“It must have been quite troublesome coming here, Commander Faelus.”
Knowing the Enemy's Chain of Command is naturally essential knowledge for a Commander.
In that regard, Faelus knew better than anyone the true eminence of the Empire's Commander-in-Chief's position.
It was a position that oversaw all Imperial forces, with all authority granted by the Emperor.
He commanded field commanders and corps commanders, issuing orders to them.
With a single gesture from him, at least 100,000 Imperial forces would move.
With a slight exaggeration, it could be said to be a position equivalent to that of a king.
It represented reaching the absolute pinnacle one could achieve in military circles.
And the person holding that Commander-in-Chief position was a young man not yet thirty.
‘He looks to be about my son's age.’
A young man in his early 20s. Young. Young enough to be considered a boy.
But that young man was the Strategist who had forged the Empire's legend of consecutive victories.
A monstrous figure who had remained undefeated to date.
When he first heard rumors about that man, he had thought them greatly exaggerated.
Did it make sense to shatter the three eastern kingdoms with a few schemes?
He thought the Empire was eager to create a Hero, and that he was a result of it.
However, afterward, in the south, Benito was left crippled, its power utterly diminished.
He plunged Thedorant, which had gained morale from a great victory, back into despair.
He had even deceived Prince Georg, whom everyone in Thedorant followed.
‘I must no longer pay attention to his youth. That young man, though young, possesses experience and a strategic mind that lightly surpasses even the most seasoned old generals.’
Without letting down his guard, Faelus received Kael's greeting.
“It was no trouble at all. On the contrary, I think you're the one who would have had more trouble.”
The conference tent wasn't in the precise center of the two armies, but was closer to Thedorant.
Faelus subtly let him know that they could do something rash if they chose.
Of course, he had no intention of doing so. It was just a battle of pride.
He knew it was a foolish act. But wouldn't it be better to gain superiority even in this way?
“Hahaha. I had a distinguished guest accompanying me on the way, so it wasn't bad.”
A distinguished guest? Faelus turned his head, following Kael's gesture.
And soon, he was surprised by the appearance of a beautiful woman who seemed completely out of place on this harsh battlefield.
Because if his eyes were not mistaken, that was the Empire's Second Princess.
“This is the Second Princess of the Empire, Commander Faelus.”
“…Indeed, a distinguished guest was accompanying you. I am Faelus Gusthagen, noble lady.”
“I am the Second Princess, Isabelle Heldenberg.”
As I said, this place is closer to the Thedorant camp.
And yet, the Commander-in-Chief, and even the Princess are here?
If Leonit had known this, he would have been raising hell, saying they must attack.
‘And of the guards around, half are Imperial personnel, and the other half are Novgorod's Demons. What in the world is this?’
They had sent reinforcements, yet they brought them to such an important place?
How far has the relationship between the Empire and Novgorod progressed? Have they become close to an alliance?
Faced with various situations, Faelus's mind begins to spin like crazy.
“I have heard stories about Commander Faelus several times.”
“Stories about me?”
“Yes. That you repelled our Empire's attack once. And in a situation where you are not being pushed back even against the continuous Wave Attack since then. They say that the role of none other than Commander Faelus was great.”
“That was not due to me, but because of the soldiers' hardships.”
Half of it was modesty, but the other half was sincere.
In fact, if the soldiers had not fought with all their might, it would have been of no use.
Thedorant, Atria, and even Dregali. Those who came from various places had done their best.
“I was in admiration as I heard the reports. It was very impressive.”
“I doubt you arranged this meeting just to offer praise.”
“Hmm. I see. It must be uncomfortable, as those soldiers must have reached their absolute limit.”
“…”
He had expected it, but hearing it directly, Faelus's stomach churned.
The Enemy knew the Ally's situation in detail, as if it were their own.
He could not answer whether it was difficult to maintain the Military, let alone fight.
“I will ask one thing, Commander-in-Chief.”
“I am listening.”
“This meeting. Is this not a meeting to discuss Surrender?”
“If I were to suggest Surrender, would you consider it? I don't think you would.”
With a playful smile, Kael tapped the table.
“Let's take a break. For exactly 72 hours, a complete truce. What do you think?”
“…”
“Just in case, I will state it here. During those 72 hours, the Empire will not engage in any military action for future tactical or strategic objectives. We will maintain the encirclement, but all other activities will be completely halted, Commander.”
“…Are you serious?”
“I swear it on my Loyalty to the Empire and His Majesty the Emperor.”
Having said this, Kael looked at Isabelle, who was beside him.
As if this person was his witness.
As Isabelle nodded, Faelus's Expression became even more contorted.
“You must be wondering why there's a sudden truce.”
“To be honest, yes.”
“Haven't we fought for nearly a month without even a New Year's celebration? Our Empire, and you, Thedorant, we all believe in the same religion and celebrate the same holiday. And we are ruining it with this damn thing called war.”
So why did you start this impossible thing and make it hard for both of us.
Faelus felt uncomfortable, as if the Kael sitting in front of him was saying that.
“Compared to the week originally spent on the New Year's holiday, it's ridiculously short, but isn't three days enough? Let's at least get a taste of the holiday spirit during that time.”
“Is that the reason for the truce proposal?”
“Do you need more? You and I, in the end, we are all people who fight against other people's fathers, husbands, and sons. Even if we can't send them back to their families' embrace right away, can't we at least let them momentarily recall the warmth of those times?”
“…”
At Kael's words, Faelus unknowingly thought of the soldiers in the Ally camp.
The young men who were suffering from hunger because the supplies had long run out.
They should have been celebrating the New Year in their families' embrace, humming Lili Marleen at home, not on the Battlefield.
In a war started by those in high places, those in low places are dying.
A bitter taste filled his mouth. A corner of his chest ached.
It was truly sad that he could not deny the words of a man from an Enemy country.
“If we do not accept the truce, what will happen?”
“It's a pity, but what can we do? We'll just have to keep pounding away eagerly. Just like we have been.”
“Conversely, what happens if we accept the truce and the promised time passes?”
“An attack, of course. In the end, we are enemies, aren't we?”
Still, one thing. If you accept, you can give the soldiers three days of rest.
That time, sworn by the Enemy's leader himself, when they can be at ease for at least three days.
As Kael added that, Faelus silently fiddled with his hands.
“Ah. If you accept the truce, I am willing to show a small kindness to commemorate the belated New Year.”
“Kindness?”
“What would it be? It's a chance to eat and drink during the holiday.”
“You're saying you'll give us food and drink? To the Enemy?”
“For at least 72 hours, we are both people who have been dragged here and are suffering unjustly, so that much kindness is possible.”
Of course, don't misunderstand. He said he would only give a three-day portion.
How you distribute it is up to you, but it will be hard to conserve it.
Faelus, too, agreed with Kael's words.
There's food in front of hungry people, and you tell them to eat it sparingly?
I guarantee, the person who says that will be killed on the spot.
“So what will you do, Commander? I would prefer you decide right here.”
“You're not even giving me time to think?”
“I'm doing this because if I give you that time, it will only become harder for you people.”
Does he even know about the internal conflict? Truly, a fearsome man.
With a bitter smile, Faelus finally said he understood and nodded.
A short while later, a brief truce was declared between the two armies.
*
After the series of events, Leonit was, of course, enraged.
“Does this make any sense?”
It was unthinkable for the Commander facing the Enemy to readily accept a truce proposal.
It was obvious what they were aiming for, so why did he take the bait?
However difficult the situation, wasn't it right to be firm and refuse?
“Then General Leonit. A time to rest comfortably for even just three days is offered. A moment to fill our hungry stomachs is offered. Can you tell the soldiers that you gave that up?”
“That is….”
“They are not asking us to surrender, but for a brief truce. Don't you know that without even that, we can no longer hold out?”
He knew well what he was worried about. He was afraid the soldiers would give up completely.
But that was one thing, and this was another. The Empire has already released the poison of rest upon them.
If they don't accept it once the news has spread, they will collapse not in three days, but tonight.
Something so sweet is right in front of them, and if someone prevents them from having it, it will lead to disaster.
Under normal, rational circumstances, they might be able to endure it, but not now.
Instinct would take over, and they would surely try to remove any obstacles.
“Commander. A supply convoy with a white flag has arrived from the Empire.”
“Maintain the guard, but greet them politely. As you would a herald.”
Eventually, the Empire's shipment was laid out before them for inspection.
Inside, there was plenty of food, neither meager nor extravagant.
There was even a little bit of alcohol to warm the body.
“Commander. What if, by any chance, there is poison or drugs in this—”
Leonit tried to stop him persistently, but Faelus checked it himself.
If it was poison, he would be the first to die, so wasn't that a fitting punishment?
“…Since an old man like me is fine, it seems there's nothing wrong. Adjutant?”
“Yes, Commander.”
“Distribute the incoming supplies equally among the units. Don't be sparing, and let them consume it all over the three days. It's a belated New Year's celebration, so we should at least create the atmosphere for it.”
Thus, between the Empire and Thedorant, a strange New Year's truce began.