novelraw Chapter 98: Revolutionary Defense War - Game of Wits
Chapter 98: Revolutionary Defense War - Game of Wits
The crowd filling the square hurled sharp accusations, calling her a witch.
Eyes filled with enmity seemed to pierce her body.
Eris had to endure all sorts of malice as she stumbled along, weighed down by heavy shackles.
All the way to the guillotine, which reeked of blood that could never be washed away.
She didn't resent those who hurled all kinds of slander at her.
She just felt sorrowful.
If she had known that refusing the position of Saint offered by the Holy Theocracy would lead to this, would she have accepted?
Even if she had…….
As she thought blankly, a man stood before her.
Who is that?A bearded man she'd never seen before stood before her, giving a bitter smile. He had a distinctly different feel from the people in the square.
I'm seeing him for the first time, yet I know this person.
No, is it really the first time I've seen him?
The moment she thought that, the man reached out and tapped Eris's forehead-
“……Louis Broth-”
Eris sank straight into the depths of the dream.
*
Waking from sleep, Eris blinked blankly.
I came to the Theocracy and refused their offer to become a Saint.
Leaving Francia, currently full of turmoil, to be used for the sake of the Theocracy didn't sit well with her.
And, above all.
-……Bishop. Is it true that those who commit suicide have no path but suffering in hell?
-Of course, Saint Candidate. Those who directly defy the will of God who bestowed life upon them will suffer for eternity and pay the price.
She didn't want to follow the bishop who answered as if it were perfectly natural, filled with fanaticism.
Because she was unwilling to submit to those who spoke of God's will so haughtily, she insisted until the very end that it was her own prayer, not something given by God, and was dragged to the guillotine.
So-
No, I was recognized as a Saint.
We never had such a conversation.
In the end, she accepted the fact that this power, which couldn't save her mother, was indeed bestowed by God.
Marquis Lafayette…….
Eris clutched her head, feeling as though it were enveloped in a thick fog.
At that moment, the voice of her handmaiden, Jessie, came from outside the room.
“Did you awaken, Your Majesty?”
That voice blew away the murky fog clouding her mind.
As reality quickly returned, Eris blinked a few times and opened her mouth.
Why did I think I'd never even met Marquis Lafayette?
“Yes, I’m awake.”
“How are you feeling today, Your Majesty?”
To Jessie's question, carrying a basin of water for washing, Eris replied with a bright smile.
“I feel quite wonderful.”
As Eris said this, she spread her hand, and light spread to cover the entire room.
“Ah, you shouldn't exert yourself!”
“Ahaha. It's fine, only this much. I was just testing it out a little.”
Eris replied with a laugh to the flustered Jessie.
Perhaps it was just a feeling, but her holy power seemed even stronger than before.
It’s natural, having rested soundly for over a fortnight thanks to Marquis Lafayette.
No, that's not the issue.
I know it continues to grow until age 25.
“……Huh?”
Eris tilted her head slightly.
Why do I know that?
*
Verdun Fortress, just before the arrival of summer.
Yesterday, after receiving the report that Grand Duke Leopold's army had departed from Nancy, I immediately convened a war council.
“It seems what was bound to come has finally come.”
I spoke with a bitter smile, looking at the tense commanders.
“Whew- Even after suffering such a defeat and the supply incident, they’re still attacking before spring ends.”
“He may be the enemy commander, but his tenacity is something to acknowledge.”
Jerome Morelle and Louis Dejean each added a comment.
“The deployed enemy force is confirmed to be around 90,000.”
After hearing Chief of Staff Berthelot's report, I nodded in acknowledgment and replied.
“Quite a reduction.”
The Empire initially mobilized 120,000 troops. Even considering the losses from the previous Metz-Moselle battle, it's significantly less.
“Yes. Even considering the troops needed to manage and defend the rear occupied territories and protect the supply lines, it's quite a decrease.”
Our commanders were also appalled by the tactic of contaminating military supplies, and honestly, while I knew Christine was planning something, I hadn't expected this.
“……It is the Countess Aquitaine's achievement.”
“Can't deny that.”
The commanders eventually nodded reluctantly.
“Our forces number 60,000, reinforced from Lumiere. A delaying retreat is no longer possible. We must stop the enemy here, one way or another.”
“Understood, Marquis!”
We have the Verdun fortress for defense, and this should be enough to make a stand.
“Alright, then the fortress defense will be…….”
My gaze naturally turned to Damien, who flinched and opened his mouth.
“M-Marquis. This time, could you please allocate a generous number of troops-”
Such a complainer, the fortress already has its regular garrison troops.
The moment I thought that, an officer entered.
“Apologies for interrupting the meeting! There is an urgent report!”
“What is it?”
“The Empire army is reportedly moving south!”
“Moving south? Not heading here?”
To advance on the capital of Lumiere, they should naturally move west, but southward?
Though likely empty of troops, southern Francia has few people and major cities, making it relatively less important territory.
I thought the Empire, having forcibly mobilized troops, would aim for a swift, decisive battle, but suddenly this?
I stared at the map, belatedly realizing the Grand Duke's intention.
“……Are they trying to cut off the trade route with the Kingdom of Alps?”
“Hah.”
Berthelot sucked in a breath.
Because Francia relied on knights and undervalued firearms before the revolution, it lacks skilled gunsmiths.
It was cheaper to import weapons used by some city forces than to produce them on a small scale.
Though we belatedly started training artisans after the revolution, the quality and production volume of domestic firearms are still significantly lacking.
Therefore, having lost trade due to hostility with the Abyss Corporation, we were desperately reliant on trade with the Kingdom of Alps…….
The moment that trade route is cut off, our equipment procurement will plummet, rendering the time we bought meaningless.
“He got one over on us this time.”
Leading such a large force while being subjected to delaying tactics must have put political pressure on him, yet I expected rash action, but instead, he moves like this?
The southern region naturally has had no evacuation. We never considered the possibility they would advance south instead of towards the capital.
Is this truly Grand Duke Leopold, showing he won't just be dragged along by my intentions?
“Scrap the defense plan. Unavoidably, we'll have to fight a field battle.”
“But Marquis. That is likely exactly what they desire.”
Louis Dejean's point is valid. A field battle is what Grand Duke Leopold anticipates most, but…….
“However, if we sit idly by, letting the south be ravaged and our equipment supply blocked, we lose the entire meaning of our delaying tactics.”
Having endured all sorts of things from us, the enemy must be furious.
Cutting off equipment imports is a serious problem, and if we let them go south, southern Francia will be devastated, regardless of the Grand Duke's intentions.
Ultimately, we fought a delaying action to protect Francia and buy time to secure troops, not just to preserve our own forces. Letting that happen would be putting the cart before the horse.
A field battle of 60,000 versus 90,000…….
I slowly turned my gaze to Eris, who had been sitting quietly, listening and seemingly intending not to interfere.
“Will you be alright, Your Majesty?”
If a head-on field battle occurs, Eris will bear a considerable burden.
No, with this difference in strength, we will undoubtedly rely heavily on Eris.
But Eris replied with a gentle smile.
“Leave it to me. I can do it.”
I narrowed my eyes, observing the smiling Eris. She seems much better outwardly, having rested well during this time, but…….
I let out a light sigh and replied.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Still, I ask that you please operate within limits that do not overly burden you.”
Looking at the tense commanders, I opened my mouth.
“Then, we march out.”
*
Even as both armies marched, the light cavalry were ceaselessly busy scouting each other and probing for weaknesses.
It is a contest between those trying to discern the enemy's movements to gain more information and inflict damage by raiding supply lines, and those trying to stop them.
“Still no significant gains besides reconnaissance reports, Marquis.”
I unfolded the report submitted by Jerome Morelle, who had ridden to me.
Our Chasseurs still hold an advantage over the Empire's Hussars, but Grand Duke Leopold is responding appropriately, having suffered enough.
By appropriately dividing and effectively deploying infantry units, or thoroughly escorting supply convoys with sufficiently withdrawn troops, the situation where we could unilaterally dominate is over.
“Tsk, I feel ashamed.”
Jerome Morelle scratched his head, and I shook mine.
The enemy's strength is confirmed at around 90,000, and they've begun setting up camp on the western plains of Besançon, on the route south. Just knowing this is a blessing.
“No, General Morelle's unit has more than fulfilled its role with the achievements made so far. Ultimately, their mere presence forces the enemy to constantly waste resources preparing for light cavalry, which is pressure in itself.”
“Haha, thank you for saying so! By the way, may I ask a favor?”
“What favor?”
“While light cavalry plays a supporting role, my men are cavalrymen who also covet the role of achieving glory directly on the battlefield. I would appreciate it if you would consider deploying the light cavalry in the battle.”
Indeed, cavalry units are inherently macho types.
“I will consider it, General Morelle.”
“Whew- Please give it serious consideration!”
Even if they can't be used in a frontal clash, they could serve a role in flank attacks…….
“The enemy is waiting on the western plains of Besançon.”
Upon hearing my words, Berthelot immediately unfolded the map and frowned.
“It seems Grand Duke Leopold is waiting with determination.”
I also gave a bitter smile.
“If we fought in rough terrain, our familiarity with the geography would allow guerrilla warfare or ambushes, but having learned from that, he intends to fight where such variables don't exist.”
“If it becomes a frontal confrontation on the plains, they will be able to fully utilize their numerical superiority.”
“But if we don't engage, they'll simply continue south.”
Berthelot, with a serious face, began marking troop dispositions on the map.
‘He manages to do that well on a horse swaying during movement.’
“General Nicolas Nez would be suitable for the vanguard.”
“Ah, I agree he's the right man.”
That stubborn and fearless general wouldn't be intimidated by being outnumbered.
“Will you be fighting on the front lines again this time, Marquis?”
“Yes. It significantly boosts soldier morale. Commander Dejean will again take on Acting Commander-in-Chief duties.”
“Yes, sir! I will report any changes in the battle situation immediately.”
As Dejean saluted sharply and replied, I chuckled and added.
“I'm counting on you again this time, Commander. I will command the left wing cavalry, and General Gaston will take the right wing.”
“Understood, Marquis!”
Gaston replied reliably as always.
And Damien De Millbeau, looking fed-up, opened his mouth.
“Are you seriously holding an impromptu strategy meeting while riding horses?”
“Ah, my most reliable general, Count Milbeau.”
“I-It is an honor, Marquis. But, why again this time……”
I looked at Damien and smiled faintly.
We have Eris, and a trump card is on its way.
Our own forces aren't bad, but a frontal confrontation against 1.5 times the enemy troops is indeed burdensome.
Even if fighting is unavoidable, I don't like the idea of fighting exactly according to the Grand Duke's intentions…….
“I have another plan.”
At that, even Berthelot, who had his head buried in the map, turned his gaze towards me.
It’s a fight with no ground to retreat to, shouldn't we try everything we can?
“What plan might that be? Surely not something dangerous again-”
Damien wore a dubious expression, but the decision had long been made in my mind.
Surely not? Didn't you hold off 30,000 with 10,000 across a river without casualties?
Then couldn't this be possible too?
“Have you ever heard of a bait unit?”
Damien’s face rapidly soured.