NOVEL NEXT Chapter 215
“….”
Prince Georg Sistania awoke early at dawn and gazed far into the east.
Though it was dark and difficult to see. Too far to take it all in with his eyes.
Beyond that point lay the mountain he must conquer for the flight of Dedorant.
“Did you cough, Your Highness?”
“Kael.”
What he obtained from the war against DeGale was not merely the Jugel region.
During the process, he discovered a young scholar, whose abilities were beyond imagination.
As Dedorant absorbed the Jugel region, his family living there also became part of Dedorant.
In the midst of it all, the young scholar willingly threw himself into the Dedorant Army for the sake of his family, household, and servants. It wasn’t long before he caught the attention of Prince Georg.
And before he knew it, Prince Georg realized he had acquired a tremendous gem.
“As you said, I granted perfect autonomy to the Jugel region.”
“Everyone will praise Your Highness’s mercy. Then, I will spread rumors that the Jugel region associates with traitors by utilizing the spies released toward DeGale.”
Some people tend to overthink the moral issues when using strategies.
But this young man, Kael, was different. At times he took the lead, and at other moments he willingly played the villain, showing ways for Dedorant to advance.
“The next steps are crucial. Liberating our Jugel region from DeGale is certainly a good deed. However, the Empire won’t just sit back and watch. They will undoubtedly want to gauge our true intentions.”
“As Your Highness is aware, Dedorant must avoid a full-scale war with the Empire.”
“Yet, can one really avoid war just by wishing to?”
No war arises out of a desire to fight. In the end, everything tends to get swept away.
Prince Georg’s call for the liberation of the Jugel region was merely a coincidental trigger.
He claimed the glory of the Deo ethnicity to solidify his position.
Yet, in that process, the Deo ethnicity living in the Jugel region begged for salvation.
They added that they would rise from within and attack DeGale, and all they needed was a response.
Seeing this as an opportunity, Prince Georg immediately set the plan into motion and achieved a decisive victory.
War is always like this. It cannot be avoided just because one wishes to escape it.
Conversely, just because one wants to act doesn’t mean they can. In the end, everything boils down to a matter of justification.
“The Empire will certainly designate us Dedorant as an invading nation or as disruptors of continental order. If that happens, we can’t help but raise an army, keeping in mind public sentiment in the West.”
“If the Empire takes such a stance, I too share Your Highness’s sentiment that we must choose war. But that war must not belong solely to Dedorant.”
“Is there a way?”
At Prince Georg’s question, Kael immediately spread out the prepared continental map.
As darkness gradually dissipated and light lingered in the dawn sky, Kael presented his plan.
“Presently, Dedorant has three pathways to choose from. The best option is to first unite the West while simultaneously pulling in the North and South to disperse the Empire’s military strength.”
“It seems the process will be quite perilous. The Empire won’t just sit idly by during our Western unification.”
“Thus, the next battle against DeGale is vital. If we can end the war with an overwhelmingly swift assault in less than a month, Ross Tanika would have to reconsider.”
However, unlike the relatively weaker DeGale army, Ross Tanika’s navy holds significant strength in the western seas and parts of the South.
Had Ross Tanika been an island nation, it would have been extremely difficult. But they are adjacent to DeGale.
If Dedorant demonstrates its overwhelming power in a short period, it will compel a change in thinking.
“I predict the Empire will try to draw Ross Tanika into our rear, forming a front.”
“Is that feasible?”
“While their army may be weak, they can still divert attention from the rear. Meanwhile, if the Empire’s main force approaches Dedorant, they will force us into a two-front war, perfectly aligning with their wishes.”
As he spoke, Kael swiftly removed the DeGale flag from the map.
“So, we must decisively erase DeGale from the map. Shock and awe—these two will paralyze the enemy’s reason. Before the Empire’s support arrives, everyone will think Ross Tanika can’t hold out.”
“If you entrust it to me, I will completely crush DeGale.” Kael’s face mixed seriousness and confidence.
In response, Prince Georg promptly declared he would grant Kael command of the Dedorant Army.
Once trust is established, it’s better to give it all at once rather than trickle it out.
“What must I do?”
“Merge Atria in the name of Dedorant. At the same time, offer the best terms to Nobogord to ensure they never align with the Empire. Finally, contact King Benito to form a Southern front and stall for time.”
“I wonder if Benito has the capacity for that.”
“Even so, King Benito has diligently trained his troops. During that process, our Dedorant provided assistance. So, we should send a large number of our officers to further strengthen Benito’s army.”
A large-scale dispatch of officers. At that, Prince Georg nodded.
Indeed, Dedorant’s officers had gained substantial experience through many battles.
Sending them out would certainly facilitate the growth of Benito’s forces.
With domestic matters entrusted to Kael, he led the Dedorant army to launch a strike against DeGale.
Of course, DeGale wasn’t foolish and had prepared defenses after losing the Jugel region.
Especially, they constructed what they deemed the best defense line to secure the advantages of being the defender.
No matter how strong Dedorant was, they predicted it would take a minimum of half a year to breach.
In reality, the main forces of Dedorant struggled against that line of defense.
Caught against an impenetrable fortress, they floundered like they were stuck in a swamp.
Upon hearing this news, the DeGale command leaned into their expectations, investing even more troops into the defense line.
But that was Kael’s deception. It merely appeared as though they were stuck at the defense line.
It’s true that their main forces were in front of the defense line, but the mobile units were secretly diverted.
They then took a significant detour, bypassing the defense line and striking from within DeGale.
“Block the paths and cut off all supplies and transportation units. An impenetrable defense line? Even a three-day delay in resource transport will cause cracks, and within a week it will all come crashing down.”
As Kael had predicted, DeGale’s defense line couldn’t hold as their rear was ravaged.
Ross Tanika’s reinforcements arrived urgently, but they too were quickly repelled.
The achievement was due to Paelus Gusthagen, whom Kael had asked Prince Georg to bring along.
One month—indeed, it only took a month to shatter DeGale.
Immediately, Kael initiated negotiations with Ross Tanika. Promising to guarantee their rights, he effectively issued an ultimatum to cooperate with Dedorant.
Naturally, resentment began to brew within Ross Tanika. If they waited, the Empire would strike Dedorant, and they intended to seize that moment.
“Do as you wish. But I promise you this: if you ally with us, there will be gains, but if you ally with the Empire, it will all be maintaining the status quo. No, if you truly stab us in the back, I swear I will sink every one of you to the depths of the sea.”
Threats are more powerful when backed by provable strength and capability.
Having toppled DeGale in only a month, Dedorant left no choice but to be wary of them.
Ultimately, Ross Tanika accepted the negotiations before the Empire could even attempt to send people.
Kael then submitted a recommendation to appoint Paelus as the commander stationed at DeGale.
It was paramount not to govern this place through violence or force. They needed to secure the support of the locals.
In the future, DeGale must transform from mere occupied territory to a pillar supporting Dedorant.
“Contact Benito to mobilize the navy to stage attacks on the Southern Kingdoms. Oh, and placing Ross Tanika’s flag in between would make it even more perfect.”
An overtly apparent ruse. But with circumstantial evidence, it could not be disregarded.
Dedorant had already spread rumors of Ross Tanika negotiating with them far and wide.
There was no way the Empire wouldn’t learn of this. Meanwhile, they began to coordinate efforts with Benito.
Even if the Empire’s intelligence agency and foreign ministry deemed it unlikely, it was not impossible.
Thus, the Empire had no choice but to reduce contact with Ross Tanika, being mindful of the worst-case scenario.
“Nobogord and the Empire won’t need to wage war. The Northern Legion of the Empire merely remaining there ensures a superb outcome. The South is the same. There’s nothing to be gained in a power struggle against a large nation. Simply making them vexed until they tire themselves is the key.”
Benito could be convinced merely by Dedorant ceding some of the Western territories.
If they send support for the reorganization of the Southern territories, they cannot betray.
As for Nobogord, merely a transactional relationship without a binding alliance would suffice.
It’s enough to ensure mutual benefit. It’s hard to find a higher level of trust between nations.
“The Empire must choose one of two paths—negotiation or war. And those who are truly confident in themselves opt for force. The moment that confidence is shattered, they’ll fall into panic.”
A massive bait. The arrogance of the Dedorant army faltering and the Empire claiming a great victory is painted vividly.
When the Empire realizes they’ve overextended, they’ll be crushed from behind and encircled.
Not all legions are present, and only four from the West, along with one reserve legion, comprise the total.
Both the Northern and Southern legions of the Empire remain tethered and unable to move.
At this point, the fight becomes quite feasible for Dedorant, and victory becomes inevitable.
“When the siege upon the Imperial army is completed, Your Highness, you will break through from the front. I will sweep through the Empire’s borders, eliminating the retreating enemies and erasing all rendezvous points.”
A great fiery tumult arose in the western continent.
From the moment the Empire was no longer invincible, it was already a preordained sequence.
Sensing the strange atmosphere, the Empire hastily sought negotiations with the three Eastern kingdoms.
They then withdrew the Eastern Legion and forged secret deals with Nobogord, recalling the Northern Legion as well.
Finally, the showdown for supremacy over the western continent ensued between Dedorant and the Empire.
With a prince from Dedorant stepping forth, the Empire’s Crown Princess also took to the battlefield.
This time, it wouldn’t merely be a matter of reparations; the very structure of power would be at stake.
In this battle, where the fates of both sides hang in the balance, who will emerge victorious…
*
“Aah, class time is already over! That will be all for this week’s lecture.”
“Whaaaaaat?!”
“Ch-Chief of Staff! Just a little more, just a tad more!”
“Duke!”
I’m sorry, but no one can halt my glorious escape!
Worrying that someone might try to detain him, Kael hurriedly exited the grand hall.