[Marquis Fran PoV]
Nearly two months have passed since the Empire declared war on the Venetian Republic. However, from what I have heard, the fighting between the two sides only just commenced at the Venetian Republic's first line of defense a few days ago.
It seems the war will last for a year before both sides enter negotiations based on the results of that year of conflict. In warfare, it is rare for two sides to utterly destroy one another to the last drop of blood. Usually, once their war resources are depleted, both sides will negotiate to end the conflict.
In a previous meeting with the Emperor, I declined the position offered to lead the Caballero 10 Unit because the security conditions here remain very fragile following the monster and demon attacks. Although my territory is very far from the active war front, I must not be careless simply because the Montana Mountains separate our land from the Venetian Republic and the Draconia Kingdom.
Currently, I am in my study reading reports from the five Reconnaissance units stationed in this region. The one that catches my eye most is the report from Reconnaissance Unit 21, led by Raul de Garcia. In his reports, he constantly combs through the Montana mountain range. Although it is nearly impossible for an enemy force to climb those mountains just to attack this region, they still refuse to ignore that small possibility.
— Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Marquis Fran, Raul de Garcia has just finished his mission and requests to see you in person."
The voice of the guard outside my room reaches me.
"Hmm... Quite a strange coincidence, just as I was about to summon him," I mutter, looking toward the door. "Let him in."
The door opens to reveal a black-haired youth standing there. He enters and walks toward my desk.
"Sit down, Raul," I command him. "What is it you wish to discuss with me?"
He sits and looks into my eyes seriously. "Marquis, have you just read the reports of the unit I led during several days of scouting?"
"Indeed, I wanted to ask you about this, Raul," I say to him. "Do you have a specific reason why the unit you lead always scouts the mountainous area?"
"Marquis, I am here to report our unit's findings from last night," Raul answers, his tone shifting slightly. "My reason for always monitoring that area is clear: to ensure whether or not enemy forces are using the mountain paths to attack this region."
"But if they used the Montana Mountain paths, half of their troops would die due to the temperature and dangerous terrain, would they not?" I question his reasoning. "It is impossible for the Draconia Kingdom to take a risk this great."
Even if they gained the advantage of surprise because we wouldn't predict it, I doubt there is a general willing to take such a risk.
"I saw their army last night."
Hearing the words come from this youth leaves me quite shocked. However, I must not dismiss the possibility and must remain open-minded.
"They are using a path that can be traversed without having to climb to altitudes of more than 1,500 meters," Raul reveals to me. "Because of that, it seems they will arrive in this region with the 40,000 troops they have in two days, without suffering many casualties."
"Raul, you aren't playing a joke on me, are you?" I ask. "You realize that what you just said is extremely serious?" I ask again to emphasize the weight of the information he has disclosed.
"If the Draconia Kingdom's forces do not attack within three days, then you may punish me for spreading false information, Marquis," Raul states.
Hearing his affirmation, I tap my fingers on my desk, thinking about what must be done to face 40,000 Draconia Kingdom troops about to invade this region.
"Marquis Fran, do you still remember the debt you owe me from when I defeated your daughter in the Academy Tournament?" Raul asks me.
My attention focuses back on him. "Of course I remember, but is this not an inappropriate time to discuss such a thing?"
"No, Marquis Fran. My request is related to the enemy that will attack later," Raul says, looking completely serious. "I want you to implement the plan I have made to defeat the 40,000 Draconia Kingdom troops."
"Very well, let us hear your plan first," I tell him.
Raul then explains the path taken by the Draconia Kingdom's main force, including its length, width, and the travel time required to pass through it. He says that the Draconian forces certainly won't carry much logistics so they can traverse the path faster. This is because they do not want our spies there to report their movements before they arrive, allowing them to attack us unexpectedly.
"Therefore, they will surely target the granaries and food of the villagers in this region to feed the 40,000 troops they bring," Raul says, informing me of the enemy's likely actions upon arrival. "I suggest you let them take the food stores in Gela Village so they think their invasion is succeeding, drawing them deeper into this territory."
Hearing his words, I try to guess what he is planning. It is standard practice to burn all food stores in our territory if an enemy attacks with far superior numbers, so they cannot use them to feed their large force.
"After the enemy captures Gela Village and Alto Village, they will surely target the small town of Sarisa, located 50 km east of Cataluna Fortress City," Raul explains, predicting the enemy's movement. "If they capture Sarisa, I want your forces to not wait for them. Instead, I want you to take our troops out and perform skirmishes without committing to a full battle with their army."
"Why must it be so? Wouldn't we have the advantage if we fought from within a fortified town?" I ask him.
"True, but if we do that, we won't have the initiative in the war on this front," Raul answers.
"Initiative? How do we gain the initiative against a force that outnumbers us nearly three to one?" I ask. "Even if we decrease their logistics availability in this region, they can still send supplies from the Venetian Republic through the path you mentioned earlier."
Raul pauses for a moment as if thinking before answering.
"I and the unit I lead will cut the main enemy's supply lines."
His answer makes me furrow my brows because what he says seems impossible; the enemy will surely guard the path that is their only connection back to the Venetian Republic.
"How will you do this?" I ask.
"I and my unit will prevent the logistical supplies sent by the Venetian Republic to the troops here from entering the path they used previously," Raul answers.
"That means you and your unit will operate inside the Venetian Republic? How will you get there? Will you also cross the mountains to reach their territory undetected? Do you have another route that allows you to cross those mountains without freezing to death?" I ask, doubting his plan.
"Do not worry about that; I have another secret path unknown to them," Raul answers. "Furthermore, I have a spy who can provide information regarding the logistical shipments the Venetian Republic will send to the Draconia Kingdom troops in this region."
A spy? It turns out this man has been planning this for a long time. Is it possible he also predicted the enemy would attack through that newly discovered path? This is why he was always scouting the mountains.
Raul de Garcia... He has predicted all of our enemy's movements even before the war began!?
"Very well then, how many troops do you need for this operation?" I ask.
"Currently, I lead about 50 members in Reconnaissance Unit 21. I want my unit increased to 200 members," Raul answers.
"Fine, I approve. Now, when will you begin this operation?"
"Exactly when they attack the small town of Sarisa."
After half an hour of discussing strategy, our discussion finally ends. Raul leaves my room to rest in the soldiers' barracks. I am still thinking about what we discussed. If this strategy works, we will be able to defeat 40,000 Draconia Kingdom troops without having to sacrifice many soldiers' lives.
***
[Alesio PoV]
The morning of the third day after we entered the Stretto Path...
The movement of the Draconia Kingdom's main forces is currently halted by a stone wall I mentioned during the war meeting. The Draconia Kingdom's earth element sorcerers are currently gathered 100 meters from the wall to collapse it so the main army can pass.
They all appear to be mumbling something and stand still for about ten minutes. As a Non-Sorcerer, I still don't understand how magic works, as it is something given directly by the Goddess to the humans living in this world.
"Earth Shatter!"
"Earth Shatter!"
After shouting that, the sorcerers stretch both hands toward the stone wall.
— Crack!
A crack appears on the wall. Not long after, the massive stone wall blocking the Draconia Kingdom's army shatters into small pieces. However, the debris still blocks much of the Stretto path. I suspect the sorcerers still have to move it elsewhere so the journey can continue.
After nearly an hour, everyone can finally resume the march to enter the Cataluna Margraviate of the Aragon Empire. Upon exiting the mountain area, we have finally reached the eastern edge of the Cataluna Margraviate. However, we must quickly secure the villagers' food granaries in this region before the Empire realizes we are here.
As I am checking my belongings, Adrien suddenly approaches.
"Master Alesio, General Melisandru has ordered a Reconnaissance Unit along with two thousand troops to secure the villagers' food stores in this region," the man says. "I have been ordered to lead this operation; I hope you can come with me to point out the villages in this area."
"Very well, but where is your weapon? Will you not join the fight if there are Imperial troops guarding the villages later?" I ask.
"Hahaha! I don't fight with weapons, Master Alesio! This alone is enough!" Adrien answers, clenching his fists.
I only nod in response. We then go to where the Reconnaissance Unit and the two thousand troops assigned to escort them are located. Everyone looks ready for their first action in this invasion of the Empire's eastern region.
"Everyone! Our target is the food stores of the villagers around this area! Do not let those people burn their food if you don't want us to starve in this war, do you understand!?" Adrien says to the troops lined up before him.
"Yes, Commander Adrien!"
"Yes, Commander Adrien!"
They answer loudly.
"Good, now let's move and complete our mission successfully!"
Everyone begins to move; the members of the Reconnaissance Unit stay far ahead to monitor the area around the two thousand troops we brought on this mission. Adrien and I are right at the front of the line so we can see the surroundings if something happens.
"Master Alesio, how far is the nearest village around here?" Adrien asks me.
"If we keep moving west for 20 km, we will reach Gela Village," I answer. "If I'm not mistaken, this village has a population of approximately 1,500 people."
"1,500 people, huh?" Adrien mutters, appearing to think. "Do you think the food stores they have will be enough to feed our army?"
"Maybe only for three to four days," I answer. "We will get a large supply of food once we reach the small town of Sarisa, 30 km west of Gela Village. For that, your troops must move quickly before they can respond to your arrival in this region."
"You're right, General Melisandru said he would move the main force again after resting for 3 hours," Adrien notes.
"Even if we don't get enough food supplies in this region, the Venetian Republic will also start sending convoys tomorrow carrying logistical needs for your troops," I reveal. "So, do not worry about starving during this invasion."
After chatting with Adrien for an hour, I see a settlement from a distance. We are close to Gela Village. Adrien then begins assigning the Reconnaissance Unit he brought to find the location of the villagers' food stores by posing as newcomers.
After half an hour, the leader of the Reconnaissance Unit approaches Adrien to report his unit's findings.
"Well, Captain? Did you find where the residents store their food?" Adrien asks.
"My unit found several warehouses for storing wheat and other food in the northern part of the village," the Captain answers. "Master Adrien, you must seize the northern area first to secure the food supply for our troops."
"Very well then, execute our operation immediately," Adrien orders.
After the attack order is issued, one Cavalry squadron is assigned to secure the granaries in the north while 1,000 Infantry units begin attacking from the east. There is minor resistance faced by the Infantry in taking the village because there are about 50 guards in the village who made barricades at strategic points. Nonetheless, we still manage to seize Gela Village and secure the food stores they have.
We take the residents here prisoner. Although I suggested killing all the residents because they will only be a burden to us, Adrien rejected my suggestion as he did not want his career record stained by such a foul act. After successfully capturing Gela Village, this place will serve as a temporary camp for the main forces heading here before moving to the small town of Sarisa.
"Congratulations on your success in conquering this village, Master Adrien," I say, congratulating him.
"Hah! This is just a village with weak defenses! I don't feel any sense of achievement in conquering this tiny village!" Master Adrien exclaims.
"Even so, we should be grateful that everything went smoothly, shouldn't we?" I reply. "Master Adrien, after this, we must also quickly conquer Alta Village, which is not far from here."
Adrien nods; he then orders the troops he brought to head for Alto Village, which is only 15 km from here. However, when we arrive nearly an hour later, the village buildings are emitting black smoke as if experiencing a fire.
The troops Adrien brought immediately rush to attack Alto Village and search for their food stores. However, we are a bit too late. Only three out of ten food supply warehouses are secured before the fires set by the Alto villagers consume them.
Hearing this bad news, Adrien becomes furious and punishes the captured residents by torturing them. It seems our presence was detected sooner than we estimated.
***
[Raul PoV]
Looking back, the plumes of smoke from the burning village are still visible to me. The unit I lead is currently escorting the residents who are willing to leave their home village. Although I and the others persuaded them, those residents insisted on not leaving because it would be the umpteenth time they had to leave their hometown, only to return from evacuation and find their homes destroyed by the attacks of monsters and demons.
Those who stayed are mostly the elderly and men. Currently, we are heading to the small town of Sarisa to prepare defenses so we are ready when the Draconia Kingdom's forces attack later. Additionally, we in the Reconnaissance Unit must burn the grass around this region so the enemy's horses will starve to death, preventing them from moving with high mobility. Furthermore, we had previously poisoned the residents' livestock so the enemy forces cannot eat them either.
"Captain!"
One of the members I lead approaches me.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Two kilometers to the north, our squad found about 30 enemy Reconnaissance troops," he reveals. "What should we do about them, Captain?"
"Are those thirty people wearing armor?" I ask back.
"About twenty are wearing plate armor and the remaining ten are wearing standard leather armor," he answers.
That means twenty enemy Knights are escorting ten of their Reconnaissance units scouting the area. Currently, I only have five members of the disciplinary committee with me and the remaining 25 are regular troops from the Reconnaissance unit.
If we fight, those twenty Knights would surely be able to easily defeat our side right now, especially with the residents being a burden to the unit I lead.
"Eric!" I call out to one of the disciplinary members following me on this mission.
He turns and rushes toward me.
"What is it, Captain Raul?"
"You lead this group toward the small town of Sarisa while I am away," I command him.
"Huh? Where are you going, Captain?" Eric asks curiously.
"I am going to distract the scouts around here so they don't get close to the group of residents we're bringing," I tell him as I walk toward one of the horses and mount it.
It seems that before long, I will spill someone's blood in this war.