Dungeon Defense (WN)

networks befitting for nobles, they discovered that it was related to the participation of the expedition force.
Due to this process, the list of generals participating in the expedition force was passed around.
Therefore, this list of generals was acknowledged by the members of Habsburg’s high society.

Imperial Princess Elizabeth had probably done this intentionally.
Her goal is to give us this information……As usual, her ploys are wicked.

“The margraves’ troops are in command and not the main army.
The generals of their main army will undoubtedly be displeased by this fact.
Regardless of the situation, Margrave Rosenberg is a defeated general.
He had helplessly lost his territory to us.
Why would such an incompetent man act as the supreme commander……? The commanding officers of the main army most likely do not acknowledge Rosenberg as their commander.”

There were blocks that looked like the knights from chess placed on top of a map that was spread on top of the conference table.
Each piece represented each and every unit of our enemy forces.
I split them into two groups as the main army and the margraves’ army.

“There is also a variable of 20,000 mercenaries here.
They were hired by the crown prince.
Even if Margrave Rosenberg has the right to command, they are a unit that will move according to the crown prince’s desire if he ever decided to command them.
The main army has 20,000 soldiers and there are 20,000 mercenaries.
A total of 40,000 soldiers.
Even if the margraves take command, they are inferior in numbers with their 10,000 soldiers.
The generals of the main army will most likely try to persuade the crown prince and take the right to command from Rosenberg.”

Barbatos grinned.

“In other words, their line of command is an unstable mess.”

This is as far as my role goes.
I’m capable of grasping the situation of the enemy forces and interpreting it, but I’m incompetent when it comes to using that situation in order to achieve a tactical victory.
That was the job of Barbatos and several other high-ranking Demon Lords.
They’re warriors who have gone through numerous battlefields, after all.

Barbatos spoke.

“We will use the enemy’s disunity.
Before Margrave Rosenberg’s right to command is shaken, we will bombard them with assaults.
This will cause them to desire a quick victory.
They’ll probably run at us like some rutting male horses.
If they see a point in our army that seems the weakest, they’ll obviously try to focus that spot with all their forces.
Therefore.”

She moved a knight.
It was the knight that represented our forces.

Sponsored Content

“We will provide them with a high ground that’s advantageous for them.
Here, we will deliberately let them have the high ground at the center.”

There is a hilly area in the center of Austerlitz.
It is called Pratzen Heights on the map.
Zepar mused to himself before speaking to Barbatos.

“Your Excellency, if we give them the hills, then the enemy cavalrymen will have free reign.”

In this era, cavalrymen are a monstrous group that goes beyond imagination.
Even in my original world, they were considered the ultimate weapons, but in this world, cavalrymen also have skills and auras.
Normal infantry couldn’t possibly compare to them.
Thus, every war that happens in this world always revolves around the cavalry. 

If the enemy forces gain the high ground, then it would become easier for them to charge at us since it’d be downhill and not up.
This isn’t the only advantage as it will also become possible for them to see every unit on the battlefield with ease, which allows them to act more systematically with other troops.
That’s why it’s important for us to take the high ground first.

“I know.
I’m letting them go wild for a bit.”

However, Barbatos refused this common sense.
She elaborated as she pointed at a certain terrain on the map.
The area she was pointing at was where a bunch of lakes were located.

“I have fought around this area 200 and 500 years ago.
I know this terrain rather well.
There are a lot of lakes, so there is a rather thick fog every morning.
I intend to start the battle at dawn and end it before the afternoon.
Their vision will be obscured, so they will be unable to move with much freedom.”

“But Your Excellency, does that not also mean that if the battle is prolonged, their cavalry will be able to charge at us freely?”

“That’s why I said we’re going to end it before the afternoon, you brat.”

Barbatos grinned slyly.

“Trust in me as much as I trust in you.
I assure you that Austerlitz will become the imperial army’s mass grave.”

Throughout the entire meeting, Barbatos remained firm with her decision.
There were Demon Lords who said that the risk was too high, but once Brother Beleth and Brother Zepar agreed with her, the flow of the conversation drastically tipped in her favor.
In the end, we decided to not dispatch any of our troops in Pratzen Heights. 

“We will split our forces into three.
The center, the left wing, and the right-wing.
I, Barbatos, will take the center, the left wing will be managed by Beleth, and Zepar will take the right wing.
The outcome of this battle will be determined by the right wing.”

Sponsored Content

Barbatos turned to Zepar.

“Zepar.
I will be assigning the least number of troops on the right wing.”

General Zepar slowly nodded his head.

“As I thought, I will be acting as bait.”

“Yeah.
You have to appear like the weakest part of our forces to the humans.
That way those bastards will get erect and chase after you.
Zepar, your goal is to keep your asses safe until the end of the battle.
Don’t let those human bastards near your butt.”

Zepar saluted.

“I will defend the right wing with my life.”

“Comrades, our battle will end with a single sharp blow.
It will be a battle with everything on the line.
I will not forgive any clumsiness.
Fight while bearing the pride of Demon Lords.”

We all saluted.
Barbatos returned our salute.

Two days later, the imperial army arrived at a corner of Austerlitz. 

They positioned themselves at Pratzen Heights as if it were the most natural thing to do.
Will things proceed according to Barbatos’ prediction, or will the battle proceed in the most basic form? I’m not skilled enough in tactics to make an accurate guess.
Even Laura seemed half and half about Barbatos’ plan.
What can we do but believe?

I mobilized my and stood at the right wing with General Zepar.
I feel like a difficult battle is going to unfold……

***

TL Note: Thanks for reading the chapter.
Sorry, I might slow down a bit because of a sudden increase in more time-consuming assignments.
I had it easy last week so that’s why I was able to translate faster than usual.
I’m not sure how much it’ll affect my speed yet, so we’ll have to wait and see. Other than that, uh, this was a somewhat annoying chapter to translate. 

See you guys in the next chapter.