Royal Road of the Extra Scribe

86

Alz’s bewildered remark stiffened the atmosphere in the military meeting room.

Delvadova narrowed his eyes and glared at Alz.

“What do you mean, Alz Iline?”

“I apologize. Due to my comrades saying strange things, I spoke without realizing.”

“Strange things? Are you suggesting there’s an issue with the plan Chase mentioned earlier?”

“Of course. That plan was unrealistic from the start.”

Luan scowled at Alz, urging him to speak his mind.

“Well then, share your thoughts.”

“Understood.”

Alz didn’t want to draw attention to himself, but he couldn’t stand by and watch as many soldiers died due to his silence.

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That’s why he had voiced his opinions in the past during the battle of Foldic Mountain and even during the Chimera War, despite facing off against Duan and Ki. It was the same now.

Not speaking up was one thing, but if he continued down this path, many lives would be lost due to a wrong decision. So, he decided to step in directly.

“Why do you think Chase’s plan is unfeasible?”

“If I explain that part, it might get a bit complex, so for now, I’ll just talk about the relatively right direction to take in this situation.”

“The right direction? Are you saying there’s a definitive answer to overcoming this situation?”

“Of course there is. We need to move the army to this place.”

With that, Alce shifted the focus of the conversation to a point on the map.

It was the south of Calon Mountain, towards the Albad Kingdom.

“If we move here, all problems will be resolved.”

“Wait. What does this mean? Moving towards Albad? Could it be…?”

“Yes, that’s what it means. If we request fresh supplies from Albad, the problem will be solved. The enemies might have blocked the roads leading to Caliper and Crossing, but they wouldn’t have stationed troops towards Albad. Given the difficult situation at Caliper and Crossing, they wouldn’t have the resources to deploy troops towards Albad. So, if we first move and secure that point, they will be powerless.”

“But how do we secure supplies from Albad?”

“It won’t be difficult. Think about it from a diplomatic perspective.”

Originally, Albad was Beccabia’s ally.

It was the reason Albad couldn’t offer help due to their unfavorable situation.

“Albad’s diplomatic reputation has been greatly tarnished by this incident. They abandoned the alliance simply because the situation was unstable. So, it’s impossible for Albad to support the Western and Tunkai factions. If they did, it would further damage their diplomatic reputation, leading to a loss of trust in the nation.”

“Ah…”

“In that case, where would Albad be willing to help? It’s our alliance. That way, they can restore their damaged reputation. So, if we go down to this region and request supplies, Albad won’t refuse. They will indirectly help Beccabia, and won’t miss this opportunity to owe a favor to our Caliper. If we make the request, they will provide supplies within a day. That’s it. Once we secure the supply route without any losses, the enemy’s army that invaded the Sanji region will be at a loss. Unable to attack us due to the supplies, they will need to secure their own supplies. However, if they try to establish a supply route towards Calon Mountain, they will encounter problems.”

Because the route of that supply line would be too long.

“This place is far from the front lines. If the enemies try to establish a supply route, it will take this form. Such a supply route is highly likely to be cut off by a guerrilla unit. Therefore, the enemies will abandon Calon Mountain and retreat. Then, if we rebuild the supply route from Caliper, everything will be resolved.”

Silence lingered.

Such a perfect plan. The officers under Delvadova’s command simply accepted it as the clear answer.

Ironheart, who knew Alce’s true identity, let out a sigh of admiration.

Delvadova, who had been countering the opinions of the officers, couldn’t find anything to refute.

“…Impressive. It sends chills down my spine.”

According to Alce’s words, they could defeat the enemies without any losses. It was that clever.

“But in the off chance that Albad doesn’t provide supplies, it could lead to problems. That’s why you mentioned it as a relatively right direction, right?”

“That’s correct, but it’s a slim possibility. Our diplomats won’t be idle. In the end, Albad will provide the supplies.”

“I agree with that. However, I prefer a more certain direction rather than a relatively right one. Can you tell me that?”

“This method comes with a risk. There will be casualties among our troops.”

“I’ll listen first and then decide.”

“Understood.”

Alce stepped forward, holding the baton, and pointed to the map.

This military council had already turned into Alce’s one-man show.

The expressions of the officers, including Casper and Luan, stiffened. Only Dorothy smiled, saying, “It suits you perfectly.”

“This is regarding the impossibility of Chase’s plan being realized. The enemy’s goal is not to harm us but to simply drive us out of Calon Mountain. So, they will thoroughly block the supply routes and hold out. They must have brought much more individual rations than what the general mentioned. If we try to endure, the enemies won’t waver. Therefore, Chase’s plan was impossible to achieve.”

“They are driving us out? What does that mean?”

“Let’s say we couldn’t find another way. Or we moved hastily to secure the supply route and incurred losses. What will the general do then?”

“We have to find another way. If we hadn’t considered seeking help from Albad…?”

“Yes, in reverse, in the one remaining place apart from Caliper and Crossing. If he hadn’t thought of seeking help from Beccabia, we would have to leave the mountain.”

“Ah…!”

“In other words, their goal is to draw our Caliper army into the main battlefield.”

“But why? Our army joining the battlefield wouldn’t benefit them at all.”

“Yes. That’s right. That’s why there’s a different purpose. For example, leaking false information.”

“False information?”

Alz pointed to a spot on the map.

It was the area where the 40,000 Bekabian troops were stationed.

“From here on, it’s speculation, but the enemy will leak false information towards Bekabia when we come out of the Calon Mountains. They’ll say the Caliper Army is being pursued. They might actually come chasing.”

Everyone in the conference room was drawn into Alz’s words, focusing intently.

“And at the same time, the enemy will deploy towards our side, chasing the Tonkai Army that was above. They’ll talk about conducting an air raid to annihilate. Then, how do you think Bekabia will react?”

“They’ll send reinforcements. To rescue us…!”

“Yes, the enemy will try to increase the size of those reinforcements by any means necessary. Out of the 40,000 stationed troops, at least 30,000 will be directed towards reinforcements. The moment the troops at the station decrease. They’ll try to break down the station and, after that, surround Arandal, Bekabia’s major city located in the rear, to secure a favorable position for defense.”

“Ah! Arandal is the supply center of that front! Are they trying to neutralize it!”

“That’s right. When the time comes, our army and the Bekabian army deceived by false information will have to attack to rescue Arandal. Originally, the attacking side should have been the enemy, but in this case, we’ll have to attack the side we are occupying.”

“We have to engage in an unfavorable fight. And that too in a situation where supplies are unstable.”

“Yes, but this is where the concept of turning the tables comes into play.”

Alz laid out his plan to dismantle the opponent’s stratagems.

“This way, the enemy will be exposed. If they don’t respond, the outcome of the war will be at stake, and they’ll have to give up everything and retreat. At that moment, the situation will tilt significantly.”

Gulp! Delvadova swallowed dryly. He was utterly astonished.

‘Who is this guy?’

It was hard to think of him as just a cadet.

He read the intentions of the opponent’s actions and laid out the overall plan. Alz had already mapped out the path to checkmate at this moment.

“Golden Age? No. It’s not just about becoming a golden figure. This guy is already a well-arranged gold! Fully developed!”

Having explained everything, Alz took a tired breath and stepped back.

“That’s all. I leave the choice to the General.”

Would Delvadova seek safety with Albad’s help, or would he take on the risk and lead the situation by countering the opponent’s stratagems?

Delvadova’s choice was the latter.

“Spread the word to the whole army! We’ll descend from the mountain towards the Bekabian direction starting tomorrow!”

* * *

The military council reached its conclusion.

Alz, claiming fatigue, returned to camp with Dorosi.

Watching Alz’s back, Delvadova’s officers exclaimed in admiration.

“Truly worthy of being called the Golden Age. It’s astonishing!”

“Ruan and Casper’s schemes were decent, but this is really something.”

“He’s bound to make it big. It may not be long before he becomes our superior.”

“Well, then that guy will also benefit. He was said to be the Marquis’s son, right?”

With the sudden increase in the importance of the military council, even if he was the Marquis’s son, if he became the core of the military council, his value would skyrocket.

Alz, at an age suitable for confidential discussions, might attract a flood of consultations if he truly became a general.

“Damn it, damn it…!”

Casper, consumed by inferiority, kept muttering curses.

Even before his involvement with Erina, he had subconsciously been aware of Alz. Since the childhood chess defeat.

Back then, he thought he just happened to lose, but he never surpassed Alz in academic achievements afterward.

He could somewhat divert his attention after Alz went to Rainfall Academy and he himself went to Gransel Academy, but the nightmare resumed in high school.

The Academy grades that I thought would never fall have once again slipped. Although it hasn’t been announced yet, it was almost certain that Alsc would be the top scorer in the Academy this year.

‘If that guy becomes a general…’

Gilbert was bothered by Alsc’s favoritism.

In the rare case that Gilbert sends Erina to Alsc?

“I can’t let that happen…! Haah! Haah…! Wait, Luann!”

Caspar grabbed Luann, who was trying to leave.

“…Fix your expression. You look terrible, Caspar.”

“It’s not the time to judge that. He’s in trouble!”

“I don’t particularly care about the Earl line.”

“What if Erina goes to him!”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying, but Erina-sama is just someone we honor publicly. There are no personal feelings. Since Erina-sama seems to have good feelings towards the Earl line, if it aligns with the family’s situation and they decide to marry, it would be a cause for celebration.”

“Nonsense! He is just a son of a lowly viscount family! Do you think he’s suitable for a duke’s daughter!”

“What you’re saying is all mixed up. Just now you were saying Erina going to the Earl was fine, now you’re saying it will never happen? Besides, that’s not something you should decide, it’s up to Gilbert.”

“Ugh!”

“However… I’m not completely satisfied with the current situation.”

Alsc’s proposed strategy was because there would be no actual combat.

In other words, their opportunity to build their expertise would disappear.

“It’s inevitable to hand over the lead role to the Earl, but I don’t want to just sit back and do nothing. If there’s a chance, I want to try to save it. If you’re in the same position, I’m willing to cooperate.”

“…Alright. When the time comes, I’ll send the signal. You just need to respond.”

“If it’s an unreasonable plan, I won’t follow it. Know that.”

A war where each person’s goals are intertwined.

A battle that could be a turning point in this war was about to begin.