Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World - Chapter 39

The future of the commanders
Henry and Luther were on top of their Snowfire Horses, watching the battle unfold in front of them from a safe distance. Due to the goal of this mission, Henry decided to grant some autonomy to his captains, curious to see how they organized and led their soldiers. But soon, he felt frustration building up inside him. He wanted to slap himself for expecting too much and setting his bar too high.

Luther was an excellent general, able to come up with intelligent plans on his own, Icemit and even Leier’s mission being a solid proof for that. However, unfortunately, the captains under him didn’t seem to own that same head. Maybe because the power in the army was too concentrated in the hands of the generals and the king, leading them to be only soldiers with just a higher status.

“They have no knowledge on strategy. It’s going to be a problem in the future”- Henry grasped the reins of his horse tightly as he thought.

Henry knew that in the future, the battles would be happening in numerous fronts and in a scattered way. It would be too much different from the current situation, where they only had to attack and defend against the army in front of them. It would be impossible for him and Luther to be present on all sides of the battlefield to lead them.

The Kingdom of Stahl was fraught with weakness, meaning that the foundation too weak and unprepared to support any kind of expansion. It was a miracle that the borders were still intact amidst a civil war occurring for a few months. Henry couldn’t help but thanks these inhospitable and poor lands. If not for them, his head and throne would be rolling around when he managed to occupy the body.

“I will have to incorporate a curriculum on strategy in the University” – Henry decided, his eyes not leaving the battlefield in front of him – “I will write down warfare tactics developed on Earth for the students, providing them with a solid basis. Even though this world is heavily dependent on Mana, it will still prove to be of help. Furthermore, in the future, to occupy a seat as a leader in the army, one must have at least a degree from the university.”

Unknowingly, in a single instant, Henry had laid the outline of the destination that all future and unparalleled aspiring commanders yearned to reach. A place that fostered the greatest leaders and strategies, a place that dictated the direction of history itself and solidified the power of Stahl over the lands.

After deciding that, Henry turned his attention back to the soldiers fighting in the frontline. He had given the captains a simple ‘hit and run’ tactic. This would involve the army launching quick, surprise attacks on different areas of the walls, but then immediately withdrawing before the defenders could mount a proper defense.

The idea behind this strategy was to force the defenders to constantly move their forces to counter the army’s attacks, which would then prevent Codicia’s soldiers from effectively organizing her troops. By doing this, Henry’s army could keep the defenders on their toes and build a chaotic space, allowing Leier plenty of time to sneak into the city and complete her mission.

Unfortunately, the captains of the teams were always late in their withdraws, resulting in hurtful losses for the army. The team with the least number of injured soldiers was the one implanted with the Tribal Tattoos, but this result wasn’t because of the captain great commanding skills, but simply due to their bodies being as strong as a Winter Orc.

The Tribal Troops were followed by the Cavalry, which relied on the speed of the horses to dodge the arrows and get away from the range of the rain. The ones with the most injured and dead were clearly the infantry, who didn’t manage to get away rapidly from the fire range and got caught in it.

Henry decided to face those losses as an investment. He wanted to train those commanders to see and feel the battlefield from a new perspective, growing into a great asset for the kingdom in the future wars. His kingdom couldn’t relay into only two people, he had to diversify.

“Let’s wait for Leier’s signal.” – Henry said with confidence, remembering the girl’s loyal and assuring black eyes.

-x-

On top of the walls, Duchess Codicia was firing arrow after arrow towards the enemies, while also cursing and threatening her soldiers, slapping them on the head. She was infuriated for not being able to shoot down Luther and Henry, who kept far away from the battlefield, but also seeing her archers unable to exterminate the soldiers below.

Codicia’s arrows were coated in a deadly icy blue aura that could freeze the blood of those who were touched by it. In sum, she was utilizing her powerful elemental mana and her strength to kill the attackers, not caring about emptying her heart of Mana. She was a mad person who allowed her emotions to run her.

She only wanted to kill everyone to satisfy her fury and boiling blood.

However, when she was about to shoot another arrow, despair flashed through her eyes as the front gates opened. An invisible force was pushing it from the inside, but Codicia was almost a Sixth Stage Warrior and was able to notice the slight change of Mana in the surroundings.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh” – She screamed madly – “Whore! I am going to kill you!”