Chapter 191: The War Between the South and North 6

In Chris IV’s camp opposing the Imperial forces, a premature air of victory pervaded despite the impending conflict.

“Hahahaha! So you say General Spinola perished and the Imperial troops were annihilated?”

“Yes, my lord! It appears we can set aside concerns over Lorraine.”

“Excellent news indeed. This should severely demoralize the enemy – a fortuitous boon for us.”

Chris IV’s jubilant tone reflected his delight.

Truthfully, he had only just learned of the Imperial invasion of Lorraine.

Yet receiving such an unexpected triumph proved an auspicious omen as they braced for a large-scale engagement.

Such a morale-boosting victory would undoubtedly buoy his own forces’ spirits.

Moreover, judging by feeble Lorraine’s might, Chris IV could gauge the defeated Imperial contingent’s relative capabilities.

“That the Imperial fools failed to seize even tiny Lorraine…they may be little more than impotent paper tigers.”

“Indeed, my lord. Their prior inability to subjugate diminutive Bohemia alone reveals their true ineptitude – all bluster, devoid of substance.”

“This war has thoroughly exposed their bankruptcy. In contrast, our Northern forces comprise veteran elites, hardened through ceaseless campaigning.”

“And we enjoy Mansfeld’s auxiliaries who routed those very Imperials. Victory is assured.”

Chris IV’s sycophantic subordinates readily affirmed his arrogant boasts, caring little for veracity.

Their sole imperative centered on flattering their sovereign during such moments to solidify their own advancement.

Thoroughly emboldened by their fawning rhetoric, an elated Chris IV then received an unexpected report:

“My lord! My lord!”

“What is it?”

“You…you must come see this! Something seems amiss within the enemy camp!”

“What? Their encampment?”

Startled by this unanticipated claim, Chris IV swiftly exited with his aides to investigate.

Their vantage point – a prominently situated hill – offered an optimal view of the opposition’s disposition.

Indeed, peculiar signs of disarray manifested within the Imperial lines.

“What’s this? The enemy appears utterly disorganized.”

“So it seems. They scurry about in evident disarray.”

“But what could prompt such chaos? Why do they conduct themselves thus?”

“Hmm…”

Initially unable to provide an explanation, one of Chris IV’s subordinates tentatively hypothesized:

“If I may speculate, my lord…could internal strife be erupting among their ranks?”

“Infighting?”

An intriguing prospect that piqued Chris IV’s interest, prompting his subordinate to elaborate with greater conviction:

“Indeed. Like us, they have likely received word of Lorraine’s outcome – undoubtedly a devastating blow. Moreover, rumor indicates tensions between Generals Tilly and Wallenstein. Perhaps this defeat has inflamed their animosities, triggering open conflict.”

“Oho…if so, this presents a prime opportunity for us.”

“Their disarray benefits our cause. We should launch an offensive immediately while they remain thus disarrayed.”

Exploiting a fractured enemy represented a core tenet of military strategy – one Chris IV’s advisors unanimously advocated, fueling his own eagerness.

‘Their words ring true. The unexpected defeat has clearly disoriented them. Such setbacks invariably exacerbate preexisting rifts. If so…’

Weighing the overall situation, Chris IV swiftly reached his conclusion and issued immediate orders:

“Summon Lord Mansfeld. We must discuss launching an offensive against the enemy without delay.”

“Yes, my lord.”

At Chris IV’s behest, the assembled commanders convened to address the circumstances and determine an appropriate response.

“Therefore, I deem it prudent to attack the enemy forces immediately. What say you all?”

“Hmm…”

While Chris IV’s rationale held merit given the apparent situation, Mansfeld’s gut instincts raised misgivings about precipitous action.

‘Something feels amiss…true, the enemy’s plight seems dire, but is striking now truly wise…?’

He knew General Tilly to be no pushover from personal experience.

Although this newly appointed Wallenstein remained an unknown quantity, Mansfeld harbored a healthy respect for his former foe Tilly – a caution that compelled sober reassessment before committing to battle.

Then, seated beside him, Christian offered a dissenting perspective with an uncharacteristic firmness:

“I advise against it.”

“What?”

“…And why is that?”

Caught off guard by her unexpectedly resolute tone, Chris IV and his subordinates registered a hint of discomfiture.

Undeterred, Christian elaborated with conviction:

“While the enemy’s situation indeed appears tenuous, that very fact should engender vigilance during such a pivotal juncture. Their overtly suspicious conduct could well mask a deception intended to lure us into a trap.”

“Hmm…”

Her words carried a modicum of validity, yet failed to sway Chris IV considerably.

‘They seek to deceive us? I suppose that’s possible…but what if their disarray proves genuine? If we hesitate and allow them to stabilize, we may squander a prime opportunity – letting an effortless path to victory slip through our grasp.’

Despite ostensibly soliciting Mansfeld and Christian’s counsel, Chris IV had already inwardly committed to attacking.

Unless Christian could substantiate her skepticism more conclusively – which her speculative ‘it could be’ failed to achieve – he felt disinclined to risk forfeiting a potential advantage by indecisively delaying while the enemy potentially regained their equilibrium.

“We attack.”

“But…my lord…”

“Their discord may prove false, yet it could equally be genuine. In that case, failing to seize this heaven-sent opportunity would constitute unforgivable folly. I hereby order an all-out offensive against the Imperial forces!”

“Yes, my lord!”

“We shall obey, my lord!”

“Nnngh…”

His subordinate commanders affirmed the directive resolutely, leaving Mansfeld and Christian reluctantly acquiescing despite their lingering unease.

Their position as Chris IV’s vassals precluded outright defiance of their lord’s dictates.

Lacking ironclad conviction in his own misgivings, Mansfeld could only proceed with the attack for now.

‘No recourse then…if this is our course, I must at least select an assault route favoring our advantage…’

Resigning themselves to this second-best option, Mansfeld and Christian plotted an approach they deemed relatively safe yet potentially lucrative.

‘Frontally engaging Tilly remains too daunting…my better prospects lie in targeting that Wallenstein upstart.’