Reset Life – Chapter 196

Chapter 196: It’s Going to Be a Sleepless Night (1)

Imperial Calendar Year 378, May 2nd.

It has been almost ten days since Operation ‘The Unstoppable Wheel’ began.

It means it has been almost ten days since the Herduk Kingdom Army decided to be a dangerous and bothersome opponent to the Imperial Army, which had formed a deep defense line, dramatically increasing the density of defense on the front and west flanks.

The effect was outstanding.

Even from afar, you can feel the overall morale of the Imperial Army slumping.

This method, suggested by Aila, is a kind of wheel warfare that makes the Imperial Army wary at all times, picks fights, and relentlessly accumulates fatigue.

Of course, wheel warfare against a force of 200,000 is virtually impossible.

200,000 troops is easy to say, but in reality, it’s a huge number, and it’s easy to deal with if you just rotate well.

However, the misfortune of the Imperial Army, and our fortune, is that our forces are about twice as large.

Don’t think about breaking through. Just be annoying.

With this order, the Herduk Kingdom Army became a dynamic group of 160,000 troops constantly moving 24 hours a day.

Regardless of the time, whether it was mealtime, bedtime, or rest time, 160,000 troops were diligently moving around, making the Imperial Army extremely uncomfortable.

For the first two days, the Imperial Army reacted frantically, but later, perhaps realizing that our purpose was to annoy them, they responded lukewarmly.

Just then, I ordered all the cavalry of the 2627th Division to ‘A Stroll into Enemy Territory’. Even in a high-density, deep defense line, there are bound to be needle-like gaps.

After one unit briskly strolled through the enemy lines and returned, the Imperial Army couldn’t help but be on edge.

The pure operational intent is indeed wheel warfare, but from the Imperial Army’s perspective, it was highly likely to be interpreted as us watching for opportunities and keeping them on edge, ready to attack at any moment.

In the end, the Imperial Army reacted with a start to all units entering from the front and west flanks.

After a suitable amount of time passed, our officers understood my intentions. Around that time, I delegated the execution of the operation to the front-line commanders.

And so, I was able to appreciate just how much ingenuity could be squeezed out when people are tasked with harassing other people.

The highlight was the volley fire from the 1024th Long-Range Mobile Strike Patrol Unit.

The ingenuity of attaching pouches of pepper powder or chili powder to arrows instead of arrowheads drew applause from the officers, and I immediately issued a reward.

It was more like a prank by mischievous children than a war, and it was a time when I could guess the childhoods of some officers, along with the enthusiastic responses of numerous officers.

As a result, our troops also became quite tired, but the other side became twice as wilted as salt-soaked cabbage.

I wondered if it was okay to conduct a war in such a fun way. However, the emptiness in my heart remained. I find it a bit strange that such a strange feeling remains even though the operation was successful.

But this is my problem. I shouldn’t show such signs to my subordinate officers. I said,

“How do you think future tacticians will view me? I’m very curious about that right now. Don’t you think so?”

At my words, the officers all grinned. Everyone is showing signs of fatigue, but the events so far have been quite enjoyable.

Their innocent smiles resembled neighborhood kids who had a fun day, and I couldn’t help but smile as well.

“Now that we’ve had a good time, it’s time to work. By now, the Imperial Army will be tired and exhausted, so whether the enemy passes by or the cavalry charges, they’ll just want to sleep soundly. On the other hand, we’re only half tired. It’s undeniable that war truly highlights the importance of having a large number of troops. Anyway, it’s time to start pushing the front line south.”

The officers smiled again. This time, it was the smile of adults about to get to work.

“I’ve given the cavalry a good rest for the past two days for this day. Those of you who look excessively well-rested, listen carefully. The time has come to fully utilize the mobility you boast of.”

There were some among the officers whose complexion and skin looked quite good. Fatigue was a stranger to them.

If you gather all the cavalry of the expeditionary force, it would be around 50,000 to 60,000.

It’s a somewhat high ratio considering the 400,000 troops, but I intentionally included a large number because I thought this expedition would require mobility.

Until now, we’ve only utilized a portion of them and preserved the rest of the force, but not today. All the cavalry of the Herduk Kingdom’s Imperial Capital Conquest Force will be deployed without exception.

“The operation will begin at 2 PM as an extension of Operation ‘The Unstoppable Wheel’. From noon, all infantry units above 1500, below 2500, above 300, and below 3500 will clear anything that might obstruct the cavalry. After that, the odd-numbered cavalry units will charge from the front, and the even-numbered units from the west flank. At this point, the infantry involved in the preliminary preparations and four legions from the main force will follow behind them. The cavalry that entered from the north and west will disperse according to each division and legion, fragmenting the Imperial Army. Heavenly Soldiers, move in groups of three or more units according to your closest numbers.”

The Imperial Army, exhausted and with their concentration scattered, will be greatly bewildered by this all-out war. Above all, since they’ve been quite tormented even on ordinary days, they’re likely to assume it’s just another bluff.

It will take quite a while for the report to reach the headquarters, and by the time the field commanders start exercising their discretion, the infantry will already be advancing.

Currently, it has been confirmed that the Imperial Army is resting a significant number of troops during the day in preparation for night raids. Even in the trenches that run like furrows across the plains, many can be seen sleeping in shifts.

They’ve already accepted wheel warfare as their daily routine.

“I will convey the operational objective. The cavalry will prioritize capturing enemy officers and staff, while the infantry will focus on securing supplies and prisoners. Those who surrender will be guaranteed a good night’s sleep. This is the Grand General’s promise.”

Laughter erupted again among the officers. It sounds like a joke, but it’s also a statement with some degree of sincerity. I gave the officers a grin and then forcibly retracted the smile I had given them.

“We must occupy the land currently held by the Imperial Army within today. According to intelligence reports, a reinforcement force of approximately 100,000 has departed from the Imperial Capital. If those troops join the fight, our army must be prepared for significant casualties. Furthermore, the enemy’s strategist, Artshever Le Setrife, has been confirmed to be among the reinforcements.”

This explains why the enemy didn’t react to our provocations while maintaining their deep defense line. They were waiting for the arrival of what could be called their main force.

“The enemy reinforcements will arrive around tomorrow. Therefore, we must push back the Imperial Army within today. Of course, they are well aware of this, so the resistance will be fierce. However, they are tired. The fierce resistance will only appear in the beginning. If we can just endure that time, the tide will turn in our favor. Avoid excessive expenditure of stamina. That is all. Any questions?”

The objective is clear, and the deployment is simple. There was no officer who couldn’t understand this much, and after briefly looking around at them, I nodded.

“If there are none, I’ll conclude this meeting. The 3623rd Legion Commander, 3093rd Legion Commander, 2627th Division Commander, and 2080th Division Commander, please remain for a moment. The rest are dismissed.”

The officers rushed out of the barracks, and I called the remaining four unit commanders closer. The four, who had nothing in common, wore expressions that suggested they didn’t know why they were left behind.

After calling them closer, I first spoke to the 3093rd Legion Commander.

“3093rd Legion Commander.”

“Yes. This is General Hakinetz Snail Dog.”

“General Snail Dog, your legion has been chosen as my escort for today.”

“Excuse me?”

“It means I will be leading from the front lines in today’s operation. Your light cavalry has excellent mobility. Your legion will be in charge of communication in today’s operation. I will not accept any objections.”

The general, who was on the verge of old age, looked bewildered for a moment before nodding. It seems the saying ‘rank is king’ applies in this situation.

“2627th Division Commander, you have my friend in your division, right?”

“Yes. You’re referring to Sudo Neral Tines.”

“How are his skills? Tell me without exaggeration.”

“He’s excellent. Even experienced riders who have wielded cavalry lances for a long time are amazed by Sudo Neral Tines’ skills. He’s definitely within the top 20 overall.”

“Hmm, how would he fare against Baius Extoria?”

The 2627th Division has frequently clashed with the cavalry of Baius Extoria’s 18th Legion of the Imperial Capital. Thanks to their magically reinforced equipment, their losses have been quite low.

The reason Al is temporarily serving in that division is that I designated the 2627th Division specifically for Baius Extoria.

The 2627th Division Commander said bluntly,

“He’s woefully inadequate. Baius Extoria is such an outstanding warrior that many in our division revere him.”

“So you’re saying a direct confrontation would be difficult. 3623rd Legion Commander.”

“This is General Regina Solken.”

“General Solken, I’m incorporating the 2627th Division into your legion for this operation. The supreme command authority lies with you, but when facing the 18th Legion of the Imperial Capital, prioritize the judgment of the 2627th Division Commander. Your legion will focus on capturing Baius Extoria.”

The 3623rd Legion has a unit of Heavenly Soldiers who are exceptionally talented at capturing cavalry using whips, nets, and hooked spears.

While someone of Baius’ caliber might not be caught in a net and end up in a pathetic state, they should at least be able to dismount him.

Once dismounted, Al will face him. Even without explicit orders, Al is the only one capable of facing him.

The commanders of the two units nodded, accepting the orders. Then, I turned to the remaining 2080th Division Commander. It was Seondo Girmina Asin, who was under my command last year.

“2080th Division Commander.”

“Seondo Girmina Asin, awaiting orders.”

“I’m assigning you a special mission. Head towards the Leotasia Mountain Range at maximum combat speed. My subordinate, Kun, will guide you. Follow him and bring the 1,500 support troops stationed there.”

“The Leotasia Mountain Range? Are there troops stationed there?”

“Yes. They are my personal troops. They will play a crucial role in the upcoming battle against the reinforced Imperial Army, so bring them back as quickly as possible.”

“Understood. Where is this Kun you mentioned?”

“I’ll send him to your unit in an hour. Be prepared by then. Everyone is dismissed.”

With this, the preparations for today’s battle and the upcoming battle were complete.

The current time is 11 AM. Let’s have a hearty lunch and make today’s work worthwhile.

Who knows? Maybe the emptiness will disappear once my heart is filled with a sense of accomplishment.

1:45 PM.

While everything else is fine, the plains make it difficult to understand the overall war situation.

Unless you build a watchtower, it’s hard to know what’s happening up front. (Of course, if you build a watchtower, enemy mages will intercept it, so it’s rarely built.)

While I was lost in thought, wondering if I should ask Lucy or Aila to let me fly in the sky, a battle report came in. Sispa spoke in a composed tone.

“The enemy is still maintaining a defensive posture. No unusual movements have been observed yet.”

“Cavalry deployment?”

“Completed. The deployment of 25,000 cavalry in our makeshift base on the enemy’s west side is complete. Main base cavalry deployment is also complete. Everything is normal.”

“Good. The operation will commence on schedule.”

Sispa turned back to the liaison officer.

Currently, I was standing in the center of the 3093rd Legion, observing the battle situation. Except for the countless plumes of dust rising, I couldn’t see anything properly.

Lucy, who was standing next to me, nudged my shoulder and asked,

“But what’s with you going to the front lines? Is it because of Baius Extoria?”

“That’s part of it, but I feel like I need to lead from the front this time.”

“I see. You were bored, weren’t you? I heard you haven’t been feeling well lately.”

“Did Aila tell you that? Well, that’s one reason, but I’m a bit concerned about Artshever being nearby.”

“Hmm. I guess so. He’s the type who could come and assassinate you whenever he wants.”

Lucy chuckled, stroking her chin. It’s depressing, but I can’t help but agree. It would be strange if Artshever, who has lived over 1,600 lives, didn’t have any assassination skills.

“But I’m really curious. How is he still sane? Even though he’s not normal, the weight of time and the accumulating memories must be hard to bear.”

“I wonder about that too. He might have mastered the art of meticulously managing his memories. Above all, the fact that one person has learned so many skills is already a mystery.”

“And it’s amazing how his soul can exist for so long. There are souls that remain without reincarnating because so many people remember them, but that white-haired guy has no one to remember him, right? As someone who prides myself on understanding the structure of parallel dimensions, it’s a difficult problem for me to solve. Should I consult with a soul magic specialist?”

“Huh? Isn’t the soul eternally immutable?”

“Hey. That’s a common misconception among ordinary people. What’s eternal in this world? The fundamental law of creation-preservation-destruction is a curse of time that even gods cannot escape. The same goes for the soul. As a material for accumulating metaphysical elements like emotions, memories, and experiences, it has excellent performance, but it has the drawback of easily vaporizing what’s accumulated. Above all, its weakness is that it can’t influence the material world without a physical body. And it also damages the body.”

I tilted my head. The soul damages the body? Lucy, with her arms crossed, spoke softly.

“The soul and the body are inseparable. A body without a soul dies immediately. But don’t you think it’s a bit strange? You can maintain life activities just by keeping the heart beating and supplying nutrients, but you die if you just take away the soul. This is also evidence that the soul and the body are connected. And everything in the world can exert influence on things that are connected. Aging is a resonance phenomenon between the body and the soul.”

“Eh? Isn’t aging a physical phenomenon?”

“If you’re not a mage or a priest, it’s more comfortable to think that way. But as I said, things that are related to each other can influence each other. The body is easily injured, and destruction and creation are constantly repeated within it. As a result, its durability gradually decreases. And the soul, influenced by the body, also gradually loses its durability.”

“But the soul reincarnates, right? And there are objects possessed by human souls. How does that work?”

“That’s simple. A soul that leaves the body returns to its original state when it was first created. Traces of past lives may remain and slightly influence future lives, but basically, everything returns to its original state. To use your expression, it ‘resets’. And objects, if they are durable like steel or magically treated objects, the soul attached to them can also be applied with the same effect. However, since the soul has the absolute characteristic of combining with the body, it’s not an easy task. The soul isn’t that strong. It’s too easily influenced by the surrounding environment.”

I stroked my chin and nodded. So the soul is such a fragile material. And since it also affects the body, I think I understand why angels and other immortal beings have strong bodies.

“Wait, then am I aging quickly too? My soul is 10 years older, isn’t it?”

“Actually, your body should be aging quickly too. To be precise, it shouldn’t have grown after the age of sixteen when your soul settled into that body. But you’ve grown properly. This is where we can bring up a new hypothesis. That the white-haired guy has done something. It means he’s invented a way to prevent or suppress the decay of the soul. He’s the guy who managed to endure 1,600 lives, so there might be an easy way to do it once. However, the biggest question is how his soul endured.”

That’s the same for me.

This is the first time I’ve learned that aging is a side effect of the resonance phenomenon between the soul and the body, but even just thinking about it raises questions. No matter how much you strengthen the soul, how can you endure so many memories and experiences?

It feels like I’m playing twenty questions or peeling an onion. When I solve one question, another one pops up. It’s a really tough situation.

Ah, I don’t know. Let’s just store this question in my head for now and think about it later.

I indicated my intention to change the subject by sighing softly. I said,

“Anyway, the story was about why I went to the front lines, right? If that guy who has lived so many lives and is living one more time is up to something, I think it’ll be easier to control if I’m nearby. Whether I’m at the main base or on the battlefield, my current position is secure, so it doesn’t matter where I am.”

“That makes sense. What about Ibi-ssi and Aila? Come to think of it, I don’t see your personal escort either.”

“They’re preparing for their usual tasks. Their mission is to target commanders and officers first when a melee breaks out.”

“Aha. I see. What about Namia and Joey?”

“Field hospital. Joey mainly does the heavy lifting.”

The good thing about my friends is that they each have distinct characteristics, allowing me to deploy them in the right places. So, even having no particular characteristic can be a characteristic in itself, and sometimes I feel down about being that way.

Well, having no characteristics means being able to get along with anyone. That’s why I can be their commander.

I looked at my watch.

It’ll be 2 PM soon. As soon as it’s 2 PM, the cavalry will charge all at once, as usual. So, there’s no need for a blood-boiling speech or a signal for a simultaneous attack.

Just quietly shaking the ground.

“From Frontline Commander General Rikeran Vercheson to the Grand General. Commencing Operation ‘The Earth-Shaking Wind’. For life.”

“Understood. To all troops remaining at the main base. The wind has begun to blow. We will be victorious.”

2 PM. All the cavalry of the Herduk Kingdom Army charged towards the Imperial Army.

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