Chapter 105: Francois Eastern Expedition (2)
Our 80,000 Francois expeditionary force was able to enter Puatishe, the gateway to the eastern granary region, through Hulang Castle without any conflict.
The reason, according to the reports of our advance reconnaissance and spies who infiltrated into the enemy lines, was that the enemy still mistakenly believed we were near Sargminne Castle due to supply issues.
They have stationed a 120,000-strong army there, waiting for us.
Once they would realize their mistake, it would take them about two weeks to reach us at a normal marching speed from there.
Since we were moving in the opposite direction and looting the eastern granary area, it would take the Francois army much longer to catch up with us.
Although Francois did provide the pretext for excommunication from the papacy, they weren’t fools.
We did set a few traps… and thankfully, they fell for them easily.
“As expected. A talent who broke the conventions of the empire and became the youngest Major General is indeed different. You boldly charged into enemy territory, yet you didn’t face a single battle. Hahaha.”
While saying this, General Patton patted my shoulder and looked at me with eyes that saw a cute grandson who had done something commendable.
It had been almost three months since the expeditionary force was formed and since I’d been with the General.
He started treating me like that at some point, probably because he really liked how I fooled the enemy with the ‘Dark Passage’ strategy to penetrate their territory deeply.
“We will prepare to confiscate food in all the villages leading up to Sargminne Castle until a month before the actual attack, making the enemy believe we would go there, but our actual route is towards Hulang Castle!”
To be effective in a charge, it was crucial to strike at a weakness the enemy hadn’t thought of.
It was an unprecedented fishing operation that completely fooled the Francois Republic, not just tactically but strategically.
Having advocated for assaults in every situation, it was no surprise that he won countless victories by striking at the critical point at the right time.
I understood why he was so pleased, but did he really need to march right beside me?
Save me, damn it. Even with one star on my shoulder, I was just a nobody in front of a four-star general.
“Lieutenant Minggo! What do you think? Isn’t this operation brilliant? In my opinion, this war is as good as victory already!”
At that, Lieutenant Minggo, who was standing beside him, nodded his head.
“If the General thinks so, I believe he is right.”
Seeing the lieutenant’s skin, I noticed it was a different dark color compared to the people of our Reich Empire.
Could it be that in the empire, there were already officers who were once slaves from the Niger continent?
It wasn’t a racist thought, but in the Reich Empire, it was relatively common for one to receive a title, become a higher noble, or change their status depending on their military achievements.
Even if the black people of the Niger continent believed in the Deus religion, they were still regarded as legitimate slaves, and it would be difficult for them to become officers regardless of their military contributions…
As I looked at him with such skepticism, General Patton smiled and said,
“Major General Yaeger, are you surprised by Lieutenant Minggo’s dark skin?”
“Well, isn’t it rare in the empire to have an officer with such a background?”
“You are right. But listen well. I will teach you one of my principles of military command.”
Hearing that, I focused on the General, who exuded an aura similar to that of General Patton from World War II.
“What does skin color or status matter? Right now, anyone who can kill those idiotic bastards of the Francois Republic is enough. And Lieutenant Minggo, though not quite like you, is also very capable!”
It was a straightforward quote befitting a man whose motto in life and driving force for promotion to General was simply “charge.”
Thus, the General and I spent about an hour discussing the greatness of the charge.
“Reporting, sir. In 20 minutes, we will reach the point where we agreed to disperse by brigade. Major General Yaeger’s 12th Brigade should hurry to prepare.”
Hearing this, the General, who loved the charge more than anyone, turned his horse and left with Lieutenant Minggo, saying,
“Indeed, the one who stirred up an enemy division with just one company. Full of the qualities of a great general. If only that damn General Benner hadn’t meddled, I would have married my granddaughter to you, haha.”
Even though he wasn’t here, to speak in such a way about Duke Benner, who was most likely to become the next marshal…
It really seemed like this man was, indeed, Patton from a parallel world.
And a week later.
“Reporting to the Brigade Commander. We have arrived at the Gedison village in the Francois Republic.”
“Are all the villagers still there?”
Responding to that, a soldier who had returned from reconnaissance said,
“Yes, seeing the sacks of grain and various food piled up in the village square, it seems they’re trying to secure safety from us instead of fleeing.”
“Understood, then I’ll go myself.”
“Do you really need to go yourself to raid just a village, Brigade Commander?”
Certainly, I might not need to intervene personally. But by now, other high-ranking individuals would also be appearing before the villagers to establish a justification before the raid.
The justification we put forward was really simple.
“This battle is not just a war between nations, but a holy war recognized by His Holiness the Pope.”
To propagate this cause, I ordered Lieutenant Anya, Laura, and other officers to follow me to the village square.
As the scout had reported, many villagers, including the village head, had gathered there. They began to plead for mercy upon seeing us.
“I am Peter Yaeger, Brigade Commander of the Reich Empire’s 12th Brigade, here to punish the Francois Republic on behalf of His Holiness the Pope for violating His laws and plundering our empire’s people.”
As I began to speak, all eyes focused on me, and after a moment of murmuring, everyone fell silent.
“First, for those who are unfamiliar with church laws, nations believing in the Deus religion are strictly forbidden from raiding other nations’ villages without a declaration of war in order to minimize unnecessary casualties. However, the Francois Republic’s parliament, without any declaration of war, plundered villages of the Reich Empire, showing no remorse for violating the command of Deus.”
Upon saying this, murmuring arose among the villagers.
“Has the parliament gone mad? How could they defy the command of His Holiness the Pope…?”
“No, they ignored the will of Deus.”
“Those damned souls are destined for hell. That’s why we…”
Seeing the villagers, especially the peasants, showing dissatisfaction with the Francois Republic as I intended, I smiled inwardly.
Because now, even if we render their fields unusable and take their food, their resentment would be directed not only at our imperial army but also more directly at the Francois Republic’s government, which had caused this situation.
After all, our empire was waging a just war in obedience to Deus’s command.
Even as we strip away their livelihoods, food, and homes, a part of them would think it was an inevitable consequence.
“Therefore, His Holiness the Pope has excommunicated the Francois Republic to uphold the justice of Deus. And we are here to execute his command by plundering this village.”
Upon hearing this, the faces of the villagers, who had hoped that maybe they would just take the food and leave, were covered in immense despair.
“However, His Holiness the Pope surely knows that you, the peasants, have no intention of defying his command. Normally, residents of a country that has been excommunicated should be strictly punished and enslaved.”
Becoming a slave meant the complete nullification of all human rights.
It meant becoming a talking beast, raped, or abused by their masters with no one to protect their rights.
“How could His Holiness the Pope wish us to treat you, who are forced to assist the evil Francois Republic, so harshly? Therefore, I permit you all to leave for other lands of the Francois Republic with a week’s worth of food loaded onto five donkey-drawn carts.”
Upon hearing this, the villagers showed relief, as they would lose all their possessions but would be spared from becoming slaves, playthings of the raiding army, or being cruelly killed.
“Furthermore, His Holiness the Pope said that he would lift the excommunication if the leaders of the Francois Republic showed remorse after the war. You must remember this message and convey it to other villages.”
After finishing the speech, I gave orders to the officers around me.
“Leave the peasants with minimal food and carts to last them a week on the road, then plunder everything. Do not touch the church, but burn the fields and demolish the houses.”
Upon my command, my army began to move as instructed.
As expected, the villagers not only resented us but also harbored increased hatred towards the Francois Republic, which had almost damned their souls to hell.
In addition, I strictly ordered my soldiers,
“Do not harm the peasants leaving here. It is the will of Deus. Never commit heinous acts like rape, murder, or kidnapping. Anyone, regardless of status, will be beheaded according to military law.”
Thus, while we plundered the property and village, I showed as much consideration as possible, within the constraints, to the residents of the conquered territory. But then…
“I am Lieutenant Colonel Mark von Schmitz of the Military Police. What should we do about a foolish noble who broke the military law, caught up in the atmosphere of plunder?”
“Just behead all according to the military law.”
Hearing that, the Lieutenant Colonel, sweating profusely, said to me,
“He holds a baron title and is married to the third daughter of Count Guderian, making him the count’s son-in-law.”
Ah, he was someone beyond his authority to handle.
“Bring him to me immediately.”
It was good that he held a title.
Let’s repurpose him appropriately and put him to good use.
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