NOVEL NEXT Chapter 36
The Pavilion area. The Imperial 12th Legion stands firm in its defense.
At first, there were many concerns, but those have dissipated.
The Alliance’s offensive is no longer as sharp as it was initially, and the 12th Legion has become like a rock.
No matter what they do, they can no longer cut off the Empire’s advance and supply lines.
All of this is thanks to the strategist who briefly stayed, proposed a brilliant plan, and then vanished like the wind.
Ironically, that very person claims they’re not a big deal and not even truly a strategist.
Though there was an unexpected defeat of the 7th Legion, it’s undeniable that the strength of the Alliance has weakened as well.
A loss in battle doesn’t directly translate to a loss in war. It’s about how you heal from it and what lessons you learn.
Moreover, it’s about exploiting the gaps created by those events.
“Legion Commander!”
Before the 12th Legion Commander, an unexpected message arrived.
“It’s from Prince Kael?”
“Yes, it is. Although it’s officially a message from Her Highness the Princess, I’ve confirmed that it was sent by Prince Kael.”
“What’s this sudden matter about?”
Out of nowhere, the Second Princess appeared right in front of the 7th Legion.
It turns out she moved in secret, and even the very top of the military had no idea.
Even the far-off 12th Legion was surprised, so one can only imagine how the 7th Legion must have felt.
Well, it did help in boosting the morale of the 7th Legion.
“They’re praising the visit of Her Highness the Princess to the 7th Legion, overwhelmed by the mercy of His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Crown Princess, cheering long live the Empire…”
And yet, to him, it all seemed like Prince Kael’s scheme.
The 12th Legion Commander suspected this. No, at this point, he was certain.
The reason this hadn’t become known probably stems from his nature of appearing unfazed before the prince.
He truly is a curious friend. While peers would strive to stand out, he, despite his many achievements, is intent on downplaying his own contributions.
If only his own son could follow even a fraction of Kael’s brilliance, he would worry a little less.
“First, hand me that letter.”
“Yes, Commander. Here it is.”
Though the content is from Kael, the official sender is clearly the Empire’s Second Princess.
Thus, the 12th Legion Commander cautiously accepted it and began to read the contents meticulously.
“…Ha. Haha.”
Having checked it all, the 12th Legion Commander let out a chuckle without realizing it.
“Legion Commander?”
“Haha. What a fearsome young man he is. Prince Kael! After doing this, he still claims not to be a strategist? This is clearly the work of a strategist, unmistakably!”
Is it just the Commander muttering to himself?
Or is it a sigh that someone else, yet to be reached, might feel?
The aide could only stand by, observing his superior’s expression.
“Aide.”
“Yes! Commander!”
“Now, explain the situation here at the Pavilion area.”
A slightly unexpected and unexplained command.
But the aide promptly followed his superior’s orders, as a soldier should.
“Regarding the Pavilion area: Currently, our Imperial 12th Legion holds the key pathways and has captured two nearby high grounds.”
“And the enemy’s movements?”
“Initially, the armies of the three kingdoms under the Alliance exhibited cooperative actions. However, they seem to be faltering recently, with each party subtly maintaining their distance and discreetly watching each other.”
“…”
“However, since our 12th Legion’s objective is to stabilize and maintain the Pavilion area, we are reluctant to act hastily against any one side—”
The Commander raised his hand, signaling that should be enough.
Yes, currently, that’s how it stands at the Pavilion area. The three-country alliance’s armies are somewhat fraying.
They’re not completely divided yet. If one attacks, others will immediately respond.
But due to the friction within the command, they’re now maintaining a distance from each other.
“Attacking individually is still difficult. If we’re not careful, the 12th Legion could find itself surrounded. Just guarding the pathways and keeping them here is already doing our part.”
For that very reason, they could execute Kael’s requested actions.
“Aide. Deliver this letter to the Polrand army camp discreetly through the messenger.”
“Discreetly?”
“If you find it hard, getting caught is acceptable. But I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Within the letter, Kael clearly stated that it would be advantageous for the Empire to proceed quietly.
It’s not about throwing a tantrum to get the enemy to heed his words, like he was there.
“I’ll take care of it.”
Watching the aide leave the tent, the Commander fell into thought.
A mind that understands the overall situation better than anyone else and the subsequent redeployment.
Swiftly grasping the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses and how to exploit them.
He often claimed he wasn’t skilled in military strategies, and perhaps that was true for tactical matters.
But when it comes to strategic considerations, he is leagues ahead of the average.
“Prince Kael, you truly have the temperament of a strategist.”
He would absolutely insist he’s not, even if he died and came back to life!
*
The Alliance’s commander at the Pavilion area was still Bethel of Polrand.
His authority had already been wounded. Though a commander, it was hard to view him as such.
Among the three kingdoms of the East, Polrand is the weakest, but ironically, it’s also why he held onto his position as commander.
Burgai and Kaden both disliked the thought of one of them becoming the new commander.
Since this area has failed, the responsibility must fall on Polrand.
They all understand. For Polrand to regain a voice, a victory here is crucial.
Thus, they will need to expend more effort and endure greater losses.
Thus naturally weakening them, in a way that poses no issue to the other two kingdoms.
“Damn it.”
Today as well, they struck at the Empire’s 12th Legion, but the results were disappointing.
It’s become stagnant. They can no longer maintain the initial momentum.
At this rate, the defender would emerge victorious. The attackers are now in a period of losing power.
If only the circumstances in other areas were similar, it wouldn’t be so urgent.
However, Burgai managed to take a decision against the Empire’s legion.
They suffered losses too, but on the surface, they can still claim superiority among the three kingdoms.
In this way, Bethel and Polrand needed to achieve merits in this Pavilion area.
Like it or not, the Polrand forces had to be at the forefront, crashing into the enemy’s pathways.
“Even if the war with the Empire ends, our Polrand forces might end up crippled.”
To attack is to face an impenetrable barrier. To retreat is to abandon the area.
As Bethel cradled his head in pain, someone walked into the tent.
“Commander! Another messenger has arrived from the Empire.”
“Just send them away.”
After all that had happened last time, why would he be crazy enough to accept them again?
After causing this much division, is there still another trick up their sleeve?
“The messenger insists there’s something they must convey to the Polrand side.”
“I said send them away!”
Bethel snapped, but then he reconsidered.
A sense of defiance stirred within him amidst the frustrating situation. Alright, let’s see what they have to say.
What is it they want to say? What is it for my nation, Polrand?
So Bethel met the messenger and received the letter.
“…”
After a whole day of hesitation, he secretly relayed the letter to the side of Polrand.
*
Currently, the atmosphere in Polrand, one of the Eastern three kingdoms, is anything but good.
The army fights against the Empire, while the royal family and political circles are battling against the other two kingdoms under the surface.
Leadership. Justification. Advantage. The future, how to reshape the order of the East, depends heavily on these aspects.
The moment they fall behind in any one, the ensuing disaster becomes too predictable.
Amidst this, the secretly appointed commander sent a letter.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a letter from the Empire. I hear it’s sent by the Empire’s Second Princess.”
The king of Polrand was the first to examine the contents of the letter.
“Ha.”
“Your Majesty?”
“What did the Empire say?”
Instead of answering, the king passed the letter to the nobles.
As they read the letter sent by the princess, each one displayed different reactions.
Some were furious, others seethed with frustration.
A few pondered deeply, while others glanced around, reading the air.
“Your Majesty! This is mockery towards our Polrand! We must—”
“We need to think this over more carefully, Your Majesty. Given the content….”
The letter from the Empire to Polrand could be summarized as follows.
[ Mercy is given by those who are stronger and possess more. ]
At first glance, it might seem nonsensical.
But the king and nobles involved understood the underlying meaning.
“You all might need to start making decisions soon.”
“Still clinging to the Alliance? Do you think your neighbors will look kindly upon you if you win?”
“Certainly not. Do you think those you trust as neighbors will leave you alive?”
“Even if the Empire wins this war, Polrand can survive. But if the Alliance wins, will you truly be safe? Think about it.”
The structure hasn’t yet broken. But it’s time to set their hearts on it.
It feels as if the devil’s whispers are being pressed into the ears of Polrand’s people.
‘Right now, Burgai is concentrating on the Empire’s legion right in front of them.’
‘Though they harbor doubts about us, they’re not making any moves because there’s no solid proof.’
‘If, by some chance, Burgai achieves another victory… our Polrand, perched on the edge of the East, would be perfectly encircled by them.’
‘In the worst-case scenario, instead of a three-nation alliance, it would result in an eastern order led by Burgai!’
Polrand does not share a direct border with the Empire.
This means that if the Empire steps back now, they’ll be suffocated by the now-reinforced Burgai.
Until now, they managed to keep an eye on Kaden, but if that side thinks differently, the worst-case scenario could unfold.
The Empire knows this. Even if they win, they’re leaving Polrand behind. But if Burgai takes the lead, it means at least one, possibly two, of the three kingdoms could disappear.
While using the princess’s name, Kael’s aim with sending this letter became clear.
Change in the stagnant Pavilion area. Defections within the enemy forces. Coercion on dual fronts from Burgai.
And thus, allowing the 7th Legion to gain dominance before them, despite the absence of any tactics or strategies.
At least for this moment, they believed wholeheartedly in such a notion.