Episode 148 Krafte’s War – The opening of the war
One day before the end of the two-year armistice period announced by Krafte, Lumière, the capital of Francia, is filled with war clouds and tension.
I was explaining the situation while pointing at the operational map in front of Eris and the three governors who were visiting the revolutionary army headquarters.
“There are 80,000 troops deployed in Alsace, the front line, and 60,000 in Lorraine.”
Considering Charles II’s inclination, it was thought that a surprise attack might occur as soon as the armistice period ended, so it was deployed preemptively, but judging from the enemy’s deployment situation and the information gathered by Christine, there was no sign of such a thing.
“The soldiers are having a hard time. “We are prepared to respond even before the war begins…”
Eris said, and I responded with a wry smile.
“Although they have completed basic training, this is a hastily expanded army. “It is not a waste as new recruits who have not experienced the previous war are familiarized with the terrain of the battlefield in advance and are given local fortification and training.”
It was certainly unfounded to be concerned about the King’s surprise attack, but it is better to prepare for anything and then be caught off guard.
Or rather, what is more surprising is that even though it was a war that the great king was looking forward to, he was prepared to declare war and advance calmly only after the armistice period had been completed.
I continued my explanation by looking at the operation map again.
“Of the 110,000 troops currently mobilized and assembled, we plan to deploy 80,000 of them to the second line, Bahua and 40,000 each to Franche-Comté.”
The President of the Central Party, Count Anjou, touched his chin with his hand and opened his mouth.
“This time, we will deploy reserve units in both the north and south to defend.”
“That’s right, Count.”
In the war against the Germanian Empire, they concentrated their troops in the north, assuming that the enemy would advance on the capital Lumière.
Then, he was caught off guard by Archduke Leopold and had to be taken hostage along the trade route with the Alpine kingdom.
“Unlike during the war with the Germanic Empire, this time we have enough troops, so we will place troops in Bahua, a key point in the north, and Franche-Comté, a key point in the south, to function as a second line of defense in case of emergency. Since the two regions are close, organic support is also easy.”
Then Talleyrand, the leader of the Revolutionary Party who was listening quietly, asked:
“If so, where will the remaining 30,000 be placed?”
“They are relatively older or less trained troops. “We plan to deploy it to the capital, Lumiere, to conduct further training, and to use it as a final reserve in case of emergency.”
It would be best for people like that not to be sent into battle in the first place… but
war doesn’t always work out the way you want it to.
“250,000…”
Eris muttered softly while looking at the operation map.
The voice was vague, as if he was ruminating to himself, not specifically asking for an answer.
The queen still does not wear a crown or anything, but only wears the white robe she has always worn.
The weight of responsibility that Eris will bear, who will fight alongside the soldiers on the battlefield rather than on the throne.
This is the number of people who stepped up to protect this country.
“I did my best, Your Majesty. “Even though I can’t say it was perfect, I did the best I could.”
Eris smiled softly and answered, as if my intention had been conveyed.
“I know. “I always trust you, Marquis de Lafayette.”
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
After answering Eris, I stepped back and Christine, wearing an admiral’s uniform, came out.
“The Navy carries out commercial sabotage operations from the northern part of the Germanian Empire to the coast of the Kingdom of Krafte.”
Although it is the Kingdom of Krafte, which has a great army, it originally started as a landlocked country of the Germanian Empire.
Considering that Stettin, the port that developed closest to their capital, was originally the territory of the Northern United Kingdom, it is natural that their naval power is insignificant.
Christine spoke in a confident manner.
“Their maritime trade will not be able to function at least as long as the war lasts.”
It is a country that has maintained an army that is large compared to its weight class from the beginning. It will be obvious that if a long-term war continues with maritime trade cut off, they will be in quite a bit of trouble.
“Can’t we block off the Central Sea as well? If that happens, we will be able to completely block trade routes through the southern part of the Germanian Empire.”
When Count Anjou asked curiously, Christine answered.
“The Central Sea is relatively large and far from the main base of the Franzian Navy. There are many countries where interests are intertwined. “It’s more of a waste of effort.”
Christine paused for a moment and then added.
“Besides, you don’t have to worry too much about trade through the Germanian Empire.”
“hmm?”
Talleyrand, a diplomatic expert, answered the Count of Anjou’s questions.
“The Empire of Germania and the Kingdom of Krafte have been hostile relations for quite some time. Although the Kingdom of Krafte fights on the side of the empire in this war, that does not mean that their interests are aligned.”
From the beginning, this war itself was fought due to the king’s personal will rather than the interests of the Kingdom of Krafte, but since it has become their war anyway, the Kingdom of Krafte will try to take over their interests.
“First of all, the war was started by the Archduchy Sudenreich, who currently holds the throne of the empire, but winning the war easily will only increase the Krafte Kingdom’s position within the empire.”
Only after I had explained it further did the Count of Anjou look like he now understood.
“Oh, I see. Then, the materials imported through the empire will be given less or more expensive on purpose.”
Christine smiled and nodded.
“Yes, that’s right. And that in itself serves the purpose of our trade destruction operations. In any case, simply making the Kingdom of Krafte dependent on the empire for trade will result in reducing their national power.”
I don’t know about the emperor, but the empress is not a great person who would not be able to take advantage of the opportunity if she were to spread the word like this.
First of all, we are at war, but even in such a situation, there is nothing that cannot establish a hostile symbiotic relationship.
“For now, we will focus on commercial destruction operations, but we plan to carry out additional operations when the war situation shows some progress. “At that time, we will need President Talleyrand’s help.”
“Haha, it would be nice if the opportunity to play comes quickly.”
Christine smiled at Talleyrand, who was joking.
I slowly looked away and spoke to Nicolas Brissot, the leader of the Liberal Party, who had remained silent throughout the meeting.
“Do you have any questions or opinions, President Brissot?”
Nicola Brissot seemed a little surprised at what he was thinking and then smiled bitterly.
“No no. What would a person who used to write be involved in military affairs? “I feel reassured that the people in command of the army and navy are so trustworthy.”
I looked at Brissot for a moment with a bitter expression on his face.
He was the leader of the moderate faction from the early days of the Republic, and even after the Directorate-General government was established in the National Assembly, he maintained his position with a personality somewhere between the conservative noble Count of Anjou and the radical revolutionary leader Talleyrand.
However, in this era of crisis, such actions and positions are also unclear. Therefore, his influence as president and the recognition of the party are the weakest in the National Assembly.
Even though the Count of Anjou is far behind Talleyrand as president, he and Christine are in the central party.
Although Governor Brisso attended as a representative of the National Assembly when the armistice agreement with Krafte was signed, he was unable to negotiate properly in front of the king, who had already decided on an answer.
It was a pity, but since he was the first member of the Revolutionary Army to show interest in me and Christine, and had been cooperating with me for quite some time, I responded politely.
“Thank you for saying that, Mr. President. Let’s make sure we live up to your expectations.”
Then Nicolas Brissot just nodded with a face that seemed complicated in many ways.
* * *
Late night.
I held Christine in my arms and ran my hands down her waist.
As I was feeling the soft texture of skin along the graceful curves, I heard a voice mixed with laughter in my ear.
“It tickles.”
The sound of a loved one that is calm and yet sweet to the ear.
“haha.”
When I took my hand away and instead smoothed out her sweaty hair, Christine snuggled into my chest and said,
“Now tomorrow, I won’t be able to see you again for a while.”
I answered with a low smile.
“It’s already today.”
It was probably past midnight.
As for the King of Krafte, it wouldn’t be surprising if the ambassador handed him a declaration of war this morning.
After a moment of silence, Christine spoke again.
“As I always say, I trust you, Pierre. … But please be a little careful.”
“The back is more important than the front, right?”
I also told this to Christine, who burst out laughing instead of answering.
“As I always say, I also believe in you. … Don’t push yourself too hard.”
Although only destruction operations were mentioned at the strategy meeting, Christine is in charge of supply procurement and intelligence operations for the entire revolutionary army through the upper reaches of Aquitaine.
If I don’t say this, she will definitely act as if her health is in good hands.
Christine seemed to understand as well, as her pitch-black eyes, which glowed even in the dark, looked at me and gently curved and answered in a whisper.
“It’s quite a pleasure working for you and me, but I’ll be patient if you ask me to.”
The moment when I feel so in love with her and try to kiss her.
A huge explosion sounded.
“What-”
I gasped and stepped out onto the balcony, where I could see a pillar of fire rising in the distance.
“That’s…”
I answered, placing my hand on my forehead as Christine’s voice trembled slightly.
“It’s an armory.”
This is why I wanted to leave it to Christine somehow, since it was the Army’s territory and everything.
I furrowed my brows as I looked at the burning capital armory.
This crazy king declares war on something so stupid, not even in the morning, but right after midnight.
* * *
A villa near Mittelburg, the capital of the Kingdom of Krafte.
Charles II, the Great King of Krafte, was dressed in a tailored military uniform, wearing a cap, and holding the staff he always carried in his hand.
And that alone transformed him from a playful and frugal king into a commander on the battlefield.
Since I ordered the Prime Minister to issue a spectacular declaration of war, they should have received it by now.
The extremely boring time of peace and waiting is over, and the longed-for time of iron and blood has arrived.
The great king slowly inhaled and exhaled again.
The air in the same space is not the same.
I feel like I can smell the acrid smell of non-existent gunpowder.
The Great King took a powerful step forward, feeling an uncontrollable vitality overflowing into his body, which had been tired until yesterday.
-He is still praised by the King as a great master. If you lose in a war like this, and not only lose your honor for the future, but even the name of a famous military that you have left so far, isn’t this a worthless war?
The young Pure White Queen said so.
But he didn’t think so.
What value is there in being evaluated as a great soldier in peace?
The history of mankind is the history of struggle, and animals that stop fighting will only be reduced to toothless livestock.
The Great King cannot imagine him just waiting for death, complacent and satisfied with the present.
For him, his whole life was a struggle and a proof of himself.
Even the title of ‘Great King’ given by the people and the nation called Krafte that he established.
There is no value that can replace it.
The great king shouted loudly as soon as he stepped out onto the balcony.
“My army!”
Tens of thousands of soldiers lined up in a perfectly unified stance turned their guns and hit the ground.
Thump –
not a human language, but a huge sound united as a weapon, representing the answer to the Great King.
“This is Jim’s last war. “You are the last soldiers to stand on the same battlefield as me.”
When he defeated the empire, he was awarded the title of Great King.
But it’s not enough.
It was nothing more than an imperfect victory achieved by a small country over those who were once a powerful country but were in decline.
“I am glad to be able to share this honor with you.”
That’s why I didn’t rest on my laurels.
He claimed to be the kingdom’s number one worker and served the country, raising a small nation from an empire to the greatest military power on the continent.
For this very moment.
“The enemy is the Revolutionary Army of Francia! There is nothing lacking as an opponent to end our legend!”
What will be played is the song of steel.
What will be engraved is a bloody sigh.
“Go forward, gentlemen!”
The great king declared with joy.
“Let us leave a lasting glory on this continent.”
