Chapter 65 – Advancing into the Clostova Territory

Resting at Katzbarie has ended, and we finally begin the campaign to conquer Clostova Territory. The force being moved for the invasion is 30,000 troops.

The Utt Tribe had been sent ahead to scout and Shamia had compiled the gathered information.

“Facing us is an army of approximately 100,000… They’ve managed to gather quite a number in a short time.”

“But it seems Godrick was quite desperate too, forcing conscription on the lords under his protection. It’s unconfirmed, but it seems he took the lords’ wives and children hostage, forcing them to fight against you, Vilgard-sama.”

“Haha! Oh king, a rabble of 100,000 is no match for us!”

“No, numbers alone are a strength. We can’t afford to be complacent.”

There are various opinions but it is certainly a force to be wary of.

However, the flow of events in this land is now completely under my control. Furthermore, we hold the initiative as the attackers this time. If we strike effectively, the enemy army will collapse quickly.

‘But conversely, if we don’t strike effectively, there’s a possibility of a prolonged battle…’

If we can deliver a decisive blow, the enemy will collapse swiftly. However, if the 100,000 remain solid, we need to think carefully about when and how to create the opportunity for that decisive blow.

Even if we reduce their forces by 5,000 in one battle, they won’t cease their resistance.

‘That said, it’s hard to see how we’ll fight until we actually proceed with the invasion…’

I have a rough plan in mind but the enemy will adjust their tactics according to the situation. We’ll have to consider our approach while continuing to attack as usual to some extent.

I continue speaking while moving the pieces on the map.

“We start as usual. First, we’ll form six armies of 5,000 each, and while advancing, subjugate the local villages and lords.”

I appoint the commanders for the five armies. I will personally lead one of them. The Dorga Tribe will once again be running all day but the six armies will be able to coordinate with each other during the invasion.

Additionally, each army will have guides familiar with this land, like Theodolf, to lead them.

“The issue this time is here.”

“The Tereshim River, correct?”

“Yes. Theodolf, are the bridges as shown on this map?”

“Yes. But none of them are suitable for passing a large army.”

That’s right. While the bridges are located at key points, they are not suitable for a large army to cross.

The enemy will undoubtedly be aware of this. If they position their forces on the opposite bank, it will become a troublesome situation.

“Did the lords on the eastern side of the river take time to send their troops to the Clostova capital?”

“I’m not sure. However, there are several shallow spots in the Tereshim River. While the river is wide, they may have crossed through those areas.”

There are several ways to get an army across a river. Crossing at shallow spots is one such method. Theodolf points to some of the shallow areas in the river.

“…We’ll advance with the six armies up to the Tereshim River for now. Beyond that, it will depend on the enemy’s deployment.”

“We’ll move the six armies from north to south. There might be a point where the enemy isn’t deployed on the opposite bank, allowing us to cross.”

“Indeed.”

The infantry and the cavalry horses are equipped with leather bags filled with food and medicine, which can be used as flotation devices to cross the river.

The problem, after all, is the time it takes to cross the river. However, I have a general strategy in mind.

‘No matter how large their army is, it will be difficult for them to deploy evenly across all crossing points. By dividing into six groups, there should be a point where their vigilance is weak.’

If even one of the six armies can cross the river, the rest is simple. We will coordinate with the army that successfully crossed and launch a pincer attack on the enemy forces positioned on the opposite bank.

By repeating this, we will be able to weaken the enemy forces, and eventually, all our troops will be able to cross the river. Then, the battle near the capital will commence, with the enemy having learned to fear our strength.

Considering the possibility of a siege, we have prepared siege weapons for this campaign. Transporting them is a challenge, so the Para and Kyamura tribes will bring them later.

“Alright…! Begin the advance!”

“Oooooh!!”

■

The six armies dispersed from north to south, advancing straight westward.

From here to the Clostova  capital, they subdued several minor lords and occupied towns and villages. However, there was hardly any resistance. In fact, the lords themselves were absent.

Moreover, in the occupied towns and villages, almost all men except the elderly were gone. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that nearly all had been conscripted. With so many men suddenly taken away, those left behind must be struggling.

The commoners knew their lords were defying the royal family and most of them pleaded for mercy.

‘Hmm… This is a bit different from what I expected…’

Those who showed submission were not punished. Reducing the populace unnecessarily in a civil war has a precarious balance of pros and cons.

Harsh measures create unnecessary fear, which can make people stubborn. Additionally, it lowers the land’s productivity.

If replacing the leadership makes them compliant, that’s the best outcome.

The response of these lords was a bit unexpected. Not only in the territories along my route but everywhere, the lords had left their lands with their troops.

They are likely heading to Clostova, but I didn’t expect them to abandon their lands without a fight.

‘If that’s the case, they could simply surrender when we arrive, even if their families are held hostage. One would think they would hesitate to abandon their lands.’

Since they all took the same action, it must have been Godrick who gave those orders.

Is Godrick’s power more cohesive than I thought or are they terrified of retaliation, including threats to their families?

They might fear Godric more than me, someone they’ve never met before, especially after years of association with him…

However, this reveals more about Godric’s character, and a new event has come to confirm it.

“Vilgard-sama, what are your orders?”

“Hmm… what?”

Upon reaching the Tereshim River, we found that no enemy forces were positioned on the opposite bank.

This wasn’t just the case for my army, the other armies reported the same. This means Godrick intends to let our forces advance into his territory.

‘The plan has changed but this might have become more troublesome.’

Godric likely believes that due to his past actions and my behaviour, I hold a deep grudge against him.

He probably thinks my anger stems from the insult to my wife and that I am driven by personal vengeance.

While I do feel resentment, I’ve been using this situation to officially brand Godrick as a rebel. Prioritising the bigger picture and justifying our march took precedence over personal feelings.

However, the one who provoked me is now afraid of my anger and has conducted a large-scale conscription to protect himself. Instead of dispersing his forces to prevent our crossing, he has consolidated them into a single strong defensive position.

‘This gives us more control over the battle… but it also means the enemy remains unscathed.’

Naturally, I will have all our troops cross the river immediately. But my original plan was to weaken the enemy forces at the Tereshim River.

The enemy still has strength. I begin to recall the terrain from here to the capital.

‘From here to the capital, it’s mostly a single road. But before the capital lies a vast plain, where the lack of obstacles gives a large army an advantage…‘)‘

To defeat a large force with a smaller one, we need to use formations, strategies, and the terrain. Fighting honestly on the plains is difficult.

‘No…The fact that we could cross the river was unexpected. Godrick might have another setup that surpasses our expectations. We should gradually gather the six armies and advance cautiously…’

As we occupied towns and villages on our way to the capital, seven days passed. Finally, before us appeared the Clostova capital, along with a perfectly deployed massive army.