In the end, Milton accepted Siegfried’s proposal. It wasn’t because he trusted Siegfried but because he could no longer stay out of the situation.
He had already discussed the timing and location of the attack with Siegfried. When the Empire had advanced towards them about 80 percent, Milton raised his army.[1]
He gathered as many as 250,000 men. Since Milton had become a Grand Duke, this was the first time the Lester Kingdom mobilized all of its military.
Milton personally led the Lester Kingdom’s army and attacked the Imperial Army; however, he didn’t attack the front with the Republicans but the troops following in the back.
This second army consisted of supply lines that delivered supplies to the troops in the front.
Milton rushed towards them and destroyed more than five of these supply lines.
Because of this, the Imperial Army suffered the loss of 50,000 men. However, the worst thing for them was that the supply lines on the Western front had collapsed entirely.
As if he had been waiting for this exact moment, Siegfried raised 100,000 Republican troops and attacked the Imperial Army on the Western front.
Due to the military alliance with the Lester Kingdom, the Republican Army was able to go all out against the Imperial Army. With the alliance, Siegfried was able to call back all the troops he had stationed on the border guarding against the Lester Kingdom.
On top of that, it was important to note who the person leading the 100,000 troops was.
Siegfried couldn’t lead them because he had to lead another army on a different front. Jake and McCarthy couldn’t make it either; they were under orders from Siegfried to keep the Imperial Army in check. Instead, the one leading the 100,000 men in the Western front was the strongest person in the Republic, General Barron.
It was unknown how Siegfried convinced him, but the one person in the Republic who was both the strongest and the most unwavering ended up leading the 100,000 troops. General Barron tossed the Imperial Army around with overwhelming strength and, with the 100,000 men, unilaterally destroyed the Imperial Army’s Western front.
With the combination of the Republic’s strongest man attacking them and the supply lines being cut by Milton, Antras didn’t even have time to attempt something before the Western front became a mess.
Antras hastened to call a strategic meeting.
“Immediately order the Western front commanders to retreat! And Marquis Gotham!”
“Yes, sir?”
When Marquis Gotham responded, Antras continued to call out names.
“Duke Florian!”
“I’m here.”
“Duke Sebastian!”
“Here.”
Having named three Masters, Antras immediately pointed to the strategy map as he spoke.
“The three of you will lead 100,000 troops and stop the enemy from inundating the Western front. It’ll be difficult for us if the enemy picks up more momentum.”
“Understood.”
Having given 100,000 troops to the three Masters, Antras briefly thought for a bit before calling out a name again.
“Sir Lucas Florian!”
“Yes, sir?”
“I’ll trust you with 50,000 men.”
It was the first time since the war began that Lucas had been given sole command of the troops.
He spoke with a faint smile.
“What is my mission, sir?”
“Bring me Milton Forrest’s head.”
Even his mission was perfect.
“That’s what I was hoping for, sir.”
Lucas viewed Milton and Siegfried as his rivals. There wasn’t much of an age difference between them, but the two of them had made their name known throughout the world while he was stuck inside the Empire without being able to make a name for himself. But now, he had an opportunity to take down either one of them; how could he not be happy?
Seeing Lucas so motivated, Antras continued to talk to him.
“I’ll give you a plan that’ll help you kill Milton Forrest.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“If it’s you, I believe that you can do it without failing.”
With respect he had never shown towards him before, Lucas Florian spoke to Antras.
“Trust me, sir. You can leave it to me, Silver Sage.”
Lucas was the first one to leave for the battlefield after receiving his orders from Antras. Duke Dominic Florian turned towards Antras as he watched his son, Lucas, leave.
“I shouldn’t be saying this, but… are you sure you haven’t given him too big of a responsibility?”
Although he didn’t say much, Duke Florian was concerned as he watched his motivated son leave.
Antras responded.
“Don’t worry. He’ll carry out his duties well.”
“Since you say so, I’ll believe you.”
At Antras’ reassurance, Duke Florian decided to believe in his son. But, he had to take Antras’s words more seriously at this time.
***
Naturally, Milton heard about it when the Imperial Army began to respond.
“Sir, the Imperial Army has begun to move.”
“Give me the details.”
Milton spread open the strategy map and ordered Jerome to tell him more.
“Yes, sir. First…”
Jerome began moving the pieces around on the map as he told Milton the information brought by the reconnaissance unit.
“Is the Empire abandoning the Western front?”
“It seems that way, sir.”
“What a pity. It would’ve been better if they tried to do everything to save it.”
Milton smiled bitterly in regret.
If the Imperial tried to save the Western front, then Milton had planned to lure them in as much as possible before working with the Republic Army to deal them a huge blow. However, the Imperial Army was just giving up the Western front.
The Empire’s three Masters and 100,000 men created a defense line against the Lester Kingdom’s army. Rather than reclaiming the West, it seemed like the Empire was more determined to stop the Lester Kingdom’s invasion.
“Sir, the ones leading the 100,000 men are Marquis Gotham, Duke Florian, and Duke Sebastian.”
“They’re all big names.”
Milton sighed as he looked at the map.
‘It’s not like we can’t attack, but…’
Milton was debating whether he should clash against the Imperial line of defense when Jerome began to speak.
“My Lord, I believe we can attack them.”
It seemed like Jerome was thinking the same thing. Currently, the Imperial Army suffered considerable damage when the Lester Kingdom suddenly attacked. Taking advantage of their momentum and attacking the enemy wasn’t a bad choice.
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But Milton was hesitating because…
“Why should we, though?”
“Sir?”
When Jerome looked startled, Milton continued.
“Is it wise for us to fight so hard in this war?”
“Ah…”
Jerome finally understood.
This war was very complicated. The Lester Kingdom had only intervened because it seemed like the Republic was about to collapse under the Empire’s attack. The Lester Kingdom couldn’t afford the Empire seizing dominance over the continent after the Republic collapsed. That was why they had formed a military alliance with the Republic and were participating in the war.
However…
“I can’t completely trust the Republic. Using too much power here is something to think about.”
Jerome nodded his agreement.
Usually, the enemy of the enemy is your ally, but the situation was different this time. From the Lester Kingdom’s perspective, both the Empire and the Republic were dangerous opponents.
“Let’s see what happens first. And let’s send a letter to the Republicans to pressure the Empire.”
“Understood, sir.”
Just as Jerome was about to leave, Trike entered the barracks.
“Sir, the messenger brought new information.”
“Report.”
“There’s new information on the enemy’s movement, sir. 50,000 troops are moving south of us.”
“50,000 men?”
That was a number that he couldn’t look over.
“Any detailed information on their journey?”
At Milton’s question, Trike turned to point out locations on the strategy map.
“They were first discovered here, sir, and this is where the report came in afterward. At that rate…”
“Are they aiming for our country?”
Milton frowned. The 50,000 troops were moving south from the location of Milton’s headquarters. The Imperial Army was currently making a detour, and if they continued on that path, they would soon reach the southern region of the Lester Kingdom.
“Who’s the commander leading that army?”
“It’s Lucas Florian, sir.”
“So it’s the young master of Florian Duchy.”
Milton frowned.
The current situation for the Imperial Army was different from the beginning of the war. Unlike before, when they had pressured the Republic with an overwhelming amount of supplies, they didn’t have a significant advantage in supplies anymore. After signing the military alliance, the Lester Kingdom and the Republic were concentrating their efforts on the Empire.
The Lester Kingdom had 250,000 men and the Republic had 300,000. On top of that, the Lester Kingdom had stormed in and destroyed the Imperial Army’s Western front, resulting in a tremendous amount of casualties for the Empire.
Currently, the Imperial Army was lacking in manpower. So how could they be moving 50,000 men separately under these circumstances? Not to mention, their commander was Lucas Florian, a Master.
‘I can’t just ignore them.’
Milton decided to respond immediately.
“I will personally go. Prepare the Southern Knights and 100,000 men.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
Having received Milton’s order, Jerome started to move, but...
“My Lord, you can’t do that.”
Count Sabian rushed into the barracks, trying to dissuade him. Out of breath, he continued.
“I’m sorry, sir. Because the army was so large, it took longer than expected to check them myself, sir.”
“It’s alright. More importantly, why are you stopping me?”
At Milton’s question, Count Sabian responded in a serious tone.
“Those 50,000 men are meant to lure you, sir. You mustn’t be caught.”
“Lure?”
“Yes, sir. Weren’t you just about to move 100,000 troops to capture 50,000 Imperial troops, sir?”
“That’s right.”
“If our forces are divided, the Imperial Army will attempt to divide and conquer us. Those 100,000 Imperial troops that are defending against us will be waiting to attack us at any moment, sir.”
“But still, it’s only 100,000. Wouldn’t it be impossible for them to mobilize their entire army when they have to keep the Republic in check as well?”
“Yes, sir. But, what if they were to give up responding to the Republic?”
“Ah!”
Milton exclaimed out loud. He was mistaken.
Currently, the Imperial Army didn’t have to maintain its front. The three countries were fighting on the Republican’s territory, formerly the Strabus Kingdom’s territory. It wasn’t the Empire’s territory to begin with, and since the Republic had destroyed all the infrastructure in the process of retreating, that territory didn’t have much value either. So why would the Empire try to protect it? From the Empire’s point of view, it wasn’t necessary.
“As soon as our forces are divided, the Imperial Army will concentrate all their forces and attack our kingdom, sir. They may focus their attention on you, My Lord, or they may focus on our army. Either way, it’s a situation that we must avoid, sir.”
“I see.”
Milton obediently listened to Count Sabian’s advice. In fact, how could he not? Count Sabian was the best tactician Milton had. Although he couldn’t measure up to Siegfried, he was still a talented man.
“But Sabian, even if you’re right and it’s a trap, we can’t just ignore 50,000 men.”
If left alone and they attacked the home country, then that would be a headache as well. One way or another, Milton had to respond to it.
Count Sabian was aware of it as well.
“Sir, if we ignore them, then the enemy will probably attack our homeland and disrupt our rear.”
“And if our homeland is attacked, then there could be disruptions to the supply lines.”
“Yes, sir, I know.”
This was a serious matter.
Count Sabian stared at the strategy map as he thought.
‘What a masterpiece. Even if we know that it’s a trap, there’s no way we can not respond to it. Is this the cleverness of the man who had even overwhelmed Siegfried?’
Count Sabian frowned.
If they took the bait, then their troops would be divided. If they didn’t take the bait, then their homeland in the back would be in danger. It was dangerous either way.
1. So Milton’s beginning when there’s only 20% of the distance between them and the Empire is left