The fat was in the fire. [TL] 발등에 불이 떨어졌다 (baldeung-e bul-i tteoreojyeotda) literally means "fire has fallen on the instep (of one's foot)" and is an idiom meaning one is in urgent trouble or facing an imminent crisis. [/TL]
There was probably no better way to describe Thedorant’s situation.
Their plan at the beginning of the war with the Empire was truly perfect.
Unlike themselves, who had torn apart and taken everything from the occupied Dregali, the Empire had not.
Even after the war, they had taken only authority and gained almost no other Profit.
In other words, if the war continued, even the Empire would find it hard to endure.
Signs of this were visible from the beginning. The Imperial Army moved quite hastily.
Their lure worked well, but they themselves wanted to end the war quickly.
Whether it was a mistake born from the impatience that this might be the last war.
Or whether it stemmed from concern that the Empire might be shaken.
It didn't matter much from which point it started.
Only one thing was important. They had moved as Thedorant wished.
Luring them into Thedorant. And a decisive defeat.
They would inflict great Damage to increase the Empire's burden.
Weren't there Legions that had been relentlessly mobilized for continuous wars?
A long war is burdensome for Thedorant. But it's not like they have nowhere to draw from.
Having swallowed Dregali, which was almost their equal, Power came from there.
What could they do? For those defeated in war, only suffering remains.
They knew well they couldn't beat the Empire. But their goal wasn't victory.
They just needed to hold out in this war. The Empire just needed to acknowledge Thedorant.
By doing so, they would unify the west and, for a while, prostrate themselves before the Empire.
Until they caught their breath, finished their preparations, and after a long time, finally came the time to call themselves an Empire.
“Not a chance.”
Thedorant’s grand dream shattered right after the major Offensive.
From the moment everything was shaken by a single Imperial Strategist.
Originally, after crushing the western Legion, which was the spearhead of the Imperial Army.
Their plan was then to attack the gate itself and sweep through the rear areas.
Prince Georg and the elite forces had moved personally for that task.
No matter how powerful the Empire was. No matter how prosperous.
To mobilize everything for war, reclassification work in the rear is essential.
If the place responsible for such work collapses, reorganization becomes even more difficult.
Thedorant had, in a way, threatened the Empire.
Now, look. To kill us, you must also be prepared to be ground down immensely.
When you're bleeding profusely, will the rest of the continent just watch quietly?
Realizing that, the Empire would have no choice but to opt for a temporary truce.
But the breakthrough of the gate, which should have been the start of everything, was blocked.
In the face of Thedorant’s great victory. Amidst the Empire’s devastating defeat.
The Imperial Strategist seized an opening and counterattacked.
“Well, now. The gate is this empty. The door is open, what are you doing not coming in?”
Fortunately, the 3rd Prince Georg was there.
A figure respected even by Thedorant’s Commanders, he didn't fall for the trap.
If it had been anyone else, they would have rushed in happily and ruined the Morale victory had brought.
Rumors circulate in the world that it was an empty Castle. That there was actually nothing there.
But most in Thedorant did not believe those words.
Honestly, does that make sense? His reputation, his Fame. And risking his life?
Moreover, a man who has never once lost Superiority and is a master at creating it?
They avoided the trap, but the next step presented a Problem.
One thing was blocked, then the next, and the one after that became tangled.
Their plan was clearly perfect. At least, it appeared so.
But that perfection, when the situation turned strange, became a poison.
At that very moment, Prince Georg and Thedorant’s Command Staff had similar thoughts.
Perhaps this was what he was aiming for. Wasn’t this the Scene the Strategist wanted?
The sight of them being tripped up by their own plan, falling, and not knowing what to do.
“Atria is urgently requesting support!”
“The 5th Army stationed in Benito has reported that they must prepare for any eventuality!”
“According to reports from rear Scouts, an enormous army is also heading towards the Imperial 1st Army…!”
They couldn't even properly understand what was happening anymore.
The Empire, as if nothing had happened, immediately decided to exhaust Thedorant.
Regardless of the Damage or Loss they suffered.
Thus, Thedorant now had to seek a decisive outcome in the coming Days.
As if possessed by a demon, this time Thedorant was slowly sinking into a swamp.
*
“…It’s going well.”
Yes. This is going smoothly enough.
There's nothing difficult about it. Since our Chief of Staff Office failed, I just need to do the opposite.
Let's not make hasty judgments or act hastily. Let's be leisurely, and surely take them down one by one.
Fortunately, there’s a Negative Example, so I just need to learn from that.
Our Empire is, of course, larger than Thedorant in basic size.
The Problem is, because we were always large, we've been unknowingly kept in Check.
Right now, everywhere except the west is bowing its head, but if the Empire stumbles, they might suddenly turn and say, ‘You know we’ve endured a lot, right?’
The Ministry of War knew this, and the Chief of Staff Office knew it too.
And Thedorant also seemed to have roughly guessed such circumstances.
Thus, our High Command tried to end the war by delivering a swift, critical blow.
Thedorant used that to draw them in as much as possible and then landed a solid counter.
If my Tear-jerking lute show hadn't happened, the Damage might have been even greater.
If the rear had been swept away, it would have taken at least half a year just to reorganize.
‘They must have been sure we would catch our breath. They must have thought their own reorganization would be faster.’
After the Chief of Staff changed, I immediately and strongly expressed my will.
This war won't end easily. Everyone must prepare for a long war.
I know Money is precious and Taxes are precious. But now is not the time to save!
Until now, we've shown the Empire's strength swiftly to deliver a shock.
This time, conversely, let's show everything the Empire has to apply pressure!
Naturally, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Home Affairs expressed their Dilemma.
There had already been friction in the north two years ago, followed by Military Expenditure in the eastern and southern regions.
On top of that, various Problems within the Empire due to the war had also arisen.
But now, openly declaring a long-term war made them worry about the aftermath.
The Empire is a large country. It has the Power to withstand any external crisis firmly.
But ironically, because it's a large country, it can also collapse in an instant due to internal Problems.
The Imperial High Command’s worries are by no means an exaggeration or unfounded.
But what can you do? The Chief of Staff overdid it and got thrashed like this.
The moment Politics gets involved in war, this is what happens. You get hasty and only look ahead.
So, I decided to use my Backing appropriately.
“The Chief of Staff of the Imperial Family is currently the Chief of Staff of the 1st Army, overseeing everything on the front lines. It would be better to listen to him this time.”
One difference from my Memories of a Past Life. Here, it’s not a president, but an Emperor.
Not someone who can be kicked out by a vote, but an Existence holding absolute Power.
And I am receiving the full support and trust of that very Emperor.
When the Emperor’s permission finally came, I began to move in earnest.
First, I started using the Magic corps, which had previously only been operated in large-scale Battles, indiscriminately.
Complaints from the magicians? I silenced them with more support.
Indeed, the only thing better than Money is more Money. Yep.
I didn't rush the restoration of the western Legion. Thedorant doesn't have much leeway either.
What's the point of reorganizing first? They'll probably have to send support in all directions.
Expanding the front lines like this means both simple troop strength and intelligence gathering units must spread out.
Naturally, this increases the possibility of creating holes in their intelligence network, killing two birds with one stone.
Not a new strategy at all, you say? What kind of genius strategist is this, you ask?
I've been saying it all along. Strategist, I can't say, but I'm certainly no Genius.
All I can do is avoid failure.
All I do is follow the formula for victory presented beforehand.
It's not for nothing that I'm called a lucky guy. It's truly all about Luck for me, you know?
“Chief of Staff. News from the south.”
“What did they say?”
“The southern kingdom’s army and the 4th Legion are pressuring Benito. The Thedorant forces stationed there are, as expected, unable to move recklessly.”
“Good.”
“Yes. It seems the Ghost Legion, created as you suggested, Chief of Staff, is proving effective.”
The Empire has a large population, but it’s not like Vodka-land where they just conscript and throw people in. [TL] "보드카의 나라" (bodeuka-ui nara) literally means "country of vodka", likely a euphemism for Russia, known for its large population and historical mass conscription tactics. [/TL]
In the first place, using them so recklessly could make us stumble even after winning the war.
But threats and deception against the Enemy are absolutely necessary. It's something only human Power can achieve.
So, I once again consulted my Memories of a Past Life.
Ghost Army. A strategy the world’s strongest nation used against the octopuses. [TL] "낙지" (nakji) literally means octopus. In this context, given the mention of the "world's strongest nation" and deception tactics in warfare, it's highly likely a coded reference to the Nazis (나치, nachi), as "nakji" sounds somewhat similar to "Nazi" in Korean. The "Ghost Army" was a real Allied unit in WWII that used deception against the Axis powers. [/TL]
A unit designed to deceive the Enemy about the scale of Ally troop strength, direction of movement, and encampment status.
Fortunately, various cultural activities had already blossomed in the Empire.
There were truly many experts I could mobilize to help with the parts I brought.
And the results soon began to arrive in reports.
[ Thedorant 5th Army stationed in Benito confirmed fallen for deception tactics ]
[ Confirmed movement of some Thedorant forces towards the southern Border ]
You think only you guys know how to lure, deceive, and trick?
We know how to do all that too, you see.
Long live the Empire! I'm so glad I was born in the Empire!!