Arc of Fire

Chapter 684: Chapter 22 The Plathen Emperor’s Choice

June 24, Eagle’s Nest, 9 a.m.

The Plathen Emperor looked at Celtic Marshal who had just finished his report, then turned to Army Commander Rundstedt, “So, your opinion is to postpone the attack on the Southern Front and focus all efforts on the central… ‘crisis’?”

"Yes,” Marshal Rundstedt nodded.

The Emperor pondered for a long while, lips pursed, then asked, “So, is this truly a crisis? Just ten hours ago, you were saying that General Mendel’s counterattack was highly effective?”

"Yes, and to this point, his counterattack remains very successful, having cleared most of the Ante Troops that breached the 9th Army Group’s defense lines. But the problem is

"The problem is?” the Emperor pressed.

Celtic Marshal responded, “Other Army Groups haven’t managed to launch effective counterattacks and the defense lines are in a shattered state. In fact, Marshal Bog believes, aside from the 9th Army Group, that the position of the other Army Groups is quite perilous.”

"They need fresh troops to launch counterattacks to buy some breathing room.”

The Emperor queried, “So you mean to say, draw troops from the Southern Army Group to reinforce the Central Army Group so they can hold off the attack while we postpone the Southern Front’s advance?”

Celtic Marshal explained, “Originally, because of transportation issues, half of the new weaponry designated for the Southern Front hasn’t arrived yet. By the planned attack date of July 10th, it’s likely that some equipment still won’t be in place.

"Better to wait a bit longer until we have held off the central offensive, then deploy the troops to attack.

"By that time, the troublesome new weaponry will have all been delivered to the front line. We’d just need to transport regular troops.”

After Celtic Marshal finished, Marshal Rundstedt added, “Delaying the attack also has another advantage; our newly formed Armored Division will be ready to fight. By then, our forces would be even stronger.”

Normally, the formation of new troops isn’t something the Army Commander should announce—that’s the Chief of Staff’s responsibility. But right now, there’s no time to worry about protocol.

The Emperor asked, “Then how can you guarantee that Rocossov won’t attack?”

Marshal Rundstedt replied, “Isn’t that perfect? We’ll counterattack defensively. The laboriously transported frontline Elephant Tank Destroyers have low mobility and are clearly better suited for defense, along with the mass-produced Max anti-tank guns, which are more suited for predetermined position defense.

"Let Rocossov taste the bitterness of onslaught as well.”

The Emperor pressed further, “What if Rocossov deploys those 500mm rocket launchers?”

"Your Majesty, we organize our defenses in the wilderness, but Rocossov’s new weapon is clearly designed for urban assaults; it won’t be much effective in the plains.”

The Emperor thought for a moment, then turned to Giles, “What do you think?”

Giles replied with conviction, “I think we shouldn’t launch an attack when we need to divert troops.”

Hearing Giles’s supporting opinion, both Celtic Marshal and Marshal Rundstedt breathed a sigh of relief.

The Emperor still hesitated, “Our window for this attack is only three months. By October the mud will arrive, and then all armored troops will be stuck in the mud, unable to move.”

Giles remarked, “It’s the same for the enemy. Rocossov is vigorously preparing his troops, he surely has big plans this year. He will attack, and this time it’s our turn for a defensive counteroffensive.”

The Emperor thought for another few seconds, finally nodding, “You’re right. This time we counter defensively. Celtic Marshal, amend the plan. Draw troops from the Southern Army Group to reinforce the Central Army Group and stabilize the front line.

"Also, send a commendation telegram to Mendel, who successfully counterattacked and held his line, drafted in my name.”

Celtic Marshal responded, “I’ll execute it immediately.”

After speaking, he turned and left the conference room.

The rest in the conference room all looked at the Emperor, clearly sensing the melancholy emanating from him.

The Emperor remarked, “For years, Prosen has been on the offensive, always victorious, as if offense and victory were bound together. Now, I actually order to cease the attack, even though I understand the necessity behind it, I still feel as though I’m giving up the chance of victory.”

Giles stated, “Defensive counterattack is still a counterattack, that is an offense. We will be victorious. Rocossov has always been defending and counterattacking; he defeated us time after time, enjoying the fruits of victory.”

The Emperor nodded, “I know, I know this choice is the right one, logical. Giles, thank you. Without you, I might not have been able to make this decision calmly. This Rocossov, he has already caused me countless sleepless days and nights.

"The Imperial Ministry has repeatedly promised that the assassination plans are ready, but to this date, only the attempt by Balas nearly succeeded. All other plans have invariably failed!”

The head of the Imperial Ministry also present, awkwardly said, “Most of our actions have been thwarted by the Church’s Tribunal Secular faction, Bishop Ravkid under Belinsky is extremely formidable and unusually cruel, killing all suspected individuals along with their families, sparing not even the children.”

General Moochi quipped, “The Imperial Ministry is now talking about others being cruel?”

The Imperial Ministry was notoriously brutal within the Empire of Prosen. When a child cried at night, merely mentioning “The Imperial Ministry is coming” would immediately silence them in fear.

That’s why General Ma Qi teased them like that.

However, the head of the Imperial Ministry just replied to General Ma Qi with a slight smile.

General Ma Qi, the Director of Armored Troops and the Emperor’s favorite, was still frightened by that smile.

Emperor: “Enough, let’s not undermine each other at this time. Think about how we can win the war for the Empire.”

"I do have a method,” the head of the Imperial Ministry said. “Based on reliable intelligence, the Allied Forces plan to hold a summit at the end of the year. Perhaps even Rocossov, who might end this year’s campaign, will attend. We could consider seizing them all in one fell swoop!”

General Ma Qi: “You can’t even handle a Tribunal, and now a joint conference with anti-spy experts from different countries? Do you think you can manage that?”

"Why not try it and find out?” the head smiled again.

Emperor: “Let’s discuss these matters when the enemy actually convenes. For now, I think we’ve discussed enough; you may all leave. Giles, stay behind; my sister would like to invite you for afternoon tea.”

Giles, elated: “Is she well?”

"Shouldn’t you know best how she is?” the Emperor retorted.

The other generals pretended not to hear and quickly left the conference room.

June 27, 1330 hours, 3000 meters above the Southern Army Group of Prosen.

Wang Zhong flipped open his notebook, where he had recorded the enemy’s unit numbers in code during the last aerial reconnaissance.

He used codes because if someone else stumbled upon this notebook, seeing the Front Army Commander so familiar with the enemy’s numbers could cause unwanted trouble.

After a careful comparison, he confirmed one thing—the Prosen troops originally deployed around Orel had withdrawn three divisions.

Prosen’s divisions were large, meaning at least seventy thousand men had been relocated.

That is to say, the enemy was indeed transferring troops to the Central Army Group.

At that moment, Amelia said, “It seems like the enemy’s activities are reducing. Combining this with what I saw flying over the front lines earlier, it feels as if they’re settling in for defense.”

Wang Zhong: “Yes, I took photos when I flew over the front lines. The enemy is clearly building fortifications. Though the attacking side also constructs some fortifications at the point of attack to conceal troops and deceive the defenders, the scale of the enemy’s constructions doesn’t quite seem right.”

Amelia: “So, is the enemy delaying their attack? Focusing on the Central Army Group first?”

"That’s right.”

Amelia: “Could it be a deception by the Prosens?”

Wang Zhong: “Hahaha… Hard to say, but if it really is a deception and they keep attacking us under these circumstances, then I’d really have to laugh. Alright, we’ve seen enough; let’s head back.”

"Okay!” Amelia maneuvered the control stick, the plane banked right and turned back towards the Ante-controlled area.

Two hours later.

Kazarlia First Front Army Headquarters.

Wang Zhong: “Given the current situation, I think we can launch an attack earlier. This would prevent the enemy from withdrawing too many forces from our front, alleviating the pressure on General Gorky as well.

"Also, attacking now when the enemy’s fortifications aren’t fully prepared could reduce our casualties.”

Popov slammed his fist on the table: “Good, to take the offensive against an enemy who has not faced significant setbacks—didn’t expect this day to come so soon.”

Pavlov looked worried: “The enemy has strong forces, and we don’t exactly have a large advantage in numbers; is it really appropriate to attack?”

Wang Zhong: “Let’s initiate the attack and see, if we can’t continue, we’ll adjust accordingly. Warfare is ever-changing; we must adapt to circumstances.”

Pavlov thought for a moment and nodded: “You decide, I’ll execute. But perhaps we should inform High Command? It wouldn’t be appropriate to attack rashly.”

Wang Zhong: “That’s fine. We can send a telegram to High Command in the names of the three of us, asking to change the combat plan!”

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