episode_0104

These crazy guys. These real bastards. I can’t believe they’d abandon 30,000 soldiers.

Staying in the rear and hearing the general situation gave the Dedorants goosebumps.

A bait for baiting. But the one who was caught on the needle was not some sloppy conscript.

In case our empire sensed something strange, we mobilized what could be called the second army.

I think it’s possible since the two countries have become one, since there are Atria troops.

If you say that the best were hurriedly mobilized to defend the capital, it will be passed over plausibly.

There’s Los Tanica. There’s news that it’s under heavy attack from Dedorant.

Concerned that the two-front battle might collapse, the General Staff planned a more powerful attack.

If the Emperor of the Empire fails to keep his promise to personally help and protect, the Empire’s authority will collapse.

Because of this, the front line was in a situation where it went too deep into Dedorant territory.

The possibility that it was a trap was investigated by the General Staff, but it was missed due to a gap in information.

When I realized it later, Dedorant’s encirclement was already closing in.

‘If only I had known a little earlier, I could have backed out.’

The battlefield just so happened to be Dedorant. It was a place they were more familiar with than the Empire.

Of all people, the Western Legion, the General Staff, and even the Empire. They were all immersed in an overly positive atmosphere.

Everything fell into place so exquisitely that it led to what we have now.

“Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family.”

In the meantime, familiar faces came to see me, perhaps because they heard that I had arrived.

The 7th and 12th Corps of the Eastern Corps, which were relatively close to the gate. The corps commanders and commanders there.

It was a mixture of feelings of sadness and joy.

“I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you came here. Did you really expect this to happen?”

“? No, what is that.”

“What should we do now? Such a crushing defeat. The Empire has been defeated like this. Please give us victory this time, just as you did in the South and East. Chief of Staff of the Imperial Staff.”

“I. That’s why… .”

I think there was some misunderstanding. I just finished my work and came early.

The issue of command of the reinforcements was resolved sooner than expected, so they set off first.

Could you have guessed that things would turn out like this while waiting for the Eastern Allied Forces near the gate?

But I don’t think they’ll readily believe me just because I say that.

Rather, I would say, ‘Oh, I see. So how long have you been looking this far?’

In that case, it would be ten times better to just let it go and quickly ask about the situation.

“What is the current situation?”

“The 1st and 5th Western Corps are said to have escaped the encirclement, but they are said to have suffered considerable damage. Not only were they losing troops, but they must have left most of their supplies behind in their haste to escape.”

“Oh no. The supplies that went into the Western Corps must have been considerable.”

It would have been better if they had just incinerated all of those materials.

They say the siege was closing so quickly that there wasn’t even time to do so.

Rather, it’s a miracle that they were able to withdraw that many troops.

What this means is that those materials fell into Dedorant’s hands.

Top-of-the-line weapons and armor to arm your soldiers with. Food to eat.

In addition, there are various necessary consumables, horses, hay, and all kinds of equipment.

Even if we had just thrown them away, they would have been too precious to be used by the enemy.

I can’t even imagine how upset the War Department and the Finance Department will be when they hear this news.

“So, the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Staff is now in charge of the 1st Army?”

“Well, the commander of the 1st Army is fine, and I haven’t heard any other orders. I just arrived here in advance after solving the problem of the reinforcement command, so I don’t have any authority.”

“That’s true for now, but we think that will change soon.”

“Let’s just wait and see. This news should have reached the system by now.”

At my words, all the legion commanders became depressed and lowered their heads.

It’s understandable. They also had some share in this defeat.

These are the people who were there when Dedorant built the siege.

If they had fought better, they could have prevented the siege.

If that had happened, there would have been a picture of the Empire destroying the Dedorant Army.

Indeed, there may be some who discuss the Eastern and Southern Corps issues.

If they had somehow managed to hold out and defend that area, the 9th and 14th Corps could have retreated.

There are many difficult parts to avoid responsibility for.

“Why are you all like this? Like sinners.”

But I absolutely don’t think so.

These are not criminals, they are just soldiers of the empire who fought hard.

They fought a bloody battle, risking their lives to save even one more comrade.

“Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family.”

“Raise your heads quickly. What are you doing? Don’t you feel sorry for the soldiers of each corps who fought with all their might?”

“But… .”

“If the commanders and the commanders consider themselves sinners, they too become sinners. Do you intend to let those who have shed blood, sweat, and tears be branded with such a stigma? If that is the case, I will not stop you.”

There is a saying that victory or defeat is like a battle. Whether it is a great victory or a great defeat, it always happens in war.

It’s no good to be depressed as if the country is ruined when the empire hasn’t even collapsed.

If you lose, learn from that loss and never repeat that mistake again.

That is the greatest courtesy and courtesy one can show to those who died honorably.

“Let me say it again. Lift your heads. You are not sinners. And that is not okay.”

“… I’m sorry, Chief of Staff of the Imperial Staff.”

Those gathered at my words barely managed to shake off their gloomy expressions.

It’s a shame. I fought so hard, but I have to worry about being called a sinner.

The greatest responsibility lies with those who sit at their desks and plan the strategy.

“Chief of Staff of the Imperial Household! Chief of Staff of the Imperial Household! Where are you!”

From somewhere I hear a voice desperately calling for me.

So I raised my hand and answered that I was here, and the messenger almost flew towards me.

“Chief of Staff of the Imperial Army! You must move to the 1st Army Command immediately.”

“Is the Commander looking for me?”

“No. Just a little while ago, news arrived that a messenger from the Imperial Palace is heading to the 1st Army Headquarters. There was a message that the Imperial Chief of Staff must also attend.”

At that moment, all the legion commanders’ eyes were focused on me.

I’m sure you’re probably thinking the same thing as me.

‘It was bound to happen.’

The Ministry of War and the General Staff, especially the General Staff, would have been fired without exception.

It doesn’t make sense that they are the ones who caused this situation and then nothing happens.

It is highly likely that they were all dismissed from their positions with only minimal training.

Doing so would leave an important position in the General Staff empty.

Even if there are mid-level officials, there will be no one who can be called a manager.

And in the process, the messenger carrying the imperial edict is requesting my presence.

“Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family.”

“This, I guess… .”

“Yes, that seems right.”

This time I was planning on sitting back and just watching.

If this happens, it means that we will have to do another live show that we cannot watch without tears.

As things continue like this, the misunderstanding that he is a genius strategist is only deepening by the day. Damn it.

*

“The responsibility for this defeat lies not with the individual commanders and the soldiers of the corps, but with the failure to closely monitor the situation behind the scenes. What can I say in this heartbreaking situation?”

At the lion’s words, the 1st Army Commander, each corps commander, and the commanders and staff officers kneel.

It is so tragic. I am so astonished and at the same time astonished.

What does that mean? The Emperor is taking responsibility for himself.

The master of the empire, and no one else. The absolute being who can never be wrong.

I feel like crying when I think about the morale of the front line while giving up my authority.

“But do not forget. In those distant days, the Great Emperor suffered many defeats. However, the Great Emperor used those defeats as a stepping stone to achieve even greater and more glorious victories.”

“Raise your heads. Stand tall and face your enemies once more. Defeat is not shameful. Not learning from defeat is shameful. Isn’t the greatest victory the one that blossoms in the most difficult moments?”

The emperor personally placed the blame for the defeat on himself and his leadership.

This won’t erase the shadow of defeat, but it will have some effect.

And the emperor’s arrangements did not end there.

“Next, there will be some reorganization in the command center according to the imperial decree.”

First of all, the dismissal of Chief of Staff of the General Staff, General Mesok, and other chiefs of staff.

It was a natural result, as their influence was very strong in this operation.

The core staff was pushed back, but those in the middle remained.

And the Empire has plenty of staff to deal with them.

It is unfortunate for the Marquis Conslocker and his faction, but there is nothing they can do.

Because those who provided the starting point for defeat must be punished accordingly.

“Imperial Chief of Staff, Kael Klauwitz, obey the Emperor’s command.”

And in that empty space, the best card the empire had was eventually brought into play.

“Grant the authority of the Chief of Staff of the First Army to the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Staff. From now on, all matters occurring in the Western Theater shall be handled after proper discussion with the Commander of the First Army.”

At the same time, the seal of the Chief of Staff of the 1st Army and the flag to be installed in the barracks were issued.

Kael, who accepted it, expressed his confidence, saying that he would do his best to contribute to the empire’s victory.

The imperial soldiers who saw that sight felt a sense of suffocation.

After the crushing defeat, each day was a bitter one.

Who would have imagined that Dedrant would suffer such a humiliating thing?

As the Empire began to lose confidence and faith in its victory, someone came to support it.

‘A genius strategist who led the Empire to great victories across the East and the South.’

‘Let us trust Him. As always, He will bring us the most glorious victory this time too.’

Ironically, the defeat he suffered recently was becoming an opportunity to further increase his faith in Kael.