to the recent beastn offensive,” Carlisle said, pointing to the map on the table.
“As you can see, on the front line, the beastn have already breached and occupied five small cities along the border. The surrounding villages attached to these cities have also been attacked by the beastn. Although they have not yet penetrated into the heartland of the duchy, if we allow the beastn to continue their offensive, our defense line will be breached at one point, leading to a complete collapse of the entire line.”
“Is that so...” Orson nodded upon hearing this. “In that case, everyone, if I recapture these five cities occupied by the beastn, you should be able to acknowledge my ability, right?”
“Heh, easier said than done.” Below, the representative from Napoli continued to provoke Orson. “Don’t even think about using our n as cannon fodder. Since you want to prove your ability, use your own troops to do the job.”
“Is that so?” Orson said, then scanned the crowd below once more.
Everyone present dared not et Orson’s gaze, fearing they would be called upon to answer.
Orson could also guess their attitude from their reactions.
He didn’t say anything, rely expressed understanding, then said, “Alright then, since you all say so, I will use the forces I can mobilize to conduct this counterattack.”
“This joint council eting also won’t achieve much. Everyone, please return to your respective defense zones and defend the areas under your responsibility,” Orson said, indicating the disbandnt of the eting.
Subsequently, the commanders and representatives below rose, bowed, and left the military tent.
“Young Master Orson, wasn’t what you said just now perhaps a bit too boastful...” After the crowd dispersed, Carlisle looked at Orson, his tone filled with worry.
“You only looked at the map just now. You don’t even have information about the beastn opposite yet.”
“Yes, so now I want to ask you, how many beastn are there on this front line?”
“According to preliminary estimates, the number of beastn deployed in this campaign is conservatively estimated to be around two hundred thousand. This doesn’t include their reserves. On the front line, in our defense zone, there are between one hundred thousand and one hundred fifty thousand beastn.”
“The beastn launched a sowhat fierce offensive earlier. Most of the losses were among my subordinates. Originally, I had one hundred thousand combat-ready troops, but now only a little over ninety thousand remain. With these troops, even defense is difficult...”
“So General Carlisle decided to convene this joint council eting to transfer personnel from other defense zones to defend, is that right?” Orson inquired.
“Yes.” Carlisle nodded.
“It’s alright, General Carlisle. I will organize the current front-line intelligence today and prepare for the counterattack tomorrow,” Orson said, revealing a confident smile.
...
On the other side, the representatives of the other armies had already mounted their warhorses and returned to their garrisons.
As they left the garrison, they were surprised to find that outside the city, a troop had been stationed there at so point.
Judging by the scale of the encampnt, the number of troops might exceed twenty thousand.
“What’s going on?” The representative of the Napoli army looked at the military camp with confusion, then prepared to go in and investigate.
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