episode_0088

*

When we arrived at the castle, the remaining generals in Balharat Castle, including Iren, were gathering one after another.

After giving her a brief greeting, I sat down and waited for the generals to gather.

Soon, after confirming that everyone who would come to the castle had arrived, Yuuri sat down on the throne and spoke in a serious tone.

“Everyone, I’m sorry for suddenly calling you during a mission. I probably heard some news on the way, so I’ll skip the greetings and get straight to the point.”

Yuuri closed his eyes once, then slowly opened them and opened his mouth.

“The Serpina army invaded Zellstrom Castle with over 70,000 troops.”

If it’s Zellstrom, it’s the former capital city of Charam County, above Walharat –

It was currently guarded by Epinel as the lord of the castle.

After listening to Yuuri’s rough explanation, there are currently about 53,000 soldiers in Zellstrom Castle.

There seemed to be about 60,000 soldiers here and 69,000 soldiers at Lacline Castle.

“The situation is like this, and I will tell you my thoughts first. If you lose Zellstrom Castle, you’re going to be in a lot of trouble, right? It is true that I want to protect it as it is a territory that has been expanded to a large extent. So I’m thinking of sending reinforcements to fight back. What do you all think?”

Jinor, who heard those words, lowered his head and opened his mouth.

“I think it can be prevented, but I’m worried about what happens after that.”

“After that?”

“While our troops are away to provide support, there is a possibility that the Serpina army will immediately advance additional troops in this direction.”

“Well, wouldn’t it be okay? You can’t attack three castles at once, right?”

“That’s true, but… … I think that if we waste away soldiers like that, we will end up at a huge disadvantage.”

“So, Jinor. What is your opinion?”

“Abandoning Zellstrom Castle would also be an option.”

“Give up… … D.”

While Yuuri pondered with his head slightly lowered-

Jinor conveyed his opinion to her.

“Serpina County is a powerful country. It is difficult for our army to form three fronts against the Serpina army in many ways. Since the soldiers are not springing up like fire and water, I think it would be right to focus our current well-trained troops on Balharat Castle and the forward base, Lacline Castle, to prevent the Serpina army from invading without permission. .”

“But is it okay? In the end, dedicating a castle is the same, right?”

“If a castle must be handed over, it would be better for our army to hand over Zelstrom Castle, which is located to the north and is difficult to defend, rather than the important Lacline Castle.”

“After that? After taking over the castle, you can’t just defend it, right?”

“I think it would be a good idea to form a temporary alliance with Hesna County in the south.”

“Alliance?”

“That’s right. If it’s not Hess or Roland, it’s fine. They will be no different from our army in facing the disaster that is the Serpina army. Fortunately, our military won’t seem that much of a threat to them. If we form an alliance and build a defense line, even the Serpina Army will not be able to treat us lightly. It would be better if Brans moves in the meantime.”

No matter how powerful Serpina County is.

It was obvious that all countries would face various difficulties if they placed so-called Daguri on all fronts.

In that sense, Jinor’s answer was in many ways the most optimal way we could do it right now.

In fact, if I were Yuuri, as Jinor said, I would have safely taken out the troops, generals, and supplies from Zellstrom Castle, and then built stronger defensive forces starting from Balharat Castle and Rachline Castle, which are adjacent to the border.

Just by distributing the 50,000 troops in Zellstrom Castle evenly between this place and Lacline Castle, an extremely difficult defense line is built, with approximately 80,000 to 90,000 troops guarding each castle.

Although it was a waste of territory right now, it was a much more efficient method in the long run.

It may feel a little frustrating, but if it is not resolved in this way, a weak country will never be able to defeat a powerful country.

Even if it means using dirty and shameful methods, it continues to exist and continues to exist, hoping for an opportunity that will surely come someday.

As it is a sure-win strategy – Jinor’s ‘abandoning the castle’ strategy also appealed to me.

but.

“Please wait a moment, my lord.”

Someone next to me raised their hand.

Although I had met him face to face a few times, he was a general who did not remain in my mind.

“Glen, explain slowly.”

His name is Glenn.

A young brown-haired man called Glenn spoke to Yuuri in a strong, pleading tone.

“It is very difficult to regain a castle once it has been taken. A larger territory means that there are more people under our command, which in turn leads to national power. From the point of view of our Aishus army, where each and every castle is disappointing, it is difficult to understand the argument that we should just give up one territory without even fighting, no matter how much it is the manager’s words. And!”

Glenn said, pounding his chest with his fist.

“Who are we? This is the Aceers army, where we shared blood with each other under the red flag. The person currently guarding Zelstrom Castle is none other than Epinel Rosencross, the most outstanding general in our Aishous army. Emma is assisting next to him. No matter how powerful a general is, it will not be easy to take Zelstrom Castle, where Effinel and Emma are located, with only that many troops.”

The difference in troops from the siege troops was 17,000.

The difference was about 50,000 and 70,000 people, so the position of Mercury was definitely not that extremely disadvantageous.

Battles in these situations usually have different aspects depending on the capabilities of the general or commander, but as the man named Glenn claimed, Epinel and Emma were SS-level generals.

surely… … I felt like I could win.

” As you said, if you send reinforcements, I will not rule out the possibility that the sender’s castle will be in danger. And, we also acknowledge that our forces are not infinite. However, I dare say – Serpina’s army is not infinite in its troops either. Moreover, they are in a confrontation not only with us but also with the Brans army. So, I think it would be better not to give up hastily.”

“So you’re talking about sending reinforcements?”

Glenn shook his head and responded to Yuuri’s words.

“No. I don’t think there’s any need to send reinforcements. Even if there is nothing like that, the capabilities of Epinel, Emma, and our Aishous army will be enough to stop it. Here, I earnestly ask you to trust Epinel and give him the right to decide.”

“Umm… … .”

Given Epinel’s personality, it was unlikely that she would run away, so if she was given the power to make a decision, there was a high possibility that she would stage a sit-in protest.

Leaving behind Yuuri, who was lost in thought, I organized the two people’s arguments in my own way.

Jinor’s agenda: remove troops from the castle and build a stronger defense line on this side. I also thought this would be better.

The agenda of a man named Glenn. Let’s trust in Seongju Epinel. Other people might not know, but since Epinel and Emma were there, it wasn’t such an absurd claim.

what.

Up to this point, it was just those people’s opinions.

Now, it was time to ask for my ‘unconditionally correct’ opinion.

I could have just overlooked it – but anyway, Yuuri clearly told us this before he started talking.

‘I’m thinking of sending reinforcements to fight back, what do you think?’

As long as the question was asked, I was able to find an answer.

I typed that question into my head.

‘Is it right to fight against Serpina’s army?’

The answer came ridiculously quickly.

[Once you win, you win.]

‘… … huh?’

what?

First of all, you can win?

Since Epinel and Emma are clearly excellent generals, I think they are saying that they will somehow win… …

In that case, isn’t it right to just say [You will win]?

Why did the results come out like that?

If there is a word ‘for now’… … Is there something more to it than just winning?

“… … Why?”

No, let’s think backwards.

In what situations do we usually use expressions like ‘just do it first’?

First of all, I’ll do it… … When that’s not all… … ?

‘That method… … When it’s not that efficient… … is it?’

“Swen?”

Within.

Someone lightly touched my waist.

“… … Swen.”

“… … Ah.”

The person who calmed me down from my confusion was Irene, who was standing next to me.

Thanks to that, I came to my senses and saw Yuuri looking at me.

“What’s going on? I don’t look good.”

“No… … Well, no. I was lost in thought for a moment. Sorry.”

“Swen, I asked you what you thought. I wanted to ask for your opinion too.”

“Are you talking about me?”

“Yes. Swen, you were the one who noticed the surprise attack during the battle at the fortress, right? I’m curious what you think. What do you think?”

“So… … What do you think about whether or not to defend Zellstrom Castle?”

“That’s right.”

“… … .”

In my head, I said, ‘I’ll win first,’ so I need to win, so there’s no need to lose my temper… …

Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that somehow this wasn’t the ultimate answer.

That thought was reflected in my words without me even realizing it.

“That… … What you said makes sense, but as Glenn said, we will win. Epinel and Emma are excellent generals.”

“Oh… … You think so too!”

Glenn smiled at me as if he liked it.

Yuuri asked back with a puzzled expression, as if he had noticed something in my words.

“You think you will win? What do you mean?”

“So… … Well, that’s what you have to win. Epinel… … It will stop the soldiers.”

“… … ?”

The moment I wondered how to explain this.

A rope of salvation came from an unexpected place.

“Swen, do you think there is another way?”

“Yes?”

This time it was Jinor, who was listening to the story next to Yuuri, who asked me a question.

“If there is another way… … ?”

and.

He naturally asked me a question that felt like a sweet and necessary thing at this moment.

“I’m asking you if you think there might be a more efficient way.”

‘… … ah!’

It was only after listening to Jinor’s words that I was able to understand the identity of the sense of discomfort in my head.

okay.

Doesn’t ‘once you win’ mean ‘you win, but that’s not an efficient way to do it’?

So, I guess there is a more efficient way.

Thanks to Jinor asking, ‘Do you think there might be an efficient way?’, I was able to put the question in my head.

‘It’s a win, but does that mean it’s more efficient to take out the soldiers as Jinor said?’

Well, it would be enough to check the answer.

I quickly typed the question, ‘Is there a more efficient way than to block Serpina’s army by staging a sit-in?’

The answer is… … This time, it flowed quickly and without any blockage.

[Meet Serpina yourself and negotiate, not someone else. That is the most efficient way.]

‘… … … .’

The eyes of the audience waiting for my answer.

Between those gazes, once again, it is not clear which side I am –

However, without any compass in the right direction, I was thrown into the vast ocean called ‘What do you mean?’