Chapter 47
The imperial army officers who had occupied all three strongholds of Anyac, Montfieu, and Saint-Toire gathered in the main castle of Anyac, where the Dragonian Empire's flag was planted, to discuss future directions.
"Now is the opportune time while we're riding high!"
"The fact that the enemy didn't send additional troops despite knowing the importance of these strongholds means the kingdom is also in a tight spot!"
Some officers, intoxicated by the continued victories, demanded further advances, but,
"Are you saying there's no need to advance further?"
"Yes. Although the Brotan Kingdom has relied on the natural barriers of the Bildorne River and Crejon Mountains, now that all three strongholds have been taken, those barriers will become a prison blocking the Brotan Kingdom's advance."
"That's right. Even if we just focus on cleaning up the rear villages, organizing supply routes, and solidifying our defenses, the kingdom will feel great pressure."
Viktor and Friedrich, who had contributed the most to this victory, spoke in unison about stopping the advance.
"The Brotan Kingdom's territory is still vast! We shouldn't give them a chance to regroup!"
"Although our casualties were few, it doesn't mean the soldiers can keep fighting. Everyone is exhausted from long marches and battles, and our supply situation isn't very comfortable either."
"But..."
"Our reinforcements' original goal was to defend our strongholds like Rochelle and secure a bridgehead, not to destroy the Brotan Kingdom. We've exploited the enemy's weaknesses to gain advantageous strongholds for defense, so now is precisely the time to stop advancing and observe the situation."
"..."
Viktor and Friedrich's influence was stronger than ever, having cleanly accomplished the capture of each stronghold, and even the content of their words was logical, so the officers couldn't properly refute the two corps commanders' opinions.
"I think so too. Our current achievements have already far exceeded expectations, so it's time to stop now."
"Understood."
"Yes."
With Gerhart, who had been watching the meeting, adding his opinion, the imperial army decided to solidify their defenses instead of advancing further.
"You'll be in charge of repairing the walls."
"Yes!"
After briefly deciding each person's duties through the meeting.
"Then, before ending the meeting... Deputy Commander Viktor. How is the enemy's movement?"
Gerhart asked Viktor, who was sitting beside him, with a smiling face.
"Additional troops are being deployed to the front strongholds, but their numbers are not enough to worry about a counterattack. They seem to be aware of our attack and are preparing defenses by erecting palisades and repairing walls."
"Does this mean we don't need to worry about attacks for a while?"
"That's right. Even if the enemy gathers troops and prepares for an attack, they'll have to move across wide plains, so they won't be able to escape our eyes."
"...I see."
Convinced by Viktor's report that there was no need to worry about immediate enemy threats, Gerhart stroked his chin and fell into thought.
"...Could it be?"
"Is it that?"
Seeing Gerhart deeply pondering, the officers who had long accompanied him under his command recalled one principle he always put forward.
Those officers waited with expectation, whispering among themselves for Gerhart to open his mouth, and as they expected.
"Release the alcohol brought as supplies. I'll allow drinking for today."
Gerhart declared permission for drinking.
"Really?"
The officers' faces brightened.
As it was Gerhart's principle to allow drinking only after battles were completely finished, his permission for drinking was tantamount to confirming victory.
"However, be careful not to cause damage to civilian houses, and avoid excessive drinking."
"Of course!"
"We'll drink quietly in the tents!"
"Those on duty today, bear with it just for today. I'll let you drink to your heart's content tomorrow."
"Understood!"
The officers answered vigorously, smiling at the thought of tasting alcohol after a long time, along with the joy of victory.
Gerhart grinned as he watched the officers shouting as if the tent would fly away.
"Haha... Are you that happy?"
"Y-Yes!"
"It's great!"
"Thank you!"
"I won't ask you to drink together, so don't worry."
"No! If we could drink with you, General, that would also be an honor!"
"No need for flattery. I don't intend to keep you any longer, so go quickly and celebrate the victory with the soldiers."
He set aside his usual stern and heavy appearance for a moment and exchanged light conversation with the officers.
"Go on now! Oh, were you waiting because I wasn't leaving? I'm sorry about that."
"Hahaha!"
"No, General!"
"What do you mean, no? I'll leave quickly."
After Gerhart left the meeting room with light jokes, the other officers who had been watching him also quickly left the meeting room.
"Corps Commander Viktor. How about a drink together between the main protagonists of the victory!"
Friedrich, who had felt particularly close to Viktor since hearing Gerhart's inner thoughts together and had even recently started speaking informally, called out to Viktor, who was sitting quietly looking at documents, before leaving the meeting room.
"...I'm sorry. I have a few things left to finish up."
"Is that so? I'll go ahead then."
"Yes."
He looked at Viktor, who wasn't leaving until the end, for a moment before leaving the meeting hall, and,
"..."
Viktor sat a little longer in the now quiet meeting hall after everyone had left before leaving his seat.
---
He fell into thought while walking towards the 1st Provisional Corps' tent.
-Thud. Thud.
Alcohol and rest.
Both, I don't particularly like.
Alcohol feels like it might reveal the weakness I'm hiding.
It's not that I haven't tried drinking, and it's not that I cause trouble when I drink, but it makes it difficult to maintain my appearance as 'Viktor', you could say.
For me, who knows what's hidden underneath, carelessly putting alcohol to my lips is frightening.
Rest is similar.
Whether it's just the kind of person I am.
My head is always full of thoughts, and most of them are not positive.
Especially when I feel like I'm not doing anything at the moment, I tend to recall things I haven't achieved rather than what I have achieved.
Whether I can continue to do well in the future... No.
Have I even been doing well so far?
Anxiety, worry, and doubts that I've been trying hard to ignore keep digging in endlessly.
This becomes most severe when dealing with post-war matters, when I see those I've talked with recorded as casualty number 1 on documents...
"Oh, General Viktor!"
"...Hmm?"
A voice suddenly calling me broke my reverie.
An officer was approaching me, leading soldiers wearing long leather boots.
"10th Corps Cavalry Regiment, 4th Squadron Commander, Hans Meyer!"
"...10th Corps Cavalry Regiment?"
"That's right!"
Answering his salute, I naturally pretended to straighten my collar while feeling my mouth to check if I had made a mistake in managing my expression.
Fortunately, it was still the usual slightly smiling expression, so I looked at Hans, who had saluted me, while slightly adjusting my expression.
"What's the matter?"
"Well..."
"..."
Just as anxiety was about to amplify again at the sight of the officer hesitating and mumbling without easily opening his mouth,
"General! Thank you!"
One of the soldiers standing behind him bowed deeply and shouted thanks vigorously.
"Thank you so much!"
"Thank you!"
As if that shout had been a fuse, all the soldiers standing behind conveyed their gratitude to me.
"...What's this?"
"I'll explain."
Feeling bewildered, I asked for an explanation from Hans, who seemed to have led them.
"We imperial cavalry have built bonds through long periods of training and actual combat together."
"..."
"We've long since resolved to give our lives for the empire, and having often experienced harsh situations, we pride ourselves on not fearing most things, but there is one thing we do fear."
He paused to catch his breath.
"Being left behind by our allies."
"...Left behind."
"When we lower our visors, we have to grasp the situation through narrow slits, and we can't hear our allies' signals mixed in the noise. No matter how well we form ranks and repeat training, when breaking through the enemy on the battlefield, stragglers inevitably occur."
The soldiers standing behind him nodded as if agreeing.
"Dying at the enemy's hands is glorious, but watching a comrade we've shared joys and sorrows with die alone in enemy territory is an unbearably terrible experience. ...I still can't forget the guilt I felt when I made eye contact with a comrade who had been left behind."
Hans, seemingly overcome with emotion, wiped his reddened eyes with his hand.
"But when we received your command, General, it was completely different."
"..."
"When the battle started, we could all hear your voice. It was like receiving a revelation. Especially when we successfully completed a charge following your instructions and regrouped in the rear, seeing all our squadron members gathered again."
"Hmm..."
"Thinking it might be an illusion, I talked with other squadron commanders, and they said they had the same experience. So we were certain that all this was thanks to you, General."
Hans bowed deeply again.
"We wanted to tell you whenever we had the chance. Thank you so much for not letting us become traitors, for making everyone's death glorious. Really, really thank you."
"Thank you!"
...I was at a loss for words.
I opened and closed my mouth trying to find words to answer, but no words came out.
"...I'm the one who should be thankful."
I barely managed to utter one sentence to them who were bowing their heads, and then headed towards the 1st Provisional Corps' tent as if fleeing.
-Flutter.
"General, you're here. Everyone was waiting."
"...Anna."
When I pushed open the tent flap with mixed feelings, inside were the officers of the 1st Provisional Corps, including Anna, sitting around a huge unopened barrel of alcohol.
They all held cups in their right hands, and in the empty space in the center was a cup like the ones they were holding.
"You're here! Can we open it now?"
"Please allow us, General! Adjutant Anna said absolutely not without your permission..."
"Deputy Corps Commander Alexandrov. Are you saying you would have drunk first if I hadn't stopped you?"
"N-No, of course not!"
Anna, Alexandrov, Boris...
Seeing them talking and laughing, somehow my heart also lightened.
"Haha."
I laughed as I opened the barrel, then,
"Give me a cup."
I poured alcohol into my cup first and held out my hand to Anna.
"...General?"
Anna, knowing that I usually avoid alcohol, looked at me with wide eyes for a moment, then handed me the cup with a slight smile.
"Thank you."
"You'll keep working hard, so I should do at least this much."
"Oh, so the General can do it when he wants to!"
"You could say that. Alexandrov. Give me yours too."
"Ah. Thank you! ...Aren't you filling it too much?"
"Well. So, don't you want it?"
"Oh no, of course I do."
After receiving and filling the cups of the other officers as well,
"...Everyone, I'm counting on you in the future too! Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"Wow!"
I savored the joy of victory together with everyone.
"General, be honest. Isn't this better than the Rus Kingdom?"
"...Haha."
...It was an enjoyable time, although I needed to be careful not to make mistakes.