[ Late spring. The newly established Imperial 1st Army crossed the border and began to crush Thedorant.
The opinion of the Ministry of War and the Office of the Chief of Staff that the war could be ended within the year seemed plausible.
The Empire's 1st Army, with the Western Legion as its spearhead, advanced with irresistible force. ]
[ Around the end of summer, Thedorant's massive counterattack began.
It was clear they had meticulously prepared in advance. Evidently, they had lured the Empire.
In fact, they had lost almost none of their main forces in two months of battle. ]
[ As autumn began, our Empire received news of a devastating defeat.
The Western Legion's 9th and 14th Legions were annihilated. Only a few broke through the encirclement and escaped.
It was the moment the scales, which had been tilting toward the Empire, were instantly balanced. ]
[ I write this without embellishment. That moment was, without a doubt, a crisis for the Empire.
The scales could have tilted further toward Thedorant.
But God had no intention of abandoning our Empire. ]
[ As it happened, Kael Clausewitz, who had been appointed Imperial Chief of Staff, was near the border.
He used his wit to successfully deceive Thedorant's Prince and their elite army.
Thanks to him, the rear was not overrun, and the facilities and supplies needed for reorganization could be protected. ]
[ In autumn, the Emperor finally granted the Imperial Chief of Staff the authority as Chief of Staff of the 1st Army.
The Imperial Chief of Staff, who had made an oath to deliver victory, headed straight for the 1st Army.
When he arrived, the dying morale of the 1st Army rose like a flame catching the wind. ]
[ The Imperial Chief of Staff sent the Novgorod army, for which he had secured command authority, north of Atria.
He also used the southern kingdoms' army as a guide for the Empire's 4th Legion, which was pressuring Benito.
The Eastern Allied Forces were stationed in the central region to serve as a reserve unit that could be mobilized in an emergency. ]
[ On the Thedorant front, the Empire's Eastern 7th and 12th Legions, and its Southern 6th and 13th Legions took the flanks.
The Western Legion was reorganized with only its two remaining legions, without replenishing the annihilated legions.
The Northern 2nd and 8th Legions were positioned between the Atria and Thedorant fronts, awaiting orders.
[The end of autumn. The Imperial Chief of Staff gave Thedorant's ancient Castle the name Setun.
When the 1st Army Commander, other Commanders, and Staff Officers asked for the reason, he answered thus.
The Enemy's full power must be continuously depleted right here.]
We, the historians of later generations, write this.
That year, the winter on the western continent was hotter and more fierce than any other. ]
*
"...It's chilly."
I remember the war first started around late spring.
But now that I've come to my senses, a cold wind is already blowing on the front lines.
Feeling the change on my skin, two main thoughts come to mind.
Time flies so damn fast. To think another year is already ending.
"Adjutant."
"Yes, Chief of Staff."
"The winterization materials and supplies are proceeding without a hitch, right?"
"We are in constant contact with the Ministry of War. We have taken measures so that news will arrive immediately if any small problem arises."
"Literally, if there's even a really small problem, report it right away."
If I look back at the Memories of a Past Life, there are countless cases where armies were completely shattered for not preparing properly for winter.
France's Napoleon was one, and that octopus's mustache was another.
The common denominator for both is Russia... I guess there really is a reason they drink vodka like water.
If they don't warm their bodies even like this, they'll surely turn into frozen pollocks, you know?
Our Empire certainly has top-tier transport and supply capabilities.
The problem is, that's mostly for about two Legions. At most, the amount for about four Legions.
It's been a very long time since they've had to feed, clothe, and shelter a massive army that has long since surpassed 400,000.
Despite their best efforts, there's a possibility of problems arising from lack of experience.
Things that should go here go over there. Things that should arrive don't come on time.
And from the Military's perspective, if a mistake is made not in anything but winter preparations....
We could get really screwed up.[TL] 주옥되다 (juokdoeda) is a popular internet slang/euphemism for 좆되다 (jotdoeda), which means "to be fucked/screwed." It literally means "to become a jewel." [/TL] These hundreds of thousands gathered on my suggestion. If I can't manage them? Even the Emperor would have no choice but to start stroking my neck.
It is said that third-rate men discuss Tactics, second-rate men discuss Strategy, and first-rate men discuss logistics.
It's not for nothing that Master Kongming is said to have done his part just by playing the role of the big-eared guys meal cart.
The army is an Existence that can fight as long as it has the strength to eat. Conversely, without Supplies, it's like a tank without fuel that must come to a halt.
That's why I decided to pull off this crazy stunt called Setungrad.
Because spending every day attacking is bound to be harder than sitting still, receiving Supplies, and passing the winter.
After all, the attacker is always forced to suffer more human and material losses than the defender.
"Let's go to the 1st Army Command."
I walked to the 1st Army Command with my adjutant.
As I entered the Barracks, I saw the Commander, who was again today frantically checking the military situation.
"Commander."
"Ah, welcome, Chief of Staff."
"How are things progressing with Setungrad?"
"We have evacuated the entire surrounding area. At the same time, as per your opinion, Chief of Staff, we have also pulled back the forces that were covering the Castle's flanks... but are you sure this will be alright? The Castle could become completely isolated."
Isolated and helpless. A lonely state with no help to be found from anywhere.
Originally, the Empire's Western Legion was nearby, but I sent them all to the rear.
The Commander expressed his concern for a moment, but then changed his mind at a single word.
"Winter is coming, Commander."
"...You mean it's difficult to rely on a single Barracks in a Field Battle."
"We created this situation precisely to force that upon them. But there's no need to force it on our Ally, is there?"
I was the one who argued for a long war. But I know well that it can't go on forever.
As winter approached, the unlimited use of the Magic corps was also reduced to less than half.
Its partly because the Thedorant bastards movements have slowed, but also because we need to start conserving for the next big blow.
"We will lie low until the end of this year. We will lie as low as possible, and then unleash it all at once. Ignoring the Enemy scattered to the north and south, right here in this central region."
I heard that some of the higher-ups in the Empire seem to have such expectations of me.
That in this situation, Id land a blow on Thedorant with some brilliant Tactics or Strategy.
But my feeling is just, Why bother? I never felt the need for it in the first place.
When we can mobilize three times more troops and ten times more Supplies than the Enemy.
I dont know why theyd insist on fighting with Tactics and what-not, leaving aside such great advantages.
Supplies and Tax money come in every year, but people take at least several decades, you know?
If Overwhelming numbers are possible, just gathering them and ramming them head-on is the Best Tactic and Strategy.
Think about it. If I can play all three options in rock-paper-scissors, then playing all three is the right move.
Playing one by one, trying to read the Enemys intentions and win stylishly, is not the smart thing to do.
The problem, I guess, is that not only the Enemy, but also my Ally, expects such things from me.
This is why I hated being called a Genius or a Strategist.
I just diligently did the basics I knew. I got lucky and it worked out well.
How is it that both Enemy and Ally have fallen for this Misconception?
"When winter passes and spring comes, the Western Legion will continue to fall back, while the Eastern and Southern Legions will envelop the flanks."
"The Enemy—"
"The Enemy isnt stupid, so theyll realize this is similar to the method they used. But just as our Empire, despite feeling uneasy, ultimately couldnt stop attacking for various reasons. I will make Thedorant, even while knowing, shout, Just one more attack. Then theres a chance!"
Then, I moved several of the supply depots located in the rear to the front.
"Lets advance our Allys supply depots to a reasonable distance from Setungrad. The reason, hmm... lets just say its preparation for next years Offensive."
"Are you planning to deceive the Enemy again?"
"No. This time, were going to place real supply depots. If we use only deceptive tactics, theyll sense something is off. This time, we have to dangle the real thing in front of their eyes to make them fall for it."
In terms of justification, they get to reclaim the Castle that now bears the Name of Setun, whom they despise most.
For the Practical Part, they get to plunder the supply depots stockpiled with the Empires immense Supplies, and thereby delay our Offensive.
If they think they can achieve both, Thedorant will have to attack no matter what.
Only then will our Empire have a chance to spread its wings and attack their rear.
"I expect voices of concern will come from the Ministry of War or the Chief of Staff Office. No matter how much we maximize Setungrad's Defense, a supply depot less than two days away is...."
"We need a more certain bait. To make Thedorant have no choice but to attack."
I pointed at the map and continued the conversation with the Commander.
"If we pull back the Western Legion, Setungrad naturally becomes a defensive high ground from our Empire's perspective, and a foothold for Thedorant's comeback. If they capture this place, they can turn the tide of the war in their favor again. Thedorant knows this too."
"They're proclaiming they've won a great victory, but in reality, nothing has changed. If anything, their front has only expanded, increasing their burden. At this point, the internal atmosphere in Thedorant will start to feel strange. They'll feel like they've won, but are losing."
"Just as our Chief of Staff Office did in the past, it is now time for the enemy to feel the pressure for another victory. And we will offer them prey exactly as they did to us. The only difference is that our bait is real, one that can satisfy both justification and practicality."
We must whittle down Thedorant's reorganized forces as much as possible during this winter.
So that even if they sense it and want to retreat, they'll feel it's too much of a waste to give up.
Whenever that happens, I plan to spread Setun's name even more widely to make their heads spin.
I will make Thedorant's public sentiment, not Thedorant's High Command, want to charge into Setungrad.
"With this, I trust there will be no problem even if I am away for a while, Commander."
"Don't worry, Chief of Staff. I have not the slightest intention of repeating a mistake. Rather, I'm more worried about you having to return to the Empire for a while and argue with the assembly to get that bill you're thinking of passed."
Actually, I am too. Fighting with the assembly over money issues is so exhausting.
The Ministry of Finance is already wailing every day because of me, so I'm genuinely worried.
But what can I do? When this war is over, the Empire must become the ultimate superpower.
Of course, the Empire is already the strongest now. It's hard for anyone to disagree.
However, what I want is a perfect, ultimate superpower that no one can shake or even challenge from now on.
Just like the Celestial Dynasty of my previous life.
"A bill to provide supplies to Rostanica, you say. Was it for this purpose that you fixed the gaze of Benito and Thedorant's 5th Army to their front?"
"We have to make sure Benito doesn't even have the capacity to look toward the sea. That way it becomes easier to send supplies to Rostanica through the southern kingdoms."
Rostanica. It's tough, isn't it? Though I know a massive landing operation like D-Day is impossible.
Instead, I'll give you plenty of support, similar to the Lend-Lease that island nation received.
So you absolutely must not surrender or enter into peace negotiations, okay? You know you have to fight until you bleed, right?