The War to End All Wars (2)

Primarily regarding the precise extent of that “oversight” jurisdiction.

“So where should we place orders for this?”

“Is that not something to determine henceforth?”

“…You mean us?”

“It falls under new weapons oversight, does it not?”

“Oh.”

They could not only determine where to procure prototypes but also offer ‘suggestions’ regarding their intended deployment units.

Regularly conferring with the military over substantive discussions further cultivated valuable connections.

And moreover:

“We’ve received a communication from Belfast.”

“What does it state?”

“They wish to consult regarding technology sharing and weapons manufacturing. You previously collaborated with the Carno Institute, did you not, Edan? Direct liaison would likely expedite matters.”

This afforded an avenue to involve themselves in the primary warfront’s affairs.

The calculations had essentially concluded by this stage.

Freugne was well aware of this inevitability, and I had merely performed the requisite theatrics in accordance.

Like it or not, Belfast would inevitably clash with the Dark Lord, rendering all prior planning moot without their involvement.

“Fortuitous timing. I had matters I wished to discuss with them.”

Even without formal affiliation, a productive collaborative relationship remained feasible.

---

Before the war’s outbreak:

“We cannot successfully defend from the outset.”

“Yes, Belfast is indefensible.”

Freugne had reached her verdict.

“Rather blunt.”

“My apologies if that seems harsh.”

While she had stated it plainly, she subsequently softened her tone, feeling she may have been excessively harsh in hindsight.

Yet her assessment was not entirely inaccurate – a sobering reality.

Ordinarily, the instant vulnerability would trigger an instantaneous rout all the way to the capital amid cries for mercy, promptly abandoning the war effort.

And the kingdom, having lost its bulwark and right arm in tandem, lacked viable alternatives.

Only the grim binary of swiftly counterattacking to decapitate the enemy or fighting to the last man remained.

Of course, these projections presumed the Demonic Tribe exercising minimal restraint and mercy.

Yet given their innately divergent natures and intentions to ruthlessly subjugate humanity’s resurgence, expecting lenience seemed naive.

This was not merely Freugne’s personal judgment but the outcome of extensive brainstorming sessions with assembled Londinium officers.

‘Propose strategies to achieve victory under these circumstances.’

‘Quite the conundrum. Let us presume equal military parity for the moment–’

‘Human forces pale compared to the Demons. Assume at least a 2:1 casualty ratio – perhaps even conservative.’

‘Yet our terrain remains advantageous. Occupying the high ground and assuming defensive positions could secure a meaningful endurance, if not outright victory.’

‘Fair enough. But what if Demonic magic induces hallucinations among our commanders, triggering panicked routs that demoralize the troops?’

‘Then we might as well resign ourselves to death. No solution exists.’

‘Hmm……’

Edan slowly nodded. A grim reality, yet one he had already recognized.

“If we conscript every able youth and commit them to a desperate defense, we could hinder their advance to some degree.”

“Only to ultimately exhaust our forces without altering the inevitable outcome of annihilation.”

Borrowing the future at the cost of the present.

Immediate survival ensured, but no guarantees beyond. A resurgent Dark Lord invasion within five years would leave them utterly defenseless.

While Freugne had not directly witnessed such a future, circumstantial evidence strongly implied its plausibility.

And no matter how extensively I funded research endeavors, reconstructing an elite military force within a few short years remained infeasible.

Had that been possible, we would not currently agonize over such dilemmas. Moreover, even Freugne’s Londinium urban development simulations could not expedite that process.

“So initially, we must fall back after the outbreak of hostilities.”

“To where, precisely?”

“Wherever affords me greater strategic advantages.”

Which encompassed various connotations:

Locations with superior logistics, ample stockpiled resources, prepared fortifications and troop deployments.

And for Freugne, it signified:

“Until the moment I can directly intervene.”

*****s are learning creatures.

Reality lacks intuitive exploits akin to gaming strategies.

Yet humans can derive lessons from past failures, achieving superior outcomes.

The compounded experimentation and setbacks driving industrial and magical progress, the culinary refinement of fugu recipes – innumerable historical examples substantiated this truth.

Of course, terminal blunders remained possible, and without intervention, this war may have concluded similarly.

But Freugne believed that if her existence in this world served any purpose, it was to avert such catastrophes.

Safety protocols were often said to be written in blood.

And rewriting military doctrines required blood not by the inkwell, but by the paint bucket.

The times had evolved, necessitating novel doctrines.

Regurgitating past strategies could only recreate the previous war’s derivative sequel. And sequels inevitably paled compared to their originals.

While no combat veteran instructors existed, Freugne deemed crudely circumventing the intermediate learning phases preferable to shedding blood through sheer attrition.

She foresaw the Demonic strategies, and while admittedly lacking expertise in tactics, she could broadly outline their forces’ intended movements.

Hence, her paramount need was not for unquestioning subordinates but for capable officers who could formulate optimal tactics from the provided intelligence.

For her contributions amounted to mere battlefield spoilers:

‘Expect an ambush from that forest, so defend diligently!’ would only prompt endlessly entrenching troops within the woodlands. What she required were talents who could concretely implement her directives with minimal casualties.

“How shall we identify such individuals?”

“Administer examinations, presumably.”

“Examinations? How so?”

“Call them promotional evaluations. Surely that is feasible?”

Thus, on the war’s eve, Belfast’s military conducted comprehensive examinations.

The council proclaimed them ‘innovative talent assessment methods employed in Londinium!’ yet veteran officers responded with derisive snorts.

“The council conducts such amusing antics.”

“Indeed, I have heard. With war looming, they seem compelled to make some gesture.”

“A fleeting folly, no doubt. Let us not overreact.”

“Quite. Even if promotions occur, they would amount to a rank or two at most.”

What could these raw youths, unbloodied, comprehend about warfare?

And by what authority did the non-expert council establish the evaluation criteria?

Unlike the kingdom, afforded ample preparation time, the republic had only directly engaged for scarcely three years.

As a foreign entity, news travelled slower, and their influence – restricted by requiring transit – paled compared to Glasgow.

Naturally, they could successfully court junior officers, but the senior echelons proved intractable.

No matter how enticingly the Carno Institute dangled wealth and power, those already possessing such enticements saw no incentive to defect. While not entirely fruitless given humanity’s intrinsic greed, the results disappointed.

And there existed an additional impediment precluding outright alignment:

“You have reviewed the examination?”

“Curiosity compelled me to assess its simplicity.”

While the earnest youths diligently strategized, these veterans already knew the answers.

“Strategy and tactics? Hah!”

“Relentless aggression alone demonstrates loyalty to the republic.”

“Retreat? Why advocate such cowardly notions?”

And although possessing learning capacities, humans were also creatures of forgetfulness.

Just as disused skills atrophy, memories inevitably fade over time.

Particularly unpleasant recollections. Even traumatic incidents rarely persisted beyond a few weeks before dissipating into vague impressions.

For events over half a century past, the Demonic threat and terrors had significantly diminished.

“Awaken the slumbering giants within us!”

“For the sake of our vital essences!”

Upon receiving the results, Freugne could only despair.