＜From the Perspective of the Kingdom of Galastone＞
The royal castle of the Kingdom of Galastone.
A heavy stone war council chamber.
Night.
The flames of the candelabra illuminated the table.
King Galastone sat facing General Rakava.
Spread across the table was a military map detailing the warrior nation of Bernada and its surrounding countries.
「General Rakava」
King Galastone spoke as he tilted a glass of red wine.
「Tell me your analysis of the initial battle formation」
General Rakava was a slender, intelligent-looking man.
He stood around 178 centimeters tall and had a muscular build.
He began his explanation while moving pieces across the map.
「Yes, Your Majesty. First, our kingdom and the Lake Nation of Farnetta are both in a position to launch a simultaneous invasion of Bernada」
General Rakava pointed to the positions of the Kingdom of Galastone and the Lake Nation of Farnetta on the map.
「Both nations share direct borders with Bernada, allowing for coordinated attacks」
「I see. What about the Forest Nation of Rilincross?」
「As for the Forest Nation of Rilincross, I believe they won’t be able to participate in the simultaneous invasion」
「Hmm」
The Forest Nation of Rilincross was still tied up dealing with the demon invasion.
This time, they were expected to serve merely as support for Galastone and Farnetta.
King Galastone spoke.
「So, in the initial battle, it will be just our kingdom and Farnetta fighting Bernada」
「Yes」
「How many troops can we mobilize?」
「We’re mobilizing seventy thousand soldiers」
「Seventy thousand… I see」
King Galastone smiled with satisfaction.
In this world, most wars were fought with ten or twenty thousand troops.
But this time, Galastone alone was preparing a force of seventy thousand.
There was no doubt it would be overwhelming force through sheer numbers.
「What do you estimate Bernada’s military strength to be?」
「I believe it’s around twenty thousand」
Said General Rakava.
「Twenty thousand… yes, that sounds about right」
「Yes. Bernada will also have to divide its forces to deal with the Lake Nation of Farnetta」
In truth, the number of troops Henry was preparing was only ten thousand.
But at this stage, neither King Galastone nor the general imagined Henry’s army would consist of so few.
「So, we’re looking at nearly a three-to-one advantage in numbers」
Said King Galastone.
「That’s correct」
「With that kind of gap, we should be able to crush them through sheer force」
War is about numbers.
The most reliable strategy and the most traditional path to victory was to overwhelm the enemy with superior military strength.
「If there’s one concern, it’s that Bernada has several outstanding warriors. Starting with Henry, who defeated Glaston, their ranks are likely filled with strong individuals」
General Rakava spoke with unease.
But King Galastone asked.
「Are you afraid of talent?」
「…Yes. In the past, plans have often been derailed by individuals with extraordinary talent」
「Well… geniuses are troublesome. It’s frightening, but this continent does have monsters who can fight like a thousand men alone」
A single genius could change the course of a war.
And Bernada likely had such outliers among their ranks.
「But――――geniuses exist in every nation. Bernada has them, and so do we. Where they are born is a matter of luck. They’re not raised through education or environment」
At the king’s words, the general nodded.
「Our kingdom’s genius… that would be the Spear Saint, wouldn’t it?」
The Spear Saint.
A title bestowed by the spirits upon those particularly gifted in the art of the spear.
One such honored bearer of the title Spear Saint currently served in the Galastone army.
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