Chapter 103
With the officers tied up and dragged away, only the Red Dragon Corps and the remnants of the 5th Corps remained.
"I'm sorry."
Axel bowed his head with a devastated expression, but his apology, already close to that of a figurehead, held no meaning.
It only strongly revealed the sense of powerlessness he felt.
"Deputy Corps Commander Axel Lübeck. This situation occurred due to the insubordination of officers including Kai Schuh. However, it's an undeniable fact that you lost control of the corps."
"...That's correct."
Axel bit his lip, his face hardening at Viktor's point.
"The enemy has retreated, but the battle is not over yet. In its current state, the 5th Corps cannot respond to an enemy attack."
Viktor looked straight at Axel.
"Deputy Corps Commander Axel. Can you handle the chaos in the 5th Corps?"
"..."
Axel's lips moved, and the surrounding officers watched his mouth, but…
In the end, he couldn't give any answer.
"For the efficient execution of Her Majesty's orders and field management, I will temporarily control the 5th Corps."
Looking around at the officers, Viktor declared firmly.
"Do you agree?"
Axel clenched his fist.
"...I agree."
His voice trembled faintly, but Viktor didn't care even though he noticed it.
The remaining 5th Corps officers also silently accepted this situation, recalling the sight of the officers being dragged away.
"I will clean up the battlefield. Once the wounded are evacuated, we'll retreat immediately."
"...Understood."
"Yes."
Following Viktor's instructions, the soldiers cleaned up after the defeat.
---
I didn't like the 5th Corps officers from the moment they first caused conflict.
Still, since they were leading over ten thousand troops, I moved in a way that somewhat respected their intentions, but.
"The 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments have been annihilated. Even the survivors are too severely wounded to participate in the next battle."
"The cavalry's losses are also severe. Less than 500 can move properly."
"...The situation with the reinforcements isn't good either. The total available forces are at the level of 5,000 men."
This was the result.
Over 10,000 troops that boasted of being elite suddenly turned into 5,000 defeated soldiers.
"What's the current situation?"
"For now, everyone has retreated to their original positions. The 5th Corps soldiers are waiting for reorganization."
I frowned as I listened to the report, but I didn't feel particularly angry.
It only looked that way because it was a situation where anger would be natural, but the emotion I felt was closer to regret or disappointment than anger.
"Then, we will conduct a court-martial. The targets are officers who actively participated in the insubordination, including Kai Schuh."
Separately from that.
Now, there was no need to waste any more time and effort on them.
To quickly take control of the 5th Corps, I mentioned the court-martial as soon as the battlefield cleanup was roughly finished.
"That..."
"If you have an opinion, speak."
"...It's nothing."
Axel, who had flinched, lowered his head again and avoided eye contact.
It's a bit disappointing, but it can't be helped.
He might have been a good talent as a deputy corps commander, but he doesn't seem to be suitable for the position of corps commander.
As other officers also silently agreed, I immediately prepared for a summary trial.
I set up a temporary courtroom in a public place where soldiers could also see, and,
"...The military law states that insubordination on the battlefield is a serious crime, which can be punishable by immediate execution depending on the circumstances."
"Execution? What...!"
I proceeded with the trial without hesitation.
There were procedures such as simple testimony, defense, and fact-checking, and their crimes were all too clear.
It didn't take long to reach a verdict.
"Kai Schuh and 11 others ignored the orders of Deputy Corps Commander Axel Lübeck and forced a reckless attack, resulting in the deaths of over 4,000 soldiers. This is tantamount to rebellion."
"..."
"For this clear violation of the law, the main instigators Kai Schuh, Kurt Brönner, Wolf Riepen, and Max Prahl will be executed, and the other officers will be punished with demotion and forced labor according to the severity of their crimes."
"This is unjust!"
"Deputy Corps Commander! Execution, this isn't right!"
"Say something!"
"..."
Kai and the officers protested against the decision, but Axel said nothing, and,
"Independent action? What about Til, Moritz..."
"I, I... Those bastards!"
The soldiers who watched the trial process even showed hostility.
"The execution will be carried out."
"..."
Citing urgent circumstances and other reasons, I proceeded with the execution on the same day the decision was made.
Looking around at the surrounding soldiers, their tense appearance was evident.
Normally, it would be right to entrust them with the execution, but considering the morale of the soldiers who would carry out the execution,
"...General?"
Rather than having them see blood unnecessarily, it was better to get blood on my own hands.
After all, nothing would change by getting a few more people's blood on my hands.
I took the pistol Dominic had gifted me, loaded bullets and gunpowder, and approached the officers tied up in the middle of the temporary execution ground.
"Kai Schuh. You led this mass insubordination and actively refused Deputy Corps Commander Axel's orders. Moreover, you didn't admit your mistakes and tried to cause greater damage by attempting a reckless advance even when it was impossible to continue the battle."
"..."
I loaded the pistol and put it to the back of his head as he knelt.
"Do you admit your crimes?"
"I, I admit it! Please, just spare my life..."
Perhaps due to the cold sensation, he trembled and begged for his life.
"...What?"
"The Corps Commander...?"
Ignoring the stirring of the surrounding officers,
-Bang! Thud.
I pulled the trigger, and Kai collapsed.
Those gathered around to watch the execution closed their mouths.
"..."
"Next. Wolf Riepen."
"Eek..."
In the silence where only the voices of those to be executed could be heard, I continued to carry out the sentences while reloading the pistol.
With each gunshot, the officers fell one by one, and,
"...Kurt Brönner."
Finally, only Kurt Brönner, who had been quiet throughout the execution, remained.
I walked in front of him as he sat quietly.
"..."
For a moment, I raised my head and looked around again.
Some faces were pale, some had turned their heads away completely, and from some expressions, I could feel the anger towards these men.
However, they all seemed unable to open their mouths.
-Thud.
"...Oh dear."
"Huh..."
A bullet I accidentally dropped rolled down Kurt's body.
I took out another bullet from my pocket and inserted it into the front of the pistol.
-Click.
"Kurt Brönner. You disobeyed Axel Lübeck's orders and failed to fulfill your duty as a 5th Corps infantry officer, engaging in battle with Kai."
"..."
"Although you were led by Kai Schuh's arguments, participating in insubordination when you were in a position to prevent it as a high-ranking officer is a serious crime. Do you admit it?"
"...Yes. I admit it."
He answered calmly, but his pupils were shaking wildly as he looked at me.
Although I wasn't unaware of his feelings, and the pistol aimed at him trembled slightly,
At this moment, I had to be the 'Corps Commander Viktor, carrying out the Emperor's orders' - cold but with leadership.
-Bang!
I closed my eyes slightly and pulled the heavy trigger.
-Thud.
"From now on, those who break discipline will be dealt with severely. That is all, dismiss."
The 5th Corps soldiers who watched the execution nodded blankly.
I roughly stuffed the still-warm pistol into my pocket and returned to the tent.
"General..."
"We will proceed with the reorganization of the 5th Corps."
"...Understood."
With the enemy staring us down right in front, there was much to do now.
I focused on preparing for the next battle.
---
Meanwhile,
The atmosphere in the kingdom army's tent was completely different.
"...Thus, the enemy casualties are estimated at around 7,000. Particularly, cavalry casualties are expected to exceed 1,000."
"Good."
"Hehe..."
At the report that couldn't hide its excitement, the kingdom's officers let out satisfied laughs.
"Twice the casualties."
"Moreover, most of our casualties are mercenaries. Although our cavalry losses aren't small, considering we neutralized the enemy cavalry, isn't it a profitable deal?"
"Haha! That's right!"
In comparison, the kingdom's army casualties were around 4,000.
Although the cavalry that clashed before the enemy heavy cavalry's momentum was broken suffered losses, the regular infantry and most of the light cavalry remained intact.
"I heard that Count Gonzales' strategy was excellent, but I didn't know it would be to this extent."
"Especially the pouches were a great help. Even the Red Dragon Corps couldn't properly keep up with our movements."
"Even the forces that moved to support couldn't dare to move until we let them go!"
As officers who had seen the power of the pouches prepared by Sancho opened their mouths excitedly, the kingdom's army tent was almost in a festive mood.
"Although they say the Red Dragon Corps suffered no damage, it's fair to say that the 5th Corps fighting alongside them has completely collapsed. It would be good if we could strike before they finish regrouping."
With Sancho adding a word, a fighting spirit rose on the officers' faces.
"That's right, Your Excellency!"
"What's the next strategy! Please tell us!"
"..."
Sancho paused for a moment.
"The enemy's main force, the Red Dragon Corps, is still intact. For now, from tomorrow, I'm thinking of forming small raiding parties to check their response."
"..."
"If the enemy is as vulnerable as we expect, this place will become their grave."
"A probing battle..."
"...Sounds good!"
"I only believe in Your Excellency!"
Some officers, especially those from other countries who thought they would attack right away, showed subtle disappointment before quickly hiding their emotions with smiles.
Sancho didn't miss these changes in the officers.
"Although we're in an advantageous situation, we must always be careful when the Red Dragon Corps is the enemy. They are strong."
"...Understood."
Despite his explanation, the expressions of Alfredo and some officers didn't brighten.
"..."
Sancho's mind became complicated.