Chapter 97

Thus, our Sixth Special Operations Regiment and the reinforcing battalions ended up arriving at the battlefield in a scattered state due to the disarray in our marching speed. I had told them to go ahead, but they didn't listen.

"I tried to come up with a strategy, but if the key commanders don't follow my orders, there's no point."

When I complained to Brigadier General Altsa, she patted my back with a troubled look.

"To them, I'm just a young girl, and you're a young civilian. It's not surprising that the generals don't follow us."

"I expected as much, so it's not a problem, but it doesn't seem like a proper army."

Still, even in a modernized organization, such things happen. ...They did. I don't want to remember.

No, wait, I can't remember. What was the cause of the trouble back then? Was it even work-related? What was my job, anyway?

I realize that my memories from my past life are gradually fading.

The knowledge itself is intact. The knowledge I read in books is unrelated to my experiences. The fact that black powder is made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur is not my experience. I've never mixed gunpowder.

But my actual experiences are becoming quite vague.

My real experiences and the knowledge I've gained from books and other sources are mixing, making it hard to distinguish which is which. It seems that my memories from my past life are being overwritten by my second life.

I don't know how to stop this, so I'm gradually becoming Yuiina Krombertz, a Swaidel native, rather than a Japanese reincarnated person.

But this isn't something that just started, so it's not something to panic about. I'll just forget the things I don't want to remember.

Perhaps a bit worried that I had fallen silent, the brigadier general leaned in to look at my face.

"Still uncomfortable?"

"No, I was just thinking that something similar happened in my past life."

"Haha, I see. You must have been disliked wherever you went because you're so competent."

No, that's not it. Probably. I can't remember.

I changed my mood and pointed to the large hill that was becoming visible.

"According to the original plan, our army was to take the initiative with a rapid march and establish a strong field fortification on that 'Sheep Hill' to meet the Bruges army."

In a field battle without any fortifications, especially on a plain, the construction of fortifications can determine the outcome. No staff officer would overlook this. Naturally, the enemy would think the same way.

Considering the distance from the capital, our marching speed, and the location of the roads and fortresses necessary for supply, this was the only place where our makeshift force could win a decisive battle.

This hill, which means 'Sheep Hill' in Swaidel, lies along the road. It's an excellent spot for monitoring the road.

It's a steep hill, unsuitable for cultivation, and has been used as pasture.

For centuries, shepherds used this hill, but after the 'Fish Road' was built, a lord's castle was constructed on the hill to guard the road. The shepherds left, and after the domestic political situation and security stabilized, the castle was abandoned.

The brigadier general observed the castle on the hill through a telescope and muttered, "It's late Moren architecture, but there are no carvings on the gables or the eaves. It's a sloppy job." Then she turned to me.

"There's no other place in this area suitable for a large battle. The noble's castle on the top would be perfect for a field command post."

That's right.

But I sighed.

"But the plan has gone awry. We only have two companies, about 300 soldiers. Moreover, more than half of them are new recruits on their first deployment. If we set up camp on that hill, we'll be surrounded and wiped out."

"We were supposed to deploy six battalions, about 3,000 soldiers. With only one-tenth of that, it's not even a battle. Besides, there's no water source, so a siege is impossible."

The troubled expression on Brigadier General Altsa's face was cute. But I didn't want my direct superior to look like that.

"Fortunately, the other battalions are expected to arrive no later than the day after tomorrow. Let's hold out for two days."

"Can we manage? No, you said 'as expected' just now, didn't you?"

"Going off-plan is part of the plan. If everything went according to plan, we wouldn't need staff officers, and no country would lose a war."

"But in reality, that's not the case, which is why we need competent staff officers like you. I'm counting on you."

"I don't know if I'm competent, but I'm getting paid, so I'll do my best."

This meager salary doesn't seem worth it. Maybe I should retire early and open a coffee shop in some port town.

"Hey, stop sighing. I get a low salary too."

"But you have support from your family, don't you?"

"That's true, but—"

The brigadier general suddenly hesitated.

Then she glanced up at me.

"So, shall we share the household expenses?"

"What do you mean by that—"

Just as I felt a chill, a female cavalry messenger rushed in.

"Report! We've spotted what appears to be the Bruges army about twenty kiloms west of the road! The total number is unknown, but there seem to be four to five thousand infantry alone! There are also cavalry! No artillery has been confirmed yet!"

All hesitation vanished from Brigadier General Altsa's face, and she instantly took on a warrior's expression.

"They're close. We might encounter them tomorrow. What do you suggest?"

As a staff officer, I offered my opinion.

"Setting up camp on the hill is impossible. Let's go with the second plan."

"Understood. In that case, what are our chances of winning?"

I'm not a prophet, so I can't say for sure, but as a tactical expert trained at the military academy, I'm expected to explain clearly in such situations.

But it's a tough question.

"If our reinforcements arrive in time, we can probably avoid losing. If they don't, it's not even a fight."

"But we can't speed up their arrival. So, there's a strategy to buy time, right?"

My superior is sharp. It's a relief to work with someone who understands quickly.

"The enemy will also target 'Sheep Hill' as a key point. With enough troops, it can be an impregnable fortification, and they can use the road for supplies."

Brigadier General Altsa stared at the map, then smiled.

"Let me guess your plan. You're going to set up camp on 'Lamb Hill' to the southeast of 'Sheep Hill,' right?"

I chuckled.

"Sorry, that's not it."

"It's not...?"

The brigadier general looked disappointed. Sometimes she's like a child.

"I thought it would be a good place to hide a small force."

"You're right about that."

"You're right about that...?"

The brigadier general tilted her head, looking confused.

I explained.

"But hiding a small force won't help if we can't win. The enemy will be wary of ambushes. Setting up camp in such a place would be meaningless."

"I see, I'll forget about it then."

"No, don't forget. It's very important."

"What's going on...? Hey, stop teasing your superior."

Sorry. I couldn't help it because your troubled face is cute.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it because your troubled face is cute."

I let my guard down, and my thoughts slipped out. I'm going to get in trouble.

When I glanced at the brigadier general, she was blushing and looking embarrassed.

"S-so, it's cute...?"

"Yes."

I just said it without thinking. I might die in battle anyway, so I don't want to have regrets like in my past life.

But I was also incredibly embarrassed, so I cleared my throat and changed the subject.

"Anyway, let's set up camp near the road. We'll make it noticeable but also easy to retreat from."

The brigadier general looked up at me with a glare.

"You're planning to run away again, aren't you?"

"Isn't that the case?"

"No, that's not what I meant!"

Which one, then?

The messenger, who was still there, laughed awkwardly.

"Um... what should I do now...?"

The brigadier general turned around, suddenly returning to her military demeanor.

"Sorry, I forgot. Please inform the battalions coming from the rear of the current situation and tell them to hurry as much as possible."

"Yes, sir!"

The messenger saluted sharply, then left with a strangely sticky smile. More rumors will probably start...

"Shall we get to work, sir?"

"Sure."

To continue our lighthearted banter, we decided to focus on the battle ahead.