The Eastern Allied Army was undergoing tremendous change.
From the most basic military organization to ranks, supplies, and even combat methods—everything was being rewritten.
“From today onward, we will implement strict shift rotations. You will no longer be able to dump work onto the newer soldiers like before.”
“Pardon? O-Of course, sir.”
The brigade and regiment commanders who were attending the meeting answered reflexively. In any unit, it was always important to present a clean, problem-free report.
The real problem is that they only care about what they show on the surface.
I understood the military’s nature all too well.
Under normal circumstances, no one could know the hidden realities deep within a unit. Without CCTV or recording devices, proving what had already happened was extremely difficult. That was why trials relied so heavily on testimony and circumstantial evidence. Concrete proof was rare in this world.
But I am basically a living surveillance tower that uses the Interest Method.
I could monitor in real time what even a private in any squad was doing. On top of that, I could check their major activities as well. That was how I had caught Sergeant Brian of the 2nd Brigade.
They had probably realized it by now too.
No matter what they did, it would be exposed.
Still, I cannot let them say I am only looking after the new soldiers.
The Eastern Allied Army was an extremely old force. To become a squad leader, one had to serve at least ten years. What they called “juniors” were actually veteran soldiers with six or seven years of experience. In this situation, what “seniority” was there to speak of?
That was why I had reassigned ranks and branches according to ability and work attitude. Those with bad reputations were demoted, while those who performed well were promoted immediately.
Under these circumstances, everyone was desperately trying to adapt to the changes.
If they do not, their own juniors might end up becoming their superiors.
If I had done something like this in a properly established army, it would have caused massive chaos and fierce resistance. But the Eastern Allied Army had been on the verge of collapse. It had been neglected for months. Rather than gradual change, a whirlwind overhaul was more helpful for recovery.
And while we were at it, we were also reforming the military system.
But… is it really okay for me to do whatever I want like this?
The Empire’s military organization was an ancient tradition. If I tried to overhaul something like this, the old guard would usually swarm in, shouting about who created it and how I was insulting their legacy.
For now, however, there did not seem to be any problem.
After all, those comfortable old men are not even on the battlefield.
They were probably lounging around in the Imperial Assembly in the capital, talking nonsense. If they complained later, I could just smack them with facts.
Rustle. Rustle.
I flipped through the documents.
They were status reports sent up from each unit. Feltron’s training was being conducted by battalion, and the Lelbrant Barony Army was achieving remarkable results as assistant instructors.
I had originally planned to send them back, but……
They learned so well that it would be a waste not to use them, right?
Once I put red hats on them and made them assistant instructors, the effect was excellent. It was as if they were repaying everything Feltron had done to them. The Lelbrant soldiers were extremely enthusiastic, and as a result, the training outcomes were quite good.
“The training is going well. What do you all think?”
“Instructor Feltron’s abilities are truly remarkable. I have never seen soldiers unite so tightly before.”
Naten Henderson, the 1st Brigade Commander, nodded deeply as he spoke.
Originally a regular knight in the 2nd Knight Division, he had received an extraordinary promotion this time. His combat ability was average—that was why he had remained an ordinary knight. However, he possessed the skill Advanced Command, which allowed him to freely command up to five thousand men.
To think such talent was left as a mere regular knight.
Probably because no one had recognized it. Until now, he had never been given an opportunity to shine. Even with ability, it would have taken forever to climb to that position.
I smiled faintly at Brigade Commander Henderson.
“People only move properly when they receive fair compensation. There is a limit to what brainwashing or oppression can achieve. Please keep that firmly in mind.”
“Yes, sir!”
Currently, the Eastern Allied Army was receiving massive support from the Dapan Group. Not only supplies, but wages were also being paid. There was even a service to send money to families back home if desired. On top of that, there was a solid promise that compensation would be delivered even if they died in battle.
With treatment they had never received before, how could they not work hard, regardless of how difficult the changes were? Moreover, since anyone who broke military discipline was immediately arrested, no one even dared to step out of line.
“Now then, the next item is regarding the repair work on the southern wall……”
We had succeeded in establishing a proper system. If things continued like this for a few weeks, everything would likely fall into place quickly.
However, the scars of war had not yet fully healed. There were still numerous groaning wounded, and destroyed defensive facilities were everywhere.
Just then—
Knock knock knock!
Someone knocked urgently.
The door burst open and a soldier rushed in.
“Reporting!”
Under normal circumstances, this would have warranted a severe scolding. The high command was in the middle of a meeting—who would dare interrupt so rudely? But this was a battlefield. Responding to sudden situations was far more important than etiquette.
“What is it?”
“A large force of the Mandus tribe has been spotted on the eastern hill.”
“How many?”
“Roughly over forty thousand.”
The Eastern Allied Army currently had a little over twenty thousand troops. While they had the advantage of defending a fortress, the enemy numbers were overwhelming. Moreover, the Mandus tribe was physically superior to humans.
Tension spread across the faces of the brigade and regiment commanders.
“Mm. This is troublesome.”
“We have not even recovered half the damage from the last battle yet……”
“They must have killed at least five thousand Mandus last time, and now there is an even larger force than that.”
“Hah! Those bastards really do not seem to get tired.”
Everyone gathered their documents with grim expressions. The moment I gave the order, they were ready to rush back to their units.
However, we were still too unprepared to face the Mandus tribe properly.
Just then, I heard Brigade Commander Henderson mutter under his breath.
“If only we had one more month……”
I asked him, “Why one month?”
“If we use the waterway Your Grace created, it should take about that long to reach the capital, correct?”
“Probably.”
“I assumed the second round of reinforcements would arrive around then.”
I suppressed the smile that had tried to rise on my lips.
The more I looked at him, the more capable he seemed. If this man had been the commander, the results would have been much better. Of course, I had no intention of disparaging his predecessor. That person had fought bravely against the Mandus and died in battle.
Still, stubbornly clinging only to a defensive strategy without any countermeasures was not ideal.
“You figured it out even though I did not mention it. That is correct.”
“Then we will have to grit our teeth and hold out until then.”
“No.”
I waved my hand leisurely. The gesture meant Do not get worked up and jump out right now—calm down.
Everyone looked at me with bewildered expressions. The Mandus tribe was practically at our doorstep, yet why was I so relaxed?
I immediately called for a messenger.
“Assemble the Lelbrant Special Task Company.”
Then I continued while looking around the room.
“There will be no battle at the fortress.”
“Pardon? Even if the Lelbrant Special Task Company has powerful firepower, there are over forty thousand Mandus. They will most likely just charge straight in.”
It was a natural reaction. The Mandus tribe were essentially berserkers. But I was confident.
I was confident I could instill fear in them.
“Still, if you are worried, maintain combat readiness.”
“Yes, sir!”
The officers responded energetically and poured out of the office.
Regardless, I moved at a relaxed pace.
The enemy’s main force was right in front of us—did I not seem too carefree?
It is fine. I have a plan.
Yates Fortress was filled with tense anticipation.
Despite being numerically inferior, the imperial army’s morale was relatively high. Not only had they eaten well and rested properly, but they had also received new weapons and armor.
However, anxiety still remained.
“Look at those bastards. They came with serious intent.”
“Forty thousand…… No, it will easily exceed fifty thousand. We do not even know how many more are behind that hill.”
“Damn it, since we cannot see them, it feels like there are way more.”
“The Yates Rangers said that detached forces crossing the mountains have become frequent lately.”
“Then our supplies will be cut off again?”
“No, apparently not. The commander opened up the waterway for transport.”
“Whew! That is a huge relief.”
The murmuring only amplified their fear.
Yet among them, there were also soldiers voicing hopeful thoughts.
“We have the Lelbrant Special Task Company that the commander brought, do we not? They will create some kind of magical explosion and stop the Mandus.”
“But they can only attack right in front of the walls. No matter how hard they throw, it will not reach the main enemy force.”
“Mm. That is true. And the enemy’s arrow attacks are no joke either.”
Contrary to popular belief, archers were not elusive or agile beings. Drawing a bowstring required considerable muscle strength. Accuracy aside, simply shooting was already difficult.
Then what about the Mandus tribe, who possessed overwhelming physical abilities?
Even with crude bows, they easily surpassed the empire’s equipped archers. Their javelin-throwing ability was also overwhelming. Could one believe that they could throw long spears over two hundred meters?
The sight of long spears easily crossing two hundred meters was not something that could be faced without fear.
“They are coming! It is starting!”
At someone’s shout, the soldiers all turned their heads at once.
A massive army was crossing the eastern hill.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Heavy drumbeats signaled the start of battle.
“All units! Prepare for combat!”
The shouts of the commanders steadied the wavering soldiers.
Yet the tension only continued to rise.
“Ugh! What is our side doing? We have catapults!”
“The southern wall collapsed in the last battle. The ones on the northern side were already destroyed earlier. There are only a few left now.”
“Damn it, we should at least fire those.”
“They are going to.”
When a soldier pointed toward the center of the wall, several catapults indeed came into view.
And standing right there was Abel Carius.
“Huh? Why is the commander near the catapults?”
“If the rope snaps, it will be dangerous……”
“The Lelbrant Special Task Company is with him too.”
“Wait a second…… Could it be……?”
Someone who seemed to have realized something trailed off.
At that very moment, the soldiers noticed one fact.
Their side—
No, Abel Carius—was about to do something.
However, their guess was only half correct.
The result far exceeded their expectations.
Clack! Rattle!
As the counterweight dropped heavily, the lever rose and the double hook released.
Accelerated by centrifugal force, the projectiles were launched at tremendous speed. The ammunition scattered widely as it flew.
Since Yates Fortress’s catapults were designed for defense, they usually launched large quantities of gravel to maximize casualties.
This time was similar.
However, the moment the projectiles reached above the enemy ranks—
A tremendous roar erupted, along with countless fragments.
Ku-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwang!
At that instant, an even greater cheer exploded from Yates Fortress.
“Uwaaaaaaaaah!”
“Long live the Commander!”