Chapter 106 : Chapter 106
Chapter 106. Espionage (3)
Until just recently, Alexis had been in a very bad mood.
He spent all day sighing heavily before Kroxen Castle, which showed no signs of falling.
The failure of Michael’s plan, which he had been confident would capture Kroxen Castle, was decisive.
To think that the man they thought had been won over was setting a trap.
Because of this, the 3rd Corps had suffered very heavy losses.
It was to the point where they had to seriously consider retreating all the way to Velia Castle.
But fortunately, thanks to the swift rescue from the Main Battalion and the Supply Battalion, they were able to maintain the siege.
If not for that, he would have met the end of the war as the shabbiest of the three corps commanders.
Although they managed to maintain the siege somehow, the situation of the 3rd Corps was not very good.
The fact that Kroxen Castle, which should not have been able to receive any supplies, had succeeded in being resupplied several times was proof of that.
And accordingly, the probability of the 3rd Corps capturing Kroxen Castle had dropped significantly.
They would have to pound the castle walls with catapults for over a year to even have a chance of capturing it.
The situation of the 3rd Corps, whose advance was noticeably slower compared to the other corps.
It was for this reason that sighs escaped Alexis’s lips every day.
‘If it weren't for the Special Task Force Company, even that small ember of hope would have probably been extinguished.’
That was right.
The reason the 3rd Corps was able to be revived.
The Special Task Force Company was part of that reason.
The situation changed as the Special Task Force Company secured funds by operating the Billem Caravan and acquired and provided information.
While the 3rd Corps' supply situation had greatly improved compared to before, Kroxen Castle had started to go hungry again.
The siege of Kroxen Castle was now tighter than before.
Tighter than when they had first besieged Kroxen Castle.
However, even in this situation, capturing Kroxen Castle was a difficult task.
This had been the situation until just recently.
“Is it true? If we do as you say, can we really inflict a blow on the Imperial Army?”
Alexis asked Linor, the Main Battalion Commander.
Linor then answered.
“Yes. It is certain. Our allies who have infiltrated the Empire and are acting as spies are continuously sending the same information.”
The information Linor mentioned.
This information was that the Imperial Army would soon convene its forces to relieve Kroxen Castle.
Just like they did with Velia Castle last time.
Certainly, if the Imperial Army were to set out to relieve Kroxen Castle like this, it would be troublesome for the 3rd Corps.
For that reason, Linor proposed an operation to attack this assembly point before the Imperial Army could fully gather.
Alexis was currently contemplating whether to accept this operational proposal.
“Hmm. If we can catch the enemy support unit, we can certainly inflict a big blow. We would be able to capture Kroxen Castle without any problem as well. But can we really win? That is the problem.”
It was while Alexis was continuing his deep contemplation.
Michael, who had been quietly participating in the meeting, opened his mouth.
“I oppose this operation.”
“You oppose it? Why?”
“For all our spies to be sending the same information. The information is too precise. In such cases, it is right to suspect a trap. It would be better to fight a conventional battle if the support unit appears.”
Michael calmly pointed out the flaw in this situation.
But Alexis's expression as he listened to Michael's words was not bright.
“It will be difficult to win against the support unit by fighting a conventional battle. Their numbers will be at least at the level of the force that supported Velia Castle. Above all, you should have been suspicious of traps earlier.”
Alexis brought up the story of the last operation, and Michael's expression contorted.
It was only natural, as he had been publicly rebuked in front of everyone.
It was a moment that showed anew how much trust Alexis had lost in Michael.
Moreover, Michael's words had a decisive influence on Alexis firming up his decision.
The negative view towards Michael made Linor's operation seem relatively positive.
In the end, Alexis opened his mouth.
“I will accept the Main Battalion Commander's proposal. We will ambush the enemy support unit as quickly as possible.”
“But then Kroxen Castle will notice our movements.”
Michael tried again to change Alexis's decision.
But Alexis shook his head firmly.
“There will be no problem if we call the Transport Battalion over here before the operation begins and then move the main force. I have already made my decision, so do not argue any further. Dismissed.”
Because Alexis did not allow for any counterarguments, not only Michael but everyone present had to leave.
“……”
Of course, the expression on Michael's face as he left without being able to speak further was not very good.
He was not angry about having to receive such harsh treatment for a single mistake.
He genuinely thought this operation was dangerous.
‘Should I have talked about that first?’
In fact, the decisive reason Michael felt uneasy about this operation was the Special Task Force Company.
This was because, unlike the other spies planted together, only the Special Task Force Company had not delivered information about the gathering of the Imperial Army support unit.
Recently, no matter what anyone said, it was the Special Task Force Company that delivered the highest quality information about the Imperial Army.
It was all thanks to the Special Task Force Company that they were able to cut off the Imperial Army's supply routes and stabilize the situation as it was now.
Of course, he was very displeased at first when he heard that Alexis had sidelined him and given separate operational orders to the Special Task Force Company.
But now, leaving aside such feelings, he had to partially acknowledge that the achievements of the Special Task Force Company were great.
After all, if it weren't for the Special Task Force Company, it would have been impossible to cover up his mistake.
For that reason, Michael had unknowingly come to trust the information from the Special Task Force Company and thought Alexis would too, but to think he would accept this operation.
It was for this reason that Michael thought he should have brought up the Special Task Force Company first.
‘Is it right to bring up the Special Task Force Company to the Corps Commander even now?’
Michael pondered as he walked towards his barracks, then began to move towards Alexis's barracks.
And he came face to face with Alexis.
“What is it? Surely, you haven't come to oppose that operation again, have you?”
Michael opened his mouth, realizing anew how great Alexis's distrust was.
Since he had come this far, he had to say what he had to say.
“There is something I couldn't say earlier. The truth is, the Special Task Force Company……”
But Michael's words were not finished.
“A letter from the Special Task Force Company Commander.”
This was because a soldier came in and cut him off.
The soldier belatedly noticed Michael's presence and bowed his head.
“My apologies, Staff Officer. It was the Corps Commander's order to deliver any letter from the Special Task Force Company as soon as it arrived……”
A brief silence fell, but Alexis spoke, extending his hand towards the soldier.
“You were only following my orders, so there is no need to worry. Give me the letter and leave.”
And so, Alexis began to read the letter, leaving Michael standing in the barracks.
Simultaneously, Alexis's eyes grew wide.
He was so surprised that even Michael became curious about the contents of the letter.
‘What is it?’
Finally, Alexis finished reading the letter and opened his mouth towards Michael.
“Because of this letter, no matter what you say, this operation must proceed.”
“Corps Commander!”
“Read it.”
Alexis handed him the letter, and Michael had no choice but to understand.
“!”
Why this operation absolutely had to proceed?
***
At the same time.
Roden was currently on the move with the Infantry Platoon and the Cavalry Platoon, having left the Archery Platoon in Vinchih.
‘The letter must have arrived safely, right?’
Normally, he shouldn't have moved like this.
This was because as soon as the Infantry Platoon and the Cavalry Platoon moved together, they would lose control of the villages they had occupied.
But fortunately, the Special Task Force Company had the employees who had joined as new recruits during the raid on the Sahar Caravan last time.
Moreover, as the Sahar Caravan was dealt with by the Bazar family, additional personnel joined, and thanks to that, the number of new recruits had grown to thirty.
In other words, it meant that if he divided this personnel well, he could manage the villages somehow.
Above all, the fact that the residents were favorable to the Allied Forces, thanks to the Special Task Force Company managing the villages without a single instance of plunder, which was common during the war, was also a decisive reason why he could leave the new recruits behind.
The reason Roden had urgently led his troops out was none other than this.
It was because of the contents of the letter he had sent to Alexis.
The contents of the letter were as follows.
[Urgent Information.
It has been confirmed that a spy is hiding among our allies.
Judged to be someone in a key position, and it is certain they are plotting something.
The current judgment is that the false information recently circulating about enemy support troops gathering in one place to relieve Kroxen Castle is likely related to this plan.
If our allies were to move to strike this support unit, there is a risk of being ambushed.
Also, the one who actively proposed this operation is highly likely to be the spy.
However, there is no great benefit in halting the operation and capturing and interrogating the suspected spy.
It is recommended to deceive only the suspected spy and the unit he commands, pretend to proceed with the operation, and then launch a counterattack.
The Special Task Force Company will also move to Kelot Hills to support this.
If you send a soldier to Kelot Hills to inform us of our allies' movement route, we will support the counterattack at the enemy's ambush location.
If you choose to halt the operation, there is no need to send a soldier separately.
We will wait for 3 days and then return to Vinchih.]
The letter Roden sent was based on the assumption that the Imperial Army was planning something using a spy to deliver a decisive blow to the 3rd Corps.
It was only natural, as he had obtained this information from Abtal.
However, Roden's letter did not just stop at warning that there was a spy among their allies and to be careful.
He had guessed what the plan the Imperial Army was plotting was and even proposed a way to turn it against them.
Only then could they catch the spy and at the same time use this opportunity to gain a great advantage for the 3rd Corps.
‘Placing a trap on top of another trap is a better way to make the enemy let their guard down than simply setting a trap.’
And the reason Roden was able to come up with this method was not for any other reason.
Information superiority.
It was because he knew how to utilize this superiority better than anyone else.