Chapter 39: Famous General vs Famous General

In September of Kingdom Year 487 (Imperial Year 202), while the battle on the Kabachi Plains continued, Kaito advanced to his second year at the Royal Knight Academy. To put it bluntly, the second year of the Hero Chevalier course at the Royal Knight Academy was a “laid-back year.” It consisted of only two PE classes and one camp techniques class per week. For that, they received three gold coins a month, plus free meals and housing.

This ease existed for a clear reason. At the end of second year, students had to choose their paired Saint Knight Paladin and head to the battlefield one year later. Not every candidate could handle that terror without wanting to run away. The two years including third year allowed them a self-indulgent lifestyle. It was the “candy” handed out in advance before the brutal “whip” that followed.

Until now, the “march training” held at the beginning of second year had provided some discipline, but due to last year’s accident, this year’s march training was canceled. Because of that, it was expected that this year’s second-years would become even more degenerate than usual.

“Out of fifty, ten actively take electives, twenty take a decent amount, and the remaining twenty just play around. That’s how hero candidates usually are…”

Headmistress Lilia Shurisupu narrowed her eyes at the unexpected results. Fifty “Elective Course Application Forms” lay on her desk.

“It seems Stefan Landsberg went around persuading them. He told them that if they wanted to live long, they shouldn’t fool around here…”

“And the fact that Lord Walter Wackenheim provided recommended subjects was also huge. Of course physical education and camp techniques, but also military strategy, military history, geography, and even things like negotiation tactics.”

The professors were also surprised. Not everyone, but a considerable number of candidates had chosen their subjects quite seriously. Lilia checked them one by one and finally looked at Kaito’s application form.

“But the top student seems to be taking three days off a week?”

“There was a note from the student himself. He said he will spend all of Wednesdays at the Volfort family estate learning swordsmanship and martial arts. He’ll be receiving direct instruction from the current head and the next head.”

“There’s also quite a lot of classroom subjects. Especially ‘Economics,’ which is meant for administrative officers. That one wasn’t even on Lord Wackenheim’s recommended list?”

“That’s just the boy’s hobby. If you ask him why, he’ll probably say ‘because it looked interesting.’”

The usual breakdown of “top 20%, middle 40%, bottom 40%” had shifted this year to “top 30%, middle 50%, bottom 20%.” This was the moment the professors first took notice of the hero Chevaliers who would later be called the “Class of 487.”

“Heh… Guess asking Stefan was the right move. If I tried to convince them myself… it definitely would’ve failed.”

The sound of shoes squeaking on the floor and the metallic clash of practice swords echoed.

“‘Anyone who wants to die can die on their own. Only those who want to live long should follow me’… Saying it like that would just start fights. Kaito’s impression from first year is… way too strong. Plus he’s got four Saint Knights around him, so he’s already getting dirty looks. For now, as the top student, I want him to just… show his back… and lead by example!”

Inside the indoor training hall, Kaito and Stefan were sparring with thrusting swords. Kaito’s straight attacks were skillfully parried, followed by sharp counterattacks. Kaito dodged using raw physical ability and pressed forward again. After several exchanges, Stefan came out victorious.

“Your attacking style changed. Before you used to try all kinds of tricks, but today you came straight at me, sticking to the basics.”

“I was told to train the ‘real’ part first. Apparently I rely too much on the ‘empty.’ The real thing crushes the empty in an instant.”

Breathing heavily, they reviewed the match. Afrodia handed a towel to the sweating Stefan. Their relationship seemed to be going well. As a noble, Stefan was apparently strict about chastity and had no intention of embracing Afrodia until they truly understood each other. She was a graceful beauty with flaxen hair and a developed body, but Kaito wasn’t hurting for women enough to make a move on his friend’s partner.

“Talent is basically adaptability. The kind of person who ‘hears one and understands ten.’ Unfortunately, Kaito doesn’t have that. All he can do is continue basic training and fight a ton of matches.”

The one standing in front of Kaito right now was a sharp-eyed blue-haired beauty. Arms crossed, she was critiquing the previous match. She didn’t bother handing him a towel. Seen like this, she could even pass for a handsome man. Yet on top of the bed she cried and screamed in feminine ecstasy…

“…Did you just think something perverted? Lucky for you, there are no more classes today. I’ll train you thoroughly after this.”

The beautiful swordswoman narrowed her eyes with a cold smile. At some point she had picked up a wooden sword. If she was going to “train” him, Kaito wished she’d train the sword between his legs.

“So, how are things looking up north?”

Lilia asked from her seat, looking at the young Hero Chevalier before her. In the headmistress’s office were Lilia, Kaito, Stefan, and the five Saint Knight candidates.

“With the appearance of the new weapon called the cannon, General Phalanx temporarily withdrew. But he’s already begun his counterattack. The Imperial Army’s goal is to build strong fortresses on both banks of the Arus River that flows through the center of the plains and use them as a bridgehead to attack Valihart Grand Fortress. If those forts are completed they will indeed become a bridgehead, but it won’t be that easy. If I were in the enemy commander’s position, I would even consider retreating.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

“Because all his calculations were overturned. Prince Austro Tolmakia must have planned a decisive battle with the cannons aiming for a single lethal strike. And that plan succeeded. General Phalanx was driven into a crisis and his most elite direct troops were on the verge of annihilation.”

“And then you jumped in and ruined his aim…”

“Well, it’s true he probably didn’t anticipate my appearance… but I don’t think that alone was enough to overturn everything. From Austro’s perspective, killing General Phalanx would’ve been ideal. Even if he escaped, he should have had plenty of time to finish building the forts. General Phalanx isn’t stupid enough to charge straight into an unknown weapon. He would’ve taken his time to investigate it…”

“I see. So that’s why you did the solo infiltration. To check out that cannon.”

Stefan nodded, impressed.

“General Phalanx probably thought the same thing. The reason he didn’t have to worry about who to send was because I was there. Actually, Austro’s the strange one. He got interrupted by a mysterious cavalry unit that appeared out of nowhere and might’ve been pissed off, but he was slow to notice the night raid’s true aim. And above all, he let me escape. If I were in his position, I definitely would’ve killed me.”

Kaito explained while facing Stefan, organizing his thoughts. Lilia wore a thoughtful expression.

“Austro Tolmakia is the man expected to become the next emperor, you know? You exchanged words with him, even if briefly. From your perspective, what kind of person did Austro Tolmakia seem like?”

“General Phalanx asked me the same thing. I felt he was an extraordinary man. He has ambition and dignity, but he doesn’t get emotional and makes calm decisions. If I had to compare him, he’s like what Lord Walter Wackenheim would be if he became a general.”

“The highest praise. And the worst possible evaluation for the kingdom. As for your earlier question, Kaito, I think Austro Tolmakia simply found you valuable. Just like General Phalanx, great generals always seek talented subordinates. Especially someone who managed to outwit them.”

“…A debt of one life, then?”

“Whether that’s a debt or just naivety is up to you. So? Will General Phalanx succeed in recovering the lost ground?”

When Lilia asked, Kaito nodded. But despite his attitude, deep down he wasn’t sure. That uncertainty slipped into his words.

“If the opponent were an average general…”

“Papa is the strongest famous general in the history of the kingdom! No matter who the opponent is, he’s definitely going to win!”

Elsa shouted. She was scared, but she clearly loved her father. Kaito nodded and placed a hand on Elsa’s shoulder.

“You’re right. My wording was bad. General Phalanx will win. I’ve met the general, and I’ve faced Austro. Even so, I can’t picture a scene where General Phalanx loses to Austro Tolmakia.”

Lilia said nothing more and simply nodded silently.

“Kaito, I know what you’re really thinking. You said that back there, but honestly, you’re also considering the possibility that General Phalanx could lose, aren’t you?”

After sending the other six away, Lilia asked for Kaito’s true feelings in the now-empty headmistress’s office. Kaito frowned slightly but nodded.

“Unfortunately, I’d say it’s fifty-fifty. Valihart Grand Fortress is sturdy, but it only has around fifty thousand troops. That’s the number calculated based on the Empire’s mobilization capacity. Attacking an enemy that’s gone on the defensive leaves us short on numbers. We need at least another ten thousand—ideally twenty thousand. Then we could pin the enemy down and send a separate force to strike the fort construction site directly.”

“The military has received a request for reinforcements from the general. But honestly, it’s difficult.”

“Why? …No, I get it. They’re worried about taking responsibility, right?”

Lilia nodded with a look like she wanted to click her tongue. Enormous amounts of tax money flowed from the kingdom into Valihart Grand Fortress on the front lines. To corrupt individuals, it was basically a mountain of vested interests. Simply lowering the quality of the soldiers’ meals a little could allow massive embezzlement.

For ten years, Belgarad Phalanx had stood as the undefeated famous general and guardian of that juicy territory. Naturally, he had never engaged in such corruption, and none of the northern interests had been funneled back to the military faction. It was no surprise that those who resented this situation were now moving in the shadows.

(Those filthy bastards… They probably won’t realize how stupid they’re being until their own heads are on the chopping block.)

“As the academy, we can’t just come out and say ‘send reinforcements.’ The most we can do is downplay what you did up north. But if General Phalanx were to be removed from command…”

“Then Valihart Grand Fortress will fall shockingly fast. The north will be occupied by the Imperial Army and the kingdom will be in crisis.”

“All we can do is pray that the general achieves victory…”

In the headmistress’s office bathed in the light of the setting sun, shadows fell across both their faces.

Leaving only the minimum garrison at Valihart Grand Fortress, the Phalanx Army marched out in full force. Their total strength reached forty-eight thousand. On the other side, Austro Tolmakia’s Imperial Army numbered thirty-three thousand. Austro assigned eight thousand men to defend the fort construction site under Leopold Schwaik. A short distance south of that site, he had formed a solid defensive line with twenty-five thousand troops.

“As expected, we don’t have enough soldiers. It looks like the Empire prepared in advance to defend the south bank. The walls have already started going up. Even if we send fifteen thousand men around as a separate force, breaking through will be difficult.”

“Even so, if we commit our entire army to a frontal assault, the eight thousand in the rear will move as skirmishers. We have to crush the enemy, but they’re perfectly fine with a stalemate.”

Staring at the map of the central Kabachi Plains, Phalanx sank deep into thought. He considered various tactics, but they simply lacked the numbers to break that solid formation. In that case, they would have to strike from an unexpected angle.

“The enemy has thrust deep into the Kabachi Plains. That means their supply line is stretched thin.”

Phalanx picked up one of the pieces and placed it across the Arus River on the northern edge of the Kabachi Plains.

“We station three thousand troops in the north and cut their supply line. Of course the enemy will prepare for this. But the most unpleasant thing for the defending side is having someone get behind them. Simply placing troops in the north will attack their psychology. They will definitely send soldiers to deal with those three thousand. That’s when we strike.”

Everyone nodded at the famous general’s plan.

“They will definitely send troops north. If I were them, I’d strike the supply line first. So…”

Leopold Schwaik, acting on Austro’s strategy, made a bold move. The eight thousand men who were supposed to be the garrison encircled and annihilated the three thousand Kingdom troops that had advanced north. It was a gamble of sorts. Belgarad Phalanx did not engage in adventurous tactics. He used his vast battlefield experience, sharp intellect, and advanced military knowledge to fight rationally. Against such an opponent, an apparently reckless and irrational fighting style could sometimes prove more effective. This was exactly one of those times.

“Looks like we got played. I never expected him to empty his own camp…”

Thanks to an unconventional, irrational surprise tactic, the Empire won the first clash. More than half of the three thousand separate force were wiped out. Just like when Paul Shurisupu had faced the same thing, a single clever ploy had succeeded.

“Perhaps I’ve grown rusty after ten years of nothing but defense. Can’t be helped. We’ll stack standard moves. We’ll wear down the enemy before us through continuous attacks. Split our forces into three groups of fifteen thousand each. Attack day and night in rotation. Rotate the Saint Knights as well and throw them in sequentially to shave away the enemy garrison from the surface. Mobilize the fortress garrison and medical units as well. Establish secure supply lines between the front and the fortress.”

It was a “quantity operation” possible only because the attackers had forty-five thousand while the defenders had twenty-five thousand. They charged from outside cannon range, fired flaming arrows into the enemy defensive lines, sent small groups of Saint Knights to thin the enemy soldiers, then withdrew at the right moment. Immediately afterward the second wave would charge in and repeat the process. Phalanx’s strategy was to launch unrelenting attacks so the enemy would never get a chance to rest.

“So this is how you break ‘Phalanx’s Shield’! Tactics don’t matter. They’re just pushing with sheer numbers while accepting the sacrifices…”

Austro ground his teeth. Looking only at the fifteen thousand currently attacking, the enemy had fewer troops than them. But if they tried to surround them, a second wave would immediately come from the rear. In the end, they could only endure.

“Your Excellency…”

“Surround and intercept the Saint Knights! Pull back the wounded and have the rear units fill any gaps immediately!”

Austro began issuing orders rapidly. Fast horses and signal flags were raised one after another. Chief of Staff Partina Sircury sent a messenger to Schwaik at the fort construction site. The Kingdom Army no longer planned to circle around behind them. They intended to crush the Imperials with raw power. They couldn’t afford to use the eight thousand garrison as skirmishers either. The enemy had split into three forces of fifteen thousand each. Eight thousand would simply be counterattacked. At best they could only serve as reserve units for rotation.

“We’ll split the eight thousand at the fort construction site in half. Four thousand will continue construction, and the remaining four thousand will join the defense!”

It was impossible for Austro to issue every order alone. The staff officers each had their roles and worked to maintain the “Phalanx’s Shield” formed by the twenty-five thousand men.

“Nffuffuffu… They’re trying hard, aren’t they? But it’s just a cheap imitation after all. Every single soldier in my army has this coordination drilled into them. That’s why even without direct orders, the field commanders can make the right decisions and hold the line for long periods. I wonder just how long the supreme commander and his handful of staff officers can last?”

Later historians would divide the Battle of the Kabachi Plains into two halves. The first half was when Phalanx’s solid formation was broken by the cannon and he was forced to retreat to the fortress. The second half was when the roles of attacker and defender reversed and Phalanx, now on the offensive, tried to break through the “Phalanx’s Shield.”

The first half had endangered Phalanx’s own life. The second half threatened the destruction of the Imperial Army. Their remaining food supplies had dwindled to just a few days, and because of the constant attacks, even retreat had become difficult. Little by little, like peeling away thin layers of skin, the solid formation began to crumble. Of course the attacking Kingdom Army was not unscathed. Countless corpses littered the field. Blood dripped from Phalanx’s fist.

The two famous generals destined to go down in history continued desperately enduring a battle in which they were grinding each other down like whetstones.

The situation on the Kabachi Plains changed dramatically on September 8th. The Imperial Army, whose food stockpiles had dropped below ten days, had reduced rations and kept fighting until they were down to just three days’ worth and were truly cornered, finally received the long-awaited good news.

“Report! An urgent messenger from Grantberg Fortress has arrived!”

“Bring him immediately!”

Austro, his face blackened with sweat and mud, waited impatiently for the messenger. The soldier, carried in while gasping for breath, collapsed to the ground but still shouted loudly.

“The supply train has already departed from Grantberg Fortress and is heading this way! Following them, a total of ten thousand troops consisting of the capital garrison and Grantberg garrison will depart in stages! The supply train will arrive tomorrow evening, and the reinforcements the day after!”

Having shouted this, the soldier collapsed. Austro forgot he was in front of his men and unconsciously clenched his fist. The nearby staff officers’ cheers covered it.

“Tell every soldier this news! Shout it loud enough for the enemy and Phalanx’s ears to hear! Two days! If we hold for just two more days, this battle is our victory!”

“Starting tonight, restore the full rations! Tomorrow we’ll receive more food than we can even eat! And strengthen the front lines! Phalanx may launch a fierce assault!”

The staff officers shouted out the orders. Austro’s clenched fist trembled as he looked toward the Kingdom Army and whispered softly.

“We’ve won…”