SWNOVELXO Chapter 116
[ Late Spring. The newly established Empire’s 1st Legion began to breach Dedorant’s defenses.
]
It seemed that the opinions of the Ministry of War and the General Staff that the war could be concluded within this year were valid.
The Empire’s 1st Legion advanced relentlessly with the Western Legion as the spearhead.
]
[ By the end of summer, Dedorant launched a massive counterattack.
It was clear that they had prepared meticulously in advance, luring the Empire into the trap.
In fact, they had hardly lost any of their main forces during two months of fighting.
]
[ As autumn set in, our Empire received the devastating news of defeat.
The 9th and 14th Regiments of the Western Legion were annihilated. Only a handful managed to escape the siege.
The scale of the Empire, which had been tipping in our favor, was suddenly balanced precariously.
]
[ It is unedited and clear. That moment was undoubtedly a crisis for the Empire.
The balance might have tilted gradually more towards Dedorant.
Yet, God had no intention of abandoning our Empire.
]
[ Fortunately, at the border, Kael Clausewitz, who had been appointed as the Imperial Chief of Staff, was present.
He cleverly deceived Dedorant’s prince and elite troops.
Thanks to him, the rear was not ravaged, allowing us to protect facilities and supplies for reorganization.
]
[ Autumn. The Emperor finally granted the Imperial Chief of Staff the authority of Chief of Staff for the 1st Legion.
Vowing to deliver victory, the Imperial Chief of Staff headed straight for the 1st Legion.
Upon his arrival, the morale of the ailing 1st Legion surged like a flame caught by the wind.
]
[ The Imperial Chief of Staff had already positioned the Novgorod troops north of Atria.
Additionally, he utilized the Empire’s 4th Legion, which was pressuring Benito, as guides.
The Eastern Allied Forces were stationed throughout the central region as a reserve ready to mobilize if needed.
]
[ On the Dedorant front, the Empire’s Eastern 7th and 12th Legions, as well as the Southern 6th and 13th Legions, bore the flanks.
The Western Legion was not reinforced after the two legions were annihilated; only the remaining two legions underwent reorganization.
The Northern 2nd and 8th Legions were positioned between the Atria front and the Dedorant front, waiting for orders.
]
[ At the end of autumn, the Imperial Chief of Staff inscribed Seton’s name onto Dedorant’s stronghold.
When the 1st Legion commander and other leaders questioned the reason, he replied,
“Every ounce of the enemy’s power must be consumed right here.”
]
[ Our future historians shall record this:
The winter of that year in the western continent was hotter and more intense than ever before. ]
*
“…It’s chilly.”
I recall the war had begun around late spring.
But now that I’ve come to my senses, the cold wind is already blowing across the front.
Feeling this change on my skin, two thoughts spring to mind.
Time really flies! I can’t believe another year is slipping away.
“Aide.”
“Yes, Chief of Staff.”
“We’re on track with winter supplies and logistics, right?”
“We’re in constant contact with the Ministry of War. We’ve set up measures so that we’re immediately informed of any minor problems that arise.”
“I mean, report every little issue the moment it happens.”
Looking back at my past life, countless armies faced destruction due to poor winter preparations.
Napoleon of France was one, and that octopus with its mustache was another.
The common thread here? Russia… there’s a reason they drink vodka like water.
If I don’t warm myself like this, I’ll surely turn into frozen fish!
Our Empire definitely boasts top-notch logistical and supply capabilities.
The problem is, it’s mostly in 2 to 4 legions at most.
It’s been ages since we’ve had to feed, clothe, and provide for an army this large, which has long surpassed 400,000.
Despite our best efforts, there’s a chance we might run into issues due to inexperience.
Things meant to go to one place end up in another, and supplies don’t arrive on time.
And if there are mistakes in winter preparations, from the army’s perspective…
‘Things could get really bad. I’ve gathered tens of thousands with my recommendations, and if I mess this up? Even the Emperor would have no choice but to think about my neck.’
They say a third-rate discusses tactics, a second-rate discusses strategy, while a first-rate discusses logistics.
It’s not without reason that Confucius earned the title of the rice carrier for those with big ears.
An army that has food can fight! Conversely, without supplies, they’re akin to a tank without fuel.
That’s why I decided to pull this crazy stunt in Setongrad.
It’s harder to survive the winter by just sitting and waiting for supplies than to attack every day.
Originally, an attacker faces far greater losses—both in personnel and resources—than a defender.
“Let’s go to the 1st Legion headquarters.”
I set off towards the 1st Legion headquarters with my aide.
Once inside the barrack, I see the commander frantically discussing the battlefield situation, just like the day before.
“Commander.”
“Ah, welcome, Chief of Staff.”
“What’s the situation in Setongrad?”
“Every sector has been vacated. At the same time, we’ve withdrawn the forces stationed at both sides of the castle as per your advice… but are you really sure this is okay? The stronghold could become isolated.”
Isolated. A situation where no help could be received.
Originally, the Western Legion was nearby, but I had them all pull back.
The commander expressed a moment of concern but quickly changed his mind with one word.
“Winter is coming, Commander.”
“…You’re saying it’s tough to lean on a barrack in field combat.”
“We created the situation to force them to do just that. But there’s no need to make it hard for our own troops as well.”
I was the one discussing a prolonged war. Yet, I understand we can’t hold that forever.
Even the unlimited use of the Magical Corps has been reduced to less than half as winter approaches.
It’s not just that Dedorant’s movements have slowed; we have to save for the next move.
“This year, we’ll stay curled up. We’ll hold on as much as we can and then explode all at once to the enemies scattered to the north and south, right here in the central region.”
I’ve heard some of the higher-ups in the Empire seem to have high hopes for me.
They wonder if I’ll deliver a beautiful blow to Dedorant with brilliant tactics and strategy in this situation.
But my feelings are just, ‘Why?’ I don’t even see the necessity for that.
We have three times the troops and ten times the resources compared to the enemy.
So why obsess over tactics and strategies when we can just throw everything at them?
Resources and taxes may come in every year, but people take decades to accumulate!
‘If overwhelming numbers are possible, the best tactic and strategy is to just gather everything and throw it in their face!’
Think about it—if I can play rock, paper, scissors and throw all three at once, isn’t that what I should do?
It’s not smart to read the enemy’s intentions and only play one at a time.
The problem is, with the enemy, our own troops also expect similar brilliance from me.
This is why I despised being called a genius or strategist.
I’m only following the fundamentals with dedication! I got lucky and it clicked!
How did it end up that both the enemy and my own side are so confused?
“When winter passes and spring arrives, the Western Legion will keep being pushed back, and the Eastern and Southern Legions will encircle them.”
“The enemies—”
“They aren’t fools, and they’ll realize this is similar to the methods they’ve used themselves. But just like our Empire, which couldn’t stop attacking for various reasons despite uncertainty, Dedorant will shout, ‘Just one more attack! Then it’ll be possible!’”
And with that, I moved some supply depots located in the rear towards the front.
“Let’s advance our supply depots at a proper distance from Setongrad. The reason is, um… for preparations for next year’s attack, or something like that.”
“So you plan to deceive the enemy again?”
“No, this time I’ll actually place real supplies there. If we keep tricking them, they’ll definitely catch on.”
If I can reclaim this stronghold with the name I hate the most—Seton, while also plundering the tremendous reserves stored in the Empire’s supplies, and thus delaying their offensive, then both objectives will be achieved.
Dedorant will have no choice but to attack.
Only then does our Empire get the chance to spread its wings and settle into the hinterland.
“I can see the Ministry of War and the General Staff raising concerns. No matter how much we boost Setongrad’s defenses, supplies will be just two days away…”
“We need a more convincing bait that the Dedorant can’t help but attack.”
I continued the conversation with the commander while pointing at the map.
“If we pull back the Western Legion, Setongrad will appear as a defensive high ground from our Empire’s view, while Dedorant will see it as a launching pad for counterattack. If they capture this, they can turn the tide back in their favor. They know this too.”
“While they shout about their great victory, nothing has actually changed. Instead, only the front line has stretched, increasing their burdens. This should cause internal unease within Dedorant. They will start to feel like, ‘Are we winning or losing?’”
“Just as our General Staff felt in the past, it’s now time for the enemy to feel the pressure of another victory. And we’ll offer them the same bait they fed us. The difference being that our bait is tangible and justified.”
We must wear down Dedorant’s reorganized forces as much as possible this winter.
Even if they sense the trap and want to retreat, it must be something they yearn for too much to give up.
With each passing moment, I will spread Seton’s name wider, leading them into madness.
I want the Dedorant leadership, not just their high-ranking officials, but the public sentiment to yearn for Setongrad.
“I believe it won’t be a problem if I step away for a moment, Commander.”
“Don’t worry, Chief of Staff. I have no intention of making the same mistake again. What concerns me more now is that when I temporarily return to the Empire, I must discuss that ‘bill’ with the assembly, which is what frightens me even more.”
To be honest, I feel the same. Fighting over money with the assembly is more exhausting than anything else.
I’ve heard that the Ministry of Finance has been wailing every single day thanks to me, and that’s genuinely concerning.
But what can I do? When this war ends, the Empire must become a superpower.
Of course, the Empire is already the strongest. No one can dispute that.
But what I want is for no one to be able to shake that position in the future, not even raise any objections.
Like the perfect superpower similar to the former great power of my past life.
“The bill for material support to Ross Tanika. Is this what you were aiming for, keeping Benito and Dedorant’s 5th Legion focused only on the front?”
“Benito needs to be made so busy that he has no time to turn his gaze towards the seas. That way, sending supplies to Ross Tanika through the Southern Kingdoms will become easier.”
Ross Tanika. It’s tough for you, isn’t it? Though a large-scale landing operation like D-Day is out of the question,
I will generously provide support somewhat similar to the Land Lease that those island nations received.
So absolutely don’t surrender or negotiate! You got that? Fight like hell!