To bring in more legions and even issue a call-up order—such was the plan.
Not everyone present outright opposed this idea of mine.
“The Chief of the Imperial Staff makes a valid point. Why wouldn’t it be better to secure an overwhelming advantage?”
“If we fill up the ranks using conscripts and concentrated units, we’d have more breathing room for our front-line troops. We mustn’t forget the substantial number of reserves they provide.”
“The Department of Special Operations agrees with the assessment that the combined strength of the southern and eastern nations equals barely one Imperial Legion. Clearly, we have room to spare.”
Some agreed due to the clout of my title of Chief of the Imperial Staff. Others took cues from the Emperor, who sat near me. A few others recognized the logic within my arguments. Each for their own reasons, they expressed their approval to the Minister of War and the General Staff.
“But my dear colleagues, our current situation is anything but comfortable. It already took anywhere from one to two months just to mobilize two legions from the border.”
“Don’t forget, Dedolant hasn’t yet unified the western continent. Some of Dugal’s territories remain in their hands, and their royal family fights on in exile. Most importantly, Ross Tannika still stands. Thus, they are forced to fight a two-front war.”
“We assured Ross Tannika that the Empire is preparing a great wrath to sweep through Dedolant. What do you think will happen if we now say to them to wait a few more months?”
“If by any chance Ross Tannika falls, Dedolant will direct all their forces against us. In that scenario, whatever advantage we tried to create would be utterly useless.”
The opposing arguments were no joke, and even logical. Especially the bit about Dedolant’s two-front war. That part about the survival of Ross Tannika made those initially agreeing with me bite their lips and back away.
Pride of the Empire is one aspect, and then there’s Dedolant’s strategy of forcing a two-front fight on us. Why did Dedolant attempt to shake Nobogorod? To impose a two-front war against the Empire, of course.
One key factor in determining victory or defeat in nation versus nation conflict is concentrating all forces on one front.
Right now, Dedolant’s stretched across two fronts—against the Empire and Ross Tannika. But they tried and failed to make the Empire experience the same nightmare.
Here we are, the Empire might as well give up that strategic high ground ourselves.
If Ross Tannika collapses, Dedolant will naturally refocus all their might on us. At that point, any preparation made to gain advantage will be meaningless.
“The General Staff maintains its previous stance; the current force is more than sufficient. Our pure combat personnel already exceed 200,000. With the addition of reserves and concentrated units, we’d probably have double that.”
“Your Majesty, I believe this is a situation where swift and decisive action is crucial. The Empire has spent these past six months resting and preparing, but Dedolant has not. They were busy assaulting the remaining Dugal territories yesterday while simultaneously applying pressure to Ross Tannika.”
The two opinions are certainly in contrast, but the decision lies with one person only—the Emperor.
Everyone, including myself, now looks solely to the Emperor, waiting for his words.
“Both opinions have been duly considered and hold merit, leaving even this Emperor in a difficult position to make an instant decision.”
“Sorry, Your Majesty.”
“However, the current situation is indeed dire. Procrastination could easily turn into a fatal flaw.”
The Emperor’s words suggest a decision leaning towards moving the First Army right away.
Of course, Dedolant forcing a two-front war played a large role. Though it’s regrettable, the staff side had its merits.
“Nevertheless. If we have many options available, isn’t it foolish to limit ourselves? Minister of War!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Let’s follow the Chief of the Imperial Staff’s advice. Let’s transfer the legions reserved at each border. Moreover, declare a mobilization order to reinforce the reserve and concentrated units and redeploy those troops intended for them into the First Army for pure combat.”
The Empire holds a tremendous hand, so let’s play it all.
It seems the Emperor’s way of telling us not to worry. Plus, our Empire has the means to accommodate both opinions right now.
“Chief of Staff.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Send orders to the commander of the First Army. Let him advance with the prepared legions in sequential waves.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
Finally, the Imperial forces surged over the borders—a war like none before, colossal in scale.
“Then, count on you, Chief of Staff.”
“What’s there to question, Minister?”
War Ministry and the General Staff—two departments similar yet distinct, competing while also needing cooperation.
Luckily, the heads of these departments seem not to have any major conflicts. In fact, they align quite well, which helps both parties.
“Tree branch.”
After exchanging pleasantries with the War Ministry personnel, Chief of Staff along with the General Staff members scurried off.
Their common trait? All have ties in some way, big or small, to the Consroker Marquisate faction.
“His Majesty sure does dote on the Chief of the Imperial Staff.”
“He’s got reasons. At such a young age, already having shown prowess on three different borders, even securing victories in two campaigns. If the Emperor didn’t value such talent, he wouldn’t deserve his name.”
Being a part of the General Staff but practically independent—the Chief of the Imperial Staff.
The current holder, Kael Klauwitz, the eldest son of the Duke of Bertier.
So far, he’d mostly been active in the military, especially among front-line officers.
Then, the successor and future Duke jumps straight into the head of the staff position.
With this situation, the long-time powerholder, Marquisate of Consroker, naturally felt the tension.
Really, worst-case scenario—if the court uses this war to weed out internal threats…
There’s only one way out: achieving undeniable, unmatched merit. And making the court accept some monopoly on power for a time.
“Our own General Staff Colonel, Mesok, did stand up strongly.”
“Indeed. Only someone at the level of Colonel would have been able to directly oppose the Chief of the Imperial Staff’s ideas.”
Being Marquis Consroker’s son with some good work in the Western Legion, Colonel Mesok has drawn a following within the staff.
Even the Chief of Staff pays a tiny bit of heed to him.
“I’m merely suggesting a course of action that benefits our Empire more. I mean no disrespect to the Chief of the Imperial Staff.”
“Exactly. Exactly. Surely, Colonel wouldn’t harbor such ill intentions.”
As suited staff advisors to various legions, no one here dismisses Kael as an inexperienced young man.
He’s accomplished too much for anyone sane to underestimate him.
Just, with his promotion, they might lose some sway. The growing power of Imperial Dukes could threaten their Marquis status.
Most importantly, they aspire to the same recognition Kael has received.
All these combined to put them in a position of wary competition with him.
“What we need to do now is ensure how overwhelmingly, how crushingly the newly formed First Legion dismantles those arrogant Dedolant forces.”
If they could have as great a triumph in this Western Campaign as Kael did in the East and South…
Surely, the Empire and Emperor would look upon them favorably.
Win they must. Win they will. It’s the destined result.
With a force this massive arrayed against lowly Dedolant, what could go wrong? Even so, assisting and advising the commander and each legion’s officers is a key role.
The goal of the General Staff personnel is singular: present Dedolant’s surrender to His Majesty during the New Year Celebration.
Meaning, they aim to settle this by the half-year mark.
“…”
“Your Highness Princess.”
“…”
“Your Highness?”
“…”
This is bad. It seems our staff personnel have upset Her Highness the Princess.
No matter our protests, however well-intentioned our actions, it seems the Princess views the General Staff as “jealous and envious of our young prodigy, already scheming to curb him.”
“I mean nothing against the Emperor’s acceptance of my suggestions. It is what it is.”
“But still! Kael has done so much, and instead of supporting him, they openly opposed him? Too blatant!”
“They must have had reasonable grounds to oppose.”
“Sure, they’ll say that! But we can’t know their true motives!”
Even I find her outburst a little unnecessary when I’ve personally said it’s fine. Yet, oddly enough, it gives me a little warm feeling.
“Trust me, Princess. If any issue arises, I won’t stay quiet.”
“I humbly, sincerely, request patience from you, Your Highness.”
In the end, nothing happened.
[Victory for Us. Defeat for Dedolant]
One month after the First Army moved forward and was supplemented by the General Staff, Dedolant, once reputed as the Western power, faced a crushing defeat.
The story here is simple: the Empire achieved an overwhelming victory.
