The encirclement was completed, and half of the Empire’s Western Legion had been crushed.
This alone was an incredible feat, but Prince Georg III had no intention of stopping.
He decided to take this momentum and cross the border to directly assault Imperial territory.
“Pick up the pace! We’re going to hit the empty border of the Empire!”
“Your Highness, I’m worried this plan might be too risky.”
“Foolish nonsense. Right now, the Empire has put all their chips on saving their legions. That means their rear is wide open! If we strike now, we can not only reverse their offensive but utterly shatter their morale!”
The war involved Dedolant and the Empire, but their victory conditions were quite different.
The Empire had to completely crush Dedolant and force a surrender to restore its authority and order.
But Dedolant didn’t seek such a complete victory. They aimed to deal heavy blows to the Empire, breaking their spirit and will to fight. They wanted to encourage negotiation voices within the Empire.
Dedolant couldn’t overwhelm the Empire right now. A draw was the best they could hope for. Time was needed, which meant negotiations were essential. Once prepared, Dedolant would challenge the Empire again to determine the sole remaining empire.
“Therefore, we cannot miss this opportunity, understand?”
“E-eh? Yes, Your Highness!”
They had sacrificed 30,000 men to create this chance, crushing two Imperial legions in the process. But that wasn’t enough. They needed to attack Imperial territory to deliver a real shock.
Of course, this might ignite the Empire’s war spirit, but with a solid rear strike, the Empire’s military recovery would be delayed. During that time, Dedolant could strengthen its defenses.
“Prince! We’re approaching the Empire’s gateway!”
“We’ll break through swiftly. Don’t be afraid, sons of Dedolant! The enemy is distracted harassing our land. So, we’ll trample theirs!”
―WAHHHH!!
The elite forces of Dedolant moved toward the gateway, but a revelation made them halt.
“What did you say?”
The scout’s report left Prince Georg bewildered.
“The gateway is wide open. There’s not a single soldier on the walls, only flags fluttering in the wind.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Your Highness! I’ve confirmed it multiple times!”
Prince Georg couldn’t help but feel something was amiss. Even if this spot was distant from the battlefield, news should have reached. With their own defeat so devastating, why would a gate be left open? There were certainly Imperial scouts nearby who must have relayed Dedolant’s approach. Actually, more than enough information should have been received to prepare defenses.
‘So what does this mean? Leaving the gate open…’
Uncertain of this implausible situation, Prince Georg slowed his forces. Preparing for any contingency, he enhanced the perimeter’s defenses and moved toward the gate. When he arrived, the scene matched the scout’s report—no guards, no officials. An eerie emptiness.
Then, from behind the open gates emerged a few burly men. Unarmed, unarmored—they seemed like supply handlers. They began watering the ground then proceeded to energetically clean it, completely ignoring Dedolant’s forces right in front of them.
The absurd spectacle perplexed not only Prince Georg but everyone in Dedolant.
“Prince! Look above the gateway.”
At the captain’s words, Georg quickly looked up.
A young man strolled leisurely and positioned himself atop the gate. Though at a distance, Georg sensed the man was watching him.
“Hmm?”
A junior officer guiding them muttered in surprise.
“Prince! That man, it’s him!”
“Who?”
“Kael Klauwitz! The mastermind of the Empire who performed brilliantly in the previous Southern and Eastern campaigns!”
At the mention of Kael Klauwitz, Prince Georg looked immediately.
“Is that certain?”
“Yes, Your Highness! Absolutely! I’ve seen his portrait in the latest telegrams reporting the Empire’s great victory—it’s definitely him!”
This revelation made Prince Georg exhale an involuntary sigh.
Kael Klauwitz—Georg knew of him. From the clashes with Nobogorod to the defeat of the Eastern Three Kingdoms, and most recently annihilating Benito’s main forces—Kael was always there. That implied he played a significant part in every victory, too significant to be a mere coincidence.
‘Could this Kael have anticipated our Dedolant movements?’
Georg surveyed the area around the gate again. Nothing indicated prepared defenses. The cleaning men had now sat down to chat casually.
“Prince, should we not launch an attack?”
“…”
“The enemy seems completely unprepared. They’re likely busy reinforcing elsewhere, neglecting this area, aren’t they?”
“…”
Despite his captains’ advice, Prince Georg remained silent. Two possibilities clashed in his mind. Was this simply a bluff from someone unprepared? Or a tempting trap like Dedolant’s?
What resolved Prince Georg’s dilemma was this:
―TINGLING!!
“Wha—? That guy?”
Seated atop the gate, Kael suddenly pulled out a lute and began twanging its strings with flamboyant tunes, as if setting off for a leisurely boat ride.
“…”
At this sight, Prince Georg finally decided.
“We retreat.”
“Prince?! What?! Retreat?! That makes no sense!!”
“No. We must retreat. It’s a trap. Definitely a trap.”
The captains were thoroughly perplexed. Prince Georg then pointed at Kael, who was serenely playing his lute.
“You all know this Imperial strategist well. He never takes risks. Even when it seems he does, it’s always under his complete control.”
“But… surely…”
“This man only pretends weakness when he’s fully prepared to crush the enemy. When he wants the enemy to stick their head into his jaws!”
In the East, the Three Kingdoms fell to this. In the South, Benito met the same fate.
Kael always secured the advantage before initiating a fight. His plans started right there. With so many lessons before them, it would be foolish to repeat their mistakes.
“Don’t counterargue. I won’t let us suffer a careless defeat like the Empire. Are you so eager to make their errors?”
“Yet, Your Highness, wouldn’t it be wise to assess the situation further before moving?”
“Idiocy. If they’re so openly luring us in, they surely have forces inside and outside ready to respond. We could end up surrounded!”
Thus far, Prince Georg had brought Dedolant many victories and glories. Every military official admired his foresight and followed him faithfully. With such a prince leading, the captains couldn’t oppose further.
The forces turned away from the seemingly vacant gate. Soon after, a roar erupted from behind.
―WAHHHHHH!!
“Prince! Imperial forces have appeared at the rear!”
“I told you. They surely prepared to trap us from all sides.”
“W-Wow! The insight of Prince is truly unmatched!”
“Retreat immediately. Now that our position is exposed, we can’t move freely.”
As Prince Georg led the retreat, he glanced at the distant gate.
‘Kael Klauwitz, I admit you are an extraordinary strategist. But so am I, and so is Dedolant. Next time, design your traps more thoughtfully.’
Someday, when they meet again, they’ll have a real fight. Thinking this, Prince Georg turned his forces back toward Dedolant.
However, Prince Georg had no idea.
In truth, the Imperial troops weren’t there for a trap but were the Eastern Allied Forces that had just arrived by coincidence. Had they clashed, Dedolant would likely have achieved a ten-to-nine favorable victory.
And most importantly—
“Whew…!”
Kael was here not to predict Dedolant’s movements but simply because he was heading to the battlefield soon and arrived early. Beyond the gate, there were merely a few hundred soldiers.
‘This works!’
Indeed, the luckiest person in the world is the one with the greatest luck!
Kael silently placed his lute down, inwardly cheering his fortune. His sweat-soaked back made it clear—a change of shirt was definitely in order.
