The Extra Wants To Live

One commander, who had been sitting quietly and listening, takes out his sword from its sheath and places it on the floor.

Chandar and Topal gazes met briefly and then moved away.

Topal, with his cool yet gentle personality, and Chandar, with his fiery, passionate personality, were two distinct commanders.

It was easier for others to choose someone who matched their inclinations.

Originally, there would have been more people supporting Topal.

However, it was not easy to support Topal because of his declaration to avoid battle and Chandar's insults, branding him a coward.

Supporting Topal would mean being branded a coward just like him.

Even after the war ended, even if victory was achieved, that stigma would not be easily erased.

Ultimately, the vote was 7 to 3 to strip Topal of his title as top military commander.

As expected, the next person to take that position was Chandar.

"Topal, cowards only spread fear to others. Please leave on your own."

"… How…?"

Chandar, as the new Supreme Military Commander, temporarily stripped Topal of his military command.

Topal was frustrated as he searched for God, and when he did not rise, the commanders, unable to bear it any longer, helped him up and led him outside.

If they left him like this, Chandar might do something to Topal.

Chandar was upset that he had once lost to Topal in a vote.

Now that Chandar had all the decision-making power within the army, there was nothing stopping him from completely expelling Topal for disrupting military discipline or even beating him in front of everyone.

"You must not fight. You must never fight. You can win without fighting, but why go into a fight that you don't even know if you can win? Please, we must stop this horrible thing," Topal pleaded as he was being dragged away.

But he no longer had any authority.

Topal was locked in a kiln under surveillance in the name of protection and was not allowed to take even a single step out.

"We will go to the Tishal Mountains. There, we will defeat the enemy led by Hardion's vassal, gain victory, and share the glory."

Chandar looked at everyone with eyes as hot as the blazing sun and spoke powerfully and eloquently.

His plump face was filled with the confidence of victory, and his booming voice carried the courage to stir everyone's hearts.

This was their territory.

Hardion's young, blue-eyed brat would have to pay the price for daring to be so presumptuous on this land.

The laurel trees would be burned, the eagles' beaks and talons pulled out, and their swords broken.

He would show everyone clearly the sight of Hardion's repairman hanging, sticking out his tongue.

The 40,000-strong army, the last hope of northwestern Tumaria, led by Chandar, began to march vigorously toward the Tishal Mountains, shouting victory.

**

A sigh of relief flowed through the command barracks as news reached them that the enemy had changed direction and was moving into the mountains.

"Fortunately, it seems like the other party also wants to fight." Stay connected with My Virtual Library Empire

I was wondering what would happen if they didn't fight, but it seemed like the opposing commander was a hot-blooded general who didn't want to miss this golden opportunity.

Had their opponents been more cautious and thoughtful, Hardion's forces, barely able to establish themselves on the narrow plains within the Tishal Mountains, would have found themselves in a very difficult situation.

Immediate supplies might be available through the castles and cities captured by Carl, but this would not last long.

What Carl needed to exert influence in northwestern Tumaria was fear and insecurity.

If Hardion's forces were tied down in the Tishal Mountains and waited without fighting, fear and anxiety would subside, and the castles and cities might soon claim their independence.

Then, with insufficient supplies, they would have to retreat all the way to Gabiha.

In such a case, if the opponent reacted accurately and quickly, retreat would not have been possible.

However, when you looked closely at the pros and cons, it was not a bad idea to take up a position in the Tishal Mountains unless the opposing commander was exceptionally good.

Because everyone had clearly seen the amazing maneuvers of the 8,000 troops as if they were one body under the banner of this young, seemingly insane archduke.

Not a single soldier fell behind during that harsh march.

Carl did not simply lead the procession from the front.

He walked back and forth through the long procession, inspecting the soldiers, shouting encouragement, personally handing out water to the exhausted, and grabbing those about to collapse.

The effect was amazing.

Even the soldier who was vomiting, dragging his feet, and barely conscious did not give up and walked all the way into the mountain range on his own two feet.

Everyone realized how powerful the commander's dedication and care were.

But no one could follow through with that madness, as they had to march both day and night without rest.

As autumn drew to a close, the days became cooler, but neither mana users nor sled users had the skills to endure the madness of the desert without any shade.

The news spread quickly, forcing Carl to act himself.

To keep pace from the far end of the line to the very front, Carl had to run on his own feet, wearing red-hot full plate armor that made a clanking noise.

The sight of His Highness the Grand Duke running beside them in full armor and urging them on impressed everyone.

Thanks to this, Hardion's forces arrived at their destination half a day earlier than expected and were able to rest and prepare for battle.

In return, Carl had to lie down, take off his armor, and rest while receiving treatment from Milton.

Even his perfected body had collapsed, so he later held on with tenacity through sheer mental strength.

"The enemies will want to rest too, so the battle will probably be tomorrow at the earliest," Baduan guessed, watching the setting sun.

They, too, were tired from the rapid march, but so were their opponents.

No one would want to charge their exhausted soldiers while Hardion's forces rested after arriving first.

Even if given some time, the commander of the Tumarian rebels would want to allow his soldiers to rest well before preparing them for a showdown.

If you're confident in a head-on confrontation, you want to reduce variables.

"How about preparing a trap or a surprise attack at night?"

"No, it's more important to give the soldiers enough rest than to aim for such small gains."

Baduan, who was leading the meeting in place of Carl, calmly assessed the situation.

"Since everything will end in one blow, there's no reason to be obsessed with trivial gains. The opponent is in the same position, so he won't make any rash moves."

Baduan was a capable commander.

Of course, the position of infantry captain in the Imperial Central Army was not one anyone could hold.

He had also participated in numerous wars during his youth.

"I will focus on resting while maintaining vigilance. Feed and sleep the soldiers well. I will also select the line infantry for formation. Choose the strongest, the fittest, and the most mentally resilient. Forget about family for a moment, and select only on ability."

Baduan sternly warned his commanders.

The key players in this battle were the front-line infantry.

Naturally, they would gain the greatest glory, and when the awards ceremony was held later, their names would be listed first among the knights and soldiers.

There would always be someone who used money or family influence to lobby.

Such things were often ignored, even though everyone knew they happened.

But this battle was too important, and the role of the line infantry was crucial.

If the ranks collapsed due to poor selection, they would lose the battle without even a chance to fight.

Under Baduan's direction, the selection began, and Hardion's camp became a scene of activity.

"Sir Hans! Get ready and come!"

"Hahahaha! Yes!"

The commanders immediately picked out the strongest knights they had been watching.

The chosen knights proudly walked out, waving their flags with joy.

They were qualified to stand at the forefront in the great battle that would mark the invasion of Tumaria.

They had to raise their flags high and make their family names known.

The lower-ranking commanders selected the best soldiers from the heavy infantry, and since commoners without families had no flags, their names and information were carefully recorded.

"I am Baduan Zigel, commander of the Imperial Central Army Infantry. I will now explain the roles you must perform."

Baduan gathered a group of knights and soldiers so large that just looking at them made him sweat.

"First of all, if there are any left-handed people, come forward."

"… … ."

Everyone paid attention to Baduan's words.

Left-handedness was a powerful weapon in duels, but it was a hindrance to line infantry who had to stand firm, shoulder to shoulder.

"The left-handed will be assigned to the right wing of the formation. Whether knight, soldier, noble, or commoner, if they are left-handed, they will always be at the forefront of the right wing."

As soon as Baduan said that, the left-handers who had hidden themselves pushed others aside and rushed forward like bears who had found honey.

Even within the same line infantry there are ranks.

Since most humans are right-handed, it is common to hold a shield in your left hand and a weapon in your right hand.

So naturally, those on the right are bound to gain power.