第１３８６堀：開戦 (Part2)
"Understood. Jessica, Stasia, you heard the order. Secure the commanders."
"Understood."
With those replies, Jessica and her team surged forward toward the enemy's main camp with breathtaking speed. Even so, the main camp was already sustaining heavy damage. It seems the magical bombardment has a surprisingly wide area of effect. I’ll need to report this to Yuki so we can make adjustments; otherwise, it’s going to become a real problem. It wouldn't do to have our own allies caught in the crossfire, let alone the enemy.
But, setting that aside for a moment.
"What about the intelligence unit?"
"Sir. We have already secured the town’s exits and the ramparts. The communication network has been severed. It will be difficult for the generals to flee into the town, and we have effectively trapped the agitators inside as well."
"Good. Maintain that status. The actual pacification must be handled openly by our regular troops, or the townspeople will grow anxious."
"Understood. We will continue our surveillance."
That side of things is under control, too. Now, as for the rest...
"Attention all forces: capture any incapacitated enemies. Do not let your guard down against potential counterattacks."
As I issued the order, the entire army began to advance, maintaining a steady barrage of magic. They were utilizing lightning and freezing spells to temporarily incapacitate the enemy, followed by transmuting the earth into stone to bind their limbs. While binding them with earth is technically ineffective in real combat—since they can simply shake it off—it serves a purpose. While we could theoretically build walls to imprison them, the sheer number of enemies would require massive structures, which is costly in terms of resources. Besides, there’s always the risk of them climbing over.
That is why this combination of water, lightning, and ice is actually a well-thought-out tactic. Incidentally, the captured enemies are to be housed in wheeled iron cages—a result of careful planning for transport.
...Though, there were some who argued that this method is more expensive to maintain than simply killing them.
"It is far better than breeding resentment. The grudge born from the dead is not so easily washed away."
Because of those words from Yuki, the order to kill was rescinded. That said, we cannot prevent deaths caused by pre-existing conditions or the violence of combat itself. We do, at the very least, provide treatment for illnesses like the common cold. Apparently, this is what builds trust. I’ll need to make sure Micos writes about this extensively.
Speaking of Micos, he is currently at the enemy's main camp...
"This is Jessica. We have successfully secured the generals and the core of the army."
"There are no casualties on our side."
A total shutout there as well. Still, I wonder why the central group remained unscathed? Was it simply because they were outside the range? I’ll have to investigate that thoroughly to apply the lesson to future operations.
"Understood. Escort the generals with the utmost care."
"Understood."
Well, the fighting here is over, but we still need to decide how to handle the negotiations using these prisoners. Ah, wait—that’s not all. We still have to deal with the forces stationed at the Southern Spirit Spring. Is that the priority now? Or is there a different call to be made?
For now, that is a decision I cannot make. It depends on what Yuki and the others decide...
"I suppose this isn't going to end just like this, is it?"
They invaded another country. We have long since passed the point where this could be dismissed as a misunderstanding. I don't know how they plan to bring this to a close.
"Yuki and the others certainly have their work cut out for them."
Waging war is difficult. But ending a war and stabilizing the aftermath is even harder. I began reviewing the requisition forms for the supplies we would soon be consuming, preparing to request whatever was lacking.
"All we can do is work hard to ensure Yuki’s strategies don't fall apart."
No, truly—having leaders you can trust is a blessing for us right now. A lightning war, in the most literal sense. With this, we are now in a state of open war with the Kinauf Kingdom. The higher-ups have a difficult task ahead in bringing this war to a conclusion.