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Vol 05 Chapter 152: The Second Southern Campaign III

「Is engaging in a battle under these circumstances really the right choice?」

I thought to myself as I looked at the enemy positioned on the hill. An open battle is a decisive engagement. If a phalanx collapses even once, it will be completely broken through by the opponent, a significant defeat in these circumstances would mean the fall of their countries.

Usually, an open battle only occurs when the two sides believe they can win. The defending side always has the option of entering a defensive position, as long as they remain in their fortifications or castles, they won’t win, but they won’t lose completely either. So, unless they have a strategy to win, it’s normal for the weaker army to stay put.

「The correct answer is that they have no other choice. If they stay put, they will be isolated in the middle of the enemy. They have no other method but to win. War is about creating a situation where we can surely win and then figuring out how to drag the enemy out.」

In other words, it’s our victory because we created a situation where they had no choice but to engage in battle. But if they’ve come out, they must have some chance of winning, right?

「What do you think the enemy will do?」

「Who knows? Sometimes it’s difficult to predict what a desperate foe will do… But we have already planted the poison.」

Well, we certainly have planted the poison. As long as the poison functions, no matter what strategy they come up with, we can win. The only concern is the possibility of the poison being neutralized before it takes effect.

Still, I’m curious about the enemy’s plan.

「We’ll know once it starts, I guess.」

「Exactly. Relax a bit, Your Majesty. Here, have a drink.」

You’re way too relaxed.

◇

It’s been four days of staring each other down. The battle has yet to commence.

The enemy probably doesn’t want to face us in open battle. So they keep stalling and dragging things out.

They remain holed up in their positions, refusing to come out.

At this rate, we will be here forever.

「Well, it’s clear they would lose if they fought… Or rather, if they didn’t want to engage in an open battle, they should have holed up in their walls from the beginning or surrendered. The enemy commander is indecisive.」

「It’s a democracy. They came out to save face for the public, but the leadership likely doesn’t want to engage in war.」

Despite its image, democratic nations often take surprisingly aggressive actions. It’s a common story.

「But this situation isn’t good.」

One reason is that we need to get the soldiers back to their fields as soon as possible. But more importantly, we’re running out of food.

Typically, food is sourced locally. Our army has been getting food from this area so far.

However, if we stay here any longer, even the local residents will run out of food. We could forcibly requisition supplies, but that would damage our reputation.

So far, we’ve maintained the image of kind invaders who protect the people, pay for provisions, and don’t harm those who surrender.

「What should we do? Provoke them?」

In the ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’, during times like these, a general would provoke the enemy by feasting in front of their positions. Then the defeated enemy would shout: ‘It’s Kongming’s trap!’ or something like that.

Maybe Bartolo and I should stage a feast here. Let’s pull off a ‘Bartolo’s trap!’

「No need for that. They will move soon enough. Even now, more small city-states are falling under our control.」

Well, if you’re so sure… Hm?

「Oh! The enemy is preparing to move out.」

「They’ve finally decided to move. We can win this.」

Bartolo tossed the empty wine bottle onto the ground.

Pick that up later. It’s good manners to carry your trash back with you.

◇

「Your Majesty, please stay here and watch.」

As I prepared to join the battle, Bartolo stopped me.

I’m strong, and since I’m not the best at commanding, I figured I’d be more useful fighting on the front lines.

「You can’t, Nii-san… I mean, Your Majesty. If you die, our country will be doomed.」

I still don’t have an heir and Raymond is sterile.

…Though, maybe the country wouldn’t fall and could transition to an oligarchy instead.

「Even so, there would be chaos. Do you understand? You absolutely must not go to the front.」

Bartolo sternly restrained me.

Hmm… If you’re that insistent, I’ll watch quietly.

I hope I can learn something.

◇

The Rosais army’s formation was a typical phalanx. It was a textbook arrangement. There wasn’t a single clever tactic in sight.

「Your Majesty, our forces outnumber the enemy four to one. When there’s an overwhelming disparity in strength, it’s best to use our numbers and hit them head-on.」

「I’ve heard that before.」

If you have superior numbers, a straightforward, orthodox approach is best. A classic strategy remains classic for a reason.

「Wait, isn’t that your echelon formation?」

The enemy’s formation is oddly skewed to the left. Are they trying to imitate Bartolo’s tactics to counter the disparity in numbers?

「Will we be okay?」

「Actually, this is perfect. The original can’t be beaten by a copy.」

Hannibal lost to Scipio, though. But I’ll trust Bartolo on this one.

Bartolo isn’t just a drunkard; he’s a very competent drunkard.

「Your Majesty, please.」

「Got it… All troops! Begin the advance!!!」

「「「OOOOHHHHH!!!!!!」」」

With my command, the Rosais army moved as one. Step by step, we began to advance at a quick pace.

Immediately, the enemy’s heavily reinforced left wing clashed with our weaker right wing. But our forces are four times their size. We won’t be broken that easily.

In the meantime, our left wing collided with the enemy’s right wing.

The outcome was already decided. And then, it happened.

A loud gong rang out from the enemy’s main camp. In an instant, about two thousand enemy soldiers turned and fled. This caused the barely held phalanx to collapse instantly.

…

This is the true nature of the poison.

We made a prior arrangement with the city with the lowest morale among the three cities.

「You just need to flee. When you think the battle is lost, start running. We won’t pursue you then. Afterward, you’ll be treated as an autonomous city.」

That was what we said to them. In other words, if they were winning, they didn’t need to betray us.

The enemy eagerly accepted this offer.

Thus, the battle was decided swiftly and easily.

◇

Afterward, the city that betrayed their side was welcomed into our country with autonomous city status, as promised. Of the remaining two cities, one immediately sought peace after the battle, and we accepted, granting them the status of allied city with no reparations.

The last city surrendered after a siege. We imposed a hundred Talent reparations on them and accepted them as an allied city as well.

This would make these three city-states resent each other.

‘We were defeated because you betrayed us’, ‘You surrendered too quickly!’ They will probably blame and resent the other cities so cooperation between them is unlikely.

Divide and rule is the basic principle of governance.

With these three states surrendering, many other cities quickly followed suit and surrendered to our country. Even though they were small, they were significant powers in this region. Their defeat shifted the balance of power in our favor.

All were welcomed as autonomous cities. We can strip their power and impose taxes at any time.

For now, expanding our territory and weakening the enemy’s strength takes precedence.

Welcoming them as autonomous cities means we don’t get any taxes from them. You might think there’s no benefit in that. But that line of thinking is mistaken. First of all, our military strength increases. They are obligated to provide troops to our country.

Next, we can establish an economic zone. If trade becomes easier, the country prospers, and tax revenue increases accordingly.

Finally, we receive tributes. Although it’s neither mandatory nor requested, they brought tributes to me.

Individually, each tribute wasn’t much, but when you consider the number of cities—dozens of them… It exceeded a hundred talents.

Not a bad amount.

There are other benefits as well, such as increased political influence and diplomatic standing… The advantages are numerous.

「Your Majesty, Ainz-dono has arrived.」

As I was poring over the map in the camp, a guard informed me.

So, Ainz has come.

Finally, we can enter peace negotiations.