“d*mn idiots.”
In the middle of the operation briefing, that phrase accidentally slipped out from me.
Because of that, all the commanding officers were startled and looked over at me.
“Chief of Staff?”
“Ah, my apologies. The things those Dedolant folks are doing are just downright baffling. Please, carry on.”
“Understood.”
The reports continued. The Empire had secured the upper hand. Now, all that was left was to rout the enemy.
The enemy’s flank was crumbling, and the Dedolant forces defending that area were in retreat.
At this point, if our allied forces at the front could hit them from behind, it would be perfection itself.
Still, this is Dedolant we’re talking about. After all, the saying goes, ‘Even the richest of families takes three years to fall when it declines.’
Despite their numerous disadvantages and the fear of being left behind, they managed to hold off the Western Fifth Legion and the Eastern Allied Forces advancing from the front with their rearguard.
“Fortunately, there are two points: our ally’s casualties aren’t as severe this time around, and the damage inflicted on Dedolant’s forces left behind in the rear is quite considerable.”
“However, because our initial frontal assault was unsuccessful, we’ve inadvertently given them a few days they can use to break free from our encirclement, Chief of Staff.”
“Perhaps we should allocate some of our forces from the flank to strengthen the frontal assault?”
Various opinions arise, but the main one is still about throwing more power into the front.
Fact is, they probably thought it was a bit… no, more than a bit strange.
It’s true that both the flanks and the rear are important, but in a siege, one can’t ignore the significance of the front.
How could someone not know such a fundamental principle, yet send only one legion to take care of it?
Moreover, the forces accompanying that legion aren’t even from the strong Nobogorod but the comparatively weaker Eastern Allied Forces.
It’s glaringly obvious that the structure doesn’t allow for much effort to be focused on the frontal attack.
“The flank will remain as it is. Make sure our mobile units merge with those already at the rear.”
“Chief of Staff? But if we do that, the front will…”
“If we had the strength to break through the front, we would have done it by now. More importantly, the main force has already been withdrawn outside the encirclement, so even now, pushing through the front line wouldn’t yield much.”
What could they possibly gain by breaking through the front?
Breaking the encirclement and heading home? There’s an Empire closer ahead anyway, so I promise you, going forward isn’t quicker—it’s going backward that’s faster.
Or, our command center? Yeah, right. For a so-called top command structure, we have no guard force, do we?
Even more, there’s a large contingent composed entirely of elite fighters.
We intended to deploy it into the battlefield, but the Imperial Family stopped us. They said it’s the head of the army, and its loss would be catastrophic—so it’s forbidden to recklessly use it.
“More importantly, for our next strategy, we need to focus on encircling and deceiving the enemy rather than engaging in a full-scale frontal battle.”
“Ah…”
“Don’t forget: what I, my empire wants is for Dedolant to rush home like a dog with its tail on fire.”
Soldiers focus on the fight right in front of them. They dedicate themselves entirely to combating the enemy.
How to k*ll them as efficiently as possible, and in the greatest numbers?
How to minimize our side’s damage while securing an overwhelming victory?
But I’m not like one of those soldiers. I’ve worked briefly in the military, but I’m far removed from that sort of thing.
So, um… how should I express it? I’m the kind who doesn’t focus on fine details but looks at things more broadly—and further into the distance, you might say.
A previous conversation with the Emperor suddenly comes to mind.
[Chief of Staff. Your strategy seems not just focused on encircling and annihilating, like Dedolant did. A bit more explanation would be helpful.]
As soon as I outlined the situation and future movements of our army, he hit the nail on the head perfectly.
Impressive, as always. Clearly, an empire like this doesn’t just happen. The man who governs this vast land isn’t someone trivial.
Impressed and filled with awe, I quickly answered the Emperor.
Our current objective is not encirclement and annihilation but simply encirclement.
[…Not encirclement and annihilation but merely encirclement?]
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I quickly added reasons.
It’s simply not enough to wound and k*ll them in battle.
What? A decisive blow that would completely neuter their will to fight.
A direct hit that would stop them from spouting nonsense about the Deo Ethnic Group or anything of the sort!
[Then you think advising surrender could extinguish Dedolant’s desire to keep resisting?]
“Advising surrender isn’t the path, Your Majesty.”
[It isn’t?]
There will be no giving the enemy even a single chance.
We’re going to crush Dedolant’s pride completely.
Therefore, we cannot encourage them to surrender. They must beg for it themselves.
“When the encirclement is complete, we’ll request a cease-fire for the New Year.”
[Cease-fire.]
“Of course, but only aimed at the encircled Dedolant forces engaged in survival battles—not the ones retreating. These are people who are already cut off from supplies, trapped in a situation where they can neither advance nor retreat—people who are likely overcome with the fear of dying, despite fighting for now.”
Dedolant is under relentless assault. A short break is essential.
I will personally guarantee a few days of ceasefire. If necessary, we may even provide a bit of food to celebrate the New Year.
[Your subordinate commanders may worry about this suggestion.]
“True. But remember, Your Majesty, wars are initiated by those in high positions, but it’s the ordinary individuals who fight them.”
[So, Dedolant too, will ultimately collapse as the hearts of its people are swayed?]
“I dare to assert that if they don’t accept this short pause, internal problems will erupt immediately.”
The New Year celebration isn’t exclusive to the Empire—it’s a kind of festival celebrated across the entire continent.
Imagine it like Christmas in the Christian world, if we’re using my memory as a reference.
During this season, everyone across the continent stays home with their families to celebrate the New Year. It’s the unwritten rule—the national rule.
Even though they may receive an order to hold their position while slowly retreating, their ultimate instructions boil down to this: fight and d*e for the future of Dedolant.
They’re probably already resigned to d*ath.
This will only harden their resolve to fight even more fiercely.
We’re laying the seed that will cause this unity to crumble.
[What happens after the promised short ceasefire ends?]
“We’ll commence the attack.”
[The Chief of Staff is confident that the forces inside the encirclement will surrender before that.]
“Based on my modest prediction, that’s how it will happen.”
Whether the commander leads it personally or the soldiers surrender in small groups.
Without the fiery spirit of battle, they can’t keep fighting.
New Year celebrations and memories of time with family will be fresh in their minds.
Would those soldiers really obey their commanders if told to fight in such a moment?
In my shoes, I’d probably stab the guy in charge in the belly and surrender.
‘And adding a certain song to this mix? That’d be cherry on top.’
That’s why I fortified the wings—to tighten the encirclement quicker.
Forcing the enemy, without leisure, to attempt an escape, leaving behind those who are comparatively more loyal.
So that the others left behind feel free to act on their own.
“…This is my idea, Your Majesty. Please enlighten me if you find any flaws or have concerns.”
If anything doesn’t sit right with you, or if we need an outright victory, please tell me.
The Emperor, however, slightly curved his lips behind the communication system and responded:
“The matters of war are in your domain, Chief of Staff. If such is your will, then that is the Empire’s will.”
“Your Majesty.”
[Any worries or hesitation you have? Your loyalty is clear to all.]
Whatever decisions you make, whatever actions you take, we have complete faith in you. Why bother worrying?
Thanks to that, I could let go of a small bit of the worry about the future.
*
Dedolant’s rear guard, commanded by Paelus and Leonite, fought with all their might.
They even managed to temporarily repel the Empire’s frontal assault.
But that was just a temporary triumph.
As the Empire reorganized and advanced again, the forces were forced to back off, little by little.
“Setongrad! Setongrad!”
“Pick up the pace! The 1st Legion is still holding out there!”
“Just a bit more strength! Allied forces are on their way!”
In the end, Dedolant’s rearguard abandoned Setongrad.
After all, Dedolant’s command center had already escaped the encirclement.
There was no point clinging to Setongrad once the higher-ups had left.
“1st Legion reports back to the Chief of Staff.”
For four whole months, they resisted Dedolant’s fierce attacks despite being completely surrounded.
Finally, Setongrad was back under Imperial control, albeit battered and burning, but still flying the Imperial flag.
“I apologize. We failed to hold the outer defenses, and there were many casualties. All the responsibility lies with me. Chief of Staff, if you can forgive me at this point, I will be eternally grateful for your mercy.”
The 1st Legion Commander looked utterly exhausted, with several big and small wounds visible on his person.
It’s clear he didn’t just stay in the back—he fought countless battles.
While looking at him, Kael Klauwitz slowly shook his head.
“You’ve done an admirable job, Commander of the 1st Legion. Unfortunately, it’s impractical to discuss punishing you right now. Aren’t the enemies in front of us more pressing?”
Kael comforted the Legion Commander and moved to address the surviving soldiers of the 1st Legion.
They looked extremely fatigued, but their eyes still shimmered with fighting spirit.
Even in this state, if a combat order were given, they would immediately take up their arms.
“To all of you, I, Kael Klauwitz, make this promise:”
“I will bury Dedolant down to the very bottom.”
“And your struggle, along with that of your comrades, will shine brightly for all eternity.”
