Royal Road of the Extra Scribe - Chapter 99



99

As I took hold of the military command baton, I settled in the Callec Mountains as per Sophia’s suggestion.

The Tunkai army moved in sync with our forces. They joined the front line where Crossing and the West were in a standoff.

There were three fronts where Crossing and the West were at odds.

We positioned ourselves at the lowest point.

“There seems to be a way to defeat the Tunkai army, but…”

Acting rashly could lead to discord. Even though the previous operation could have ended the war itself, we had to coordinate since we shared the same front.

Having stationed the army, I headed to Juras’ base with Sophia.

We were able to participate in Crossing’s military meeting.

Twenty core officers of Crossing welcomed us in a solemn atmosphere. Anton, one of them, subtly nodded towards me.

“Ugh!”

Sophia, feeling the pressure of the atmosphere, let out a cough, but I simply shrugged my shoulders lightly.

“You’re still stern. The Crossing military, that is.”

At my words, General Kreeper Norlak narrowed his eyes.

“You’re quite bold, Wade. Weren’t you no longer with Caliper?”

“You’re poking at a sore spot. Well, you can ask your superior about that.”

Eyes were focused on Juras. He chuckled with a smile that seemed sly.

“Wade is not one of us. Nor is he with Caliper. Remember? He’s a mercenary.”

Juras drawing a line for me, as I might have to establish a nation in the South later. Well, when the time comes, I’ll establish a nation under the name of Als, so there was no need for that, but anyway.

“And… nice to see you too, Sophia Veron. Is this the first time since the victory party of the Chimera War?”

“…I don’t feel like saying nice to you. Let’s get on with the operation meeting.”

“Don’t act so cold. At least I’m on your side.”

“My side…?”

“You chose to save Arandal without resorting to a bypass operation. That was the right thing to do.”

Upon hearing this, even Sophia widened her eyes in surprise.

Juras continued speaking.

“Didn’t the young officer from Caliper suggest the operation? Anyway, they say the inexperienced can’t see the big picture.”

“What does that mean?”

When I asked, Juras chuckled.

“Why are you reacting? Did you suggest the operation?”

“I’m just asking. That operation seemed like the best way to me.”

“The best? Nonsense. That’s why you’re still lacking. Winning battles means nothing if you can’t win the war. Winning in a war means nothing if you can’t conquer a nation. Remember that, Wade.”

Juras clearly defined the purpose of this war.

“We will inflict significant damage on them in this war. Through that, we aimed to ensure they never target this region again. That’s what the Caliper greenhorn was trying to undermine.”

“…!”

“Do you understand? Even if we won the war using that method, the enemy, due to the remaining forces, would have soon started another war. The method chosen by that Caliper rookie was not the best.”

From that perspective, it wasn’t a wrong statement.

“However, to attempt such reckless tactics without any consultation. If I had control over that caliper’s feather, I would have scolded loudly.”

Phew! Sophia, who was standing beside, burst into laughter. Seeing me being teased, it seems like the pent-up frustration is dissipating.

Slightly irritated, I asked Juras,

“For your words to make sense, there must be a definite way to inflict significant harm on the opponent. What is it exactly? Why have we been engaging in meaningless standoffs until now?”

“So why are you getting angry?”

“I’m not angry. Don’t talk nonsense when my expression doesn’t show it.”

“Hmph. Fine. If we talk about the operation, the measures have already been taken. It’s about time the opponent takes the bait.”

The bait he threw revealed itself half a day after I participated in the military council.

Spies rushing in to report.

“Urgent news! The enemy’s mobile unit has destroyed the Veratorium supply base!”

“What!?”

Sophia exclaimed in shock.

The Veratorium supply base was crucial as it supplied the three current fronts that had been established.

Now that it’s destroyed, the Crossing Army has no choice but to retreat.

However, even if they retreat, it would take at least a day and a half to reach the stronghold. Because the enemy won’t sit idle.

“Reporting! The Western forces are preparing to advance! They will be approaching soon!”

The worst-case scenario.

Yet, Juras grinned victoriously.

“Finally achieved it. The enemy sure is stubborn. Alright. Let’s retreat as planned.”

“Wait a minute! What are you talking about!”

Sophia yelled furiously.

“Surely you’re not planning to abandon us like that!? Just because the supply base is destroyed, we have to retreat!”

Gain legitimacy and abandon Beccabia.

Once the Westerners occupy most of the Beccabia region, then they will defeat the West and occupy all of Beccabia.

Reading Juras’ scheme, Sophia shouted in anger, but he casually sighed.

“I did consider that at first, but rest assured. Beccabia won’t perish in this war.”

“…!”

Sophia shivered as she met his gaze.

I said to him,

“Was that the plan?”

Juras just smirked in response.

* * *

Meanwhile, in the Western military camp.

“Hmm…!”

Hanne-man couldn’t hide his discomfort.

It was due to the battle at the Rest Mountains.

The deaths of Barret and Fisher. They were among the elite even among the many gods, so when they died along with the mission failure, the sense of caution towards the enemy, and unbearable anger surged.

“Wait for me, Fisher. I’ll soon send the Crossing scum’s heads to you.”

That’s when it happened.

“I report! General Edelson’s guerrilla unit has attacked the Veratorium supply depot! They burned it all down and destroyed it!”

“Well done…!”

Hanneman, contrary to his age, let out a cheer and then slumped into his chair.

“Phew! It wasn’t easy.”

For this operation, all strategists had to put their heads together. Despite that, it wasn’t easy. That’s how persistent Crossing’s intelligence network was.

Since they barely broke through, they could only be glad.

Naturally, they didn’t realize this could be a trap.

“Are you feeling okay?”

“What is it?”

It was the senior strategist who inquired about Hanneman.

“Could this possibly be an enemy trap?”

“What nonsense. Don’t you know how much effort went into making this operation successful?”

“That may be so, but… the enemy leader, Juras Pamilion, is known as ‘the unpredictable one.’”

It meant that there was no way to find where things were artificially set up.

That was precisely what made Juras formidable. It made you think that any action he took hid an underlying intention.

The reality could be different, or perhaps there really was such an intention. Only Juras himself knew.

Normally, such intentions should be evident in movements, but there was no awkwardness at all in the army led by Juras.

So, being on the receiving end was nothing but torment. Whatever the case, one had to be wary of Juras and fight a psychological battle alone.

“I recognized his exceptional skill through this confrontation. However, that doesn’t mean there’s an issue with this operation. If there is such a problem, speak up. What are the enemies targeting now?”

“I have no clue about that…”

“Initially impossible. The enemy can only retreat. There’s no room for stratagems in that process. Am I wrong?”

“You are making the right judgment.”

“In that case, do not hesitate. Prepare for the advance! We’ll tie their feet so they can’t retreat quickly!”

By tying the enemies’ feet and delaying their retreat, this war would end. While it might not lead to annihilation, it would significantly deplete their forces.

The Western forces began a massive advance.

The battlefield where they clashed with Crossing was the Epona Plain.

* * *

The Crossing army, retreating simultaneously on three fronts, converged at one point.

It was the Epona Plain, a crucial supply route connected to the Veratorium supply base.

Here, 100,000 Crossing troops and 30,000 Beccabian troops gathered.

The same was true for the enemy forces.

The West had set the Epona Plain as the decisive battleground. To retreat further from the Epona Plain, they would have to cross the mountains, inevitably causing delays.

In the meantime, they could inflict significant damage by attacking the tail.

Therefore, similarly, 100,000 Western troops and 30,000 Tonkai troops were in pursuit.

“Hey, Als.”

Olaf called me with a sour expression.

“Surely, this operation. You didn’t come up with it, did you?”

“No. It was Juras who did.”

“In that case, this Juras Pamilion fellow isn’t anything special. We’ll suffer significant losses if we continue like this.”

“Even so, the most efficient route for retreat is through the Epona Plain. It seems quite reasonable.”

“It seems plausible… You seem to have a different idea. But is there really a strategy in this situation? Could there be other reinforcements?”

“There are none. Neither allies nor strategies. They do not exist.”

“Then what is it?”

“Just… devouring the enemy.”

As soon as I finished speaking, something unexpected happened.

Whoosh! Whoosh! The Crossing Army turned as if waiting for it, retreating towards the mountains behind the Epona Plain.

Upon seeing this move, Olaf furrowed his brow in frustration.

“You can’t be serious about just fighting!?”

“The time has come. Olaf, you will take my place. Coordinate with Sophia Baron and lead the army.”

“And you?”

“I will go towards Crossing.”

I still had doubts about this operation.

Juras’s plan was very simple.

First, designate three strongholds to elevate the importance of a supply depot based on their locations.

That was the Veratorium Supply Depot.

Then, cunningly leave the enemy’s supply depot destruction operation unattended.

As a result, the Crossing army that retreated would naturally gather in the Epona Plain.

The same would happen with the enemy. Thus, a standoff of 130,000 against 130,000 was created.

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That was Juras’s aim.

The natural battlefield scenario on the plain.

“Indeed, to inflict significant damage on the enemy forces, a battle on the plain is ideal.”

But how do we win? We are cut off from supplies. If the battle extends beyond a day, we will be at a severe disadvantage.

In other words, we need to achieve decisive results within a day.

Upon my arrival at the Crossing camp, when I inquired about this, Juras said, “Then observe. You are in charge of the remaining forces. I hope you will live up to the expectations.”

“What do you mean…”

And with that, Juras swiftly departed.

As I stood bewildered, Anton said, “Lord Als, it may be hard to understand, but this is the form in which he can reveal his true intentions. …It would be wise to observe attentively.”

Anton’s words sounded as if I might have to face him in the future.

“What on earth is he planning?”

It’s different from when I captured Julian Craig. Back then, there were preparations beforehand that led to a great victory, but now it’s different. It’s actually a disadvantageous situation.

In such a scenario, Juras’s actions were straightforward.

“Alright, let’s all go.”

Juras took the lead.

At his signal, the officers, including Anton, shouted eagerly, “Charge—!”

And thus, the 20,000 troops of the vanguard began their charge towards the enemy.