Chapter 163: Trickery And The Thirty-Six Stratagems, Strategic Retreat (1)

Chapter 163: Trickery And The Thirty-Six Stratagems, Strategic Retreat (1)

Christian von Swiss Confederation, the ruler of the Swiss Confederation, was in a very bad mood.

No, from the moment he opened his eyes in the field bed prepared in the barracks in the morning until he tried to sleep at night, he was seething with irritation and anger every day.

It might seem like Duke Christian had anger management issues, but there was one reason why he was upset 24 hours a day.

He often cursed, shouting the name of the madman who disturbed his mind.

Argh! Lieutenant General Yaeger, you dirty bastard worse than a dog! If I capture you, Ill slice off your flesh piece by piece and chew it!

Usually, even if such curses were made on the battlefield, no one actually does what they say after killing their opponent.

But the Swiss Duke seriously considered capturing Lieutenant General Yaeger and tearing his flesh piece by piece in the dungeons of his ducal castle.

However, the reality was that for over a month, the Swiss forces of about 100,000, no matter how well-positioned the Reich Empires military was for defense with fewer troops, had not yet broken through the division commanded by Lieutenant General Yaeger, with just over 6,000 men, so it remained an unfulfilled dream.

However, Christian knew that the more he vented his anger, the more it would demoralize the entire army.

Phew, now that Ive finished all the urgent matters for today, I should patrol the camp, sternly instruct on vigilance, and discuss future strategies with the nobles.

He got up from the chair in his tent and went outside for inspection.

Outside, soldiers were gathering in groups, preparing meals with pots distributed to each squad.

Captain Hans, what are you doing? You should mix flour and cheese in water and eat it with torn jerky.

Seeing you eat like that makes me feel sorry for you. Ill bring some flat stones from my tent to bake the dough mixed with flour and water.

As expected of the squad leader, you have a different level of experience.

Pack it up and tell the others not to just mix the flour aimlessly. Its much better to wrap cheese and jerky in the flour dough and eat it.

The Duke, who had been too angry to even think about hunger, couldnt ignore the proverb he heard among the mercenaries,

A mercenary is always hungry, cold, and tired. Thats why theyre always hungry.

He smirked bitterly at the realization that even he, a duke ruling a country, was not exempt from this saying, whoever had said it.

After completing the inspection, he thought of having a late-night meal and meeting with the nobles as he walked on.

Keep a good watch ahead. You never know when that damned Lieutenant General Yaeger might attack. If you miss him, its over.

Understood, Senior Soldier Peter.

At these words, the faces of the nobles were filled with concern.

This was because, for this war, the Swiss Confederation had conscripted soldiers to the limit.

No matter what, capturing the Crown Prince was crucial to acquiring a substantial portion of the Empires rich territories.

The escape of their top strategic target meant that they were in a situation where victory was absolutely impossible.

Moreover, the Duke and other nobles were even more shocked, as they had been under the misconception that the Crown Prince was being protected in the rear by that damned Yaeger all this time.

And there was sufficient reason for such a misconception.

Logically, a 26-year-old young master and baron of the Empire wouldnt be at the vanguard unless it was to protect the Crown Prince.

Also, there were always flags and such symbolizing the Empires Crown Prince in the Empires military camp.

So, we will launch a total attack over two days to somehow behead that damned Lieutenant General Yaeger who invaded our Swiss Confederation. Moreover, not a single one of those Reich Empires soldiers over there can be spared.

Upon hearing this, the nobles resented the Duke in their hearts, but they did not voice it out loud.

Because, as the Duke said, they first had to kill the madman who had caused 10,000 deaths and 6,000 serious injuries among the 100,000 Swiss soldiers.

Prepare thoroughly. On the honor of Swiss mercenaries, we cannot afford to let Lieutenant General Yaeger escape alive.

After saying this, as everyone was about to leave, the Duke stopped Baron Evian.

You have a senior soldier named Peter under your command. That damned man was lax in his guard duty. Just keep that in mind.

Furious to the brink of madness because of Lieutenant General Yaeger, the Duke resorted to punishing even minor mistakes with severe reprimands.

The following day, the Swiss Duke received a startling report.

Your Grace, theres a massive problem! The Reich Empires military camp, where they were stationed, is ablaze! The flames are too intense; we cant pursue them without extinguishing the fire first!

Upon hearing this, the Duke stepped outside and, with a dazed expression, gazed at the burning Reich Empires military camp before collapsing to the ground.

Speechless, he could only sigh, Ah, aah in dismay.

At that moment, Lieutenant General Yaeger was frantically organizing, managing to mount everyone except the fallen soldiers on horses.

Despite taking the injured, they were moving at nearly double the usual marching speed.

The Swiss soldiers were given ruthless orders to capture them by any means necessary.

Run with the resolve to die and behead Lieutenant General Yaeger! If we cant kill him, Switzerland has no future!