Pavilion theater, a place firmly guarded by the Empire's 12th Legion.
Initially, there were many concerns, but no longer.
The Alliance's offensive was not as sharp as it was at first, and the 12th Legion was, literally, like a rock.
No matter what they did, they could not cut off the Empire's advance and supply line.
All this was thanks to the strategist who stayed briefly, offered ingenious plans, and then disappeared like the wind.
It is ironic, however, that the person in question says that it was nothing great and that he is not a strategist.
Although the defeat of the 7th Legion was an unexpected event.
It is also an undeniable fact that the power of the Alliance has weakened considerably.
Defeat in a battle does not directly lead to defeat in the war.
How to heal from it and what lessons to learn is important.
Furthermore, how to use the gap created by the defeat.
"Corps Commander!"
A somewhat unexpected letter arrived in front of the 12th Corps Commander.
"It was sent by Young Master Kael?"
"That's right. A herald sent by order of Her Highness the Princess confirmed it, and I've also verified that the letter is indeed from Young Master Kael."
"What is it all of a sudden?"
The Second Princess appeared right in front of the 7th Legion, unexpectedly.
It turns out, she was moving in secret, and most of the top military brass didn't even know.
Even the distant 12th Legion was surprised, so he can't even imagine what the 7th Legion, who were directly involved, must have felt.
Well, thanks to that, it helped to restore the morale of the 7th Legion.
'The 7th Legion is praising Her Highness the Princess who came to visit in person, moved by the mercy of His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Crown Princess, and is cheering for the Empire…'
But still, in his opinion, it all seems like a plan by Kael, that young man.
The 12th Corps Commander was expecting that, no, he was certain.
The reason this is not known is probably because of his temperament, which shows detachment in the face of credit.
He's a really strange fellow. His peers would try to make themselves stand out somehow.
He's been doing so much, yet he's busy belittling himself.
'If my son followed even half of Kael's example, I wouldn't worry...'
"First, give me that letter."
"Yes, Corps Commander. Here it is."
The content was said to be sent by Kael, but the official sender is the Second Princess of the Empire.
So, the 12th Corps Commander carefully took it and began to read the contents.
"…Huh. Haha."
After confirming everything, the 12th Corps Commander unknowingly let out a chuckle.
"Corps Commander?"
"Haha. Hahaha. My, my, what a scary young man. Is he saying he's not a strategist after all this? Right now, this appears to be the work of a strategist planning something, no matter who looks at it."
Was the Corps Commander muttering to himself?
Or is it a sigh that has not yet reached someone?
The adjutant just stood next to the Corps Commander and watched his eyes.
"Adjutant."
"Y-yes! Corps Commander!"
"Explain the current situation in the Pavilion theater."
A somewhat sudden order without reason.
But the adjutant quickly acted like a soldier and carried out his superior's orders.
"I will explain the situation in the Pavilion theater. Currently, our Imperial 12th Legion occupies the main passage in the Pavilion theater and has occupied two high grounds around it."
"What about the enemy?"
"Initially, the armies of the three kingdoms showed an organic appearance under the name of the Alliance. However, they seemed to be faltering a while ago, and recently, they have been widening the distance between their camps and subtly checking each other."
"…."
"However, since the 12th Legion aims to stabilize and maintain the Pavilion theater, we are not moving hastily to attack one side―"
The Corps Commander waved his hand as if to say that was enough.
Yes. The current situation in the Pavilion theater is like this. The armies of the three-nation alliance have split slightly.
While not completely divided, if you attack one place, they will still react.
However, due to friction in the command staff, they are keeping a distance from each other.
'It's still difficult to defeat them individually. In the worst case, our 12th Legion could be surrounded. By simply guarding the passage and holding them here, we are already doing our part.'
That's why he could do exactly what Kael asked.
"Adjutant. Deliver this letter secretly through a herald to the Fohrland military camp."
"Secretly, you mean?"
"If it's difficult, it's fine if it's discovered. But I'd rather it not happen."
In the letter, Kael clearly stated this.
It would be more advantageous for the Empire to proceed quietly this time.
It's unlike when he was there, begging the enemy to please find out.
"I'll be back."
Watching the adjutant leaving the barracks, the Corps Commander was lost in thought.
A head that is more aware of the overall situation than anyone else, and is capable of redeployment afterwards.
Quickly grasping the enemy's strengths and weaknesses, and even how to twist them.
He always said he wasn't good at military tactics. Yes, that may be the case in terms of tactics.
But when it comes to strategy, he's already far from ordinary.
'Brat. You're just a natural strategist.'
*
The commander of the Alliance in the Pavilion theater was still Betel of Fohrland.
His authority was already undermined, and though a commander, he hardly seemed like one.
This is because Fohrland is the weakest of the three eastern kingdoms.
But ironically, because it is the weakest, the position of commander was maintained.
Both Burkheim and Carden did not want each other to become the new commander.
Since this theater failed anyway, the person in charge must be Fohrland.
They also know. For Fohrland to regain its voice, it must fight in this theater.
They will have to use more power and suffer more damage.
Then naturally, they will become weaker, so there is nothing to worry about for the two kingdoms.
"Damn it."
He struck the Imperial 12th Legion again today, but the result was not very good.
It was stalemated. Now that initial sharpness can no longer be maintained.
In this case, the defender has won. It is time for the attacker to lose power.
If the situation was similar in other theaters, he wouldn't be in such a hurry.
But Burkheim won a technical victory against the Imperial Legion.
They also suffered damage, but anyway, they are the best of the three kingdoms.
So, Betel and the Kingdom of Fohrland had to achieve something in this Pavilion.
Whether they like it or not, the Fohrland army had to be the center and hit the enemy's passage.
'If this continues, even after the war with the Empire ends, our Fohrland army will be crippled.'
Attack, but cannot break through. Return, but cannot give up the theater.
As Betel clutched his head in pain, someone enters the barracks.
"Commander. A herald has come from the Empire again."
"Just send them back."
They've already been tricked once, are they crazy enough to accept it again?
They've caused this much division, is it enough? What else are they trying to do?
"The herald insists he has something to tell Fohrland."
"Just send them away."
Betel answered irritably. But he soon changed his mind.
He was stubborn in a frustrating situation. Yes. Let's hear it once.
What you are talking about. What is it for my country, Fohrland.
So Betel met the herald and received the letter.
"…."
Having pondered all day, he secretly took the letter he'd received from the herald and delivered it to Fohrland.
*
Currently, the atmosphere of Fohrland, one of the three eastern kingdoms, could not be said to be good, even as a compliment.
The military is fighting the Empire, and the royal family and the political world are fighting the other two kingdoms under the surface.
Leadership. Justification. Advantage. Depending on how the order of the East will be reorganized in the future.
If they fall behind in any of these, it was too obvious what kind of future would unfold.
In the midst of this, the commander they appointed secretly sent a letter.
"What is this?"
"It's a letter from the Empire. I heard the Second Princess of the Empire sent it."
The King of Fohrland was the first to check the contents of the letter.
"…Huh."
"Your Majesty?"
"What did the Empire say?"
Instead of answering, the king handed the letter to the nobles.
Soon, the nobles who saw the letter sent by the princess showed their respective reactions.
Some are angry. And some are expressing their resentment.
Some are thinking deeply about something, while a few are looking around to see what others are doing.
"Your Majesty! This is a mockery of our Fohrland! We should―"
"We need to think a little more carefully, Your Majesty. If it's this kind of content…"
In summary, the letter from the Empire to Fohrland said this.
[Mercy is a privilege reserved for the strong.]
At first glance, you might wonder what this means.
But the king and the nobles active in the political world know the underlying meaning.
"Shouldn't you decide soon?"
"You still can't give up on the Alliance. Will your neighbors be considerate of you if you win?"
"No. Will those you believe to be neighbors even let you live?"
"Even if the Empire wins this war, Fohrland can survive. But even if the Alliance wins, think about whether you can really survive."
The rescue ship hasn't left yet. But now you have to make up your mind.
The whispers of the devil seemed to be heard in the ears of the Fohrland officials.
'Right now, Burkheim is focusing on the Imperial Legion right in front of them.'
'They are suspicious of us and not moving, not because they trust us, but because they lack definite evidence.'
'If Burkheim really wins again… Fohrland, which is located at the easternmost end, will be completely surrounded by Burkheim.'
'In the worst case, the order of the East led by Burkheim will be completed, not the three-nation alliance…!'
Fohrland does not directly border the Empire.
Therefore, if the Imperial Army retreats in this state, Fohrland will be suffocated by Burkheim, which has grown enormously.
They have been checking each other with Carden so far, but if that place changes its mind, the worst situation will unfold.
'The Empire knows this too. Even if they win, they will leave our Fohrland. But if Burkheim takes the lead, at least one of the three kingdoms will surely disappear. At most, two.'
Using the name of the princess, Kael, who sent this letter, seemed to want this.
A change in the stalemated Pavilion theater. Some defection of enemy forces. Forcing Burkheim to fight on two fronts.
Thus, they were in front of the 7th Legion, which would move forward again.
Even without any tactics or strategy, they gain superiority.
At least, at this moment, they were people who believed it without a doubt.