89
As we entered the barracks, Casper and his friends were bowing their heads.
The one scolding them was General Ironheart. General Delbadova sat with his arms crossed, eyes tightly shut.
Dorothy and I subtly took a seat in a corner.
Ironheart glanced our way briefly before continuing his reprimand.
“Your impromptu actions led to a large-scale conflict! As a result, there were casualties totaling up to 6,000! They were injured and killed because of you! How do you plan to make amends for that?”
To this, Casper clenched his teeth and replied.
“I thought that was the best course of action! After all, weren’t we given the authority to freely command our units in such situations?”
“You disobeyed the Commander-in-Chief’s orders!”
“It would have been fine if the operation had succeeded. If Ruin’s unit had arrived on time, we could have assassinated that tyrant and retreated!”
At this, Luan Chase shrugged.
“I simply prioritized the Commander-in-Chief’s orders. Besides, I wasn’t even fond of the operation from the start.”
“Luan…!”
As Casper growled, Luan snorted.
Ironheart was about to shout in frustration again, but General Delbadova intervened.
“Enough, Ironheart. The ultimate responsibility lies with me. It’s all on me.”
And that was the truth.
In simple terms, if I were the Commander-in-Chief, I wouldn’t have let such a thing happen. It was obvious they would act like that, so I would have prevented any variables by demoting them or whatever it took.
From General Delbadova’s perspective, it might have been unavoidable. After all, it was the King who appointed them as commanders.
As a general directly under the royal family, General Delbadova might have found it difficult to touch on that aspect.
“I will take full responsibility for this incident.”
Upon this, Casper and his group’s expressions brightened, but only momentarily.
“However, that doesn’t mean your mistakes will be overlooked. It’s not feasible to leave officers who disobeyed orders as they are. Casper Millias, Joshua Herald, Dennyan Gigglish. From this point on, I will strip you of your unit command authority.”
“What…!? Disregarding the King’s selection so casually….”
“Your Majesty, I will explain it well. The three of you will now serve directly under me and join the military. His Highness’ troops will be reorganized, so be aware of that.”
Caspar was trembling. Essentially demoted.
For him, impersonating Wade, such failure was unacceptable. Any hint of failure would lead to strong suspicions.
“Please, give me one more chance! I have a good plan to lead in this situation!”
“Not necessary. We have decided to use the plan proposed by Ilaine.”
“I… I…!”
It seemed like Wade wanted to say something, but facing General Delvadova, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
“Since time is short, let’s discuss the reorganization of the troops.”
General Delvadova placed their three units directly under his command.
Later, he divided the royal direct forces he commanded between me, Dorothy, and Luan.
“Ilaine Alst, Dorothy Grimwood, I will give you my troops. Combining your forces, each will lead 3,000 troops. Luan Chase, the same goes for you.”
That way, our combined forces totaled 9,000, essentially becoming the main force.
Luan cheered silently, clenching his fists. On the other hand, Dorothy was lamenting why her numbers had increased.
***
As soon as dawn broke, our army hastened its march.
The destination was the Bian Mountains where the Beccabian army was stationed. It was the only route to obtain Beccabia’s supply route.
To reach there, we had to pass through the Emblem Plains. Without doing so, we couldn’t manage the difficult terrain as we were low on provisions.
If the enemy wondered why we had rushed yesterday, it was for this reason.
Whether there was combat or not, we intended to pass through the Emblem Plains by utilizing the enemy’s strategy. If we had not, the enemy might have harbored unnecessary suspicions.
It was a kind of method acting during yesterday’s combat.
The enemy was not suspecting our passage through the Emblem Plains.
The Western army that had skirmished with us was still following us at a distance of about 800m.
And at noon, finally, things escalated.
“Enemy ahead! Prepare for battle!”
The enemy appeared in a cloud of dust. It was the Tunkai’s forces.
Roughly estimated at 30,000.
This led us to be sandwiched between them.
Strategically, in this situation of being flanked, reinforcements arrived.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Save the Calipper troops!”
Beccabia’s supporting troops pierced through Tunkai’s side. Their numbers were also around 30,000.
“This is the turning point.”
From the enemy’s perspective, engaging in battle here wouldn’t make a big difference.
The numbers were similar anyway.
Hence, the possibility of a full-frontal confrontation was slim, but I was also pondering. If that happened, I planned to persuade General Ironheart to gain partial command and engage in tactical combat.
Fortunately, that scenario did not come to pass.
“Retreat! Fall back!”
As Beccabia’s troops surged in, the Tunkai forces began to retreat. The Western army that had been following us closely also veered away from the battlefield.
It was a situation where we couldn’t chase them.
Because we were in a situation without supplies.
The Beccabian army was bringing several supply wagons. It was to provide us with emergency supplies.
Our soldiers cheered as they saw the procession of supply wagons.
◈ ◈ ◈
The Beccabian army came to support.
Bali Austin, who was in charge of the battalion, let out a sigh of relief.
“Fortunately, it seems we arrived in time for rescue, Princess Sophia.”
“….”
“Princess?”
“Oh, yes. That seems to be the case.”
Sophia was filled with a strange sense of discomfort.
“Why did the enemies attack the Caliphian army?”
From Beccabia’s perspective, the Caliphian army was quite detestable. They just stood by, watching, instead of providing support.
It was also strange that the Westerners who attacked the Caliphian army by surprise.
“I heard they cut off supplies preemptively upon receiving the report.”
Of course, cutting off supplies tactically was a good move. With that one move, the Caliphian army was cornered.
“But still, the Caliphian army, oh Caliphian. They didn’t even think about restoring the supply route and just came straight up the hill.”
Whatever the case, the Caliphian army engaged in battle, and due to the lack of supplies, they ended up being chased.
And in that process, General Randen Crow of Tunkai marched south with 30,000 troops towards the Caliphian army.
So, Sophia had no choice but to act.
She had to organize a support force matching the number of troops Tunkai had organized, prepare supply wagons, and head for support.
“Is something bothering you…?”
“A little. Let’s go meet the officers of Caliphia first.”
“Alright.”
After instructing other officers to provide supplies, Sophia headed towards the Caliphian camp.
Bali Austin, perhaps thinking Sophia was tense, tried to ease the tension by speaking in a joking manner.
“By the way, do you know? They say Wade is at the Caliphian camp right now.”
“Wade?”
“Yes, Casper Milias, the new heir of Marquis Milias. Within Caliphia, he is considered Wade.”
“That’s a ridiculous claim.”
“hahahaha, Your Highness seems to think so too.”
“It’s a petty scheme to incite the people. Political posturing through idolization. Disgusting beyond words.”
“Still, please refrain from making harsh comments when you meet Casper. He is favored by the Salion faction, one of the two major factions within Caliphia. It’s best not to provoke him unnecessarily.”
“I’m aware.”
Thus, when Sophia arrived where the Caliphian officers were, she was so surprised that her mouth fell open.
“W-W-Wade!?”
Upon seeing Alse’s face, Sophia was astonished. Alse, having somewhat anticipated Sophia’s arrival, brought his index finger to his nose and winked.
“Shh!”
“…!”
At that gesture, Sophia snapped back to reality.
“Princess? Wade?”
“Oh, no. It was, like that. Casper Milias was on Caliper’s side! He’s known as Wade! I know, right. Hoho…”
From Sophia’s perspective, she couldn’t reveal Al’s identity.
Unlike in the past, there was no reason to disturb Al’s peace while he was holding hands with Crossing.
“What are you talking about, Princess? Earlier you said something funny…”
“Quiet, Valli!”
“Yes.”
Even Caliper was surprised by Sophia’s reaction.
To have the genius princess acknowledge Casper as Wade.
Delvadova, initially bewildered, extended his hand.
“Pleasure. I am Delvadova Leguin, the Commander-in-Chief of our forces.”
“I’m Vali Austin. I lead the 1st Brigade of Beccabia.”
“And over there… the genius princess.”
After a light bow from Sophia, she gestured towards Caliper’s officers.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Sophia Veron. Could you perhaps explain about the officers under your command? They seem quite young and intriguing.”
“Ah. These are individuals handpicked by His Majesty the King himself. In reality, they are cadets.”
“Cadets. Hmm. I see.”
“Starting from here, Casper Milias. Joshua Herald, Luan Chase, Dennyan Gegglish, Dorothy Grimwood. Al’s the last in line.”
“Hmm? Hmm. Hmmm.”
Sophia glared at Al as if she found him repulsive. Al, almost in a whisper, muttered.
“Genius princess… hmph!”
“This…!!”
Whether Sophia heard it properly or not, she blushed.
“Let’s cut the introductions short and come inside. We were just about to start the military council.”
“Understood.”
A joint military council between Caliper and Beccabia.
While they were in the midst of the council, the West and Tonkai were moving swiftly.
* * *
Even if 30,000 troops escaped from Beccabia’s camp led by Sophia and Vali Austin, it wouldn’t pose a major issue.
Tonkai, facing them, had dispatched an equal 30,000 troops, balancing the forces.
If the enemy showed a different move, Beccabia’s 2nd Brigade could provide support.
So, they just needed to maintain the situation until Sophia’s return.
Moreover, with Caliper’s army, which had been observing, joining the front line, the situation would improve even more than before.
The Bian Mountains where they were encamped were an easily defensible position, so even if the enemies pushed in, it was just right for buying time.
They were prepared for various scenarios.
However, they hadn’t predicted this situation.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
As dust rose, the Beccabia soldiers watching it couldn’t believe their eyes.
From far away in the open field, a cavalry stretching for thousands was coming.
“Emergency! Enemies aaare coming!”
It was chaos at the military camp. With Sophia and Austin already absent, the confusion only escalated.
The officer temporarily in command couldn’t find words to say.
“We’re done for…!”
A surprise attack utilizing mobility. It was the Tuncai army’s specialty in cavalry tactics.
Despite being vigilant in that regard, the reason they were caught off guard was simple.
“You damn bastards! They were hiding like cowards…!”
This cavalry was hiding within Tuncai’s territory without engaging in the battlefield. Even if Bekabia, who had been focusing their spy network within their own territory, wanted to find them, they couldn’t.
As if waiting for Sophia’s army to go to rescue the Calipha army, they rushed here at full speed.
At that moment, they were caught in the spy network, but the cavalry’s speed was faster than the spy network.
“The enemy is advancing!”
The 10,000 Tuncai infantry, who were facing off, also moved up to the Bian Mountains.
“Stay calm! This is mountainous terrain! The cavalry can’t come up….”
However, clatter! The Tuncai cavalry kept advancing up the mountain without hesitation.
At the forefront stood a young man and a woman with a mysterious aura.
“Advance like this!”
“Ash! You’ve gone too far ahead!”
Forcing their way in, they broke through Bekabia’s defensive line. Soon after, infantry approached.
Realizing they couldn’t overcome the numerical disadvantage, the Bekabia army decided to retreat and regroup in Arandal.