I Became a Genius Commander at the Academy

Chapter 11: The Onset Of Crisis (2)

A month had passed since then.

During that time, I personally recalled what happened to the Raintlant frontline in the novel, and established various strategies by considering multiple scenarios.

Hoping to earn another significant achievement like before, I had been notably active at the battalion level.

I had the chance to participate in five battles, and with each involvement, I accumulated both big and small accomplishments.

A single enemy battalion was completely annihilated, two enemy companies were defeated, and I even supported another of our battalions that were being pushed back, successfully fending off the crisis.

Thanks to my notable efforts, except for me, the officers were guaranteed a promotion by one rank, regardless of the outcome of the war.

If our battalion commander continued to excel on the Raintlant front, he was even hinted by the division’s strategic staff officer that he could bypass the wall of being a staff officer and potentially be promoted to lieutenant colonel.

Being promoted to lieutenant colonel upon retirement would earn him a knighthood. Although temporary for his generation, it guaranteed lifelong noble treatment and a retirement pension.

Therefore, the battalion commander came to trust whatever I said, even if it sounded ridiculous, like making soybean paste soup out of red beans.

Thanks to that, even though I had the lowest rank, I effectively had the most authority, second only to the battalion commander.

Had I, a student platoon leader from a common orphan background, been assigned to a unit solely consisting of nobles, no matter the feats I achieved, my background would’ve held me back, and it would’ve been challenging to establish such a solid standing.

Being placed in a unit with only officers from staff officer origins turned out to be a great fortune for me.

I hope it continues to be this way in the future.

But shattering my simple wishes, the battalion commander appeared in front of the officers with a sour look, holding a small barrel and cup filled with beer in his hands.

Damn it, we were having a good mood today without duties, but seeing his face, it seemed like he had some bitter news.

“Salute, Commander. What happened?”

While the other officers and I greeted him like this, the commander, who had always greeted us back with a broad smile recently, responded with a still crumpled face, confirming my suspicion.

“I’ve been informed by the regimental commander that the Black Lion Mercenary Group has come to support the Francois Republic.”

At this dreadful news, the faces of all the officers, excluding mine, turned ashen.

That was because the Black Lion Mercenary Group was one of the best-known mercenary groups not only in the Reich Empire and the Francois Republic but also throughout the entire European continent.

Moreover, it was a colossal enemy force with over 2,000 members.

And even though they might not know it, in the original novel, the reason the Reich Empire’s forces, who had held the upper hand on the Raintlant front, ended up retreating was due to the Francois Republic bringing in the Black Lion mercenaries.

When platoon leaders, including myself, were about to voice our grievances all at once about this situation, the battalion commander stopped us and continued speaking.

“So, I, who have achieved much so far, have been appointed as the 1st Battalion Commander and also the Regimental Commander of the 3rd Regiment, 4th Brigade, and you are now affiliated with me.”

I wasn’t sure about Korea, but here, there was a slight prestige to being the first squad leader within a battalion. In the Empire’s military, positions like the 1st Battalion Commander and 1st Regimental Commander were considered important.

From the outside, it might seem like a promotion for the battalion commander.

However, considering our journey so far and the current state of war, it was highly likely that the newly assigned brigade, despite meeting the number of soldiers required, lacked combat capability.

This was probably because they planned to reorganize a brigade centered around our skilled battalion since it was in chaos.

It seemed the other squad leaders were thinking the same thing, expressing their dissatisfaction in an angry tone.

“Isn’t this too much? From what I’ve heard from someone I treat like a younger brother, the 4th Brigade of the 3rd Regiment was a mess after many experienced officers died in a recent battle.”

“Why does the Division Commander keep throwing shitty tasks at our battalion every time we deliver results?”

“By Deus, why are we given such a cursed task?”

I truly wanted to complain alongside them, but complaints wouldn’t change the situation.

Instead, we had to devise a way to keep the brigade’s combat power intact without significant damage.

I tried to recall countless mock operations, and I was able to quickly come up with a fairly decent strategy.

So, leaning on the reputation I had built from past achievements, I asked the battalion commander, on behalf of the other officers,

“Commander, what do you intend to do?”

Though it might seem presumptuous, it was a necessary question, and the battalion commander responded with a sigh.

“Lieutenant Colonel Blansia asked us to take the lead and play a central role in the brigade’s attack. I agree with the Brigade Commander. Do the other squad leaders have any thoughts?”

Upon the battalion commander’s inquiry, the other squad leaders wore thoughtful expressions but provided no response.

“Lieutenant Yaeger, I have a suggestion for the commander.”

“Speak.”

“I oppose our battalion taking the lead in the 4th Brigade.”

Hearing this, the officers, including the battalion commander, looked at me as if thinking, ‘Did I mishear?’ or ‘Has he gone mad?’

It was understandable that even if my reputation had risen to the level of lieutenant, there was still a difference of at least two ranks and about 10 years of experience between the battalion commander and me.

Challenging such a person, even without outright defiance, implied great conviction or madness.

Yet I had ample justification in my mind.

“Consider this. It’s true that, as the vanguard, we can easily face a similar number of enemies. But being at the forefront, regardless of the tide of battle, we’ll encounter more enemy forces at some point, requiring support from the rear battalions.”

Indeed, the reason we could annihilate the Valliere Battalion last time was the support from other units accompanying our fiercely charging battalion.

Therefore, all units, excluding the vanguard, had reserve or support forces.

“But, according to the commander, if we are pushing the enemy back as the vanguard, we can’t rely on the support coming, can we? Early in the battle, we’d have the advantage, but our battalion could suffer heavy losses due to a lack of support at crucial moments.”

Moreover, our battalion, having taken down an enemy commander, would attract attention from both allies and enemies.

Being at the forefront would make the other Francois Republic officers target us, leading to fiercer battles and rapid expenditure of troops and stamina.

“Moreover, isn’t it unrealistic to expect a newly reorganized battalion, whose commanders or squad leaders have fallen, to fight properly? Therefore, even if our unit’s initial achievement is higher than others, we should stay as reserves and provide support when an ally is pushed back.”

Taking up the role of reserves in modern warfare was relatively safe, but it was vital in determining the outcome of a battle. Hence, we could change the course of the battle by assisting retreating units or exploiting enemy weaknesses.

The battalion commander seemed a bit irked to have his opinion directly challenged, but soon sighed, realizing the potential ramifications of not heeding my advice.

“To the Battalion Commander, I will report that our unit will serve as the reserve force behind the other three companies.”

And the next day.

As discussed, our company was assigned as the reserve force in the newly positioned battalion.

Up until now, because we always fought either at the very front or immediately behind the front lines, the sounds of war cries and screams were loud in my ears, but today is different.

From a distance, among the rumbling noises of a huge crowd, only the shouts of those with strong voices could be clearly understood in their exact pronunciation.

“Damn Francois bastards! If you die here, we’ll shove snails in your ears!”

“Open your legs! We’ll make you a woman! We’ll turn you into an eunuch!”

“Damn you, it hurts so much!”

Thus, countless allies and enemies fell before us, but as reserves, we merely watched from the outskirts of the turmoil.

One of the duties of the reserves was to conserve strength until the critical moment came. It was to be expected, and nobody would say anything about it.

Around this time, I began to feel slightly guilty.

Then the company commander pointed forward and shouted loudly,

“By the Battalion Commander’s orders! Our 4th company will now go support the 1st company fighting in the front!”

Our unit’s full-fledged battle had begun.