The Duke's Eldest Son Escaped to the Military

The Duke’s Eldest Son Escaped to the Military (176)

Translator: ChubbyCheeks

57 Reshuffling of the Forces in the Southeast (1)

A year had gone by ever since the Empire’s most anticipated Mobile Field Army was tied to the Southeast. The public realized that they couldn’t even get out of Command and had always been in a hurry to block their enemies. Seeing that they hadn’t settled down completely, some were naturally disappointed. Some even clamored for them to just join Southern Command and fight.

But the Mobile Field Army did not give up. Instead of falling into despair and giving up, they informed everyone of their circumstances and asked for support. They willingly showed their weaknesses and lacking skills during the most difficult situation for everyone. As a result, the Empire announced that the most dangerous area was the Southeast. But what was shocking was the fact that the army was still able to grow despite the absence of its Commander. 

And the moment Iron returned, the army changed as if they suddenly grew wings to fly. 

[ The Mobile Field Army is finally spreading its wings. ]

[ Iron’s Field Army has grown tremendously stronger. Will they finally be able to conquer the Southeast? ]

[ The sudden changes in the Southeast. The Southern Commander had no choice but to turn a part of their frontline towards the Southeast as if he was saying ‘I’m keeping an eye on you!’ ]

[ Eastern Command! They have turned part of their fleets to face the Southeast… ]

The moment Iron, who they have not heard from in a while, returned to Command, everyone’s interest towards the Mobile Field Army increased. 

Countless articles poured out as every pair of eyes in the Empire focused on the Southeast. 

They had heard countless times how difficult it was but they had always failed to understand why the survivors of the collapsed Southern Kingdoms chose to unite. However, they finally were able to understand a bit after the reality of the situation in the Southeast was revealed. 

And what was worse was the fact that the danger was not over yet. They were in a situation where they couldn’t touch the South’s Great Forest and they were already facing a future where the mutants that occupied the Empire’s Southeast could threaten and approach them. 

Because of this, the Empire had no choice but to increase the support that they were sending while the Eastern and Southern Command actively moved. 

“Incredible.”

Carl looked at the lively Command in admiration.

He realized once again how great the value of the name ‘Hero’ was. He continued to look at the liveliness surrounding the Command as he entered the Command Building to report. He could see that all of the soldiers were moving busily around Command.

He couldn’t help but laugh wryly after seeing how lively and energetic everyone was despite the absence of all of the three corps-level troops.

The Commander was only a single person, but his return had brought a different level of attention to them.

With just one single announcement about the Empire’s Hero’s intention to command and operate the Mobile Field Army in earnest, the Southern Commander readily took out some troops that were maintaining the frontline and sent them to support the Southeast. Even the Eastern Commander moved to guard the port closest to the Southeast as they sent plenty of supplies to the Southeast through their own fleets. 

Right now, they were already moving towards the next step of Iron’s plans.

Parmina Port, the largest port in the Southeast, was largely dominated by mutant birds. So, taking into account all of the other ports, the best and most secure port right now was the Meindania Port. This port had now become the Mobile Field Army’s top priority. Their top priority goal was to pierce through and create a secure path from Command to Meindania Port to create a path that would connect them to the East effectively making their Southeastern Command the center of the flow of logistics in the South.

There were already merchants and investors who readily flocked to the Southeast the moment they heard rumors about the Command trying to secure a safe path towards this port.

In this situation, Iron’s plans were able to quickly rush to the level that he wanted. Because of that, it was extremely important for them to create this path since Iron had already planned the flow of logistics that they would have to maintain.

Meindania Port

↓

Mobile Field Army Command

↓

Center ← Southern Command  → West

↓

Southern Kingdoms Alliance

This was the logistics flow that Iron had planned.

And in order for this to be implemented, it was important for them to create a path to Meidania Port and the Southern Command and connect both the East and the South. 

But compared to the Eastern Command, the Southern Command was still in a situation where they couldn’t bring their noses in other’s businesses and do something. So, Iron dispatched one of the corps to help maintain the frontline and create a link with the Southern Command. If they could bring back the frontlines to the place where the fallen fortress was once located, then maintaining the Southern Frontlines would be easier. 

Coincidentally, this made the defense of the Mobile Field Army Command weaker. This was because the only ones left to take on this role was Command itself since the 23rd Corps, which was supposed to focus on training and defending Command, was sent to move with the 21st Corps to go to the forward base. 

“The 21st Corps?”

“They have moved forward to the 180km point.”

“The 22nd Corps?”

“They have successfully defended the Southern Frontlines. They will start to help the 21st Corps the moment they return.”

Iron looked satisfied after hearing Carl’s report.  

“Take the divisions under the Command’s direct control too.”

“Then, there will be no troops left to protect Command.”

“I’ll take care of that.”

Carl sighed after hearing Iron’s words. 

“Hoo… Commander, you don’t need to do it alone lest you overdo it again.”

“Half a month. I will only work hard for just half a month. After that, everything would be back to normal.”

With the skills that the Field Army had right now, they would be able to regain their own stability within those 15 days. But Carl wanted to at least persuade him a bit since he could see how much the Commander had kept on overdoing things. But Iron just nodded his head as if everything was alright the moment he saw his expression. 

“…who would dare to break the Commander’s plans.” 

In the end, Carl gave up and agreed to take the divisions under Command’s direct control to make a path to Meindania Port. 

With all of the forces of the Mobile Field Army deployed, Iron was able to constantly receive reconnaissance reports about the giant worms situated in the North. 

The most dangerous creature in the Southeastern Region of the Empire was the giant armored worm.

The next dangerous creature was the unknown being rooted in the borders between the Southern Kingdoms and the Empire. He did not know what it was but he knew that it was dangerous. After all, the monsters that have settled in the Southeast like the giant water buffaloes, giant ants and giant spiders did not dare to go anywhere near that place. 

“Hoo… will this be the start of the full-fledged territorial wars?” 

Just like how Auzria Continent originally have one Empire and several kingdoms in the West and the South, it seemed like the Southeast was also going to be in a similar predicament. Their entire region’s territories and spheres of influence were being reorganized with several factions in the south, the Mobile Field Army in the center and the giant armored worm in the north. 

The bastards participating in this war were all increasing their strength while the Mobile Field Army also grew rapidly. It seemed like everyone was eager to grow faster as if they were betting on who could grow faster and devour the entire Southeast. 

“They seem anxious.”

Carl’s eyes shook as he looked at Iron reading the report. 

Even though the surrounding territories had been fighting fiercely, it still seemed like they were trying to grow larger to devour the huge prey in the form of Command. 

“Anxious… then, that means that we need to become stronger.” 

Carl sighed after hearing Iron’s words. 

“If we look at the growth of the giant armored worm then… It really is dangerous. Their rate of growth is far steeper than the growth of our army.” 

Iron nodded in agreement at Carl’s words.

There were times when Iron felt a huge sense of crisis whenever he heard that the bastard was really trying its hardest to become a dragon by raising its body and eating as much as it could. However, there was a reason why Iron believed that they still had room to breathe.

“Even if the bastard becomes stronger than our army, it would still not be able to move recklessly.” 

Iron smiled as he said so. 

Since the giant armored worm would become smarter and shrewder the more it grew, it would definitely be able to grasp the current situation in the Southeast. That was why he was confident. 

“Are you talking about this guy?” 

“That’s right. That bastard will not move.” 

Carl looked at Iron weirdly as if he couldn’t understand why he was speaking so confidently. So, Iron explained it to him.

“From this point, the Southeast will largely be divided into three forces, with the exception of the mutant birds.” 

Carl titled his head in confusion after hearing Iron’s words. Iron continued to explain things for him as he looked at the map. 

“The factions fighting fiercely in the south doesn’t matter. I believe it’s around here, yes. This being situated on the old border of the Empire will eventually devour all of them. If that’s the case then… like this.” 

Iron circled on the area where the Field Army was located in the map, as well as the area where the giant armored worm was currently located and the area where the unknown being would eat part of the southern part of the Southeast. 

Once the Southeast was divided into these three regions then they would be placed in a situation where they needed to keep each other’s territory in check. 

“Will we keep each other in check?” 

“That’s right.” 

Iron smiled brightly. 

If either side was being pushed back by just one force then the other two forces would unite together. This would create a perfect balance in the Southeast. And for that bastard to break through this balance, it needed to have the power to overwhelm the remaining two forces. That’s why he would be unable to move recklessly. For the Mobile Field Army, this was enough. They would be able to buy time during this situation. 

“But… Isn’t this going to be disadvantageous to us? This will create a major setback for your plans.” 

Iron nodded his head at Carl’s words.

For them to be able to dispatch their troops to other regions, they needed to first stabilize the Southeast. But this situation would make it difficult for them to do so. That meant that the name of the Mobile Field Army would be tarnished. Of course, the Central Government would definitely bite on this bait. 

“I know. But, what can we do?” 

In Iron’s perspective, having just these three forces occupying the Southeast was already a blessing. All that was left for them to do was gain enough power to overwhelm these two forces. Of course, it would probably be difficult to deal with them with the steep growth of the giant armored worm. 

‘Then, we should just get support from the Southern and Eastern Command.’ 

Iron chuckled at the thought.

“Isn’t it funny…?” 

Iron turned to Carl and asked him when he saw him look at him carefully. 

“Perhaps, all of the Imperial Masters will gather in the Southeast.” 

“The… masters?” 

“That’s right. The only thing that I have an advantage against the mutants and mutant birds is my connections. So, we will use them well.” 

Iron’s lips curled in a smile as he said so. 

He would call in the commanders that were free and just sweep them all at once. There was no need to gather all of them. Just two or three were enough to deal with the mutants. 

In addition, with the help of the Eastern and Southern Command, it would not be a pipe dream for them to take control of the entire Southeast. 

Iron’s smile grew wider at the thought as he tapped the continent’s Southern region.

‘The moment the situation in the Southeast is resolved, then…’ 

His plans to increase his influence in the Southern part of the continent and help the West would be completed. Currently, only the Western and Southern regions of the continent were occupied by the most dangerous forces.

Once these areas had been cleaned up then he could at least say that the Auzria Continent would be safe. That meant that Iron’s main quest would be cleared.  His quest was only related to protecting the continent and not the world so he only needed to ensure the Auzria Continent’s safety. 

‘Quest completion…’ 

Iron continued to tap on the Southern region of the continent as he drew up this dreamlike situation in his head. 

Carl could only sigh when he saw him like that. He knew that Iron was already planning the next step with just that single look.

It seemed like his Commander’s head was filled with thoughts about his next step in his plans even though the reality that they were facing right now was shit. 

His shoulders couldn’t help but slump from the pressure as he went out of the office knowing that his Commander was thinking about those things already because he believed and trusted them.

***

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