Royal Road of the Extra Scribe

37

Caliper Kingdom might indeed fall. At Jurass’s words, Master furrowed her brow.

“Why? The victory was on Caliper’s side.”

Anton and Master Eodo seem to agree with the Master’s words.

Jurass chuckled at this.

“So, it seems you still have a long way to go. In war, one must always look beyond the surface,” he said.

“I wish you would explain and not just talk like that.”

“I could explain, but where’s the fun in that? Alles, please.”

Eyes turned towards me.

I decided to stick to the key points in my explanation.

“Master, Albad didn’t need to engage first.”

Albad’s forces numbered 50,000. In contrast, Caliper, excluding rear units, had 70,000.

“Hence, it was tactically correct for Albad to give up a certain area and secure a defensive position.”

“But still, they didn’t do that?”

“Yes, Albad formed a small ambush unit of 5,000 to attack Caliper’s 30,000 army, specifically targeting the Salion faction army located in the south.”

The result was Caliper’s victory. The ambush location was so obvious that they were discovered beforehand.

“For Albad, even 5,000 troops are precious. Using them in an obvious ambush to feign defeat is a strategic move.”

“An enticement strategy, then.”

“Without a doubt.”

The 30,000 Salion faction army that defeated the ambush unit swiftly advanced into Albad’s territory, gaining momentum.

They positioned themselves further forward than originally planned, confident that they had inflicted damage on the enemy forces.

“But Caliper’s officers are not fools. They must have thoroughly reviewed the enticement plan. They would have checked for any other ambush units.”

“They did. And that’s why they boldly pursued. Albad didn’t have any additional ambush units prepared. With only 50,000 troops to begin with, after sacrificing 5,000 in a feigned defeat, Albad had no resources left to form a separate main unit. Caliper’s strategists knew this. They followed confidently.”

“Then, there’s no issue, right?”

“Let me rephrase what I said earlier. Albad’s officers are not fools.”

“…!”

“Using 5,000 as bait and employing an enticement strategy implies that there is definitely a main unit ready to devour the bait. A unit that can remain undetected by the enemy’s reconnaissance.”

“But didn’t you say earlier that Caliper’s officers would have checked?”

“Yes, they would have thoroughly searched Albad’s territory. And since they found nothing, that’s the problem.”

“…!?”

“The absence of ambush units in Albad’s territory. It means something else. A new main force brought in from another country’s territory. Geographically speaking, likely drawn from the south.”

Countries in the south include the superpower Bryun Union and the mid-sized Madon Kingdom.

Jurass spoke, “Considering various factors, Bryun wouldn’t benefit from this. It’s undoubtedly Madon.”

“Madon….”

This was the reason Caliper might face destruction.

Madon, secretly lured in by Albad.

They were aiming to strike Caliper from behind.

***

The Caliper forces advancing from the south were in high spirits.

While the northern Helyan faction’s army was tied down by 30,000 troops led by Kaien, the southern forces were achieving victories by defeating ambush units.

‘I can do it. I can do it too!’

Caspar Millias, who was nominally in charge of this unit, was filled with determination.

He could do it like Wade. He could crush Albad.

It was perfect. It was him who discovered and defeated the enemy’s ambush troops, and it was him who instructed the Salleon faction’s scribes to thoroughly investigate the lure tactics.

After scouting the surroundings, he pursued the enemy forces who were unaware.

“If we strike a wedge in the south, the tide will turn in the north. I will lead this war to victory!”

Within the military camp, voices praising him were already heard.

“Hm, quite impressive. Indeed, does he possess the caliber worthy of being called a prodigy.”

Gilbert Salleon, the actual leader of the Salleon Duchy who was accompanying the troops, highly praised Casper, who was leading the army effortlessly. By his side, Josette Millias was in agreement.

“Even after abandoning the name Wade, my son’s reputation will continue. He will eventually become the pride of the Caliper Army.”

“Well, he may not achieve the level of fame Wade had, but that’s fine. Quite good.”

Casper was the perfect chess piece for Gilbert, who held significant influence in the military. Even if he was merely a scarecrow for now, there was definitely potential. If nurtured into a general, it could be of great help.

“His current affiliation is with the Julia Academy, right?”

“Yes. The transfer process at the academy is quite complex…”

“I’ll take care of that. Have him transferred to Gransel immediately. I will ask Father for guidance once he’s there.”

“Are you speaking of Lord Altior?! That would be perfect! Isn’t Lord Altior Salleon the greatest general of Caliper?”

“hahahaha! Stop flattering unnecessarily.”

Still, Gilbert chuckled happily. Josette seized the opportunity.

“In that case, how about proceeding with the part about my son and Erina’s betrothal?”

“That part?”

“The discussion between my son and Erina.”

“Hmm…”

“There’s no better choice for solidifying the bond between the two noble families.”

“I also wish for that deeply, but I wonder how Father would feel about it… Well, alright. If we lead this war to success, he might view it positively.”

“You’ve thought it through.”

Josette clenched his fist tightly.

With this, he could establish himself at the forefront within the Salleon faction.

“By the way, Josette…”

Gilbert asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Do you truly know nothing about Wade’s true identity?”

“What? N-no, of course. I didn’t mention it. Using Wade’s name was merely a coincidence. It was just the Helian nobles boasting around.”

Surprisingly, Josette hadn’t been spreading rumors about Alts. He feared the consequences.

First and foremost, he didn’t want to further provoke the Helian Duke.

If the Salleon faction, upon learning Wade’s identity, approached Alts for any reason, the Helian Duke would explode in anger.

As a traitor, he would undoubtedly become the direct target of that rage.

“Moreover, Alts Ilain… He’s rumored to have joined forces with the Jurass Pamelion.”

Whether it was a boast or a fact, he couldn’t say, but at least at that moment, it didn’t seem like mere boasting to him.

If Alts truly had a strong connection with Crossing, his power couldn’t be ignored.

Crossing Republic was like the Blyrang of the south. Alongside Svenner in the west and known as the Crossing in the east, it was considered a superpower.

“Hmm. I see.”

Casper overheard their conversation.

“To think of me and Erina Yang…!”

For him, she was an unexpected partner for a betrothal.

He harbored feelings for Erina secretly. Belonging to different factions and holding different positions, he couldn’t approach her, but he always watched over her from a distance.

Whenever she conversed with the Helian faction’s outcast named Ilaine, he hoped he could also share his stories.

The situation fell perfectly into place when Milias entered the Saleon faction.

“Alright, I will lead us to victory in this war…!”

Kasper, firm in his resolve.

There were eyes that coldly looked down on him.

Gentle mountainous terrain near the Calipha military base.

He was there, that man.

“What a disappointment. They said Wade was in command, but it’s nothing special. To be so careless in trailing behind like this. Seems like it was just a lie from the Calipha lot.”

He was like a beast. Not just a simple description; he truly could be called a beast.

A pure-blooded aquatic being with no trace of human blood. A lupine aquatic being covered in fur all over.

“You fools. Neglecting the rear scouting after nothing was found in the initial scouting.”

The Calipha army had mostly deployed their scouting forces to the front after the initial scouting, not considering the possibility of intervention from other countries.

This allowed them to discreetly trail behind.

He took a deep breath, staggering as if intoxicated.

“Ah, the scent of a night where blood will flow always excites me.”

“Commander, a message has arrived from Albad. They say all preparations are complete.”

“Kraig…”

“General Kraig has also arrived at the rear. He broke through the gap in the scouting line created by our unit. The enemy still seems unaware.”

“Alright, let’s do it, men. The hunt begins!”

Charge! 3,000 light cavalry of Madon rushing down the mountain to assault Calipha’s military base.

Clang! A state of emergency was declared in the Calipha base. They didn’t expect to be caught from their own trail, and above all, it was dark now.

“Don’t panic! Stay calm!”

The empty shouts of the Calipha officers.

The chaos brought by the night didn’t subside easily.

On the other hand, the soldiers of Madon, thoroughly prepared for night warfare, were effectively eliminating Calipha’s soldiers by confirming each other’s signals.

“We need to concentrate our forces in the rear to control the chaos!”

As the strategist of the Saleon faction spoke, Casper, who was at a loss, hurriedly concentrated his forces in the rear to deal with the Madon forces.

But at that moment.

“Oops!”

Thud! 3,000 Albad troops charging in from the front. Leading them was Gilias Melben.

“Crush them thoroughly!”

Gilias, with his right-hand man, the fierce horn of Gak, tore through Calipha’s formation.

The Calipha military base, visibly shaken.

Eventually, Gilbert Saleon couldn’t bear it anymore and shouted out.

“Focus your strength! The enemy forces are small anyway! Concentrate your strength and strike back!”

He had to deal with the troops approaching from the rear.

Julian Craig, the first general and commander of Madon, had attacked the Calipha army in disarray with 20,000 troops.

“Where did such a large army come from!”

Only then did Gilbert realize Madon’s intervention.

‘Caught in a trap…!’

It was strange that Madon managed to assemble an army of this scale without being caught in intelligence. At least a certain period of preparation was necessary.

In other words, it meant that the agreement between Albad and Madon was not something that happened overnight.

‘He already knew this situation would arise! Kaien of the Saray…!’

Kaien, the general of Albad. After the Tripartite War, he predicted that the mighty Calipher, led by Onzon, would invade and had prepared in advance to counterattack.

To turn the invading Calipher back.

“Charge!”

With a loud thud, Horn and Giliath arrived at the headquarters.

With both the front and rear in chaos, there was no escape route for the headquarters. Moreover, being in the field increased the likelihood of accidents during escape.

“Surrender! We surrender! We demand treatment as prisoners!”

Gilbert immediately placed both hands behind his head and knelt. Jozet did the same.

Though Casper trembled as he held his weapon with shaky hands, he missed the sword as Giliath swung the halberd.

Giliath stepped on Casper’s chest, forcing him to the ground, and removed his helmet.

“Eek–!”

Casper, terrified, wet himself.

Upon examining his face, Giliath sneered.

“Tsk, indeed a fake.”

Deciding there was no need, he kicked Casper’s jaw.

Casper, internally praying that this was all a dream, lost his composure.