Chapter 34: Countermeasures
Upon returning to the field base atop the mountain, I was caught by Alextem.
"Milimos-sama, it seems you have forgotten that you are both the Marshal and the Prince!"
"I haven't forgotten, you know. If I had, I wouldn't have gone to inflict harm on the enemy myself."
"Individuals of your stature, as Marshal and Prince, should not be on the front lines!"
I found myself enduring an angry lecture from Alextem for about an hour.
"Just saying this much should make it clear to you!"
"I understand, alright? But more importantly—"
"Your remorse still seems lacking!"
"That was just a figure of speech. What I really mean is that this situation might be a bit troublesome."
It seemed like my earnest words reached Alextem, as his expression shifted from that of a caretaker to that of a soldier.
"You noticed something while fighting alongside the mages against the Rochean Kingdom."
"Their peculiar behavior caught my attention."
I conveyed my predictions about the Rochean invasion strategy: using a vanguard as a decoy while the main forces infiltrated the Nonette Kingdom from a different location.
Alextem listened attentively, but he seemed somewhat skeptical.
"Strategically, Milimos-sama's thoughts feel correct. However, when it comes to execution, I have my doubts."
"I know. After all, crossing this mountain is the easiest route from the Rochean Kingdom to the Nonette Kingdom."
"If it weren't for the winter, this place would have a low altitude and gentle slopes, easily passable by horses. However, there are other mountains besides this one that the army can cross. For instance, the route we used when returning from the Empire."
"Even during the Mendacium Kingdom's battle, I mentioned this, but if a large army passes through that route, it will needlessly provoke monsters, leading to casualties among the soldiers. It's not practical."
"The Rochean Kingdom is on the brink of economic collapse. They won't care about the soldiers' losses. In fact, the vanguard that climbed this mountain is still pressing forward, despite some of their comrades falling ill from the cold."
"...If you're willing to use the soldiers as expendables, then yes, invasion can happen from anywhere. Nonette Kingdom is surrounded by mountains, but most of these mountains remain untouched, and there is no surveillance either."
Seemingly satisfied with his understanding, Alextem moved with me to the tent within the encampment and opened a map depicting Nonette Kingdom and its surroundings.
"Milimos-sama, the main force is estimated to be around seven thousand people. If we are to safely lead such a number across the mountains, they will likely pass near this mountain," said one.
"Then there's no point in using the vanguard as a decoy. Even if we don't mind the casualties, if Alectem were the commander of Rocha, where would they invade from?" replied another.
"That's right. If we consider it as an exercise, the thickest part of the mountains would be the likely choice. Nobody in Nonette would expect an advance from there."
Alectem was indicating the route that led from the territory of Rocha right into the heart of Nonette.
I examined the thickness of the mountain ranges on the map and roughly estimated the damage Rocha would likely suffer.
"Even if they try to stick close to the foothills of the mountains, it's winter now. Considering the threat of monsters, they'd probably end up with numerous casualties due to freezing or injuries," I stated.
"If it comes to fighting in these mountains, we would likely suffer the same number of casualties, so the damage might not be significant," countered another person.
I see, there's that perspective too. What seemed absurd at first is starting to make sense now.
"If we have concerns about the rear, it wouldn't be wise to station all of Nonette's soldiers here," someone pointed out.
"Our plan was to assume Rocha would cross this mountain with their entire army. We would make a surprise attack here to reduce their numbers, and then carry out a delaying tactic with ambushes and night raids in the forest area below the mountain, inflicting heavy losses and weakening their ability to continue the fight. However, if there's a possibility that this plan might fail, there's no reason to hold this position," another explained.
"But we don't have precise information about where Rocha will invade from, and we don't have enough troops to disperse all over the place. The weakness of a small army is showing," a concern was raised.
We need manpower, but there's no reliable source to rely on. It's a puzzle, and I can't think of a viable solution.
As I immersed myself in thought, Alectem made a suggestion, "Milimos-sama, perhaps it would be better to relinquish control of this mountain and withdraw our forces to the mainland. Then, leave the task of discovering Rocha's main force to the villagers."
"Can they really do that?"
"The Nonette villagers are strong people who live on the mountainsides, bordering the forest. Whenever beasts or monsters emerge from the woods, they join together and repel them. If Rocha's main force were to attack, they should be able to prevent the invasion and send us information from the rear."
"Hmm, using the villagers as part of the strategy to cause them casualties..."
To be honest, it feels morally troubling to inconvenience the citizens due to conflicts between nations. My feelings seem to be somewhat influenced by my past life's values, as Alectem continues to speak.
"In this country—our ancestors' hard-earned land that they sacrificed so much to create, the villagers are prepared to joyfully risk their lives and fight rather than have it taken away from them."
"As someone in a position of leadership, it's heartening to hear. But are you truly comfortable with leaving everything to them?"
"Don't worry. I'm not ordering every villager to throw themselves into danger. The villagers are aware of ways to fight without risking their lives."
While trusting Alektem's words, I pondered on what to do.
"Alright then. Let's leave behind those with swift feet and have them strike at Rocha Kingdom's advance forces. The soldiers who return to the heartland will be dispersed among the villages on the eastern side of the country. They will assist with commanding the villagers during the fight and act as messengers to the rear. Once we locate Rocha Kingdom's main force, we'll communicate the gathering point to our soldiers. With this, we should be able to handle the situation, right?"
"Indeed, it seems to be an excellent strategy as far as possible. The only concern is that if there are issues, we would need to call back the dispersed soldiers, leaving the risk of the enemy main force invading deep into our territory."
"But there's no other choice. If we don't disperse the soldiers and create a surveillance network, once Rocha Kingdom's main force slips through the cracks and reaches the royal capital, Nonette Kingdom will be finished."
"That's true, but we must also create time for our soldiers to gather and rest. How about ordering those who spot the enemy main force to engage in delaying tactics?"
"You mean perform ambushes and night raids with just a few people? That would practically be sending them to their deaths."
"If it's in a forested area, they should be able to escape. Furthermore, if accepting a few casualties leads to significant gains in the future, then we should do it."
"...I support the strategy, but no. I won't condone any actions that needlessly sacrifice lives. Inform the dispersed soldiers and the cooperating villagers not to engage in such reckless behavior."
I couldn't agree with compelling people to die, so I decided to incorporate only a part of Alektem's proposal.
Now, whether my decision will lead to good or ill fortune is something that won't be known until Rocha Kingdom's main force appears.