Chapter 100
Sancho set up a base on a small hill on the outskirts of the Vitabeya Plains and held a meeting in the tent.
"As we saw in the Dronado Forest and Al Berdo Pass, the enemy excels at utilizing scouts. There's no need to recklessly gather information, so prioritize preserving our forces."
"Understood."
Sancho showed caution, reminding them of the Red Dragon Corps' strength.
Alejo, who had barely succeeded in retreating, agreed with Sancho's instructions, recalling the power of the Red Dragon Corps scouts he had directly experienced.
As other Esperian Kingdom officers didn't object at all to Sancho's somewhat passive words,
"Count Gonzales. I'd like to ask one thing."
"Hmm, Baron Blas."
Baron Alfredo Blas, sent from the Kingdom of Paris as a volunteer and instructed to encourage active combat, spoke up.
"Our current position is open on all sides, so the enemy will easily spot us. Wouldn't it be better to wait in the hilly terrain ahead? We could hide troops behind the hills or in the surrounding forests."
"...Honestly, I wanted to ask that too. If it's to utilize the elevation difference, aren't there several hills more advantageous to us?"
"..."
As Alfredo's point was extremely reasonable and common sense, those who hadn't experienced battle with the Red Dragon Corps agreed, but.
"As I told Baron Banderas, we're in a situation where our scouting forces themselves are lacking."
Sancho rebutted in his still serious voice.
"...I don't understand what you mean by that. Are you saying we shouldn't hide at all since the enemy scouts will find us anyway?"
As the volunteer army had already grown to exceed the size of the kingdom's main force, Alfredo asked confidently, almost mockingly, but,
"That's right."
"Yes, that can't be... Pardon?"
Sancho clearly affirmed Alfredo's words that pointed out the weakness of the Esperian Kingdom army.
"In the Dronado Forest and Al Berdo Pass, the enemy demonstrated overwhelming information superiority. We couldn't even notice the enemy scouts' infiltration. And that was on the battlefield where we were most confident."
"..."
"By being on this open hill, at least the enemy won't be able to unilaterally determine our position."
The dismissive tone was just part of the psychological warfare, and Alfredo also knew that Sancho was a capable general.
With such a general highly evaluating the enemy without even hiding his weaknesses,
"...Is it that bad?"
"The enemy acted as if they could read all our movements. Since there are no spies in our army, I thought it was because their scouts far surpassed our capabilities."
"..."
"To prepare for this, I've prepared a new command system."
-Thud.
Sancho picked up a large box he had placed beside him and put it on the desk.
"What... is this?"
"The enemy with guns is formidable when forming ranks and firing, but when scattered in various places, they're relatively vulnerable to cavalry charges. I think we also have the advantage in cavalry forces, so our goal is a melee utilizing the mobility of cavalry."
"That's true, but..."
He continued his explanation while opening the box.
"...Pouches?"
"At Al Berdo Pass, even though we were lightly armed, we were always one step behind the heavily armored Red Dragon Corps. I saw this as an issue of when the troops started moving, not the speed of troop movement."
"Timing?"
"Yes. The enemy moved at a speed that couldn't be possible unless they had anticipated our strategy. So I prepared this."
The box was filled with cloth pouches, each marked with a symbol.
Sancho picked up one pouch and took out its contents.
"I plan to give these pouches to regiment commanders and mercenary unit leaders. The outer symbol indicates the relevant situation, and inside I've written the response I've thought of in advance."
"What on earth..."
"Once we're on the battlefield, move according to instructions initially. Then, if the variables I mentioned occur, open the appropriate pouch and move according to those instructions."
"..."
To counter an enemy that reads and moves according to our movements,
"I haven't completed it yet as we don't know the enemy's movements, but I'll consider as many variables as possible, write responses, and distribute them. The field officers will know better which pouch to open, so I'll leave it to them."
"...Huh."
"At least, won't we be able to move faster than waiting for a messenger to arrive with information and then sending another messenger with instructions?"
Sancho brought out a very crude strategy of trying to predict all possible scenarios.
"...Is that possible when there's no place with more variables than a battlefield?"
"I don't know. But I think it's worth trying. Of course, I'm not saying I'll come up with all the instructions alone. I'll need to borrow the wisdom of other officers too."
All the officers were unable to hide their surprise, and Alfredo immediately questioned Sancho about its feasibility.
"I'm sorry to say this, but it's nonsense. It's questionable whether the field officers, especially the mercenary unit leaders, have the capacity to clearly judge the situation, and it might be difficult to properly interpret and act on the instructions."
"Hmm."
"Moreover, don't many troops need to move together? If individual judgments diverge, it could lead to great confusion."
Sancho nodded quietly as he listened to Alfredo's logical rebuttal.
"That's an accurate point. I don't think this strategy is perfect either."
"Then..."
"However, I couldn't think of a way to defeat the enemy using conventional methods. I know it's not a perfect solution, but to deviate from the enemy's expectations, who have grasped all our movements, don't we need to do at least this much?"
"..."
Alfredo was about to open his mouth, but Sancho continued speaking.
"Mistakes could happen in the field, and the written strategies might be wrong. Still, I think it's a method that can catch up to the enemy's speed, and depending on how it's done, might even surpass it. I believe in our officers."
At Sancho's explanation based on trust in the officers, the expressions of the officers, which had been full of doubt and questions, gradually relaxed.
"...To grasp the situation, take out the appropriate pouch, and carry out the instructions... right now, we should consider it fortunate if even half the troops move properly."
"I'm not saying I'll give up command. Even if just one brigade successfully carries out the instructions, it's meaningful that that brigade can move beyond the enemy's expectations."
"..."
"...Isn't it possible?"
"Actually, there's not much to lose. Although Your Excellency Gonzales will have to work hard..."
"If we use this method..."
The officers began to stir, and,
"...Alright. I'll trust Your Excellency Gonzales."
"Thank you."
Even Alfredo, who had been constantly objecting, finally nodded.
---
The joint operation with the 5th Corps started off on the wrong foot.
"...I'm sorry, but there's strong resistance from the officers."
"What did they say?"
"Some said we're trying to exclude them from the battlefield because we hate them, and that it would be better to march independently."
"..."
Axel, who had taken the book detailing our tactics, brought back a disappointing answer.
Whether they thought they had something to say after conquering Al Cante, or their necks had stiffened because it seemed like I needed them.
At this ridiculous behavior, my hands clenched involuntarily.
"...What exclusion are you talking about in a situation where we're facing a larger number of enemies? I'm just asking you to wait mixed with the Red Dragon Corps and step up at crucial moments because the enemy will likely use cavalry to attack our flanks and rear."
"I tried explaining too, but... I'm sorry."
"Hah... They don't like the front, they don't like the rear, they don't like marching together... Do as the officers wish."
"..."
From the troop deployment when encountering the enemy,
"...I heard they fired on our scout units by mistake."
"That..."
"Why on earth are you doing this?"
To small-scale impulsive actions,
"Although the enemy is on high ground, our effective range is longer. Let's advance slowly together while preparing for enemy cavalry raids."
"Yes, then..."
"No! We must actively annihilate the enemy! Our 5th Corps will attack the left side of the hill, so please have the Red Dragon Corps attack the opposite side!"
"...The enemy outnumbers us. With their cavalry numbers more than double ours, we need to maintain our formation and engage in battle slowly."
"Because the enemy has more cavalry, shouldn't we push them off the hill even more? No matter how strong the Red Dragon Corps is, it will be difficult to block a cavalry attack coming downhill!"
"Baron Schuh. Watch your words."
"...Yes. Still, my opinion hasn't changed."
Even after arriving at the Vitabeya Plains and confirming the enemy, they remained uncooperative.
"...I'm sorry."
"..."
The confident 5th Corps tried to move independently, and Axel, the deputy corps commander, failed to fully control them.
Although I had experienced worse situations in the Rus Kingdom, I disliked the 5th Corps more than the enemy I was immediately facing, as I was tired from blocking the enemy's raids that had continued until we arrived at the plains.
"General, do we really need them?"
"...They're still our allies."
"They should be helpful to be allies...! ...I'm sorry."
"I understand."
Even the Red Dragon Corps officers didn't view the 5th Corps favorably, as they had only occupied empty land while we fought fierce battles, so officers often came to me to express their dissatisfaction.
"...Then, what strategy did Baron Schuh have in mind?"
"We'll advance with pikemen at the front. The enemy..."
However, as we couldn't be careless about the battle.
I ended up modifying the strategy bit by bit to match the 5th Corps' movements, but.
"The 5th Corps is moving!"
"Hah..."
The 5th Corps, like an unbridled colt, started independent action again.
Even though I sent a messenger to Axel, no clear answer came, and instead, a strange reply came back saying he didn't know what was going on either.
"For now, let's move too."
To somehow make use of them, we entered the battle without time to mend the conflict.