The Strategist Knows Everything - Volume 3 Chapter 1

Part III: The Imperial State Edition

Chapter 1: The Front Line 2

Translated by: Hiro02

Edited by: SevenTails

 It was about a week after we, Nox and I, arrived in the Imperial State that Albion had invaded previously.

 We wanted to be the first to rush to support them, but the Imperial State did not allow us to do so. Our treatment was very polite and sincere, but it seems that the Imperial State had its pride and didn’t want to rely on reinforcements from Veris right away.

 Thus, for the first two weeks, we could only talk to those who were important in the kingdom that came to greet us.

 I then realized that the people of the Imperial State understood that they were weak. They knew that if Veris were to be defeated and the continent’s balance broken, the next target would be them. Despite this, they lacked a sense of urgency. Perhaps because they had not experienced war since long ago, they thought that even in the event of Albion’s invasion, they could manage if they mobilized all the defensive forces on the borders. And when Albion started to get serious about it, they would ask for our help. They began to say things like, “I’d like to ask for your help when Albion starts to get serious about it.”

 As expected, or should I say it was natural? The imperial border defenders fell back after a disastrous defeat to the invading Albion forces. The robust forts built on the borders were breached, and the remaining troops of the defensive forces and the imperial army from all over the region gathered in the less vulnerable and fragile forts inside the Imperial State, creating a second defensive front.

 It was only then that Nox received a request to join the battle. This was after about three weeks of being in the Imperial State.

 Even with this, I was able to make full use of the connections I had built up since I came to the imperial kingdom to speed things up. I even went to the emperor’s residence to explain to him the current situation and the dangers. So somehow, Nox was able to get to the front line before it was too late.

 Unlike Veris, here we can’t expect a large backup, but even then, we have to produce results. Despite feeling that kind of pressure, we somehow managed to maintain the defensive front for the past six months.

 I don’t know what’s going to happen now.

”I guess it’s our job to do something about it.”

“Yes. There are just too many problems to deal with, though.” Mikana, who was compiling a report on the last battle beside me, responded.

 I mutter and pull up a map on the screen. It was a map of the entire area of the second defensive front where we are.

 The three forts were the cornerstone of the Empire’s defensive operation, and Albion was trying to capture them by force. Nox and I were made into a makeshift garrison, just behind those three forts. Our role was to provide quick reinforcements to the forts should it come to, and this was where the information came first.

 Our garrison was just a rebuilt abandoned village, a not very nice one, but the people of Nox were enjoying their life here, calling it home. Perhaps it was because they liked it so much.

 I wouldn’t complain if there were no battles, but battles were happening almost every single day. Whether or not we get called for reinforcements depends on the moment, but I, as the commander, needed to keep a constant sense of urgency.

 Not only do we have to hold the line, but we also have to push them back.

“Is it really true that the Imperial army is in a difficult situation now?”

“You’re getting to the heart of the matter. Well, unless… the entire Imperial army starts to move, it’s going to be tough to push them back. That’s the situation, plus it was painful to let the general get away in the last battle.”

“If I remember correctly, about my apology, Yukito-sama would have told me not to worry about it, right?”

“I’m just kidding. Don’t look so serious.”

 I say with a smile and I mutter to myself that I wish the Imperial State would take it as seriously as Mikana does.

 Behind Nox was an army that was going to set up a third defense line. They seemed to be preparing various defenses in case this front is breached, but if they have the time for such things, they should have just quickly taken back the forts that were captured by the Albion. Even in these places, the Imperial State’s cowardice was evident.

 We won’t win if we were like this, but we didn’t have time to explain that to the Emperor. It was roughly five days from here to the imperial capital. It will take ten days to get there and come back. It was not good to leave Nox away for that long. They would be able to manage if the enemy was normal, but recently, Albion’s movements were suspicious.

“The Four Wise Men of Albion… ”

“The four men who in normal times were explorers of their own wishes, who did what they desired with the full support of Albion. Yet, in times of danger for Albion, they were the commanders who led the armies, they were the ones who turned themselves into the most powerful sorcerers. Do you think they will come out?”

 Mikana asked me questions while asking about why I looked like that. Whenever she asked about why my face was like that, it meant I had a stern look.

 From Mikana’s reaction, I realized for the first time that I had a stern look on my face and chuckled with a gasp.

“I think they are going to do it. I can see Albion getting into an alliance with the Empire and the Republic.”

“Are you suggesting that I should turn the forces I’m supposed to be sending to you?”

“Yes, but the alliance between the Imperial State and Albion is based on temporary interests, and they won’t turn their forces to the Imperial side. It’s the Republican forces that will have to come around. I’ve heard that the Imperial State’s forces and the Veris area have always been trained in actual warfare exercises, but I wonder what the Republican forces are like.”

 I said that deliberately in a hilarious way, but I wasn’t optimistic. The Republican Army would certainly have no experience in warfare, but if the Republic loses the battle against the isle, they would be fighting by themselves. That situation should be enough to give them a sense of urgency. Furthermore, it is possible that we could be sent as reinforcements to the Republic. In that case, perhaps we would have to deal with the most troublesome army.

”We have no choice but to do it no matter which army comes. If we don’t stop Albion here, the Imperial State will be destroyed. If that happens, Veris will be destroyed.”

 I looked at Mikana’s expression. She was the same as usual, but she seems to be pushing herself a little too hard. I’m sure it was not just my imagination.

 The war situation for Veris was not good. Originally, they had the Imperial State on their side because they thought that the Empire would avoid dealing with the Imperial Navy, but the Empire had invaded the Veris Kingdom while they thought that the Imperial State was their ally.

 Sofia-sama’s wind magic and the Imperial Navy’s surprise attack resulted in severe damage to the first line of the Imperial Navy, but still, they succeeded in increasing the landing forces to the land of Veris. The landing force was commanded by the head of the Imperial Army, Army General Torsten Bergius.

 The damaged navy was soon assisted by a second line of troops commanded by naval general Carl Beckenbauer.

 The landing at Veris was an operation that mobilized two of the three highest-ranked generals, known as The Three Imperial Generals, and it seems that the Imperial State, a great power, was willing to make some sacrifices to bring down Veris at the time.

 Nevertheless, Torsten Bergius’ landing force was quickly held off by Kaguya-sama’s forces, and Karl Beckenbauer was also blocked by Admiral Arnold’s Imperial First Fleet. Although the invasion was larger than expected, it wasn’t unexpected.

 However, I heard that several villages and towns in Earl Yuren’s territory were destroyed. I didn’t know if Micana’s parents or grandfather, Gordeau-san, who helped me, were safe. They are probably a little overwhelmed, and I think Mikana is worried about them too.

“Nothing goes well if you’re in a hurry, so let’s do what we can for now.”

 With that, I picked up some papers in front of me. 

“They are now the ones who are the enemy.” 

 I commented and then turned to Mikana, giving her a scare.

■■■

 It had been a long time since Albion’s offensive stopped. For the last few days, there were no more attacks on the various forts and, of course, there were no calls for reinforcements for us.

 But, it was soon discovered that it was the calm before the storm.

 The Republican Army joined the imperial invasion force. Even though that report alone made me want to cover my eyes, more news arrived as if to top it up.

 The general of the reorganized imperial invasion force was one of the Four Wise Men, Irene Macefield. The youngest, young genius of the Four Wise Men. He was also the heir to three major dukes, one of which was the Reesberg family of Sophia-sama, and was the most popular hero among the Four Wise Men among the people.

”I didn’t expect to see Macefield, who is said to be the most soldierly and courageous of the Four Wise Men. Has the title of Veris’ Master Warlord drawn the enemy to you?”

 Captain Ars grinned and sent sarcasm flying at me.

 To that, I shrugged and expressed my reaction. It wasn’t wrong in a way. The fact that he’s wary of me and Nox is probably one of the reasons why the Four Wise Men came out.

“Strong forces call for strife, and it will take an even stronger force to end the conflict. I didn’t want to start a big battle, it just became bigger because I’ve been working on a lot of things. It’s a funny story.”

 The troop commanders gathered in my room at the garrison looked at each other from my reaction. Apparently, they were surprised to see me.

“It’s not like that, Yukito’s brother,” He said. If we called for a fight, we’ll just have to deal with it ourselves.

“I hate to say that I agree with Roy, but I think you’re right.” Mikana, who was beside me, commented and smiled to encourage me from sinking in a bit.

 But it carried some unwarranted words.

“Hey… are you trying to pick a fight?’”

“It’s my honest opinion, Fifth Unit Commander.”

“I’m a commander! Mostly, I don’t get why I’m the fifth! How can you be lower than Mikana?”

“It’s a reflection of your abilities.”

“Roy-san. If you don’t like being fifth, do you want to switch to the third unit with me? It’s just a seniority-based decision, so don’t worry about it.”

“No.”

 Mikana turned her sharp gaze to Nicola, who suggested changing Roy’s unit number.

 Nicola, who was suddenly under attack from Mikana’s glare, hiccupped and silently screamed “I’m sorry.” Hiding behind Eric’s back, who was next to her.

 As I let out a giggle at such a situation, Erica returned to the seriousness of the matter.

“If you’re back on track, it would be a relief if you could come up with a countermeasure.”

“It isn’t that easy to come up with a countermeasure. The entire Imperial army’s second defensive front has thirty thousand men. In contrast, Albion’s invasion army has around fifty or sixty thousand men if both armies under the Four Wise Men were to combine. To be honest, the difference in strength is overwhelming. I don’t have any idea about how to recover,” I replied.

“For God’s sake. General, isn’t it your job to think of a plan?”

 Captain Ars made it sound easy, but the other side surpassed us in quantity and quality. And their commander is one of the Four Wise Men who are renowned throughout the continent.

“Although he doesn’t have much experience in warfare, it isn’t a weakness in Macefield’s case. He had an outstanding performance when annihilating demonic beasts during the demonic beast rebellion that occurred in Albion about two years ago. Looking at his courage when taking the lead against the demonic beasts and the way he efficiently saved the city, quickly building a defensive line for defense, you can easily see that he’s no ordinary man.”

 If it was an opponent of Kaguya-sama’s level, there was no way they could win. The third defensive line behind us still has 20,000 elites, but even if they were to join us, we still only had 50,000. It was unclear how many men Albion’s army was going to bring, but even if we had five times their number, Albion had the best magicians in the continent. It was obvious that they were going to break through with firepower.

 It was all a headache, but it didn’t mean that there was no way to recover.

 The enemy’s numbers weren’t going to decrease, and they wouldn’t become any weaker. We had no other choice than to strengthen our forces.

 Although the Imperial State didn’t have any wars with other countries, they still had to deal with the demonic beasts that came out of the forest regularly. And there was one person who was taking care of that.

 If Grand Admiral Arnold was the guardian of the sea in the weak Imperial State of Eitel, then he was the guardian of the land.

 He was the chief general of the Imperial State and a hero of salvation, known by the name of the Great Wing of Eitel.

“Mikana… could I ask you to take care of Nox for a little?”

“? Where are you going, sir?”

“The city of Ferrenor.”

“Are you going to convince that man?!”

 Ferrenor was a large city about a day’s ride from our location, and it was one of the largest cities in the Imperial State, second only to the capital. The reason why the second defensive front couldn’t back down any further was that we couldn’t afford to lose the city of Ferrenor.

 The Great Wing of Eitel was in that city. He had said he didn’t want to deal with people, and even if it were demonic beasts, he wasn’t going to step out of Ferrenor, defying the Emperor’s orders.

 That person’s name was Fiona Albright. She was the bastard child of the current emperor and a legitimate princess, who also had the right to succeed to the throne.

 And because she was a bastard child, Fiona Albright was forced to take on the task of defeating demonic beasts, and she fulfilled her duties with her talent. With that achievement, she also received the official right to succeed to the throne, but I heard that she wasn’t interested in such things.

 She seldom responded to her father’s, the Emperor, call to the extent that the Emperor had only met and talked to her enough times to be counted with the fingers of one hand. We often heard rumours that she hated people from the Imperial Capital.

 It could be said that the Imperial State’s lacking sense of crisis was due to the presence of this Fiona Albright.

 However, Fiona Albright refused to lead the army and shut herself up in Ferrenor in a semi-hidden state.

 It was said that a number of emissaries had tried to persuade her, but she was unapproachable and did not listen at all, so they had to give up and return. Few in the Imperial Army still expected Fiona Albright to lead the army.

 But.

“If the reason she’s not moving from Ferrenor is that she really doesn’t want to fight people, there’s nothing I can do about it, but maybe that’s not the only reason. I have a feeling there’s a reason she can’t move.”

“Is that why you can’t move?”

“Ferrenor is a huge city. It’s ruled by the Emperor’s brother, just like Admiral Arnold does. To be honest, I haven’t heard good things about it. I had no intention of getting involved in the internal affairs of the Imperial State, but I couldn’t say that anymore. I’ll go see the great wings of Ferrenor and Eitel with my own eyes.”

“Then I’ll go with you.”

 I should have said that I would leave Nox in her charge, but Mikana stated so as if it were a matter of course. In response, the other unit leaders were nodding their heads as if it was also a matter of course.

”We need an escort, right?”

“Yeah, yeah. Erica and I can’t be separated, and Nikola can’t protect me. I don’t know if I can do it alone. Isn’t it fair?”

 Erica and Captain Ars said that with a smile on their faces. Apparently, we had no choice but to ask Mikana to follow us.

“I trust Mikana so much that I was going to ask her to stay.”

”Thank you. But unfortunately, we don’t have an ounce of faith in Yukito-sama’s prowess, so it’s only natural for you to have an escort.”

“Oh, yeah…”

 I let out a small sigh, my shoulders slumping with a gulp at Mikana’s harsh words.