Chapter 37

When I stated that Duke Jihiteberg would be defeated, it seemed to shock everyone.

"Defeat... huh!?"

"Hey, Yui!?"

Colonel Altsa and Roz were surprised, but I showed them the result of the quick calculation I had just done.

"The total Imperial forces are estimated to be at a minimum of 40,000 and a maximum of 80,000, but each division lacks experience in joint operations. The complexity of the command structure will lead to unpredictable problems."

My memories from my previous life are a bit hazy, but I remember something similar being a problem at work. I definitely don't want a repeat of that.

"Furthermore, moving such a large force requires a sophisticated supply plan."

From the border fortress city of Tzima, there are no supply points, and the further we advance, the more troops we will need to allocate to maintaining supply lines. Considering the mobility and offensive power of the nomadic people, maintaining supply lines is almost impossible.

However, there are hardly any villages in the wilderness where we can plunder... or rather, requisition food. We will have to manage with the supplies and personnel we bring.

"If the operational command fails to establish a proper supply plan, we will have to bring everything with us, including ammunition, water, and horse fodder, and for both the outbound and return journeys."

It's easy to say, but this is an enormous amount of work.

We need to prepare about four liters of water per soldier per day, not just for drinking but also for cooking and hygiene, and to account for losses due to accidents or combat.

For 100 soldiers to travel a one-way distance of five days, we would need 4,000 liters of water, which weighs four tons. The weight will increase further due to the large number of water barrels required.

This alone demonstrates how difficult it is to advance through a dry region with few water sources.

"The enemy is well aware of this and will likely draw us deep into the arid region before engaging in battle. They can kill us just by setting fire to our supplies and ammunition, so our army cannot afford to let down its guard for even a moment."

This is made possible by the mobility of the cavalry and the flat terrain of the border region.

"The enemy is the highly mobile Kionis cavalry, who live in the wilderness. They can attack from anywhere and retreat to anywhere. It's impossible to make them surrender, like trying to grasp water."

"Is that why you see Duke Jihiteberg as being defeated?"

Colonel Altsa's gaze is sharp. This is a heavy question.

But despite my tension, my mouth answered smoothly.

"Almost certain."

After the authority of the Mildor family was lost, Duke Litréy said, "Next is the second. Let's kill a lot."

He intended to bring down the second-ranked Jihiteberg family in the same way, probably from the beginning.

The colonel thought for a moment and then nodded.

"I see. In that case, Duke Jihiteberg will lose his political life, which would be convenient for Duke Litréy."

The colonel turned to me and gave a solemn order.

"Then, formulate a plan based on that premise. As my staff officer, do your best to ensure that our brigade returns safely."

"Yes, sir."

I've been given another troublesome task...

Duke Jihiteberg is the second in the 'Five Royal Families,' meaning he is the leading noble in the empire after the imperial family.

However, as a lord of an inland mountainous region, he does not benefit from maritime trade and is poorer than the Litréy and Medilen families. His population is also smaller.

Nevertheless, his status is the highest, so his appointment as marshal has been smoothly accepted by the noble society.

He has support from the First Division, the Imperial Guard, and the Third Division, which is friendly with the Mildor family. It's an all-star lineup from the first to the third in the hierarchy.

Therefore, within the Imperial Army, the prevailing view was that "this will teach the Kionis a lesson." I am an outlier for predicting a certain defeat.

However, I have only spoken about the possibility of defeat within the brigade, so there may be other officers who think the same but are hesitant to voice it.

"Why do we have to go to war too?"

Hanna, the sergeant, looked dissatisfied as she held the supply inspection list. I checked the list while answering.

"Because we showed our presence in the defense of Zepher Fortress. Also, the brigade headquarters is located in the middle of the Mildor and Jihiteberg territories. It would be impossible to remain indifferent when both families' divisions are deployed."

I'm not sure what Duke Litréy intends to do with us this time.

If I had to guess, he might be trying to build a track record for the Sixth Special Brigade for future political strategies. But would he really do that? It doesn't seem like he has the mindset to nurture people or organizations.

According to Colonel Altsa, Duke Litréy recently reorganized the Fifth Division by promoting young officers with outstanding achievements and moving the disobedient veteran officers to the rear, such as the officer school or combat research.

By skillfully using his personnel authority, he has transformed the Fifth Division to be under his control.

In that case, are we just used up...?

I have a bad feeling. It was right to follow the colonel's orders and plan for the brigade's safe return.

I told Hanna,

"Inspect the food, water barrels, and horse fodder on the supply wagons with multiple people. I will also check them."

"Okay. What about the ammunition and artillery shells?"

"Those can be less. If we run out, we can request more from above."

Ammunition supply usually comes through smoothly. What doesn't come through are clothes and food. We have to secure them ourselves.

Soldiers won't die if they run out of ammunition, but they will if they run out of food, water, or blankets. Therefore, essential living items have a higher priority.

"Other divisions will likely bring a lot of ammunition, as they are eager to fight. But there won't be many prolonged engagements with cavalry. The basic tactic of cavalry is to strike and retreat."

Hanna nodded in admiration.

"You seem to have everything figured out, sir."

"Well, I learned a lot at the officer school..."

In truth, I learned from the history of my previous life, like Napoleon's campaigns.

"Water barrels and repair materials are the top priority. We need to keep the water fresh and clean by refilling them along the way. I will handle this."

Hanna's eyes widened in surprise.

"Sir, you will manage the water barrels!?"

"They are the lifeline when traveling through the wilderness. Who else will manage them if not the officers?"

We will die of thirst if we can't find safe water sources.

"Right, let's buy some vegetables that last. Vegetables are mostly water, so edible ones can serve as water bottles. I'll ask the cafeteria ladies for recommendations."

"Um... okay."

Hanna looked confused.

With the preparations in order, we entered the Jihiteberg territory to join up with other divisions.

The villagers along the road waved and welcomed us.

"Wow, cool! Female soldiers!"

"They look so small, can they really fight?"

They don't seem very welcoming.

But we also heard this:

"Idiot, don't you know? The all-female brigade defended the fortress when the Bruges army attacked."

"Really?"

It's true.

"Yeah, it's true. The battle was intense, almost destroying the fortress, but they almost wiped out the Bruges army."

The fortress was destroyed because of me, but there's no need to correct it.

I see, our brigade has more attention than I thought. Duke Litréy might be using us as a propaganda unit.

While thinking about this, we continued marching west.

I am a staff officer, but only for the brigade, so I don't know the full scope of this war. I just go where I'm told and fight as instructed.

We arrived at the border fortress city of Tzima. Beyond this point is a barren wilderness, a buffer zone between the Kionis Federation and the empire.

The hill city, surrounded by sturdy walls, was already filled with a large force.

"The battalions of the Second Division seem to have gathered."

"The Second Division only needs to focus on the battle with the Kionis. The neighboring country, Eobenia, is a fellow pacifist and an ally in name."

The colonel looked at the battalion flags flying on the walls.

"A few cavalry battalions from the First Division are here. Are they useful?"

"I don't really understand cavalry combat."

We won't know until we put them to the test.

"The Third Division is mostly infantry."

If the artillery units were here, I might have seen Captain Dumble again, but considering the almost certain defeat, it's better they aren't here. Artillery takes time to retreat and is dangerous.

The colonel mused casually.

"We will be under the command of Marshal Jihiteberg this time. In the command structure, we are directly under the marshal, on par with other divisions."

"It's an exceptional treatment."

A small combat group of a hundred or so is being treated exceptionally well. Of course, there is a reason.

"Other divisions probably find it difficult to handle us. While our combat strength is marginal, the brigade commander is the aunt of the Medilen family head, so we can't be treated lightly. To be honest, we are a nuisance."

"Hehe, you're honest. But it's convenient."

Colonel Altsa smiled with a glint in his eyes.

"Does that mean if we do something wrong on the battlefield, only Duke Jihiteberg will be held responsible as our superior?"

"Yes, well..."

If Duke Jihiteberg loses this war, his downfall is certain. The political pressure he will face is low.

"I don't wish for the fall of the Jihiteberg family, but I don't have the power to stop it. If I try to do the impossible, it will lead to my own ruin."

The colonel shrugged.

"I will advise Duke Jihiteberg in my position as brigade commander. Tell me how to advise him."

"Yes, sir."

Through the colonel, I proposed a plan to "engage the enemy's main force at the fortress city of Tzima, wear them down with a war of attrition, and then negotiate a favorable ceasefire."

Of course, it was completely ignored.

Worse, the Sixth Special Brigade was mocked with, "Women shouldn't meddle in war." I decided to abandon Duke Jihiteberg.

How dare they mock my comrades. I hope they get a spectacular defeat.