Chapter 35. Truth or Lies (1)

Q. What should we do when our base is under enemy attack?

A. First, evacuate to a safe nearby assembly point. Then, regroup the troops and assess the damage.

Q. What if our base is raided and the enemy is right on our doorstep?

A. Hold your ground as much as possible and buy time until orders from higher command arrive. If the situation is unfavorable, act on your own judgment.

The above questions are fundamental to warfare.

Throughout history, regardless of fantasy or reality, the same common sense of military science applies everywhere.

Civilians can run away blindly, but soldiers are different. Why? Because they fight for the nation.

It is their duty to confront and respond to any threat.

And from this perspective…

The Empire's Western Front Army was undoubtedly elite.

"At this rate, the barracks will all burn down. Everyone, get over the wooden stakes and escape! Retreat to a place where the fire can't reach you!!"

"33rd Brigade assemble!! Form a battle formation by Battalion and prepare for battle! The enemy will be here soon!!"

"All gunners immediately return to your assigned artillery units. Securing supporting fire is our top priority! Without artillery, we're finished!!"

An unprecedented situation where the earth and fortress suddenly burst into flames together.

Surging flames reduce the vegetation in the field to ashes and consume even the defense line painstakingly built over several days.

All kinds of structures, painstakingly woven with wood and nailed together, flicker and collapse like a campfire.

Even in such chaos…

The soldiers of the Imperial Army showed a surprisingly rational response.

Although communication between units was cut off due to the fire, each soldier did their best within their capabilities.

They distributed weapons and ammunition and formed battle formations as soon as they were ready.

They struggled to restore their fighting strength, not even knowing how many had survived.

"Can we send a messenger to Corps Command Center? Or to the Western Army Command Center?!"

"It's difficult. The fire has caused many bridges and underground tunnels to collapse.... It's unclear if they are even safe at this point."

"Damn. Can we win if we can neither receive nor send orders?"

"We have to hold on for now. We can't just give up and run away, can we?"

Due to the realistic circumstances, there wasn't much they could do, but... it was still admirable to a certain extent.

The men, who had only been on guard duty and weren't prepared for battle, were ready to fight within tens of minutes.

However, unfortunately…

Expressions like "best effort" or "hard work" had no value beyond excuses in actual combat.

"Whoa, the Kingdom's Army is approaching! It looks like they've brought all the units from their main base!!"

"I can't see the end of their ranks!! From the west end to the east end, I only see the Kingdom's Army flags!!"

The advance of the Western Army, with Carolus von Roytel assuming command.

A combined force of 140,000, including the dispatched Central Army and existing troops, pressed the Imperial Army. They covered the field with dozens of different flags and war cries.

They approached with the momentum to crush the disabled defense line with their army boots at any moment.

A massive force with tens of thousands of muskets and artillery numbering in the four digits.

Could an army that was resisting sporadically, with its communication and coordination between units severed, win against this force?

Well. If that were possible, the organization called an army wouldn't exist in the first place.

--Rat-tat-tat-tat! Rat-tat-tat!

"Cough?!"

"Get into the trenches! We'll lose if we engage in a firefight! Hide and take cover!!"

A battle that starts from a unilaterally advantageous position.

The Imperial Army crumbled like autumn leaves before the Kingdom's Army, which had deployed its gunners at the front and established a fire network with concentrated fire.

Like mosquitoes in front of a fly swatter.

Like civilians in a city being plundered by bandits.

It was a one-sided spectacle of only being on the receiving end.

Their final desperate shots killed a few at the front, but that was all.

Without causing any change to the overall situation, they were slaughtered one by one like pigs in a slaughterhouse.

The balance of the front line, which had been maintained for 10 years, collapsed in a single moment.

The army that had once pushed The Kingdom back to the old fortress zone was now gloriously perishing, staining its own front yard with blood and flesh.

"Cavalry! The Cavalry is charging!"

"Those reckless bastards. Such a foolhardy act in this situation...."

The light cavalry, who still had high mobility and remaining strength, galloped towards the enemy lines.

Specifically, they aimed for the central headquarters where Carolus was located.

Their judgment was that a breakthrough would be easy, since only a few lines of riflemen were deployed without any spearmen.

Of course, the result was learning with their lives why the unit was composed only of riflemen.

"D, Damn it. To die like this without even swinging my sword...."

The Thin Red Line.

A long, thin line formation of line infantry, and a formation that also functions as a tactic itself.

The barrage of bullets continuously poured out by thoroughly trained Elite Soldiers standing in their positions is powerful.

The rapid firing emanating from the long line formation is comparable to a machine gun.

To put it concretely… it had enough power to easily blockade the cavalry's approach. There was no need to even form a special anti-cavalry formation.

"It's over. The tide has completely turned."

With their only remaining card blocked, the Imperial Army had no more options left.

Twenty minutes later.

A large white flag was hoisted at the Imperial Army's Command Center.

* * * * *

"A truce negotiation?"

Three hours had passed since the Battle began. Just as my mood had lightened with the thought of victory, a messenger came running with this unexpected proposal.

"Did I mishear something? You must mean a surrender request, right?"

"No, sir. Lieutenant General Leclerc wishes to temporarily halt the fighting and confer with General Carolus."

"Ha."

I sighed in disbelief. The officers around me seemed to feel the same, looking at the messenger with disdain or shaking their heads.

Those damn Imperials still haven't come to their senses. Do they really think we're on equal footing?

Negotiation is only possible when both sides are relatively equal in power. It's not something that happens when a victor and a loser are clearly defined, like now.

"Is your Commander out of touch with reality, or is he simply refusing to accept it? Where is our incentive to accept this proposal in this situation?"

"There is an incentive. My army can still resist."

The messenger held his head high and spoke confidently, despite the pressure from our officers.

"The Imperial Army has superior numbers. A little over 160,000. Although we suffered significant losses from the surprise attack, we still retain considerable strength."

"That doesn't matter. We'll just attack again."

"We aren't obligated to respond to your Offensive. With our rear entirely within our territory, retreat is also a viable option."

....Tsk. He's right about that. No matter how successful the Fire Attack was, its effect is limited.

Realistically, a complete annihilation like in a cartoon is impossible.

Even if we pound them hard, probably about a third will escape alive.

Thirty percent of 160,000 is around 50,000.

That's not a number to ignore.

They'll definitely have a secondary Defense Line in the rear.

And it won't be hastily constructed like this one, but composed of proper fortifications and Trenches.

'Damn, if these bastards run, we're screwed.'

Unfortunately, the Kingdom currently lacks the capacity to pursue them that far.

The only way to take a well-established defensive position is through a direct assault. But a conventional Siege Warfare takes a hell of a lot of time and money.

We've spent too much money and manpower trying to recover from the mess Lieutenant General Liebert made.

Under normal circumstances, it would be a manageable expenditure, but after a prolonged War, the Kingdom's resources aren't what they used to be.

So, the remnants of the Imperial Army escaping and regrouping is practically a given.

Whether we accept that outright, or accept it after shedding more blood and suffering, that's the choice I have left.

"....Alright. I'll agree to the negotiation."

"A wise decision. I'll inform His Excellency immediately."

The messenger, delighted that I'd given in, returned to his camp.

And about an hour later, the enemy commander finally appeared, accompanied by a small, unimpressive escort.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, General Roytel. I am Sebastien de Leclerc, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army's Western Front."

"Carolus von Roytel, Commander of the Kingdom's Central Army."

We introduced ourselves, having met in the middle of the Battlefield to prevent information leaks, and immediately got down to business.

"Let me be frank. Guarantee my army's safe Retreat, and a cessation of hostilities for the next three years."

"I can consider the former, but the latter is beyond my authority to decide unilaterally. What do we get in return?"

"I swear that we will not set foot on the Kingdom's soil for those three years. We will also hand over all current Supplies and intact fortresses."

"And if I refuse? It seems to me that resolving this through force would be simpler. You are, after all, the hateful invaders who trampled our Kingdom."

"Then we will also have to resort to unsavory tactics. If you wish to see the surviving Imperial soldiers become guerillas and burn your Kingdom's farmland, then refuse."

That's a damn dirty tactic. Regular Army fighting an unconventional War means they're willing to ignore all the rules. Is he saying this despite the risk of retaliatory attacks driven by post-War resentment?

My inner cursing was interrupted. Leclerc's next words left me momentarily stunned.

"Wasn't it the Kingdom that caused this War in the first place? Don't act like the innocent victim after insulting and humiliating our Imperial Family."

"....What?"

"Hmm? You weren't aware?"

What…what is he talking about? The Kingdom's fault for the War?