Royal Road of the Extra Scribe

68

The importance of supplies in war needs no further explanation, especially when organizing an army of 400,000.

“This can’t be…! The supply bases destroyed? All of them at once? How could such a thing happen!”

The Duke of Helian shouted in disbelief.

“The security of the supply bases couldn’t have been that lax!”

“Well, that’s… There’s no detailed information yet.”

I was certain.

“There must be a traitor among us!”

Whether it was a traitor to Svenner or to the Western nations, it was still unknown, but regardless, the situation had completely changed.

The Allied Forces, advancing aggressively, could only hold out for a maximum of two days without supplies. They must retreat.

The enemy intended to prey on the retreating Allied Forces and inflict damage.

“This is troublesome. Wade, there’s only one option left.”

Both sides were now inevitably heading towards a resolution to end the war amicably.

The Allied forces, having plundered the supply base, could not carry out any further offensives.

For the Chimera Alliance as well, there was a risk burden in launching additional attacks.

Although Brung’s provisions had been stripped, if supplies were to be provided from neighboring countries Albard and Calipha, they could still maintain the front line.

Now, the key was how to minimize the damage.

“It seems we need to handle the aftermath.”

To do so, I pointed to a spot on the map and issued the advance order.

News of the army’s supply depot being destroyed had also reached the Albard & Beccabia Allied forces, who were pursuing the Svenner army.

“What nonsense is this!”

Gylias Melburn raged, shouting wildly.

On the other hand, Cayenne nodded in acceptance.

“So this was the essence of betrayal. It seems there were worms hidden in Brung’s heart all along. Quite the deception, Jemuto.”

Cayenne glanced at the Svenner army in front of them, then turned and spoke.

“Gylias, we will retreat. Also relay the retreat order to Sophia Veron of Beccabia.”

“Understood!”

“Yusis, you will be in charge of the rear. Jemuto won’t miss this opportunity. He will surely pursue us aggressively.”

As predicted, the Svenner’s 100,000-strong army, which had been retreating, suddenly changed direction as if questioning why and shifted to an offensive.

They began to chase after the Allied forces.

Jemuto, the chief of staff of Svenner and one of the Ten Knights, coldly commanded the pursuit.

“Target the officers. Disable the command system to create chaos.”

His voice was like a machine, devoid of any trace of humanity.

His subordinates were no different.

A military created solely to wage war. To win. That was the Svenner’s 1st army led by Jemuto.

Even the Western tribal scribes dispatched for support had grown weary.

“A profoundly alien army. I think I understand why the tribal leaders recognized them and formed an alliance.”

Svenner’s soldiers skillfully dismantled the Allied forces as if conducting a task.

The turning point came after two hours of pursuit.

“…”

Jemuto stared fixedly at a point.

Then he said, “Have reinforcements come from the Galrin Mountains. Mercenary Wade. Quick response.”

Before his words could finish, an alarming 30,000 troops led by Alska appeared from the flank, attacking Svenner’s forces and rescuing the Albard Allied forces from peril.

In response, Cayenne also turned the tide of the battle.

“You came just in time. Gylias, I will detach 20,000 troops. Coordinate with the Calipha army and drive the enemy back.”

“Understood!”

The Albard forces launched a counterattack.

In turn, the Svenner side began to respond.

“General, what is your plan?”

“It was expected. Respond as prepared.”

“We will follow your orders.”

Alis and Jemuto were about to engage in a full-on confrontation, but there was one more variable on this battlefield.

“…!”

Even Jemuto was taken aback this time.

He quickly turned his gaze to the right side of the battlefield.

“Who… whose army is that?”

Suddenly appearing 5,000 cavalry.

The man commanding that unit, Juras, grinned like a devil.

“Well, shall I show you what you’re made of? Jemuto…!”

Boom! Bang!! Juras’ surprise attack on Svenner’s right flank caught everyone off guard.

The Crossing army led by Juras had been pursuing Eroupe northward. Currently depleted of supplies, they were supposed to be retreating while being chased by Eroupe.

However, to suddenly approach like this without being detected during the retreat meant something else.

“You were waiting here expecting me to push down. Juras Pamilion.”

Jemuto’s forehead, cold as ice, twitched.

Even the Western tribal mercenaries stationed there found it hard to accept this situation.

“How on earth!?”

The meaning of this move was clear.

Juras had known from the start that the supply base would be raided.

“Are you reading my moves!”

It was understandable that the mercenary Wade from the Gallan Mountains did not move. After such a big battle, some time was needed for maintenance.

But not Juras.

Alis was equally stunned by this action.

“Why is that guy even here?”

It was that unexpected.

“Centum infantry is in disarray! The Centum infantry commander is also dead!”

“The Freon Palace Guard is under attack! It’s difficult to repel the enemy cavalry!”

Juras’ skirmishers advancing aggressively.

In response, the Western tribal mercenaries cautiously speak.

“Shall we step in to handle this? It seems like we’re short-handed.”

“We’ll take the right flank to drive out the enemy.”

At this, Hashikuran, Jemuto’s confidant and Svenner’s chief of staff, speaks up in place of Jemuto.

“There’s no need for that.”

He says to Jemuto as if it were obvious.

“General. I will prepare for withdrawal.”

“Very well. Leave it to me.”

At his words, the Western tribal mercenaries look puzzled.

Retreating even though they’ve hardly fought? Even if the situation isn’t great, they could still defeat the enemy with good tactics.

Hashikuran addresses them.

“The general will only engage in battles he can definitely win. Remember that.”

It might seem like cowardly war philosophy to some. But this was the driving force that made Jemuto an undefeated general.

At the point where his plan was shattered, Jemuto showed no hesitation on this battlefield.

They retreated one by one, being cautious not to let the enemy bite their tails.

The swift withdrawal of the Svenner Army.

“Hmm, are you coming out like that?”

Juras was staring at his back with a meaningful expression.

“In that case, shall we give them a taste of their own medicine?”

Juras, lifting the corners of his mouth menacingly. His subordinates shivered at the sight.

◈

Due to the destruction of the supply base, the Allied forces, who began to retreat all at once, had no choice but to pull back to the starting point.

On the difficult front lines where supplies were scarce, they even abandoned the front completely and retreated.

As a result, the armies of Europe, in alliance with Svenner’s 2nd Army, claimed victory over the Sephiran Front, located on the far left.

Thus, the left edge was occupied by the Chimera Alliance, and the right edge, the Galan Mountains, was taken by the Allied forces, equalizing the situation.

Ironically, the Chimera Alliance seemed to have a slight advantage.

Thinking that until the Allied forces’ supply line stabilized was an opportunity, they continued to engage in battles.

The situation was quite tense; support requests were even coming to my side.

So, I led a force of ten thousand troops toward the front where Juras was.

I wasn’t really going to engage in battle.

It was more of a show, you could say.

If I made a motion like this to support, the opponent had no choice but to retreat for the time being.

Thus, when I led my ten thousand troops to join, the European forces, who were planning an attack, temporarily retreated. I found myself facing Juras.

Juras sat calmly as if nothing had happened, but the other officers were different.

Having fought a fierce battle, they breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing us.

“You’ve been attacking quite persistently, haven’t you? I didn’t know Europe was such a tenacious place.”

Juras shrugged in response to my question.

“We had no choice. The prisoners we captured held high positions.”

“Prisoners? Who did you capture?”

“The 1st Prince of Europe. Romelo Galas.”

“The first prince…?”

“That’s right. He’s the heir to the European throne.”

Juras casually mentioned this shocking fact as if he had just returned from the bathroom.

“A prince… in Europe of all places. If the prince, a prisoner, is being held captive, you could even end up executing him.”

“I know you won’t do that. Have you forgotten? The rules of Crossing.”

“Do you really enslave all the prisoners…? But how did you capture him? It would have been difficult to capture someone of that status through normal means. Surely there were protecting forces.”

“They were waiting for us to come down. Thinking they had gained the upper hand by destroying the supply base, they pushed down without any thought. So, we quietly ambushed with the troops we had stationed in advance and captured the prince by piercing through the empty rear.”

Come to think of it, Juras seemed to know about my plan this time. If that was the case, surprising Europe, who mistakenly thought they had the upper hand, by ambushing the prince wouldn’t have been difficult at all.

“How did you know about my plan?”

“I was about to ask you the same. Wade, how did you know?”

“I… didn’t know. I was just busy with army administration and stayed there.”

“I don’t buy your lie, do I? Whether it was army administration or whatever, the best option at the time was to pursue the enemy and move up. With the Tuncai Army already decimated, the enemy didn’t have the forces to stop your army. Yet you were waiting there, which means you sensed something.”

This kid. If I let it go, where will it lead to?

Although his words were all true, I didn’t want to admit it.

“I wasn’t able to secure favorable conditions for Caliper to the extent of going that far. I didn’t bother.”

Even considering my disposition, Jurass seemed convinced.

“Well, I’ve answered, so it’s your turn now.”

“Alright. But not now.”

“Not now?”

“Because a more interesting event will occur shortly. It would be better to discuss everything at once when that time comes.”

“What other surprises are in store?”

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“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Tsk.”

Jurass mentioning an interesting event sent shivers down the spine.

‘Perhaps the game’s story has begun.’

The escalating situation was palpable.

This guy was particularly problematic. Jurass seemed to be involved in every event.

Whether he knew my thoughts or not, he made a suggestion with a smile.

“Is this matter settled? If we have time to spare, how about a game of chess? I’ve been studying in my own way since then.”

Despite his proposal to share a conversation, I didn’t want to form a bond with him.

“It’s hard to imagine you studying. Let’s decline since it feels awkward. And there is a matter at hand.”

“Hmm? What matter?”

There was a reason why I had come this far.

“I would like some compensation.”

“Compensation?”

“You didn’t come all this way to support me for free, did you?”

“hahahaha, so that was your purpose in coming this far. Well, I didn’t request your support, but since you did help… What do you want?”

“Hand over the prisoners.”

Prisoners designated as spoils of this war.

However, the prisoners I had caught were only the steward of Grandis, named Grandidis, and the general of Tunkai, Kraus Forkner.

There were other military officers captured as prisoners, but most of them were either Kraus’s subordinates or bandits and highwaymen.

I hesitated to bring those kinds of people under my command.

The same applied to Grandis. Since being captured as a prisoner, he had not divulged anything even under torture. His loyalty to the steward was remarkably strong. It was unthinkable to have him as my subordinate.

Hence, I decided to use this as a pretext to exchange with Jurass.

“I’ve heard you’ve captured more than just the Prince of Europa as prisoners. I’ll give you the stubborn weeds of the West Tribe I caught in exchange for Europa’s prisoners, won’t I?”

“What about Kraus Forkner?”

“He was taken by the Caliper royal family. They plan to publicly execute him after interrogating him for brutally executing the prisoners and killing the general Du’nan.”

After some thought, Jurass nodded.

“Alright. Bring the prisoners you fancy.”

“You’re quite the negotiator. Then first…”

I couldn’t be sure if there was any useful talent among the prisoners captured by Crossing. Even if there was, the process of persuading them wouldn’t be easy.

So, I decided to bring one reliable insurance.

“Please hand over the Prince of Europa, Romelo Galas, whom you claimed to have captured.”