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Chapter 576
Chapter 576
Chapter 576 - The Duchy Fleet
The Imperial Army was struggling.
As the news of this reached them, fleets from the Duchy of Albatro and the Duchy of Rondine had arrived at the Imperial Army's port.
Representing both duchies and leading the fleet was the prince of the Albatro Duchy, Julio.
"The fleets of Albatro and Rondine Duchies have just arrived. From now on, we will be under the command of Field Marshal Arnold."
"Reinforcements, I'm grateful. Prince Julio, let me express my gratitude on behalf of the Empire. Thank you."
"We formed an alliance. It's only natural. Besides, it was the Empire that saved our nations from crisis multiple times. Both Albatro and Rondine have been waiting for a chance to return that favor. However, the Empire is powerful. Whether we lend our power or not wouldn't matter. But, if the battle is at sea, it's a different story. Our main strength is the navy. Witness our power."
Saying that, Julio pointed to the duchy fleets.
There were twenty ships each from the Albatro Duchy and Rondine Duchy, making a total of forty ships.
The Imperial Navy had sixty.
Together, it made a coalition fleet of a hundred ships.
Despite interference, the fact that both duchies could send this number showed the true power of their naval-based forces.
"I have high expectations. But it seems we won't have a role for a while."
"I heard that Prince Leonard is having a hard time..."
"That seems to be the case. Well, it's within expectations. The Kingdom won't be easily pushed around."
At the beginning of the war, the majority expected the Imperial Army, with its 150,000-strong forces, to overwhelm the Kingdom Army.
But when the dust settled, the Kingdom Army was holding back the Imperial Army's attack despite being outnumbered.
Those who were optimistic were surprised, and even those who expected some difficulties were astonished.
This was proof of how thoroughly Ansem had prepared for the anti-Imperial war.
Usually, defense has an advantage in war. Even if the attacking side has slightly more military power, the defender can utilize geographical advantages.
"Firstly, if we can't confine the enemy in the fortress, our coalition fleet won't have a role. What about you, Field Marshal Arnold? If both you and Prince Leonardo were there, I think you could break through the Kingdom Army's sturdy defense."
"It's too late to send reinforcements now. And it wouldn't make much difference even if I went alone. The Kingdom Army's defense is thorough. They're executing a plan to exhaust the Imperial Army, draw them into the Kingdom, and then end it. Since it's a simple plan, we have no choice but to play along. Even if I were there, we would have to methodically capture cities."
It's not a situation where clever tactics could easily turn the tide.
Ansem had spent time crafting an anti-Imperial defense network.
He probably took all possibilities into account.
Breaking through something they meticulously prepared with a mere stroke of genius is an extremely difficult task.
Rather than preventing the enemy from doing anything, it's about restricting the enemy's actions and leading the situation to your desired outcome.
This was typical of Ansem's control.
"So, are we just waiting?"
"It seems so."
"Our sailors from the Duchy are used to life at sea. They can hold out for a while on standby at sea... but if this drags on, it will affect their morale."
Julio made a sharp point.
Not all of the hundred ships were in the Imperial port.
Ships that couldn't fit were waiting at sea.
There were enough supplies for a hundred ships, but consumption would be faster at sea than on land.
Even with food and water, they can't fight without morale.
This state can't be maintained forever.
And that was exactly what the Kingdom Army was aiming for.
The Empire had planned a large-scale invasion operation.
By delaying the first move, they could throw all the gears out of sync.
War can't be fought with manpower alone. Massive supplies are needed, and preparing them takes time.
Once they fail, they can't just do it again immediately.
They understood the weak points of a great nation's military advance well.
If their first move was thwarted, the Empire would have no choice but to react.
Especially since they were attacking with a huge army of 150,000 to prevent such a failure. If they faltered there, they would have almost no countermeasures.
"I guarantee as the Imperial Field Marshal. The situation will change eventually. Please somehow maintain the morale."
"I believe your words... but how are you going to change this situation? There is no information about reinforcements coming from the United Kingdom..."
Julio's words resonated with me.
The United Kingdom had received a request for reinforcements from the Empire.
Since the coup where the Dragon Prince William seized the throne, the United Kingdom has been an ally of the Empire.
However, for William, who seized the throne in the coup, stabilizing the nation was his top priority.
If they were to invade the Kingdom, it would entail a large-scale attack from the sea.
That wouldn't be a sweet deal for the United Kingdom.
After all, they were merely reinforcements for the Empire.
Even if they defeated the Kingdom, the share that would go to the United Kingdom would be trivial.
In an unstable situation, there is little return for desperately moving on behalf of the Empire. It makes sense not to act at all.
For a normal king, anyway.
"Ansem, who commands the Kingdom's army, is exceptional, but so is the Dragon King of the United Kingdom. The request for reinforcements should have been made quite some time ago. There must have been time to devise some strategy. That's what I'm hoping for."
"You're hoping..."
It was a baseless conjecture.
Even Julio was a bit skeptical.
About hoping that the Dragon King would do something.
Would it be difficult to keep morale high with just that?
After all, this is just my expectation.
"Then let me share an interesting piece of information."
"What might that be?"
"In recent times, the United Kingdom and the Dominion have been frequently trading ships. Since both have become allies of the Empire, it's beneficial to circulate supplies in such a manner."
"Yes, and your point is?"
"It seems a considerable number of large ships are involved. What on earth are the Dominion and the United Kingdom exchanging in such large volumes? As the former Prime Minister of the Dominion, I can't imagine what would require such large ships for trade."
"I'm sorry... Could you explain what you mean?"
Julio wore a troubled expression at my words.
With a wry smile to such a Julio, I answered.
"While establishing an invasion route through the sea is necessary, there is no problem if we use land routes. That's what I mean."
At my words, Julio gasped in realization.
The tricky part of this was that it was all too natural.
The Dominion is a nation in the midst of recovery and eager to trade. A poverty-stricken country that must make money in any way possible.
On the other hand, the United Kingdom, being an island nation, lacks supplies from the continent. Therefore, it's natural for the Dominion to gather goods and send supplies to the United Kingdom.
Nobody cares what's on those empty large ships.
Of course, it's not something that could be achieved by the Dragon King alone.
Certainly, another one.
Another exceptional person must be involved.
"Well, that's the end of the discussion. There's no point in having spare time. Let's have a fleet-wide exercise."
"Yes, sir!"
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