Episode 100 War to Protect the Revolution – Archduke Leopold (1)
I quickly ran south with Gaston and joined the main force led by Desget.
As if they didn’t want to be fooled again, they had spread the Hussars widely, so the Chasseurs had to make a big turn and come down in a difficult way to avoid reading our troops’ movements, but they succeeded anyway.
As soon as I ordered the cavalry, who were exhausted from the forced march immediately after the battle, to rest, I immediately called a meeting without any time to relieve their fatigue.
“We attack Archduke Leopold’s army right away.”
While the commanders looked nervous at my words, Chief of Staff Werther opened his mouth.
“Archduke Leopold still has more troops than ours. “The battlefield is a plain, so I am somewhat concerned that it will be a full-on battle of power where no strategy will work.”
Our army is approximately 50,000 strong. Archduke Leopold gave 30,000 to Duke Gunhild and sent him to the East, but he still received 60,000.
We are certainly still inferior in terms of military strength…
“But this narrows the power gap as much as possible. “There will never be another opportunity like this.”
Although it was crushed and disintegrated, the Count Baden’s army was not completely destroyed. I’ll figure it out somehow as time goes by.
Damien will buy us some time, but it’s only 10,000 at best. No matter how hard Damien flies and crawls, he cannot hold on to Duke Gunhild’s 30,000 for long.
“We fell back to buy time to defeat the Count of Baden’s army, so if Duke Gunhild’s army joins Archduke Leopold’s troops and pushes a little further, the trade route with the Alps will be cut off.”
“In short, it is a race against time, Your Excellency.”
I nodded my head at Deje’s words.
“okay. The difference in power between 120,000 and 60,000 was narrowed down to this point with difficulty. “This is the moment we have the best chance of winning.”
“Please put me in the vanguard!”
The warlike Nicola Ney must have been bored while I was sitting here and there with Gaston Morel and the cavalry fighting guerrilla warfare, so his eyes lit up and he shouted loudly.
Still, in a situation like this where you have to go on the offensive when you are outnumbered, a friend like that is perfect.
“Okay, that’s the momentum. A difference of about 10,000 can be overturned. “Because we also have Her Majesty the Queen.”
“oh.”
Eris was a little embarrassed, but when everyone’s attention was focused on her, she cleared her throat and opened her mouth.
“Please leave it to me. “I will protect the revolutionary army.”
“I am confident, Your Majesty!”
“Just having the Holy Queen be with us will skyrocket the morale of the soldiers.”
Eris just smiled awkwardly at the commanders’ admiration.
I’m sorry to try to sell it like this, but I don’t want the atmosphere to be diluted when I’m trying to go on the offensive when I’m outnumbered.
“Now, the situation is much better than when we were fighting at an overwhelming disadvantage. “If we just defeat Archduke Leopold here, this war can end with our victory.”
Everyone swallowed dry saliva.
“If we only protect ourselves through trade with the Kingdom of the Alps, additional troops will continue to be recruited, and there is no way we can maintain morale if even their war heroes are defeated in a war that was fought under the unilateral cause of the Germanian Empire from the beginning.”
A victory against an empire with an overwhelming force that did not seem possible at first. Because I can see it right in front of me.
“We expect everyone to do their part. “I will do the same.”
* * *
Germania Imperial Army Headquarters.
The early morning dawns dimly.
Archduke Leopold, already fully dressed in military uniform, was looking at the operational map, relying on magical powers.
The Archduke has not yet received any messenger from the North.
However, it was already predicted that Count Baden’s army would have been defeated because the main unit was used as bait to waste time, and the unit that was thought to be a bait unit was in fact the main attack force.
So he immediately stopped the pursuit and gave Duke Gunhild an army of 30,000 men to hurriedly send him up.
But only two days later.
Late yesterday afternoon, approximately 10,000 cavalry units joined the enemy’s main force.
Archduke Leopold laughed.
The enemy forces that attacked the occupied territory were both the main attack disguised as a decoy unit and a decoy unit disguised as the main attack.
If the Archduke had known in advance that all the heavy cavalry had gone out and was empty, he would have attacked the enemy’s main force, which was running here and there, even if it meant sending in all of the cavalry, but because of the enemy’s Chasseurs, he could not properly determine the composition of the enemy’s main force.
Now it’s too late to find out.
Perhaps the Marquis de Lafayette will go on the offensive today.
Although the Archduke has the upper hand in terms of sheer number of troops, the soldiers’ morale is a mess, and he probably knows that this is the moment when the power gap is at its lowest.
They gave up the offensive toward the capital and headed south, but once again the imperial army cannot retreat after being defeated in the occupied territory.
The Archduke slowly lowered his eyes.
He was a general of the Germanian Empire, a powerful nation in the central continent, but he did not always fight in favorable circumstances.
In the war against King Charles II of the Kingdom of Krafte, the Archduke always fought on the defensive.
When confronting him, the Archduke had to fight while feeling helpless when fighting against a truly overwhelming genius.
Although he doesn’t want to admit it, the Archduke is now feeling pressure similar to that of the High King from someone he thought was merely a young and capable general of an enemy country.
“Excuse me, Your Highness. “The enemy is preparing an offensive.”
The Archduke slowly opened his eyes to the officer’s report that confirmed his predictions.
A military map and a stylish military cap are placed before his eyes.
The objects that were most familiar to him throughout his life.
And these are also items that were originally intended to be let go before this war broke out.
But he is still on the battlefield.
He still has obligations.
“…Your Highness the Archduke.”
An officer’s worried voice was heard.
The voices of his subordinates, who once believed that whatever the Archduke said would come true, are filled with fear and doubt.
I know that there is a rumor going around that even the hero of the Germanic Empire is now too old and is being swayed by the young Marquis de Lafayette.
But that kind of thing is probably okay.
Before he was praised as a hero of the Germanian Empire.
Before countless commanders looked up to him with respect.
There was a moment for him when, despite countless defeats, he did not give in and tried again.
I remember the Kaiser’s grace in trusting him until the end and entrusting him with the army when he was losing battle after battle to a mere elector.
The Archduke slowly lifted his hat, put it on, and opened his mouth.
“…Ready for battle. “Victory for the Kaiser.”
* * *
The sun, which had just entered summer, illuminated the battlefield with brilliant light.
Archduke Leopold looked at his troops defending themselves with poorly placed obstacles and barricades and the waves of blue uniforms approaching along the horizon.
Successive gunshots echo throughout the battlefield.
However, the cannonballs that flew into the enemy army were blocked by the golden barrier and fell straight down – hissing –
“Ugh!”
The cannonball flew into the imperial army’s position with a roar that cut through the wind and hit the unfortunate soldier who was screaming.
Archduke Leopold looked at the scene with blurry eyes, then raised his telescope and looked at the enemy’s lines.
Unlike the last battle where the Storm Witch was lost, this time the enemy’s position is also standard.
Artillery in the rear row, cavalry on both wings of the center line.
I’m not stupid enough to try to use a strategy that has already been used once, and the battlefield is a complete plain.
Looking at the situation alone, it looks like a fair battle of power, but in terms of troops, Archduke Leopold’s troops are larger…
Archduke Leopold examined both wings with a telescope.
Chasseurs who broke out of the camp and wandered around the Archduke’s troops at a distance with carbines in hand, and the Archduke’s cavalry hid in the middle of the camp to avoid those Chasseurs.
The Archduke’s army has a slight advantage in the number of guns, but when it looks like it is going to hit the enemy, it has no choice but to hit the enemy’s saintess and everything it fires, so it has to rely on the weak cover it has set up.
Normally, the initiative is taken by the offensive side, but this is too extreme.
“At this point, it’s a rotation, but it’s not a rotation. Those despicable Frangians….”
To Duke Henry’s lament, the Archduke laughed and jokingly responded.
“There are a lot of us in the army, so it’s fair.”
The Archduke turned his attention again to the approaching enemy infantry and realized that the uniforms of the infantry at the forefront were different from those of other revolutionary troops.
Unlike regular hats, the infantry had colorful hats made of fur, feathers attached to them, and even a golden band reminiscent of the Royal Guard.
“What is that unit? “I think it’s my first time seeing you.”
“hmm. This is my first time seeing you, Your Majesty the Archduke. “Looking at the uniforms, it seems like an elite unit that is a bit different from the regular soldiers, but considering that they were placed at the forefront from the very beginning of the battle, it doesn’t seem to be a very important unit.”
Duke Henry’s prediction was correct, as the battle of the line infantry ultimately required sacrifices, and the most elite units, such as the Royal Guard, were generally saved as much as possible and deployed as reserves.
However, when the two armies finally approached and the engagement began, it did not take long to realize that it was a huge mistake.
The German Empire Army officer on the front line shouted loudly as he saw the approaching enemy troops.
“Wait, wait!”
His men, entrusted to the poorly constructed barricades, were seen swallowing dry saliva while aiming their muskets.
Ultimately, the closer the line infantry fires, the more accurate it is.
It is not too late to fire even after the enemy has stopped advancing.
The revolutionary army, which had been approaching in an orderly manner, was finally seen stopping and raising their muskets in response to the officer’s shout.
While the Imperial Army officer was praying to God, gunfire erupted and bullets rained down.
“Oops!”
“Ahh-”
The poorly installed barricades did not save many soldiers.
Fortunately, the officer was safe and he raised his sword, thanking God.
“aiming-!”
Since the enemies shot, let’s fire here as well. Such is the gentlemanly fighting of the line infantry.
“launch-!”
However, the imperial army, which fired its muskets all at once, had to see a bluish magic barrier appear in front of the enemy soldiers, blocking the bullets.
That’s almost all of it.
Although a few failed, the imperial troops fell into shock and fear when they saw the enemy soldiers reloading while blocking the line infantry’s volley with magical power.
“Now, now, reload-”
Even the voice of the imperial officer giving instructions was shaking terribly, and there was no way that the line infantrymen, who had lost their senses halfway, would be able to reload quickly.
Unlike the fact that a single volley of fire would cause chaos in the battle line filled with holes, the revolutionary army, which maintained its formation almost intact, lifted the loaded musket again and- “
This is nonsense-”
Gunshots rang out one after another and before anyone could say anything. Even the imperial officer who couldn’t finish collapsed, spouting blood.
The first battle of the Revolutionary Guards, which would become synonymous with fear to Francia’s enemies, began.
* * *
Meanwhile.
Nancy, East Francia.
The Count of Baden tried his best to protect Nancy, but the imperial army, which had barely scraped together the remnants of the collapsed army from the beginning, was unable to stop Mirbeau’s revolutionary army, which had gained momentum with a major victory.
“The enemies are fleeing, His Excellency Count Mirbeau!”
“Waaah! “Nancy has been recaptured!”
Damien burst into laughter as he saw the Franzian flag waving again in Nancy.
“Hahaha, it’s just gum! It’s just gum!”
Duke Gunhild’s 30,000 are said to be coming, but it will take time.
According to the orders he received, Damien was wandering around the occupied areas of the imperial army in order to attract the attention of Duke Gunhild and to prevent the Count of Baden from rallying the remnants of the defeated soldiers and attacking him together with Duke Gunhild.
“As expected, His Excellency Count Mirbeau! There is a reason why His Excellency the Marquis de Lafayette trusted you and entrusted you with such an important responsibility!”
Damien’s arrogance grew even higher when he heard the words of his confidant, Peter de Casel.
“…Now that I’ve done this much, will it work out now?”
However, even his heightened arrogance could not overcome his self-centeredness.
“yes? “Already?”
The reverence that had filled Kazel’s eyes faded, but Damien paid no mind.
“Honestly, the fall of Nancy would have attracted enough attention. What do you do if you overdo it and get attacked? “The Count of Baden will turn a blind eye and try to catch me.”
“For now, the Chasseurs are scouting, so it won’t be too late to make a decision after receiving the report.”
“What is it? It will come soon. “Oh, it comes right when I say it.”
Damien turned his gaze and welcomed Chasseur, who was running towards him.
“Your Excellency Count Mirbeau! “Here’s the report!”
“Okay, good job. How far has Duke Gunhild’s army come?”
“I apologize, Your Excellency. Duke Gunhild’s army is nowhere to be seen!”
“ok?”
“Their army is not around here, sir!”
“Huh?”
Damien is perplexed –
“What does that mean!” Surely Duke Gunhild’s 30,000 troops were coming up to stop us?”
While Kazel was urging Chasseur, Damien quickly lost in thought.
“That’s right, but that’s it. “It’s gone.”
“What nonsense!”
what? Is it a detour?
But an army of 30,000 people is coming in a detour, avoiding the eyes of the Chasseurs? Could it be something like that?
If the Chasseurs couldn’t find it, it really isn’t here.
“…Did the Archduke call them back when he saw that the cavalry had joined the main force?”
“That’s a good thing, but if we sent a messenger after seeing His Excellency’s cavalry return, it would have been correct only if the Chasseurs observed it coming towards us due to the distance and then turning back.”
Cold sweat ran down Damien’s spine.
what?
If Damien completely destroys the Count of Baden’s army and recaptures all the occupied territory, the Archduke’s army’s supply route will be cut off.
It doesn’t matter if the Archduke returns after completely defeating the Marquis de Lafayette’s army, or else it will be the end.
“uh?”
“Your Excellency the Count?”
Damien slowly narrowed his eyebrows.
In other words, if it were possible to destroy the Marquis de Lafayette’s army, would it be a gamble worth taking?
Oh, that cautious Archduke Leopold?
The Marquis de Lafayette is taking a gamble that if he doesn’t go down again and launch an offensive, all of his men will starve?
No way-
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m glad you didn’t come. Let’s do our duty well~”
“Is that so? Just in case, you are joining His Excellency the Marquis of Lafayette…”
“Arthur, Arthur. Even if we go now, the battle is over. Just send a messenger and we’ll take care of the Count of Baden.”
Damien waved his hand and turned around, muttering softly.
“…I guess that’s right?”
I’m sure if he continues to carry out his mission here, the Marquis de Lafayette won’t say something like ‘Where is Mirbeau!?’
* * *
“Your Majesty the Archduke’s first line of defense is broken!”
Archduke Leopold looked at his troops being routed by the revolutionary army led by the Revolutionary Guards, then turned his gaze to the flag of the Marquis de Lafayette, who was still waiting in reserve in the distance.
Duke Gunhild is probably returning after pretending to have moved north a bit.
Normally, this would have been impossible as the battlefield was taken over by the Chasseurs, but the Archduke was suspicious when he saw that the enemy Chasseurs were busy hiding the main force even as their main force continued to retreat.
The fact that the Chasseurs, who clearly had an overwhelming advantage over the Hussars, were busy concealing their main force meant that there was nothing here.
So Archduke Leopold also took a gamble.
The Marquis de Lafayette may have thought that the widely spread hussars were searching for the whereabouts of his troops, but in reality, he was keeping the Chasseurs in check at the cost of avoiding detection of Duke Gunhild’s army, which was waiting a little north.
Fortunately, the Marquis de Lafayette was too busy concealing the return of his cavalry to notice, and even if he did check now, it was too late.
A deception using deception that would endanger the lives of all of his men if the Marquis de Lafayette did not move cunningly as he expected or if he did not win the Marquis de Lafayette here.
A path that a previous archduke would never have chosen.
However, just as the Marquis of Lafayette took advantage by reading Archduke Leopold’s tendencies, Archduke Leopold also took a gamble, expecting that the Marquis of Lafayette would try to narrow the power gap as much as possible and engage in a decisive battle.
Archduke Leopold glared at the revolutionary army attacking his position with glowing eyes and muttered lowly.
“To deal with the devil, you have to be the devil.”
