Chapter 580
Chapter 580
Chapter 580: Amidst the Uncertainty
After capturing the frontline city, the Imperial Army handed over the three cities they had taken down to Leticia, who had persuaded the Northern city-states to their cause, and raised their front line.
The formation remained the same, three units upfront with the main force following behind.
Leo, in the main force, was updating his knowledge of various locations.
"Cities in the north are surrendering one after the other, and some cities in the south are starting to show a tendency towards the Empire..."
The Imperial Army had been spreading the word about the incident where the Kingdom Army had burnt their own provisions.
The kingdom that abandoned the saint also abandons its people.
In a tactic of information warfare, it was excessively propagated that the Kingdom's Army was evil and the Saint was justice. However, since facts were mixed in, it was impossible to deny.
The once solid defense began to crumble.
The Kingdom's stance of resisting the Imperial Army as a united front was falling apart.
"Do you think it will go on like this, Vin?"
"Don't ask me. I'm busy."
As Leo questioned, Vin replied while flipping through documents.
At Vin's attitude, Leo grinned wryly.
"Even though you're the strategist?"
"If you think I'm a strategist, then treat me as such."
Vin, clearly irritated, flipped through his documents more quickly.
Currently, Vin was managing the supply of provisions to the three units on the front line and the provisions of the main force.
Maintaining provisions for an army of 150,000 was a major responsibility and a target for the enemy.
Therefore, Leo had entrusted Vin with all matters related to provisions.
The entrusted Vin was busily moving around, meticulously managing the provisions.
To ensure the Imperial Army could fight for as long a time as possible.
"Didn't you say it yourself? Being a strategist for an army of 150,000 is impossible."
"That's why don't ask me. I'm only in charge of managing provisions now."
"At least let me hear your opinion."
"...The common man wouldn't understand what a genius thinks."
"I see. So, what should the Kingdom Army do next? As per convention."
"I'll answer that question. If the Kingdom Army does not change their strategy, they should retreat from the front line and reconstruct their defense. Even if some frontier cities betray us, it won't significantly impact the central regions."
"What if they decide to change their strategy?"
"I don't think the enemy general will follow any strategy I could come up with... If it were me, I'd move to the north. The situation is disadvantageous for the Kingdom Army. To turn the tide, they have no choice but to move. But the only area they can attack is the north."
"I see. There's really no other option given the situation."
Confirming that Vin's opinion was the same as his own, Leo nodded.
The situation was unfavorable for the Kingdom Army.
If they don't change their strategy, they have no option but to retreat. They have to reconstruct their defense, full of holes, or else they will be broken through.
If they abandon that strategy, they have no choice but to switch to offense.
And the only place to attack is the north.
If they can take down the persuaded cities, it would boost morale and serve as a distraction for other cities.
"However, even if they retake the north, it doesn't guarantee the situation will turn in their favor. It was an unfavorable battle for the Kingdom Army from the start. It was only even because they were well-prepared. If those preparations break down, it's natural to be forced into a disadvantageous fight."
"No withdrawal to the fortress, then?"
"Unless they're cornered considerably, it's a different story, but the enemy saw through our aims. They won't likely play into the development we desire."
"If they were to do it... would it be a feigned withdrawal?"
"We should be very cautious. However, it's not a big problem even if they retreat. We just need to order the three front-line units strictly. They don't have to pursue it."
The Imperial Army held the advantage.
They were aware of their advantage, and they simply had to conquer each city one by one.
Thanks to the cities in the north, their biggest concern, provisions, was somewhat relieved.
The enemy's morale was also falling, and cracks were starting to appear in their boasted impregnable defense.
The advantage was certainly theirs.
However, Leo had an indescribable sense of unease.
Was he truly in an advantageous position?
For Leo, who had been prepared for a disadvantage since before the war started, this advantageous situation was ironically a source of anxiety.
What would the enemy do from here?
He had expectations, but he was certain they would exceed them.
Otherwise, there would be no reason for Arl to be on guard.
"I'll urge all the troops to be alert for now. We don't know what the enemy will do."
"You probably want to tell them not to let their guard down, but I think it's impossible. It's clear that the Imperial Army has the upper hand."
At Vin's words, Leo nodded.
He was afraid of that upper hand.
And his anxiety was proven right.
The next day.
The three units that were on the front line each began to take over the next city, but suddenly, communication with the unit on the right side was lost.
However, the main force was a little late in grasping this.
The reason was simple.
The distance between the main force and the three units was greater than it had been when they first attacked the front-line city.
However, it was a slight difference. It was a difference that should be acceptable if they were to conquer three cities at the same time.
But it was only when an urgent messenger arrived from the right side that Leo realized that this difference was fatal.
It eventually became the last report from the right side.
The content was that the enemy's general, Ansem, had appeared.
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