[??? PoV]
I have been in the Venetian Republic's Intelligence Unit for five years now, and this is the first large-scale conflict in my career as a spy for my country.
Within the Intelligence Unit, there are sub-units that play different roles in intelligence activities: the Instigators, Saboteurs, and Scouters.
The Instigator is an intelligence sub-unit tasked with drafting plots to destroy security stability in target operation areas or inciting other parties to betray their own groups.
The Saboteur is an intelligence sub-unit assigned to dangerous field duties such as infiltration, assassination, and other field operations. All members of this sub-unit must be equipped with high martial arts skills to complete their missions successfully.
The last is the Scouter, the intelligence sub-unit I am in. This sub-unit is tasked with monitoring locations and operation targets to gather intelligence information.
Last year, I was placed in the Intelligence Unit for the Aragon Empire region. Our first operation at that time—to steal the armor of the Empire's Legendary Hero—was a total failure, and many of us were captured by the Imperial security forces.
After that incident, the central government sent Lady Siena to replace Captain Niccolo as the leader of the Intelligence Unit operating in the Empire's territory.
Despite her youth—she is currently 21 years old—Lady Siena is often trusted with leading important units like this. She is the future of the Venetian Nation. I am sure that when she takes full leadership of this country someday, our nation will surely be more respected and feared on this continent, even though the Venetian Nation is famous as a Nation of Non-Sorcerers.
Currently, I am heading to the Luceria Fortress City region. There, the main forces of the Draconia Kingdom are waiting for the arrival of myself and the man who is with me.
His name is Adrien Ionescu—one of the aides to General Melisandru, who leads the Main Forces of the Draconia Kingdom.
After Adrien heard the details of the plan from Lady Siena, I was assigned to go back with him toward Luceria Fortress City.
The two of us then sailed for four days toward Avelino City, located in the eastern region of the Gulf of Cosentia. After arriving there, we rode horses past Ostia Village and the Apulia River for two days before reaching our destination.
It could be seen that on the outside of the southern wall, the main forces of the Draconia Kingdom had set up their tents. It seemed they were ready to attack the Empire's territory and were only waiting for the details of the plan to be delivered by Adrien.
"Let's hurry," Adrien said.
I nodded, and we both then rode our horses closer to the tents of the Draconia Kingdom's main forces.
Upon arrival, Adrien and I went straight to where General Melisandru was. He was holding a meeting in a large tent with several other high-ranking military officials of the Draconia Kingdom.
"Is the meeting still ongoing?" Adrien asked the soldier guarding the tent.
"That is correct, Mr. Adrien. I was given a message by General Melisandru to let you in if you have arrived here," said the guarding soldier as he opened the tent.
"Very well. Mr. Alesio, please come with me," said Mr. Adrien as he entered the tent.
I followed him from behind. Inside the tent, an aide was seen explaining a map attached to a board.
"Ah, Adrien. You've returned, I see," said a man with a large body and a thick mustache as he stood up and approached the two of us. "Sorry you can't rest immediately after making a long journey; we have to make a plan as quickly as possible, and time is of the essence in this attack, is it not?"
Previously, our side only informed the Draconia Kingdom that the attack on the Empire's territory would begin in this region, and speed was the key to the success of the operation we would soon carry out.
"It's no problem, General Melisandru. I have obtained the strategic details drafted by the Venetian Republic for our Main Forces in this war," Adrien said, pulling out a piece of paper. "Also, I came here with Alesio Cappuccino—one of the spy agents from the Venetian Republic who will give us information regarding the route we will take to penetrate the Montana Mountains."
The General then turned his gaze and extended his hand to me. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Alesio. Let's work together to destroy the enemies of our country."
I shook his hand and then replied to the General's words. "It is an honor to meet you as well, General. I will try to provide the information you need regarding the conditions of the Cataluna Margraviate and the Montana Mountains."
"Very good, very good! In that case, both of you come forward in front of everyone and tell us what the Venetian Republic's strategy for our main forces is," the General said.
"Yes, General," Adrien said as he walked forward.
I followed him from behind and looked at all the Draconia Kingdom military officials present here.
"Gentlemen present here, I will explain the details of our strategy to attack the Eastern region of the Aragon Empire," Adrien began to speak. "But before that, I will inform you all of the condition of the war on the Western Front."
Adrien then explained the first battle between the Empire's main forces and the Venetian Republic in the Regium Fortress City, which was won by the Empire because their numbers were far greater.
The remnants of the forces defending the Regium Fortress City then retreated and abandoned the city, making the Empire gain an important point on the Western Front.
"Even though the Venetian Republic forces suffered a defeat in that battle, the result is still within their calculations," Adrien explained to everyone. "The Venetian Republic will soon carry out an offensive operation that will enable them to surround the Empire's main forces from three directions. However, the Empire will surely send emergency reinforcement troops to the Tusculum Front if this happens. Therefore, we must open a new front in the eastern region so that the Empire's reinforcements are more focused on being deployed to the eastern region that we attack."
Everyone nodded hearing the war report from Adrien.
The total troops brought by the Draconia Kingdom amounted to 40,000 men. According to the data we collected during intelligence operations in the Empire, the Cataluna Margraviate can only gather 15,000 soldiers at most, which is still very few compared to the main forces of the Draconia Kingdom.
We hoped that the Draconia Kingdom's main forces could penetrate the Empire's territory and take control of the Duchy of Grenaut region so that the pressure faced on the Tusculum Front would be reduced.
"Therefore, we must be able to execute this strategy successfully," Adrien said as he then pinned a map onto the board beside him. "This is the map around the Montana Mountains which will be our battlefield."
A map was seen showing our country's territory and the Aragon Empire separated by the Montana Mountains and the Mazovia Forest. This mountain range is a natural border separating three countries at once.
"In this strategy, our troops will pass through the Montana Mountains."
The moment Adrien said that, suddenly all the military officials from the Draconia Kingdom showed expressions full of questions. One of them stood up and looked at Adrien seriously.
"Mr. Adrien, why does the Venetian Republic want our main forces to pass through the mountains? Even if we can pass through them, the number of our remaining troops by the time we arrive at the Cataluna Margraviate will be reduced by half because of the difficult terrain and the cold air temperature there at night!"
The protest he voiced was quite reasonable. If a force numbering 40,000 people climbed to pass through a mountain range, it was certain that many casualties would fall by the time they arrived on the other side.
"For that matter, Agent Alesio Cappuccino from the Venetian Republic will explain how we can pass through the mountains without needing to suffer many casualties," said Adrien, who then looked at me, signaling for me to explain it to these military officials.
After hearing Adrien's words, they then turned their attention to me.
I then cleared my throat to get rid of my nervousness because I was going to speak in front of elite people.
"The Main Forces of the Draconia Kingdom will pass through a path named Stretto, which has a length of nearly 50 km." I began to explain regarding the path our unit found while doing mapping. "This path has a width of about 50–100 meters and the terrain is not too steep. According to our team's calculations, a force this large will arrive on the side of the Empire's territory within three to four days. The only obstacle that will hinder your movement is a stone wall fifty meters high with a thickness of about 10 meters. However, I think your sorcerers can easily collapse it so that this path opens for your troops."
The Scouter team had analyzed this path thoroughly with Lady Siena. Besides that, we didn't even find a single Imperial patrol team guarding this path. It seemed the stone wall made them think that there was no way to penetrate their territory from our territory.
"Thank you for the explanation, Mr. Alesio," Mr. Adrien said, then taking back everyone's attention. "All troops will only carry seven days' worth of food supplies each, because our food needs will be obtained from the granaries of their citizens."
Because they will not predict this attack, most likely the Empire will not have time to secure the food granaries of their citizens. The Main Forces must secure them before the Imperial soldiers arrive and destroy them.
"It is estimated that the Empire's reinforcements coming to the Cataluna Margraviate will take two months after they realize our presence in that region," Adrien said, delivering the message from Lady Siena. "However, in that amount of time, we at least predict the main forces will have already controlled the Cataluna Margraviate region."
Adrien finished reading the piece of paper he held regarding the details of the strategy drafted by Lady Siena for the Draconia Kingdom's main forces.
Not long after, General Melisandru was seen standing up, seemingly about to ask something.
"Adrien, what will we do if the food supplies we get in the Imperial citizens' granaries are not enough for our troops to carry out military operations in that region?" the General asked.
"The Venetian Republic will send supplies from Avelino City and deliver them immediately under tight escort," Adrien replied.
"What if the response to send reinforcements from the Empire is faster than what has been estimated?" the General asked again.
"Regarding this, they told me that this kind of thing will not happen," Adrien replied back.
"Huh? Why? Does the Republic have another plan besides this attack?" the General asked again.
"Ughhh... She told me that this matter is highly classified because it is one of their maneuvers to win the war," Adrien said, looking troubled as he answered the General's question. "They don't want this plan to leak because many people know about it."
It was true; Lady Siena and the Instigator sub-unit had drafted a plan that would weaken the security stability of the Aragon Empire. However, I didn't know the details of the plan they prepared because I am an agent of a different sub-unit.
"Very well then, I will trust the words of the woman nicknamed 'The Miracle' for now," said the General as he sat back in his chair. "Are there any other questions you would like to ask regarding this strategy?" the General asked everyone.
However, everyone just remained silent while observing the map of the area around the Montana mountains attached to the board in front of them.
"If there are none, then mobilize the troops immediately and start this operation as soon as possible," the General ordered all the military officials here.
After hearing the General say that, all the military officials present here then exited the tent where the meeting was held.
Adrien and I were also directed to our respective tents to rest so our bodies would be in maximum condition when the operation begins later.
The next day, the main forces of the Draconia Kingdom began moving toward the Montana Mountains to carry out an attack operation on the Empire's Northeastern region—the Cataluna Margraviate.
We reached the entrance of the Stretto Path after two days of walking through Benevento Village and the Mazovia Forest.
The Montana Mountains could be seen towering high into the sky. At this close range, I couldn't even see the peaks of the mountains separating these three countries.
We camped first in front of the entrance to this path because it was already night.
Several reconnaissance teams had also been assigned to monitor the area around the Stretto path so that no enemy scouts were watching our movements.
The next day, the main forces of the Draconia Kingdom began entering the Stretto path just as the sun had risen. Rows of troops were seen stretching out like a snake, making a noisy sound from their footsteps hitting the ground simultaneously.
I hope the journey through these mountains will go smoothly.
***
[Raul PoV]
Night has arrived...
For several days, I took the Reconnaissance Unit I lead toward the Montana Mountains to check the movement of the enemy forces so I could know when they would arrive in the Cataluna Margraviate region.
This is the fifth day I have checked the path I predicted they would pass through, but signs of their presence have not been detected by me at all until now.
"Captain Raul!"
Hearing someone calling, I turned to the side and saw a woman carrying a bow running to where I was.
"What is it, Viera? Did you find something?" I asked her.
"It's better if the Captain comes with me and sees for yourself what I have found," Viera replied, then turned around and started running back.
I nodded, then followed her from behind.
After running for a few minutes, we then climbed some rocks to be able to see the surrounding area more widely. Upon arriving at the top, Viera then pointed her finger toward the east.
"I couldn't bring you closer because they likely have a reconnaissance team watching their camping site, Captain," Viera whispered into my ear.
Activating Eagle Eye and Night Vision magic, I could see several lights from fires in the distance. It seemed the enemy forces were really going to attack the Cataluna Margraviate region to open a new front, just as I had predicted.
"Sorry that a few days ago I didn't believe your words regarding the enemy passing through the mountains to attack us, Captain," Viera said, sounding regretful. "However, your words have now become a reality. We must warn everyone to prepare for their attack on our territory."
"If they know that their presence has been detected by us before their plan is halfway through, then there is a high possibility they will cancel this attack," I told her.
"Huh? Isn't it good if they don't attack our territory?" Viera asked in confusion.
"No Viera, we will let their forces enter our territory and make them feel that their plan has succeeded first before we destroy their entire force," I told her.
Information from the State Intelligence Agency said that the Draconia Kingdom deployed 40,000 troops in this war. Forty thousand people is not a small number to be fed every day in order to carry out military offensive operations in enemy territory.
"Let's hurry back to Cataluna Fortress City, Viera," I ordered her. "I will collect Marquis Fran's debt for having defeated his daughter—Emilia during the academy tournament so that he will execute the plan I have prepared beforehand to destroy this force."
By applying the Scorched Earth Strategy and the Fabian Strategy, I am sure we will be the ones to win the war on the Eastern Front.