Arc 4 Chapter 13 : Stretto Pass

[??? POV]

I have been serving in the Intelligence Unit of the Republic of Venetia for five years, and this is the first large-scale conflict of my career as one of my nation's spies.

Within the Intelligence Unit, there are several sub-units, each assigned to different roles in intelligence operations: Instigator, Saboteur, and Scouter.

The Instigator is an intelligence sub-unit responsible for devising plots intended to destabilize the security of a target area or incite other parties to betray their own groups.

The Saboteur is an intelligence sub-unit tasked with dangerous field operations such as infiltration, assassination, and other missions that require direct action. Every member of this sub-unit is required to possess exceptional combat skills so they can complete their missions successfully.

Finally, there is the Scouter sub-unit, which is where I belong. We are responsible for monitoring locations and operational targets in order to gather intelligence.

Last year, I was assigned to the Intelligence Unit operating within the Aragon Empire.

Our first operation was an attempt to steal the Armor of the Empire's Legendary Hero. It ended in complete failure, and many of our agents were captured by Imperial security forces.

Following that incident, the central government sent Miss Siena to replace Captain Niccolo as the leader of the Intelligence Unit operating within the Empire.

Although she is still young—only twenty-one—Miss Siena is frequently entrusted with command of important units such as ours.

She is the future of the Venetian Nation.

I am certain that, when she eventually takes full leadership of our nation, the Venetian people will be more respected—and feared—across this continent, even though we are famously a Non-Sorcerer nation.

At present, I am traveling toward Luceria Fortress City.

The main army of the Kingdom of Draconia is waiting there for my arrival, along with the man traveling beside me.

His name is Adrien Ionescu—one of General Melisandru's aides. General Melisandru commands the main army of the Kingdom of Draconia.

After Adrien received the details of Miss Siena's plan, I was ordered to accompany him back to Luceria Fortress City.

The two of us sailed for four days toward Avelino City, located on the eastern side of Cosentia Bay. After arriving there, we traveled on horseback through Ostia Village and across the Apulia River for another two days before finally reaching our destination.

Outside the southern walls of the fortress, I could see the main army of the Kingdom of Draconia had established a vast camp filled with rows of tents.

They appeared to be completely prepared to invade Imperial territory.

All they were waiting for now were the details of the plan Adrien had been tasked with delivering.

"Let's hurry," Adrien said.

I nodded.

The two of us urged our horses forward and approached the main camp of the Kingdom of Draconia.

Once we arrived, Adrien and I immediately headed toward the tent where General Melisandru was staying.

He was in the middle of a meeting inside a large command tent with several other high-ranking military officials of the Kingdom of Draconia.

"Is the meeting still underway?" Adrien asked the soldier guarding the entrance.

"Yes, Lord Adrien. General Melisandru instructed me to let you in as soon as you arrived," the guard replied as he opened the tent flap.

"Very well. Lord Alesio, come with me."

Adrien stepped inside.

I followed behind him.

Inside, one of the aides was explaining a map that had been mounted on a large board.

"Ah, Adrien. So you've finally returned."

A large man with an imposing build and a thick mustache rose from his seat and approached us.

"I'm sorry you won't be able to rest immediately after such a long journey, but we need to formulate our plans as quickly as possible. Time is the most important factor in this operation, isn't it?"

Until now, our side had only informed the Kingdom of Draconia that the attack on Imperial territory would begin in this region.

Speed was the key to the success of the operation we were about to undertake.

"It's no problem, General Melisandru. I have obtained the details of the strategy prepared by the Republic of Venetia for our main army in this war."

Adrien pulled out a sheet of paper.

"I've also brought Alesio Cappucino with me. He is one of the Republic of Venetia's intelligence agents, and he will provide us with information regarding the route we can use to cross the Montana Mountains."

The General then turned his attention toward me and extended his hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Alesio. Let us work together to destroy the enemies of our nations."

I shook his hand and replied,

"It is an honor to meet you as well, General. I will do everything I can to provide the information you need regarding the conditions within the Margraviate of Cataluna and the Montana Mountains."

"Excellent! Excellent!"

The General released my hand and gestured toward the others.

"In that case, both of you, come forward and tell everyone what strategy the Republic of Venetia has prepared for our main army."

"Yes, General."

Adrien walked toward the front of the tent.

I followed him and looked around at all the Draconian military officials gathered inside.

"Gentlemen, I will now explain the details of our strategy for attacking the eastern territories of the Aragon Empire," Adrien began.

"But before that, I will first inform you of the current situation on the Western Front."

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Adrien then explained the first battle between the Imperial main army and the Republic of Venetia at Regium Fortress City.

The Empire had won the battle due to its overwhelming numerical superiority.

The remaining troops defending Regium Fortress City had subsequently withdrawn and abandoned the city, allowing the Empire to seize another strategically important position on the Western Front.

"Although the Republic of Venetia suffered a defeat in that battle, the outcome was still within their calculations," Adrien explained to everyone.

"The Republic of Venetia will soon launch an offensive that will allow them to encircle the Imperial main army from three directions."

"However, the Empire will undoubtedly send emergency reinforcements to the Tusculum Front if that happens."

"Therefore, we must open a new front in the eastern territories so that the Empire will be forced to concentrate more of its reinforcements on the territory we are attacking."

Everyone nodded as they listened to Adrien's report.

The Kingdom of Draconia had brought a total of forty thousand soldiers to this war.

According to the intelligence we had gathered during our operations within the Empire, the Margraviate of Cataluna could mobilize no more than fifteen thousand soldiers.

That was still far fewer than the main army of the Kingdom of Draconia.

Our hope was that the Draconian main army would be able to break through Imperial territory and eventually seize the Duchy of Grenaut, thereby reducing the pressure on the Tusculum Front.

"That is why we must execute this strategy successfully."

Adrien then took a map and attached it to the board beside him.

"This is a map of the area surrounding the Montana Mountains, which will become our battlefield."

**Author's Note:**

**Map of the Eastern Front of the War**

*(The lower-left side is Imperial territory—the Margraviate of Cataluna—while the right side of the mountains is the territory of the Republic of Venetia.)*

The map showed the territories of our nation and the Aragon Empire, separated by the Montana Mountains and Mazovia Forest.

These mountains formed a natural border separating three nations.

"In this strategy, our army will cross the Montana Mountains."

The moment Adrien said those words, every Draconian military official in the tent wore a confused expression.

One of them stood and stared seriously at Adrien.

"Lord Adrien, why does the Republic of Venetia want our main army to cross the mountains?"

"Even if we can cross them, our numbers will be reduced by half by the time we reach the Margraviate of Cataluna because of the difficult terrain and the freezing temperatures at night!"

His objection was reasonable.

If an army of forty thousand men attempted to march across a mountain range, it was inevitable that many would perish before reaching the other side.

"For that matter, Agent Alesio Cappucino of the Republic of Venetia will explain how we can cross the mountains without suffering heavy casualties."

Adrien looked at me, signaling that it was my turn to speak.

The moment he finished, everyone's attention shifted toward me.

I cleared my throat, trying to suppress my nervousness.

Speaking in front of these military elites was hardly something I was accustomed to.

"The main army of the Kingdom of Draconia will cross through a route known as Stretto, which stretches for nearly fifty kilometers."

I began explaining the route our unit had discovered during our mapping operations.

"The route is approximately fifty to one hundred meters wide, and the terrain is not particularly steep."

"According to our calculations, an army of this size should be able to reach Imperial territory within three to four days."

"The only obstacle capable of significantly slowing your advance is a stone wall approximately fifty meters high and ten meters thick."

"However, I believe your Wizards should be able to bring it down without much difficulty, opening the route for your forces."

The Scouter Unit had carefully analyzed this route together with Miss Siena.

Moreover, we had not discovered a single Imperial patrol guarding it.

It seemed the stone wall had convinced them that there was no route through which an enemy army could penetrate their territory from ours.

"Thank you for the explanation, Lord Alesio."

Adrien once again took control of the discussion.

"All soldiers will carry only seven days' worth of food. Any additional supplies we require will be obtained from the food stores belonging to the local population."

Since the Empire would never anticipate an attack through this route, they would most likely have no time to secure the food stores in their settlements.

Our main army would have to seize them before Imperial troops arrived and destroyed them.

"We estimate that Imperial reinforcements sent to the Margraviate of Cataluna will take approximately two months to arrive after they realize our presence in the region."

Adrien conveyed another message from Miss Siena.

"However, within that period, we predict that our main army will have already conquered the Margraviate of Cataluna."

Adrien finished reading the sheet of paper containing the details of the strategy Miss Siena had prepared for the main army of the Kingdom of Draconia.

Not long afterward, General Melisandru stood.

It seemed he had another question.

"Adrien, what will we do if the food supplies we obtain from the Empire's granaries are insufficient to sustain our forces throughout the operation?"

"The Republic of Venetia will send supplies from Avelino City and deliver them under heavy escort."

"What if the Empire responds by sending reinforcements sooner than expected?"

"On that matter, they told me that such a situation will not occur."

"Huh? Why?"

The General frowned.

"Does the Republic have another plan besides this offensive?"

"Ugh..."

Adrien appeared to struggle with how to answer the General's question.

"She told me that this information is highly confidential because it is one of their maneuvers for winning the war. They do not want the plan to leak because too many people knowing about it would compromise it."

It was true.

Miss Siena and the Instigator Sub-unit had prepared a plan that would weaken the security and stability of the Aragon Empire.

However, I did not know the details of that plan because I belonged to a different sub-unit.

"Very well. For now, I will trust the words of the woman known as The Miracle."

The General returned to his seat.

"Are there any other questions regarding this strategy?"

No one answered.

Everyone remained silent, staring at the map of the region surrounding the Montana Mountains mounted on the board before them.

"If not, then mobilize the troops immediately and begin the operation as soon as possible."

The General's order rang throughout the tent.

After hearing it, all the military officials gathered there left the command tent.

Adrien and I were also directed to our respective tents to rest so that our bodies would be in peak condition when the operation began.

The following day, the main army of the Kingdom of Draconia began moving toward the Montana Mountains to launch its offensive into the northeastern territories of the Empire—the Margraviate of Cataluna.

After two days of marching through Benevento Village and Mazovia Forest, we reached the entrance to the Stretto Route.

The Montana Mountains towered high into the sky before us.

From this close, I could not even see the peaks of the mountains that separated these three nations.

We established camp in front of the entrance to the route because night had already fallen.

Several scouting teams were also assigned to monitor the surrounding area near the Stretto Route to ensure that no enemy scouts were observing our movements.

The following morning, the main army of the Kingdom of Draconia began entering the Stretto Route as soon as the sun rose.

The long column of soldiers stretched into the distance like a massive serpent, their synchronized footsteps pounding against the earth and creating a constant rumble.

I hope our journey through these mountains goes smoothly.

---

[Raul POV]

Night had fallen.

For several days, I had been leading the Reconnaissance Unit toward the Montana Mountains, monitoring enemy movements so I could determine when they would arrive in the Margraviate of Cataluna.

This was the fifth day I had been checking the route I predicted they would take, yet I had detected no sign of their presence.

"Captain Raul!"

Hearing someone call my name, I turned to the side.

A woman carrying a bow was running toward me.

"What's wrong, Viera? Did you find something?"

"It's better if you come with me and see what I've found for yourself, Captain."

Viera turned around and immediately began running back the way she had come.

I nodded and followed behind her.

After several minutes of running, we climbed over a rocky outcrop so we could observe the surrounding area from a higher vantage point.

Once we reached the top, Viera pointed toward the east.

"I couldn't take you any closer because there's a possibility they have a scouting team watching their camp, Captain," Viera whispered into my ear.

I activated Eagle Eye and Night Vision.

Several distant points of fire immediately came into view.

So they really were coming.

The enemy was indeed planning to attack the Margraviate of Cataluna and open a new front, just as I had predicted.

"I'm sorry I didn't believe you a few days ago when you said the enemy would cross the mountains to attack us, Captain."

Viera's voice was filled with regret.

"But your prediction has come true. We need to warn everyone so they can prepare for an attack on our territory."

"If they realize that we've detected their presence before they've even gotten halfway through their plan, there's a high chance they'll cancel the invasion."

"Huh?"

Viera looked confused.

"Wouldn't that be a good thing if they don't attack our territory?"

"No, Viera."

I kept my eyes fixed on the distant campfires.

"We're going to let their army enter our territory."

"We'll make them believe their plan has succeeded first..."

I paused.

"...and then we'll destroy their entire army."

According to information from the nation's intelligence agency, the Kingdom of Draconia had deployed forty thousand soldiers for this war.

Forty thousand men were not a small number to feed every single day during a military invasion deep inside enemy territory.

"Let's hurry back to Cataluna Fortress City, Viera."

I gave her my order.

"I'll collect the debt I owe Marquis Fran for defeating his daughter, Emilia, during the

academy tournament."

A faint smile formed on my face.

"If that is enough to make him carry out the plan I prepared beforehand to destroy this army, then we'll make full use of it."

By employing a Scorched Earth Strategy and the Fabius/Fabian Strategy, I was confident that we would be the ones to win the war on the Eastern Front.