Chapter 192: Grand General-nim, Prepare for the Operations Meeting (2)
“Two legions remain, Grand General-nim.”
“Yes, good work. Now get some rest, Grayman Sudo.”
Thanks to me, my adjutant, Sispado, was quickly promoted and is now a Sudo. And at the same time I became Grand General, the five Chodo I favored were promoted to Seondo.
Although they haven’t escaped the Cheonbyeongjang position, I plan to recommend them for Sadanjang after this war ends.
I turned my head away from the departing Sispado and looked back at the plains.
The sight of 360,000 soldiers gathered in one place was truly spectacular.
It’s like a chaotic mix of a crowded market with narrow paths, a bustling festival square, and a back alley where children are running around.
Countless dots moving between the endlessly stretching encampment and barracks are all soldiers. A makeshift ranch was even created near the riverside to feed the horses and cattle.
If you add up the daily expenses in all areas, the Herduke Kingdom’s Treasury would probably be horrified.
I was the one who played the biggest role in starting the war, but war is truly a wasteful endeavor.
There are many wasteful aspects besides the simple fact that people die. When war breaks out, cultural development comes to a halt, and it remains stagnant to restore what has been destroyed.
A vast amount of money and resources are consumed, and it takes a long time to replenish them. During that time, development cannot be expected, and it might even regress.
The expanded reproduction of blood and violence is the sole purpose of war. This kind of unproductive activity is not my style.
“Well, it’s still better than when I died. Back then, all 500,000 Eastern Army troops were mobilized……”
According to what I heard from Lime-hyung and Duke Ecoshian, the Empire suffered a tremendous blow after my death. Many people died, and a vast amount of wealth and resources were consumed.
The war I desire is one that ends in the shortest time, with minimal resources, minimizing casualties on both sides, and leaving no lingering issues – in other words, a dream-like war.
So far, I’ve been able to lead the battles that way, but can I still do it now that I’m the Grand General?
“Are you worried?”
“Ah, Levidian, can you see everything?”
Levidian, with her hair tied up in a bun, lightly perched her hips on the right side of the wall.
She said with a bright smile,
“I can tell just by looking at your back from down there. Whenever you’re worried or troubled, the air around you always feels heavy.”
“Oh dear. I guess I’m not cut out to be a good husband. I can’t even hide my worries.”
“It’s alright. I can be a good wife. Just don’t expect much from my cooking.”
“The chefs will handle the cooking anyway. I’m confident I can keep your hands from getting wet.”
She covered her mouth and giggled softly. Like most nobles, the mistress of the house doesn’t get her hands wet except when washing. Therefore, this is a complete joke from Levidian’s perspective, who has reserved the position of Duchess.
She leaned forward slightly and gave a comforting smile.
“So, what’s troubling you?”
“I was thinking about ways to end the war quickly. The thought of money equivalent to dozens of platinum coins per minute disappearing into thin air weighs heavily on my mind.”
“Oh my, what’s gotten into you? You’re the one who easily spent thousands of gold coins on weapons. And I know this isn’t that cheap either, right?”
“That was my personal funds. Right now, it’s the collected taxes and accumulated military funds, the nation’s money, that’s evaporating into thin air. And I’m the one ultimately responsible. Can’t you show some generosity and understand your partner’s worries?”
“My heart isn’t broad enough to understand such trivial worries.”
She stuck out her tongue and teased me. If Aila had done that, I would have smacked her on the head, but when Levidian does it, it just looks cute. How many tons does the love-blindness filter weigh?
I stroked my chin and said with a meaningful expression,
“It may not be broad, but it looks big.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions before you’ve even seen it.”
“It’s alright. I have a reliable informant. They testified with tears in their eyes.”
“Aila, that little……!”
Levidian looked as if she would challenge Aila to a final showdown between the Black New Moon and Mangya if she were present. Well, you should have known this would happen when Aila asked to bathe together.
I chuckled and said with a lighter heart,
“Anyway, the thought of our military funds disappearing at a terrifying rate while we’re doing this makes me worried about post-war reconstruction later.”
“Are you worried about a war you haven’t even won yet? Well, I guess it won’t end if you don’t win.”
“Since they started the fight, we should be the ones to end it. The capture of the Imperial Capital will likely be the final battle. My fight with Artshever will also end there.”
“What if he runs away?”
“I’ll chase him. I have no intention of leaving such a person in this world.”
She nodded as if she knew I would say that. Then she turned her head and looked at the complex encampment spread out below. I saw several soldiers looking this way at her action and quickly turning their heads away.
The Sword King’s black eyes were looking very far away. She cast her gaze to the horizon, then looked left and right, and finally, she moved her lips.
“I can feel your determination just by looking. You’re taking this many people with you, so you’re going to see it through to the end. So don’t even think about running away.”
“Now I have the power to face Artshever and his companions. My friends have become stronger, and my younger siblings have grown…… This is the climax.”
“Well, considering they’re relatively older, they can’t drag it out any longer either. So you intend to settle it within this year?”
“I’d like to. I want to welcome the new year as a married man.”
“Is that so? It’s a shame, my youth is also only until this year.”
I just smiled at her words. Not only did she look cute saying that, but I also didn’t want to stir up trouble by pointing out that she’s already over thirty and past the age to be called youthful.
She looked at the horizon and said,
“But somehow, I have this feeling. This time next year, I’ll be strolling through the plains with Risel.”
“You don’t mean that’ll happen after losing the war, do you?”
“No. It’ll be after winning the war and capturing Artshever. But a single breeze within your heart will blow away your desire to stay in one place.”
“No way. I’m the Duke of Grenoian, where else would I go?”
Once we achieve complete victory in the war, I’ll truly have to rule my land without being able to go anywhere. I’m not the kind of person who would irresponsibly abandon my duties and wander around.
However, Levidian, who had a different opinion, smiled slightly.
“Want to make a bet? I’ll bet on that happening. The winner gets to ask the other for any favor. What do you say?”
“Oh, that sounds good. Anything…… But you might not want to bet with me.”
“Oh my? Do you remember that too?”
“Not that, but even Levidian should know that I’m not that irresponsible.”
“It’s a woman’s intuition.”
There it is. The exclusive weapon of women that men can’t understand. If she’s going to say that, there’s nothing I can do.
“If you say so, alright. I’ll bet that this time next year, I’ll be buried under a mountain of documents, having hectic days. Don’t regret it later.”
“You’re the one who shouldn’t. I won’t go easy on you.”
I held out my hand, and she took it. This is the agreement. Then I pulled her arm, helped her up, and smiled brightly.
“Now then, while we’re at it, let’s worry a little more. I was thinking of checking the budget, would you accompany me?”
“It’s a bit bleak for a date invitation, but I’d love to. I have no reason to refuse anywhere as long as you’re there.”
“Thank you, Lady Ibi.”
“You’re welcome, Lord Risel.”
We exchanged elegant greetings like nobles and then burst into laughter, unable to hold it in any longer.
There’s someone who quickly approaches and comforts me when I’m worried. As I always think, my Reset is worthwhile just for knowing Levidian.
Now, let’s go to war! Let’s finish it quickly!
April 9th, 378th year of the Imperial Calendar.
After mages were deployed to the army, the nature of war changed significantly. Because both sides could see each other’s formations thoroughly, there were limitations in strategic planning based on formations.
Concepts like invincible formations or undefeated illusion formations have long been relegated to relics of the past in modern large-scale battles.
Those who don’t know better might say, “Why not change the formation after the battle begins?” But battles involving mages, except in special circumstances, mean legion-scale battles.
Unless there’s a super-fast, two-way communication system that’s a much more sophisticated version of the communication system I used in Atzuma, it’s quite difficult to change a pre-established formation in a legion-scale battle.
Moreover, when the scale is large enough to be called a decisive battle, like now, the development and expected outcome of the battle become extremely simple. The side with overwhelmingly more numbers wins outright.
I pointed at the map and said to the generals and officers,
“Even if you have an overwhelming force, abandon the idea that you can win by simply pushing forward. The enemy will exploit the complacency that arises from that simplicity. Of course, you officers would believe that wouldn’t happen unless something extraordinary occurs, but those who rose from the ranks of soldiers know this well. Soldiers are the first to lose their fighting spirit if they’re not kept busy.”
This allowed me to distinguish between officers who were close to the soldiers or of soldier origin and those who graduated from military academies. The former nodded in agreement, while the latter joined the trend a beat later.
The first decisive battle location chosen by Artshever, or the Imperial General Staff (practically synonymous), was the Pelasia Plain, located 40 kilometers south of Impelord.
A river flows to the east, and the vast plain is dotted with rocky areas, with small forests interspersed between them – a complex terrain.
The Imperial Army and the summoned forces established their camp south of this plain, occupying half of the forest, and we set up our camp about 3 kilometers to the north.
“According to the spy’s report, they seem to be preparing for a decisive battle tomorrow. We will also reciprocate and commence the battle tomorrow. They’ll probably send a message about the start time before sunset. So, ensure strict discipline among your subordinates. Even if the enemy’s strength is less than 60% of ours, history is full of battles where the power difference was overturned. So everyone, be prepared for battle.”
Formation and communication system checks were already complete.
At this scale of battle, it’s customary to send spies to each other, and it’s a battle between military groups that used the same system. The preparation process is bound to be simple.
I crossed my arms and grumbled,
“But you know, even as the Grand General, there’s really nothing to do. With this many people, it becomes too simple. Who said being the Grand General is difficult? Frontline commanders have the hardest job. Would I be bored enough to write this?”
A ripple of laughter spread among the officers. They couldn’t hide their amusement at my lack of tension, despite telling them to be tense.
Actually, I’m the youngest officer present. They’re all seasoned veterans, and the youngest officer is thirty-six.
I was appointed Grand General thanks to my demonstrated operational capabilities, reputation, and my grandfather’s persistence. Even if no one doubts the former, I feel a bit intimidated by the latter.
Even if I add the 10 years I’ve accumulated inside, I’m only thirty-two. Sometimes I wonder if I’m truly qualified.
I tapped my shoulder with the baton and said,
“Alright, dismissed. We’ll gather again after dinner. Until then, each of you should check the morale of your troops. Especially, make sure to separate the male and female soldiers. If I find anyone with shaky legs before the battle, I’ll throw them into the river with a catapult.”
The officers chuckled again, stood up, and saluted. I returned the salute and left the barracks.
It feels like I’ve become a host for the officers rather than the Grand General. My grandfather was definitely busy during the Narvilt conquest, but I don’t seem to be.
I hadn’t even taken a few steps out of the barracks when my escort caught up. The so-called Grand General’s personal guard, also known as assassins.
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