Chapter: 227

If it involves rotation, it is only natural to calculate complicated factors like the enemy’s advance route, supply route, and the size of the enemy forces to begin combat at the most opportune point. This was common sense in Krasilov.

However, this was merely the barbaric warfare of the uncultured Krasilovians. Modern and dignified nobles never engage in battle like local thugs.

The Albina Royal Court has strongly condemned the unprovoked territorial incursion of our country over the past two weeks, and through the ambassador of your country, has recommended the withdrawal of the legions and compensation for the undue profits occurring in our territory…

Furthermore, they have seriously considered the following war crimes committed by your country’s legions—

In this regard, it has been confirmed through last expedition’s treaty via our bishop that your incursion is clearly illegal—

Due to the absence of a response to the demands notified to your country, the Albina Royal Court has found itself forced to protect its own rights and interests.

We hereby inform that a state of war exists between the Albina Royal Court and the Bellacria royal government.

First, it is right to start by issuing a challenge. The legions that do not abide by this lawful rule are none other than the demons and elves.

Of course, no noble would take notice of this declaration of war. Which noble would be concerned about the embroidery pattern on a handkerchief thrown? Once it is thrown and received, it matters not. (It doesn’t matter if they didn’t receive it either.)

From Bellacria’s perspective, the direct subjects of the war declared in the announcement are only Albina; this isn’t an issue. Equitania and Albina were already paired in soul.

Thus, at the moment the declaration of war was ‘received,’ the Albina crusading army was happily advancing north, sharing supply routes with the Equitania legion, who were the targets of the crusade.

At this point, the Pope was gathering information from the priests assigned to the crusading army and feeling the Alzheimer’s that could not be healed even with divine power.

The difference between regression into infancy and the current Pope is that saying, “Ughhh, I’m sorry” would be of no help in resolving the situation.

“What the hell is this!!”

Initially, the Elros front army had begun a strike. Those who were advancing most reliably struck hard.

Meanwhile, Bellacria sent an army to advance, claiming to offer support. It was an action akin to the symbol of the crusading army, but the problem was that the two forces were advancing without coordination.

Thus, at the Elros court, they were deeply expressing their regrets while reporting the desertion of the crusading army—

“Albina is deserting!?”

Albina, which was holding ground along the border, sent a declaration of war to Bellacria. It was evident what the King of Bellacria was thinking. He must have intended to consume the south under the pretext of the crusading army.

Albina’s desertion, followed by the joining of the Equitania army. Add to that the spam bombardment of the Saint’s emails arriving constantly.

The Pope, at this point, bit his nails while looking at the increasingly chaotic military map.

It struck.

“Vittorio, Vittorio, Vittorio!!”

It was the scheme of the Saint and King Vittorio of Equitania. Before the war even began, meaning before any substantial accomplishments or rotations took place, the crusading army began to run aground.

Due to the full mobilization of the Southern Six Nations, the scale had exceeded what could be managed. If the Church were functioning well, it might be different, but now, even more so.

What should be done? What can be done?

A low voice echoed in the confused Pope’s ear.

-If you wish for something, speak. I shall grant it.

“Shut up, demon!!”

The Pope shouted angrily and stood up. The sound of sneering laughter scattered in the wind, and the air became clear again.

He clenched his teeth and left the chapel.

“I’m going to Albina! We cannot overlook Albina’s desertion. Dispatch priests to Bellacria; we will request mediation for combat!”

All information has an expiration date. Ivan, who belongs to an information group and has even experienced operating it, is convinced of this.

Information spoils faster than yogurt stored at room temperature in midsummer. It is of a kind that cannot be preserved.

The moment one perceives any information from a distance, that information is likely already past its expiration date. So…

“Aren’t we participating? We’re a Hero Party, right?”

“The Hero Party doesn’t take on the role of going to war.”

The rotation had already occurred. The moment the Pope realized this and attempted something for damage control, that is, just around the time the declarations of war from Bellacria and Albina reached the threshold of the Papal Enclave.

At the foot of the hill where Ivan and his companions stood, flags were fluttering from horizon to horizon.

An eagle wielding a sword, Equitania.

A crowned deer, Bellacria.

A salmon holding a key, Albina.

The seals of these three beings were flapping from all directions. Horns, war drums, and military signals intertwined, with screams, shouts, and groans scattering in the wind.

It was a rotation.

“Will the Pope really take a personal approach?”

“If he chooses to isolate himself from the Papal Enclave, then that wouldn’t be bad.”

It was something planned from the start.

“If he doesn’t do that, and if he believed he could still manage the situation, then if he appears here directly….”

Whether it be mediation or condemning Bellacria, whatever it may be, if the Pope were to leave the Papal Enclave.

Then, a Hero Party would be needed. The Hero Party is an organization traditionally specialized in deep strikes and key figure assassinations.

To understand the situation more clearly, we need to rewind time. Back to when the first button of this grand plan was being sewn.

“If we assume that a scorched earth strategy would be deployed starting from the border of Elros, how far should we concede?”

“Five cities would be the limit.”

In response to Vittorio’s question, Ivan answered quickly. It was something that didn’t even require calculation.

Unlike strategic simulations, giving up territory does not happen simply by pressing a button. Every action from the introduction of nearby citizens to resource transport, and all acts of burning the remaining territory and blocking wells consumes time and resources.

Thus, assuming the war begins and territory is conceded, even sacrificing the Royal Knight Order intermittently, the maximum time that can be gained is up to five territories.

Below that, a scorched earth strategy cannot be attempted. If territory is burned beyond that, there is a risk of losing reconstruction potential, and below that, there is not enough time to attempt a scorched earth strategy—

“The end of the offensive will arrive, after all.”

The swift advance of the enemy will inevitably return as a burden on the supply lines. Unless they are angels from the farthest heaven, there are limits to human advance. The enemy can occupy up to four territories, and if they are too greedy, they will be hindered before occupying five.

Victory does not guarantee advance. Even the Nazis of the Second World War, while using drugs to rush forward, could not achieve complete control over the occupied territories. Blitzkrieg is a strategy that entirely paralyzes the opposing party’s wartime administrative system, excluding combat.

“If we give up the Elros front army, then Albina…”

“Active evasion of engagement, destruction of supply lines, and if possible, including sabotage that directly causes confusion in their military camps. For about two weeks.”

Pouring all capabilities into the border front of Albina for two weeks. Ivan’s guide aligns closely with that of the Cleanup Unit. If it can be fully utilized with guaranteed resources and authority, it will not be difficult to paralyze Albina’s border.

If the knights with superhuman capabilities can be fully utilized.

That part can be resolved by the King. Vittorio’s authority is high enough to control all knights at the front.

Then, the first option of the operation is resolved up to this point.

“After that, we will disrupt Albina and Elros.”

That is the role of the Saint. Spreading spam emails filled with ‘heretical faith’ to leaders, governments, and nobles of various nations, using ‘Saint’s priests’ to create discord between the two countries.

In this era, priests are practically the best external intelligence network. Nobles who already have connections would listen to the priests’ words without suspicion.

“Albina’s court will appeal for fatigue. Directly to the Pope.”

“The Pope, who has not participated yet and is hesitating, will start giving advice to the country right next to him.”

The Papal Enclave is located within Bellacria. And Bellacria had not yet initiated direct support for the crusading army.

On the border, touching Albina and Elros.

North, facing great powers are Lorensia and Leonor.

Unlike those four countries, Bellacria is in a region stable enough to be called a paradise. In other words, it means they can operate the legions without needing to be cautious of other countries.

“What if Bellacria simply offers resource support?”

“That Carlos brat? If he’s sane, he wouldn’t do that.”

In response to the Saint’s question, Vittorio chuckled.

If the crusading army is pushed this pitifully to this point, the Pope’s authority will inevitably hit rock bottom. At that point, the Bellacria royal family will surely contemplate seizing power over the Pope.

If there are any variables here, it lies solely to the north.

“Lorensia and Leonor. But it is meaningless to worry about it now. There is no way to respond. However…”

The timing of the participation of these two countries will determine the success or failure of the operation. The longer they can delay in joining, the higher the chance the Pope will be exposed.

“If Bellacria attempts to consume Elros and Albina.”

“Meaning, in that case, it would be most advantageous for us.”

Ivan and Vittorio locked eyes and continued their discussion.

“If we manage to directly lure the Albina court in and successfully separate them from the crusading army under the pretext of a ‘rescue team’…”

“If we can bring down Bellacria through ‘joint assault’.”

Depending on the timing of their participation, if Albina operates under normal reasoning, a rough estimation can be made of Bellacria’s maximum range of advance.

Unless they are demons, the marching distance of armies that do not use trains has its limits.

The larger the scale, the slower the advance speed. The longer the distance from the homeland, the weaker the supply lines, and the more vulnerable the supply lines become, the more they will focus on ‘plundering supplies.’

If the situation can flow to that point, Albina will inevitably turn hostile against Bellacria.

At that point, the Pope can no longer afford to delay direct intervention. The crusading army stands at the risk of running aground before it even begins.

“The only way to draw out the Pope.”

Going to the Papal Enclave directly is the last resort. The chances of assassination succeeding are slim, and with the variable of the Seven Dragon Lords, there must be no engagement at the Papal Enclave.

After all, the Seven Dragon Lords are the strongest beings within the sanctum. There is no need to take on that burden to attempt an assassination.

A Pope assassinated within the Papal Enclave would inevitably become a martyr. That cannot happen. The result would turn the doctrinal wars into an extreme form that no one can stop.

The only way to clean up all situations.

“To expose the true face of the Pope and the Seven Dragon Lords in front of all nations and people, and to execute them as traitors to humanity.”

Ivan pressed down on a corner of the map as he growled.

“No one. Not a single power in this world would dare to even think about teaming up with the Seven Dragon Lords.”

“Well, that is a task meant for the Hero Party.”

Vittorio said with a sly smile, tapping the map.

“I have bet everything—my family, my country, and all my people—on this. Do you know the saying that the operation plan gets discarded first when the war begins? Do you have any confidence that this plot unfolding on the tabletop will succeed?”

“Don’t worry.”

Ivan shook his head briefly. If this were a war, he would never attempt operational control. In inter-country wars, he would be no different from an outsider, unable to become any grand strategist or great schemer.

But if this is not the realm of war…

If it is the realm of espionage, sabotage, information disruption, and assassination.

In that regard, Ivan can confidently plan operations better than anyone across this nation and the entire Southern Six Nations. That is what he has dedicated his life to.

So there is no need to pay attention to the war; there is no reason to. This is not war.

War must only be enough once, in the end.

“I am betting everything I can as well.”

At Ivan’s words, Vittorio chuckled and extended his hand. The two men’s hands clasped tightly, their muscles bulging.

And two months after that plan began.

The first engagement between the Bellacria and Albina-Equitania allied forces will occur.

The plans of Ivan, Vittorio, and the Saint had progressed without a single misstep until now.