I Don’t Need a Guillotine for My Revolution

Chapter 99: Revolutionary Defense War - Bait

Western Plains of Besançon, Germania Empire Army Garrison.

Having ridden out onto the plains to observe the Francia army's camp through a telescope, Grand Duke Leopold spoke softly.

“……The enemy.”

“So it appears, Your Highness.”

His staff officer, Duke Heinrich, nodded with a grim expression.

The Germania Empire's original tactic relied on the superior Hussars light cavalry to dominate the battlefield, gather intelligence, understand enemy movements, and respond accordingly.

Naturally, the Empire's army had not anticipated a situation where the Hussars were unable to perform their role, making their constant manipulation by the enemy particularly unwelcome.

The enemy force that sallied forth numbered 60,000 in total, but the soldiers who arrived on the battlefield appeared to be around 40,000.

Grand Duke Leopold frowned.

As he had wished, Marquis Lafayette had marched out to pursue and intercept him as he tried to move south.The western plains of Besançon, chosen as the battlefield, were optimal for leveraging the Empire's numerical superiority.

He had succeeded in drawing the enemy out for a decisive battle in the most desired form: a field battle.

However, the enemy's numbers are unexpectedly low, suggesting a possible ambush or flanking maneuver.

His opponent is Pierre de Lafayette. A formidable, cunning enemy.

Initially, he was merely curious about the young commander who had distinguished himself.

It was not about the enemy, but merely a curiosity about the rising figures who would lead the era after him.

But Lafayette handed him defeat.

So when they met in the Kingdom of Alps, the Grand Duke treated him as an equal and honorable enemy.

How about now?

This is an unjust war, and they are the invaders. Francia and Lafayette have the right to stand against the Grand Duke's army.

However, even so.

Recalling the miserable deaths of his men, suffering from hunger and dehydration far from the battlefield's honor, the Grand Duke ground his teeth with a Ppu-deu-deuk- sound.

For his men who died meaninglessly in places beyond any battlefield, the Grand Duke felt a duty to repay the atrocities committed against them.

“Your Highness! A messenger!”

Grand Duke Leopold lowered his telescope and turned his gaze.

How indeed had his enemy responded?

“It is reported that a Francia force of about 10,000 to 20,000 is advancing into the Franche-Comté region!”

Franche-Comté is above them.

That man intends to cut their supply lines persistently again this time.

Since light cavalry alone couldn't disrupt the supply convoys due to sufficient escorts, he plans to block the entire supply route with a large infantry force?

“Ha.”

Grand Duke Leopold let out a hollow laugh.

And he was enraged.

How dare he employ such petty tricks again to avoid a decisive battle?

Does that man disregard him, and even the Imperial army, to this extent?

“Trying to draw us out with a bait unit?”

The Grand Duke immediately tucked the telescope into his coat and turned around.

“Tell Count Baden it's alright if he can't repel them; just have him hold the key points. Tell him we will crush the enemy main force before us and send reinforcements immediately.”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

Even with minimal troops left to maintain security in the occupied territories, the defense commander, Count Baden, could mobilize about 15,000 troops, including respectable elite units.

That should be enough to hold out against a bait unit of 20,000 for some time.

“Prepare for an all-out offensive, Duke.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The Grand Duke's judgment was correct: the trade route with the Kingdom of Alps was crucial to them, so they hastily deployed with fewer troops to block his path.

Moreover, the enemy's hand has already been revealed.

“Splitting their already insufficient forces again; how reckless.”

The Grand Duke glared at the revolutionary army positioned far away.

It seems they attacked the supply line to tie our feet down, as a direct field battle would be burdensome given their inferior numbers. But this time, Marquis Lafayette made a mistake.

“If we crush their main force in one blow, dealing with a detached unit later is simple.”

If they divided their inferior forces, all that's needed is to crush them individually.

Grand Duke Leopold's 90,000 troops immediately began their offensive against the 40,000 revolutionary soldiers blocking their path.

*

Having scraped together 15,000 troops from the Germania Empire's occupied territory defense forces, Count Baden marched out, glaring at the revolutionary army currently launching an offensive and grinding his teeth.

“Millbeau, Millbeau. That despicable son of a bitch……!”

The commander of the enemy unit before him is said to be Damien De Millbeau.

That man was the root cause of Count Baden being stuck commanding the occupied territory defense force with no chance to gain glory, making this encounter truly ill-fated.

“However, Count, Grand Duke Leopold's orders are to establish a defensive line and fight a delaying action.”

Of course, the staff officer beside him was extremely worried that Count Baden might lose his reason and recklessly charge in for revenge.

“Do you take me for a fool!”

Count Baden actually roared in anger.

“What that bastard wants most is for me to charge in seeking revenge and be routed! Do I look stupid enough to do something so rash!”

The words ‘If you knew that so well, why did you challenge him to a duel and lose face?’ rose to the staff officer’s throat, but he just bowed his head and apologized.

“M-My apologies, Count…….”

In any case, it was a relief that he intended to follow orders.

“Hmph, trying to shake the Imperial army with a mere bait unit.”

Unable to erase his anger, Count Baden glared at the enemy before him, inwardly sighing in relief.

Uncertain if combat would even occur, the occupied territory defense force naturally had few artillery pieces. It would have been disastrous if the enemy had brought numerous cannons as the main attack force.

However, judging by the exchange of cannon fire, they were definitely a bait unit.

A bait unit cannot operate many heavy cannons that are difficult to transport. If they did, they would risk having all the cannons captured if they needed to retreat quickly.

It seems they only brought along some small-caliber horse artillery units that are easy to move.

The revolutionary infantry was approaching and engaging in a firefight, but his infantry, having hastily set up obstacles and established a defensive line, held well.

No, in the first place, the number of enemy troops is smaller than expected.

Because those damn Chasseurs prevented the Hussars from scouting properly, the estimated enemy strength was a vague range of 10,000 to 20,000. Looking only at the scale of the infantry, they seem to number 10,000 to 15,000 at most.

Perhaps they diverted only a small force because spreading their troops too thin would make confronting Grand Duke Leopold's main force burdensome?

Count Millbeau seems determined to shake this side somehow and call for the Grand Duke's reinforcements, throwing in everything without reserves to push forward. He is forcing this side to commit all reserves as well, but this is certainly defensible.

Perhaps even launch a counterattack and annihilate them if the chance arises.

Just as Count Baden smiled faintly, indulging in pleasant imagination, the staff officer's urgent voice burst out.

“Count! Enemy cavalry!”

Hearing the staff officer, Count Baden immediately raised his telescope to scan the enemy's flank, then recoiled in shock.

Over the crest of the rolling hills, an enormous number of cavalry, easily numbering several thousand, were charging down.

“Wh-What?”

A cavalry force of that scale is not the size of a simple bait unit!

“Deploy our cavalry too! Immediately!”

“Yes!”

At Count Baden's desperate shout, trumpets sounded, and the Empire's Hussars and Cuirassiers began to advance.

Count Baden watched his infantry engaged in a firefight with the ceaselessly pressing enemy infantry at the defense line, feeling cold sweat trickle down his spine.

He had thought the revolutionary infantry's reckless offensive, despite their seemingly small numbers and lack of reserves, was simply due to impatience. But now he saw that their aim was to draw out all his infantry and pin them down?

It was blindingly obvious what catastrophic results would follow if such a large cavalry force hit their flank while they were engaged without reserves.

Count Baden watched the approaching cavalry forces of both sides, sweat pouring down, his face anxious.

The enemy has to face Grand Duke Leopold's main force.

It's impossible that their main cavalry force has all been deployed here. They must be the enemy light cavalry gathered from supply line raiding activities.

If so, even if somewhat outnumbered, the Hussars and Cuirassiers can contend with them to some extent. They must.

As that was the only hope, Count Baden earnestly wished it so, watching the cavalry approaching each other with a nervous face.

*

The cool rush of the wind encountered while charging down the ridge.

Feeling the dynamism from the galloping warhorse, I saw the rapidly approaching enemy cavalry.

They must have thought this was the bait unit. Logically, it seemed so.

However, the cavalry currently charging behind me includes not only Cuirassiers trained in mana but also Gaston, who is a match for a hundred men.

“Haha-! Open fire! Give them a taste of hot lead!”

At Jerome Morelle's shout, the Chasseurs galloping on both flanks aimed their carbines, and a series of gunshots echoed. Enemy cavalrymen hit by the shots screamed and fell from their horses.

As their comrades fell, clear bewilderment and shock spread among the Imperial cavalry as they saw me and Gaston riding at the head.

I immediately raised my sword high, imbuing it with mana, and shouted.

“For Francia!”

“For Francia!”

The cavalry, raising their swords in unison and echoing the cry, began to charge at full speed, as if perfectly timed.

“M-Marquis Lafayette is here?!”

“U-Uwaaaah-! It’s Gaston!”

“Huaaaahp-!”

Gaston charged fiercely ahead, his greatsword instantly cutting down three cavalrymen, horses and all. Following him, I cut down the blocking cavalrymen.

“Follow the Marquis!”

“Protect General Gaston!”

As the Cuirassiers charged in their wake, overwhelming the bewildered enemy cavalry, the enemy cavalry line quickly began to waver.

“D-Don’t panic! We are the proud Imperial-”

The commander, attempting to regain control, fell from his horse before finishing his words, a dagger I threw embedded in his forehead.

Thrown into complete chaos, the enemy cavalry began to crumble from the front, unable even to mount a proper response.

I cut down a fear-stricken enemy cavalryman and immediately shouted with mana infused in my voice.

“Morelle! Lead the Chasseurs and pursue the enemy cavalry! Disrupt their regrouping, but drive them off moderately and return! Your main task is to annihilate the fleeing enemy infantry!”

“Whew~ Yes, sir!”

“Gaston! Rally the Cuirassiers! We charge the flank of the enemy infantry and annihilate them!”

“As the Marquis commands!”

I smiled, watching the cavalry move seamlessly under Morelle's and Gaston's command.

This is the strength of a commander leading from the very front line.

I can move the troops exactly as I wish, precisely when I desire.

Beyond the Cuirassiers forming a charge formation, the defenseless flank of the Imperial line infantry, already wavering upon seeing their own cavalry completely shattered and fleeing, came into view.

I grinned at the sight and commanded.

“Trample them.”

*

As I was catching my breath after completely shattering the enemy unit and forcing them to rout, Damien rushed over breathlessly, showering me with exaggerated praise.

“A stunning victory, Marquis! Annihilating the enemy in one fell swoop was truly a divine tactic! Muhaha, Count Baden must have realized the true power of the revolutionary army!”

I replied with a faint smile.

“Thank you, Count Millbeau. You also fought well leading the infantry. This plan wouldn't have worked without you properly launching the offensive and drawing out all the enemy infantry.”

“As expected, you recognize my efforts! It is an honor, Marquis!”

The plan was to feign a bait unit led by Damien, but in reality, Gaston and I led the entire main cavalry force for a surprise attack.

With exactly 20,000 troops, we succeeded in crushing the 15,000 enemy forces in the initial encounter.

Come to think of it, isn't Count Baden the same fellow who was tricked by Damien and captured last time?

That guy really has it rough. Such bad luck.

“A messenger, Marquis!”

“Oh, perfect timing.”

A messenger from the main force.

“It is just as the Marquis predicted! Grand Duke Leopold pursued for some time before halting. And yesterday, a force of 30,000 led by Duke Gunhild departed towards this direction!”

“Haha, excellent.”

I let out a low chuckle.

It was somewhat of a gamble, but it paid off perfectly.

Grand Duke Leopold judged Damien's unit as bait and intended to strike the main force first. The main force had split its already insufficient numbers. Meanwhile, the occupied territory defense force engaged the bait, aiming for annihilation in detail.

However, the bait unit wasn't this one, but the main force itself.

The main force, entrusted to Dejean and Berthelot, hadn't even bothered setting up defensive positions. They were prepared to flee at any moment.

Naturally, the main force would have continuously retreated, pushed helplessly southward.

However, instead of relentlessly pursuing the retreating main force, Grand Duke Leopold made a swift decision. He stopped at an appropriate point and detached reinforcements to send this way.

He must have realized that even if he continued the pursuit, occupied the south, and cut off the supply route from the Kingdom of Alps, it would be meaningless. The rear supply lines collapsing would prevent a prolonged war.

If the enemy commander had been incompetent and continued south, the result would have been the isolation and annihilation of a large force cut off from supplies. But they would have plundered and burned the southern regions they occupied along the way.

Then, even if we won the war, I would have been criticized for allowing the south to be ravaged without a proper fight.

However, Grand Duke Leopold is the epitome of a cautious commander who cares for his men. Thus, he prioritized protecting the supply lines over recklessly expanding occupied territory.

Truly, a judgment exactly as I had expected.

The irony that the enemy commander's prudent and wise judgment, made to avoid defeat and save his men, actually yields the best possible outcome for me.

I gave a bitter smile at the irony and instructed Damien.

“Now, it’s time to switch roles, Count Millbeau. I will take all the cavalry and head south immediately, while you evade Duke Gunhild and harass the enemy-occupied territories to firmly tie him down.”

From now on, the 10,000 troops led by Damien will serve as the bait unit, just as they originally expected.

Damien’s lips trembled slightly.

What, why? I completely shattered the enemy's occupied territory defense force for you. If I spoon-fed you this much, you should eat the rest yourself.

“Y-Yes, sir. Marquis.”

Ultimately yielding to my unspoken pressure, Damien replied with a salute.

I take the majority of the Chasseurs who had been engaged in reconnaissance warfare and supply line disruption, along with the elite cavalry I brought, totaling 10,000 cavalry. And immediately move south.

While Duke Gunhild's forces move north to protect the supply lines, our force, composed solely of cavalry, will rapidly move south to rendezvous with the main force.

Since we have complete superiority in light cavalry reconnaissance, it's possible to head down while avoiding the northbound enemy.

It took some effort to narrow the power gap this far in a war that started with 120,000 Imperial troops versus 60,000 revolutionary troops. But with 50,000 elite soldiers against 60,000, it's now a fight worth having.

Ultimately, war isn't decided by how many troops one possesses, but how those troops are deployed and fight on the most crucial battlefield.

“Finally, it’s time to settle things with Grand Duke Leopold.”