Just like other nations' armies, the Imperial Army assigns a single commanding officer to lead other corps commanders when multiple corps operate together. Unless an officer is specifically appointed by the Emperor, it is customary for one of the corps commanders to assume this role.

Following a brief meeting, it was decided that Gerhardt Weisschild, who had previously commanded large forces as a general and held the support of the entire corps, would oversee the 8th Corps, 10th Corps, and the 1st Provisional Corps.

The main force of 35,000 troops, temporarily named the 1st Army, which would engage in battle near Lake Apitel close to Chêne, also fell under Gerhardt’s command.

“So, you want to command the 10th Corps...”

Thus, Viktor’s request to be given command of the 10th Corps conflicted with that decision.

“It sounds like you want the 1st Provisional Corps and the 10th Corps to operate independently.”

“That’s correct. Although I will follow your orders as the commander of the 1st Army, I seek the authority to command both the 10th Corps and the 1st Provisional Corps independently if needed.”

Viktor answered with as much conviction as he had during the strategy meeting.

“Hmm...”

The current Imperial system emphasizes centralized command and strict adherence to orders.

It is well known that divided command can lead to confusion in operations and inefficient troop management. Gerhardt could easily recall examples of armies that had collapsed due to fractured command and knew that Viktor had once fought against the divided forces of the noble faction’s Imperial Army with great success.

Believing Viktor was aware of these risks, Gerhardt took a long moment to ponder.

“I don’t know your reasons, but this isn’t something that can be decided based on a simple request. The decision should be made in the presence of all the officers of the 1st Army.”

In the end, he expressed his intention to postpone the matter.

While Gerhardt did not doubt Viktor’s leadership abilities, asking for command of 15,000 troops—half the force—was not an easy request to grant, even for someone as favorable toward Viktor as Gerhardt.

Gerhardt considered suggesting that Viktor maintain command solely over the 1st Provisional Corps, but—

“No, your agreement alone will suffice.”

Despite essentially hearing a refusal, Viktor did not back down.

“What do you mean by that?”

Gerhardt found it strange that Viktor, who had been logical and composed during the meeting, was now insisting on dividing command despite understanding the associated dangers.

Viktor glanced at a point in the air for a moment before responding to Gerhardt’s question.

“Given the circumstances, I feel it’s appropriate to share this with you.”

“Hmm?”

“When you observed the training of the 1st Provisional Corps, you remarked, ‘Did they use magic?’”

He mentioned magic, briefly closing and reopening his eyes.

“It was magic. I can deliver orders to my subordinates instantly without the need for any intermediary tools.”

“What? ...Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Magic? I’ve never heard of such a thing...”

Before Gerhardt could fully process Viktor’s baffling statement—

-Swish.

Anna, Viktor’s adjutant who had left after letting Gerhardt in, suddenly opened the tent door and stepped inside.

“Anna, adjutant to General Viktor.”

“...Did Viktor summon you?”

“Yes, he instructed me to enter the tent at this time.”

Seeing her saluting him, Gerhardt returned the salute reflexively, then turned to Viktor with surprise in his eyes. Although he considered that Viktor might have instructed Anna to enter at the right moment, he also felt a sense of conviction in Viktor’s words.

“Apologies, but I need more verification.”

“That’s fine.”

Gerhardt whispered to Viktor to give Anna simple instructions, and—

“Like this. Without shouting or verbal commands, I can convey my intentions with just mental instructions.”

“...Hmm.”

Anna flawlessly carried out each task without even looking at Viktor. Even when Gerhardt took Viktor outside and whispered instructions to test her inside the tent alone, she responded accurately.

Gerhardt sat down on a nearby chair, rubbing his forehead as if he felt a headache coming on.

“Why did you say only my approval was necessary?”

“For my orders to be heard, the recipients must recognize that they are under my command. If you tell them to follow my orders in an emergency, they’ll be able to hear me.”

“Sigh.”

Phlegethon, known as the legacy of the ancient dragon Vulcanus, and other magical feats seen in the Empire never went beyond simple spells like casting fireballs or hurling large stones.

Yet Viktor claimed he possessed an ability akin to magic that allowed him to issue orders instantly.

While this assertion went far beyond Gerhardt’s understanding—who had been awed even by enormous fireballs forming from thin air—it didn’t seem like a lie.

“Unbelievable, but it doesn’t sound like falsehood. So that’s why the 1st Provisional Corps moved so perfectly.”

“Thanks to their training and trust in my orders, yes.”

Gerhardt recalled Viktor’s outstanding command ability noted in the records of the Northern War and the near-perfect maneuvers of the 1st Provisional Corps during training. And with Anna’s demonstration, he had some proof.

Compared to the staff officers’ theories that every soldier under Viktor had exceptional tactical awareness, Viktor’s claim of magic seemed more plausible.

“Will it work for those who haven’t received your command before?”

“If they recognize my command, there shouldn’t be any problem. Although they might not move as swiftly as the 1st Provisional Corps due to lack of training, it will still be far more effective than using messengers, bugles, or signal flags.”

“True, that would be so.”

“The 10th Corps officers have observed the 1st Provisional Corps’ training. I believe they’ll accept my command with relatively little resistance.”

Gerhardt weighed the pros and cons of believing Viktor’s words.

If Viktor’s claim was true, it could revolutionize battlefield strategy. Even if just a fraction of the precision displayed by the 1st Provisional Corps could be replicated in the 10th Corps, the request was worth accepting.

However, the terrifying examples from military manuals and common sense restrained him. Just imagining 15,000 troops moving out of his control made him anxious.

Plus, they had to depart as soon as possible for the operation, leaving little time to deliberate.

“Hmm...”

As he struggled with the decision, a sudden realization hit him.

“Ah.”

“...?”

He sighed with a peculiar sense of realization.

“Haha. Hahaha!”

“...What’s so funny?”

Gerhardt laughed openly, looking at Viktor, who wore a puzzled expression.

“It’s ridiculous that I worried about something that doesn’t need worrying! There isn’t only one way to unify command.”

“Excuse me?”

Gerhardt recalled Viktor’s logical explanations in the meeting.

His strategy was too well-constructed to have been devised on the spot, yet too tailored to the local terrain and current Brotan Kingdom movements to have been pre-planned.

Either way, it proved Viktor’s competence, already demonstrated over two years of real combat.

“General Viktor, I’m appointing you as the deputy commander of the 1st Army.”

Records showed that the Rus Kingdom’s forces under Viktor had an unusually low casualty rate. If this benefited the soldiers, then he could trust Viktor with the command.

“General.”

“You’re already a corps commander, so the officers shouldn’t find it strange for you to be appointed deputy commander.”

Gerhardt anticipated that a little use of his authority would easily persuade the officers.

And beyond any magic-related claims, Gerhardt thought that Viktor’s demonstrated strategy, tactics, and leadership alone were enough to warrant the position of deputy commander.

“Can you handle it well?”

“...I’ll deliver a flawless victory.”

Depending on the outcome, this deputy position might not remain temporary.

“I was hoping you’d say that. I’ll call the officers—let’s go together.”

“Yes.”

Gerhardt left the tent with Viktor.

---

While I will continue to keep my mini-map and simulation functions, the core of my abilities, a secret, the unique nature of my command using the tactical map will inevitably be revealed once I command Imperial troops.

Until now, they hadn’t known. But when I command the Empire’s soldiers, they’ll experience receiving my orders in real time.

That’s why I chose to reveal this to Gerhardt, one of the more trustworthy figures in the Empire, to gain solid support. Whether calling it magic truly explained the reality or not was secondary.

It would seem strange for someone like me, who had yet to have a single debut battle in the Empire, to demand command. But if the benefit of real-time command existed merely by placing soldiers under my nominal authority, that changed things.

Seeing that he, who hesitated to grant me command over the 10th Corps, appointed me as the deputy commander of the 1st Army suggests I succeeded.

I announced my appointment as deputy commander to the gathered officers and outlined the detailed plan.

“General Viktor... Understood.”
“Hmm... If it’s General Gerhardt’s decision.”

With Gerhardt’s firm support and the officers who had spoken with me in the meeting, there was little resistance to my appointment, even though I’d only recently arrived in the Empire. The fact that it was a temporary position likely played a part.

After briefing the officers on the strategy and instructions, while the soldiers prepared for the march:

“Set out! Our destination is Chêne!”

At Gerhardt’s declaration, the 1st Army began their march toward Chêne.

“Let’s move!”
“Yes, sir

!”

I rode swiftly with 4,000 cavalry, a combined force from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment of the 8th Corps and the Cavalry Regiment of the 10th Corps, to brief the 8th Corps troops stationed at Chêne in advance.