Chapter 73

Among the five royal families supporting the Schweider Empire, the second-ranked Jihotberg family and the third-ranked Mildor family have defected to the neighboring Principality of Bruges.

Of course, along with their territories.

As a result, the Sixth Special Brigade, which was stationed on the border between the two families, found itself isolated in enemy territory.

This brigade is closely associated with the Medilen family, so it cannot surrender along with the Second and Third Divisions. If it did, it would cause trouble for General Altsa's family.

"Sir, things have taken a turn for the worse."

While issuing evacuation orders to everyone, General Altsa and I are having a conversation in the office, burning confidential documents in the fireplace.

The general has a stern expression.

"I had anticipated the possibility that the Mildor family might defect entirely, but I intended to escape through the Jihotberg territory as you suggested. I never thought the Jihotberg family would defect as well."

I feel ashamed; I couldn't have predicted this.

"Reflecting on it now, there were signs. The Jihotberg family was ordered to participate in the Kionis expedition, where the previous head of the family was killed in action. The Second Division under his command was annihilated, and to make matters worse, they were treated as villains by the emperor due to the slander of the Duke of Litreuil. There was no reason for them to pledge loyalty to the imperial family."

At the time, the Duke of Jihotberg handled the situation calmly, but he must have been seething inside. Otherwise, he wouldn't have treated me, who only offered a little advice, as a guest.

The Duke of Litreuil is dead, but his negative legacy shines brightly. The Schweider Empire we know is divided and has already collapsed.

In such times, lingering or being optimistic can be fatal. Cut your losses quickly and run fast.

If I don't, I'll end up like I did in my previous life, being left to clean up a mess and isolated both inside and outside the company. The others will run away.

That's why I advised a quick evacuation without hesitation, and it was approved on the spot. That's how we ended up here.

"Fortunately, the Principality of Bruges has not declared war or shown any hostile reaction. Of course, if we stay, we will be ordered to leave, and we might even be attacked."

"They are also in a difficult situation if things suddenly get worse, so they are being ambiguous."

General Altsa nods and suddenly smiles wryly.

"This is not an important place for either of us. Most of the soldiers are from the Medilen territory. As you said, the best course of action is to run quickly."

"Since no evacuation order has been issued, strictly speaking, we are abandoning our posts..."

I can't believe I made such a suggestion. It could lead to a court-martial.

But the general looks relaxed.

"Nothing to worry about. Our empire's five fingers are the 'index finger' and 'middle finger' that have defected, and the 'little finger' is wobbling. In this state, it's impossible to break the 'ring finger'."

"You're a villain, sir."

"Coming from you, it's a compliment."

While having this conversation, we managed to burn all the confidential documents. We crush the ashes with a poker to ensure they cannot be read.

Lieutenant Roz arrives at this moment.

"Sir, the supplies have been packed. The soldiers are being led by the NCOs in their respective squads."

"Good. What about the cannons?"

In response to the general's question, Roz answers lightly.

"They are portable, so we can carry them as far as possible. We might need them in a retreat, and if they become a hindrance, we can leave them behind."

"True. By the way, what about your family?"

Roz scratches his head.

"Could I ride in a carriage? My wife is fine, but my daughter is only three and it's dangerous."

"Of course. I've arranged seats for you and your family."

"No, I'll walk."

"Don't push yourself; you have a leg injury. Stay with your family."

General Altsa says this with a bright smile. My superior is still a handsome man. I'm in love.

The general turns to me and points to the map on the desk.

"Final confirmation. Our destination is the fortress city of Pajje at the western end of the Medilen territory. There are three possible routes. Right?"

"Yes, sir. The Imperial Route along the northern road through the Mildor territory to the capital, the Detour Route along the southern road through the Jihotberg territory, and..."

I tap an empty spot on the map.

"The Mountain Route, which branches off from the Detour Route and passes near the border with Eobenia."

"I'd prefer to avoid the Mountain Route. The cannons and carriages can't pass, and there should be snow in the mountains, even in the southern part of the empire. Besides, the accompanying military personnel haven't had mountain training."

"However, it's highly questionable whether we can use the roads. The land along the roads is now part of the Principality of Bruges."

I tell the general, who has a grim expression.

"We are currently sending cavalry scouts to reconnoiter, but I expect they will bring back bad news."

Soon, a report comes in from the cavalry scouts, confirming that the Bruges military flag has been spotted at the forts along the northern and southern roads. Although it wasn't a large force, they couldn't approach due to the risk of attack.

As expected. If I were the enemy commander, I wouldn't let an imperial general, especially the aunt of the Duke of Medilen, escape. Capturing her could be a bargaining chip.

The general has a grim expression.

"They are cunning. Surrounding the brigade headquarters would be a hostile military action, but deploying troops along the roads is a normal response. We are trapped in enemy territory."

"Indeed."

"This castle is vulnerable to artillery fire, and even if we fortify, no reinforcements will come. Should we surrender?"

I shake my head.

"No, it's fortunate that the Duke of Jihotberg and the Duke of Mildor are reasonable people. Thanks to their peaceful blockade, we can retreat peacefully."

"Can we?"

I'm not very confident, so I speak honestly.

"To be frank, it's quite tough, but we still have the Mountain Route. If that doesn't work, we'll surrender then."

"That's true. In that case, we'll have to leave the cannons and carriages behind..."

"No, they can still be useful."

I quickly update my plan in my head.

I've done plenty of exercises on what to do when plans go wrong at the military academy. I've also had plenty of experience in my previous life.

I have two lifetimes of experience.

"By the way, I haven't seen the sea in this world yet. I'm looking forward to fresh seafood."

"You're still planning to escape, aren't you? Fine, I'll let you eat as much as you want. I'll treat you to oil-cooked clams or grilled shrimp."

"I'm motivated now."

Let's go see the sea.

When we step out onto the training ground in front of the headquarters, the soldiers are standing in formation, tense and carrying heavy loads.

In the rear, there are a few women from the mess hall and workshops. They have two options: evacuate to nearby villages or accompany us. They chose the latter.

General Altsa gives the order.

"From now on, the Sixth Special Brigade will abandon the brigade headquarters and head to Pajje in the Medilen territory, bypassing enemy forces!"

Everyone knows it won't be easy.

That's why the general, as the commander, speaks brightly.

"Many of you may not have good memories of the Medilen territory, but you are heroes who stopped the rebellion of the Duke of Litreuil! We will return with our heads held high!"

The general's ability to inspire is reliable. Pride is what supports the heart in difficult times.

The general smiles.

"Don't worry. Our staff officer has a plan."

I just make suggestions, you know?

I wanted to say something, but seeing the strength returning to everyone's eyes, I couldn't say anything. Commanding the troops is not my job.

The general mounts his horse with practiced ease and shouts loudly.

"I'll treat you to fresh seafood when we return home! Let's go!"

* * *

【The Man from the Past】

"Are they really coming this way?"

The man with the rank of captain in the Bruges army looks back nervously.

"I'm lending my troops on the division commander's orders, but if the Schweider people are fleeing, they'll head for the border. The direction is completely opposite."

The old man in the gray uniform smiles thinly. Unlike the blue uniforms of the Bruges army, his uniform is gray. There is no nearby country that uses gray uniforms.

"You're a worrier. Just lend me your troops. The rest is my responsibility. More importantly,"

The old man asks seriously.

"Is the name of the staff officer of the Sixth Special Brigade Yuiener Chrombertz?"

"Yes, that's right. 'Death Chrombertz'. He's the real death god who stopped the rebellion of the Litreuil family. I've heard that the defense of Zepher Fort was also his work."

The Bruges army captain scratches his thinning head.

"The Duke of Bruges ordered us to prevent the death god staff officer and the female general of the Medilen family from escaping to the imperial territory. But the Duke of Jihotberg and the Duke of Mildor are pretending they don't know. It's a tough job."

The old man in the gray uniform replies.

"I sympathize. Everyone has their position and circumstances."

"It doesn't help to be sympathized with by you... But, to reiterate, is it really okay to deploy here?"

"Of course. If they were fools who would march straight to the border in this situation, they would have been killed in the Kionis campaign long ago."

"Hmm. Indeed, the border area with the empire is filled with Bruges troops. If they are properly reconnoitering, they will rule it out as an option. But they might come this way? Normally, they would fortify, wouldn't they?"

But the man in the gray uniform smiles quietly.

"No. He will definitely come. That boy knows very well the difference between life and death."

At that moment, a messenger rushes into the field command tent.

"A Schweider army unit with the flag of the Sixth Special Brigade is approaching from the north side of the road!"

"Impossible!"

The captain jumps up in surprise, but the man in the gray uniform smiles thinly.

"Didn't I tell you?"

"You... What are you, really? You're not just a mercenary."

The captain's question goes unanswered as the old mercenary slowly stands up.

"Well, it's time to fulfill the contract. You need to block this area. It would be troublesome if they escape to Eobenia."

* * *