After my duties in the Capital were finished, my first priority was to relocate the Chief of Staff Office.
The Chief of Staff Office isn't a field army command. There's no need for it to be positioned near the front lines.
In fact, being too close could lead to it taking damage from an Enemy Attack and causing confusion in the chain of command.
So until now, it had been located in a Castle in the Thedorant Border region occupied by the Empire.
Then the Imperial Army broke through Thedorant's defensive line and reached just before the Royal Capital.
Looking at the map, the Empire had occupied more than half of Thedorant.
Therefore, the relocation of the Chief of Staff Office, which would coordinate all operations, also had to proceed.
“The next location for the Chief of Staff Office will be, yes. Let's make it here.”
The place where the banner of the Chief of Staff Office was newly planted according to my instructions was none other than Setungrad.
We set up a new home in the old Castle of the country that preceded the Kingdom of Thedorant.
For the continent to see, there could be no more perfect declaration of the Empire's victory than this.
I suspect Thedorant will be enraged when they hear the news, but what can I do about it?
If they're offended, they can try charging in like last time. Though I doubt they'll be able to break through before that.
*
With the Chief of Staff Office now located closer, work began to pour in.
I had been unable to attend to my duties for a while due to the move, and even more work had accumulated.
“Commander-in-Chief. Detailed reports on each Legion's current situation are continuously coming in. Among them, some parts require your direct confirmation, Commander-in-Chief....”
“The legions are requesting new recruits and reinforcements. The current number is at least a thousand for each Legion, and in many places, it exceeds three thousand....”
“Reports of Supplies being damaged due to the recent heavy rain are increasing. As a bonus, the roads we were previously using are also causing trouble. There are calls to devise a solution for this—”
Damn it. Work. Work. Work! After resting for a few days and coming back, it's flooding in like a tsunami.
The Benito and Atria problems were enough to make my head spin, and now this.
Although new workers were hastily brought in, they cannot fulfill the Commander-in-Chief's Role.
What does that mean? It means, Commander-in-Chief or not, I have to work like a dog today too!
“Tell them I will check everything and get back to them within the day, so they should send important matters quickly to avoid delays.”
“Regarding new recruits and reinforcements, tell them to wait a little longer. I haven't heard anything separately from the Ministry of War yet.”
“In fact, I've requested help not only from the Ministry of War but also from the Ministry of Territory for that problem. The biggest issue with the loss of Supplies is the delay in transport due to the rain, so resolving the road situation would be beneficial.”
I'm starting to understand why my dear Kongming died from overwork.
I'm confident in my physical stamina, if nothing else, but even I'm finding myself saying it's tough.
And this is me, having received Clausewitz Family-style training since childhood.
Moreover, I'm only managing military affairs.
I'm no match for Kongming[TL]Reference to Zhuge Liang a famous strategist from the Three Kingdoms period in China.[/TL], who oversaw everything as a chancellor and even discussed the future.
If I don't collapse from overwork in this situation, am I even human? That's a monster. A monster.
“Commander-in-Chief! These are the next reports!”
Gyaaaah!! Stop it! At this rate, the Commander-in-Chief will die!
I handle one, and two come. I handle two, and four come.
I handle those four again and take a short break, and in a moment, they become sixteen.
Even if I frantically deal with them, the workload doesn't decrease at all.
And if you ask if the work is decreasing, it isn't. It's actually increasing.
Though the First Prince is handling the Benito side, I also have to be involved in the external aspects.
Since the Imperial Army is stationed there, it would be strange if I, as Commander-in-Chief, didn't look into it.
The Atria side is even more demanding. The Battle is still ongoing there.
On top of that, unlike Benito, the nobles there are hardly surrendering.
The news delivered is that they are just gritting their teeth and trying to fight. I don't know what kind of drugs they've been taking.
‘The biggest problem is, as expected, Thedorant.’
News was heard that something seemed to have happened to King Cassius II.
Thedorant has been concentrating only on defense, with nothing particularly unusual.
It's a relief that our Empire is slowly, slowly breaking through that defensive line.
The silence of those bastards who constantly provoked the Empire with outrageous acts is, in itself, unsettling.
“Kael. Can I help you a bit?”
The Princess, who had stopped by my office for a moment and couldn't hide her pity at the miserable scene, asked.
She says that even if she can't help with the important work, she could handle the miscellaneous parts.
“If you would just help, I would consider it an Honor, Your Highness.”
“Pfft. What's that? Stop the strange jokes, Kael.”
“Unfortunately, would you believe me if I told you it wasn't a joke?”
“…Is it that hard?”
“Let's just say that what Your Highness is looking at right now is only a very small fraction of today's workload, Your Highness.”
This is just a fraction? This?? The Princess looks around, startled.
As if to say, there are already so many documents on the desk. Does that make sense?
At that, I gave a sad smile and showed her the rest of the documents that had been placed in the back.
“…I thought since the war was winding down, it would be more relaxed.”
“That's the saddest part. The high command will be busy even after the war ends. No, actually. Now might be better. It could get even busier.”
How will Atria and Thedorant be dealt with after the war?
And in what way will the important figures of the Enemy captured there be organized?
Who among the Imperial Army that has advanced this far will be sent back, and how many of them?
For reference, this is only a very small part of the work that must be handled after the war is over.
Just thinking about the major parts that come to mind right now is enough to give me a headache.
How on earth am I supposed to deal with all the other problems besides those?
“For now, I'll help you a bit. What should I start with?”
“First, we need to reclassify the documents. The front-line problems and the rear-line problems….”
At that moment. With a knock, the adjutant stealthily pokes his head in.
“Commander-in-Chief. Sorry to interrupt you while you work, but you have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
“It's Commander Faelus of Thedorant, who surrendered the other day. He wishes to see you, Commander-in-Chief.”
“Is that so? Tell him to come in.”
It seems he has made a decision. Whether it's the one I'm expecting or not.
I hope it's the former rather than the latter, but even if not, it can't be helped.
A moment later. Commander Faelus, who had entered the office, saw me and bowed his head in greeting.
Then he saw the Princess, was slightly surprised, and began to look at me.
“Is the story you have to tell a personal one?”
“I would prefer it if it were.”
“Unfortunately, Her Highness here and I share quite a lot. I will be telling Her Highness later anyway, so wouldn't it be better to just say it now?”
The Princess is already helping me a little with the Commander-in-Chief's duties.
There's no problem at all with her knowing something.
“…If the Commander-in-Chief says so.”
I offer him a seat, and Commander Faelus sits down with a word of thanks.
After that, I even pour him a cup of tea, and he suddenly stares at me intently.
“Why are you looking at me with those eyes?”
“It is natural for a man to unknowingly develop an air of authority when he ascends to a high position, Commander-in-Chief. But I don't see any of that in you.”
“Isn't that because I'm still young?”
At that, Commander Faelus shook his head in disagreement without the slightest hesitation.
Saying that this part applies equally, whether one is young or old.
He also said that many had changed in that way and had fallen.
“I think I understand why His Majesty the Emperor appointed you as the Commander-in-Chief.”
“Suddenly flattering me won't get you anything special. I'd like you to know that.”
“Hahaha. I am well aware of that, so do not worry.”
Commander Faelus took a sip of his tea and maintained Silence for a moment.
His appearance was like he was organizing the words he was about to say, so I waited quietly.
The Princess, too, was just leisurely drinking the tea I had poured for her.
“…I have seen all the things the Commander-in-Chief gave me for amusement.”
Finally, his mouth opened, and the story I had been eagerly anticipating began to emerge.
“I will ask you one last time.”
“If you're asking if it's real, I will make a special Oath here. On my Loyalty to the Empire. I swear to Lunen that there is not a shred of Lie or deception in it.”
In front of none other than the Princess, I wagered my Loyalty to the Empire.
To still doubt after this is no different from a Provocation to fight.
“Has there been no news since then?”
“None, other than that Thedorant's interior is very quiet. Even as our Imperial Army continuously advances on the Royal Capital.”
“…I see.”
Commander Faelus, who was gripping his teacup as if to break it, took a deep breath.
And then he looked at the map of Thedorant that was on the table and opened his mouth.
“It seems to be a tactical map showing the positions of the defensive strongholds and castles.”
“That's right.”
“Capturing the defensive strongholds and castles is of course a good method. But there is a more effective method, which is to attack Thedorant's few remaining supply depots.”
“Does Commander Faelus perhaps know their location?”
At the Princess's question, Faelus nodded his head slightly.
“Our Command Staff had hidden them so well that it would have been difficult for the Empire to find them. Even if information did get in, they had set up so many bluffs here and there that they wouldn't even know what was true.”
“The Commander is right.”
“I will help in any way I can. But there is one condition.”
This damn war. Please, just end it quickly.
So that your soldiers and my soldiers can all live and return to their home soil.