Chapter 262 - Episode 255: Deployment
The primary nobles were all gathered in the headquarters tent, where a map was spread across the table and the military council began.
"First, it is correct that the total strength of the Lordberg Kingdom's Western Army is approximately 6,000, yes?"
"Yes. I have confirmed this through the messengers sent to this camp from each noble house. 5,000 have already assembled, and the remaining 1,000 should be gathered within a week."
The one who answered Noein's question was Baron Noah Wikander, a noble whose lands lay on the border with the kingdom's south, and who had been participating in the construction of the defensive line in this region since before winter. Because this was a formal military council, his tone was one that respected Noein's position and rank.
Among the mobilized forces of each noble, the largest was the army of 600 from Viscount Koenitz's territory. Others included 250 from Arqvist's territory, 300 from Baron Oggoren's territory, 250 from Baron Wikander's territory, 500 from Viscount Barassen's territory, 80 from Baron Rosbroke's territory, and further forces from other noble territories.
The ducal territory, placed at the western edge of the kingdom as the eyes of the royal family, was a medium-sized territory with a population of about 5,000, yet they had sent 400 troops. The representative was the Duke's eldest son, but to maintain the balance between the royal relatives and the local nobles, his position was no different from that of the other nobles.
"I understand. Next, I will explain the location we have designated as the primary battlefield for our Western Army, and how we will fight. Around the southeast of Viscount Barassen's territory... we will set up our camp in this section where the Valerian Highway is sandwiched between hills."
Noein pointed to a single spot on the Valerian Highway on the map.
"We will build a defensive line here and intercept the enemy. If we deploy on the highway, the enemy cannot ignore us, and since this point is surrounded by hills on the left and right, we can avoid clashing head-on with a large army all at once. The hills are covered in forests, so there should be little concern about being flanked. We will place shooting units using bows, crossbows, and ballistas in the center as the vanguard, and arrange infantry units behind and to the sides of them to prepare for close-quarters combat."
Noein continued his explanation without hesitation. This was a strategy he had devised while receiving advice from Frederick and Yuri beforehand, but by explaining it with a dignified attitude, he aimed to demonstrate that he possessed the caliber to serve as the general of a large army of 6,000.
"I believe everyone here has already heard, but our basic strategy is to inflict aftereffects on the enemy using 'Angel's Nectar.' By enduring the enemy's offensive and paralyzing as many enemies as possible, we will force the Republic of Betumia to retreat."
At Noein's words, more than half of the nobles once again showed complicated expressions. Some among them glared at Noein openly.
Noein paid no mind to this and continued speaking.
"This is the plan that His Majesty King Oscar Lordberg III has acknowledged... no, the plan that His Majesty ordered to be executed, as the only way the Lordberg Kingdom can repel the invasion of the Republic of Betumia. Anyone who does not obey will be executed regardless of their status, under my authority as General of the Western Army."
Noein spoke with a gentle tone, but while looking around the tent with a gaze as cold as ice. The nobles were enveloped in tension, and several nobles who had glared at Noein just moments ago physically took a step back.
"...Your Excellency Arqvist."
"Yes, what is it, Lord Oggoren?"
Noein immediately responded to Tobias, who called him "Your Excellency" for the sake of the other nobles present.
"I understand the advantage of deploying here... however, I have heard that the enemy's main force in the western kingdom exceeds 20,000. Considering the total number of enemies, they could likely call for reinforcements from the rear if they so desired. In contrast, we have 6,000. With such a difference in combat power, will the defensive line not eventually be broken by brute force?"
This was a question based on a prior agreement. He had Tobias ask it first, as it was likely something others were also thinking. By doing this, it made it easier for Noein to answer and allowed the so-called "Arqvist faction" to project a strong presence.
"That is correct. Our condition for victory is to make the enemy decide to retreat before our formation is collapsed by the enemy's brute force. The key will be how long we can endure and how many enemy casualties we can increase. Therefore, I have considered several plans to catch the enemy off guard and maintain the front line for as long as possible. For example—"
Noein revealed two or three of the plans he had prepared. The reactions of the nobles to these varied from admiration for Noein's ingenuity to exasperation at his cunning.
"In addition to these plans, there are small units intended to infiltrate the kingdom's south and throw the enemy's rear into chaos. Let us place our expectations on their activities as well."
Combining the forces of the center, east, and west, there were about 45,000. The remaining 5,000 troops would be divided into small units of several to several dozen people, infiltrating the kingdom's south via routes other than the highway to engage in guerrilla warfare. These small units would primarily consist of skilled warriors and mages held by each noble house. This was because the individual combat power of such experts is more effectively utilized in small-scale skirmishes.
It was also a crucial strategy for this battle to have these small units attack Betumia's scouts, supply units, and looting parties—soldiers acting in small numbers—to increase casualties while confusing the front line. Additionally, their mission was to contact survivors in the south to convey their plan and, if possible, share the 'Angel's Nectar.'
"However, the small units will have to march while taking large detours around the main highways to avoid being discovered by the enemy. It will likely take several weeks before they begin to achieve results... until then will be the time for us to hold our ground."
"...Um, regarding the march of those small units, I would like to make one proposal."
The one who spoke up hesitantly was Viscount Barassen, the representative of the southwestern nobles present.
"I have already mentioned this to Lord Oggoren and Lord Wikander, but there are the Romulus Foothills in the south of this Viscount Barassen territory. If they pass through these, small units can be sent to the rear without straying too far from the Valerian Highway."
The Romulus Foothills were a mountain range extending south from the southern part of Viscount Barassen's territory, piercing through several other noble territories of various sizes. The silver veins found here were the source of the Barassen family's wealth.
"Through the Romulus Foothills? No matter how small the scale, moving through the middle of a mountain range seems dangerous."
"No, the thing is... actually, there is a secret mountain path within these mountains. It is a path that existed since before the founding of the kingdom, known only to a very few noble houses located at the northern and southern ends of the range. To save on the transit taxes when crossing noble territories, I have let merchants under my employ use it."
"...I see."
Noein responded to Viscount Barassen's words with a wry smile.
There were not a few people who, hating to pay transit taxes at checkpoints, would deviate from the highway and cross territorial borders despite the danger. Since there were nobles who took advantage of being at transportation hubs to charge excessive transit taxes to line their own pockets, it was not an act that could be denied across the board.
However, for a noble themselves to encourage it and let their own merchants profit was, to put it mildly, quite improper. It would not be strange for it to develop into lawsuits or conflicts with nobles who missed out on collecting transit taxes. That was likely why Viscount Barassen spoke with such awkwardness.
"If we move too many people, they will surely catch the enemy's eye, but it is a mountain path that can be used without problem if we only move small-scale units back and forth. We have already found it useful for our reconnaissance up until now."
Noah added a supplement to prove that Viscount Barassen's words were true.
"If that is the case, let us utilize it for sending in small units and scouts from now on. Viscount Barassen-kakka, you have done well to reveal such a precious secret mountain path. I thank you. So that you are not disadvantaged by having hidden the mountain path, I shall put in a good word for you in various quarters after the war."
"Ah, no, that's..."
When Noein spoke the latter part jokingly, Viscount Barassen nodded while sweating from his forehead.