However, this meant that the entire St. Gallen territory became involved in the invasion of Volden. In other words, it was a huge mess. Each and every one of them gave priority to their own interests, and clashes with those of other origins were frequent. Although General Bauer, the commander of the army in this area, had been able to keep a lid on it, he was often underestimated by people from other territories because of his status as a commoner. This was despite the fact that he was the one who came up with the entire operation. It was incredibly difficult to handle the soldiers and the army.
While fretting over the perilous inner workings of his own army, Bauer turned to his staff officers.
"So, any reports on the food supplies?"
"Yes, sir. Most of the areas that our forces are currently controlling are in the mountainous eastern part of the province near the mountain range. Therefore, the progress on securing food is lower than expected."
"So you're saying we are not in the clear until we occupy the plains further to the west?"
"No, general. At present, I estimate we have enough for our army to be self-sufficient for about a month. After some rest, I think we will be ready to take down the western part of Volden, where most of the major bases are distributed, in another offensive."
"How soon can we resume the offensive?"
"As you said, considering the fatigue of the troops, roughly a week from now. "
"A week, huh. Considering the distance from Broussonne, the royal capital of Arquell, where reinforcements are probably being organised, that's plenty of time."
It would take a week or two to travel from Broussonne to the province of Volden by carriage. However, the army cannot move as quickly as a horse-drawn carriage. They have to keep pace with the supply lines and logistics, which will slow them down.
"......General, do you think it's possible that reinforcements could arrive before winter?"
"8 or 9 out of ten I suppose."
The staff officer blinked at him in surprise.
"Since last year, the reluctance on the part of Arquell in terms of trade had been unusual. It was not necessary to tighten exports to such an extent, even though there was the disaster of the Great Fire. It felt as if they were trying to cause us to spiral out of control and incite us to invade them……Don’t you think so?"
"But originally, our friendship of fifty years—"
"It's a friendship that was forged because they lost to St. Gallen. They are a prideful kingdom. I'm sure they must have felt very humiliated inwardly."
It was St. Gallen’s side that declared the war, but it was Arquell's side that had thrown down the gauntlet first. Bauer was aware of this. In the face of such a raw provocation, it was natural that they were ready to return the strike.
"If that's what you think, then why this surprise attack strategy?"
"It's the only thing I could think of."
If we were going to attack in a normal way, it would have been logical to advance their troops in a straightforward manner from the direction of Allemande. However, the St. Gallen side did not have the strength to do a frontal attack. The Kingdom of Arquell knew that their borders would be targeted. Thus, they would have placed extraordinary defences. St. Gallen, which was not prepared for a long war, did not have the luxury of waging a war of attrition in the Allemande area. The St. Gallen side also had their hands full with fortifying their borders and barely had enough soldiers to send north to invade Volden.
"And since there were no other alternatives, it was adopted. Then we have no choice but to bring this plan to success."
Before enemy reinforcements appear, capture Volden, strengthen our defences, and hold out until winter. This way, this land on the plateau would be impregnable until spring. While the invading forces of St. Gallen rest and pass the winter, the forces of the Kingdom of Arquell expend an appropriate amount of supplies and strength to pass the winter. Then, as soon as the snow melts, they defeat the reinforcements and pincer the Allemande area in cooperation with the home army.
It was a highly risky strategy. But Bauer knew that the success rate would be high enough to justify it. The Arquell soldiers defending Volden were untrained. It would take less than half a month to capture the entire province. The forces at the fort that had defeated one of the detachments were also too small to change the flow of the battlefield itself. They could slowly encircle it up after they captured the other cities and bases. In the worst case scenario, they could leave only a certain amount of forces there to trap them and focus on the main body of the Arquell army. In any case, their priority now was to obtain the granaries in the west for supplies and to capture other forts to establish a defensive base......
"Anyway. Tell the troops to join us as soon as they have enough food. After that, we'll let them rest, and then we'll begin the full-scale suppression of Volden."
"Yes!"
The staff members who had received the order turned on their heels and left the room.
Bauer sat at his desk again, deep in thought.
At worst, it was a 50-50 chance, he thought, playing down his calculations. Even if the enemy's agitation from the surprise attack was minimal, and they brought in reinforcements without delay, there was still a fifty percent chance of victory. The fruits of Volden were plentiful for a mountainous area, and even if they have to fight a series of tough battles, there should be sufficient supplies to hold out. If they could hold onto a fort and defend it, there was a good chance that they could last through the winter. Even if this was not possible, there was the option of destroying the fort so that it would not be used by the Arquell side, and then retreating to the east.
(We can win, no, I will make us win......!)
His army was 40,000 troops strong. The opposing enemy reinforcements would probably exceed 100,000. Even though the St. Gallen army had sent its most elite troops to the Allemande area, their skill level surpassed that of the average Arquell soldier. As long as they control the important bases in the province first, they would be able to stick around until winter.
The person who had provoked them on the side of Arquell surely has a plan to take back Volden. However, the Federation of the St. Gallen was not so easy an opponent to return a borrowed item for free. If Arquell had forgotten in the 50 years that have passed, then it was time to remind them again. On who are the losers and who are the winners.
And in the unlikely event—
"Can you hear me? It's me."
From his pocket, he took out a device that contained communication magic that allowed communication with people far away. The reply came immediately.
"This is the General. What can I do for you?"
The voice was muffled, gloomy, and lacking in energy. Bauer couldn't help but dislike this person. But when he thought of the arrangements he needed to make for the upcoming battles, he had to curb his urges.
"How's the adjustments on the thing we have discussed?"
"It is proving to be a bit of a challenge. It's a delicate thing, after all. I never thought we would have to carry it over the mountains."
"When are you planning on finishing it?"
“Hmm. Probably another 10 days or so—”
"One week. You'll have to do something to make it in time for the attack."
He held his tongue. The person on the other end of the call may have found the request absurd, but he had also conveyed a sense of urgency.
"As you wish. Let's get this done as quickly as we can. I'll get to work on it, then."
He grudgingly agreed, and before he could stop him, he cut off the communications.
Bauer rubbed his brow as if trying to hold in a headache. The way he abruptly cut off communication made it difficult to think he was even being treated as a superior officer, or even a general. However, such people have to be appeased at times or reprimanded at other times to produce results.
"...... I don't know how much use those guys' toys are going to be, but if they can be used, then we have to use them."
This was a trump card that was forced on them by the people of Gallerin at the last moment before they left. Even now, when the war has already started, they can't make decisions as they wish. To be honest, its usefulness was questionable, but if what the sender was claiming about its ability was even half true, it could be a useful trick up their sleeve.
