Chapter 1406: Prologue (Part 2)

“The advantage of the Southern Army is that, while the Ashen Stream River is a geographical barrier, it is also a good waterway. As for Kingsfort being the capital of Paratu, I’m not quite sure about its port…”

“Kingsfort is a wool distribution center for Paratu.” Cornelius explained coldly: “The water level is deep, there are many berths, and the facilities are complete. Continue.”

“So as long as the Southern Army holds Kingsfort, it can continuously receive reinforcements from the Headquarters…”

“In terms of the question itself, you got it right.” Cornelius commented mercilessly: “But you’ve only seen the first layer, not the second.”

His finger slid across the map of Ashen Stream River, guiding the former cadet: “It’s not as if ports only exist on the south bank; the Western Front Army can also use the Ashen Stream River for supplies.”

Fritz disagreed: “But Rainbow Creek, Stonewood, High Ridge Fortress… The enemy’s heartland is all inland, in mountainous areas.”

“First, take the water route, then the land route. One can first capture the coastal towns and then advance into North Paratu Inland.” Cornelius pointed to the lower-left part of the map: “Moreover, the heart of the enemy of the Southern Army is also inland.”

Fritz fell into contemplation; after understanding, he nodded and admitted his ‘mistake’ without hesitation.

Cornelius gave a light hum, which seemed to be a satisfied hum this time.

He patiently explained: “Everything you’ve assumed is based on a premise, which is ‘The Ashen Stream River’s waterway can be used by us, and only by us’.”

Fritz was first stunned and then shuddered: “Are you saying that the Vineta will…?”

“Are you a Venetian?” Cornelius glared.

“I…” Fritz didn’t understand what the former head meant: “No.”

“Am I?”

“Also no.”

“Then how do you know, how do I know, what the Venetians plan to do?”

Cornelius stared at Fritz, his gaze sharp as a knife, his tone becoming unusually severe:

“But I can tell you, cadet.

“If you blindly assume your enemy won’t take certain actions, and base your plan on that.

“Then one day, you and your subordinates will step into an irrevocable disaster together.”

Fritz remained silent for a moment, then stood up and bowed: “I accept your teachings.”

Cornelius sneered: “Listening with the ears, a hundred times may not engrave it into one’s heart; with the left chest, just once can go straight to the heart. Unfortunately, the latter usually won’t have a second chance.”

“Forget it, sit down.” Cornelius then waved, returning to the main topic: “So now you understand why, despite forming two armies, there won’t be a war on two fronts?”

“I understand.” Fritz quickly replied: “If the possibility of Vineta’s participation is considered, only the Western Front Army’s strategic goals can potentially be achieved.”

“The overall strategy set by the Army Headquarters is called ‘West attack South defense’.”

Jansen Cornelius introduced formally to the cadet:

“The Western Front Army could be described as ‘strong soldiers and esteemed heroes.’

“[Pure], [Firm], the two main forces of the National Guard, put together.”

“As if it’s still not enough, they drew backbone from [Victory Goddess] and [Torrent River], reinforcing [Holy] and [Justice], then stuffed [Holy], [Justice] in there too.”

“Guns, armor, cannons, ammunition, given vigorously.”

“Young faction, middle-aged faction, old and venerable faction, anyone who still wants to climb higher, all scrambling to get in.”

“And the Montans and Vaughan People were also ordered by the military to dispatch troops to aid.”

“North Paratu.” Cornelius concluded: “The military is determined to win.”

“Since [Pure], [Firm], [Holy], [Justice] have all been incorporated into the Western Front Army.” Fritz unwittingly furrowed his brows tightly: “What units are left for the Southern Army then?”

“Why wouldn’t there be?” Jansen Cornelius paused, a mocking smile curling on his lips: “The National Guard’s Fifth Legion, [Endurance]; Sixth Legion, [Caution]; Seventh Legion, [Resilience]; Eighth Legion, [Temperance].”

Despite Fritz having endured cold treatment from the War History department, he was still shocked and stunned: “Eighth Legion? Eight Legions?”

His speech speed turned as fast as a rat with a burnt tail: “When did the National Guard expand from four legions to eight, Endurance, Caution, Resilience, Temperance… I’ve never even heard of them!”

“Haven’t heard of it?” Cornelius wore an inscrutable smile: “Well, now you have.”

“Where does the Mountain Front Territory have so many troops?”

“Recruited, conscripted, dragged, fooled.” Cornelius answered casually: “And some town guards… After all, there’s no need to really fill the ranks.”

Fritz was getting anxious: “What… what kind of war can they fight?!”

“Very well, now you know the truth, Major.” Cornelius suddenly dropped his cynical, mysterious attitude and said solemnly: “The Southern Army is simply unable to fight a war!

“They say one army is responsible for eliminating the Rainbow River Military Government, another for reclaiming the Newly Reclaimed Land.

“They say to attack west and defend south, north first then south.

“But in my opinion, the army doesn’t even intend to defend the south!

“Those old folks must be thinking this—if they can just take North Paratu, the territory of the Federated Provinces could expand tens of times over, solving the problems that have plagued the Provinces for decades in one go!

“Population, land, depth, market, everything will be available!

“Since that’s the case, why waste immense manpower and resources maintaining a bridgehead fortress on the South Bank of the Ashen Stream River when these resources could be put into North Paratu?”

Cornelius shouted: “Which loss is lower? Which gain is higher? You are also a United Provincial; do you need someone else to teach you such principles?!

“Since that’s the case…” Fritz was momentarily unable to fully digest the minister’s words, feeling a bit dizzy: “Since that’s the case, why establish the Southern Army?”

“Because the military can accept losing Kingsfort.” Cornelius sneered: “But the Provinces cannot tolerate abandoning the capital of Paratu.”

“So… so…” Fritz pressed his forehead, feeling a wave of discomfort: “So they created such an equal-level, equal-scale, even equally named ‘Southern Army’.”

To deceive those unaware of the truth beforehand and to shirk responsibility and silence the fury of those angry with the outcome afterward.”

“Precisely.” Cornelius maintained his calm demeanor: “This is the typical behavior of those old guys, and it’s why we initiated the mutiny.

“But in the end, we failed.” Fritz murmured.

“Failed?” Cornelius coldly retorted: “Why do you think so?”

Fritz of Nise slowly raised his head, staring intently at the former minister.

“Isn’t this what you once said? Cadet. ‘If I can effect change, I’m willing to be a tool.'” Cornelius asked deliberately one word at a time: “Is there not a change now? We have successfully shattered the shackles of the old order, awakened the Republic of the Mountain Front Territory from slumber, and stirred up the entire Alliance.”

Fritz remained silent.

“What, do you regret it? Cadet.” Cornelius mocked: “Are you now unsure whether this change is good or bad? Do you now regret being a tool?”

Another difficult silence followed.

“Never…”

Fritz clutched his knees, slowly raising his head, now devoid of his former complacency towards humiliation and indifference towards criticism, a flame burned in his eyes.

He gritted his teeth and said deliberately:

“I have never regretted it; if I can bring about change, I’m willing to be a tool. I’d rather be smashed to smithereens in the crashing waves, rather be trampled to death under the hooves of a rampaging herd, than swallow the bitter wine named reality and live a life of humiliation in a cage.”

Jansen Cornelius quietly listened to Fritz’s declaration, nodded, and asked:

“So, I still ask the same question, answer me—suppose there is a young officer, with a passionate heart joins the revolution, only to be betrayed and abandoned by his country after its victory, will he choose to bury himself in the annals of war, or continue to shine for his country?”

“If the country needs, I am willing to lay everything of mine on the altar, my flesh, bones, nails, soul, can all be taken.” Fritz said with a gloomy face: “But I don’t understand why I must go to the Southern Army.”

“Because it’s necessary to go.

“Because you cannot not go.”

“Because the country needs you to go.”

“Because the Provinces can do without Kingsfort.”

Cornelius pounded heavily on the desk, causing the room’s lights to tremble:

“But the Alliance absolutely cannot lose South Paratu!”