Chapter 102: The Führer and the Strategy Meeting
The Elfusia fleet has departed.
When I heard the news, I understood.
It is war, a war has begun.
A war that will determine the fate of the great nation of elves, the Holy Republic of Elfusia, and our Yamato Empire has begun.
Yes, once the war has begun, there is only one thing to do.
That’s why, as usual…
“So then, Eryu-san, are you ready?… Yes, it seems to be okay. Now, we will commence the 321st Imperial Conference.”
It began with Ayame-san’s call. It’s time for the umpteenth time of imperial meetings.
The place is a room in the dormitory exclusively for royalty where I live. This is a spare room that is not being used at the moment. Here, we have gathered the high-ranking officials of the army and navy.
Since there was no time, we couldn’t gather that many people.
The participants were three each from the Army and Navy, Ayame-san as a representative of the Imperial Guard, and a total of eight including myself.
I think the respective Chiefs of Staff and the Chief of the Naval Staff came to the meeting…
“What’s the matter, Eryu-san? Is there a problem?”
“…No, I am good. Please don’t worry about it.”
I look around at the military personnel faces gathered in the meeting room, but I can’t tell who’s who… I can’t seem to remember the faces of the military personnel, no matter how many times I look at them.
I can’t tell them apart, except for Tsuji the Army Staff Officer, who has a very distinctive look and vibe. Why do all soldiers have crew cuts or shaved heads?
I am not good at remembering faces, so I am troubled.
Well, even if I can’t tell who is who, as long as I can maintain the atmosphere, I’ll somehow manage. That is how I have covered things up until now.
Well then, let’s get to the main topic.
It’s about the Elfusia fleet that just departed the other day.
“So, navy, what is the strength of the enemy fleet? They should be continuing their reconnaissance with the new type of high-speed submarine.”
“We are continuing the investigation as ordered. At present, the Elfusia fleet consists of one supercarrier, 12 battleships, 12 heavy cruisers, and 8 aircraft carriers as its main force, accompanied by numerous auxiliary ships and transports carrying landing troops.”
“Your Excellency, the enemy fleet is of considerable size. I think it is comparable to the total military strength of our navy…”
Thanks for the explanation, Mr. Crewcut from the Navy.
The problem is how to deal with this fleet…
“What’s the path of the enemy fleet?”
“They are heading straight for the Kingdom of Londeria. Your Excellency, for the sake of safety, please return temporarily to the home country…”
“I won’t go back.”
It’s rejected, rejected. It is unthinkable for me to run away from Londeria.
Let me make this clear, our Yamato Empire is responsible for the defense of the Greater East Co-prosperity Sphere―― in short, the defender of the entire human race, in exchange for the economic exploitation of each country.
And so.
As the Führer of the Yamato Empire, if I get scared and flee just because the enemy fleet is approaching, it would damage the dignity of the empire.
Therefore, I will not run away. It is not that there is no chance of winning.
……That being said.
“A head-on fleet battle at Londeria… It’s not possible, right?”
“It is as you say, Führer. Our navy will continue to experience a shortage of forces until next year. Considering the defense of the homeland, It’s impossible to conduct a large-scale operation in the Londeria region.”
Boom, the Imperial Navy strikes with its main force against the enemy navy and sends it to the depths of the ocean for a complete victory, the end of the sixth chapter! It does not appear that this is going to be that way.
Due to various circumstances, the Imperial Navy is lacking in military strength this year.
The only dreadnought battleship, the Fuji-class battleship, is currently in dock for modernization, and all but four of the outdated pre-dreadnought battleships have been decommissioned in order to secure funds for the construction of new battleships, and the much-anticipated new battleships will not be commissioned until next year…
Are the only battleships that can be mobilized the four pre-dreadnought battleships of the Shikishima-class?
For the time being, there are four Ibuki-class and four Kongo-class battlecruisers, but… Still, the total number of main ships is 12.
An aircraft carrier will be added to this, but there is still no doubt that military strength is lacking.
Moreover, we cannot deploy all of these resources to Londeria.
Ultimately, the core of the empire lies in the industrial region of the imperial homeland and the resource-rich area of the Manchuria continent. If we are attacked there, we will not be able to rebuild our forces.
An adequate force is still needed to defend the mainland and Manchuria.
Most of the main battleships will probably have to be allocated over there…
“Are the only forces that can be deployed to Londeria my personal ship, the Akitsushima, and four armored cruisers and four anti-aircraft cruisers that were stationed on Truk Island?”
“In addition to that, we can send one more destroyer squadron and the light aircraft carrier Hosho, but…”
“Beyond that, it would be difficult. Oh, you know what I mean, but please don’t force me to dispatch them, okay?”
To Mr. Crewcut, who was about to say something, I preemptively reminded him, “Listen, the Navy’s top priority is the defense of the homeland.”
Because, if you leave this bunch alone, they will take action to protect Führer! In other words, they will operate their fleet recklessly.
If the navy were to recklessly deploy its entire force to Londeria and then leave the mainland vulnerable to a surprise attack and it fell, we’d be finished.
For that reason, we cannot send a proper fleet to the Londeria area for another year.
At the very least, it is impossible to prepare a fleet that can win a direct confrontation together with the Londeria fleet, with only 12 battleships as the main force.
That being the case, we need to consider our strategy on the assumption that the enemy will be landing… Then it’s time to bring the army into play.
“Army, is it possible to defend Londeria?”
When I asked…
“In that regard, this Tsuji, the Army Chief of Staff, will take responsibility for guaranteeing it. Your Excellency, with our invincible army, the elves do not pose a threat! Let me show you the complete defense of the Londeria on behalf of the Navy.”
Tsuji-san responded with full confidence. He is already confidently puffing out his chest.
“You look a bit dubious” is what I want to say, although I won’t say it, but I will stare at him like that.
Perhaps Tsuji-san noticed my gaze, and with a small voice he said, “…However, there are some conditions,” he added.
“What is that conditions?”
“Ah, well, one thing is supplies. We cannot fight unless the navy secures control of the Londeria Strait and keeps us resupplied.”
Ah, I see that’s what you’re saying.
Resupply is important. If we run out of oil, my elite mechanized army won’t be able to move and will be doomed immediately.
In order to send supplies to Londeria so that they continue to operate, it is necessary to maintain control of the narrow sea between the eastern continent and the Kingdom of Londeria―― the Londeria Strait…
“Navy, can we secure the route?”
“The Londeria Strait is narrow and does not require as many ships for defense. It is possible to defend if the air corps of the army and the imperial guard provide sufficient support.”
Hmm, then it’s okay. Not only the Imperial Guard, who can do whatever I want depending on my orders but also the army, who will listen to whatever I have to say if I ask them a little.
The Demon Lord of the Sky is also in our army… It looks like anything could happen.
“There doesn’t seem to be any problems regarding the supply. So, Tsuji-san, are there any other problems?”
“In accordance with the initial defense plan, the northern part of Londeria will also be abandoned. That region still does not have developed infrastructure. When it comes to mobilizing the army…”
“Are you saying that it’s like going to self-destruct?”
Hmm, I see…
The Kingdom of Londeria was used by the Empire as a barrier in case the elves attacked.
The southern half of the country is already fully prepared, with railway systems, airports, various major roads, and everything quite complete, enabling the mechanized Imperial Army to maneuver freely.
Even if the enemy tries to land, the Empire’s prided armored units can promptly move to intercept and are fully prepared to prevent it.
However, it seems like the northern part is no good.
The northern part of the Kingdom of Londeria is quite a rural area… The maintenance was not completed in time. There are neither railway networks nor airports, and the roads are like muddy paths from medieval times.
I can’t move my army properly in such a place.
If the enemy comes ashore, we have no choice but to surrender.
So, that is why…
“In other words, we abandon the northern region and give it to Elfusia, while we keep the southern region. So, we will end up dividing Londeria into north and south to fight, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
It going to be like the Korean War, it’s a massive fight that divides the country into two.
Lynn-san, who is from the northern part of Londeria, seems like she might get angry, but… It’s not a bad proposal for the Empire.
It can force Elfusia to maintain a long supply line from the western continent to the Kingdom of Londeria, and most importantly, it can wear down enemy forces far from the enemy mainland.
Moreover, by arming the citizens of Londeria and having them fight, the damage to the empire would be reduced…
Once the enemy has landed on Londeria, we will engage in a prolonged battle to weaken their forces, and when we are ready to counterattack, we will strike back with full force.
It seems possible to engage in a war like America did during World War II.
This should be fine as the basic policy.
The Empire is currently short of military power and is waging passive defensive battles in southern Londeria until its forces are ready.
As soon as our forces are ready, we will counterattack. Repel Elfusia from our territory, and then deliver the finishing blow when they are weakened. That’s the gist of it.
I don’t know how well it will go, but… If we lose, it’s the end for us, we’ll become slaves to the elves.
Let’s give it our all.
Ah, speaking of which.
“Speaking of Londeria, there was that prided Royal Navy, right? I am curious to know what they are going to do? If possible, I would like them to work together with the Imperial Navy, but…”
I had forgotten the pride of Londeria, the Royal Navy.
Their ship is an old-fashioned sailing ship, but… Even if they are outdated since it is a large ship weighing over 3,000 tons, if it is modernized, it could at least be turned into sailing auxiliary cruiser.
You see, it just so happens that there is a surplus of cannons from old ships that have been decommissioned, so it would be a waste not to use them.
It seems to be useful in a number of different ways.
“Regarding the Londerian fleet, based on our navy’s intelligence. Currently, their main force is anchored at Scullflow anchorage to the north.”
Anchored in the northern Scullflow anchorage, is it?
I don’t like that. The north area is the place where we had already planned to surrender to the enemy.
If they stay there, they will be crushed by the Elfusia fleet, right? They perhaps plan to intercept on their own, but it’s just an act of suicide.
Let’s make them stop.
“Ayame-san, through the Londeria royal family, using our influence… Can you order them to evacuate to southern Londeria?”
“Yes, I’ll give them the instructions immediately.”
“Okay, I’ll leave it to you.”
……Londeria is a member of the Greater East Co-prosperity Sphere. They are like a vassal state of my empire, so they should probably listen to what I say, right?
“However, Eryu-san, there is a small problem.”
“A small problem?”
“Yes. I have heard this from a certain person, but Admiral Nelson of the Londeria home fleet seems to have a reputation for not listening.”
“…Is that true, Ayame-san?”
“They did say he is an excellent man, except for not listening…”
Ayame-san had a somewhat reluctant look on her face. I guess you don’t feel confident that he will listen to the instructions.
Admiral Nelson, he is a cause for concern.
I hope they can retreat without any incidents…
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