Chapter 38

Thus, we left the fortified city of Tzima, our last supply point, and began marching through the barren wilderness.

In this era, borders are vague, and there are many areas of disputed ownership. This is because land that is uninhabited cannot be controlled.

The wilderness, which serves as a buffer zone between our nation and the Kionis Federation, has almost no towns or farmland.

Nomads use the areas where grass grows, but they move on before their livestock can eat it all.

So, it's truly a desolate place. There are no well-maintained water sources.

"Where are we going, Lieutenant Colonel~?"

While marching in a steady, orderly fashion, the girls in our brigade looked thoroughly exhausted.

I was also feeling exhausted, so I couldn't help but smile wryly from my horse.

"Until we engage the Kionis army."

The nomadic tribes of the Kionis Federation do not settle in one place. They have their own territories and occasionally fight over them.

However, they have formed alliances to fight against enemy invasions, which is what constitutes their de facto state.

It's rare to encounter such a difficult opponent. What territory should we occupy?

"In any case, we can rest once we reach the trading city of Jarakud, but we will almost certainly engage in battle before then. If you feel unwell, report it to your squad leader immediately, as it could affect your performance in battle."

"Yes, sir."

The trading city of Jarakud is about a hundred kilometers from the empire's fortified city of Tzima.

It's a rural town where nomads set up markets, but there's nothing else to occupy. Due to supply issues, we have no choice but to aim for this place.

If I were in charge, I would establish a forward base and extend our supply lines, but this method is costly and time-consuming.

"How would you fight, Lieutenant Colonel?"

Sergeant Loisel, who replaced Hannah as the first squad leader, asked with a chuckle, so I thought about it as a practice problem for a staff officer.

"To them, the resources from the land are grass and water. Sowing toxic seeds or contaminating water sources would be effective. If their sheep die, they will starve, and if their horses die, they won't be able to fight."

For some reason, everyone fell silent.

"Lieutenant Colonel, you're a bit scary..."

"Poor animals..."

Why? War is about doing what the enemy hates the most. Thinking about such things is my job.

I crossed my arms, pouting.

"If you want to avoid such actions, the only way is to coexist with the nomads without conflict. We need to work together with them, who have different values and lifestyles, and adjust our interests. But that's not the job of a soldier."

The Shweider Empire continues to fight to reclaim its territory and has no intention of coexisting with heretics. I think they should give up and change their strategy, but as a mere staff captain, I can do nothing.

"For now, just focus on getting back safely. I'm planning the strategy with that in mind."

"Yes, sir."

The female infantry marched in formation. I moved forward with them, my thoughts wandering over the wilderness.

I wish there were no war.

...No.

If there were no war, I would be in trouble.

In this world, the only way for me to survive is to continue being a professional soldier. Even if I'm called the Grim Reaper, I can't quit being a soldier.

But it would be better if there were no war.

The march through the wilderness turned out to be as harsh as expected.

"The third division's infantry battalion is already riddled with deserters and is below its authorized strength."

"There are frostbite casualties in the first division. Units with surplus blankets are requested to contribute."

"There are unexplained cases of abdominal pain in the second division's horse artillery squadron. They have stopped marching."

The army may seem capable of marching anywhere, but in reality, it has lower survival skills than a caravan. This is because they carry guns and cannons.

Their clothing is designed for combat, making the wilderness climate unbearable. It's scorching and dry during the day and bone-chilling at night.

So, just by going on an expedition, soldiers die. Even if they don't die, the number of wounded and sick increases, slowing down the march.

The march can only proceed at the speed of the slowest soldier. The more people there are, the slower it becomes.

My conversations with the colonel are mostly about the health of the soldiers.

"There have been no deaths in our brigade, but the soldiers are in worse condition than usual. Many are unable to move due to colds or menstrual cramps."

"Are they in the supply wagons?"

"Yes, but the wagons are so bumpy that they don't help. The gaps in the wagons let in cold drafts."

Fortunately, our brigade is well-equipped with blankets and medicine. The supply wagons were also planned with extra capacity. However, this means we have less ammunition, which could be a problem in a prolonged campaign.

"Is there any hindrance to accompanying the main force?"

"No, our brigade prioritizes marching speed in our training and equipment. There are no issues."

Especially, our boots are different from those of other divisions. We are definitely wearing the best boots in the imperial army.

"If we get left behind by the main force, it will be dangerous. This is already Kionis territory, so if we get separated, we will certainly..."

I glanced at the artillery squadron that had stopped to rest the sick.

"The Kionis cavalry is watching us from somewhere. It's best to assume that."

The Kionis Federation is a collection of nomadic tribes that constantly fight each other, but they have repelled all invasions by the second division.

The main reason is this vast, barren wilderness. Just marching through it exhausts the soldiers and depletes morale and supplies.

"Our army is marching to occupy the trading city of Jarakud, but the Kionis people are not fools. They understand that if we are allowed to resupply, we will have a chance of victory."

The empire's army is larger and better equipped.

Therefore, the enemy will certainly attack before we reach the trading city.

Of course, Duke Zihotberg understands this and has had his staff officers plan a counterattack.

However, the plan ultimately adopted was one devised by Duke Zihotberg himself.

But is he really going to do it?

At that moment, a messenger from the main force rushed in.

"From Marshal Zihotberg to the Sixth Special Brigade! We are to form a battle formation one kilometer ahead!"

The enemy, perhaps.

Colonel Altsa asked.

"Have you spotted the enemy?"

"Yes! The cavalry on patrol did not return, so we sent another cavalry unit, which confirmed about seven thousand cavalry in front of the trading city of Jarakud!"

If the patrol cavalry doesn't return, it can be inferred that the enemy is there. It's like the canary in the coal mine, but thanks to this, we have located the enemy.

I immediately advised Colonel Altsa.

"By the time they dispose of our cavalry, they will have anticipated that we would notice."

"That makes sense. The Sixth Special Brigade has received the order. We will immediately prepare for battle."

"Understood!"

The messenger left, and Colonel Altsa flipped his cloak.

"Our brigade will be deployed near the front line as artillery support! All personnel, quick march!"

The Sixth Special Brigade rushed to the designated location and deployed five field guns pulled by wagons.

The artillery is guarded by sixty female infantry. There are actually two squads of a hundred, but the numbers are reduced due to guard duties and illness. It's a common issue in the army.

This time, the Sixth Special Brigade is just following orders, so as a brigade staff officer, I have nothing to do. I have some free time, so I check the formation of our allies with a telescope.

It's a type of "flying wedge" formation, with several rows of infantry overlapping and slightly shifted to the right front.

The artillery battalion is also deployed diagonally behind the infantry, protecting them. We are on the far right and also the front.

Colonel Altsa, riding his warhorse, laughed pleasantly.

"Are we being shunned or not trusted?"

"Both, I think. A new and weak brigade full of inexperienced artillery officers wouldn't be trusted with Duke Zihotberg's 'secret to victory.'"

"You're the one who laughed."

"Didn't His Excellency laugh too?"

While the colonel and I were awkwardly passing the buck, our subordinates, the infantry and artillery, were quickly deploying. The Sixth Special Brigade is known for its speed.

The colonel laughed like a child.

"Because it's a classic diagonal formation, which has existed since the days when infantry fought with spears. To use it..."

"His Excellency, it's not funny. He's just reinventing the wheel."

"No, you're right. It's not a laughing matter."

Colonel Altsa suddenly became serious.

"Indeed, a right-facing diagonal formation is considered effective against horse archers. I forget why, but..."

"Generally, horse archers are poor at shooting to their right, so they run to the left. We can create a thick barrage on our left to intercept them."

Horse archers are unique to the Kionis Federation, so as a former member of the fifth division, which fought against the Agan Kingdom, I have no experience with this formation. I've only seen it in textbooks.

However, the Zihotberg family has been fighting the Kionis Federation for a long time, so they are familiar with this formation.

Honestly, the second division's soldiers must have been too embarrassed to look their lord in the eye.

--- This is the 'Zihotberg Fire Dragon Formation,' my secret to victory.

When the formation diagram was displayed on the wall, all the officers present made awkward faces. More accurately, they were trying not to laugh.

Chrombert, out.

Altsa, out.

Several others, out.

Oh, what a valuable experience.

I was glared at by the senior officers of the second division and the junior officers were looking at me with "I'm done with this division..." in their eyes.

The colonel of the first division's guards and the cavalry captain of the third division were also half-smiling, so I hope they don't get angry.

I sighed.

"By proudly displaying a formation that is in a hundred-year-old military textbook, it's easy to imagine the extent of Duke Zihotberg's military talent. We can't win."

"Don't say we can't win before the battle. It will affect morale."

"My apologies."

That's true. As a staff officer, I also say things that affect morale.

"The formation itself is logically sound. The idea of driving the enemy along the diagonal and annihilating them at the end is not bad."

The left wing, where the diagonal ends, is thick with both infantry and artillery, capable of withstanding a cavalry charge.

Square formations, which can attack in any direction, were also well-placed to prevent being surrounded.

"Will the enemy conveniently come from the left? What if they circle around to our right rear?"

"The diagram doesn't show it, but we will use cavalry to block the enemy's movement. During this time, we will reposition the infantry to form a new diagonal facing right."

Duke Zihotberg is not stupid, so he is also wary of being surrounded. However, if the formation could be changed so easily, it wouldn't be a problem.

In this world, the training of infantry is not very advanced. The advantage of line infantry is that they can fight after a short training period, so the focus is on recruitment rather than training.

"Nevertheless, it's our job to drive the enemy to the left with artillery fire to prevent that from happening."

"Like hunting dogs."

"Are you dissatisfied?"

Colonel Altsa chuckled and then gave a terrifying smile.

"Then let's bark loudly enough for that old man to hear."

"I'm scared."

You are the child of war.