episode_0106

Southern 6th Army Corps Camp.

“… .”

“… .”

Just a few days ago, the soldiers were in high spirits after their continued victory.

They were the ones who were talking as if they could destroy Dedorant at any moment.

I also thought that if I did well, I would be able to see my family before the year ended.

But now, only an eerie silence and stillness filled the camp.

No one opened their mouths, as if they were all corpses.

We were pushed back by the Dedorant Army. The commanders tried hard to deny it, but there was no way they didn’t know that this was a defeat.

If this were just a simple defeat, it might be a good thing.

Two legions were unable to escape the encirclement because they were pushed back.

In the end, they all melted and disappeared while fighting desperately.

They killed their own troops because they couldn’t fight anymore.

Someone’s father, husband, and son, he was not allowed to return.

That fact was strangling the necks of the same fathers, husbands, and sons.

“What is it?”

Until a young man suddenly showed up at their camp.

“Huh, huh?”

“Rep. Oh, no. Chief of Staff of the Imperial Staff?”

Yes, that’s right. That’s right. Kael. Kael Klauwitz.

The strategist who accompanied them throughout the South and brought them their greatest victory.

The very person who was recognized for his achievements and received the position of Chief of Staff of the Imperial Household at a young age.

Rumor has it that after this defeat, he was given the imperial order to concurrently serve as the Chief of Staff of the First Army.

Perhaps the system, knowing his abilities, quickly selected him to overcome this situation.

But why did that person show up at the 6th Corps barracks and not the 1st Army Headquarters?

“Oh my. Everyone is dead, like corpses.”

“That, that’s… .”

“Wake up right now and get up! What are you doing now!!”

A harsh scream, the likes of which I had never heard before, burst out of Kael’s mouth.

Not only the soldiers, but even the commanders were startled and quickly assumed a stationary posture.

“Soldiers of the 6th Corps.”

“… .”

“Imperial Southern 6th Army Corps!!”

Once again, the roar of Kael, no, the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Staff and the Chief of Staff of the First Army, resonates.

When the entire 6th Corps answered with a loud ‘Yes!!’, Kael continued speaking.

“Do you think you’re defeated now?”

“… .”

For a moment, the soldiers of the 6th Corps look at each other and check each other’s mood.

Didn’t you lose? You backed out because you lost. That’s why things turned out like this.

But then again, it seems like the atmosphere is such that you really shouldn’t say you lost… .

“That’s right. You were defeated. You were defeated, so you retreated like this.”

“Ah… .”

I see. It is true that we have lost. Just as the soldiers were about to lower their heads.

“But!”

Kael continued, stomping his foot hard once.

“This was just a single battle loss. Soldiers of the 6th Legion. Do you remember the Eastern Campaign? There, the 7th Legion of the Empire suffered a single defeat. But in the end, they won the war. Because they had the will to avenge their defeat and the desire for victory.”

and.

“And. This was possible because I was there.”

Kael’s presence. At those words, a light gradually appears in the soldiers’ eyes.

Yeah. Come to think of it, this operation, this defeat. Kael wasn’t there at all.

As the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family, he was simply carrying out his duties in the rear.

And now, at this moment, he has returned to his position as Chief of Staff of the First Army.

To their side. To the side of the Imperial First Army. That strategist had finally appeared again.

“I believe you all remember the moment we fought against Benito’s army throughout the South.”

The soldiers. The commanders. The staff. And even the corps commander.

Everyone nods their heads vigorously as they recall that moment.

The greatest glory of the 6th Army. A battle that literally tore apart the enemies.

With that one victory, the entire South was turned into a war for the Empire.

After returning, wasn’t he met with cheers and admiration from the people of the empire?

“That victory. That moment. I will give it back to you.”

“Ah… !”

“If you don’t believe in your victory, believe in me. I, who has never lost a single time. This genius strategist! Trust and follow me more than anything in the world!”

Then, as in the South, I will bring you the most glorious and shining victory that no one can deny!

The moment Kael’s last words came out, an explosion of cheers erupted from the soldiers’ mouths.

-Whaaah!!

-Eww!!!!

Yes. You can do it. You can win. That man, that bookie, will definitely make it happen.

As it was throughout the South. As it was throughout the East.

This time too, that guy is sure to bring them another victory!!

“Rise up! 6th Legion!!”

“Waaah!!”

“Eww!!!”

The Southern 6th Corps rose from its position, ready to swallow even the bitter taste of defeat.

And the flames also engulfed the 13th Southern Corps, which was camped nearby.

“Victory for us once again! Glory to the Empire!”

This kind of reaction would have been difficult if the Empire had continued to win.

But, because they suffered a huge defeat right before that, that became firewood and oil.

As soon as the flame called Kael fell, it could instantly become a huge fire.

After visiting the two legions in the south, Kael headed straight for the eastern legions.

And there, too, they faced the same fate as they had faced the Southern Legion.

“Remember your proudest and most glorious moments! And remember who was there with you! If you finally remember those moments, now go for victory! I will be with you behind you, crushing all the momentum of your enemies!!”

“Waaa …

Humans are creatures who always miss the moments when they shine the brightest.

There, no matter how difficult the moment, I often find the strength to move forward.

Kael passed on that very memory to the soldiers who were stuck in the swamp of defeat.

And he whispered, Come up out of that swamp right now and come with me.

Just as I showed you while I was with you, I will do the same this time.

For another glory. For that victory once again.

The 7th and 12th Corps in the East, and the 6th and 13th Corps in the South.

Their momentum was instantly revived. In fact, it burned even brighter than before.

What is there to be afraid of when you have a strategist right next to you who has been with you at every moment of victory?

“Okay, next.”

Kael turned his horse’s head to the Western Legion’s position this time.

The Western Corps is in a different situation than the previous two regional corps.

They suffered the greatest defeat, losing two entire legions.

The remaining legions also suffered the most damage and are having a hard time getting back up.

It is impossible to raise them there with glory and victory like the Eastern or Southern Legions.

Because there is nothing that touches their skin directly that they can solve with their own reputation.

It is natural that we cannot do so because there is no opportunity to do so together.

So what should we do? How can we make them take up their swords again?

“Remember the 9th Legion! Do not forget the 14th Legion! Those who willingly stayed in the encirclement for you. Those heroes who stood up to that wicked Dedorant without putting down their spears until the last moment! Today, you are here because those heroes left!”

Instead of glory, revenge. Instead of victory, revenge. Revenge. Revenge. Revenge.

The most primal and yet most powerful word. Kael chose it.

“Remember! You are the only ones who will remember those heroes! Do not forget! You are the only ones qualified to take revenge for those heroes!”

“Reliving the defeat, apologizing to the dead, writing letters of apology to their families! All of this must be done after the revenge is over!”

“Avenge! And reclaim! With your own hands, the glory of yourselves and the heroes who fell asleep before you!”

The strategist who destroyed the three kingdoms in the east and crushed Benito is shouting over there.

He is a young man who has achieved countless feats at such a young age and has become a promising talent in the empire.

At that sight, the remaining soldiers of the Western Corps were filled with a fire of possibility.

No. All that aside, the word revenge was just too strong.

That man says he will help me avenge this defeat, this humiliation.

Yeah. Get revenge, Maria. Get back at those bastards, Maria!

“Tell those who think they have won clearly that the war is just beginning!”

As the bookworm said, the war was just beginning.

*

“Hoo.”

Southern Corps. Eastern Corps. And Western Corps.

Now, all we need to do is boost the Northern Corps’ momentum.

I head towards the Northern Legion and look back on my words and actions from just a moment ago.

First of all, it was a success. Everyone responded well.

I was worried that if you came and asked, ‘What are you going to do?’

But because everyone was so desperate to win, that didn’t happen.

‘This is what I can do right now.’

The work in the rear is being handled by the Ministry of War and the reorganized General Staff.

Re-deploy the three corps that had just arrived, and position the reserves that had been assembled according to the mobilization order.

It includes replenishing lost supplies and securing the necessary supplies for the future.

In particular, the current General Staff is practically nothing more than a place that assists me.

When I gave him my opinion, he immediately said, “Yep!” and did it right away.

Thanks to that, the burden got a little heavier, but there was also a good side to it.

‘Okay. Now, next.’

Is this the end? No way. This is not enough.

It’s helped keep their momentum going, but they need something a little more exciting.

And I had already made arrangements for it before.

“Chief of Staff.”

“Are you here?”

“Yes. It is a letter from Charleroi Estania.”

The first thing he did after becoming the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Household and Chief of Staff of the First Army was to make a request to the Emperor.

Charlois wanted to move with Novogord’s reinforcements and asked for permission.

The emperor coolly gave the okay sign, telling him to do as he pleased since he had the authority of the chief of staff.

Thanks to that, I was able to secure reinforcements from Novogord and a trustworthy advisor to accompany Kaya as she advanced with them.

[ As you informed me two days ago, I arrived near the northern border of Atria. ]

[ After a day of rest, we’ll get right into action. ]

[ I’m looking forward to it. Our Demon Warriors already grind their teeth whenever they hear the word Atria. ]

One of the basic rules of fighting. Hitting like crazy from the weakest spot of the guard.