Guillaume used the term "echelon formation" to persuade his soldiers, but he knew the royal army wasn’t elite enough to execute such a strategy. His mention of the formation was merely a rhetorical device to oppose Antoine’s conservative arguments. In reality, Guillaume had an entirely different plan.

Guillaume’s strategy was remarkably simple—one that had brought him victories in battles against the Kingdom of Caen. It involved spreading his forces to thin out the enemy’s lines and deploying elite troops to exploit their weakest points, a classic tactic used when holding a numerical advantage.

The royal army’s formation for the attack resembled a massive trapezoid, with the center slightly protruding. Compared to a standard linear formation, it was narrower in width but deeper in ranks. Even so, the widest section of the rear still matched the width of the Imperial army’s linear formation.

Guillaume understood that on the plains, where obstacles were minimal, it was advantageous to increase width while maintaining a sufficient thickness. However, expanding the width further would require either dispersing the elite troops stationed at the center or placing inexperienced conscripts in the front line. Neither option was feasible. The elite troops were essential for the planned breakthrough, and inexperienced soldiers in the vanguard would only sow chaos, proving worse than useless.

Thus, Guillaume chose to deploy his forces densely to maintain morale and restrict the cavalry's maneuverability. His focus on the center was driven by a desire for complete annihilation. The Imperial army’s evenly thin lines offered the highest reward for a successful breakthrough.

“The Imperial army has positioned its forces like this.”

After the royal army began its advance, a messenger delivered a map showing the Imperial army’s deployment to Guillaume.

“...Hmm.”

As he alternated between observing the map and the distant formation of the Imperial army, a sudden laugh escaped his lips.

“Haha. Hahahaha!”

“Your Majesty, what is it?”

“The enemy is utterly pathetic. Look for yourself.”

Guillaume showed the approaching officer the Imperial army’s deployment.

“They’re still in a linear formation. Placing the cavalry on both wings suggests...”

The Imperial army’s deployment was nearly unchanged from the reports received before the royal army set out. Guillaume, who had been tense after hearing exaggerated accounts of the Imperial army’s prowess, now found their positioning laughably naïve.

“It’s not just straightforward; it’s stupidly honest, don’t you think?”

The Imperial army’s arrangement—a thin line with cavalry stationed on both flanks—reminded Guillaume of the easily shattered forces of the Kingdom of Caen.

“Could they be attempting an encirclement?”

Some officers speculated that the cavalry’s placement indicated a pincer strategy.

“Encirclement? Surely you jest. At least, I hope you do.”

Even considering differences in morale and training, the royal army outnumbered the Imperial forces by more than 1.5 to 1. Neither Guillaume nor his officers took the suggestion seriously.

“The enemy’s infantry numbers are half of ours. If we press forward and break through their center, what forces could they possibly use to encircle us?”

“Indeed, their center is weak. Even if they intended an encirclement, our soldiers would break through before they could execute it.”

Encirclement was a strategy typically used by a numerically superior force against a smaller one. For the Imperial army, with only half the infantry needed to hold their lines, to attempt such a maneuver seemed laughable. In this battle, the central Imperial force of roughly 10,000 would face 30,000 royal soldiers.

“Focus solely on the breakthrough for now.”

Guillaume decided it was better to give simple orders for a frontal assault rather than risk confusion among the soldiers if he attempted more complex maneuvers. 

“Count Damien Lelouche, a moment.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Your role is critical. If the enemy cavalry targets our flanks or rear, you must intercept them.”

“...”

“I’m not telling you to fight to the death. If you find the situation truly dangerous, you may retreat. But please, buy us enough time to break through.”

“Understood.”

With his instructions to Damien given, Guillaume moved through the advancing troops. 

When the gap between the two armies closed to roughly 200 meters, Guillaume drew his sword.

“Everyone, hear me!”

“Yes!”

“Are you ready? Ready to crush the vile invaders who dare to attack the Kingdom of Brotan?”

Raising his voice, he continued, “The future of the families you left behind rests in your hands! Show these wicked imperial dogs who burned our lands and killed our comrades the might of our kingdom!”

“...!”

“The enemy is only 30,000 strong! Let us march forward to victory!”

His commanding voice invigorated the soldiers.

“Advance! All forces, charge!”

“Waaaaaah!”

“Go!”

“Yaaaaaah!”

The royal army charged toward the Imperial lines as Guillaume signaled the start of battle.

---

From their limited vantage point, observing only from horseback or through messengers, the royal army believed the Imperial forces to be arranged in a simple linear formation. In truth, this was not the case.

As the royal army closed in, the Imperial center quickened its pace, slightly outstripping the wings. Meanwhile, some troops previously stationed in the rear moved further back instead of advancing.

“Attack!”

“Waaaah!”

By the time the royal army committed to its charge, the Imperial formation had subtly shifted into a shallow crescent, with the center protruding forward.

The royal army failed to notice this as they plunged into battle, with Count Maurice Berto leading the vanguard into engagement.

“Count Berto’s forces have engaged the enemy!”

“What? Increase speed! We must support him!”

Hurrying to assist their exposed vanguard, the royal army initiated a full-scale charge. But this decision unraveled their ranks.

While the royal center successfully met the Imperial lines, the flanks lagged, struggling to close the considerable distance still separating them from the enemy.

“Don’t hesitate! Hesitation will get our allies killed!”

“Defeat the enemy! Charge!”

Yet the lack of junior officers meant Guillaume had long abandoned hope of precise coordination. Hoping to leverage their numerical superiority, he ordered an all-out charge.

---

Despite the chaos, Guillaume’s plan appeared to be working. The central royal troops, including the elite vanguard, began to press the Imperial lines, forcing a gradual retreat. However, the Imperial army’s retreat wasn’t one of defeat—it was a calculated maneuver, and the royal forces were being drawn further into the crescent.

Just as the royal soldiers surged forward, sensing victory within reach, the sound of horns erupted from their flanks and rear.

“Waaaaah!”

“For the Empire!”

The trap was sprung. The Imperial army’s counteroffensive had begun.