Chapter 30
I believe I mentioned this once before, but back on Earth, I was a reserve officer.
Infantry was my branch. ROTC all the way, reached Captain, commanded a company for a few years, then discharged.
If you ask why I chose such a hardcore life mode... honestly, I don't have an answer.
Frankly, even now, I sometimes regret it. In my youth, I was foolishly blinded by patriotism and lost all sense of reason.
But let's put that aside for now. The main point is something else.
The fact is, before I became an officer, back in university, my major was history.
And within history, military history was my specialty.
I studied when and where battles took place, how military technology evolved, and why wars happened.
My undergraduate thesis was even on the Napoleonic Wars, if that gives you an idea.
Perhaps that's why, after being reborn, I was able to adapt to this world's tactics and weaponry with surprising speed.
'It's all stuff I saw while writing reports and doing assignments.'
The weaponry and tactics currently employed by The Kingdom, the Empire, and other nations on the Continent are roughly equivalent to the late 17th century on Earth.
Machine Guns haven't even appeared yet, and cold steel like swords and spears are still widely used.
There were some differences, like knights still being active duty and the existence of magic, but that's the gist of it.
'Thanks to that, I could quickly see what needed improvement.'
Once I grasped the level, the next step was evaluation and improvement.
Having studied the history of war, I knew how the Kingdom's Army needed to evolve.
It was just a matter of following what was in the history books. It was as easy as solving a problem with the answer key.
However, regardless of my thoughts, putting it into practice was impossible. Why? Because I spent 10 years slogging it out on the Front Line.
I barely had enough time to fight for my life, let alone waste time on military research.
I had to carry a Musket and run around even after becoming a Major, so how could I afford such a luxury?
And what about when my rank finally rose high enough to allow me to seriously contemplate these matters?
This time, the rigidity of the organization held me back.
'Armies are conservative places. Whether it's Korea or here.'
Aside from the Confucian scholars of Cheonghak-dong, there's no place more obsessed with tradition and maintaining the status quo than the Army.
If you blindly introduce new technology just because it's advanced, you could ruin not only yourself but the entire nation.
Careful review and verification are always fundamental.
I didn't have the confidence to endure those bothersome processes and checks, so my opportunities were limited.
Why bother writing and submitting proposals and making preparations, only to be criticized for doing something useless?
No matter how brilliant the solutions I offered, if the higher-ups couldn't recognize them, it was pointless.
Therefore, after staging a Coup d'état... I began my work on improving the Kingdom's Army in earnest and transforming the Revolutionary Army into the Central Army.
"Someday, every army in the world will follow this organizational structure. You can bet your honor and position on it."
"We still find it hard to believe... but since you've said so, Your Excellency, we'll follow. You've never been wrong."
"At least the firepower will be reliable. We've practically plastered them with Guns."
Once I became the power broker of The Kingdom, firmly grasping the military, nothing stood in my way.
I freely adopted the necessary tactics and secured the budget to purchase new equipment.
I even equipped each soldier of the Central Army with an expensive Flintlock Musket.
After dedicated and generous support, I was finally able to complete it last month: the line infantry, a unit that wouldn't have appeared until the 18th century.
"What size will the dispatched force be, Your Excellency?"
"Not all of them. About half should be sufficient."
"Then I'll prepare two Divisions."
The Kingdom's elite Central Army combined with the most advanced doctrines of this era.
I was confident. I believed no army in the world could stand against this force in a one-on-one battle.
They'd need at least twice the numbers to put up a fight.
For reinforcements deployed to the Northern Region, with its difficult terrain and limited Supply lines, there are few units as efficient as this.
"When will the departure be?"
"There's no time to waste, so we must hurry. Prepare to leave within ten days."
"Ten days?! That's far too rushed..."
"Our comrades are dying at this very moment. We've always maintained readiness for expeditions, haven't we?"
"Well, that's true, but..."
Since the Front Line is in immediate danger, we can't afford to be complacent, so we'll pack only the essentials and depart immediately.
If things go well, we'll arrive in 3 to 4 weeks, based on marching speed.
"The troops remaining here... Baden, I entrust them to you. Coordinate with General Albrecht to manage the Capital."
"Consider it done, Your Excellency."
It does weigh on my mind to leave the Capital, the foundation of our power, undefended... but I have trustworthy subordinates, so it should be fine.
They're all talented enough to become Lieutenant Generals or Generals without my help.
And besides, we have collaborators and allies in the civilian sector as well.
* * * * *
On the day of departure.
"Are you leaving already?"
It was more a case of "finally" than "already." If I'd had my way, we would have left that very day.
Standing at the gates of the Royal Capital, Lahator, I exchanged final farewells with the Young Lady of Arshakh. And at the crack of dawn, no less.
"Or perhaps, Young Lady, you're simply saddened to see me go?"
"Of course! Your presence here is invaluable to us."
Shivering in the cold, the Young Lady shook her head, a shawl draped over her dress. The ample curves of her bosom, barely concealed by the thin fabric, swayed enticingly. *Wow*.
Looking up at me from where I sat on my horse, she declared,
"It was you, Your Excellency, who united such disparate groups as the republicans, the Army, the commoners, and the clergy into a single force. You created this coalition, and without you, it would crumble in an instant."
She wasn't wrong. It was undeniably my accomplishment, forging and tempering these disparate groups, one by one, based on the Army, my profession and foundation.
Though it certainly began as a way to survive the Coup d'état by bolstering our numbers.
Somewhere along the line, a powerful political faction had been born. We were no longer the minority, but the majority.
"I wish you wouldn't have to go, Your Excellency. If you were to be struck down by a stray bullet on the battlefield, everything would be lost."
"You know that can't happen."
"I know, which is why I'm saying this. Even a mere young lady like myself understands the impact your death would have on your honor and on The Kingdom."
Sighing, the Young Lady took my hand and pleaded,
"So I beg you, please return safely. Don't throw away all the reforms we've achieved by dying needlessly."
Patting her shoulder, I reassured her,
"Don't worry, Young Lady. I have no intention of dying before I've held my great-grandchildren in my arms."
More than anyone, I understood the repercussions my death would bring at this juncture.
Even though we had gained an overall political advantage over the Nobility and Royalty, we were still a fledgling power. Internal fissures abounded, and unity was a level of cohesion we couldn't even hope for.
The moment Carolus von Roytel's death was confirmed, the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction would collapse, and the Revolutionary Army would lose its central figure. The republicans who secured seats in the Assembly thanks to my influence would be crushed by the wrath of the enraged Nobility. The Brides who ascended to the positions of Bishop and Cardinal because of us would be hanged.
If I were to die here, the enemy would seize the opportunity to counterattack and avenge their humiliation. Constitutional Monarchy would become a distant dream.
Therefore, I will not die.
I must not die.
Not if I want to prevent everything from turning to dust.
"Young Lady, please ensure the Assembly is properly managed. So that I can depart for The North with peace of mind."
Conversely, the Young Lady, remaining in the Capital, also had her role to play: to lead state affairs in my absence and push forward the reforms we had planned.
"...I'll do my best. So much so that you'll be impressed upon your return."
"I look forward to it."
The Young Lady nodded and turned to leave.
My aide, waiting behind me, muttered,
"The Young Lady of Arshakh seems quite taken with you, Your Excellency. For a young woman to come alone to meet a man..."
"Indeed."
This would be a scandal in high society.
It couldn't be for purely political reasons... could it?
* * * * *
In any case,
The Central Army finally began its arduous march north, advancing at the fastest pace it could manage without overexertion.
For weeks, we marched 25 kilometers a day, stopping along the way to replenish supplies from rear units and stockpiling gunpowder.
Over mountains, across rivers, and through snowfields, our destination finally came into view.
"Your Excellency, that's our encampment over there."
"Which unit? Our Revolutionary Army?"
"Appears to be Lieutenant General Mauer's 2nd Division."
We sent a messenger to announce our arrival and set up camp nearby. Shortly after, I was able to reunite with comrades I hadn't seen in some time.
"It's been a while, Lieutenant General, no, General. I should address you as Your Excellency now, shouldn't I?"
"...Mauer."
He was in a sorry state. His face bore the distinct fatigue of a soldier worn down by constant battles and lack of proper rest.
Dark circles ringed his eyes, and his cheeks were hollow. It was clear at a glance how much he had suffered.
"You've endured much, holding the line. Leave the rest to me and get some rest."
"That's music to my ears. I've barely slept in the last few days."
Supporting my swaying subordinate, we entered the command tent and immediately began the strategy meeting.