iii

*** ***

Naimon: Soleton didn't know that his teacher was really just a stone's throw away from him.

Under the cover of a slight rain curtain, a middle-aged man in a blue military uniform stood on a seaside hill not far south of Fortiburg, looking through a telescope to the north. Although he was in a very dangerous enemy situation, his expression was still so calm that he couldn't see even the slightest worry. Like everyone around him, he did not wear epaulettes on his shoulders, but this did not detract from his noble status - he was the commander of the Southwestern Army of the Free Army, Lieutenant General Clade, and Lieutenant General López (rank of general).

The distant fortress is very clear by the combination of objective and eyepiece, and even the turrets on the inner wall are clearly visible. After a brief count of the number of cannons visible in the fortress on the south bank, the corners of Clade López's mouth twitched slightly. That amount......

It's too much, it's too much. Without counting the north bank, the estuary, and the auxiliary forts, there was already such a staggering number of cannons, and if all were counted, how many cannons would there be?

He probably conquered more than thirty cities and fortresses in his lifetime, but those cities were of a completely different level from this fortress. Perhaps it has been peaceful for a long time, and the eastern cities are still in the oldest stage of "high walls and grain accumulation", the purpose of which is only to resist bandits and thieves, but this is not the case with the fortresses here. Fort Fort is not just a fortified fortress, it is a weapon of attack. Since the Fourth Freedom War, the fortress has been continuously added to form the current jaw-dropping fortress complex.

"Such a fortress can only be ranked as the 'second fortress of the Republic', if you want to conquer the first fortress Stillburg......"

He muttered to himself, imagining possible future battles in his mind. As long as they have sea supremacy, the defenders of the fortifications on both sides of the strait can easily support each other and delay the attacking army. Fort Forte is located at the heart of the Republic, and has the advantage of being on the inside and at its disposal for attacks from almost any direction. The troops stationed in it can leave only a small number of troops to pin down one enemy line, and quickly maneuver by land and water to destroy the other enemy line. The middle-aged man's fingers drew arrows on the invisible map, trembling slightly as he deduced: he seemed to have seen the possibility that the Itaean legion under his command was suppressed under the city, and the eastern Phaetes legion was broken by the defenders of the fortress like lightning.

"Your Excellency, General, you have been stranded here for nearly half an hour, it is too risky. If the other party finds out about this, I'm afraid they will already be mobilizing troops to surround it now. You've kept the entire Federation safe!"

The young adjutant beside the general reminded worriedly while looking around. Lieutenant Colonel Tedwood, a former intelligence officer who is now the first officer of the General Staff Headquarters, has sent three elite reconnaissance teams to the alert, but he is still worried that he will be discovered by the opposing reconnaissance unit. Although the coup army keeps saying that "there will be no civil war," the former intelligence officer is very sure that the opponent will definitely continue to conduct reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance. After all, all the high-sounding slogans are slogans, and what everyone actually does must be carried out in accordance with the army code.

"Don't worry. At this distance, even if we were spotted as soon as we appeared, it would take at least twenty minutes for the encircling forces to arrive. We've only been here for a total of 14 minutes, and we're still in time to get to the next commanding height. I would also like to see how the three outer forts on the southern perimeter are supporting each other. López casually retorted with a number of times. There is a considerable gap in General López's file, but that doesn't change the fact that he also came from a full-fledged military academy — he knows all about the Free Army's methods.

Hull frowned, and retorted, "But why is it necessary to take such a risk? If Your Excellency wants to know the defense and troop deployment plan of Fortiburg, you only need to consult the documents of the General Staff Headquarters...... The other party's subordinates will not be far from that plan. I absolutely do not approve of your continued risky behavior, knowing that there is an important meeting this afternoon!"

"There is a great soldier in the East who said that only by knowing the enemy with your own eyes can you win the battle. I'm a firm believer in that. Clad put away the binoculars and said, "The other party is also a Free Army, and they know that we will review the documents." When our actions have fallen into the enemy's calculations, we are bound to be at a disadvantage. Never underestimate your opponents. ”

Hull was momentarily speechless.

At that moment, a heavy muffled sound burst from the forest not far away, accompanied by a flash of red smoke in the rain. Those are the two methods of communication that are standard for reconnaissance teams: sonic bombs for medium-range communication and smoke generators for long-range communication. There was no exchange of fire, and the fast horses of the reconnaissance team rushed back towards the hill where they were, and the horses' hooves stepped out of the mud star on the muddy mountain road.

Seeing this scene, Hull Tedwood's face turned slightly pale: "It's encountered." Sure enough, they used a new password. ”

"That is, twenty minutes to go. The general turned over neatly on his horse, clamped his legs between the belly of the horse, and galloped down the gentle slope. "Pass the order, the whole team will retreat quickly! All reconnaissance teams must be evacuated within five minutes!"

"Yes. Lieutenant Colonel Hull hesitated, and followed closely behind the Supreme Commander with the staff officers around him. A detachment of forty hussars left the hill and galloped along the coast.

The warm and humid climate on the western shore of Interlay Bay, with its inshore fertile land dotted with groves of low shrubs and trees, should have been a good environment for concealment, but the situation looked a little worse and did not develop according to Clad's "twenty minutes" estimate.

The defenders of the fortress did not go back for help, but gnawed the tail of the group like flies. As the pursuit continued, the number of pursuers began to increase rather than decrease: it was clear that the coup army had put in a large number of reconnaissance troops in the vicinity, all using the same magic smoke signals as a liaison.

The trackers did not fire, but they did not retreat either, and the distance between the two sides remained about three hundred meters. When he had left the seashore and was almost on the road, Clad simply stopped his horse: sure enough, the pursuers also stopped their horses, and were out of the maximum range of the cavalry pistols.

"Your Excellency, what are you doing?!!, this is dangerous!" said Lieutenant Colonel Hull, who rode close to his commander and spoke quickly.

Clad didn't answer the question, but while looking back, he calmly commented on the other party's actions: "Even the rules of the Free Army have changed, this kind of undisguised tracking and reconnaissance...... The other side's staff was quite bold and made this decision after recognizing that we would not take the initiative to attack. ”

Hearing the general's comments, Hull, who was the head of the temporary staff, couldn't help it. He retorted: "In any case, this kind of order is really disregard for the lives of the soldiers of the reconnaissance unit. If there is a war with the Empire, how many experienced scouts will be lost? The first purpose of the scout unit is to bring back information, not to die on the front line. ”

"Personally, I agree with your cautious approach, but the ability of the other party to improvise is also noteworthy. This is not only a difference in the style of the staff, but also a difference in the approach of the manager. If it were me, I would not have approved such a risky change. The other party only understands - or estimates my character and style - will use such a rule. I hope that your staff will also try to take into account the personality and style of the enemy, rather than just doing intelligence and data calculations. My guess is that the staff officer over there came from the Strategic Analysis Department or the Special Operations Department. ”

Clad explained leisurely, the series of cautionary words that made Hull's expression change. Former intelligence officers are indeed accustomed to the collection and classification of intelligence, but they are not good at later analysis and processing. He sighed, thinking about his boss's advice.

"Speaking of character, what kind of man is this Excellency himself? He has no prudence in his own security, but he is quite cautious in the use and deployment of troops...... There is considerable caution in the appointment of personnel, but there is no caution in the assignment of tasks to subordinates. ”

Just as Hull was thinking about the commander's character, the general spoke again: "Since the other party has no intention of catching up, let's continue to set off." Turn to the east and use sixty percent speed!"

Hull's eyebrows furrowed again. Instead of returning to the temporary camp in the southwest, they will go to Cape Rafal in the east? Sixty percent speed? Instead of trying all out to get rid of the opponent's pursuit, they will use their unfast speed to lure the opponent into pursuit? What is going on in the mind of this boss?

"Forget it. The lieutenant colonel shook his head: presumably the chief has a clever plan, he doesn't have to worry about it.

*** ***

"Finally made a prediction, well done, Major. If I can capture the other commander's commander alive this time, I'll give you a credit, Cusson. Four consecutive afternoons of vigilance have finally paid off. Lieutenant Colonel Eugen chewed gum and chased the traces left by the outpost reconnaissance unit as he galloped down the rugged seaside hills.

Major Peter Cussen, whom he had complimented, simply saluted in response: "This is what I ought to do, sir." ”

Two special sorties in one afternoon are really annoying, and four consecutive afternoons of caution due to prophetic magic are even more annoying. Ever since the detection of the large camp set up by the 5th Division of the Lenny Government Army and the Provisional Division of the Klad Provisional Division thirty kilometers southwest of the fortress, an atmosphere of tension has enveloped the entire fortress. The 7,000 soldiers here could not resist the assault of two fully equipped divisions. If you can catch the opposing officer, you will naturally be able to know the true intentions of the enemy. Now the desire of the staff officers to make meritorious service trumped the anger.

Except for the false ensign under the pseudonym Naemon Soleton. The young man was following the brigade with trepidation, doing this special duty that he did not want to do at all. The thought of confronting his teacher's troops gave him an instinctive resistance. But he had to follow the group out again—not just because he didn't want to be recognized, but because he wanted to see if he could take the opportunity to get in touch with his teacher.

"In this direction, a minute and fifteen seconds ago!

The last scout to make contact with them joined their group, accompanied by a report on the distance and condition of the retreating enemy forces ahead. Hearing this, everyone in the pursuit team burst into ecstasy, and involuntarily urged their respective mounts again.

"Isn't it too fast, Lieutenant Colonel, watch out for the traps, we suffered this one night. Captain Edith circumnavigated Major Cussen's mount with great horsemanship, and whispered a reminder in Lieutenant Colonel Eugen's ear.

"Don't worry, Miss Edith. A confident smile crossed Lieutenant Colonel Eugen's face, "With our lineup here, they can't do anything to us." This isn't Lenny two weeks ago......"

Before the words could be spoken, the men stopped their horses abruptly on the hill on the south side of Cape Rafal, and looked condescendingly at the small group of Lenny government troops who were surrounded. They had gathered in a mess on the beach by the sea, most of them having drawn their pistols and sabers from their waists, and each of them had no sign of rank or status on his shoulder. Probably double, nay, three times as many coup troops as theirs—or rather, the Directory besieged them from three sides, and more weapons were aimed at them.

Lieutenant Colonel Eugen jumped off his horse and walked down the hill, shouting: "Fellow Free Army, you have been surrounded, please lay down your arms......"

Before he could finish speaking, a short, apparently blurted out exclamation suddenly came from behind him. The second half of the scream was cut off almost immediately, but that still didn't stop both sides from noticing the person making the scream at the same time.

"Ensign Namen, what's wrong?" asked Captain Edith, turning back, "what are you surprised about?"

Soleton ignored her, and just bit his lip in frustration, regretting that he shouldn't have let out that knee-jerk scream.

Why, didn't the teacher recognize me? I'm Soleton!

He felt the urge to rush to the teacher's side immediately, but he also knew that he would be immediately beaten into a honeycomb by his colleagues with weapons in their hands.

He lowered his head and stared at the middle-aged man opposite him out of the corner of his eye. López still stood there coldly, looking at him without the slightest fluctuation of emotion.

In that moment of despair, the boy noticed that Mr. Clad's indifferent expression trembled slightly, and his jaw, which was as hard to shake as a stone sculpture, tapped three times. Soleton had seen this move a few times and knew what it meant.

Do as you judge.

But can I do it? The boy asked himself, not getting an answer, but he made up his mind.

Soleton resolutely raised his head, touched his chin, and stammered, "I just feel ...... One of those people was a little familiar, I think I had met it once before at the staff headquarters, but I don't remember it very well. ”

"A little familiar?" Several other staff officers of the coup army immediately followed his gaze, looking at the middle-aged man with a grim face. On closer inspection, Major Peter Cussen and Captain Edith, who had served at the headquarters, exclaimed almost simultaneously.

"Gram...... Clad ...... Clad, López!"

"What?!"

From Lieutenant Colonel Eugen to the privates of the reconnaissance squad, from four-legged horses to two-legged men, almost all the encirclers of the coup army stepped back, and the horses neighed, screamed and whispered. The corners of Clad's mouth turned up slightly, as if he was pleased with the result.

Eugen spat out the mouth glue violently, took two steps forward, and asked in a very cautious tone, "Your Excellency...... Is it really General Clad, López?"

Hull took two steps forward and stood in front of his chief: "No, this ......"

"There's no need to hide it, Lieutenant Colonel. They were all former officers of the General Staff Headquarters, and they couldn't hide it. That's right, I'm Clad López. Clade López said lightly, confirming his identity, "It seems that this soldier is the new first staff officer? I haven't seen you before, can I ask the daimyō?"

Eugen thought about it for a moment, saluted, and replied: "Former in the Special Operations Department, and now the first staff officer of the General Staff Headquarters of the Free Army, Eggar; ”

Hearing where the opponent's officer belonged, Hull Tedwood looked at his commander and smiled bitterly, admiring the accuracy of his estimates.

Eugen looked at him a little puzzled, and continued, "Sorry for the offense, but today we may have to invite Your Excellency to our Fortiburg for a few days. ”

Clad clasped his hands on his chest, and still replied coldly: "What if I say no?

Lieutenant Colonel Eugen hurriedly waved his hand: "No, no, it is by no means a civil war, but just an invitation to the honorable general to be a guest out of the friendship of friendly troops." We are both free troops, so it is normal to exchange combat experience, and please do not refuse, we really don't want to use force. ”

Hull couldn't help it, took two steps forward, and said loudly: "You are also a dignified staff officer, you don't need to be oily anymore......"

Clad suddenly patted the subordinate on the shoulder, stopping him, and a smile appeared on his lips. "Yes, Fort Fort is a good place, and it might be a good place to be a guest for two days. ”

"Ah, Your Excellency is still reasonable. We have no ill intentions in inviting the general as a guest......" Eugen hurriedly laughed with a smile on his face, he really didn't want to fight this legendary enemy general with superior magical strength.

Clad ignored him, still smiling, and continued: "Speaking of Fortiburg, I can't help but think of the memories I had when I came here with my wife for our honeymoon – especially the Pilo cheese stew and the half-cooked veal steak that I ate here. It would be a great joy to be able to go there for a vacation in your spare time. ”

"Then your Excellency, come with us. Although there has been a shortage of ingredients due to the recent lockdown, we will try our best to make it for you no matter what kind of dish it is. Eugen hurriedly picked it up.

"It's a pity that I don't have much time lately, so I can only decline your kindness first, Lieutenant Colonel. Clad flicked his index finger, and a blue light flashed across the sky!

"Do it!" Eugen shouted as he slumped down on the sand, his head in his hands. A few bullets flew out, but they were all blocked by the unknown magic that Hel had already prepared. Immediately afterwards, several muffled sounds hit the hill behind the encirclement of the coup army, and several waves of earth more than one person high erupted.

Seeing this, the expression on Clade López's face returned to indifference, but his mouth still recounted the black humor that was not funny.

"Didn't I tell me? I have a date today. I would like to introduce you to this famous general, known as the 'Flaming General', the commander-in-chief of the Fates Military District and the Northeast Army, Admiral Wiener and Betsy, and the fleet of the Interre Republic that carried him and his legions. I don't want to start a civil war, what do you think?"

Looking at the three battleships that had turned out from the other side of the cape, Eggar, Lieutenant Colonel Eugen's face turned pale for a while, and at some point, he chewed gum in his mouth again. But now, he only has one command left to issue.

"All retreat!"

*** ***

Fifteen minutes later, the dinghy was carrying Clad, and López and his entire staff team boarded the ship, the bronzed, muscular Wiener, where Admiral Betsy was already waiting.

The leader of the conservative wing of the military has a nickname and appearance that has nothing to do with his personality: "General Flame" is nicknamed "Flame General" purely because of his fiery red, flaming hair, though it has become slightly white over time.

"Clad;López...... Admiral Temporary," Admiral Betsy deliberately bit the "temporary" very hard, with a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone, "I didn't expect you to be such an adventurous person." As a major general, why should you face danger yourself?"

"To understand my enemies—and I did. Clad replied coldly, "I trust most in what I have seen with my own eyes, and in the judgments I have made myself. Fortunately, they didn't know that you didn't bring the entire legion, and they didn't know that the so-called 'Interres Republic fleet' currently only had these three ships. ”

"I came back this time to discuss the issue with the United Parliament. When we make a decision, we will naturally have a much larger fleet at our disposal. Admiral Wiener and Admiral Betsy held out his strong hand characteristic of the Phaetes, "Well, I hope we will have a good time working together in the coming battles." ”

"If there is a battle. If I'm not mistaken, I'm afraid that soon there will be envoys between the two sides. Clad also held out a dark-white hand with a few calluses in it. The two admirals' right hands only touched slightly, and then they separated.

Wiener and Betsy stroked her fiery red beard and asked, "Can you guarantee that Lenny and I will be there within a few days?"

Clad smiled slightly: "It only takes one day to pass through the inland waterway. ”

Admiral Betsy was stunned: "Can you still guarantee the navigation of the inland river? Is the river fleet still in control?"

"Ah, I've found a good fleet commander who can turn the so-called 'Presence Fleet' into a complete 'Fortress Fleet'. ”

Clad replied, looking up at the sky where the rain had stopped. The cumulonimbus clouds have not yet dispersed, forming a chaotic pattern.

I'm afraid it will continue to rain at night.

(Note: Existence of the Fleet and the Fortress Fleet: Comes from the naval ideas that have been popular in modern times, the former believing that the absolute presence of the fleet should be maintained and fighting avoided, and the latter believing that the fleet should be used as a means of fortified defense.) ）