NOVEL WEB Chapter 187: Invasion Of Ostarica (3)
One month later, at the Crown Prince’s camp of the Reich Empire’s military.
“General Yaeger, I always feel good when I see you. Who else but you would come up with the idea to feign stocking military supplies in the southeastern region of the empire to invade Chekovia, only to actually invade the western part of Ostarica?”
“That’s too much praise. I merely did what I had to do.”
“You should boast a bit more. If you’re this modest, most of the generals in the imperial army would look like fools who can’t even do their part.”
The Crown Prince was in such a good mood now because the expedition was proceeding very smoothly.
We hadn’t encountered a single proper resistance while we occupied the western region of the Grand Duchy beyond Innsbruck.
However, the size of the territory we had acquired was equivalent to 1.5 of the empire’s dukedoms, so it would be strange not to be laughing.
Moreover, according to the information sent by the scouts, there was no significant danger until we reach our destination near Linz…
Once a week, including the generals, after finishing the day’s march, we had permitted calling in camp followers near the empire’s border to hold a feast.
“The liquor, the liquor is coming in! Chug, chug it down!”
“You need to take a leak at some point. It’ll hurt if you keep drinking only alcohol.”
It would be best to prohibit such lax and playful behavior to maintain military discipline, but no matter how strictly I introduced and conducted training across the entire army, if control was always maintained throughout the months-long expedition, the soldiers’ morale, stamina, and will to fight would plummet.
Such an army would naturally weaken, so occasionally letting loose like that actually helped in real combat.
“Even if you participated in such enjoyable activities, no one would say anything. To think that even on such days, all you do is drink a cup of liquor with the soldiers. You’re not some monk or priest.”
“Isn’t that why I got married and had children?”
“Even the members of the Crusader Knights who existed 400 years ago would have been more indulgent in their desires than you. Good grief, you’re severe. So severe. We still have about a week before we encounter the enemy.”
At first glance, the Crown Prince’s words might sound like a reprimand to me, but in reality, they contained immense trust and goodwill.
“The harder I prepare, the higher our chances of winning increase. Also, the number of soldiers who can safely return home will increase.”
“Thanks to you, I’m also forced into a life of asceticism. Anyway, it seems there’s new information you’ve gathered about the Ostarica Grand Duchy’s military. What is it?”
“Yes, I’ve succeeded in identifying their specific size and location.”
Upon hearing that, the Crown Prince immediately switched from his playful expression to serious mode, ready to listen.
Seeing that, I bowed my head and began with an apology.
“The Ostarica Grand Duchy’s military is gathered near the city of Linz. The size of the gathered forces is approximately 180,000, much more than I had anticipated. I apologize for reporting an unexpected situation.”
After hearing my words, the Crown Prince realized it was a bad situation for the imperial army, and although he was about to express anger about this shitty situation, he held back.
Then, perhaps understanding that I, not being a god, could not control all variables of the Ostarica army, sighed deeply, guzzled down the beer in front of him, and asked,
“Damn it, but what can we do? You’re human, so you couldn’t have predicted such variables. But there’s only one important thing, right? Whether we can win or not.”
110,000 imperial troops versus 180,000 Ostarican troops.
Although the enemy outnumbered us by about 1.6 times, when looking back at numerous wars, such a difference in forces could be sufficiently overturned by the commander’s ability.
Moreover, our entire imperial army was a legion that had been thoroughly controlled according to rational military law and standard training far ahead of its time.
Even against the Ostarican army, which merely had high morale and an overwhelmingly large number, we had a good chance of winning.
“Being too confident in victory can be a foolish act that weakens the troops. However, if we consider all variables and calculate… we have a sufficient chance of winning, Your Highness.”
Thanks to the trust I had built up over time, the Crown Prince showed a satisfied smile on his face at my words.
To further assure this person, who showed me infinite trust in our victory, I decided to bring up a past memory.
“Your Highness, do you remember the first time we went to war together in Bisochea?”
“Back then, your father-in-law was the deputy commander with the rank of lieutenant general. You performed beyond what I had imagined at that time.”
“Thanks to Your Highness’s support, I had the opportunity to excel. And the reason I could demonstrate outstanding combat ability was because the soldiers under my command were strong.”
If I were to add to my bragging, I could say something like this,
“A flock of sheep led by a lion is stronger than a pride of lions led by a sheep.”
However, what was important now was not that, but to inform His Highness how strong his army was and to give him confidence.
“On the first day of the battle in Bisochea, the unit I led defeated one infantry battalion and repelled a knight battalion attacking from the flank using only infantry.”
Defeating one infantry battalion could be simply attributed to the strength of the unit.
However, it was significant that the infantry, who were usually at a disadvantage against knights, even though it was only 40 men, defeated a knight battalion approaching from the flank.
Because our current infantry was at a level where, if the commander was competent, we could win even against enemy knights attacking from the flank.
This meant there was no need to specifically mobilize knights to counter enemy knights, allowing us to use all our knights to sweep away the majority of the enemy, which were infantry.
“This was possible solely because I trained the soldiers rigorously and controlled them thoroughly according to strict discipline. The impact of the commander’s ability and the soldiers’ actual combat experience was, in fact, not that significant.”
In truth, my command also had a significant impact.
However, most of the soldiers under my command at that time were essentially recruits with no actual combat experience.
It was also true that, as I mentioned, the power of training and discipline according to principles played a significant role.
“And this time, the 110,000 troops of the imperial army led by Your Highness have all completed the training received by the subordinates of Yaeger’s battalion back then. Thus, each soldier in the army led by Your Highness is capable of facing ten enemy soldiers.”
Had another general said this, the Crown Prince might have regarded my words as mere encouragement meant to boost morale.
But just as nonsense from a professor in the field could seem plausible, when someone like me, who had turned around impossible situations several times, said it, it was taken as an obvious fact.
“Therefore, our expeditionary force has ample chance of success. Please believe me, Your Highness.”
At my words, the Crown Prince laughed heartily and said,
“I worried for nothing. Yes, what can’t be done when I’m on the battlefield with someone like you?”
“Yes, and as the commander of the 7th Guard Division, I intend to achieve the greatest possible merit to not tarnish the name of Princess Louise. My soldiers are prepared to do the same.”
The Crown Prince made a meaningful expression when I mentioned the 4th Princess and said,
“Louise, who admires knights and princesses from chivalric literature, would be overjoyed to hear what you just said. I plan to send a letter along with tomorrow’s expedition report; I must tell Louise that you said this.”
It was nice to see that the two siblings, especially in a position where political strife was common, got along so well.
“By the way, is there something you’d like me to do? Even though I leave the overall military command to you, I must also act as a commander to cover any dishonor.”
After hearing that, I thought for a moment and then said,
“To boost the soldiers’ morale when we take to the battlefield, I would like to borrow a part of the personal guard, Your Highness’s armor, and the flag.”
The Crown Prince chuckled and then said,
“If we lose this time, my political career as a royal will be completely over. The same goes for you, I presume. So, I will also lead the personal guard and stand directly on the front lines. We must fight with the readiness to die to see a way to live.”
And when fifteen days had passed, as expected, we faced the enemy on the Linz Plains.
Their number was also as expected—180,000.
Both armies were in the process of setting up camp to start the war.
Seeing the enemy, who were 63% more in number than us, our soldiers were disheartened, and upon seeing this, His Highness quietly advanced with the flag.
“Do not be afraid! We will surely win. They are nothing but a ragtag bunch, only more in number than us. Have we not toiled hard to become strong soldiers? The sweat we have shed will now return as the enemy’s blood. From now on, we will scout the enemy lines and enter into a strategy meeting.”