Royal Road of the Extra Scribe

85

Alc’s command, blocking the advance of Seonjin through the coordination of crossbows and bows.

Watching from the hills, Delvadova raised the corner of his mouth.

“Subcommander, who is in command over there?”

“Yes! It’s the 2nd Archery Division and the 6th Infantry Division! Subcommander Dorothy Grimwood and Alc Eileen!”

“Hmm, Dorothy wouldn’t be capable of such advanced command, so it must be Alc’s leadership.”

Delvadova was also paying attention to Alc.

An elite who rose through the ranks silently. During elementary and middle academy, due to the family’s poor circumstances, he didn’t receive much attention, but once in action, he displayed his prowess confidently.

“Indeed, they weren’t called the Golden Generation for nothing. Alright, the 1st Archery Division should synchronize with the 2nd Archery Division and start shooting!”

Arrows rained down.

At that moment, the enemy’s maneuver began.

As Seonjin’s advance halted, they split the army left and right, infiltrating the mountains.

“What…?”

Delvadova furrowed his brow at this action.

The left and right were rugged terrains difficult to climb.

Therefore, troops were not stationed there.

If the point where the Caliper army was stationed was a ridge, then where the western army infiltrated was a valley.

“General! The enemies have entered the mountains on the left and right! What should we do?”

Once the enemies entered the mountains, arrows were no longer useful. A way to counter had to be devised.

“Ugh…!”

As a royal direct general, Delvadova lacked extensive combat experience.

He had leadership but was not particularly fast in assessing situations.

‘Their aim is to enter the mountains before us and cut off the supply route!’

Unlike the Caliper army that had to climb the ridge, the enemy could swiftly ascend to high ground through the valley.

If the western army climbed the mountain first, there was a high chance that the pre-established supply route would be cut off.

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‘Oh no, was it a mistake to confront them head-on like this so hastily?’

Delvadova had descended to the mountain entrance, judging that the enemy would be easily intercepted at the beginning of the mountain where they could be easily shot down.

He thought the enemy would withdraw once they encountered resistance at the entrance.

He did not expect the enemy to forcefully push through, ignoring them.

From this action, it was clear what the western army intended.

By forcefully barging in, they cut off their supplies, but if they also severed Caliper’s supply route, they would end up in a balanced situation.

“Quickly retreat towards the stronghold!”

Delvadova decided to retreat to the stronghold they had set up inside the mountains.

And then.

“General! A report from the 6th Infantry Division! They say we should not retreat but launch a full-scale attack on one of the enemy forces entering from the sides!”

A report from Alc.

Knowing Wade was in Alc, Major Ironheart immediately spoke up.

“General, it’s risky but looks like a good move. If the enemy is currently ascending the valley, attacking the side could deal a major blow.”

“However, our supply route will be completely cut off in the meantime.”

“We can always reclaim it due to the benefits we gained, can’t we?”

“If there’s a delay, it might become more difficult. Although it’s a good suggestion, for now, securing the supply route will be our priority. All forces, retreat to the base immediately!”

The Caliper Army hurriedly began to retreat.

Meanwhile, the Western army occupied the crucial point within the mountains and organized ambush troops. As the Caliper Army retreated, the Western army swiftly moved to cut off their supply route.

The base of the Caliper Army, located in the middle of the mountains.

The officers were in disarray due to this recent skirmish.

Some officers were inexperienced young cadets, and above all, they couldn’t comprehend the enemy’s tactics.

Dorothy asks me the same.

“How could the enemy launch an attack first? We were just stationed here…”

Logically, from the enemy’s perspective, it was right to leave the Caliper Army, which was merely observing the war, alone.

This seems like needlessly stirring up a hornet’s nest.

“They must have a different goal in mind.”

“A different goal? Als, do you suspect something?”

“Well…”

To be honest, I’ve figured it all out.

Why the opponent moved like this. What they are aiming for.

“He mentioned Hanneman. I don’t know if he came up with it himself, but it seems to be a calculated move.”

It must mean the Westerners are not an easy group.

“They probably even calculated that far.”

Retreating to the base, like General Delvadova’s choice, wasn’t a bad idea.

Although it allowed the enemy to take the initiative, we preserved the strength to respond.

The real situation starts now.

Our immediate concern is how to rebuild the severed supply route.

We might get through tonight, but starting tomorrow afternoon, we’ll face shortages in provisions.

General Delvadova promptly called a military council to devise a solution.

* * *

Twenty minutes before the military council meeting.

Four cadet commanders, including Casper, were gathered together.

Dorothy and Als were absent. Joshua Herald intentionally excluded them.

“Joshua, why did you gather us here?”

When Denian Gigglish asked with a tired expression, Joshua looked around and whispered.

“Because the real battle has begun. I have something I want to tell you.”

“Something you want to tell us?”

“My father warned me before his retirement. If we achieve great success in this battle, we could even become generals.”

“What!?”

Everyone’s expression changed at his words.

“Think about it! This war had the king’s blessing. Just look at us cadet commanders handling 2,000 soldiers! His Majesty seeks the talents of a new era!”

“Indeed… considering they didn’t fill General Dunnan’s vacancy with existing military figures…”

“So that’s how it is! But imagine if we raise our reputation in this war! Surely a tremendous promotion awaits us!”

“Does that include becoming a general?”

“I’m not sure about that, but according to my father, if this war ends successfully, Delvadova, the 2nd General, will be promoted to 1st General and Grand General, and someone with advanced expertise will fill the vacancy. And he said that could be us.”

A strange silence fell.

“A general… If I become a general…!”

Caspar clenched his fist.

He recalled Gilbert’s instruction to build up achievements.

“Surely he must have had this in mind when he said that!”

If he raised his achievements here and reached a high position, he could shed Wade’s false identity and make Erina his own.

Caspar’s motivation surpassed imagination.

“All of you… from now on, come under my command.”

Caspar’s voice carried a threat.

“What nonsense is this?”

“Shut it, Joshua. Follow if you must! Have you forgotten who I am?”

“W-well, it’s not that…”

To raise a major expertise to become a general, more troops were needed. 2,000 troops were not enough.

Caspar planned to absorb the troops of other cadets to command 8,000 troops.

“Alright, I get it. Don’t make such a scary face.”

“Good, Denny, you won’t object either. Ryan, you too!”

However, Ryan Chase shook his head.

“Don’t order me around like that, Caspar.”

“What?”

“You’re not the only one who wants to become a general, you idiot.”

“You brat! Do you know who I am…!”

“Wade? Fine, great. Then try to subdue me. Whether you use force or wisdom, go ahead and try. Why not bring Eonia Mirabelle here? What, is it impossible?”

“E-Eonia is injured and resting at the mansion.”

“Hah!”

Chuckling, Ryan pushed his head close to Caspar and whispered.

“I’ve been silently watching you because you joined our faction, you fool. I never believed in Wade from the start.”

“Grr…!”

“I will stand above you from now on. Once I become a general.”

Seizing the opportunity, Ryan abandoned Caspar without hesitation.

As Ryan walked away, Caspar, eyeing him sharply, managed to gain command of up to 6,000 troops by persuading two others.

Plotting among the cadets, excluding Alswa and Dorothy.

They shared a top-secret plan, but surprisingly, Alswa and Dorothy were aware of it.

As Dorothy, not just a cadet but a current noble with a viscount title, headed towards the military conference room, she casually mentioned to Alswa passing by.

“Count Reinhardt mentioned this to me. If we raise our reputation in this battle, we might become generals.”

“Ugh, I hate that idea.”

Alswa sighed in frustration.

I sensed why such a conversation had come up.

“You made me a target so blatantly. The Helian Duke must have made up his mind to put me in a general’s seat.”

Seeing the intention so clearly, Als lost his sincere desire to pursue his major.

“Why? Don’t you want to be a general, Als?”

“Of course not. Why bother being constantly exhausted? Dorothy, you don’t like it either.”

“Yeah, I’m not cut out for that kind of thing from the start. It’s a shame. You, Als, seem like you’d do well though.”

“No way. It’s strange enough for me to become one in the first place.”

“Well, most likely Casper will take the general’s position whenever possible. After all, he’s Wade.”

“hahahaha….”

“Hey, do you think Eonia Mirabel might show up in this battle too? In the last Chimera War, she suddenly appeared and helped with logging operations. She also played a significant role in the final battle. Maybe Casper brought her along this time as well.”

“It won’t happen. Eonia is currently resting due to an injury.”

“Did Casper say that?”

“No, it’s true.”

In reality, Eonia was overly concerned about Als heading to the battlefield alone, causing her to suffer emotional distress and feel uneasy.

It seemed that Casper’s casually thrown words were true.

“…?? What are you talking about?”

“hahahaha, just kidding. Let’s hurry instead. We seem a bit late.”

They were the last to arrive among the officers. Shortly after they arrived, Delvadova appeared.

“Sub-Lieutenant, explain the situation.”

“Yes!”

Delvadova’s sub-lieutenant detailed the situation.

The current location of the Caliper Army was a stronghold in the center of the mountains. A supply route was formed to the mountains in the 5 o’clock direction from here.

“The enemy has cut off that supply route and set up camp nearby. Their intention is clearly not to give up that supply route under any circumstances.”

“The enemy’s intentions are clear. Now, what does everyone think?”

Upon this, Joshua Herald raised his hand.

“We must eliminate them immediately! We have a good understanding of the terrain. We can certainly gain the upper hand in tactical combat.”

“How can you be so sure of that?”

“Excuse me?”

“In the last engagement, they infiltrated the valleys on our flanks and climbed the mountains as if they knew them. Moreover, their move to cut off the supply route was extremely swift. It’s an impossible action without a good understanding of this place, the Calon Mountains. Yet, do you really think we have a superior understanding of the terrain?”

“W-well….”

“The idea of going to eliminate them is good, but explain in detail how you plan to deal with any possible enemy ambushes, and how you will advance tactically. This is not a classroom where your thoughts are generously understood. It’s a battlefield where lives are at stake!”

Under Delvadova’s rebuke, Joshua’s spirit faltered, and he took a step back.

“Anyone else?”

“What about forming a special force?”

It was Casper’s statement.

“A special force?”

“Dividing the army to find a way through.”

“Explain it more specifically.”

“Our current issue is the lack of mobility. And this mobility will only decrease over time due to the cut-off supplies. So, with the remaining strength we have tomorrow morning, we will divide the army into several units to perform a supply route recapture mission using high mobility.”

Casper advocated for the operation of the special force, even explaining the specific marching routes.

General Delvadova watched for a while before shaking his head.

“No, the risk of being divided and conquered is too great.”

“We must be prepared to accept that level of risk.”

“It’s too great a risk to take. The enemy must have surely set up ambushes. As the army moves according to your plan, several units will fall into the enemy’s trap. At that point, the command structure will collapse. And since we have already divided the forces, it will be even worse. The enemy will then try to annihilate us. Isn’t that a risk? Unless you have a way to command all these divided units?”

“Ugh…!”

Casper was speechless.

“It’s a good idea, but refine it further. Next, anyone?”

This time it was Luan Chase’s turn.

“We need to test the enemy’s patience.”

“Patience?”

“General, just as our supply lines are cut off, the enemy’s supply lines are also cut off.”

“Right, they have advanced deep into our territory, ignoring supply lines.”

“In that case, they will undoubtedly make some move to secure supplies. We must block them and push them into a corner.”

“Are you suggesting a battle of endurance? But we don’t have enough provisions. On the other hand, since the enemy intentionally entered this situation, there’s a high chance they have stockpiled personal rations for their soldiers. They might have at least three days’ worth.”

“We can endure for about three days. If we conserve the remaining provisions carefully, we’ll manage. Fortunately, this place has abundant groundwater, allowing us to create several wells. With enough water, we can hold out.”

“Hmm.”

“Moreover, the crucial point now is not the quantity of provisions but how we can manipulate the enemy’s perception.”

“Are you proposing a deception operation?”

“Yes. If we make them believe we have ample provisions stored, they will inevitably become anxious.”

So, they decided to hold their ground here, creating an illusion of abundant provisions to lure out the enemy.

“…Not bad.”

Delvadova was pleased with Luan’s strategy. It was better than being pushed back by the enemy.

At this response, Luan let out a sigh of relief, but then…

“What nonsense are you all talking about?”

Alz interjected, expressing disbelief.