episode_0009

Tactics and strategy.

These two words are similar, yet they have completely different meanings.

I don’t know the exact definitions myself, but roughly speaking, tactics are ‘how to win a battle,’ and strategy is ‘how to win a war.’

In other words, tactics are used on the battlefield, and strategy is useful for the brains in the rear.

And this concept was originally created as late as the 19th century. By a certain brilliant Prussian soldier.

‘In fact, that man created the paradigm of future military science.’

A great man who expanded military strategy, which was close to just the art of fighting well, into the realm of national strategy and politics.

I intended to make his work public in this world.

Of course, not in its original form, but with some editing.

‘If I brought it as is, no one would understand it.’

Even I, who was called a genius for becoming a professor in my twenties, had difficulty interpreting it.

Did it take almost a month? The translated version was so crude that I couldn’t understand it at all, so I finally understood it after getting the original and reading it.

If I just changed the remembered content into writing as is, it would just be treated as a complex, strange document.

To get the Helvetian Republic to understand my knowledge, it was necessary to lower the difficulty somewhat.

To about the level of an ordinary tactical book or professional book.

If I start preparing now, it’ll probably be completed in about two months.

“Branch manager. Could you let me know as soon as you get any information related to international affairs?”

“That’s not difficult. I’ll share everything with you as soon as I secure it, so don’t worry.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll be waiting.”

Since I have plenty of time, I should focus on writing leisurely for the time being.

Anyway, even if we don’t get more involved, the higher-ups will escalate the war on their own.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, a few days later.

The Doge’s office in the Helvetian Republic.

“…..Is this the ultimatum from the Kram Empire?”

“Yes. Those guys were definitely in a mood to finish things.”

“Tch, such rude bastards.”

Doge Enrico Dandolo clicked his tongue as he looked at the letter he had received from the Kram Empire.

They weren’t exactly known for their manners in the first place, but this diplomatic letter was particularly egregious.

“Even if we are a weak country, isn’t there at least some etiquette that countries should observe? Did these guys not receive a proper upbringing?”

The content can be summarized as follows.

[Hey, you bastards. I hear there’s some suspicious writing going around in your territory these days? Because of that, it’s noisy all the way to our territory with talk of national independence and stuff? Aren’t you cracking down on your markets properly?

I’ll say it nicely. Censor the subversive books and catch the bastard who wrote them and bring him to us. If you bring him quickly, we’ll forgive you.]

A booklet that has recently become a hot topic among Helvetians, talking about one nation or something.

A magical piece of writing that has formed a consensus and instilled unity among the nations that have been divided for hundreds of years.

They were making an issue of that and picking a fight.

A rough and rude writing style that doesn’t even adhere to the minimum formalities required for a diplomatic document. They didn’t use any curse words, but they wrote all sorts of harsh words, practically threatening us.

It’s full of the intention to completely eradicate anything that gets in the way of their rule.

“What charges would we use to punish the guy who wrote the booklet, even if we caught him? Is it a capital offense to raise the pride of the Helvetians?”

It was absurd.

In the first place, there isn’t even a legal clause that stipulates that such an act should be punishable by death.

If promoting national unity and awakening was a crime, then all the patriots in the world would be heinous criminals deserving of death?

Even if we were to punish him, the Helvetian Republic should do it, so why is the Kram Empire trying to do whatever it wants?

It’s not even clear yet what the author’s nationality is or whether he’s even Helvetian.

They’re like gangsters who do whatever they want just because their national power is strong.

“If it ended here, it wouldn’t be so bad, but it won’t, will it.”

“That’s right. If it’s the Kram guys, they’ll definitely try to extort something more.”

“They might take this opportunity to seize our country’s territory or aim to encroach on various vested interests, including tariffs…”

Once they manage to get one concession, they will constantly try to covet something more. This time they aimed for a person, but next time it could be land, vested interests, or money.

They will see it as a good opportunity and try to completely fleece the Helvetian Republic.

Some regions of the Helvetian Peninsula have already fallen into the hands of the Kram Empire in this way, so we know it very well.

The moment you show them a weakness, they will suck you dry to the bone.

“Your Excellency, we must not show weakness here.”

“That’s right, Doge. Isn’t this what we’ve already prepared for? Here, we should rather take a strong stance and face those guys head-on.”

His vassals also knew this principle, so they all spoke in unison to demand it of the Doge.

Please make a decisive decision. Order the war, as you have repeatedly said.

Enrico Dandolo bowed his head for a moment and sighed.

He had expected this to happen and had been preparing for it, but as the moment of decision approached, he couldn’t help but waver.

Is this really the right path? Perhaps he is bringing about his own destruction?

‘No, it’s already too late to regret it.’

But his agony was only brief.

He steeled his heart once again.

It was already too far to regret the path he had taken. Having come this far, he had no choice but to see it through to the end in some way.

The Helvetian Republic will either achieve its long-cherished national independence and unify the peninsula, or be trampled by foreign powers and perish miserably.

It will meet one of these two endings.

“…..How are the conscripts doing now?”

“The first and second term trainees have already been assigned to units.”

“Good.”

It seems that the formation of a citizen army through conscription is also slowly getting on track. The workers must have become accustomed to the system, so there will be no problem even if we expand the scale now.

Enrico Dandolo took out another letter from his drawer.

It was recently sent by the Kingdom of Navarr. It was more polite than the Kram Empire’s, but the content was about the same.

He had been putting off deciding how to reply, but he should send the answers all at once now.

“Distribute recruitment propaganda throughout the country and have the army stand by. I will start the war as soon as the declaration of war arrives.”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

“The rise and fall of the republic and the nation depends on this battle. Let each of you do your best to strive for victory!”

The vassals who received Enrico Dandolo’s orders soon drafted letters to send to Kram and Navarr.

The tone was polite, but with some anger and sarcasm.

The distance between the capitals of the two countries and the republic is about two weeks.

Considering errors or delays in the process, it should be able to arrive in about 15 to 16 days.

Taking this into account, they dispatched their troops about two weeks after sending the letters.

Before long, the Helvetian Peninsula was engulfed in the flames of war.

* * * * *

“It’s war, the war has finally begun!”

“Kyah-hoo! It’s time for mischief!”

“Let’s have a celebratory drink! Bring the alcohol and women!”

I chuckled at the antics of the idiots who were cheering while chugging wine from bottles.

“I’ve never seen people so happy that people are dying.”

The outside world was in a chaotic atmosphere because some of the most powerful countries on the continent were at war, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for our organization.

Since our goal is continental mischief and social subversion, we rather welcomed this situation. That’s because it will be easier to build the new world they dream of.

I understand because everyone who gathered here hates the world…..but, well, it was a slightly strange feeling.

It’s like watching the antisocial party of villains.

“I’m not in a position to criticize either.”

Well, I’m not in a position to criticize since I’m a similar guy.

They joined the organization because they were suffering from corrupt countries or hypocritical religions, but I was a guy who was directly attacked by a goddess.

“What are you doing here? It’s a banquet day.”

“Miss Kalia?”

“The branch manager is looking for you. He’s wondering where the top contributor is hiding.”

“He’s drunk. Please tell him I’ll be there soon.”

As I was nibbling on cheese and ham alone, Kalia, whose face was slightly flushed with intoxication, approached me.

A demonic traditional outfit similar to a kimono.

It suited her silver hair quite well. For a moment, I didn’t know where to put my eyes.

“What are you reading?”

“It’s a report sent by the Helvetian branch yesterday. The general situation is roughly written in it.”

I handed her the pile of papers as she came up to my desk. I’ve already read almost all of it, so I don’t need it anymore.

“It seems that the Republican army has been doing well from the start. It seems that they are already spreading out here and there.”

The conscripted citizen army led by the Doge’s generals was doing quite well.

Despite being a record from only a few days after the outbreak of the war, there were already conquered territories visible here and there.

After all, nationalism is scary. To make the men who have never participated in war so fierce.

“They wouldn’t be able to do that much if they weren’t receiving all kinds of intelligence. We’ve already handed over the enemy’s organization chart and deployment.”

“That’s true.”

Since we are constantly leaking information obtained by spies from all over the place so that they can fight hard for a long time, I think this momentum will continue for the time being.

“I hope this country will also get caught up in the war soon. So that they can constantly hit each other and decline.”

“You’ll only have to wait a little bit for that.”

I tilted my glass with a smile.

This makes me feel like a mastermind trying to burn the world.

“Because the embers have already been sown.”