Chapter 25：Battle Preperation

"Erika... what are the strengths of the Violet Army?"

Maxwell turned and questioned Erika in his casual tone soon after complimenting the brigadier of the 3rd Battalion; Zanack. Like always, Erika replied respectfully.

"The Violet Army derives its strength from the cohesion of its soldiers when they fought together in formation on large open fields."

A look of revelation started to form on the other brigadiers faces as they continued to listen to Erika. Apart from Zanack, Erika realised just how much the 'old ways' of warfare has influenced even the most capable members of the army.

Even Erika herself somewhat panicked until Maxwell reminded her about the Violet Army's strengths. Not only did the Violet Army excel in large open warfare but-

"The Paniards will not value our army highly if we fought them with inferior numbers while on an 'equal' playing field."

Erika continued explaining the benefits of Zanack's suggestion. When Erika glanced at Zanack he had a 'so I was right,' look in his eyes.

"After the fall of the Drussian coalition, it is very likely for the Paniards to become confident of their chances of victory. They will become arrogant and careless."

The look of understanding continued to grow on the brigadiers faces the more Erika spoke.

"The chances that they would underestimate our forces as nothing more than a rag-tag militia will be very high. Especially if we do a move as 'desperate' as confronting them on the Vlate plains."

Erika felt a smile grow on her face as she continued her explanation.

"This means they will be caught completely off guard when they face the might of our army"

After Erika concluded her explanation, the brigadier of the 5th Battalion; Frederick Hans was the first to voice his concerns.

"I understand the benefits of fighting at the plains, but as you said yourself. We are still fighting with inferior numbers."

Frederick's opinion was followed up by sounds of agreement amongst a few of the brigadiers.

Erika went to respond but Maxwell's hand beckoned her to stop. Soon after, Maxwell proceeded to ask Frederick a seemingly innocent question.

"What is the fire rate of a Dunnwal regiment?"

"Depending on their formations, their fire rate can range from 10 to 60 second intervals between each... musket... volley..."

Frederick's calm composed voice gradually began to trail off the more he spoke. On the other hand, Maxwell continued question the brigadier.

"And what is the fire rate of a Panish Tercio battalion on average?"

"..."

Frederick could only press his lips together in response. When Erika cast a gaze around the tent, she found that all the other officers held similar expressions, the only exception was Zanack, who sat silently with a small glint of pride in his eyes.

After a short moment, Frederick coughed his throat and tried again with a different counter argument.

"But our scout's reports show that the enemy has a powerful elite cavalry of at least 2500 men, 1000 of which were confirmed to be Panish knights."

Maxwell didn't even seem interested in Frederick's second argument and instead turned his eyes onto his wine glass while he drank it. After lying back on his chair with his cheek resting on his fist, Maxwell responded sarcastically.

"I'm sure you already know the answer to your own question."

"What do you-"

Erika saw Maxwell's snakelike eyes 'smile' when interrupting Frederick.

"Oh you know what I mean..."

Everybody in the room knew what Maxwell meant. When one looked at Frederick's eyes, they could tell that his will is faltering and that his composure is merely a facade.

"How could you even hope to convince me if you can't even convince yourself?"

"I..."

While Frederick continued struggling to repsond, Maxwell continued to pressure him. Erika noted how even Keizwell who was previously simply savouring his meal was now also drawn into the drama.

"Well?"

"..."

After a short moment, Frederick gave a long drawn out sigh before he answered himself.

"As long as we take the 'right precautions' the 2500 strong elite cavalry should be no match for our infantry."

"Right you are Frederick."

With sarcasm clearly pleasant in his voice, Maxwell 'praised' Frederick before continuing.

"Now that, that's out of the way. Would anyone else like to share their opinion?"

The entire tent remained silent.

After the silence lingered for a few seconds, Maxwell concluded the war council with a smile.

"Then we are all in agreement. You are all dismissed."

In unison the brigadiers slightly bowed and saluted at Maxwell before moving to leaving the tent. However, just before the last one can leave.

"Zanack, you stay. I have something else that I wish to speak to you about."

"As you wish my lord."

With a slight look of pride in his eyes, Zanack turned and stood at the back of the table, opposite of where Maxwell was sitting. Soon after, Maxwell spoke with a slightly cheerful tone. More cheerful than his usual tone away.

"I was rather impressed with your performance today."

Maxwell paused to chuckle for a moment before he continued.

"Well... considering you competition, I guess you would have looked good no matter what you did huh?"

Zanack only nodded respectfully to Maxwell in response.

"Yes, my lord."

"But I know that you don't believe that I made you stay behind simply to congratulate you correct?"

Zanack respectfully nodded once again when responding.

"Yes, my lord."

Maxwell swirled the wine is his hands before he continued.

"Then what do you think is the 'real' reason that I called you to stay behind?"

For a split second, Erika saw a sparkle in Zanack's eyes. For some reason, this irritated her but she knew that such thoughts were pointless, her attention should be the safety of Maxwell. After a short moment, Zanack responded.

"Are you going to reward me with a promotion perhaps?"

Maxwell casually nodded when replying.

"Yes, how does '2nd lieutenant Xavos' sound to you? Assuming you continue to do your good work, that is."

Although Zanack kept his straight face, Erika was still able to see the joy in his eyes. Somehow this made the irritation within her heart grow larger. Nevertheless, Zanack answered Maxwell.

"I would be honoured."

Zanack slightly bowed his head down as he said this.

"I will work hard to ensure that I am worthy of such a rank, my lord."

Once again Maxwell chuckled before he leaned back on his seat.

"Well, I will be looking forward to it. Go. You are dismissed."

Once again, Zanack slightly bowed his head before saluting and leaving the tent.

As Zanack's footsteps were soon drowned out by the sounds of drill exercises outside, the tent was soon overcome with absolute silence.

The first thing that Maxwell did was sigh with relief.

"Well that actually went better than I thought."

"You're right about that! Ahaha!"

Keizwell chuckled cheerfully after he heard Maxwell's casual remark.

"Yes... that Zanack is rather... capable no?.."

With a slight, almost unnoticeable bit of disdain in her voice, Sicilia joined in the conversation.

Erika on the other hand, did not join in the Dunnwals' banter. She found that she had more pressing, personal matters to deal with.

Although she was confident of their chances of victory against the Panish threat, she felt that she now had different kind of foe that she has to worry about.

...

"Forward! March!"

The only thing that Shawn heard for the past two weeks was Colonel Briggers barking orders.

As a Dunnwal soldier, Shawn along with all his comrades within the 2nd regiment followed Colonel Briggers' orders as they marched to relocate their base at the new location.

When they were ordered to march, they marched.

When they were ordered to eat, they ate.

When they were ordered to sleep, they slept.

For an entire two weeks Shawn has done nothing but that set routine with only some minor variations.

It was only after two weeks after originally setting out from their original encampment did they reach their designated location.

The middle of the Vlate Plains.

A large open grassland with absolutely no changes in elevation, instead being a completely flat ground which stretched as far as the eye can see.

Before long, purple tents and violet banners were set up as the army worked to create a new encampment.

Once the encampment was set up, the first thing that the soldiers did was rest. Although they were still subject to their rigorous training, their superiors acknowledged that every good soldier needs rest if they wanted said soldiers to be at their best.

Once the last tent and the last banner was proudly standing on the green grass of the ground, Shawn sighed with relief before returning to his barracks.

"Care for a drink?"

Shawn was offered a drink by his newfound friend, Ross the moment he entered his designated tent. Of course, he accepted the offer.

"Why the hell not?"

Shawn took the canteen that Ross was offering before taking a large swig of it. Of course, it was low grade, low purity alcohol. Mainly because commoners like Shawn and Ross couldn't afford to pay for the higher grade alcohol but it was also to ensure that the soldiers won't have a horrible hangover.

"Ready to give some Panish scumbags hell?"

Ross started a conversation the moment Shawn finished drinking. After returning the canteen to Ross, Shawn replied jokingly.

"That's if we survive Brigger's hell first."

"Ahahaha!"

Ross laughed in response to Shawn's answer before continuing.

"We've been in hell for nearly three months. It would be a damn shame if you can't even survive two more weeks."

"I know right Shawn, honestly you disappoint me."

With a joking voice, another one of Shawn's new comrades; Nedd joined the conversation as he entered the tent.

"Wait... it's just you two? Where is everyone else?"

Ross shrugged when responding to Nedd's question.

"I dunno. Probably gone to take a piss I guess..."

"Hah?! Then they're gonna miss out on these!"

Nedd smiled gleefully as he took out a container full of alcohol bottles. As per usual it was more low purity alcohol, not that anyone complained.

And on that night everyone drunk themselves to sleep.

Before Shawn knew it, the days passed within a blink of an eye. They once again resumed their daily drilling exercises after two weeks of marching.

The days began to blur together as Shawn returned to his daily routine.

He wasn't even sure how many days have past since they arrived here.

However, one day when Shawn was surprised to find that now they were instead being ordered into line formation on the large open fields of the Vlate plains.

After a few hours of standing in formation, Shawn along with all of his comrades saw it.

On the horizon they all spotted the orange banners of the Panish Empire.