[Alesio's PoV]
Two days had passed since we captured the City of Sarisa. The Reconnaissance Unit found no signs that the Imperial forces remaining in this region were making any moves to retake the city we had conquered.
Currently, I was inside a building being used as the command center for the Kingdom of Draconia's forces to discuss our next steps after the subjugation of Sarisa in the Cataluna Margraviate.
"Gentlemen, let us begin our meeting regarding the next phase to conquer this region as quickly as possible," said General Melisandru, opening the session. "The first stage of this offensive was executed successfully, though it is a pity we lost Lord Adrien—the leader of the First Infantry Unit."
Even though all our plans had been successful so far, for some reason, we lacked the confidence that we would truly win the war on this front.
"As you know, we failed to secure the food supplies in this city because the Imperial forces managed to destroy them first," the General said, appearing to be in a bit of a foul mood regarding the matter. "That means our remaining food supplies will only last for 10 days! Lord Alesio, what is the status of the logistics shipment from the Republic of Venetia?"
I had anticipated General Melisandru's question because, after the failure to seize Sarisa's food stores, the Kingdom of Draconia would naturally place their hopes on the logistics sent from my country.
"Do not worry, General. Seven days ago, a caravan convoy carrying a month's worth of logistics for the troops here departed from the City of Avelino. I expect them to arrive tomorrow or the day after," I replied to ease his concerns. "What we require is security to ensure that the caravan traverses this region safely."
"Very well, we will form patrol teams from the Stretto Pass to this city," the General said, granting my request. "Next, what steps must we take to conquer the Fortress City of Cataluna?"
Unlike the small town of Sarisa, the Fortress City of Cataluna possessed walls high enough to be difficult to breach. Even though we outnumbered them nearly four to one, we would surely suffer heavy casualties if we did not plan our next battle strategy carefully.
The meeting to discuss these matters lasted for several hours.
In the end, everyone agreed to leave 3,000 troops behind and take 35,000 soldiers to lay siege to the Fortress City of Cataluna.
The following day, the 35,000 main troops of the Kingdom of Draconia moved toward the Fortress City of Cataluna, located approximately 50 KM west of Sarisa.
The journey would take two days for an army of this size.
It was certain that the Imperial forces would be waiting for us there, as they had surely realized our presence after the attack on Sarisa a few days prior. This meant their side had undoubtedly devised strategies to repel our main force by any means necessary.
However, with the numbers we brought, they surely would not be able to withstand the onslaught of the Draconian army without reinforcements from the capital.
Sooner or later, we would seize this territory and further threaten the Empire's security. Their reinforcements would never arrive because our Intelligence Sub-Unit—the Instigators—had made plans to keep them occupied elsewhere.
After two days of travel, we finally spotted the walls of the Fortress City of Cataluna on the horizon. The Draconian main force then pitched their tents 2 KM away from the city to rest the troops who had traveled a considerable distance to reach this place.
However, we received unexpected news from the Reconnaissance Unit patrolling the surrounding area.
They reported that not a single Imperial soldier could be seen atop the walls of the fortress city.
General Melisandru then asked me to lead a team of 100 men to check the state of the Fortress City of Cataluna, to which I agreed.
Upon arriving directly in front of the city walls, I did not sense a single soul inside. We decided to climb using ropes fitted with grappling hooks.
Once atop the wall, the entire city appeared eerily silent, like a ghost town.
"What happened here...?"
We decided to search from building to building to ensure this wasn't a trap set by the Imperial forces. However, despite searching for several hours, we still failed to find a single person in the city.
"Where did all the Imperial troops in this city go!?"
***
[Raul's PoV]
Currently, I was walking toward the tent where Marquis Fran was located. I was with approximately 13,000 Imperial troops guarding this region, stationed in the northern border area between the Cataluna Margraviate and the Duchy of Grenaut.
When the Kingdom of Draconia's main force attacked the City of Sarisa, all the troops in the Fortress City of Cataluna evacuated and moved here to deceive the enemy.
This was the second stage of the plan I had given to Marquis Fran to defeat the 40,000 Draconian troops invading this territory.
Upon arriving at Marquis Fran's tent, the guards allowed me inside because the Marquis himself had summoned me for a briefing regarding the developments on this front.
"Raul, you've arrived," said Marquis Fran, who was sitting at his desk where a map was spread out. "Sit. Let us discuss our current condition and your plan to conduct operations within the Republic of Venetia."
"Understood, Marquis." I sat in the chair across from his desk.
"First, our Reconnaissance Unit has reported that 30,000 Draconian troops are currently occupying the Fortress City of Cataluna, making it their base of operations in this region," Marquis Fran revealed to me. "It is actually quite frustrating to let our enemies occupy my city so comfortably."
I felt I understood how Marquis Fran felt. Especially since not long ago, half of his city had been destroyed by an attack from demons and monsters just a few months prior.
"Additionally, they have stationed around 8,000 troops to guard the City of Sarisa as a logistics hub," he added while pointing to the Sarisa icon on the map, east of Cataluna. "The Reconnaissance Unit also reported seeing a caravan convoy carrying enough logistics for one month entering the region."
One month, huh? It seemed they really wouldn't be able to send that much logistics in just a single shipment.
"I have followed the directives of the plan you drafted to burn all the fields and plantations and relocate the livestock in this region so they cannot be used by the enemy as food supplies," Marquis Fran said, looking a bit sullen. "Thanks to this, many of my citizens are protesting and demanding compensation after this war ends."
"Rest easy, Marquis Fran. Won't all war-related damages be covered by the central government?" I said, trying to calm him.
"Even so, seeing their own hometown destroyed like this makes their hearts incredibly heavy, especially after experiencing a similar disaster recently." Marquis Fran sighed in resignation. It seemed this war was taking a toll on his mental health. "We shall discuss that another time. For now, we must think of a way to crush the enemy forces that dared to enter my territory!"
Apparently, being a Noble in charge of a large territory was quite troublesome. Would I one day inherit the Duchy of Toledo from Duke Alvaro and rule there?
"First, we know that at the very least, the Draconian forces in this region only have a food supply for one month," I told the Marquis, who nodded in agreement. "However, they can still send logistics through the route they used to enter this region to keep their troops fed for as long as possible while they conduct their invasion of our Empire."
Marquis Fran touched his chin while looking at the map upon hearing my words. "According to the Reconnaissance reports, the Draconian forces are conducting many patrols around the roads the caravans pass, making it difficult for our troops to attack their logistics supply."
"That is why I previously proposed that the unit I lead conduct offensive operations inside the Republic of Venetia to prevent their logistics from entering our territory, effectively starving the nearly 40,000 Draconian troops in this region to death," I said to Marquis Fran.
Marquis Fran then looked at me seriously. "Will only 200 additional troops be enough to carry out this plan? If I'm not mistaken, there are also about 200 people guarding the caravans. If your plan succeeds, they might increase that number three or fourfold to ensure food reaches our enemies here."
I looked back into the Marquis's eyes with equal seriousness and said, "I have a spy in the Republic of Venetia's Logistics Department who will provide me with enough information to defeat their escort forces. At the very least, it is better than having to face the thousands of troops currently in this region, is it not?"
Seeing my firm resolve, Marquis Fran nodded and stamped a document before handing it to me. "This is the official letter appointing you as the leader of the operations in the Republic of Venetia. Show this letter to other units if you require anything from them."
I nodded, took the letter, and tucked it into my pocket.
"One more question before you go, Raul," Marquis Fran said, now sitting more relaxed. "What should we do if the Draconian forces decide to push deeper into the Duchy of Grenaut to search for food?"
Hearing the Marquis's question, I smiled at him. "If that happens, it will be even easier for us. You and the troops here will become flies that constantly harass them while they search for food."
After finishing the strategy discussion with Marquis Fran, I began recruiting several Priests, mages, and soldiers as needed for the operation within the Republic of Venetia.
Once finished, I gathered them for a briefing regarding the mission they were about to undertake.
"My name is Raul de Garcia! I have been appointed by Marquis Fran to lead the Special Operations you will be executing!" I shouted in front of the 200 troops I would lead. "We will cross the Montana Mountains and enter the territory of the Republic of Venetia to attack the caravan convoys carrying logistics for the Draconian forces currently invading this region!"
Hearing my words, everyone began whispering to one another.
"Do you have any questions?" I asked them.
A brown-haired man then raised his hand. It was Joshua—one of the members of the Disciplinary Committee I led at the academy.
"Captain, you said we would pass through the Montana Mountains! Won't it be difficult to cross those mountains with this many people!?" Joshua asked.
"Do not worry, I know of a safe path that will allow us to cross those mountains and emerge in enemy territory with ease," I answered him.
Exactly. It was time to collect on my previous agreement with the Dwarves. I would use the labyrinth they possessed to take my 200 troops through the Montana Mountains without being detected by the enemy.