Royal Road of the Extra Scribe

40

It was dawn on the day of the deal with Viscount Linhardt.

Biscetta, who had received the call and found Rainfall, seemed hesitant about my proposal.

“It would certainly be a great help, but….”

She seemed to have reservations about sending those who trusted and followed her into battle.

“Well, then, that’s fine. There are plenty of others besides you who want to do it.”

This opportunity was significant for people in slave status.

Participating in this war meant liberation from slavery for them.

For that, Jurass had to bear 800 million silans.

To free all 20,000 slaves and compensate for the labor loss caused by their absence, a hefty sum of 800 million silans was required.

Even though Jurass was in a position where he had to resort to a monopoly if he couldn’t get the money from Caliper, he casually said, “Just bring me some interesting news from the battlefield, and that will be enough.”

“Mr. Wade, please. Why don’t we talk a little more?”

Eoga intervened, stopping me from leaving abruptly.

While doing so, he whispered to Biscetta, “Growth…! This is an opportunity not to be missed! Since the Lord values me more than anyone else, I spoke to Growth first!”

“I know, but…”

“If you ask, I can lead the army on your behalf. So please entrust it to me.”

“That’s my biggest concern. Eo, you are inexperienced in commanding an army.”

“What!?”

Vistketa, who was contemplating, soon nodded.

“Let’s investigate the number of volunteers.”

Twenty thousand hopefuls quickly emerged.

Since many of the slaves from Kuralbel had become prisoners of war in past battles, there were many who hoped to go to the battlefield.

Although there seemed to be resistance to going to the battlefield under Crossing’s command, the purpose itself was to defend the Calipher Kingdom, and even entrusting Eonia with the army’s command was accepted.

“With this, the army’s organization is complete.”

The afternoon after the deal with Viscount Reinhardt, a total of twenty thousand regular troops arrived in Rainfall.

“Then let’s depart!”

Under Eo’s command, we headed to the western region of Calipher where the war would take place.

The movements of Calipher and Crossing were fully caught in the information network of the Albard & Madon Allied Forces.

The 20,000 troops led by Als were exposed as they passed the capital, Alpensard.

“Reporting! A force of twenty thousand troops is advancing from the direction of Crossing! The final destination seems to be the western battlefield!”

“From Crossing, you say.”

General Kaien narrowed his eyes in surprise.

Meanwhile, the Allied Forces were holding a military meeting as they were approaching the final advance.

Originally, after devouring the Salion faction’s army, they planned to move straight into Calipher’s territory to establish supply routes.

But a slight issue arose.

The Helian faction’s army put up fierce resistance, delaying them from the north, and there were frictions in distributing the prisoners from the southern area where they had devoured the Salion faction’s army.

“Damn it, is it because of your unnecessary greed that this happened!”

Gylias expressed his dissatisfaction to General Julian Craig of Madon.

A surprise operation that perfectly devoured the 30,000 Salion army.

The number of prisoners captured in that operation reached a staggering 14,000.

Madon wanted to manage most of these prisoners themselves.

With their forces totaling 23,000 in the operation, they claimed the right to take the prisoners with them.

However, the battle took place firmly within Albard’s territory.

So, Madon had no immediate place to accommodate the prisoners, and Julian Craig took the time to transport all the prisoners to Madon’s territory. He decided that if they left the prisoners in Albard’s territory, they might never find them later.

As a result, the Allied Forces’ advance was delayed by about three days from the original schedule.

“It’s not a big deal. Why are you making such a fuss, Gylias.”

Craig smirked at Gylias and spoke to Kaien.

“Teacher. The situation hasn’t changed significantly. If anything, it’s even better.”

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“Hmm, why do you think that way?”

“Please look at where the enemies have set up their base. Did we not gain time to avoid unnecessary actions?”

He was referring to the Calipher army deploying their forces ahead.

“Their best choice was not to launch an aggressive operation to block the supply route but to wait for the recruitment of troops and support from Crossing while fortifying the major strongholds. Yet, they came out boldly, refusing to yield even an inch.”

Upon this, General Yuzis, Kaien’s aide, agreed.

“Julian is right. It is difficult to see them having the capacity to succeed in such a tough operation against our army. Moreover, isn’t Madon’s army also coming from the south?”

4,000 additional troops from the Madon mainland were advancing towards the southern region of Calliper. The urgent conscription efforts made by Calliper to stop this advance had effectively paralyzed the southern and southeastern fronts.

Gylias shook his head and exclaimed, “But Crossing has dispatched 20,000 troops as reinforcements. This delay has undoubtedly led to unforeseen consequences!”

“No,” Kaien shook his head. “Even so, it’s too quick. While it may seem possible for someone like Juras, he’s not particularly interested in saving Calliper.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“He actually wishes for Calliper’s downfall.”

“He wants an allied nation to fall?”

“If we were to defeat Calliper and occupy their territory, chaos would inevitably ensue. He plans to take advantage of that chaos to strike and seize the territories we’ve occupied.”

“Such a mad idea…!”

“He’s someone capable of such actions. We can’t even begin to fathom his intentions.”

Silence filled the military council chamber.

Thud! Kaien tapped his staff on the floor and continued speaking, “There must be something more to those 20,000 reinforcements. Find out first who is commanding those troops.”

However, before they could act, a scout hurried in with a report.

“Reporting urgently! The identity of the general leading Crossing’s reinforcement troops has been confirmed! A man wearing gray armor has been spotted on the front lines!”

Upon hearing this, Gylias stood up abruptly. “Wade…! He’s finally shown himself!”

His fighting spirit ignited, “Master! Let me confront him! I will bring back his head for sure!”

“Whoa, whoa. Calm down, Gylias.”

It was Julian Craig. He spoke as if he had been waiting, “Judging from the size of their army and marching route, their stronghold should be at the Sethes intersection in the southwest. Isn’t that where our Madon forces agreed not to attack?”

“In that case, hand over the command to me, Julian!”

“…Enough with the nonsense. Kid.”

Between their intense gazes, sparks flew.

Julian glanced at Gylias for a moment before snorting, “So be it. Leave Wade to me. I’ll handle things as needed. I’ll take my leave then. May luck be with you, Master.”

As Julian left, Gylias expressed his frustration, “Master! Their aim is to capture Wade as a prisoner and lure him into their camp! Yussis! Say something!”

“It’s obvious. Madon’s talent recruitment is a well-known tale. Julian throwing himself into Madon for similar reasons as our Albad was.”

“That traitor. Acting all high and mighty as a grand general…!”

Kaien casually dismissed their complaints, “Even if that’s true, this is the ideal decision.”

“What!?”

“Julian’s abilities surpass both of yours. It’s fitting for him to lead the main forces in the south.”

“T-then, shouldn’t you, Master, take command of the southern army?”

“No, I must remain in the north. In case Juras decides to make a sudden move from the north.”

“But Juras desires the downfall of Calipher….”

“Did I not say so? That guy is absolutely unreadable. It’s hard to predict what whim he’ll follow.”

It was Juras, not Dugan Greenwood, the general of Calipher, whom Cayenne was truly restraining. Hence, he was directly leading the northern army.

“I doubt Julian can handle it well. He’s excessively reckless.”

“If he can’t handle Wade, it means you won’t stand a chance either. Tsk tsk, it would have been nice if that Rootger guy was here at a time like this….”

Cayenne muttered bitterly, gazing into the distance.

* * *

Pollock, one of the major cities in the west.

It was a territory ruled by Geglisch Hujak, a prominent figure of the Salleon faction.

Here, I faced the 20,000-strong army prepared by Calipher.

Tense expressions on the faces of the soldiers. There were even young and old soldiers among them. It meant hastily gathered forces.

“I knew, but I didn’t expect the army to be this poorly trained.”

The quality of the 15,000 conscripts was below expectations.

“Some countermeasure is needed.”

I first granted rest to the weary Crossing army and then immediately convened a military council.

The mentor and Rootger, who had been gathering information in advance, also participated in this meeting.

The mentor laid out the current situation and began his briefing.

“The enemy is advancing with their forces divided into four.”

At that, the mentor pointed out the key points in the north and west.

“Gudin Valley in the north. Below that, the Moro Mountains. The Poldek Mountains in the west. And the Sethes intersection in the southwest.”

“The numbers of the enemy?”

“Estimated numbers are 30,000, 10,000, 20,000, and 30,000 respectively.”

“Indeed….”

The areas we needed to defend were the Sethes intersection and the Poldek Mountains. Originally, blocking just the Sethes intersection would have been sufficient, but a request came to block the Poldek Mountains as well, as they were bringing in 20,000 reinforcements. In return, they would send reinforcements to the north.

It felt somewhat forced, but strategically, it was a sound plan.

“The combined forces of the enemy we have to face total 50,000….”

On the other hand, our forces totaled 40,000. We were outnumbered by 10,000.

“Rootger. Have you gathered information on the Albad army camp?”

“I don’t think it’s necessary to talk about Albad. Anyway, Cayenne, the master, and his aides, Ulysses and Gileas, will be there. The focus should not be on them but on Julian Craig, the general of Madon we will be facing.”

“Do you have any information about him?”

“I do. I even taught him personally.”

“You?”

“More precisely, I am a disciple of Cayenne. However, unlike Ulysses and Gileas who followed the master, for his own ambition, he went to Madon. Since Cayenne will be in Albad, I don’t think he will rise too high.”

“If he became a general, it must have worked out in the end. How’s his skill?”

“He was the best among the three. He may not reach the level of the top ten, but he likely has the ability to compete with the top 20 warriors.”

“Quite formidable. What about his main tactics? What’s his personality like?”

Having gathered information from Rootger, I mentally simulated the path leading to the checkmate.

It was nothing more than a sketch, but now it was enough.

“Alright. I will now distribute the personnel. First, Rutger. Lead 15,000 troops to the Polek Mountains. Secure the area thoroughly. Anton, assist Rutger as the adjutant.”

“As you wish.” “Yes!”

“And to the master, I will assign 1,000 mercenaries. Follow my command swiftly as a versatile unit. Head towards the neighboring territories first, with combat horses and bows. Mention that the payment will be made by the Caliper military later, and bring back as much as you can.”

“Understood.”

“And Eo. Select archers among the Kurabel soldiers.”

“Yes!”

The appointments were made.

Before they dispersed, I gave one more instruction.

“This could be crucial for the operation, so carry it out naturally to avoid arousing suspicion. Before heading to your respective bases…”

The adepts focused their gaze on me, holding their breath.

“Gather all the soldiers’ uniforms in one place, mix them all together, and distribute them randomly.”

No one understood this directive, and they all looked puzzled.