Chapter 99

The next morning, the Bruges army, which had been deployed around "Sheep Hill," began to move.

Of course, we were also on the move.

"All battalions are in position."

The six battalions, a makeshift force of about 3,000 line infantry, had formed their battle lines and were ready for combat.

Among them were the First Division, directly under the Imperial Household, the Fifth Division borrowed from the Litrailleu family, and the Fourth Division of the Medilen family, including the army and the marine corps. It was truly a mixed force.

But their morale was high.

I peered through the telescope and couldn't help but be amazed.

"What is that old man doing...? Sir, the Bizer Battalion has its battalion commander at the front."

"Hmm, that's quite brave."

"If the battalion commander dies, the command structure will be in chaos. Shouldn't we stop him?"

But Colonel Altsar shook his head.

"If the battalion commander shows his resolve by standing at the front, the entire battalion will be determined. At the very least, the officers and non-commissioned officers won't allow the soldiers to flee."

"That's true, but—"

"If I interfere too much, it will further damage Bizer's reputation. I don't want to be resented later."

"Dealing with nobles is really difficult."

When the commander is too enthusiastic, it can create a gap with the soldiers, but in this case, we can't afford to say that.

Looking at Captain Bizer standing proudly with his saber, I prayed for his success and safe return.

"Although the other battalions aren't doing what the Bizer Battalion is doing, all battalion commanders are in the center of their formations. It's good for command, but it's a bit risky."

"You're the one who set it up that way."

That's true, but...

"The infantry units need to act as a shield until the 'Wolves' are ready. It's fine if they fight defensively as long as they don't flee."

"I've told them that, but the more I say it, the more determined they seem to become..."

After making a major blunder by arriving late to the battlefield, being told by the supreme commander not to overexert myself leaves me in a difficult position.

If I fight without overexerting myself as instructed, I don't know what I'll be called later in the military or noble society.

"Nobles are really difficult to deal with."

"I agree. Be careful how you handle them."

"I will."

I gave a casual response and looked through the telescope again, but I was kicked in the heel. Stop acting like a child.

"I've told Captains Fulton and Lane to use their allies as a shield and hold out."

"That's a harsh order."

"Well, they are scoundrels."

I know it's harsh, but in a battlefield where someone has to die, no one wants their comrades or subordinates to be the first to die. Besides, our brigade is also a test case for the next generation of infantry. We can't let them die in vain.

Still, feeling quite guilty, I sighed.

"Anyway, we need to minimize friendly casualties."

"I agree. Many lives are entrusted to our command. We must fulfill our responsibilities."

My superior, though small in stature, has a big heart. That's why it's worth supporting him. I don't want him to die.

"The Bizer Battalion and the other five battalions will engage the enemy's main force as planned."

"The enemy has two regiments. It's almost even."

In the Empire and neighboring countries, the standard formation is "three platoons make a company, three companies make a battalion, and three battalions make a regiment."

The military's formation varies by era and region, but this is simple and helpful. By the way, a platoon consists of fifty men.

Additionally, battalions and regiments have support units such as reconnaissance cavalry and bands. Therefore, a battalion has around five hundred men.

This time, both sides are clashing with six battalions, so about three thousand musketeers are facing each other in battle lines.

"The enemy has an additional regiment of infantry on the flank, and a regiment of cavalry is likely waiting on the other side of the hill."

"How many cavalry?"

"Bruges cavalry battalions usually have about a hundred riders, so about three hundred, I think."

Cavalry requires a lot of manpower to care for the horses, so non-combatants accompany them in even greater numbers. Of course, they won't charge, but they are still the enemy, so we want them to leave. They probably have a large stockpile of fodder.

"Three hundred. It's a bit worrying for a frontal breakthrough, but it's enough to disrupt the formation from the flank."

"Yes. If we show any weakness, the enemy will likely deploy the cavalry to quickly decide the battle."

Cavalry is strong, but the warhorses are even more terrifying.

Warhorses are trained to trample enemies and are not easily stopped by human bullets. Even bayonets, which are designed to be lethal, lack the strength and length to inflict fatal wounds.

The biggest weakness is the cavalry, so the fact that they ride horses can be seen as a mercy. Cavalry are human and can be killed with human bullets.

"The enemy's flank regiment, the 54th Infantry Regiment, is likely prepared to guard against encirclement. Of course, if the main force is insufficient, they will slide over to reinforce the front."

"Then we have no chance of winning."

"No, we don't. We don't have a geographical advantage, and even if we hold out until the end, we might not be able to destroy an enemy regiment."

In war games and military history lectures, the disadvantaged side almost never wins in this situation.

Colonel Altsar looked anxiously at "Lamb Hill" to the south.

"Will the 'Wolves' arrive in time?"

"They should, but sending cavalry to confirm might expose us. Either way, we can't run, so let's fight with determination."

"You're really bold."

I know we won't die even if we don't run, but of course, there's a chance the prediction could be wrong, in which case both the colonel and I will die.

"Sir."

"What is it?"

"Even if I die, I won't leave your side until the end."

"Hey, don't say that now. It's ominous."

The colonel glared at me with a scary face but then smiled.

"But, I suppose it's not bad. However, I'm not in the mood to die today. We will win."

"Understood."

Then let's win decisively.

* * *

【Sheep and Wolves】

General Huigens, the supreme commander of the Bruges army's vanguard, was munching on black bread. It was his habit to eat the same food as the soldiers in the camp to understand their complaints and health conditions.

"Hmm, it's not good. Michel, how is the enemy moving?"

"It's not 'bad,' sir."

General Huigens' aide-de-camp, Captain Michel, laughed. He was a young noble officer and one of Huigens' disciples.

"The enemy is moving by the book. We can win this way."

"By the book?"

"Yes."

Then General Huigens wiped his mouth with a napkin and muttered.

"That's strange."

"What is?"

"Did I write in my manual that you should charge head-on even when at a disadvantage?"

Captain Michel tilted his head.

"Indeed, that is strange. This way, the Imperial Army will just be ground down."

"Exactly. A numerical disadvantage must be offset by another advantage to win. But looking at the battlefield, the enemy has no favorable elements. Normally, this would be a situation to retreat."

General Huigens stood up and looked down at the battlefield from the window of the castle.

"The terrain is advantageous and unshakable. If so, the correct strategy would be to reverse the situation with numerical superiority, but the enemy's reinforcements are already exhausted. Is this information correct?"

"Yes. Cavalry reconnaissance found no troops in the surrounding area."

"Are there any disguised troops?"

"Just the Agan merchant caravans. They are likely transporting goods by land because the sea routes are controlled by the Imperial Army. Even during war, civilians continue to trade."

General Huigens crossed his arms and pondered deeply.

"Hmm, at first glance, everything seems calm. The calm is unsettling. I have a bad feeling."

"Is that so? It seems the enemy is prepared to lose the initial battle to buy time for diplomatic efforts..."

General Huigens shook his head at his disciple's words.

"No, we're dealing with the 'Death Reaper Crombertz.' His enemies have always suffered heavy losses. He must have some trick up his sleeve. But due to my limited knowledge, I can't figure it out."

Lieutenant Colonel Crombertz, the Bruges army's most feared staff officer, was known for his cautious and bold approach, which made other staff officers deeply fear him.

Unable to bear the heavy atmosphere, Captain Michel forced a smile.

"Don't worry, sir. You're being too cautious. The three hundred or so enemy infantry we faced initially did nothing. Wasn't it good to defeat them as a start?"

"That's a bit painful to hear..."

General Huigens, a researcher of tactical theory, is often criticized by frontline commanders for being too cautious.

"I don't mind being called a scholar who doesn't understand the field, but it's hard to be called an armchair strategist who doesn't know the soldiers."

Captain Michel looked at him with hopeful eyes.

"Then, sir, shall we begin?"

"That seems to be the consensus of both armies. Very well, let's accept the Death Reaper's invitation. However, the 54th Regiment should be prepared for 'Lamb Hill' and guard against surprise attacks."

"Understood!"

* * *

"They've started moving. Our battalions are beginning to engage."

"Finally."

"Yes."

I stood beside Colonel Altsar, tense.

"This time, the success of the 'Wolves' attack will determine the success of the operation. If it fails, we have no chance of winning."

"That's always the case with your plans..."

I scratched my head, embarrassed by the wry comment.

"Strategies to defeat a large army with a small force are considered unorthodox. We have to take a big gamble somewhere. The correct military strategy is to prepare a large army to face a large army."

I sighed and continued.

"But this kind of fighting gets more attention..."

"Yes. I hope you continue to win with this style of fighting."

No way, I don't have enough lives for that. I will definitely retire.

I thought that, but seeing the colonel's smile, I said the opposite.

"For you, sir, I will gladly."

"Good."

The colonel was in high spirits.

However, the battle situation was not so optimistic.

"Report! The Tergitz Battalion is engaging the enemy's 53rd Regiment, 1st Battalion. Many casualties! They won't hold long!"

"Deploy the reserve Mersen Battalion. The Tergitz Battalion should reorganize into two companies in the rear."

Colonel Altsar's command was calm.

"The Bizer Battalion has repelled the 52nd Regiment, 3rd Battalion! The enemy battalion is retreating to the rear!"

"Good! But order Bizer not to advance further! Another battalion will be coming soon!"

Thanks to Colonel Altsar's charisma, the makeshift battalions are all fighting desperately.

But that's not all.

"The enemy is moving cautiously. With only two regiments, they lack the striking power."

"We also have the equivalent of two regiments. It won't be easy to decide the battle."

Colonel Altsar crossed his arms and stared at the battlefield.

"This battle will drag on."

"Yes. General Huigens will try to wear us down with the two regiments in front, then deploy the regiment on the flank and the cavalry from both flanks."

I moved the pieces on the map.

"If we are surrounded from both sides, our exhausted army will have only two choices: break through the front or retreat. But the steep slope of 'Sheep Hill' in front makes a breakthrough impossible."

The colonel looked at it and muttered.

"In other words, if we are surrounded, we have no choice but to retreat. Well thought out. They are fully utilizing their numerical and geographical advantages."

I sighed, agreeing.

"Yes. If we retreat, they will fortify 'Sheep Hill' and turn it into an impregnable position. Then we won't be able to do anything."

The road runs alongside "Sheep Hill," making it easy to supply from the rear and advance. It's also a good location to monitor the Imperial Army's invasion.

"Enough with the lecture. If we continue this battle, our casualties will be high. Where are the 'Wolves'?"

In response to the colonel's anxious question, I shook my head.

"Not yet. We have to wait until the enemy starts the half-encirclement attack, or the 'Wolves' will be in danger."

Then, the decisive moment arrived.

"The enemy cavalry is moving towards the road! Reconnaissance cavalry spotted!"

Reconnaissance cavalry check the terrain to see if the cavalry can charge. This means the terrifying cavalry charge is coming from the right.

"The enemy's 54th Infantry Regiment has changed to a marching formation! They are advancing!"

And from the left, an unscathed infantry regiment is advancing like a wall.

We are about to be caught between this invincible spear and shield.

The soldiers who brought the reports were pale, but I smiled in relief. I was getting anxious and worried.

"Then let's unleash the 'Wolves.' Sir, give the order."

"Alright!"

Colonel Altsar raised his command baton and ordered in a voice that echoed across the battlefield.

"Order the 6th Special Task Brigade's rifle artillery company on 'Sheep Hill' to open fire! The act of being a lamb is over! Wolves, tear out the throats of the sheep!"