It was a satisfactory result.

To be honest, I don’t completely understand the principles behind my mini-map and tactical map. I’ve tested them multiple times and use them diligently simply because they’re useful to me.

According to those who have experienced my command, the instructions I give through the tactical map resonate in their minds in real-time.

For example, when I move the 1st Company forward on the map, they immediately hear my voice saying, “1st Company, advance in the 12 o’clock direction at a steady pace!”

Back at the academy, there were instances where people didn’t follow my orders, which makes me think this ability isn’t absolutely compelling or might have little force behind it. Keeping that in mind, I put effort into building strong relationships with my soldiers. Judging by the results of the Northern War and the recent training, this effort clearly paid off.

“Thank you all for following my lead.”

Of course, this flawless demonstration owed much to the soldiers who executed my commands without a single error.

After Gerhardt left, as always after battles or training sessions, I approached my subordinates gathered at the temporary barracks to express my gratitude.

The ability to issue commands without wasting time is indeed remarkable, but I only give the orders; the ones who act and fight are the soldiers.

“Without you, achieving results like this would be difficult.”
“...Do you really mean that?”
“Of course. Even if I commanded the 10th Corps right now, I wouldn’t achieve better results than these.”
“Haha...”
“Hm...”

The officers, including Anna, exchanged glances with peculiar expressions at my words.

“Is something wrong?”
“No, sir. We’ll continue to do our best.”
“Thank you, Alexandrov.”
“I’ll trust in you, General!”
“Boris... I’ll live up to that trust.”

Even if they were secretly thinking different things, it’s hard not to feel good hearing such words.

“Everyone, take the afternoon off. Training will resume tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Thank you, sir!”
“There’s no use in holding you longer, so I’ll take my leave.”

I turned away, enjoying their grateful reactions even to a short break.

“Maybe he’s saying that because he hasn’t experienced it himself?”
“Probably. You can’t really understand unless you’ve been under his command...”
“Anna?”
“Yes, I’m on my way!”

I left the barracks with Anna, who had been whispering something to Alexandrov.

---

After the 1st Provisional Corps proved their elite status, the 10th Corps and the 1st Provisional Corps moved without delay to the border city of Rochelle, facing the Brotan Kingdom.

“I’m Gerhardt Weisschild of the 10th Corps.”
“I’m Viktor of the 1st Provisional Corps.”
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Friedrich Günter, commander of the 8th Corps.”

After joining with the 8th Corps, tasked with the Brotan front, the Imperial officers immediately convened for a meeting.

“I will brief you on the current situation.”

Friedrich’s adjutant stepped forward and pointed to the map with a command baton.

“Recently, we’ve detected troop movements at the Brotan Kingdom’s border. While they previously stationed around 60,000 troops at the border, they now have approximately 90,000 troops stationed in Montpeuil, Saint-Thoir, and Anyac.”
“Ninety thousand...”

Viktor wasn’t entirely unaware of the situation, as the Empire’s war with the Brotan Kingdom also featured in the ‘Great War’ game, but there were too many variables to rely solely on in-game information.

Gerhardt mainly conversed with Friedrich and his adjutant while Viktor sat silently next to Gerhardt, listening and assessing the situation.

If the Northern War had been a venture by the noble faction, then the war with the Brotan Kingdom was led by the Emperor’s faction, and it had already been underway at the campaign’s start.

The 8th Corps, led by General Friedrich of the Emperor’s faction, launched a surprise attack on the Brotan Kingdom while it was preoccupied with the war against the Caen Kingdom. Due to a mix of favorable conditions and bold decision-making, they succeeded in crossing the Vildorne River and capturing Rochelle in the center, Triel at the northern gorge’s entrance, and Chêne on the southern plains.

In the game, the Empire pushes deeper using surplus troops gained after swiftly annexing the Rus Kingdom...

“What are the estimated troop numbers?”
“Saint-Thoir has around 35,000, Anyac about 30,000, and Montpeuil approximately 25,000. The 8th Corps has 20,000 stationed in Rochelle, 10,000 in Triel, and 10,000 defending Chêne.”

In this world, the Northern War dragged on for two whole years. The 8th Corps, without reinforcements, halted their advance after securing a foothold, allowing the Brotan Kingdom time to wrap up its war with the Caen Kingdom.

Now, having emerged victorious in their war with Caen, the Brotan Kingdom was regrouping for a counterattack against the Empire.

The 8th Corps, with about 40,000 troops, was significant by Imperial standards, but the Brotan Kingdom had surprised everyone by deploying 90,000 soldiers.

“They’ve pulled troops from their border with the Ildmar Kingdom as well.”
“It seems so.”

The Ildmar Kingdom, situated below the Brotan Kingdom, would normally maintain tense relations and wait for an opportunity to strike. However, with Brotan’s forces relatively unscathed, they instead shifted troops to guard against the Empire, deterring any Imperial response toward Ildmar.

Though not powerful enough to launch an attack, this prevented the Empire from redirecting troops from their front with Ildmar.

“How are the fortifications coming along?”
“They’re gradually taking shape but aren’t yet ready for a siege.”

The 8th Corps had employed cannons imported from the dwarves for siege warfare, but the Brotan Kingdom had destroyed fortresses during their retreat, leaving most of the seized fortresses unusable.

If they had to retreat to a defensible position, they’d need to return across the Vildorne River, a choice that couldn’t be made lightly.

“Retreating would be... difficult.”
“Yes. The Vildorne River is wide, with a fast current. Crossing it would be hard, especially if the Brotan Kingdom is prepared.”

The successful crossing during their advance was not without losses and had only been possible due to a blend of chance and Friedrich’s bold strategy. Once they fell back, regaining the current foothold would be nearly impossible.

“Triel is one of the two routes leading to the Brotan capital, while Rochelle blocks access to the Vildorne River without passing through Triel. Chêne must also be held to prevent enemy incursions behind Triel and Rochelle.”
“Hmm... giving up is not an option.”
“Indeed.”
“Then, we have no choice but to fight a field battle.”
“...”

The mention of a field battle from Gerhardt brought a heavy silence to the room.

Although not all the Brotan troops were elite, the combined forces at the three positions totaled 90,000.

In contrast, even with reinforcements, the Empire had only 55,000 troops at its disposal. While they could leverage some geographical advantage without city walls, field battles favored larger numbers.

Historical records and tactical manuals note rare cases where smaller forces triumphed over larger ones in open battle. However, victories with such overwhelming odds, nearly a two-to-one ratio, were seldom.

“What’s the enemy’s current movement?”
“They’re gathering supplies and preparing to march. Given their size, they’ll need to act soon. That’s what our 8th Corps staff predicts.”
“I see.”

The adjutant stated that the Brotan forces were still preparing, but Viktor, who could expand his mini-map to gauge the movements, thought differently.

Although still at a distance, he saw a cluster of red dots already leaving their camp and moving slowly.

He contemplated strategies silently, waiting for the right moment.

Soon after...

-Bang!

“This morning, the forces stationed in Montpeuil began their march!”
“Damn.”
“Their numbers...”

A messenger, nearly breaking down the door, rushed in with news that the Brotan troops in Montpeuil were advancing.

“From Saint-Thoir, a force of about 35,000 is heading for Chêne!”
“...”

Almost simultaneously, the Saint-Thoir forces also mobilized.

“Commander! A force of 30,000 from Anyac is approaching Triel!”

The news of the Anyac forces moving to attack Triel came into the room as well.

“We must withdraw the forces at Triel. Defending against 30,000 troops there is impossible.”
“Hmm... Rochelle’s walls are the most fortified, so the 10th Corps might need to support either Chêne or Triel.”
“Defeating them piecemeal is difficult. Our hold on the area is still weak, and the terrain makes scouting nearly impossible.”
“Right. We may have seized key positions, but this area is still Brotan territory.”

Friedrich and Gerhardt pondered responses calmly but without proposing anything decisive.

“Reinforcements need to be sent to Chêne. With its open surroundings, 10,000 troops won’t be enough for defense.”
“No. We can retake Chêne later, but Triel is narrow, making it hard to reclaim if lost. The 10th Corps should go to Triel.”
“If we lose Rochelle, we’ll forfeit all territory beyond the Vildorne River. I believe both the 10

th and 1st Provisional Corps should focus on defending Rochelle and pull back troops from Triel and Chêne to join the defense.”

Despite some courageous voices, no clear solution emerged.

“We should withdraw across the Vildorne River while we still can. Losing the territory is regrettable, but it’s better than sacrificing troops and losing the foothold as well.”
“...Sigh.”

Some staff officers and generals, intimidated by the difference in numbers, even suggested a full retreat across the river.

Viktor watched as everyone threw out their opinions in disarray, then glanced at Gerhardt, who looked displeased.

“...Do you have a plan?”
“Yes.”
“...”

Seeing the resolve in Viktor’s eyes, Gerhardt pondered briefly before nodding in trust and anticipation.

“We should retreat now and wait for reinforcements—”

-Thud!

“What the...?”
“Commander Viktor?”

Viktor, having received Gerhardt’s approval, stood up and slammed his fist on the table, drawing all attention.

The atmosphere in the room grew tense. Everyone, shocked by Viktor’s sudden assertiveness after remaining silent throughout the meeting, paused to watch him.

“I have a plan I’d like you all to hear.”

Viktor slowly walked to the center of the room where the map hung.

“Commander Viktor, you—”
“Let’s hear him out.”
“Commander Gerhardt... Understood.”

Friedrich, about to admonish Viktor’s impoliteness, held back when Gerhardt, a symbol of the Empire, intervened. He sat back down, waiting for Viktor’s proposal.

Viktor surveyed the now-silent room confidently and accepted the command baton from Friedrich’s adjutant.

“We must choose offense, not defense.”
“...Hah.”
“Hm.”

Viktor’s words directly contradicted Friedrich’s earlier stance, drawing quiet reactions from Friedrich and Gerhardt, each with their own thoughts.