“Colonel Gedol, I’ll temporarily step down as captain and transfer the authority to lieutenant Hazen.”
“…Do you think that will be allowed?”
“We have no choice.”
To win this battle, that man is necessary. Everyone knew it, yet everyone tried to avert their eyes from that fact.
Only Captain Lorenzo, who had witnessed Lieutenant Mospitza’s disgrace firsthand, can do this. Rather than becoming like that man, handing over the seat to someone half his son’s age is the better choice.
There are more than ten thousand soldiers at his back. This fact, which no one else even considers, is something only he can bear.
“Please, Colonel Gedol. Please give permission to Lieutenant Hazen to take over the captain’s authority.”
“…No! He has no experience leading a large army! I cannot entrust that to an inexperienced person!”
“There is no problem. Lieutenant Hazen has gained the firm trust of his subordinates.”
Now, the 8th platoon, which used to be a group of ruffians, has become the fortress’ top warrior group. The 4th company has quickly become respected by the other companies.
Why?
Because Hazen only evaluates the abilities and merits of his subordinates. He does not show any favoritism. He does not pander. He gives orders that everyone can agree are right. How easy and reassuring that must have been for his subordinates.
It is something that seems simple enough for anyone to do, yet hardly anyone can truly imitate.
“……”
Eventually, Colonel Gedol sighed in resignation. In the end, the only thing this superior officer can do is to let someone else make the decision. Compared to Lieutenant Hazen, his own abilities seem to pale in comparison. He even forgets why he tried to put this man in charge in the first place.
“…Failure will not be tolerated. If you are defeated, I will have you all executed.”
“Yes.”
“When this battle is over, I will transfer you all away. Never set foot in this place again.”
“Understood.”
As he gave the reply, Captain Lorenzo thought. The next time they meet Hazen, they will all be prostrating themselves before his back.
At that thought, a scene of them lamenting and wailing came to his mind.
“Captain Lorenzo, I order you. Transfer your captain’s authority to Lieutenant Hazen.”
“Understood.”
Captain Lorenzo saluted and left the scene.
And as he walked down the hallway, he muttered the words Hazen had so naturally spoken.
“Top-down order…huh…hehe, hehehe…”
Involuntarily, Captain Lorenzo cracked a sardonic smile.
*
When Hazen was spreading out a map in his room, Captain Lorenzo entered. There was no trace of sorrow or pity on his face. First, he thought this superior officer had brought what he wanted.
“Lieutenant Hazen. I am transferring the captain’s authority to you. Please save this fortress.”
“…Understood.”
“I will be under your command, but what should I do?”
“Could you please continue to convey my intended tactics to the other superiors? I would like you to act as a liaison with the upper echelons.”
It would be unlikely that they would accept his instructions directly. But if it’s Captain Lorenzo, they would be able to accept it. Hazen acknowledges that Lorenzo has better coordination abilities.
“That’s unexpected. I thought you would say ‘use honorifics’ or something.”
Captain Lorenzo laughed. According to reports, Lieutenant Mospitza has been coming to the captain’s room at night, crying and pleading that he is receiving ‘terrible treatment’.
Hazen couldn’t help but wryly smile.
“It’s true that I’ve been demanding the use of honorifics from Lieutenant Mospitza. But respect should come from the heart. In private, I would like you to continue to treat me with respect as you have until now.”
“Respect? Hearing such words from you is even more unexpected. I thought the only area where I surpassed you was in ‘social skills’.”
“Please don’t bully me too much.”
“Haha! To be told that by you is even more unexpected.”
“…Do you understand the conditions I require from a superior officer?”
“Hmm? Is it comprehensive military capabilities?”
“No, sir.”
“Good decision-making skills.”
Hazen shook his head.
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“The ability to forgive subordinates…that’s not it either.”
“Of course not.”
“…Fairly evaluating abilities and achievements?”
“Well, that’s part of it, but it’s not the most important.”
“Huh? I don’t understand. Please tell me the answer.”
“It is to sincerely accept the opinions of your subordinates and adopt the excellent ones.”
“……”
“The more people you command, the more diverse opinions will arise. It is only natural that there will be opinions superior to one’s own. An officer who does not adopt those opinions due to appearances, self-esteem, or personal advancement is not one I consider a true superior.”
“……”
“Therefore, I do not see Colonel Gedol, Major Barosag, or the other opportunistic fellows as true superiors. After all, as a hired soldier, I will pay them a semblance of respect, but that’s about it.”
“…You’re not really paying any respect at all, are you?”
Captain Lorenzo sighed and shrugged his shoulders.
“That’s my own shortcoming. I would like to request your assistance, Captain Lorenzo. Of course, you don’t need to use honorifics with me as before. And I intend to alternate the command authority as appropriate. I would like to keep the formal captain’s rank, if you don’t mind.”
“…I’m not sure if you’re being completely honest or not.”
“Of course I’m being honest! What do you think of me?”
“Haha. Lieutenant Hazen is skilled at lying, and I’m not sure if he even has that kind of capacity. But to be told that by a man like you, it’s not a bad feeling.”
“…You’re an unusual captain.”
“Is that so? Hearing it from you, I feel like I’m becoming a weirdo.”
“…”
“Haha… But you know, you’re quite skilled at commanding your subordinates. Alright, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Thank you for your trust.”
Captain Lorenzo extended his hand, and Hazen smiled as he grasped it.
Having established their respective positions, the next step was to place the pieces on the map and discuss tactics. Hazen placed a piece on each of the four sides of his fortress.
“First, let’s talk about troop deployment. Of course, we’ll be fighting from within the fortress.”
“That’s sound.”
“The enemy numbers 50,000. On our side, after the withdrawal of the other faction, we have around 15,000 left. And the Second Battalion only has about 3,000. We’d be at a disadvantage in open battle.”
“…”
“But if we hole up in the fortress, the numbers won’t be that insufficient. I’ll deploy the battalions evenly to the east, west, south, and north. In the end, I’ll be facing General Gizaal’s forces.”
“The enemy is a field marshal, a general. Besides, he has one of the best soldiers in his unit, the captain of the elite guard, as one of their strongest warriors.”
“That’s why.”
“…I see. The upper echelon probably doesn’t want to directly confront the army led by the field marshal, so your proposal will likely be accepted.”
Captain Lorenzo added that they’d likely get an earful, but…
“Then, why don’t you propose ‘[transferring that role] to me’?”
“I can’t say that! That’s your bad side, you know.”
“Hmm… I don’t quite understand. Complaining means you’re dissatisfied, right? But without proposing an alternative solution, you also refuse to fight in their stead. I don’t really know what you want.”
“Ah… I suppose I should take on the role of intermediary, huh.”
Captain Lorenzo let out a deep sigh.
“Is that the extent of the strategy?”
“Fortress defense is just about protecting, that’s all. And I’d like Captain Lorenzo to take command when I’m absent.”
“…Absent?”
“You see, I’m a mage. While you’re holding out, I need to disrupt and whittle down the enemy’s forces to some extent.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“…”
They still don’t fully trust him, it seems. But that’s fine. The superior’s strength lies in his flexible thinking. He never makes the foolish mistake of blindly trusting. That’s why his judgment is rarely wrong.
“Well, we’ll get to that later. But in the meantime, Captain Lorenzo’s role is complex. Guarding your own position is a given. And you must withstand the fierce attacks of General Gizaal, who may appear from the east, west, south, or north, and support the other units.”
“…Honestly, I don’t feel confident about that.”
“The Duchy of Diode is strong in cavalry. If a breakthrough happens, it’ll likely be at the gates. So please use Lei Fa.”
“Your bodyguard? But against a large force?”
“Don’t worry. I’ve hired her as a bodyguard for times like this. If the gates are about to be breached, you’ll see something interesting when you deploy her.”
“…Understood.”
“This battle will be decided in 3 days.”
Hearing that, Captain Lorenzo’s eyes widened.
“It’ll be a decisive short-term battle?”
“Either a overwhelming victory or a crushing defeat. That’s the only two options.”
“…A defeat is also possible?”
“There are no absolutes on the battlefield, and that future is possible.”
“That’s rather pessimistic.”
“I’m just saying all possibilities exist.”
“I’ll pray to God that it doesn’t come to that.”
“Anyway, first, on the first day, we must focus all our efforts on the immediate defense.”
Hazen answered matter-of-factly.
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