The attack on Thedorant's secret supply depots continued through the night.
It's only natural for such a surprise incendiary attack to continue into the night.
Consequently, all our Imperial Army troops had to go without a wink of sleep.
“Hmm.”
It's a rewarding all-nighter. Yes, this kind of thing gives me more energy than working overtime.
Though I'm not at a level where I can fly around with spears and swords like Kaya, I am a member of the Clausewitz Family.
Sometimes, going out to the field and checking the situation like this helps clear my head.
“You've worked hard, Corps Commander. What are the allied casualties?”
“There have been some casualties. Since these occurred even though our allies had the advantage of a surprise and incendiary attack, if a problem arises, the responsibility—”
“It's stranger if there are no casualties in a battle. Send the injured soldiers to the rear at once, and make sure to record and report the fallen.”
A soldier grieves for and remembers the death of another soldier right beside him.
But a commander, though he can feel sorry, cannot be consumed by it.
Like it or not, it must be seen as a position where one has to view human lives as numbers.
One must become callous, but not insensitive. I always feel this, but it's truly difficult.
“Adjutant.”
“Yes, Commander-in-Chief.”
“When we get back, contact the Chief of Staff Office and tell them to immediately submit a plan for the next offensive against Thedorant's defensive strongholds. Now that the supply depots have been blown up, the effect will surely be seen within a few days.”
Imagine them barely holding on as it is, and now they can't even get a meal.
Those in command will be in a desperate situation, since they'll all die if they lose anyway.
But it would be different for the soldiers below and the people of the kingdom, for whom only the leaders change.
I hope those bastards come to their senses before the Manhattan Project is completed.
Blowing those bastards up is good, but finishing things normally is just as good.
If our Empire creates a monster for no reason, our reputation might just be tarnished.
“Sir, by the way, a message came a little while ago.”
“From where? Is it from the Capital?”
“No, not from there, but it's a message from Her Highness the Second Princess, and she's looking for the Commander-in-Chief….”
Stop. Right there. I don't want to worry about a scolding I'm going to get anyway.
Isn't it a man's destiny to endure nagging from a woman?
Come to think of it, I remember my Father was also subtly swayed this way and that by my Mother.
…Hmm. To be honest, I'm a little scared. What will she scold me for this time?
But it's okay! I didn't do anything strange. It's not like I went to meet another woman.
I went to raise the morale of our allies and to keep my sense of the field!
I am confident! Whatever the Princess says, I can handle it!
On the contrary, if I answer confidently, won't the Princess back down!
*
…The me from just now, who was thinking that. You're a real son of a bitch.
“I'm sorry. I was wrong, Your Highness.”
“You told me it was dangerous! And yet you went to attack a supply depot with Thedorant troops right in front of you?! And as the Commander-in-Chief who has to lead the Imperial Army?!”
“So, if you think of it as I went out to lead that very Imperial Army… yes, I'm sorry. I'll keep my mouth shut.”
As soon as I returned, the Princess followed me straight to my office.
As if she didn't care what others thought, or what they might be thinking.
And as soon as she entered, she grabbed me by the collar like last time— she didn't lift me.
Instead, she grabbed my wrist and started lamenting why on earth I would do such a thing.
“Don't tell me you've become so used to being the Commander-in-Chief that you think my words are a joke now?”
“Absolutely not. How could that be? Am I really that kind of person?”
“Then!”
“Even a person who commands from the rear should keep their sense of the field, isn't that right?”
So what exactly is that 'sense of the field' you're talking about!
At the Princess's urging, I, from just a little while ago, no, from the beginning of this war.
…No. Perhaps, from a very long time ago, I revealed the inner thoughts I had been harboring.
“At first, I thought I would be leading a platoon at best.”
“You, Kael? Surely not.”
“It was like that at first. At first. Then before I knew it, I had risen in rank in an instant, and in the End Goal, I have come to this position.”
This is the Result of the combination of my Memories of a Past Life, the advantage of my birth, and luck.
Some might say that skill was added to that, but I largely count those three.
“Thanks to that, I have been able to make extensive use of my meager talents. However, my Heart is not as strong as steel, Your Highness.”
As I said before, the position of a Commander is one where one must inevitably see human lives as numbers.
From those who lead the soldiers on the field to the Corps Commander, and finally to me.
If a hundred men die on the Battlefield, soldiers might grieve, saying that a hundred men have died.
But in our case, we consider it a relief that the Damage is small, even with that number.
There is no time to grieve that a hundred have died. If a hundred have died, twice that number must have been injured.
Then how to transport and treat those hundreds. How to fill the empty spots.
And how much Damage the Enemy who inflicted that much on us has suffered.
We must think and think, and revise and proceed with future battle plans.
One must become hardened. Otherwise, one cannot endure a place like the Battlefield.
However, one must not become numb. If so, one could become a monster who recklessly uses human lives.
One must find the boundary and stay there. Even while the war continues.
Yesterday, today. And tomorrow too. Even as many still die.
“My father once told me something. Those far from the field cannot understand its hardships. Conversely, those who remain solely on the field cannot know the difficulties at the table. Therefore, the best way is for each to briefly switch positions for a day and observe the situation.”
“…Count Berthier's words are correct.”
“That's why I sometimes do this. Just in case I become too engrossed in my current position and forget not only the feel of the field but also its hardships.”
I'll say it now, but I'm scared. Of becoming a monster.
Of thoughtlessly asking my adjutant, 'Oh, they're dead. I need to fill their spots quickly. When are they sending more soldiers?' even as countless people die.
Instead of the wails of those who have lost sons, husbands, or fathers, would I only be worrying about how much more military expenditure is needed and how to cover it.
“…If it's burdensome, how about we find the next Commander-in-Chief now? It's not a complete retirement from the front line, but if you go to the rear to some extent—”
“I think I have to see it through to the end. I've brought them this far, so shouldn't I be the one to lead them back when they return?”
I wonder if this is also the fate of those who lead many soldiers.
If you have led the precious sons of others to the battlefield, you must send them home.
This doesn't change whether it's the democratic nation of my previous life or the monarchical nation of my current one.
It's something that's been borrowed, and it's an iron rule that must be observed for its safe return.
Instead of saying something like, 'It was defective from the start when I received it,' after using it like an object and breaking it.
“Well. I came for these reasons, but Your Highness's words are not wrong. It is my duty to be in a high position and send the soldiers home. And yet, I directly went to a dangerous battlefield, so I nearly caused confusion in the Empire's command.”
“Haa. What's going to change now that you're admitting it?”
The princess moved and leaned gently on the table.
“I know. Even if you don't show it on the outside, I know how much your heart must be burning, Kael. It's useless to show it, so you don't. And even if it were useful, you shouldn't.”
Perhaps the reason my sister and brother sent me to Kael's side was for something like this.
She reaches out and picks up a single sheet of paper, glancing over its contents.
As far as I know, that's the number of casualties from a recent siege.
A piece of paper on which human lives are simply reduced to numbers.
“Seeing something like this every day, one would think you'd get used to it. But Kael, who doesn't, is a very good person.”
“Or, it could be that I'm someone who doesn't fit in a position like this.”
“You shouldn't say that. You've done so well until now.”
I'll tell you again, Kael. You are a good person.
At the Princess's words, a smile blooms on my lips unbidden.
It feels comforting. And it also boosts my courage.
It's a strange thing. That my Heart feels so at ease with just one such word.
“When this war is over, let's think together about what we can do for the hurt and fallen.”
“Your Highness's help would be a great strength.”
“Because I can get the support of the Imperial Family?”
“No. Because Your Highness is by my side.”
Just like right now. When I'm tired and need a moment to lean, you offer your shoulder.
At that, the Princess beckons me closer and raises the corners of her mouth.
“Do you remember what I said before? When I told you to call me by my Name.”
“I remember.”
“Call it. My Name. Isabelle.”
“…Isabelle.”
“Once more. This time, by my nickname. Bel.”
Reason screams no, but my lips are already doing as they please.
Then even that fellow, Reason, gives up and pushes me on the back.
“Bel.”
“When we're alone, call me that. Got it?”
“I will. Your Highness… Bel. I'll do that.”
As soon as my words ended, the distance between me and the Princess, Bel, suddenly closed.
I don't know if I approached her, or if she approached me.
One thing is certain: her lips were incredibly warm and soft.