Chapter 62 - Dealing with the Worst
This operation was merely a prediction, so I had to assign personnel separate from our main duties.
I recalled the youngest female soldier. She had sharp eyes, and even the sergeants vouched for her skills in forest operations. With Sergeant Major’s approval, I assigned her as a scout, utilizing her full capabilities as a shooter to search the predicted area of enemy appearance. The accompanying spotter and soldiers were sergeants handpicked by Sergeant Major. Additionally, I attached an engineering squad to set traps. I temporarily formed a special mobile scout party and ordered them to commence operations.
Furthermore, I modified the scouting magitech tool and issued it to the special mobile scout party. The scouting range was extended to an impressive radius of 5,000 yalds. However, its sensitivity was low, only reacting to powerful monsters and magical beasts, and it consumed a significant amount of mana. To manage this, I added a button to the helmet for switching the rune mode.
Under normal circumstances, it would function as before. But I instructed that it should primarily be used for long-range scouting. I also emphasized that they should retreat immediately if they sensed any danger. Seeing my serious expression, the female soldier also hardened her resolve, fully understanding the importance of this mission.
“I’m counting on you. This is a precautionary measure, but it could very well become the lifeline of our unit.”
“Understood, Sir! I will dedicate everything I have to complete this mission, Sir!”
“I expect results, but don’t push yourself too hard. Got it?”
“Understood, Sir!!!”
The young female soldier still had a hint of innocence in her. Her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes showed no signs of fear, but I worried she might become too absorbed in the mission. After all, this operation was merely a contingency plan—a precaution for the worst-case scenario. Yet, for some reason, it felt like the lifeline of my homeland.
...I muttered softly, almost as if to myself.
“Don’t die. Make sure you come back.”
Whether she heard me or not, she and her team set off from the Fortress with a gallant air.
―――― § ――――
The guerilla unit continued with their usual tasks as usual. They received reports, rushed to the scene, confirmed the situation, and dealt with it. Reports were sent not to the lord but to Eldest Brother. Father was focused on coordinating with neighboring knightly houses. With our forces diminished, mutual cooperation was essential to maintain peace in this frontier.
As evidence of this, we were even tasked with patrolling the Demonic Forest in the neighboring knightly families’ territory. I was silently coming to terms with the fact that this was necessary. While it was undesirable to intrude into another’s domain, these were extraordinary times. Refusing such a request could lead to the collapse of peace.
With a large-scale war raging, it was crucial for our territory to remain stable so that those on the frontlines could focus on their duties. Securing our home front was our responsibility.
Days passed like this. The special mobile scout party expanded their search deep into the Demonic Forest, covering a much larger area than planned. They seemed to be combing through the region meticulously, as confirmed by their regular updates. While I was slightly concerned, I knew the special mobile scout party understood the importance of their mission. Neither the sergeants nor the female soldier would cut corners. The scouting was progressing smoothly. They ventured deeper into the Demonic Forest than ever before, making several new discoveries, but those would have to be investigated another time. For now, our priority was to confirm whether the anticipated threats existed.
――――――
Suddenly, a “secret letter” arrived at the Fortress.
I was slightly surprised. It was undoubtedly a highly confidential document, complete with a special incantation for maintaining secrecy. The fact that it was delivered by a direct envoy from the royal guard showed how serious it was. I asked one of the communicators to prepare tea and ordered my adjutant to serve refreshments to the envoy.
After entering my office and dismissing everyone, I opened the letter.
The seal was from the Minister of War’s family. Of course, it wasn’t from the Minister himself—that much was obvious. So, who was it from? Naturally, it had to be him. I had heard from My Friend’s letter that he had achieved an unusual rise within the military ranks, but I had no idea what he was up to now.
Inside the sealed envelope were over a dozen blank sheets of paper. Ah, so he was using that invention of My Friend’s. I channeled my refined mana into the paper, and instantly, tiny characters appeared, forming a letter written in a style unbefitting a noble.
The letter detailed the conversion Second Brother had carried out, including the release of prisoners on the advice of our lord, the high countess. In other words, Second Brother had executed the plan we had discussed in Eldest Brother’s office that day.
The results were remarkable.
The massive imperial forces stationed across the border had slowed their movements. Military operations across the enemy lines had stalled, as described in the letter. The enemy soldiers who had been converted by our tactics had spread the word to other nations’ troops, letting them know that their nation’s symbols of authority still survived. This was significant. The imperial forces, led only by their supreme commander, his staff, and barrier troops, were barely holding together the crumbling alliance.
The barrier troops were busy whipping the reluctant allied troops into action, which only spread war-weariness among them. Second Brother’s plan... had partially succeeded. If my guess was correct, the commanders leading the decoys weren’t informed of the overall strategy. They were desperately trying to achieve something before the main elite forces from their homeland could mobilize.
The enemy was not a monolith.
The intricate power plays within the imperial court had sparked this war... Well, that was within my predictions. A massive war consuming vast resources would only continue if there was something to gain. Sensible people would try to stop it. Yet, the war had begun, and the declaration had been made.
――― The enemy believed they had the upper hand.
That must have been the case. He on the frontlines had pointed this out and asked me to speculate on the imperial military’s possible strategies. He wanted me to outline the possibilities. Back in the Knight Department, we had competed for top honors, but now our family ranks were worlds apart. Still, I was surprised by how highly he seemed to value my opinion. He didn’t specify his current position, so I couldn’t be sure...
Given his age, he likely wasn’t stationed at the general staff headquarters, so I treated this as a personal inquiry. Recalling my conversation with Eldest Brother, I outlined what I thought the empire might be planning. While incorporating a bird’s-eye view of the battlefield, I speculated that they might be considering a large-scale flanking maneuver, a [circumventing movement]. I also wrote that they might have obtained some kind of strategy capable of breaking through the deep layer of the Demonic Forest for this purpose.
Of course, I didn’t expect him to take this too seriously, but I wrote extensively anyway. Hehehe, I had always done well in theoretical studies. I enjoyed thinking and reading about military history. I filled page after page, predicting the empire’s likely strategies and their long-term ambitions, trying to pinpoint where we stood in their plans.
It ended up sounding like the ramblings of a madman, but we were on the same boat. I had never been taught how to write a proper confidential letter. This would have to do. It wasn’t meant to be a historic military document—just a personal letter. Still, to have it delivered by a royal guard envoy... The influence of the Minister of War’s family was truly formidable.
I handed the reply to the envoy, and after exchanging salutes, he left. The fine warhorse he rode suggested he was likely a royal guard close to the royal family.
His attire was standard for the kingdom, but he carried an air of nobility. It was unusual for someone of his stature to visit the commander of a mere knightly family’s guerilla unit. Did He think his family’s rank was ordinary? I felt a sudden urge to question him about that.
――― That night, an urgent report arrived at the Fortress from the female scout. It was not part of the regular updates.
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