Chapter 104
From the very next day, small cavalry units under Sancho's orders descended the hill.
Lightly armed, they carried small crossbows and oil-soaked torches, performing tasks such as reconnaissance, disruption of enemy positions, and raids on supply routes.
-Ratatatatat!
"Tch... This way won't work."
Most were blocked by the Red Dragon Corps' defenses and couldn't be effective, but,
"...Are those them?"
"They've lost it, completely."
Those who could approach the imperial army's positions were able to see the 5th Corps soldiers in disarray, their morale low, and,
"Fire!"
"Bring water, water!"
"What water! Scoop up dirt and throw it! Quickly!"
Some managed to achieve some results by targeting the relatively lax defenses of the 5th Corps.
"The defenses are strict."
"Yes. Especially the scout activities are intense, many returned without even seeing the enemy positions."
"...They're thorough. Move further out and focus on hitting the enemy's supplies."
"Yes."
Sancho focused on the failed cases, wanting to slowly wear down and kill the imperial army instead of rushing into battle, but…
"The Red Dragon Corps is defending even the 5th Corps soldiers' encampments. This also means the 5th Corps is not yet ready for the next battle."
"Hmm."
"There were occasionally areas guarded by 5th Corps soldiers, but their response was clearly inadequate. The flags kept changing, and even from afar, we could sense their disorder."
"It might be presumptuous, but I think we should attack before they finish regrouping."
"That's right! Why aren't we attacking when the enemy is in such confusion!"
"...It's not time yet."
What should have been good news, several successful raids, added pressure by inflating the officers' confidence, and,
"...The contracts with mercenary units have expired."
"Renewal?"
"Here are their demands."
"..."
The mercenaries sat idly in the camp consuming supplies, and drastically raised their fees each time they renewed their contracts.
"The soldiers' morale is dropping."
"Hmm..."
"...We shouldn't underestimate the Red Dragon Corps' strength, but there's talk among the support troops that Your Excellency's response is too passive. There are even rumors that Your Excellency is afraid of the enemy."
"...I'll take note of that."
With the undercurrent work of support officers including Alfredo, who hoped for a quick battle, Sancho couldn't relax despite leading the battle to victory.
"In the end, it's those who have set foot on our land who are in a hurry. If we stimulate the enemy's impatience while limiting their supplies, they'll move before long."
"..."
"It's difficult to attack an enemy that's well-defended. Whether they retreat or attack, it's right to strike when the enemy shows a weakness. I'm also preparing plans for the enemy's annihilation, so please wait a little longer."
"...Your Excellency's words are right."
For him, who thought negotiating after the enemy's retreat was better than an all-out battle even now after one victory, the officers' overzealous attitudes were not very welcome.
He tried to persuade the officers day by day and prevent them from taking independent action, but.
"Increase the frequency of raids. Have you identified the enemy's supply routes?"
"Several candidate points have been narrowed down and are being explored."
"...I see."
He knew it too.
The fact that no matter how much of a supreme commander he was, he couldn't ignore the officers' requests for an all-out battle indefinitely.
This was like the fate of an allied army.
"They won't leave the 5th Corps troops idle. If the enemy launches an attack, we need to focus on attacking and breaking down the forces that were the 5th Corps."
"Judging from the current deployment, they are expected to cover the flanks of the Red Dragon Corps."
"That's likely. Hmm..."
He waited for the deadline of the imperial army's weakness, continuously refining the strategies to be put in the pouches along with the officers.
---
While the kingdom army's frequent raids increased the fatigue of the Red Dragon Corps and myself,
"The enemy's attack is close. We'll send soldiers who can't recover immediately to the rear, and temporarily organize those who can continue fighting under the Red Dragon Corps."
"...I agree."
It was also a pretext to fully integrate the 5th Corps.
With Deputy Corps Commander Axel still expressing his willingness to follow, the temporary integration of the 5th Corps proceeded without noise.
"The remaining cavalry will be incorporated into General Heinrich Rauch's cavalry. General Otto Lindemann will command them."
"...Yes, Corps Commander."
Due to the high casualty rate from prolonged battles, only 500 of the 5th Corps cavalry could return to the battlefield.
So instead of organizing them separately, they were temporarily incorporated into the Red Dragon Corps cavalry, with Otto Lindemann of the 5th Corps, who hadn't participated in the insubordination, appointed as their commander.
"I plan to temporarily organize 4,000 infantry into the Red Dragon Corps' 3rd Infantry Regiment. Baron Axel Lübeck."
"Yes."
"I'd like you to take charge as the commander of the 3rd Infantry Regiment. This is temporary, and once the battle with the kingdom's army is over, you'll resume your duties as the deputy corps commander of the 5th Corps."
"...Understood."
The remaining infantry was also temporarily merged to form the Red Dragon Corps' 3rd Infantry Regiment.
What mattered was that my command authority was now established, even though they nominally received orders from Axel.
If I could command them directly, I could somehow make use of them.
Although the number of officers had decreased due to punishments, deaths, and injuries, there was no shortage of officers as the number of soldiers had decreased much more.
After roughly completing the reorganization, including changes in officers' positions,
"The enemy is circling around our positions with small cavalry units."
"Hmm. Like in the previous battle, they're making good use of cavalry."
I called a meeting to establish a full-fledged response strategy.
"It seems more likely that the enemy's main attack will be cavalry rather than infantry."
"The movements of each cavalry unit were organic and cunning. They're lightly armed, making it difficult for our cavalry to chase them."
Mentioning the enemy cavalry's movements, I looked at Axel.
"As they use their mobility to target our flanks and rear, how to respond will be important. Regiment Commander Axel. Can the 3rd Infantry Regiment stop them?"
Axel, with an expression that seemed to have let go of many things, shook his head.
"The 3rd Infantry Regiment has low morale and lacks mobility, so they're more likely to be dragged along by enemy raids. Also, we don't have enough troops to defend in many directions."
"..."
"Moreover, if we take the flanks or rear, the enemy might see this as an opportunity. Although they're elite soldiers, they're still affected by the aftermath of defeat."
"...I see."
He answered without reservation, to the point of seeming brazen.
As it wasn't wrong, I nodded.
"Wouldn't it be fine to just advance as well as we have been? While we were moving, the enemy couldn't even get close."
"That's because we've been fighting the enemy in the form we wanted until now. If enemy cavalry and infantry come from multiple directions, it will be difficult to face more than twice our numbers just by standing in a line."
Alexandrov showed confidence, but the problem is that our situation has changed.
Previously, we confidently marched in a line because the enemy's attack direction was fixed, but now the enemy is quite nimbly targeting the gaps created as we move.
"What's the supply situation?"
"It's still sufficient, but it's hard to guarantee after a week."
Moreover, time is not on our side.
We're still defending against enemy raids, but we'll inevitably reach a limit at some point.
"..."
While pondering how to respond to attacks from multiple directions,
"...Ah"
Suddenly, one formation and tactic struck my mind.
The tactics of those once called the most elite forces.
"...Corps Commander?"
"There's a way to respond to attacks from the flanks, rear, and front all at once."
I took out a large piece of paper and drew what I had in mind.
After filling the paper with various drawings including ally markers,
"...Hmm?"
"Is this a new formation?"
The quick-witted officers quickly realized what I was drawing.
"It is a formation. But..."
What I drew was one of the pike and shot formations remaining in my memory.
After drawing the troop deployment close to a square, I added the scale of soldiers below.
"This isn't a formation for the entire force. I intend to divide the troops into units of about 2,000 men and deploy each force in this form."
"...Are you saying you'll mix regular infantry and musketeers?"
"That's right."
I agreed with one officer's question and began explaining.
"In this formation, the musketeers will surround the infantry formed in a near-square shape. By maintaining this formation while moving, we can respond to attacks from all directions, and when the enemy approaches, the central infantry can step forward and respond."
"..."
"I intend to deploy about six of these formations spaced apart. As each force complements each other, if we move while maintaining the formation, it will be difficult for the enemy to utilize their mobility."
The explanation ended, but the officers kept looking at the paper as if pondering something.
Axel was the first to raise his head.
"...Are you saying you'll mix the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Infantry Regiments and then divide them again?"
"That's right."
"To execute this formation, we'll need someone to command the troops for each formation, and the soldiers in formation will have to engage in battle while organically changing their shape... Won't that be difficult without separate training? Time is of the essence now..."
The officers from the 5th Corps nodded in agreement with his words, but several Red Dragon Corps officers grinned at that point.
And I also smiled confidently at him as he looked bewildered.
"...Why are you smiling?"
"I can do it."
"...Pardon?"
Commanding troops in detail is my specialty, after all.