Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading

Chapter 79. Rather a Chance (1)

A few days before Tobias received the letter, at the 3rd Corps command.

Michael was there, conversing with Alexis, the 3rd Corps Commander.

"With the capture of the Aequor Plains thanks to the vanguard battalion's efforts, the overall morale of our army has risen significantly. I hear that the 1st and 2nd Corps are also working with renewed vigor to achieve results."

Not long ago, the Allied Forces had been on the verge of collapsing on their own.

This was because, while they were exhausted by the stagnant war results, each kingdom had begun to move to expand its own influence.

The possibility of peace negotiations was still not very high.

In such a situation, if the Allied Forces were to be divided from within, the tide of the war could become greatly unfavorable.

In this situation, the fact that the 3rd Corps had achieved a significant result by capturing the Aequor Plains was a huge boon.

This was because it provided an opportunity for the divided Allied Forces to unite once more and focus on the war.

Since they have achieved such a result, let's try to do the same.

Such an atmosphere was created.

"In conclusion, your keen observation of the transport battalion's performance and dispatch of reinforcements to the vanguard battalion proved to be effective. Those reinforcements became the Special Task Force Company and showed tremendous results in the rear disturbance operation."

Alexis raised his voice with a bright expression, as if he was excited by the results of the Special Task Force Company.

But Michael's expression, who was listening to this, was not very bright.

"……"

The fact that he had remained silent throughout the conversation was proof of that.

Alexis, belatedly noticing Michael's reaction, his eyes glinted.

Then he asked.

"As a staff officer, your expression is not very bright even though our corps has achieved a great result. Even more so when it was a result obtained through the brilliance of your military strategy."

"…Does it seem that way?"

"It does. That's why it's strange. Could it be that there was another intention in proposing this strategy? To deal with a bloodline known as a moron among the siblings in order to gain a favorable position in the succession?"

That was right.

Alexis now guessed the reason why Michael had shown a consistent interest in the transport battalion.

Since Michael had been making judgments that subtly deviated from rationality in certain situations, even Alexis, who was from another kingdom, could not help but notice.

However, Michael did not even blink at Alexis's question.

On the contrary, he maintained a confident attitude and looked at Alexis calmly.

Then he opened his mouth.

"I regret it if it felt that way. But I am devising military strategies solely for the sake of the 3rd Corps. The fact that we have achieved good results this time is proof of that."

At Michael's words, Alexis's expression, which had been stiff for a moment, suddenly burst into laughter.

"Hahaha. That's right. We are certainly achieving good results."

But he soon continued with a hardened expression.

"However, you should not go too far. If you make a mistake, the responsibility will fall entirely on you."

As soon as Alexis's words ended, one of Michael's lips curled up slightly.

"Thank you for your concern. But I will not fail. I was raised in an environment where I could not learn such things."

Michael did not really think that he would never fail.

In the succession war, Michael had experienced countless failures.

This was because, among the bloodlines of the Glockner family, there were countless people as great as Michael.

However, Michael believed that he had an excellent ability to clean up his failures.

Just as he had failed several times to take Roden's life, but in the end, he was achieving results in the war with the Imperial Army.

"In that respect, I would like to propose one more military strategy to capture Velia Castle."

"What is it?"

"I would like to send a strategic proposal to the vanguard battalion. You must capture Velia Castle. And actively put the Special Task Force Company at the forefront."

"…What?"

"Since Velia Castle is so strong, I think a target completion period of about a year would be appropriate."

"Ha."

Velia Castle was the largest and strongest castle one could encounter after passing through the Aequor Plains.

For that reason, even if the 3rd Corps deployed both the vanguard and main battalions to Velia Castle, they could not guarantee that they could capture it within a year.

But to order the vanguard battalion to capture it within a year.

It was too unreasonable a demand.

'And he's still clinging to the Special Task Force Company even after I just warned him.'

For Alexis, it was an absurd situation.

But Michael's story continued.

"Of course, it will be difficult for the vanguard battalion to take Velia Castle alone. The main battalion must also help the vanguard battalion. And to fill that gap, the position of the transport battalion will naturally be advanced."

Michael moved the pieces on the operation map that was spread out in front of them one by one.

Thus, the piece representing the vanguard and main battalions was moved in front of Velia Castle, and the piece representing the transport battalion was moved to the place where the main battalion had been.

"Hmm…"

Certainly, the rear could become a bit dangerous, but it was correct to deploy the 3rd Corps' forces in this way.

This was because there was no way for the 3rd Corps to advance without capturing Velia Castle.

However, he still found it difficult to agree with the statement that the Special Task Force Company should be actively put at the forefront.

What on earth could one company do in a siege?

Alexis, who was thinking this, felt that Michael was being too emotional.

"Your words have a point, but I feel that there is little the Special Task Force Company can do in this siege. But to order them to be put at the forefront. Would there be any fundamental meaning to that order?"

"Normally, there would be no meaning. But what if the main battalion suddenly appears at Velia Castle, which they thought was only being attacked by the vanguard battalion? What if the Special Task Force Company distracts the Imperial Army so that they cannot grasp the main battalion's position?"

Alexis's eyes widened upon hearing Michael's story.

This was because a picture of how Michael intended to capture Velia Castle was drawn in his mind.

"...So that's why you suggested putting the Special Task Force Company at the forefront."

"Didn't I tell you? I am devising military strategies solely for the sake of the 3rd Corps."

Alexis felt a sense of unease, but he no longer refuted Michael's words.

It was only natural, as he could not think of a better military strategy at the moment.

Thus, the strategic proposal was delivered to Tobias.

***

Tobias received the strategic proposal and immediately grasped its meaning.

In the end, it meant that the Special Task Force Company should be sacrificed once again to capture Velia Castle.

"Hmm…"

If it had been before, he would have followed this order without a second thought.

But now, he was worried about whether it was right to follow this order. Check latest chapters at novęlfire.net

This was because he knew better than anyone that it was thanks to the Special Task Force Company that they had not only captured the Aequor Plains, but also that the entire Allied Forces had been able to be revived like this.

Above all, the Special Task Force Company, and Roden in particular, was like a savior who had held onto his heart when it was about to break.

It was not for nothing that Tobias had rewarded Roden with the Juzerje plate armor, the continent's finest masterpiece, and a Superior Swordsmanship manual, whose value could not be rashly calculated.

But to drive such an existence to its death again.

Tobias could not help but be worried.

In the end, Tobias, who was lost in thought, quietly summoned Roden.

"You called for me?"

A moment later.

Roden arrived, and Tobias nodded and showed him the strategic proposal.

"It's from the command."

"……"

"I didn't tell you, but the reason I entrusted you with the rear disturbance operation last time was also because a similar order came down from the command."

"…I see. It's something I had anticipated to some extent."

"You anticipated it. Does that mean what I'm thinking is right?"

"That someone in the command wants me dead. Is that what you want to ask?"

"Yes, that. So who is it. The one who is after your life."

"It's my brother. The one who is the staff officer of the corps."

Roden briefly told Tobias about the succession war of the Glockner family.

After hearing the whole story, Tobias let out a disbelieving laugh, "Ha."

"The succession wars of noble families are always cruel and cold, but your family's is particularly severe. And to drag the family's private matters into the war with the Imperial Army is rather unpleasant."

"Even so, it's difficult to protest. In the end, the military strategies devised in this way have all produced good results."

"That's true too. Anyway, don't worry. I won't send you and the Special Task Force Company out this time."

"…Does that mean you won't follow the strategic proposal?"

"That's right. The vanguard battalion commander originally has the authority to refuse a strategic proposal depending on the situation at the front lines."

"But it would be dangerous to just not follow it."

"It would be dangerous. But it's better to be in danger this way; I can't put you and the Special Task Force Company in danger again because of an operation with a low probability of success."

Certainly, the military strategy proposed by the command did not have a very high probability of success.

This was because there was almost nothing that one company could do to attract enough attention to prevent the Imperial Army from grasping the main battalion's movements.

Even if they did succeed, it would be difficult for the vanguard and main battalions to join forces to capture Velia Castle.

This was because Velia Castle was not an old earthen fortress, but a stone castle that the Imperial Army had built and maintained with great care for several decades.

For that reason, it was impossible to quickly capture Velia Castle before the Imperial Army sent reinforcements.

They would have to pour in their full strength for at least a few months to have a chance of capturing it.

So Tobias's judgment was not bad.

However, it would take too much time to capture Velia Castle in this way.

They would have to look at a minimum of half a year to a maximum of a year.

And if the results were so sluggish, there was a possibility that the Allied Forces would be shaken from within again.

For that reason, Roden, after much deliberation, spoke to Tobias.

"Instead, please give the Special Task Force Company a chance."