Chapter 15: Opportunity For Promotion (2)

Chapter 15: Opportunity For Promotion (2)

At those words, the Division Commander seemed very intrigued and asked,

“Sounds like a good strategy. Can you explain in detail?”

Normally, the fact that I had successfully garnered the division commander’s interest and presented my strategy might have made me extremely pleased. However, the reason I was given the opportunity to speak was due to the division commander’s intention to encourage other staff officers and young officers to suggest their plans.

When the division commander followed through, and the briefing began, the expressions of the senior officers changed, seemingly more pressured than a few minutes before.

They probably thought, ‘If even that mid-ranking officer can suggest a strategy without being reprimanded, as long as I don’t say anything ridiculous, I won’t get scolded either.’

Now, this is the crucial moment.

“Understood. However, may I use this wooden stick, strategic map, and wooden pieces on it?”

“Permission granted.”

Then, I placed the wooden pieces to set the enemy’s base and our base. Using the stick to point, I said,

“First, our available troops number 5,000 due to our cumulative losses. On the other hand, the enemy, including the newly joined Black Lion Mercenary Group, surpasses 9,000. The difference in forces is more than 4,000. Our morale has dropped significantly due to the heavy losses in the last battle, while the enemy’s morale is presumed to be skyrocketing.”

Hearing the bleak outlook, the division commander’s face reddened with anger. The other officers, sensing the mood, looked at me as if thinking, ‘Did he really just say that?’

I fully understood their sentiments. Essentially, I was suggesting that since we lost, we should retreat. So, I quickly added,

“But if we utilize this situation correctly, we can turn the tide.”

Normally, a middle-ranking officer like me making such a bold statement might have drawn reprimands. But since none of the senior officers had offered any solutions yet, it was my chance.

Instead of scolding me, the division commander looked at me with eyes that said, ‘If you don’t offer a proper solution, I won’t let it slide.’

Then he inquired,

“The duty of an imperial soldier is to win. A person of your age who has received the Silver Cross wouldn’t suggest a useless strategy, right? Explain in detail.”

One wrong word could ruin the good image I’d built with the division commander.

But I wasn’t feeling threatened or insecure. As the saying goes, ‘crisis can be an opportunity,’ and this was my chance to suggest a strategy.

This was because if an enemy division were abruptly attacked by over 100 troops while they were asleep, they would fall into severe chaos.

To them, we might appear as a company or even a battalion.

It would take quite some time for them to gather enough troops to counter-attack.

In the meantime, we would only have to deal with disoriented, half-asleep enemies. With our sheer bravery, we could run amok quite easily.

Moreover, if the division commander mobilizes the troops timely, the aggro would be drawn towards them, allowing us to exit enemy lines without any hassle.

“When you receive the signal, Commander, you can deploy the knights in our division to strike the enemy from the left. Following them with infantry for a collective assault, the enemy will be overwhelmed.”

And if the enemy, just recovering from our ambush, gets hit from behind once again...?

Enemy division commanders and other leaders would believe they were surrounded, panicking, and sustaining significant damage.

“That’s the strategy I’ve prepared.”

Initially, when I mentioned a potential defeat, his expression was filled with anger. But after hearing my strategy, it seemed the division commander quite favored it, as he gently smiled and patted my shoulder before turning to the other officers.

“A mere lieutenant, or a student platoon leader just a month ago, has this much capability? The Empire’s future looks bright. So, any objections?”

Several senior officers proposed various strategies to earn points with the division commander.

However, none of them were agreeable, resulting in disagreements.

As the meeting dragged on and the division commander began to show signs of impatience, our battalion commander stood up and voiced his opinion.

“Of all the strategies presented, Lieutenant Yaeger’s strategy seems the most practical. Thus, I, Heine von Blancia, support Lieutenant Yaeger’s plan.”

Soon after, Lieutenant Frangshu, who had avoided the annihilation of his battalion due to the strategy I led, stood up in support as well.

“Analyzing the current situation objectively, there’s no other plan to break through this crisis except the surprise attack suggested by the lieutenant.”

And the remaining officers, though reluctant to approve a lieutenant’s plan, had no other strategy with the potential to turn the tides, so they agreed.

“Alright, let’s proceed with the strategy proposed by Lieutenant Yaeger. All officers should return to their units and prepare for the retreat.”