Chapter: 355
The situation with the Dorgon incident wrapped up smoothly. While there were some people petrified by the thought that the enemy had torn the sky apart, their fear quickly morphed into cheers after our counterattack. So, there’s a formidable foe cutting up the sky? Well, if our side has someone similar, that’s a problem easily solved!
The Vice Captain seemed satisfied that he managed to turn morale around from what could have been a disastrous slump to a soaring high, even managing a smile. Normally, he’s as strict as they come when leading the army, but seeing him smile at the garrison must mean his spirits are really lifted.
‘Can’t blame him for being happy.’
Considering the agony the Vice Captain endured in the last war, it wouldn’t be surprising if he was applauding instead of just smiling.
Now, I can cut the sky too, which allowed for an immediate counter, but in the early days of the extermination war, only the Khan had that capability. This meant that if the Khan cut the sky, there was no way to prevent a dip in our troops’ morale.
The memories of commanding troops in that horrific environment must still linger in the Vice Captain’s mind. Therefore, this counterattack must feel heartwarming for him.
“We had a minor clash in the territory of the Hitira tribe.”
Anyway, after stabilizing the chaos, the Vice Captain started occupying nearby areas as soon as the encampment was set up. My aide, the lower-ranked officer, transferred information to me whenever it came in.
“Oh, really? Were there tribes living there?”
“More like a clan than a tribe, actually. Besides, the nomads just shot a couple of arrows while fleeing, calling it a clash seems embarrassing.”
This wasn’t a raid by the nomads but merely sending the locals packing. Therefore, calling it a clash is a stretch. The Imperial Army was likely focused on occupying territory rather than pursuing them at this point.
Thanks to that, there hadn’t been any fights yet, but soon enough we’d long for this peace amidst the clashes that were bound to happen.
“If we’ve descended to the land of the obliterated tribe, there must be other tribes nearby.”
At that, my aide nodded in agreement. In such a vast expanse of the North, finding the remnants of a fallen tribe near the Empire means there’s no spare room nearby. The stronger tribes must be holding onto their territories tight without allowing others to squeeze in.
Thus, a clash between the Empire, looking to expand, and the tribes defending their land is inevitable. Or the nearby tribes might attack first.
Either way, blood will be spilled.
“Let’s stay at the headquarters together from tomorrow. It’s better to hear things directly than by word of mouth.”
“Yes, Master.”
At that sturdy reply, I nearly slipped and closed my mouth just after saying a few words. Sure, it’s fine to call me “Master” when it’s just us, but it could get awkward when others are around.
It’s already a problem that troops belonging to the Ministry of Intelligence have been treating someone other than the Emperor as their Master, but the term “Master” being exchanged between lovers is no minor issue either. If anyone catches wind of it, whispers about the Head of the Information Department’s affairs might start circulating.
‘…She’s not someone who’d screw up.’
The reason I kept my mouth shut was because I trusted my aide. She wouldn’t be someone to embarrass me in front of others by using that term.
That was my belief.
Once all the territories designated by the Vice Captain were occupied, simultaneous battles began.
While the clashes weren’t at the scale of tens of thousands just yet—there were alarm sounds from nomadic raids in the morning, the Imperial Army marching into nearby tribal territories at noon, and by evening, the fighting was more like a series of friendly skirmishes—it kept the command busy across the board.
“Approximately 800 nomads have been sighted along the Bakira front. They are being led by Hutis Bagia, who has been missing alongside Dorgon.”
“The southern section of the Larkin tribe’s territory has been captured, but resistance is fierce, and they are currently at a standoff. The local mage corps is requesting support.”
“Reports coming in from the Sutio front indicate sightings of the Kesek flag. It seems some of the Kesek are acting as commanders, likely without a large-scale offensive.”
They were indeed moving swiftly.
‘Now this is a command center.’
Back when I was active as just a team leader, I could only visit the command center when summoned by the Vice Captain. Now, as if I’m a resident ghost, I’m absorbing all sorts of information.
It’s quite a different experience. Information about hundreds or even thousands of troops moving arrives in an instant, and strategies to counter them are rolled out with casual ease. Just one word can determine the fate of hundreds or thousands.
Thinking back, I realized that among high-ranking members of the military, there are more rigid and cool-headed folks than those who thrive on conflict. Previously, I’d thought it was simply how it was, but now I think I understand why.
‘If you have too many feelings, holding on must be tough.’
With one gesture or word potentially sending countless lives to their doom, being overly sentimental would surely break your own mental state. Especially for field commanders who often interact with soldiers.
…Then again, the field commanders might actually be included in those slated for death rather than giving orders?
“Your Highness! The Kaita tribe is moving south towards the Hitira front! Their numbers are around 3,000!”
While I was dazed listening to the reports, one panicked shout from an aide captured the Vice Captain’s attention.
‘3,000?’
I instinctively looked at the aide.
3,000 is not a number to take lightly. If they were a united force, maybe, but for a single tribe to lead that many is quite a hefty figure. This is a number that during the last war, only the prominently known tribes could muster.
‘Kaita…’
Honestly, I’ve never heard that name before. Since the aide seems to know it, this information likely came from recent recon, suggesting they’re a third-party tribe that observed the last war while maintaining neutrality.
It’s utterly astonishing. When the Khan led the anti-Empire tribes, I’d shaken in fear thinking, where did he scrape up that 100,000? But to find out there are tribes capable of mustering thousands still out there? If they joined up with the Khan, I can only imagine how ridiculous the war would have become.
But now, that tribe is heading south?
‘Damn.’
Not great news. If tribes like that join Dorgon, they could easily reach from the minimum of 60,000 escalations, maybe even hit upwards of 70,000.
“Relay to the mage corps stationed at Hitira. Once the Kaita tribe enters range, order them to attack simultaneously.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
With the enemy numbers swelling, the aides scrambled to send urgent communications.
The number 3,000 in itself isn’t weak, but if the Kaita tribe merges with the regarding nomads moving around Hitira, we’re looking at a dangerously threatening number. Plus, if other tribes are also on the move, it could exceed that 10,000 mark.
‘10,000 on the plains…’
That’s rock-solid chilling. The Hitira region isn’t that large; the stationed troops are relatively small, and fortifications haven’t really progressed either.
Of course, that 10,000 gathering is in the worst-case scenario. The command isn’t full of fools; they wouldn’t simply watch the enemy converge. They are actively working to break the connections between tribes, so unless Dorgon is launching a full-on offensive, last-minute mass gatherings of that magnitude are unlikely.
Still, 3,000 nomads aren’t weak. Let’s see how I can fend them off without major losses.
*
Initially, there were no losses.
“No clashes?”
And, there were no gains.
“Yes. They moved about, almost showing off, but nothing more. They maintained a distance without engaging in any scouting skirmishes.”
Head shaking continuously followed the Vice Captain’s query as the aide replied.
The other officers and commanders gathered at the command center also seemed perplexed by the report, each scratching their chins or whispering among themselves.
“Weren’t they here to capture the troops stationed at Hitira? With thousands of nomads nearby, it would be hard for them to move.”
“There’s some logic in that, but why focus on Hitira? Wouldn’t it be more efficient to tighten the Bakira front instead?”
With their swelling large numbers, they marched down boastfully yet maintained a standoff without a single clash. In this bizarre situation, no one could produce a clear answer.
A standoff in itself isn’t bizarre. Battles aren’t like Pokémon fights—if you lock eyes, you charge right in, you’re just mad. It’s normal to lie in wait for the opportune moment.
But having a standstill without any clashes at all is strange. The nomads are the type to poke and jab with overwhelming mobility, like how a student sneaks a love letter into a shoe cabinet, shooting arrows like they breathe.
“I can’t understand it.”
The Vice Captain muttered, voicing that sentiment. It’s odd that the expeditionary army at the border hasn’t stirred, yet now there’s a strange anomaly even in the midst of war.
In fact, it’s beneficial for our side if the enemy is quiet, but the bizarre belief that the restless nomads would never keep quiet confounded the command center. Would they really risk this kind of behavior? If that’s the case, I’d be impressed.
“…First, since the Kaita tribe is entrenched, our forces stationed at Hitira are blocked from moving. It’s impossible for our troops in Hitira to launch an offensive or abandon their posts.”
Amidst this, another aide spoke up, indicating an air of unease, and the Vice Captain nodded in response.
While it’s understandable why blocking Hitira could be strategically sound, the actual result remains that Hitira is constrained. Well, other fronts must be assigned to other tribes.
Thus, the Kaita tribe decided to maintain a defensive stance against Hitira. There were no alternatives anyway.
The next day came.
“This time, there were no clashes either.”
And the following day.
“Same as yesterday.”
The day after that.
“A handful of nomads stepped out and meandered nearby, yet all they did was shoot a few arrows before retreating.”
“Any casualties?”
“None. They weren’t even in range.”
And again, the day after.
“The shaman of the Kaita tribe performed wide-area spells, but again, it was from out of range, avoiding any damage to our forces.”
“……”
Incredibly enough, five consecutive days with no incidents left the Vice Captain speechless.
You’d think if other fronts were quiet, maybe the nomads would be cautious in observing them, but other fronts were already engaged in fierce combat.
‘What the hell is going on with these guys?’
Really, what is going on? Is there perhaps a daily quest among the nomads to participate in the war? Just a presence check?
It’s confusing. Their once magnificent appearance now only led to a hollow performance. Just full of flamboyant showmanship—
…
‘A show of force?’
That thought sparked fresh information about the Kaita tribe. Unlike the anti-Empire tribes enchanted by the Khan, they hailed from the third front and had kept neutral. They only revealed themselves after Dorgon claimed the title of Khan.
How bizarre for them, dragging their hefty burden down to the front lines, posturing before the Imperial Army, all while merely playing a waiting game.
‘These bastards.’
Looks like they’re testing the waters?
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