Chapter 58: Overture of War 2

As the strategy meeting proceeded smoothly, Count Turen found himself grappling with conflicting emotions.

The battle plans being conveyed to the others were nominally his, yet their true architect was none other than his son, Santana, standing before him.

Santana had proposed employing tactics he had studied during his time as a Holy Knight, and Turen, having developed profound trust in his son through recent events, had readily acquiesced without objection.

Of course, given the stakes involved – not only his own life but those of his family, domain, and comrades – he had sought a detailed explanation from Santana beforehand, reviewing the proposed strategy.

And now, as Santana explained the plans to the lords, the content diverged from what he had initially outlined to Turen.

Or rather, Santana’s current words conveyed only a part of the overall strategy.

Here, only Santana and Turen were privy to the core elements, which Santana had omitted entirely from his present explanation.

This absence extended not just to Santana, the plan’s originator, but to Turen himself.

While it left a lingering sense of disquiet, the nature of the operation rendered it unavoidable.

Moreover, having been thoroughly convinced by his son, Turen could only maintain a respectful silence as Santana spoke.

Separate from his reservations, Turen also felt a profound sense of joy as he observed his son, so transformed upon his return.

Recognizing that the concerns weighing upon his heart had been utterly dispelled, he reflected:

‘This is total war, where victory justifies any means necessary. Even if deception is required for now, they will understand once the conflict concludes.’

In trading stocks and cryptocurrencies, there is an inviolable principle one must heed:

Swiftly cut losses on failures beyond your control.

Clinging to futile hopes of reversing an unwinnable situation only leads to compounding losses and self-inflicted harm.

While the heart may ache and the soul burn, dwelling on regrets and cherishing sunk costs only invites further, greater losses.

What is required in such moments is the courage to let go…

A concept often referred to as ‘cutting losses’.

To relinquish the unrecoverable without lingering attachments, fully focusing one’s efforts on what can still be salvaged.

And this notion of cutting losses extends far beyond mere financial realms, applying to countless situations in life – including war.

Clinging to circumstances beyond one’s control is foolish.

The paramount objective is to identify what can be achieved and maximize its efficiency.

Discard the unrecoverable without hesitation, and never relinquish what can still be grasped.

And simultaneously… Fully exploit any available means to that end.

The strategy I had devised for this war incorporated elements of such ‘ruthless pragmatism’.

Swiftly marching northward from Vienna, the Imperial army advanced.

At its center, commanding this formidable force by the Emperor’s decree, rode the Grade Nine Archmage Tilly Cherkleas astride his white steed.

“Hasten your pace! We must reach the borders of Bohemia by nightfall at the latest.”

Tilly’s resounding, leonine voice issued his commands.

Yet, at this moment, despite his outward display of characteristic vigor, his inmost thoughts were as reverent as a monk kneeling in prayer before the divine.

A lifelong veteran of the battlefield, Tilly was also an unwavering devotee of the Church, renowned for his piety.

To him, this war held profound significance on multiple levels.

‘The heretical forces have instigated rebellion… They have ultimately forsaken the Lord’s sublime mercy and consorted with demons. As a servant adhering to God’s will, this cannot be tolerated.’

While taking the field by the Emperor’s command, Tilly harbored an even more profound sense of duty.

Bearing the moniker ‘The Armored Monk’ for his devout faith, the heretical uprisings represented the stirrings of evil itself to Tilly – a vile force that had to be eradicated root and stem.

Wretched beings who had spurned the merciful hand of God and embraced the path of darkness – monsters who must be purged from this world.

And now…

Tilly led an army tasked with cleansing this evil from the earth…

Or, to put it another way, he commanded God’s holy forces, bearing the sacred banner of justice and light.

‘This is akin to the Lord selecting me for His divine work. I shall vanquish the heretics and offer this victory to His glory!’

Although the force under his command, numbering a mere twenty-five thousand, paled in comparison to the Imperial might of ages past, Tilly harbored no resentment as he marched to uphold this noble cause.

What did numbers matter when fulfilling God’s will?

Moreover, this notion of ‘meagerness’ only applied in contrast to the Imperium’s former glory. Against the Bohemian rebels, this force was more than sufficient.

Twenty-five thousand Imperial troops, renowned for their prowess and prestige across the continent.

Particularly the two thousand mages led by Supreme Commander Tilly himself, who could overwhelm tens of thousands under favorable circumstances – a formidable force indeed.

While Bohemia’s mages were renowned for their skill, their numerical inferiority – nearly half that of the Imperial forces – left the advantage firmly in Tilly’s favor.

With no strategic concerns and the opportunity to serve a noble cause granted by the Emperor’s benevolence, Tilly’s heart swelled with profound gratitude as the borders of Bohemia came into view.

“So this is the domain of the heretics…”

Crossing this boundary would place them in hostile territory, requiring heightened vigilance and caution against enemy ambushes and logistical vulnerabilities.

Mindful of these factors, Tilly inquired of his second-in-command:

“What news of the enemy’s dispositions? Our scouts must have reported their findings by now.”

“Yes, General. According to their reports, the enemy has deployed their forces at Bilá Hora near the city of Bohemia. Based on their formation, they likely intend to engage us in a direct confrontation there.”

“Is that so? Heheh… So the fools remain unaware of our superior numbers?”

“It is possible. At a glance, the difference in our respective strengths may not seem so pronounced.”

Typically, the disadvantaged side would seek refuge within fortified cities favorable for defense or occupy advantageous high ground.

In that regard, the Bilá Hora region, while moderately sloped, offered no distinct terrain benefits.

To openly array their forces in such a location could be interpreted as confidence in their ability to defeat the Imperial army head-on.

And from Tilly’s perspective, commanding the superior force, this was the desired outcome.

‘Foolish beings, the arrogance of evil knows no bounds, it seems. Wait but a little longer, wicked heretics. With my own hands, I shall deliver the Lord’s righteous judgment upon you!’