[Elena PoV]
Twenty days after our country's declaration of war against the Republic of Venetia, neither side has launched an attack yet. Currently, I am on the outskirts of the City of Brabant—the capital of the Hernant Duchy—the region serving as the central logistical hub for this war.
Thousands of tents are visible, pitched across this vast field.
"One, two! One, two!"
"One, two! One, two!"
Several Spearman units can be seen conducting routine drills. They are practicing basic thrusting and defensive techniques. These units are highly effective against enemy Cavalry to prevent them from striking the flanks of the troop formation. Additionally, the infantry units are practicing maneuvers to change formations using trumpet calls and various flags.
I finally arrived at the main tent to attend the briefing regarding the offensive plan, as the full force will be gathered here within a few days. After showing my badge as the Leader of the First Cavalry Squadron, the two soldiers guarding the entrance allowed me to enter.
Inside this large tent, the seating was arranged in a U-shape. On the right side were the Caballeron—the title for the leaders of the Caballero units. The left side was occupied by the leaders of the Cavalry Squadrons, and the center was taken by the leaders of the mage units. I took my seat among the Squadron leaders while waiting for the briefing to begin.
"Princess Elena. Is this your first time attending an offensive operations briefing?"
The man beside me asking was Pizzaro de Gaulle—son of Duke Carlos de Gaulle—a nobleman who supports Brother Terantio. His faction is mostly backed by nobles who wield great influence within the Imperial Military.
"You are correct, Lord Pizzaro," I answered him. "I hope we can pierce the Republic of Venetia's first line of defense with ease this time."
"We hope so; we must capitalize on this situation before reinforcements from the Greco Republic arrive to aid our enemies," Pizzaro remarked. He is the leader of the Second Cavalry Squadron.
Our conversation ceased as we saw General Salazar—the Marshal commanding the entire force—enter the tent with several aides. He then took his seat at the front of everyone.
"Everyone, let us begin the briefing regarding our assault on the Republic of Venetia's first defensive line," General Salazar stated. "Nepos, please bring the map of the area surrounding the City of Tusculum."
"Yes, Marshal."
The aide then brought a board with a map attached to it before everyone. Marshal Salazar stood, holding a baton in his hand.
"This is the western region of the Republic of Venetia—Tusculum," Marshal Salazar said.
I could clearly see the cities and villages located in that western region of the Republic of Venetia.
"Their first line of defense is the Fortress City of Regium," Marshal Salazar explained. "We will bring 100,000 troops to attack this fortress city, which is estimated to be held by approximately 15,000 Venetian troops."
15,000 troops is a significant number to garrison a Fortress City. It seems the Republic of Venetia has conducted a massive conscription for this war.
"After capturing the Fortress City of Regium, we have three routes to reach the City of Tusculum—the primary target of our operation," Marshal Salazar clarified. "Seven Caballero units will advance toward the City of Tusculum to engage the main Venetian force, while the remaining three Caballero units will seize the Village of Ebro. On the other hand, a Reserve unit of 20,000 troops will guard our rearguard at the captured Fortress City of Regium."
After Marshal Salazar said this, Marquis Vardis de Nerona—leader of the Second Caballero Unit—suddenly raised his hand.
"Marshal, what of the Greco Republic forces coming from the Vetucini Route?" the Marquis asked. "If we fail to seize the Village of Ebro before the troops from the Greco Republic arrive, then this offensive will fail."
"That is why the Commander leading the force to attack Ebro must conquer it as quickly as possible," Marshal Salazar replied. "I believe three Caballero units with a total of nearly 30,000 troops can conquer a village likely guarded by only 2,000 to 3,000 troops."
So, while 30,000 troops from three units hold off the incoming Greco Republic forces, the seven other units will engage the 50,000 main Venetian troops not far from the City of Tusculum?
"Marshal, what if the Republic of Venetia does not face us directly in the open and instead hides to wait and fight us in urban areas with better defenses?" I asked after raising my hand.
"If that occurs, our main force will be divided again. 30,000 troops will assist our forces at Ebro against the newly arrived Greco Republic troops, while the remaining 40,000 will serve as our rear if the main Venetian force ever emerges from Tusculum," Marshal Salazar answered. "Are there any further questions?"
"Marshal, is there any information regarding the whereabouts of the Draconian forces?"
The one asking was Marquis Diego de La Hoya—leader of the First Caballero Unit.
"Their forces should arrive in this region a month after we capture the Fortress City of Regium," Marshal Salazar replied. "To that end, we must seize all defensive lines in this region so their forces cannot assemble easily."
If the forces of the three-way alliance gather, their numbers will exceed the total troops we have brought to this region. If that happens, we will inevitably have to retreat and wait for reinforcements. That would mean the operation we launched to quickly seize the City of Tusculum has failed.
"Listen, there will be no such thing as a perfectly flawless plan in this war," Marshal Salazar declared. "If conditions on the ground do not match our expectations, everyone must adapt quickly to resolve unforeseen problems. Is that understood?"
Though Marshal Salazar said that, for some reason, I remembered a black-haired man who had successfully executed his plan flawlessly against hundreds of academy students all by himself.
"We understand, Marshal!"
"We understand, Marshal!"
After explaining the war strategy, Marshal Salazar ordered the Reconnaissance Units to sweep the surrounding area and routinely monitor any suspicious Venetian troop movements.
"Starting tomorrow, we will move and begin the siege of the Fortress City of Regium. Let us give our best in this offensive for the Glory of the Aragon Empire," Marshal Salazar said, looking at us all. He then clenched his right hand and placed it over his left chest. "Glory.... To The Empire!"
"GLORY TO THE EMPIRE!"
"GLORY TO THE EMPIRE."
Everyone stood and mirrored Marshal Salazar's gesture, including myself. Starting tomorrow, the war between us and the Venetian Alliance will truly begin.
***
[Ezio PoV]
This is my first war. Previously, my seniors and I only hunted bandit groups as a routine task to secure trade routes in this region. Currently, I am at the training field with my comrades in the Cavaliero Squad.
This group, created by Major Siena, consists of special soldiers trained to rival the abilities of the stronger knights of other nations with the help of magic. It has been two years since this group was formed, and now its numbers have grown to 50 people.
"All of you, come forward."
Nine other members and I were facing Captain Siena, who trains all the members daily to become accustomed to fighting knights. Gripping my sword tightly with both hands, I ran swiftly toward Captain Siena and immediately launched a diagonal strike. However, my sword only cut the air. Suddenly, Captain Siena vanished from my sight in an instant.
— Bam!
My body was sent flying until I rolled across the ground, an agonizing pain radiating from my left ribs.
"Ugghhh... It seems the Captain kicked me hard."
Looking forward, I saw the Captain's hands and feet emitting orange particles of light—a sign she was using magic to evade the Squad members' attacks.
"Magic users truly are cheaters."
What Captain Siena used were the spells Accel and Acceleration, which can make one's movements two to three times more agile and faster. Standing up, I dashed toward the Captain again, intending to attack from behind. However, she noticed my presence and turned around.
"Take this!"
I attempted a thrusting attack. However, the Captain evaded my strike again. But she didn't stop there; this time, she grabbed my hand and threw me until I crashed into another member running toward her.
— Crash!
Our bodies collided with one another.
"Awww, are you alright, Tina?" I asked the woman I had crashed into.
"I'm fine, Ezio," replied the woman with the twin-tail hairstyle.
She is Valentina Calguera—the younger sister of Vice Captain Valentino. She is one of the members who joined this Squad at the same time as I did. Both of us are currently 18 years old.
"Captain Siena! Why must you use magic?" protested one member.
"Exactly! Even without using magic, we already find it difficult to fight you! We won't stand a chance if you use magic too!" exclaimed another.
Captain Siena then stopped moving and deactivated her magic upon hearing the protests from most of the new members.
"You must get used to fighting a knight who uses magic," Captain Siena said, looking at them with her unique orange eyes. "You must know how the speed changes and the intervals between the spells they use."
Hearing this, all the new members fell silent. It seemed they were only just realizing how difficult training in this Squad truly was. We must work extra hard if we want to rival those magic users.
"Everyone, listen to me," Captain Siena said, looking at us seriously.
Everyone paid attention again, curious to hear what she would say next.
"I know this world is unfair because we were not given magical abilities like other races," the Captain said with a firm voice. "But is all we can do just complain and mourn the misfortune our people face? Wait for someone to help us rise from this slump?"
The others and I clenched our fists hearing the questions posed by Captain Siena.
"No, we must rise and stand on our own. No one will help you when the world is unfair to you!" Captain Siena exclaimed.
For some reason, hearing her words made my body feel hot, and I clenched my fists even tighter.
"Long ago, before the formation of this nation, our people were always under the shadow of other races and were often trivialized by them."
That is true; I often heard in history lessons that our people back then were often belittled and discriminated against, little better than slaves.
"But our predecessors did not want our people to continue suffering, and they finally formed this nation as a symbol of resistance against a world destiny that was unfair to the Venetian People!"
Captain Siena's words were like a needle piercing our hearts, as we had been so quick to complain when facing heavy obstacles.
"To that end, I want you to instill an iron will like our predecessors and never surrender in the face of any obstacles before you, understood?" Captain Siena asked.
"We understand, Captain!"
"We understand, Captain!"
Everyone answered Captain Siena's words loudly.
"Good, we will end our training here for now," said the Captain, who smiled at us new members. This was the first time I had seen Captain Siena smile like this. "I hope you will continue to fight without complaining again after this."
After training ended, all members returned to the barracks to change their dirty clothes and clean themselves. On the other hand, I went directly to Captain Siena to ask about my shortcomings during the earlier practice.
"Ezio, I think your speed and reactions are currently sufficient to fight an ordinary Knight," the Captain said, answering my previous question. "However, the way you use them in combat still looks stiff; try sparring more often with members more senior than you in this Squad."
"Thank you for the advice, Captain," I said to her while bowing my head.
However, I noticed Captain Siena was not looking at me and had shifted her gaze elsewhere. Following the direction of the Captain's gaze, I saw an armored man with dark blue hair approaching us. It was Vice Captain Valentino.
"Captain, we have news from the Fortress City of Regium regarding the Imperial troop movements," the Vice Captain told Captain Siena. "They say the Imperial forces were spotted 100 km south of the city and are estimated to arrive at the city in three days."
"I understand," Captain Siena replied. "Valen, immediately prepare all Squad members. We will depart in two hours."
The time has arrived. I can finally put into practice what I have learned to fight real magic knights in this war.