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Southern 6th Legion’s Encampment.

“….”

“….”

Just a few days ago, the soldiers were all fired up with the joy of continuing victories.

They were the ones who talked as if they could obliterate Dedorant at any moment.

They believed they might even reunite with their families before the year ended.

But now, a dreadful silence and stillness filled the encampment.

It was as if every one of them had turned into a corpse, not a single person daring to speak.

They had been pushed back by the Dedorant Army. The commanders tried their best to deny it, but they couldn’t be oblivious to the defeat.

If this was simply a matter of losing a battle, it might even have been a relief.

Because of their retreat, two legions couldn’t break free from the siege.

In the end, they all melted away as they fought for their lives.

They caused their own allies to perish. Because they couldn’t fight hard enough.

Fathers, husbands, and sons of someone were left unable to return home.

That fact was choking the throats of fathers, husbands, and sons alike.

“What’s going on?”

Until suddenly, a young man appeared in their encampment.

“Uh, huh?”

“Commander. A, no. Your Excellency, the Imperial Chief of Staff!”

Yes. It’s certain. Kael. Kael Clausewitz.

He was the strategist who fought alongside them throughout the Southern campaign, bringing them their greatest victories.

He received recognition for his achievements at such a young age as the Imperial Chief of Staff.

Rumor had it that after this defeat, he was given an Imperial Decree and also took on the role of the Chief of Staff for the 1st Legion.

Perhaps the system hastily appointed him to resolve this situation, knowing his capabilities.

But why did he appear here at the encampment of the 6th Legion instead of at the 1st Legion headquarters?

“Oh dear. Everyone looks like they’re dead on their feet.”

“W-well…”

“Snap out of it and get up! What are you doing right now?!”

That was Kael’s voice, a harsh shout like none they had ever heard before.

The soldiers, as well as the commanders, jumped in surprise and quickly assumed a ready stance.

“Soldiers of the 6th Legion.”

“….”

“Southern 6th Legion!!”

Once again, Kael’s—no, the Imperial Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff of the 1st Legion’s—voice rang out loudly.

All of the 6th Legion responded with a resounding “Yes!!” and Kael continued speaking.

“Do you really think you have been defeated?”

“….”

In an instant, the soldiers of the 6th Legion glanced at each other, unsure.

Aren’t we defeated? We retreated, didn’t we? That’s why things have come to this.

But somehow, it felt wrong to outright say we lost…

“Yes, indeed. You have been defeated. You retreated because you lost.”

“Ah….”

So that’s it. It’s true, we’ve lost. Just as the soldiers were about to drop their heads in despair…

“But!”

Kael stomped his foot and continued.

“This is merely a loss in a single battle. Soldiers of the 6th Legion, do you perhaps remember the Eastern campaign? There, the Empire’s 7th Legion faced a defeat. Yet in the end, they led the war to victory. It was because they had the will to avenge their defeat and the earnest desire for victory.”

And,

“And it was possible because I was there.”

At his words, a glimmer of hope began to appear in the soldiers’ eyes.

Yes. Come to think of it, during the last operation and this defeat, Kael was absent.

He had been fulfilling his duties from the rear as the Imperial Chief of Staff.

And now, at this moment, he had returned simultaneously holding the role of Chief of Staff of the 1st Legion.

Back to their sides. Back to the Empire’s 1st Legion. Finally, that strategist had appeared once more.

“I believe you all remember the moments when we fought against Benito’s army in the Southern campaign.”

The soldiers. The commanders. The staff, and even the Legion Commander.

All of them vividly recalled that moment and nodded vigorously.

The greatest glory of the 6th Legion. The battle where they literally crushed their enemies.

That one victory had led the Southern campaign and the war to the Empire’s triumph.

Upon their return, the cheers and admiration of the Empire’s people had poured down upon them.

“That victory. That moment. I will hand it back to you.”

“Ah…!”

“If you do not believe in your victory, then believe in me. Trust in me, who has never known defeat even once! This genius strategist! Follow me, more resolutely than anything else in this world!”

And just like that, as it had been in the South, he would bring the most glorious and radiant victory that no one could deny!

The moment Kael finished his last words, roars erupted from the soldiers.

“Waaaah!!”

“Uwaaaaah!!!”

Yes. We can do it. We can win. That man, that strategist will definitely make it happen.

Just as it was in the Southern campaign. Just as it was in the Eastern campaign.

This time, he would surely bring them yet another victory!!

“Get up! O 6th Legion!!”

“Uwaaaah!!”

“Uwaaaaah!!!”

With the very taste of defeat seemingly swallowed up, the Southern 6th Legion shook off their despair and arose.

And that fervor equally spread to the Southern 13th Legion camped nearby.

“Bring us victory once more! Glory to the Empire!”

If the Empire had consistently achieved victories, such a response would have been difficult.

However, having just suffered a big defeat, it served as kindling and fuel for their fire.

As Kael’s flames fell upon them, it transformed into a great inferno in an instant.

After visiting the two Southern legions, Kael headed straight towards the Eastern Legion.

There too, he displayed the same resolve he had shown to the Southern legions.

“Remember your proudest and most glorious moments! And recall who was there with you! Now that you’ve remembered that moment, step forth towards victory! I will be behind you, shattering the enemy’s momentum alongside you!!”

“Waaaah!!!”

Humans are creatures that long for the moments when they shone the brightest.

From even the most trying times, they can draw strength to move forward.

Kael handed that memory to the soldiers trapped in a pit of defeat.

And he whispered. To rise up from that quagmire and join him.

Just as he had shown them before, he would do so again.

For yet another glory. To reclaim that victory once again.

The Eastern 7th Legion, the 12th Legion. And the Southern 6th and 13th Legions.

Their fervor was rekindled in an instant. Rather, it burned even more brightly than before.

With the strategist who had been with them at every moment of victory right beside them, what was there to fear?

“Now, to the next.”

Kael turned his attention towards the area held by the Western Legion.

The Western Legion was in a different circumstance than the previous two legions.

They had suffered the gravest defeat and had lost two entire legions.

The remaining legions had also suffered greatly, making it hard to rise again.

Moreover, they couldn’t revive pride and victory as easily as the Eastern or Southern legions could.

They had no direct experiences to warm their hearts with his reputation.

It was only natural that they couldn’t regain their belief without any connection.

So, how was he to incite them? How would they once again grasp their weapons?

“Remember the 9th Legion! Do not forget the 14th Legion! For your sake, they willingly remained within the siege. Those heroes who battled against the wicked Dedorant until their last moments! You are here today because those heroes have left behind their legacy!”

Instead of glory, revenge. Instead of victory, it was also about revenge. Revenge. Revenge. Revenge.

The most primal and most intense word. That was what Kael chose.

“Remember! You are the only ones who can remember those heroes! Do not forget! You are the only ones who have the right to seek revenge for those heroes!”

“Moreover, reflecting on defeat, apologizing to the dead, and writing letters of remorse to their families! All of that must only happen after you’ve attained your revenge!”

“Revenge! And reclaim! With your own hands, for yourselves and for the glory of the heroes who have fallen!”

The strategist who had toppled the three Eastern kingdoms and crushed Benito shouted this.

In such a young age, he had already achieved countless feats and become a promising talent for the Empire.

In that scene, the remaining soldiers of the Western Legion ignited the flame of possibility within them.

No. Setting everything else aside, that singular word—revenge—was simply too powerful.

That man said he would help. To repay this defeat, this humiliation.

Yes. They would seek revenge. They would repay the debt to those damned foes!

“Make sure they are aware that they are mistaken if they think they have won! The war is only just beginning!”

As the strategist said, the war had only just begun.

*

“Whew.”

The Southern Legion. The Eastern Legion. And now even the Western Legion.

Now, all that was left was to raise the morale of the Northern Legion.

As he made his way towards the Northern Legion, he reflected on his words and actions from earlier.

So far, so good. Everyone had responded properly.

He had been worried about whether anyone would question, ‘What are you going to do about it?’

But everyone had that earnest hope for victory, so such a thing hadn’t happened.

“What I can do right now is just this.”

Meanwhile, the rear was being handled by the Ministry of War and the restructured staff.

Redistributing the three legions that had just arrived, positioning the reserves that had gathered due to the mobilization order.

Refilling the supplies lost and securing the necessary amount for future needs.

Currently, the staff essentially worked as my support.

Whenever I conveyed my opinions, they would respond with “Yes!” and handle everything smoothly.

Thanks to that, the pressure had increased somewhat, but there were positives too.

“Now then, next.”

Was this the end? No way, that can’t be it. This isn’t even close to enough.

Although they had lifted their spirits somewhat, something more stimulating was required.

And I had already set up arrangements for it prior.

“Chief of Staff.”

“Did you arrive?”

“Yes. I have a letter from Charlua Estania.”

Once I became the Imperial Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff of the 1st Legion, the very first thing I did was request something from the Emperor.

Charlua wanted to move alongside the reinforcements from Nobogord and asked for permission.

In response, the Emperor effortlessly granted the go-ahead, saying it was up to my authority as Chief of Staff.

Thanks to that, I could attach a reliable strategist to the side of Kaya, alongside the reinforcements from Nobogord.

“[ As you informed me ahead of time two days ago, I arrived near the northern border of Atria. ]

[ After a day of rest, I will immediately begin actions. ]

[ I’m excited. Our demon tribe warriors get fired up whenever Atria is mentioned. ]”

The fundamentals of fighting: strike hard at weak spots!

 

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