“Your Majesty. Chancellor Karl has arrived.”
This human soldier, who usually fought south of the mountain range, joined Iniya’s unit only after the Empire’s forward base fell. So, I have never had an audience with her in person before. She only heard rumors.
They say their queen has cold blood.
It was said that even his heart was frozen, and he could not even see a single tear drop in the face of the death of his beloved.
Even the maids who served the queen by her side were contributing to such rumors. Thinking about it now, she said she doubted whether Iniya really loved Reppenhardt.
It was indeed as rumored.
The coldness that spreads across his body and his emotionless face is so indifferent that he looks like a well-made doll rather than a living being. Although she is clearly a woman of eye-popping beauty, rather than feeling lustful, I only feel fear.
“Come in and tell me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The soldier, struggling to maintain his composure, headed straight out of the barracks. He escapes as if running away and immediately calls Carol.
A moment later, a large, muscular bearded man entered the room.
Carol clicked her tongue as she looked at Iniya, who was feeling chilly.
“Hehe, you’re leaking a lot of Aura, Your Majesty. “Aren’t you overdoing it?”
Karl was the type of guy who said all kinds of stupid things even in front of Reppenhardt. He couldn’t care less, no matter how cold Iniya was.
Iniya also showed a faint smile in front of Carol.
“If it were something serious, you wouldn’t have come in person, right, Chancellor Carol?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
Shrugging her shoulders, Carol gestured. A strange color appeared in Iniya’s eyes.
Carol wasn’t the only one who came. There were Troll Guru Atilka, Orc Matron Starla, Dwarf Auror User Maloid, Russ, Tashid, Siris, and Silan, who should have been scattered throughout the mountains.
It is literally the majority of Antares’ leadership gathered together.
“… … Has the war even ended? “What is this?”
Carol spoke in a serious tone to Iniya, who looked puzzled.
“Because it’s not something I can’t decide on my own.”
4
Former Antares White Castle, which was the temporary capital before moving to Aranan Grad.
The small castle was destroyed by two crazy old monsters during the invasion of the sword saint Vanatel. As time passed and its power grew, the Principality of Antares built a new fortress on top of the ruins and used it as a strategic point connecting the Glotene Mountains and the western plains.
This fortress, later named Catalan Guard, was captured and taken over during the invasion of the Triple Alliance. The Antares army, which had to fight with numerous refugees, did not have the time to carry out a proper siege, and despite Carol’s resourcefulness, it was forced to give up the fortress in a desperate attempt.
The empire that occupied the fortress soon realized its geographical importance.
Catalan Guard was a central location for communication with the continent as it was connected to the main narrow route of the Gloten Mountains to the east and the Termanian Passage to the west. If this area is blocked, the Antares army hiding in the mountains will have extremely limited ways to come down to the plains.
The imperial army that occupied the fortress invested a large amount of manpower and armament into the Catalan Guard and made it their core base. It was a major construction project that doubled the size of the fortress and built double walls.
The construction period was not very long. The area was in perfect condition for the fortress expansion project. Thanks to the clash between Vanatel and Gerard, a crater as large as 200 meters is standing still. The period was drastically shortened as there was no need for the basic work process of laying the foundation.
In just half a year, the Catalan Guard became an impregnable fortress capable of holding tens of thousands of troops, and served as a strong rear base for the Triple Alliance throughout the war.
“The Catalan guard is empty.”
The complexions of everyone gathered at Carol’s words changed. Most people here knew the importance of the Catalan Guard.
Carol continued.
“To be exact, it’s not empty.”
According to intelligence that Carol had recently confirmed, the relationship between the Three Kingdoms Alliance had changed slightly after the fall of the forward base.
“The main forces of Halein and Grime, who were living in Catalan Guard, withdrew. Both armies have retreated to the Plains of Arend.”
Iniya asked doubtfully.
“What do you think they are planning?”
“It’s not that awkward when you look at the situation. Thanks to the actions of troll soldiers, our military has recently turned the tide of battle quite a bit. And this war has already been going on for half a year, so it’s probably a time when Grime and Halein want to push back on the military.”
Among the humans on the continent, there is no one who does not believe that Sayre created humanity. However, this does not mean that all humans on the continent believe in and follow Sayre, the god of mankind.
‘Faith that acknowledges the fact that God exists’ and ‘faith as a form of faith’ that unconditionally follows God’s existence are completely different.
In this world, there are people who are faithful to the parents who gave birth to them, there are people who are faithful to the parents who raised them, and there are also people who follow the teachings of their teachers rather than their parents. There are many denominations other than the Sayre denomination on the continent, and various people live under their influence.
“Unlike the Bashtalon Empire, which has the Sayre Church as its state religion, the Kingdoms of Grime and Halaine also have strong religious affiliations with other churches.”
And currently, there is no denomination that looks favorably on the increased prestige of the Sayre denomination. Since there is no justification or practical use, I cannot protest and just remain silent.
“As the war prolongs, it is natural that anti-war public opinion gains strength.”
In fact, in the royal palaces of the two kingdoms, the pro-war faction and the anti-war faction were fighting against each other. It was only in the early stages of the war that the anti-war faction overwhelmingly raised its voice due to Sayer’s transfer, but as the war showed signs of being prolonged contrary to the Empire’s promises, the anti-war faction was gradually gaining influence.
“Haven’t the Empire lost all its fortresses outside the mountains? Now that the situation has come to this, it is not surprising that opinions are emerging that we should step aside and look forward to the next time.”
“It’s an understandable story.”
Iniya, convinced, nodded. He made an expression that the others would understand as well.
Carol frowned here.
“The problem is the movement of the empire. Aside from Halein and Grime, the Empire is also taking out a significant number of troops from the Catalan Guard and stationing them throughout Antares.”
Atilca asked.
“Is that strange? “Isn’t it common for humans who occupy other countries to deploy their own troops throughout the territory to solidify their rule?”
“If it was occupied, that would be the case. But we haven’t been occupied yet, have we? Of course, if you are planning to use the Glotten Mountains as a border, that move makes sense… … .”
Shaking his head, Carol refuted Atilka’s words.
“In that case, it should have been done while the defense line was deadlocked. So far, the Empire has been trying to somehow expand its defenses inside the mountain range. “It is an expression of the will to destroy Antares.”
The Empire’s forward base was not used for the purpose of preventing the Antares army from invading the plains of the mountain range, but rather as a base for further invasions into the mountain range.
Isn’t the name ‘forward base’? Not a defensive fortress.
“When the fence is strong, they don’t care about the sheep and only go out to catch the wolves, but when the fence collapses, they don’t prepare for the wolves and only focus on raising the sheep? It doesn’t make sense. “The timing and situation are not right.”
Stella chuckled. Her strategic side is difficult to understand, no matter how wise she is. But the metaphor of the fence and the sheep was easy to understand.
She is an orc warrior. Traditionally, the job of an orc warrior was that of a shepherd, guarding precious livestock and preventing monster invasions.
“It’s a trap.”
Secretly revealing loopholes to lure monsters to eat them was something that Orcs in remote areas mainly did.
“I think so too.”
Carol showed a sign of agreement.
“But even so, the Catalan Guard is a place where we cannot give up. Unless we take control of that place, the road to the plains will be blocked.”
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Silan slowly raised his hand. He knew little about the art of war and had just remained silent from earlier. However, he was so curious that he couldn’t help but ask.
“Hey, Mr. Karl.”
“Why are you doing this, Archbishop Cilan?”
Cilan asked, gently pointing at the map.
“Aren’t there many paths even without the Catalan Guard? I think I can just avoid the fortress and go down somewhere else… … .”
Carol smiled softly.
If one did not know the art of war, it was doubtful that he would receive it.
Certainly, it will not be easy to understand why Catalan Guard is a street corner only by looking at the map. The Glotten Mountains are wide and expansive and run across the western part of the continent. Even if it is not the Catalan Guard, the mountain range bordering the plain area is wide enough.
Nevertheless, in terms of military strategy, that Catalan guard is the way. It was also a tightly blocked road.
Considering the level of Silane, Carol explained it easily.
“Now, Archbishop Cilan, look carefully. How many days will it take for the Antares army to advance its troops from the top of the Glotene Mountains to the northern plains of Antares?”
Although he does not know the art of war, Silan is familiar with the Dokdo method. Considering the mountain terrain, if a large army is to pass through there… … .
“… … About 15 days?”
“Is that so? So how many days will it take to advance troops from the Catalan Guard to the same position?”
If you march along the well-paved path of the Catalan Guard, no matter how leisurely you march, a week will be enough.
“The Antares army takes fifteen days to march towards the northern plains. Because the terrain is rough, you will spend a lot of stamina, and the space to set up your camp is limited, so you will have to take a nap. However, upon hearing this news, the Imperial Army of the Catalan Guard could reach the northern plains in just a week. “The road is even, so you don’t have to waste your stamina, and there’s a lot of flat ground, so you can easily set up camp and sleep comfortably, right?”
However, by arriving before the Antares army, they can occupy a location with a geographical advantage and prepare for battle.
“After eating well and sleeping well, the imperial army will be able to meet the exhausted Antares army with perfect strength.”
That’s not all.
“What would happen if Antares attacked the northern and southern mountains at the same time?”
It takes more than fifteen days for both sides to advance. However, from the Catalan Guard’s Imperial Army’s point of view, all of those points are a week away. It is possible to rush north, defeat the tired Antares army, and then head straight to the south to fight again.
This means that it is possible to block two units of the same level with one unit.
“The distance shown on the map and the distance the army actually walks are completely different, Archbishop Silan.”
Just by occupying the Catalan Guard, the imperial army can handle most of the Antares army coming down to the plains. Thanks to the advantages of distance and location.
Silan, who understood, nodded. Still, curiosity remained.
“But isn’t it okay to move secretly and not be detected?”
“It is possible with a small elite group of hundreds of people who can move quickly. Or within a mountain range with extremely narrow visibility.”
In fact, this is the strategy used by the former Fresian Liberation Corps and the current Antares Guerilla Corps. Countering the opponent’s distance and positional advantages with mobility and stealth.
“But how quickly can thousands or tens of thousands of troops move? Also, how on earth can you hide thousands or tens of thousands of troops in an open plain?”
Now, not only Silan, but others including Maloid, Tashid, and Stella nodded. Carol smiled bitterly at that sight.
‘As expected, those gentlemen were just pretending to know each other for the sake of respect!’
This was the reason I dutifully explained it to Silan during the strategy meeting.
Few other people here really understood why the Catalan Guard was the way to go. I’m just saying that because Carol said so.
Probably only Iniya, Atilka, and the human Russ were the ones who actually understood its meaning.
‘No, looking at Sir Russ’ expression, I guess that guy didn’t know either.’
I’m trying my best to pretend to be calm, but the look in my eyes says ‘Ah! The meaning of ‘was that the sound?’ is clearly visible.
Clicking her tongue, Carol returned to the topic she was talking about.
“Anyway, for that reason you must get your hands on the Catalan Guard. Even considering it’s a trap.”
Once the Catalan Guard is taken, the Antares army will have numerous advance routes toward the plains. This is a golden opportunity to regain his lost territory.
“Besides, it’s not like we have no chance of winning.”
Now Antares has acquired the mighty power of the berserker troll.
“There is no need to be afraid of traps and avoid them. “The power of the berserk troll is strong enough.”
Nevertheless, there was a reason why Carol was distressed. Iniya pointed that out exactly.
“It’s a trap… … “Are you doing something unbecoming of the empire?”
“That’s right. That’s why it’s hard to decide.”
The Catalan Guard was too valuable to be used as bait to lure the enemy. If you intentionally set a trap for him and fail and lose the fortress, that mistake will be irreversible.
In short, it means that it is a strategy with strong gambling potential.
And empires never gamble.
But here, they deliberately retreat the imperial army?
“Or is the trap so threatening that that strategy is not a gamble?”
The audience’s complexion changed at Iniya’s seemingly indifferent monologue. Certainly, if the Empire absolutely believed in the power of the trap, it would be likely for the Empire to take such a gamble.
“Could it be the Sword Saint Vanatel?”
Maloid said in a fearful voice. Carol denied it.
“Not Banatel. He is now in the imperial capital. “This is solid information.”
The reason for his absence was that Emperor Gerard left the Principality of Antares.
In fact, there is absolutely no reason for the Empire to withdraw the powerful force of the Sword Saint from the war just because Gerard is not there. But the emperor had other concerns.
