133 – 137
Yohannes smiles at the report that came in the afternoon.
“Right. Count Leopold has surrendered. What do you think, Sabinele?”
Sabinele, sitting to Yohannes’ right, smiles and responds.
“Congratulations. Finally securing the Duel Lordship between the Kingdom of Eren and the Kingdom of Bohemia.”
Yohannes feels pleased at those words.
He continues, “Yes. We obtained it faster than expected. I thought it would take at least two months in the worst-case scenario.”
If he were to continue the determined struggle, he had even considered dividing the forces to attack the Kingdoms of Bohemia and Eren.
Currently declared an enemy of the state, his situation is not dire.
Especially in the navy, he holds absolute power, though slightly lacking in ground forces.
However, once I secure Eren and the Kingdom of Bohemia and transfer all of Babylon’s mercenary forces to Ezip and Epirus, the Empire will hardly be able to move.
“First, how should we handle Count Leopold’s disposition?”
Alexander responds to this question.
“We must punish the Viola family, who treacherously declared independence from the Nicaean Kingdom, and reclaim their territories.”
To the Viola family, who betrayed their roots as lords of the Duel family and declared independence from Nicaea, it was a matter of great shame.
As they had always been discriminated against due to the differences between their main Duel culture and Nicaea’s mainstream culture, it was somewhat expected…
For them, as the kings and people of Nicaea, recognizing the independence of the Duel Alliance would be nothing short of enduring centuries of unhealed disgrace.
However…
“Sir Alexander, I understand that the Nicaeans may see the Duel’s independence as a disgrace, but it is not advisable to handle the surrendering lords recklessly. When lords or kings surrender from Eren and Bohemia, it could have a negative impact. Showing generosity is more fitting.”
I agree with Sabinele’s words.
It would be problematic for Yohannes if Eren and Bohemia were to start a life-and-death struggle.
With the Imperial summons already in effect.
If forces were gathered from all territories within the Empire to join Eren and Bohemia in earnest, Nicaea would be at even greater risk.
“For now, Count Leopold will retain ownership of his territories, but I will directly govern until the end of the war. And I will send condolences and a tribute to Leopold and the Viola family.”
He believes that projecting an image of generosity and astuteness differentiates him from the ruthless Grand Duke.
Suddenly, a man’s voice is heard amidst the commotion outside the tent.
“Your Highness Yohannes! Urgent report!”
Taken aback by the sudden sound, I ask, “What’s going on?”
The foot soldiers who enter the tent bow with one knee down and speak.
“Your Highness, I am Yop, who was dispatched as a foot soldier to Eren and the Kingdom of Bohemia upon your orders.”
I nod as I see a familiar face and speak.
“Yes. I know. It’s been quite a while since you’ve been following me, so there’s nothing I wouldn’t know. So, what urgent report do you have?”
Yob urgently responds to my words.
“Over 30,000 troops are stationed on both sides of the borders of Eren and Bohemi. A total of 60,000 troops.”
I feel perplexed by his words.
“Is that so? I distinctly remember that just a week ago, the total on both sides of the border didn’t exceed 10,000. How did it suddenly become 60,000? What’s going on?”
Yob bows his head in response to my words.
“We are not entirely sure, but there has been an increase in forces in key fortresses and cities.”
It’s not easy to amass such forces in a short period.
If they hadn’t been preparing for war a month or two ago, that is.
“This is strange… very strange. What about their supplies?”
If Bohemi and Eren are hastily preparing because I’ve become an enemy of the state…
It’s likely just a façade to cover up their lack of resources.
“Well… judging by the fact that war supplies are moving dozens of carts a day to fortresses and urban centers, it seems like significant progress has been made.”
Good grief. How could this be happening…
Even if one has declared oneself an enemy of the state and seized Ereb and Epirus.
It doesn’t make sense to prepare this quickly.
War isn’t just a mere sword fight.
When you consider food, supplies, weapons, and military movements, it takes much longer than one would think.
“It seems like a leak of information…”
As Savinelli speaks, I snap back to reality and question.
“A leak of information? Didn’t the young lion not know when we would attack?”
That’s why Roman was easily vacated, and Savinelli’s plan didn’t succeed, right?
But if we knew when we would attack…
Regardless of it being my sister’s wedding, it would be logical not to vacate Roman.
“No. By vacating the position, he created an opportunity for us to attack. He probably intentionally created that opening. By doing so, he made us attack and also hinted that we would target Eren and Bohemi.”
As Savinelli speaks, I ponder.
The newly established information department.
I know it primarily deals with information.
Did they use that to anticipate our war preparations in advance?
– Thud!
The situation is not looking good.
If I make a mistake, I might end up with a noose around my neck. With that thought in mind, I shake my head and call out to Savinelli.
“Savinelli. If our army and the enemy’s army engage in war… can we win before the Empire’s main army arrives?”
Our army’s basic strategy is to attack unprepared Eren and Bohemi, make them surrender, rely on the Yoren Mountains, and buy time.
If the war with Eren and Bohemi, who are somewhat prepared, takes longer than expected, time will be delayed.
If the Empire’s main army arrives during that time, the situation will be greatly unfavorable… no, the entire grand strategy will collapse.
Savinelli furrows his brow at my words, lost in thought.
He hesitates before speaking.
“To attack the enemy, you need two to three times more troops than the enemy. Currently, we don’t even have double, let alone triple. It won’t be easy. If the standoff prolongs, we might be forced into a two-front war.”
Currently, Nikea and Voehmi are divided by two borders.
One is the Dufol border, and the other is the Yar Plain border.
As a result, if the imperial army, which has obtained numerical superiority, begins to attack in both directions, it will not be easy to defend against.
“Good grief… Good grief… Such a reckless fellow!”
-Thud!
Was it a trap that was set off?
When I felt anxious, Alexander cautiously speaks up.
“If the Kingdom of Voehmi and the Kingdom of Eren gathered a force of 60,000 troops and stationed them towards the Dufol direction, the Yar Plain would have weakened by that much. Besides, the Yar Plain is not a favorable position for defense, so wouldn’t it be better to target that area?”
Listening to him, I carefully examine the map of war.
Only a few soldiers are stationed on the Yar Plain side.
Whether Nikea or Voehmi, there is a record of focusing on a few solid fortresses behind the Yar Plain in past wars.
If the defense there is thin, by capturing just a few fortresses, it would be easy to reach Voehmi’s capital.
However, no matter how much I look at the map, I don’t see available troops.
Most of the troops that can be mobilized right now are stationed towards Dufol, Epirus, and Ezip, so there is no way to go towards the Yar Plain side.
But if we withdraw troops from Epirus and Ezip… both are regions that cannot be easily given up.
“We lack troops… We lack troops.”
To advance towards the Yar Plain, we would need around 50,000 to 70,000 troops to enter Voehmi’s center.
It’s a vast area, so the range that the fortresses can defend is not that wide, so capturing a few fortresses and creating supply routes and entering Voehmi’s interior would require a minimum of troops.
But where can we gather 70,000 troops right away?
In my muttering, Alexander responds.
“Your Majesty, the mercenary corps of the Babylon Empire still has a significant number. How about employing them?”
The mercenary corps of the Babylon Empire…
If we transport them by ship to the Adriahae, we can advance towards the Yar Plain in just two weeks.
However, Sabnelli steps forward to oppose Alexander’s suggestion.
“Your Majesty, I disagree. Mercenaries are not trustworthy, and once they have other intentions, it will be uncontrollable.”
Currently, the regular army of Nikea and the mercenaries on the continent outnumber the mercenaries of the Babylon Empire.
But the moment we employ another 70,000 troops…
The number of Babylon Empire’s mercenaries will surpass the regular army of Nikea and the mercenaries on the continent.
“It’s risky… but if not this way now…”
As time passes, we are at a disadvantage.
Not just at a disadvantage, but gradually losing strength, and even the ability to operate the current army will vanish.
Epirus and Ezip.
Both are not connected to Nikea by land.
In other words, it’s only a matter of time before the empire conquers both places.
I close my eyes and try to think of another way, but there is no suitable solution.
As time goes on, if the imperial army joins in, then… they will pass through the Yar Plain and come into Nikea.
In the end, after considering various options, the only way is to employ more mercenaries and conquer the Kingdoms of Voehmi and Eren before the imperial army is ready.
“Good grief… Alexander! No matter the cost, right now, immediately employ more of the Babylon Empire’s mercenary corps and transport them to the Adriahae.”
Upon my command, Sabnelli shouts with a worried expression, and Alexander nods his head.
“Your Majesty!”
“It’s a wise decision, Your Highness. We cannot afford any absolute risks in the war to conquer the empire. In that case, I will immediately send people to Babylon.”
And then, he gave the command.
“Vasili, issue orders to all admirals of the sea to transport the Babylonian mercenaries to the Adriahae!”
A response came from behind me to my words.
“I accept the command.”
“And instruct the Supreme Commander of Duopolis to lead all forces to attack Eren and Bohemi. Especially, make sure to crush the Kingdom of Bohemi!”
Devian… I underestimated you too easily.
A cunning fellow. I won’t let it go.