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Reset Life – Chapter 135

INDEX –

Chapter 135: Don’t You Think So? (3)

April 12th, 376th Year of the Imperial Calendar.

The days passed like a runaway carriage of tasks, and if those handling them were pedestrians, they would have been run over and diagnosed with a full-body complex fracture, requiring a year of recovery.

Once a system is established, people adapt to it and even things they once found inconvenient become commonplace. Unless, of course, they intend to overturn the system itself.

Those who were literally buried under a murderous workload and could barely glance across the Sair River were finally relieved by the newfound peace.

“I’m not sure if we should celebrate, but with this, the preparations for the upcoming battle are complete. We’ve also received good news that the number of monsters in the Gray Forest has significantly decreased recently, so we are now able to mobilize up to 350,000 troops immediately.”

The opening address of the meeting was replaced by my father’s announcement of the Eastern Army’s readiness for deployment.

Many of the participants, who had endured a rather difficult time, still looked quite exhausted, but they responded with rewarding smiles.

“Just as they are aware of our situation, we are also aware of theirs. Now, the important thing is how and what will trigger the conflict. Fortunately, Baron Hiltenpens’ territory, the closest to the central Empire, is located in a difficult terrain, and their mountain patrol is capable enough to inform the central command even in the worst-case scenario. Several small skirmishes have already taken place. All provoked by the Empire. We have decided to accept them.”

In any case, since the central continent and Orknesia are adjacent, stretching from the northeast, it’s practically wide open geographically. However, wars are fought around strategic strongholds.

“We have nowhere to run. We’ve been backed into a corner since long before the Empire expelled Orknesia. As a result, unless we expand outward, we have no future.”

In the center of the conference room, there’s a huge model. The model, with the Imperial Capital at its southernmost point, clearly showed the deployment status of both sides’ military forces.

Whatever the justification, this is a civil war within the Empire.

It’s like starting a game with all the cards face up. The Imperial family is undoubtedly aware of our military deployment here.

“Now, as you all know, the current situation is unfavorable to us at a ratio of about 6:4. The Imperial family will be able to utilize the Summoned Army, the Imperial Capital Army, and the Western Army, and in the worst-case scenario, they can also mobilize the Southern Army.”

Of course, I know, and my father knows too, that the Southern Army will never move. However, to make them realize the gravity of the situation, creating a bit of a sense of crisis is necessary.

If the Southern Army joins, the military ratio becomes 7:3. Most of the vassals who also hold military positions are aware of this.

A heavy silence fell for a moment. My father spoke.

“Although it’s something we shouldn’t do from a soldier’s perspective, let’s proceed with the meeting under the positive assumption that the Southern Army will not participate. We can act when we receive a report that the Southern Army is crossing the Leotasia Mountain Range.”

My father ordered an attendant to place flags on three locations on the model. Three cities where the central Orknesia and the central Empire clashed.

“Atzuma, Oksen, and Imperod. These three cities should be the locations we secure first. By taking these three, we can first secure a passage for the free movement of our troops southward, and at the same time, secure the areas under the influence of these three cities.”

Hiltenpens is too difficult for us to use and for them to enter, so it’s excluded in this case.

The three cities are built on ordinary plains with rivers. The advantage of being easily utilized as strongholds is highlighted.

Furthermore, the surrounding area is a granary.

“If we occupy these three cities before autumn, we can move the entire army southward this year. We can also absorb and merge the Imperial Army here, allowing for the expansion of our forces. Most importantly, if we occupy Atzuma, we can effectively pressure Narvilt since it’s located on the path to Narvilt, and we won’t have to worry about our rear.”

Another flag was placed on Atzuma, which was located to the west.

Although my father didn’t say it, I guess this year’s goal is to occupy those three cities, secure a stable harvest, and then spend the winter.

“This is the primary objective. What is the number of troops we can deploy?”

“Within a month, we can deploy three legions, 60,000 troops, and 20 Cheonbyeongdae units. A total of 80,000 troops, a difference of 50,000 compared to the maximum combat units they can deploy in the three cities.”

If we were to siege the three cities, we should consider a total of 30,000 troops for all three, but the actual number of troops stationed there won’t exceed 5,000 in total.

If we were to attack only one city, it would take only three days with one legion and three Cheonbyeongdae units.

One day to set up camp, one day for the surrender request to be delivered and read by the city’s ruler, and according to Imperial Army tradition, the white flag is raised at noon the day after they decide to surrender.

“Most of the Western Army is tied up due to the unusual movements in Azot, and the Imperial Capital Army won’t come this far. The problem is the Summoned Army. What are the estimates?”

“In the case of Atzuma, it is expected that 30,000 Western Army reinforcements will arrive within a month. There are no significant movements in Oksen and Imperod, and even if the Summoned Army arrives, it will take at least 40 days with a maximum of 50,000 troops.”

“Which location is the easiest to occupy in the current situation?”

“Oksen. However, if we occupy Imperod, the path to Atzuma widens.”

“What’s the difference between occupying Atzuma first and not doing so?”

“The conclusion is that one legion and six Cheonbyeongdae units must be stationed for the stabilization and defense of the occupied territory. If the Western Army reinforces afterwards, one more legion and four Cheonbyeongdae units will need to be deployed, totaling 50,000 troops stationed there. Also, if we occupy Atzuma first……”

Estimated figures based on strategic objectives floated around the conference room. The attendant busily moved around the model, placing flags and moving legion models according to people’s words.

Which of the three cities should we target first?

I whispered to the person next to me.

“Hyeong-nim, what do you think?”

“Considering the future war situation, we should take Atzuma, and to get closer to the Imperial Capital, it’s Oksen. Imperod offers a wider range of options, giving us the advantage of taking the initiative.”

“Which one do you prefer?”

“We should eliminate Imperod as a candidate. Being able to attack from anywhere also means being vulnerable to attacks from anywhere. We need to consider the remaining two.”

I stroked my chin and fell into thought.

The discussions taking place in this conference room are probably also happening in the Imperial Army. They must be discussing those three cities as well.

From the Imperial Army’s perspective, the obvious target is Oksen. Being closer to the Imperial Capital from here also means that it’s closer to the Imperial Capital from their perspective.

However, if they secure Atzuma first, they can cooperate with the Western Army to effectively pressure Orknesia.

Now, looking at this, it’s clear that the Eastern Army and the Imperial Army are in the same situation. The advantages we can utilize and apply will be returned to us if they occupy it first.

“The first one to occupy it takes the prize.”

“The question is which one.”

“What if we simultaneously occupy the two locations excluding Atzuma?”

“It’s a good idea, but it takes too much effort to check the Western Army that will flock to Atzuma.”

“Isn’t that the same no matter what we do?”

“Since the number of troops we can deploy within a month and the locations we can reach are obvious, the outcome prediction won’t change significantly no matter what we do.”

My conversation with my brother spread like an infection throughout the conference room. It was as fast as the bubonic plague.

The topic was this:

Should we prioritize Atzuma and inconvenience the Western Army, or should we prioritize other locations and make the Emperor’s heart race?

To comfortably spend the summer of 376th year of the Imperial Calendar, we need to occupy and maintain Atzuma with minimal forces, but the Western Army is the problem.

No matter how important this place is and how well the walls are built, it’s not a place that can withstand 30,000 troops for long.

I pondered deeply. Is there no good way? What happened in the Empire this year before I died?

Hmm, not much. No major accidents, no significant natural disasters.

At most, there was unusual weather with a drought followed by heavy rain.

There’s no way something like this has any significant meaning……?

“Huh?”

I looked at the model of the Atzuma area. It’s located at the point where Narvilt’s south, Orknesia, and the central Empire meet, where two rivers flow and merge into one.

Surely, this place is……?

Suddenly, fireworks exploded in my head. A brilliant idea, which came to me after a long time, blossomed in an instant.

I interjected my words into the chaotic mix of dozens of voices. My voice became a sword, cutting through the voices of others and resonating clearly.

“How about occupying all three locations at once?”

“What?”

“How about occupying Atzuma, Oksen, and Imperod simultaneously? There’s a way to solve it all at once without having to worry about it.”

“If you’ve been listening to the discussion so far, you should know that we need to separate Atzuma from other areas, right?”

My father had a puzzled expression on his face, and everyone else shared the same expression. Some even questioned if I had been dozing off. Hyeong-nim, were you talking to someone who was sleeping earlier then?

I grinned.

“Please provide me with five Cheonbyeongdae units with the troops I desire. I will occupy Atzuma within May.”

“There’s the Western Army in Atzuma……”

“And I will defend it with only those troops until at least September.”

My father, who was about to say that the Western Army would come and take it away, widened his eyes.

“What?”

“If I defend it until September, reinforcing additional troops won’t be difficult. If you reinforce one legion and three divisions in September, I will ensure that the Western Army won’t even be able to get the soil of Atzuma on their boots with just five Cheonbyeongdae units, in other words, 5,000 troops.”

The word “murmur” could be used as a sound effect rather than a figure of speech. The conference room was filled with a tremendous buzz like surging waves.

In their minds, it’s an absurd statement. At the very least, the Western Army will deploy and station 30,000 troops in Atzuma by the end of May, or mid-June at the latest.

I agree. Even Lime-hyeong has his limits in suppressing the Western Army, so they will move by the end of this month.

Geographically, the Western Army’s 3167th Legion and several Cheonbyeongdae units will move, and they are familiar with the surrounding terrain.

To confront them and defend not just a city but an entire region for several months with only 5,000 troops? It’s preposterous.

Of course, that’s from a conventional military perspective.

As expected, my father’s face was filled with disbelief.

“Arisein, can you explain how you intend to make that possible?”

“It’s a secret. If the operation method leaks, the enemy can also utilize it.”

“Do you really mean it’s possible?”

My father questioned the possibility instead of the method. And the other vassals all agreed and murmured. It’s a suspicion that could arise even if I had taken the initiative by staying behind during the winter.

I nodded resolutely.

“It’s possible.”

“Are you really saying that with confidence?”

A vassal opposite me asked, expressing deep distrust. His tone clearly implied that I was simply being stubborn and insisting on something impossible.

Many figures agreed with his tone.

“That’s right. Blocking 30,000 troops operating in a wide area with only 5,000 troops. It’s absurd.”

“It would be possible to defend the city, but it would be difficult to defend the entire region. What is the basis for saying that you can do it?”

“That’s impossible!”

It was a good thing that I relinquished the initiative, but it’s a bit regrettable at times like this.

I thought about letting out a sigh of exasperation to provoke them a little, but decided against it. It wouldn’t do me any good.

I said,

“Stop looking at me like I’m a moth drawn to the impossible. I said I could do it because I judged it to be possible. If anyone here doubts my operational command ability, I’m willing to listen.”

Suddenly, there were numerous disabled people in the room. I put on a triumphant expression as I rendered everyone speechless.

When my father was confined in the Imperial Capital, no one could refute the question of who had rescued him by outsmarting the entire city.

Well, there’s one.

“The ability you displayed in the Imperial Capital was truly remarkable, and there’s no doubt about that. However, I must point out that it was a different type of command compared to military operations.”

I smiled brightly at my grandfather.

He was rescued thanks to my abilities, but as expected, only the former Imperial Army Commander-in-Chief could point out that it’s different from being a military commander.

Just as people started to agree with my grandfather, I opened my mouth.

“Then let me show you my capabilities. Give me five Cheonbyeongdae units. I will demonstrate exactly what I said.”

“What if you fail?”

Someone asked the obvious question. I crossed my arms with a confident expression.

“That’s an unnecessary question.”

“What?”

A firm declaration came out of my mouth.

“There is no failure. Therefore, the assumption of failure is meaningless.”

It’s an operation that only I can perform in this world.

Therefore, it will succeed.

Without fail.

This declaration, overflowing with arrogance, turned the conference room into an aquarium.

Seeing everyone become goldfish, I deepened my smile.

April 13th, 376th Year of the Imperial Calendar.

The soldiers stationed in Baekslan show utmost respect to their superiors. It’s not simply a matter of rank, but a respect born from knowing how hard they work.

Especially these days, since most of them looked like corpses, the courtesy towards superiors was excessively polite. This is why the soldiers at the gate showed such respect when I returned to Baekslan.

Similarly, Chief Sispa Grayman, who was appointed as my adjutant, saluted me with a gesture full of respect.

“I have been assigned to assist you, Sudo-nim. Please take good care of me.”

“Likewise. Have a seat.”

“Yes.”

According to the documents from the personnel department, he was previously the adjutant to the Division Commander of the 4th Division, 607th Legion of the Eastern Army.

Looking at his previous records, he was the Platoon Leader of the 743rd Platoon, 4th Division, 607th Legion, and had mainly been involved in operations near Atzuma, focusing on suppressing bandits and monsters.

As someone assigned by my father, he definitely seemed helpful. Moreover, reaching the rank of Chief in his mid-20s is not something just anyone can achieve.

I feel a bit overshadowed by the fact that I, the son of the Duke of Orknesia, received the rank of Sudo.

Sispa presented me with a file with a clean and efficient movement.

“These are the documents regarding the 20 Cheonbyeongdae units that are currently operational. They contain information on personnel, current location, average movement speed, specialized troops, and past combat records. There was a request from the headquarters to secure the Cheonbyeongdae units as quickly as possible.”

“Oh, I see. Alright. Let me take a look.”

First of all, I had a specific type of troop I wanted to utilize in mind. I started selecting the Cheonbyeongdae units based on my desired criteria.

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Translation-(COMPLETED) – Reset Life

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