The Betrayed Master Betrays In Turn

Chapter 80

Victor's declaration plunged the meeting room into silence.

The officers of the Crimson Dragon Legion stared at Victor with wide eyes, while the officers of the Fifth Legion quietly observed Volker and Victor, gauging their reactions.

"Hmm..."

Volker met Victor's piercing gaze with a feigned nonchalant expression.

"May I ask what you mean by that?" he asked with a seemingly relaxed smile.

"It's exactly as I said. Despite receiving His Majesty's command, your Fifth Legion shows no intention of launching an offensive."

Victor's fiery gaze swept across the room.

"Our Crimson Dragon Legion will advance alone, dismantling Serona, Adense, and La Leon one by one."

The officers of the Crimson Dragon Legion, initially taken aback, began to understand Victor's intentions and exchanged glances. Some were already fidgeting with excitement, while others quietly nodded in agreement with Victor's words.

On the other hand, the officers of the Fifth Legion, shocked by Victor's unexpectedly strong reaction, looked at Volker with uncertain eyes.

"..."

Florian opened his mouth to speak, but Volker raised his hand to stop him.

"Alone?" Volker's voice remained low and unhurried.

"You plan to breach their fortresses with just ten thousand musketeers and cannons? A bold decision, but some might call it reckless."

"You might think so if you imagine their walls rising to the heavens and their troops overflowing behind them," Victor retorted without backing down, despite Volker's sarcastic tone.

"The Crimson Dragon Legion's strength is sufficient. We do not need cowards who cower before the enemy and defy His Majesty's will. We will fulfill His Majesty's command with our own hands."

"Cowards? This is outrageous—"

"Silence! ...Are you prepared to take full responsibility for your words?" Volker cut him off.

"I am."

"Hmm..."

Volker asked one more question, then rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought. In his mind, the offensive was destined to fail, but Victor's confident demeanor nagged at him.

Still...

"Supplies will be distributed as Grand Marshal Gerhardt instructed, so you need not worry," Volker said calmly.

"..."

"Time has been wasted long enough. We'll take our leave now. Let's go," Victor said, gathering his documents and signaling to the Crimson Dragon officers to stand before Volker could respond.

"Ah, I almost forgot," Victor added as he led his officers out of the room.

"His Majesty is always watching you. Keep that in mind."

With those final words, Victor left the room.

After the Crimson Dragon officers had exited, murmurs erupted among the Fifth Legion officers.

"Is that insubordination?"

"Perhaps it's just talk..."

"Aren't they directly under His Majesty?"

The officers whispered in confusion.

"Is this really okay?" Florian asked Volker in a trembling voice, staring blankly at the departing officers.

"What do you think, Lieutenant?"

"...I think it’s a reckless attack, as you said, sir. But if they succeed in their independent operation, wouldn’t our position be weakened?" Florian replied cautiously.

"Perhaps."

"Shouldn’t we call Victor back now? If we don’t..."

While Florian fretted over the implications of disobedience, Volker maintained a faint smile.

"Lieutenant, what did I tell you before?"

"...That an assault on the fortress would result in significant losses, so we should delay until the right opportunity arises."

"Exactly. I never said we wouldn't attack. I’m merely waiting for the right moment."

"Does that mean...?"

"Why do you think I let them leave without stopping them?"

-Bang!-

Volker struck the table, drawing the officers' attention.

"They sought to use us, but now it’s time for us to use them."

"..."

"The Crimson Dragon Legion lacks the numbers to capture all three fortresses simultaneously. When they launch their attack, we’ll target another fortress with weaker defenses. However," he paused, heightening the officers' curiosity.

"Depending on how the Crimson Dragon fares, our strategy may change. If they succeed in their swift breakthrough, we’ll maintain a formal offensive, keeping the enemy at bay. But if they fail—or worse, the enemy retaliates?"

"!"

"The Crimson Dragon Legion is less than half our size. Any counterattack will likely focus on them, and we’ll exploit that opportunity to strike a lightly defended fortress."

"Oh...!"

"As expected of General Volker!"

Volker's realistic alternative calmed his officers, replacing their anxiety with a newfound confidence in his plan.

"Ensure our equipment is in order and supplies are distributed. However, don’t go to great lengths to avoid their notice. Just be thorough."

"Yes, sir!"

"Understood, General!"

"Lieutenant, gather as much information as you can on the Crimson Dragon's targets and timeline."

"Understood, sir."

With preparations underway, Volker dismissed the meeting and sent the officers out.

"...Phew."

He retrieved a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. For now, events were unfolding as he anticipated, leaving no trace of anger in his demeanor.

"..."

As he exhaled gray smoke, he fell into thought. His strategy was based on his extensive battlefield experience.

However, the Crimson Dragon Legion was different from any army he had encountered, armed with muskets and cannons, and Victor’s unwavering confidence lingered in his mind.

"Ha..."

He fiddled with a dossier detailing mercenary battles involving firearms.

Of course, no amount of rereading would change the contents.

Volker imagined a scenario where the Crimson Dragon was so overwhelmingly strong that the Fifth Legion wouldn’t even have a chance to act.

-Tap.-

He extinguished his cigarette, dispelling the thought.

"...Hah."

His trembling fingers reached for another cigarette as he sought clarity amidst the uncertainty.

---

I led the officers who had followed me to another conference room within headquarters.

"..."

The officers followed with expressions of determination, though some carried a hint of doubt.

"Erika, did you record the conversation between me and Volker accurately?"

"Yes, I did. But..."

"You don’t need to worry. The decision to proceed wasn’t made on impulse or out of emotion but with full confidence in our ability to succeed."

"That’s not what I meant!"

Noticing Erika’s unease, likely stemming from her limited understanding of our capabilities, I addressed her concerns as we walked.

Moments later—

"Let’s begin the meeting."

We reconvened in the new conference room.

"What is the current status of the Crimson Dragon Legion?"

"All 9,947 personnel have arrived without injuries. They rested yesterday, and we’re ready to mobilize as soon as a decision is made, even tomorrow," Anna reported.

"The weather is clear, and all weapons are in excellent condition. We’ve brought spare equipment, so there’s nothing to worry about," added Alexandrov as he handed me a prepared report.

"I see. What are your thoughts on this situation?"

I opened the floor for discussion after reviewing the reports, but the officers exchanged hesitant glances, unwilling to speak first.

Sensing lingering concerns, I added, "The Fifth Legion will act when we do, so there’s no need to worry."

"...Pardon?"

To ease their hesitation, I shared my perspective.

"Volker is known to be an ambitious man. Moreover, he received a direct imperial command. Even if his words seem dismissive, he can’t afford to remain idle without incurring His Majesty’s wrath."

"..."

My earlier provocations toward the Fifth Legion and mentions of Luise were deliberate, designed to compel their movement. Volker didn’t strike me as someone entirely without plans, so I was confident he would act in some capacity.

"My guess is that the Fifth Legion will advance after us, aiming for moderate gains while keeping their movements cautious. However, there’s a small chance they might panic and attempt to rush reinforcements to the fortresses."

Having finished my explanation, I awaited their input, but the officers simply gazed at me with wide, expectant eyes.

Though no words were spoken, I understood the meaning behind their looks.

Annoyed by Volker’s opportunistic attitude, I added, "I’ll take your silence as agreement to follow any orders I give."

"!"

I turned to Klaus Schultz, the commander of the 1st Infantry Regiment.

"Commander of the 1st Infantry Regiment."

"Yes, General."

"Can our Crimson Dragon Legion achieve victory against 10,000 Esperian troops?"

"Absolutely! The enemy will be swept away before they even catch sight of us!" Klaus answered confidently.

After confirming his reply and the reactions of the other officers, I shifted my gaze to Boris.

"Commander of the 2nd Infantry Regiment."

"Yes, General Victor."

"Can our Crimson Dragon Legion achieve an overwhelming victory against 20,000 Esperian troops?"

"Yes, General! With your orders, we won’t fear 10,000 or even 20,000 enemies!"

"Interesting..."

Boris responded boldly, and some officers, already sensing where my questions were leading, fidgeted in anticipation.

"Commander of the Cavalry Regiment."

"Yes."

"If we face 30,000 Esperian troops, can we annihilate them all?"

"No matter the number of enemies, we fear none. Our cavalry will trample them without hesitation," Heinrich declared.

With Heinrich’s reply, I scanned the room, observing the officers.

"Do you all believe the same? Are you confident we can crush 30,000 Esperian troops?"

"Yes!"

"Absolutely!"

"Without a doubt!"

As if waiting for this moment, the officers responded in loud, enthusiastic voices.

"In that case," I said, unfolding a map and placing it on the center of the table.

"We will conquer La Leon first, then Adense, and finally Serona."

Excitement lit up the officers’ faces as I pointed to each fortress on the map.

"We will bring all these fortresses to their knees with our own hands."

"!"

A brief silence followed my declaration, but it was soon broken.

"Yes, sir!"

"It’s time to show them our strength!"

"We’ll teach those Esperian bastards the meaning of fear!"

Their shouts of determination quickly dispelled any lingering doubts in the room.

"The detailed plan is as follows. First..."

Once their initial excitement had settled, I began outlining the strategy I had devised.