episode_0122

A decisive battle for the fate of the empire (2)

When it was reported that Heinrich’s large army had reached the Windrage territory, Prinz and Juno summoned each commander and staff and held a meeting.

“It is said that the army sent by Heinrich reached a distance of about 5 days from our territory. Since our forces were inferior, we originally planned to fight a defensive battle at the castle, but since we appointed Yuno as the commander-in-chief, we would like to hear your opinion”

“No. My opinion is that rotation should be held”

“Why? Can you explain why?”

In response to Prinz’s question, Yuno stood up and pointed to the castle wall visible from the window.

“First of all, Windrage Castle here is not a castle suitable for defensive warfare. Because there was the Lippil fortress supporting the eastern front, there was no need to build this as a defensive castle. Therefore, since the height of the castle wall is low and there are not many defense facilities, it cannot be said that it receives the advantage of a water castle”

” Considering the hardships I suffered in the Battle of Streve, I also thought that I was definitely inferior to that one. But no matter what, it would definitely be more advantageous than going out and fighting, right? And defense facilities have been greatly replenished”

Despite Prinz’s protest, Yuno did not bend his opinion.

“For the past two months, I have been training soldiers to be suitable for an all-out war. If you were to engage in a defensive battle with soldiers, most of whom did not know how to shoot an arrow properly, the results would not be that great. And even if you don’t have to fight a defensive battle, if you go out first and occupy an advantageous position for defense, you won’t be too far behind in the rotation”

As Prinz was lost in thought, Yuno continued speaking.

“Crucially, in order for us to receive support from the people of the empire, we must minimize damage to civilians. Currently, the people of the empire are suffering a lot due to the war with Tesseito. Additionally, if they feel that they are being harmed, they will also feel resentment toward us”

At Yuno’s explanation, the commanders and staff who had already entrusted Yuno with the strategy smiled confidently, and Prinz also nodded, looking at his subordinates.

“Good. Since you are the commander-in-chief anyway, I will leave everything to you. You all have your own thoughts, but it looks like this guy was worried for no reason”

“No. older brother. This is a fight where the lives of everyone here, the lives of 20,000 troops, and the fate of the empire are at stake, so of course you are worried”

Prinz walked up to Yuno and held out his hand, and Yuno took his older brother’s hand, and the brothers shook hands, showing their firm will.

3 days after that. A plain 30km away from Windrage territory.

Yuno, who divided the 20,000 troops into four 5,000-man units and established a defensive position, stood at the forefront and watched the imperial troops approaching from afar and the dust they raised.

“Phew~ Do a lot of things. It looks like it’s almost 40,000?”

“Probably that much. Because the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd corps are all gathered together. If this was going to be the case, we should have just attacked the 3rd Corps first. It’s truly amazing to see such a large group in real life”

“Hahaha, our soldiers weren’t even trained at that time, so if we attacked the 3rd Corps first, they would have collapsed. Even if you won, you would have suffered huge losses”

“Now I think I understand what your Majesty meant when he said our soldiers were not prepared. Even after seeing that great soldier, I am not afraid but rather full of confidence”

“Right? Since ancient times, it has been said that physical strength is the power of a nation. Soldiers will no longer get tired easily on the battlefield, and as such, they will participate more actively”

Juno and Baron Leverkin talked about the approaching battle and observed the formation of the imperial army as they set up camp.

“They must have been very tired coming all the way here. How about going on a night raid today?”

“I heard that the commander-in-chief of the enemies was Derian. When I met him at Streve, he seemed like a pretty useful guy. They probably won’t be so lax on guard even at night. If a clumsy night attack increases the fatigue of the soldiers, it is better to attack them head on”

“Then what about this number?”

Baron Leverkin whispered in Juno’s ear and proposed his plan, and Juno said it would be fine and ordered it to be implemented.

“Then I will leave that to you. I’m going to meet Derian once”

“Yes? What do you mean by that?”

“Well… But weren’t we comrades in arms in the last battle? I want to see your face before we fight”

Yuno galloped off his horse, holding only a white flag.

“I… Your Highness!! How can the commander-in-chief himself go as a messenger!! Come back right now!!”

“Hahahaha there’s no law telling you not to go, right? Then I’ll be back for a while”

“Your Highness!! Your Majesty!!!”

Baron Leverkin followed, shouting loudly, but Juno only gestured for him to enter and continued towards the enemy camp.

In the end, when Juno disappeared inside the enemy lines, shouting that he was a messenger to Heinrich’s camp, Baron Leverkin had to return to the camp with a deep sigh.

Imperial army camp at that time. Baron Derian, commander-in-chief of Henry’s army, who was building a camp and resting his soldiers, heard that an enemy envoy carrying a white flag was approaching and ordered them to guide him to him.

“Hmm… Are you trying to acknowledge the difference in military strength and surrender? Then it would be really convenient”

Derian shook his head at the words of Baron Hassau, commander of the 1st Corps.

“No. That won’t happen. When I took a quick look, I saw that, unlike other soldiers, their discipline was orderly and their eyes were calm and sunken. I don’t know why, but it seems like they brought some pretty elite soldiers”

“That means the number of soldiers is twice as large. And when it comes to elites, our legionnaires are much better. Aren’t the soldiers who survived Streb and Zeno’s hell our Western Corps?”

What Baron Sigvald, commander of the 4th Corps, said was clearly true, so Baron Derian nodded.

While the corps commanders were talking among themselves, a report came in that an envoy had arrived in front of the barracks, and he ordered them to come in.

And they frowned for a moment at the sight of the reaper showing confident steps even in the middle of enemy territory, but soon the reaper’s face was revealed by the lighting, and all the corps commanders froze.

“Hahaha, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you all. So, how have you been? Darian I heard you were made a baronet. Congratulations”

“Sa….Your Highness the Third Prince? Uh…how come here…?”

They thought that Yuno, who had a close relationship with Prinz, would join Prinz’s army, and had prepared for that, but they were shocked because it was unthinkable that the prince himself would come as a messenger.

When the corps commanders naturally bowed, Yuno stood them up and had them sit back down.

“This time, I have taken over as commander-in-chief of Brother Prinz’s army. Since I am going to fight with my former colleagues, I came here to say hello before the battle begins in earnest”

“Huh~ Your Majesty is the Commander-in-Chief… I didn’t even know about that because no information came out of Windrage Territory”

They hesitated, not knowing what to do about Yuno, who had led them to victory in the last Battle of Streve.

“Hahaha, take it easy. After all, aren’t you just a traitor to you now?”

“How can you say that… We…”

“I understand. As legions of the Empire, you have no choice but to be loyal to Henry, who sits on the Emperor’s throne. It is strictly forbidden for the soldiers of the empire to intervene in politics, so that is also the right attitude for a soldier. I understand that you pointed your sword at me”

“…. Thank you. Your Majesty”

“But since this side does not recognize Heinrich as emperor and considers you enemies, they will not tolerate you on the battlefield. That’s why I came here now”

“Yes, Your Highness. We will also do our best to win.”

Yuno extended his hand to each corps commander and offered to shake his hand, and they smiled as they held Yuno’s outstretched hand.

“Still, I have one suggestion for you guys”

“What is it? majesty. I will accept it if possible”

“If I win this battle, please surrender cleanly to our army. Don’t even think about committing suicide”

The corps commanders, including Derian, looked at each other with blank faces at Yuno’s suggestion and were lost in thought.

“Let’s talk about that proposal among ourselves for a moment”

After pondering for a while, they finally nodded.

“Okay. If we are defeated with twice as many troops, it is obvious that we will have to return to Adria and be executed anyway. Of course, you have no intention of losing on purpose, so you must be prepared”

The corps commanders accepted Juno’s proposal, thinking of the several nobles who had their heads cut off by Heinrich in the conference hall.

“Good. Of course, if I were to be defeated by you, I would surrender cleanly. Then, let’s see on the battlefield!”

“Yes, Your Highness. See you on the battlefield”

After the meeting, Yuno returned to the camp, taking a quick glance at the imperial army’s camp.

“Wasn’t His Highness the Third Prince just now?”

“If you’re the Third Prince… wasn’t he the one who single-handedly defeated Streve?”

“A~ Do you believe that ridiculous rumor?”

“No, it’s true! When I was in the 5th Corps, I participated in the Battle of Streve. Look, there’s a Streve battle badge on my armor here. I saw it myself? They said they were going to blow Teiseito-kun’s head off with a huge log… Ugh~ We’re supposed to deal with that?”

“…..Is that really true? Ugh”

Yuno’s visit had an unexpected and enormous effect.

The soldiers of the 1st and 2nd corps and the survivors of the 5th corps, who had seen Juno’s prowess in person during the previous Battle of Streve, testified to Juno’s prowess and were terrified that they would have to deal with it this time.

And that fear quickly spread throughout the imperial army, and the morale of the imperial army was significantly declining from the start of the battle.

*Yuno illustration