I Don’t Need a Guillotine for My Revolution

Chapter 97: Revolutionary Defense War - War of Attrition

Nancy, Eastern Francia, Germania Empire Army Garrison.

Grand Duke Leopold had driven the Francia forces out of Metz and Alsace in just three days since the battle began.

Although Marquis Lafayette had retreated skillfully, preventing pursuit of the routed soldiers and expansion of gains, the Francia army retreated again, allowing the Empire's forces to occupy Nancy, the capital of the Lorraine Region.

Naturally, the homeland was greatly encouraged, and minor issues such as unfavorable exchange rates (despite having more troops) and Duke Gunhild's indecisiveness in Alsace were quickly buried.

However, Grand Duke Leopold, the field commander himself, felt impatient.

"We must launch an offensive immediately."

At the Grand Duke's statement, the Empire's commanders showed reluctance.

"With respect, Your Highness. To advance from here, we must attack their fortress in Verdun, but the soldiers are somewhat exhausted from the forced marches and heavy rain."

"Your Highness, occupying Nancy within a month of the battle's start is already a significant achievement. Perhaps letting the soldiers rest for a while..."

However, the Grand Duke was firm."There are three reasons why we must attack right now.

First. This is the enemy's homeland. They may lack equipment, but not manpower. The more time we give them, the more their forces will grow.

Second. If we waste time here and spring ends, we will face a summer siege.

Third. Marquis Lafayette did not lose that many troops in the last battle. Yet, abandoning a major city like Nancy and retreating means they have a reason to avoid battle right now."

With the Grand Duke speaking thus, the others were at a loss for words.

Especially Duke Gunhild, who hadn't fought a decent battle while the Grand Duke captured Nancy, and Count Baden, who had only hindered with a rash duel.

Indeed, the Grand Duke's judgment precisely pinpointed what Pierre wanted to avoid.

"Prepare the entire army for departure. We will launch the offensive as soon as supplies arrive from the homeland."

"We obey your command, Your Highness!"

Grand Duke Leopold hardened his resolve, glaring westwards where the Francia forces would be.

They evacuated most of the residents from Alsace and the entire Lorraine region beforehand, and neatly cleared away not only requisitionable goods but also the fields.

'They intended to retreat from the beginning.' Otherwise, they wouldn't have openly prepared scorched earth tactics.

What Marquis Lafayette aimed for was clearly a delaying action, and Grand Duke Leopold had no intention of being drawn into his plan.

Although Francia's territory was relatively large, the border with the Empire was close.

The Grand Duke had also prepared ample additional supplies in advance just in case, so the problem would be quickly resolved once transported.

Believing there would be no major issues, the Grand Duke began planning, looking at the operational map, determined to achieve a decisive victory before summer at all costs.

"Your Highness!"

However, the Grand Duke's thoughts were interrupted by the urgent cry of an officer entering hastily.

"What is it?"

"The supply unit heading here from the border was reportedly attacked by enemy cavalry!"

Grand Duke Leopold gripped his head, feeling a headache coming on.

*

"Kuaaaargh!"

A carbine shot rang out, and as an Empire Hussar spurted blood and fell from his horse, flames sparked in the eyes of his fellow Hussars.

"You despicable cowards!"

"Hahaha, thanks for the compliment!"

The Revolutionary Army Chasseur sneered and then fled at full speed. The Hussars chased the Chasseur who had shot their comrade to death, but they realized too late that he was merely bait.

"H-Hey! The supply convoy!"

"Damn it, rot!"

While the Hussars were desperately chasing the bait, other Chasseurs emerged from hiding and began attacking those transporting the supplies.

"Hi-Hieek!"

"Spare us!"

The powerless supply soldiers were quickly wiped out or surrendered, and Jerome Morelle, who was leading them, laughed cheerfully and ordered.

"Burn it all!"

"Yes, sir!"

The Chasseurs skillfully started fires, and the supplies eagerly awaited by the Empire's forces began to burn entirely.

The border region between Francia and the Germania Empire, encompassing Alsace and Lorraine, is characterized by large forests, rolling hills, and mountainous terrain.

There couldn't be better conditions for small light cavalry units to hide and launch surprise attacks, and Jerome Morelle, who enjoyed toying with the enemy, was gleefully harassing the Empire's forces.

Having successfully burned the supplies, Jerome Morelle took out a telescope and observed the Hussars engaging—or rather, being unilaterally hunted by—the Chasseurs in the distance.

"Whew~ Too easy, isn't it?"

The Empire forces tried their best to stop Morelle and the Chasseurs by dispatching Hussars, but it was futile, given the Chasseurs' advantage in armament and geographical familiarity.

The Hussars, who had already suffered losses from the reconnaissance battles at the start of the war, were only accumulating sacrifices trying to stop the Chasseurs rampaging through the supply lines.

"General Morelle! Enemy heavy cavalry has reached the vicinity!"

Grand Duke Leopold was no pushover either; seeing that Hussars weren't enough, he tried various measures like mixing in Cuirassiers for patrols and strengthening supply convoy escorts.

"Oh, right. Mission accomplished, let's bounce quickly."

Of course, even so, Morelle, with his superior basic cavalry quality and a tactic of withdrawing when unfavorable, still held the initiative.

Jerome Morelle's Chasseurs, acting under Marquis Lafayette's orders, had already delayed them for nearly two weeks. And the amount of supplies they burned was certainly not negligible.

'They must be feeling the heat by now.'

Morelle licked his lips as he rode, considering the massive force of over 100,000.

An army is fundamentally a group that only consumes without producing anything.

Maintaining such a force would be a heavy burden on the Empire, particularly since the supplies to feed those countless soldiers had already been destroyed several times.

Economic problems aside, their occupied territory was occupied in name only, with no local goods or food available for requisition. Consequently, the enemy must be reaching their limit soon.

Sure enough, a few days later, Grand Duke Leopold responded proactively to the next supply convoy.

"Hiyah- What's that now."

Hidden in the forest with his men, Jerome Morelle observed the supply convoy moving along the road through his telescope.

The procession stretching along the road included not just the supply unit, but also an enormous number of line infantry marching alongside.

"Hoho. Did they pull troops from the front line?"

Pulling troops back from the advanced front line to protect the supply unit.

Normally, an inefficient use of force to be avoided if possible, but they couldn't engage in battle because of the immediate food shortage.

The Francia army lacked the capacity for a counterattack and was waging a delaying action; since the enemy had plenty of troops, it was something they could afford.

"Seems like it, General. What should we do?"

"What do you mean, what should we do? Charge in there with light cavalry? We'd all die."

It would be difficult for the enemy, already suffering from severe food shortages, to move their troops, but soldiers would carry out the mission of protecting their own meals more desperately than anything.

Morelle smacked his lips, but attacking with light cavalry when they were defending like that was impossible.

"Looks like we had too much fun."

Morelle, looking somewhat regretful, continued observing the convoy through the telescope and narrowed his eyes at the supply wagons making up the procession.

"Huh?"

The supply wagons were painted in colors that seemed to represent the flag of the Germania Empire.

A paint job that might show the fervent patriotism of those who delivered the supplies, something the Empire's forces would likely overlook.

However, Jerome Morelle recalled something he had been told beforehand and twisted his lips into a smile.

"Hahahat, Puhahat......"

"...General?"

The adjutant looked bewildered, but Morelle just grinned and turned his horse's head.

"We're returning. We can let that one pass."

*

For over a fortnight, less than half of the supplies had arrived safely, leaving the Empire's forces clutching their stomachs and unable to even launch an offensive. Now, they welcomed the supplies that arrived intact and in enormous quantities, creating a joyful atmosphere.

"Finally......"

Supplies that should normally arrive on time without issue, yet Duke Heinrich, the Empire's staff officer, rejoiced greatly because the supplies arrived safely.

"...We can finally breathe a sigh of relief."

Beside him, Grand Duke Leopold, the Empire's Commander-in-Chief, his face deeply fatigued from lack of sleep for several days, also let out a sigh of relief.

All the soldiers, despite lacking strength from not eating properly, were carrying the supplies with smiling faces, without a single complaint.

A bitter smile played on the Grand Duke's lips, who had to order those complaining about the supply unit's incompetence and clutching their hungry stomachs to go back to the border themselves to escort the supply unit back.

In the last war too, he had to watch his men die meaninglessly, and now, even feeding them a proper meal caused such hardship.

The Grand Duke shook his head slowly.

This hard-won chance came after difficult pleas to the homeland, which had protested about potential supply losses, despite his promise to protect them this time.

"With this much, we won't have to worry about supplies for a while, at least. Feed the soldiers well, let them rest for just one day, and then immediately begin the offensive."

Francia must not be allowed to buy any more time.

He was determined to defeat Marquis Lafayette and end this war even a day sooner.

For the Kaiser who trusted him, and to save even just one more of his men and return them home.

However, that relief was quickly shattered.

*

A few days later.

The Germania Empire's supply officer faced Grand Duke Leopold, trembling like an aspen leaf.

Grand Duke Leopold had dark circles under his eyes and his cheeks were sunken, making the supply officer suspect he wasn't facing the Empire's famed general, but Death himself.

"What, in God's name, happened."

"F-Forgive me, Your High-"

"Forgive you. Forgive you? Should I have you shot!"

The officer in charge prostrated himself flat before Grand Duke Leopold.

He had no other choice.

Repeated losses of supplies for an army of over 100,000 had caused concern back home. The Grand Duke had pleaded for them, prepared as much as possible, escorted them with soldiers, and finally received them.

Everything looked fine on the outside. However, a significant portion of the food received was severely contaminated.

It wasn't simply old and rotten, but clearly an act intended to secretly poison the soldiers.

Many of the Empire's soldiers, overjoyed by the plentiful food after enduring long supply shortages, were caught off guard when they finally ate their fill.

Not dozens or hundreds, but tens of thousands of troops were poisoned, suffering from severe vomiting and diarrhea.

Among soldiers already malnourished from starvation, some even began to die of dehydration after complaining of pain.

Grand Duke Leopold could only watch the scene unfold, unable to take any action.

The sight of his men, not dying from battlefield wounds, but wretchedly awaiting death after weakening from hunger and thirst...

The reality that even as they spoke, the barracks outside were filled with such soldiers, made even the Grand Duke, a veteran hardened on the battlefield, lose his composure.

"How, how could something like this happen in the great army of the Empire!"

The Grand Duke shouted, veins bulging in his neck.

Had he not eaten different meals from the soldiers as a high-ranking commander, he too might have suffered the same fate.

"F-Forgive me! Your Highness! The place that supplied the goods had proven its reliability for decades, and the inspection process was clearly carried out, but everything is my negligence......"

The supply officer shed tears, bowing his head.

There was no precedent for such an incident, and the enemy cleverly used methods undetectable by mere appearance.

It was not entirely incomprehensible that the supply officer missed it, but the fact that even supplies from the homeland were unsafe for the troops was alarming.

"How could this possibly happen......"

"Forgive me, Your Highness. We will prepare new supplies immediately and this time, absolutely-"

"How can you be certain that what you send this time will be safe?"

At the Grand Duke's hollow question, the supply officer burst into tears.

Who could have imagined such a thing happening with goods obtained through a supplier that had served the Empire's army for decades?

How could trust, once shattered, be restored?

"We will send them after a complete and thorough inspection!"

"And while that's being done, our soldiers must suffer from hunger."

The Grand Duke murmured emptily.

He had never experienced this kind of warfare.

Could it be that Marquis Lafayette himself intended this, scraping the occupied territory clean of residents and supplies, and even orchestrating this incident?

The Grand Duke despaired and lamented, then clenched his teeth and ordered.

"...Requisition from the border duchies if necessary. Use any means necessary, forcibly gather supplies."

*

The capital, Lumiere.

Christine was reading the report handed to her by her handmaiden, Lina.

A report on the operation carried out using the people painstakingly planted in the Germania Empire, and its results.

Finding individuals among those involved who could be bribed cost enormous sums of money, and the Germania Empire agents, planted with such effort, all had to be evacuated to avoid arrest and destroy evidence, but ultimately, it succeeded.

A cruel and heartless method, but consequently, Christine's operation had most effectively delayed the Empire's offensive without shedding Francia's blood.

-While you are out on the battlefield, I will use everything I can to help you.

Christine had kept her word to Pierre; the rest was now up to him.

"Good work."

Christine spoke dryly and immediately threw the report into the fireplace to burn it.

"...It's still a bit unsettling, but I didn't think something like this would actually work."

Even Lina, who carried out Christine's orders, looked bewildered.

Naturally, the army doesn't just receive supplies from anywhere. They use places thoroughly vetted, places that have built trust over a long time.

But even in places that have built trust over decades, the members constantly change. In such places, there are bound to be openings.

Moreover, many of those bribed and involved in this affair cooperated without even knowing the magnitude of the incident their involvement would cause.

However, restoring trust once shattered like this is nearly impossible, and since the Empire doesn't know the full story, they will waste even more time and national strength overhauling their entire supply system.

Christine gave a dark, mocking smile and said.

"There's nothing money can't do. If it can't, it just means there wasn't enough money."