[Alesio PoV]
Several days passed, and although we had discovered the location of the Imperial forces that had vanished in this region, whenever we approached them with the 30,000 troops of the Draconia Kingdom, they always fled and refused to engage in open battle.
Even when we attempted to bait them by bringing only 5,000 troops, they remained idle, refusing to take the hook. Furthermore, whenever those 5,000 troops moved toward them, the 10,000 Imperial soldiers would simply retreat further away.
Yesterday, we attempted to encircle them by dividing our forces into three groups. However, they countered this strategy by splitting their own forces. In the end, we were only able to surround a thousand of them, and this strategy won't work a second time as they will be more vigilant.
For several days now, we have been doing nothing but playing cat-and-mouse with the Imperial army.
"They are toying with us!" General Melisandru shouted in frustration. "If this continues, our time will be wasted just chasing them around this region!"
He was right; nearly ten days had passed, and we had made no progress here.
"Mr. Alesio, what about the logistics supply for our troops? Several days have passed since the promised delivery date, yet the caravan from the Venetian Republic still hasn't arrived!" General Melisandru turned his attention toward me. "Our food supplies will only last another 20 days. If we wait much longer, I might have to withdraw the troops from this region to prevent them from starving in enemy territory!"
We had been waiting four days for the caravan from Avelino City, but not a single wagon carrying logistics had appeared. According to the schedule, the next shipment was supposed to depart tomorrow.
However, if my bad intuition was correct, the next shipment wouldn't arrive either.
I had to return to that city to find out what was actually happening.
"General, if you permit, may I return to my country to find out what is going on with the logistics shipments to this region?" I requested.
"I hope you can send those supplies to us as soon as possible, Mr. Alesio," the General replied. "Otherwise, this offensive operation into the Empire's eastern region will fail."
I couldn't allow us to suffer a defeat on the Eastern Front. If that happened, the pressure on the Empire would lessen, allowing them to send reinforcements to the Western Front, where the main Imperial army was currently attacking our territory.
"Understood, General. I promise to bring the supplies here as quickly as possible."
***
[Balian PoV]
The atmosphere at the Military Logistics Department in this city was tense. This was because, a few days ago, the caravan delivering supplies to the Draconia Kingdom forces in Imperial territory was suddenly attacked by an unknown group.
Some surviving witnesses claimed they were bandits, but other soldiers reported that the enemies who ambushed them were far too professional to be mere outlaws.
The Venetian Republic subsequently deployed five hundred men to search for the perpetrators near the site of the incident. However, after searching day and night, they found nothing.
That was only natural because, according to Boss Raul, their base of operations was on the other side of the river—specifically in the forest near Ostia Village, which was very far from the ambush site.
"They clearly aren't a group of bandits! They must be Imperial special forces who infiltrated this region!"
"How could Imperial troops be in this area!? The secret paths we discovered are heavily guarded by us on this side and Draconia Kingdom forces on the other! If they were here, they must have arrived before the war even started!"
Currently, I was in the meeting room of the Military Logistics Department. All the military officials in the building were discussing the ambush on the caravan carrying supplies for the Draconia Kingdom.
"Whether they were here before or after the war started, the fact remains that their forces have cut the logistics supply we send to Draconia," Miss Milessa said, silencing everyone in the room. "We must resolve this issue as quickly as possible!"
Time had become the greatest enemy for the officers of the Logistics Department. It was predicted that Draconia's supplies would run out in just 20 days—perhaps 30 if they cut the soldiers' rations. If they couldn't deliver food within that time, the Alliance's offensive in the Empire's eastern region would be over.
"Colonel Riggani, how many troops can you deploy to destroy the Imperial special forces operating in this area?" Miss Milessa asked a middle-aged man in military uniform.
"The total force guarding the Luceria Fortress City currently stands at 10,000 men," the Colonel answered. "I can order 2,000 of my troops to quickly sweep the forest areas to find our enemies."
"Very well. We will resume logistics deliveries tonight, this time with 1,000 guards under the cover of darkness," Miss Milessa declared. "I hope they won't expect us to move at night. Furthermore, with five times the guards, I hope we can prevent them from destroying this shipment."
1,000 troops, huh?
I didn't know how Boss Raul would pull off an action against that many soldiers. My job was simply to report all information regarding the location and route of the caravans. Moreover, 2,000 troops would also begin searching the forests where they were hiding. Relying on only 200 men, I figured it would be quite tough for them to face an army ten times their size.
***
[Raul PoV]
By midday, I was at the base of operations we had previously established.
Though we had successfully destroyed the supply caravan for the Draconia Kingdom a few days ago, the spy I placed in the enemy's Logistics Department had yet to send me another message. It seemed the Venetian Republic was trying to locate us before attempting another shipment, moving with increased caution.
"You've never eaten pork before, Scarlett!?" Viera exclaimed, sitting with the redhead near a campfire. "I suppose that makes sense, given you're a Duke's daughter who surely only ate the highest quality beef."
At Viera's words, Scarlett simply nodded and tasted the roasted boar Viera had hunted with her arrows earlier.
After our previous victory, the troops' morale had improved, even despite losing a few comrades. Moreover, I noticed they were growing accustomed to living in the wild like this.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, I saw a light glowing from an artifact in my uniform pocket. Activating it, the light began to flicker in varying rhythms. I began to translate the code and received a message.
"Nighttime, 1,000 guards and 2,000 searchers."
Though the message was shortened for efficiency, I understood exactly what my spy was conveying. I then pulled a piece of paper from my back pocket. It was a map of the Venetian Republic's Eastern Region. If my spy's information was correct, their caravan would definitely pass the bridge over the Apulia River after reaching Ostia Village.
With 1,000 guards, we wouldn't be able to wipe them out quickly, even with an ambush. The only way was to blow up the bridge. However, according to our reconnaissance, there was a military outpost near the bridge, and because of the previous ambush, they had reinforced the guard there. We had to defeat the guards before we could destroy the bridge.
Truthfully, we had explosives taken from the Venetian forces we defeated earlier. However, I wouldn't be satisfied with just destroying the bridge. I thought I'd use the same method I employed during the survival exam on the island last year.
Having decided on our next move, I leaped from the tree and landed on the ground. Everyone stopped their activities and turned toward me.
"What is it, Captain?" Viera asked.
"We have a new job," I told them. "30 people come with me; we're heading to the Aquilino bridge, 10 KM from here."
I then explained that a caravan carrying logistics for the Draconia Kingdom would be crossing that bridge tonight.
"Our mission is to sabotage the bridge so the caravan cannot pass," I revealed. "However, there is a military outpost there, and we must first clear out the soldiers guarding it."
I then pointed out the individuals I trusted to carry out the task without being killed in vain. Once the 30 were chosen, I began explaining the plan we would execute to take the bridge.
"First, Viera and I will sneak in and disable the alarm signals," I told them. "Viera and I are the only ones here who have mastered the Featherstep technique and can move freely around the area."
I also ordered the rest to hide on a hill and wait for a signal from Viera to launch the attack.
"Any questions?" I asked after the briefing.
The group remained silent. "If not, we move out immediately so we aren't beaten there by the caravan."
I hoped there would be no casualties in this upcoming operation.
***
[Viera PoV]
After moving for two hours, we reached the Aquilino bridge as night approached. This bridge was the link between Avelino City and the Luceria Fortress City, separated by a rather large river. The river flowed from the Montana mountains toward the Gulf of Cosentia. Furthermore, the area was surrounded by hills, making it look like an ancient canyon.
There were military outposts at both ends of the bridge, with many soldiers on guard, ensuring our mission wouldn't be easily won.
"Alright, before we begin, I will explain the phases so we don't suffer casualties during the execution," Captain Raul said, looking at us.
He explained that he and I would sneak into the outpost first. At a glance, there were over a hundred guards distributed across both sides. After neutralizing the watchtower, the Captain and I would begin picking off the guards one by one. When the guards on the far side noticed us, I would release a signal for the others to attack while the enemy focused on the two of us.
Following the briefing, the Captain and I separated from the others. We descended the hill and swam across the river to reach the other side. Afterward, we began climbing to reach the outpost on the right side of the bridge.
"Is it true Imperial forces have entered this region?"
"I believe so. Initially, this bridge was only guarded by 50 men, but after the previous ambush, the guard was increased to 150."
I could hear the guards in the outpost chatting about our previous actions. There were six buildings in this outpost; our first target was the watchtower. However, before reaching it, we had to eliminate the sentries without being detected.
Captain Raul and I moved slowly whenever the guards' eyes were turned away. We activated the Featherstep technique to silence our footsteps, hiding behind a trash bin when the guards looked back toward our position.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
The sound of footsteps approached; three guards were heading our way. Captain Raul signaled for me to use my Silent ability. I nodded and prepared one of my Profound Codices called Sound Proof. This magic could render a specific area soundproof, which was invaluable for missions like this.
Once the guard in the watchtower looked away, I activated the Sound Proof magic around the three nearby guards.
Swoosh...
Captain Raul drew a knife and lunged toward them. All three looked shocked and tried to draw their swords. They appeared to be screaming, but no sound escaped their mouths. Captain Raul stabbed the neck of one guard, who fell to the ground clutching his throat as blood poured out.
Another guard launched a horizontal slash aimed at the Captain's neck, but the black-haired man ducked and stabbed the guard's heart with the knife in his right hand. The last remaining guard screamed again, but once more, silence reigned. Captain Raul then slit the guard's throat.
After killing the three, Captain Raul signaled for us to move to the watchtower. We had to be fast before other guards found the blood and corpses. Two men stood in front of the watchtower entrance; I activated Sound Proof again, and Captain Raul neutralized them quickly.
Watching the Captain's movements, I realized he was using magic superior to both Accel and Acceleration. His movement speed and reaction time were far beyond what I had seen during our field training last year.
Opening the tower door, the five men inside were startled by our arrival. I used Sound Proof to stifle their cries. Captain Raul immediately engaged three of them while I drew two daggers and lunged at the other two who were reaching for their swords.
One of the two I faced launched a thrust. I parried his sword with my left dagger and slit his throat with my right. His comrade attempted a similar thrust, but I spun to dodge, drove my right dagger into his chin, and sliced through his neck.
After defeating my foes, I looked toward Captain Raul. He had just decapitated the last enemy he was fighting. The floor was covered in blood, and the scent of death began to fill the air. Afterward, the Captain and I climbed the stairs and eliminated the four guards at the top of the watchtower.
"Alright, Viera, the first phase is complete," Captain Raul said.
From up here, we could see the entire outpost area. It seemed the guards had finally realized we had infiltrated. Several were running toward the tower to attack us.
"We're under attack! I found Patrick's body near the warehouse!"
"I saw two strangers enter the watchtower! Quick, catch them at the top!"
Seeing this, Captain Raul walked toward the stairs to hold the line while I prepared the bow hanging on my back and began aiming at the guards approaching from below.
Swossh! Swoossh!
I loosed arrows, picking off the guards from my high vantage point.
"Damn it, find an angle the archer can't reach!"
The guards began to scatter into blind spots, but I could still fire at those further from the tower. Meanwhile, I heard the sound of clashing steel and screams of pain from behind me. It seemed Captain Raul was engaged in combat right on the narrow tower stairs. In such a tight space, the enemy's superior numbers mattered little.
"Quick, call the guards at the other end of the bridge! Tell them to help us defeat these intruders!"
Hearing the shout from one of the guards, I looked toward the bridge. Dozens of guards from the other side were beginning to cross to surround us.
"Captain! I'm firing the signal!" I shouted to Captain Raul, aiming my bow at the sky.
"Do it! I'm starting to get overwhelmed here!"
I channeled Mana into the arrow I was holding. Once it emitted a magical glow, I fired it into the air. The arrow exploded like a firework in the sky.
This was the signal for our comrades to begin the attack.