“...I've been hit.”
Yes, for about a month, things had been going well.
The Empire, no fool, had made various preparations, but this couldn't last forever.
Reports that they had attacked and routed their Logistics Corps, seizing and burning Supplies, continued to fly in.
Each time, King Cassius II of Thedorant was relieved, believing things were going as planned.
By targeting their supplies, they could weaken the Enemy's current onslaught.
If those bastards turned their attention to the rear, an opportunity for a counterattack would always arise.
—That was the situation until yesterday.
“…Contact has been lost again.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Cassius II, upon hearing the report, slammed his fist on the armrest.
Something, something was happening. Something that should never have happened was happening.
About 5,000 Thedorant troops had infiltrated the rear.
All were elite and carefully selected, divided into hundred-man units.
The sole objective was to attack the Enemy's Logistics Corps and cut off their supplies.
He thought they were succeeding, and indeed, they were.
But suddenly overnight, seven units had missed their regular report.
He had provided each with an expensive Communication Device, instructing them to report daily.
Their reports were essential for the Ally Command Staff to grasp the evolving War situation.
So it was impossible they had forgotten. Even if something had occurred, they would have made contact later.
“Seven units were neutralized by the Imperial Army in one night? Could it be those bastards have pulled out a Legion and are attacking the entire rear area?”
“According to reports from every defensive stronghold and Castle, the Enemy's Offensive has not eased or weakened anywhere. The enemies facing our Thedorant are still in their positions, Your Majesty.”
It didn't seem like the Enemy's elite and seasoned soldiers had moved secretly to the rear.
If so, the only forces the Enemy could mobilize would be Reserve units, or conscripts at best.
He admitted that the number of their supply raiding parties was small, numbering 5,000 at best.
And since they were further divided into hundred-man units, it was natural for them to be crushed if they bit off more than they could chew.
But all of them were the Best of the best, selected with the utmost care.
Since they were fighting within Thedorant, they were also much more familiar with the terrain and geography than the Empire.
Above all, he had told them that what was important was not to cut down enemy soldiers, but to cut off their supplies.
He had even given them orders to retreat without hesitation if it seemed like a tough Battle.
They were not individuals who would be easily wiped out. He had also taken measures to prevent that.
They utilized dozens of points advantageous for an ambush. They aimed for the incredibly long Supply line.
Like a Beast stalking its Prey, they could secure their target and retreat at any time.
‘So how could seven hundred of them be taken out in one night?’
Even if Cassius II himself had been the Imperial Army, it was an impossible amount of Damage.
No matter how many troops were attached to the Logistics Corps, if the attackers simply held back, it was over.
On top of that, there were bound to be narrow passages, so the numerical Superiority was not Absolute.
Even from the Enemy's perspective, this much Damage was unthinkable.
“Your Majesty. There may be a Spy among our allies.”
“A Spy? You're saying there might be a traitor?”
“This supply raiding operation was a matter in which Your Majesty and the military Command Staff had invested much effort. In fact, until a month ago, the Empire had lost a certain number of Logistics Corps and supplies. But how could we lose that many soldiers in one night?”
Gruber's words certainly had a point. Yes, no matter how much he thought about it, this wasn't right.
Kael Clausewitz. Even for a formidable foe that Cassius II himself acknowledged, it didn't make sense.
Unless they knew our Ally's positions inside and out, how could they pick out and annihilate those who were targeting the supplies!
“Gruber.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Secretly investigate all commanders involved in this supply raiding operation.”
“All of them, you say?”
“Yes. Regardless of their rank. Investigate all of them, regardless of their merits.”
The nobles of Atria had forsaken the Glory of the Theian People and sought to switch sides.
Meanwhile, the southern forces of Benito had finally broken away and surrendered to the Empire.
Consider how those who were shouting 'Long live Thedorant' just two years ago are now shamelessly turning their backs.
In such a situation, who can be trusted? Even his surroundings became suspect.
‘No. At least this much is a rational suspicion. Things could not have happened so accurately and swiftly without information about our allies leaking.’
Cassius II's opinion was quite plausible. Indeed, others shared this view.
For damage of this magnitude to occur so suddenly, it was evident that information had leaked from within.
Such suspicions intensified as time passed.
Reports of continuously increasing damage and dwindling activity came in.
[ The movements of the Empire's bastards are too strange. They know our every move. ]
[ When we moved, thinking we were ambushed, the Empire's mobile strike force was already tightening the noose from the opposite side. Furthermore, the Logistics Corps had also completed their battle preparations. ]
[ Moreover, those bastards seemed to know even our retreat route and pursued us relentlessly. We managed to escape by gaining as much distance as possible. ]
[ Let alone touching the supplies, it's difficult just to shake off the pursuit. All other nearby units have lost contact. ]
The more he listened to the reports, the stronger the suspicion of a leak became.
Otherwise, it would be impossible for them to know where our allies were hiding, their routes, and their units' capabilities.
Therefore, he investigated thoroughly, yet no trace of betrayal was found.
At this rate, it was impossible to even maneuver, let alone operate effectively.
This was precisely when they had truly begun and needed to seriously disrupt the Empire.
To retreat after harassing them for merely a month, the frontline situation was unfavorable.
In the end, he even ordered them to cease regular reports and operate independently.
He also ordered them to prioritize their safety and survival over raiding supplies.
If there was a traitor in the Command Staff, then it was a matter of withholding that information from them, wasn't it?
However, another month later, Thedorant was aghast to find that 70 percent of the dispatched troops had disappeared.
This couldn't go on, no matter the reason for the Empire's propaganda or the traitor's traces.
The immediate priority was to bring back the remaining men quickly. This was a failure.
Following the decision of the Thedorant Command Staff, even Cassius II finally nodded his head.
In the end, all they had gained was the fact that the Empire's supplies were proceeding smoothly.
And the worry that there might still be a traitor among them.
*
“You've all worked hard. Thanks to you, we were able to completely break their will to resist.”
Our mages, who were working hard in the research lab and were suddenly dragged here.
To implement the level of detection Magic I wanted, one had to be above a certain level.
So, the ones who had worked hard with the Logistics Corps were all my elders.
In society, rank is best, but it's still right to show a certain amount of respect for age.
Moreover, since I was the one who had put them to work, it was polite to give them something.
“Not at all, Commander-in-Chief. I am truly glad to have been able to contribute to the Empire's victory.”
“So, when will the research funding be— Choke! No. My apologies.”
“The Minister of Magic also told us to eagerly help the Commander-in-Chief. Hahaha!”
It seems there was an interruption, but let's just move on.
Isn't that something that our Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Magic should resolve, not me?
In addition, there was one more person next to me to express gratitude to the mages.
“Thank you all for volunteering to work so hard for the Empire. I hope that the gods' luck will be with all your future endeavors, especially in your Magic research.”
At the Princess's words, the mages burst into laughter, ho ho ho!
I'm a little sad. When I spoke, they just gave a faint smile and that was it.
This is so sad, how am I supposed to live! I said nice things too!
“By the way, Commander-in-Chief. D-do we have to maintain secrecy about our return as well? I think it's time we revealed that we were part of the Logistics Corps.”
“No. Please maintain secrecy as much as possible on your way back to the Empire, and even after your return.”
“Hmm. If the Commander-in-Chief says so, then I suppose there's no choice.”
I can guess roughly. Thedorant's interior must be a cauldron of chaos by now.
They had prepared well, and for about a month, they had certainly caused Damage.
They would have been convinced that even if they took some Damage, the Empire would have to endure that much bleeding.
But what do you know? The Logistics Corps that comes next is just leaving their positions wide open?
Moreover, the Empire's mobile strike force is rushing to wherever they're ambushed?
And no matter how they hide, they're pursued to the end as if to say, 'Yep. We know where you are.'?
When the situation is like this, it's only natural to look for the reason.
First, check if their own operation went wrong.
Or, find out if the Empire used the trick to send a frontline Legion to the rear.
And if still no answer is found, there's a line that's bound to come out.
“There's a traitor in our midst!”
In fact, the nobles of Atria had tried to do so, and southern Benito had really betrayed them.
Given such a precedent, even if they talk about the superior Theian People on the surface, they can't help but suspect each other.
“Commander-in-Chief.”
Just in time, additional news came in that would further fuel their suspicions.
“Thedorant's defensive strongholds are sequentially giving up further resistance and surrendering.”
The paths to their Heart were opening one by one.