Who was the first person to say that time is limited?
It’s a phrase anyone might use, but I thought it was a truth in a way.
At least when I was working for that black company, I always felt like I didn’t have enough time.
“The changes in the situation since the war began are brutal.”
It’s a strange coincidence that I feel the same way even though I’ve changed professions so drastically.
Are humans basically creatures chased by time?
“I see why they say information is a weapon.”
“Yes, but even so, we’ve become much more reasonable by incorporating Japanese technology.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, in past wars, the primary method of communication for distances magic couldn’t reach was by flying dragons or swift horses.”
“Oh, primitive.”
The Tree King has officially declared war and is directly confronting Isal.
The military shares the war situation, and information continues to be transmitted, leading to a constant influx of data here. I recognize that failing to anticipate and decide our own movements beforehand would negatively impact the front lines.
“Technological innovation is amazing. Just improving the means of information transmission has yielded such battle results. It seems the war situation is considerably in our favor.”
“Yes, the difference in information transmission speed with the enemy allows us to always anticipate their moves. Thanks to that, we can easily understand the enemy’s actions through reconnaissance and gather information, allowing us to respond.”
“It’s like playing rock-paper-scissors where you play second but strike first.”
“Indeed, and what’s more, this term’s general positions are filled with highly talented individuals, including Jiro-san.”
“There are rumors that the President is called the Great Demon Lord, and this century’s Demon Lord’s Army has seven Demon Lords. Some call it an overabundance of forces. Well, that’s precisely why we have enough leeway to deal with this chaos and counterattack.”
Suella’s talk of talent has its limits.
Looking back at history, the magical aptitude required to become a general wasn’t originally that pure.
At best, it was five or six, and some generals were as low as four.
Even someone at Suella’s level was considered a talented general.
The reason for this is that those with high magical aptitude usually believe they should be at the top and end up fighting and falling against other high-aptitude individuals.
However, this century’s Demon Lord’s Army generals boast the highest aptitude levels in history.
“Our President does a good job of keeping them together.”
“It may not be long before we’re known as the strongest generation in history.”
“And perhaps the Demon Lord who achieved world unification will also be recorded in history books.”
A generation like seven Demon Lords gathered, a trove of talent.
And at its apex, the President.
It must be a nightmare for the enemy.
After all, if they consider our forces based on historical precedents, the Demon Lord should have already landed and begun their invasion.
Subordinates include individuals with the power of general class according to historical definitions, and the one commanding them is not the Demon Lord.
One of the Seven Generals, who could be described as such, has moved.
“It’s busy, but perhaps the reason no one complains is that the war situation is in our favor.”
Compared to past generals, the quality is on a different level.
With adequate support, they can maintain the front lines on their own.
“I believe so. If the war situation were unfavorable, the burden on our minds would be heavy.”
“It’s some relief that we have time to drink coffee, isn’t it?”
“Yes, would you like another cup?”
“Could I have the decaffeinated one?”
“Yes.”
As a trade-off, the rapid changes in the war situation are constant, making confirmation of information difficult. However, with Suella’s help, I have enough time to enjoy a cup of coffee.
I need to process multiple documents floating around me simultaneously, but that is probably also a responsibility of being a general.
“However, there are quite a few intense battles. They’re also going all out, so it’s understandable, but this is beyond mere power reconnaissance. My calculations estimate we’ve eliminated about three thousand people on our front.”
I’ve grown accustomed to reading rather gruesome information.
“I heard that the Tree King is relatively mild-mannered.”
“That’s only in comparison to other generals. It’s a war situation where I couldn’t possibly call it mild-mannered in terms of ferocity. They show no mercy to the enemy, literally changing the terrain to construct killing grounds. They can create strategically advantageous terrain at will. Of course, as long as we’re careful about expanding the front, they can attack as much as they want.”
Through headquarters, reports come in about which lands have been conquered and governed, and how many soldiers were defeated in clashes with which countries. Among them is the report of the operation the Tree King carried out this time.
Upon receiving and reading the document, I find the operational details so horrifying that my mouth twitches, even though I’m not there.
“Suella, how would you defend against that? Assuming an army marching on open ground, they set up a campsite ten kilometers from an area presumed to be a dungeon. That night, the surroundings of the campsite suddenly become mountains, their retreat route is cut off, and then a rain of long-range magic falls from above.”
“Considering our military strength, defense is impossible. They probably have lookout personnel, but given the Tree King’s power, those lookouts are as useful as scarecrows. Ten kilometers is within their spell range. Since they also use spirits for reconnaissance, they go unnoticed. After that, relying on dark spirits, an elite troop moves stealthily, and the Tree King creates mountains, building a physically disadvantageous position and crushing them. The reason they annihilated the unit with long-range magic was to capture and interrogate the commander. The Tree King could crush an entire unit with a mudslide.”
“Did you read the report?”
“Yes, and considering that, the only thing I can do is to cool my body with ice magic to feign a state of suspended animation, pray that the attacks aren’t fatal, endure it, and bring this information back.”
“If that’s all Suella can do, this unit has almost no options.”
Based on that information, I fill in the map, which is already covered in scribbles.
If we are to take action in the Tree King’s territory, the only way to win is to approach at high speed from outside their range and immediately storm the dungeon to challenge the Tree King.
I shake the report and ask Suella if she’s read it. She nods with a smile and offers me new coffee.
It’s not freshly brewed, but from a bottle.
It’s warm with magic, but drip coffee on the front lines is a luxury.
It’s also difficult to procure freshly ground coffee beans.
I do miss freshly brewed coffee a little, but being able to drink it at all is much better.
“It simply means that the difference in strength is not easily overcome. Once caught off guard, it’s almost impossible to turn the tables. It would take miracle after miracle to get within touching distance, and then another miracle to retreat with half your forces destroyed.”
“I see. Well, even if I were there, I wonder if I could survive.”
“Jiro-san would probably just charge straight into the dungeon.”
“I wouldn’t do that. I’d run with all my might and look for a way to deal with it.”
Enjoying the slightly bitter taste, I engage in lighthearted banter with Suella.
This has become my recent source of solace.
At night, there are things to look forward to, but I’m holding back just in case, and I’m a little frustrated.
When I strike slightly a sharp pose and pretend to run, she giggles.
“Yes. If you did that more often, we’d feel more at ease.”
“If the situation allowed for it. Well, thanks to the Tree King’s actions, the operations in other directions are also going well.”
Following that thread, I pick up another report and continue my work.
“It seems the Instructor has successfully struck at the place where the medicine was manufactured. At this rate, he might be able to return in two or three days.”
From a strategic perspective, the Demon Lord’s Army has achieved significant results.
However, it’s far from a decisive blow.
First, as a feint for consolidating territory, the Tree King attacked once in a major way and is now focusing on defense.
This is because they are creating land to defend their base, the dungeon.
It sounds odd to say they are creating land.
“While the Instructor’s movements are inconspicuous, we need to do as much as we can while the Tree King’s achievements are so significant.”
“Yes, he calls himself inconspicuous, but it’s an exaggeration to describe fighting styles that reshape the terrain as plain.”
“Indeed. It may not be as flashy as a magical explosion, but it’s still impressive to see the ground change due to phenomena other than the passage of time.”
Normally, the custom would be to level the ground and build fortifications, but the Tree King literally creates land.
If they wanted to, they could create mountains the size of Everest.
They can literally alter the terrain.
Utilizing this, they plan to use the long lifespan of Dark Elves for a slow, gradual invasion.
It’s a strategy that requires immense patience.
This method is only being used for the preliminary groundwork for invasion.
When the full-scale invasion begins, a more ferocious assault will likely await.
“Despite facing such natural disasters, the allied forces of Isal are not in sync. It appears the Empire’s Army is cleaning up the mess of the allied forces who are attacking as they please, relying on their numbers.”
The enemy seems to be greatly depleted even before that fierce assault.
The Tree King’s achievements are so significant that they overshadow the Instructor’s efforts to curb the enemy’s intentions by striking at their medicine production sites one after another.
“We’ve confirmed the presence of individuals like Heroes, but they seem to be attacking with little strategy, and our army’s casualties are minimal.”
“Well, it’s like defending with a heavily fortified base and pushing forward the castle walls to invade.”
“By the way, Jiro-san, how would you deal with that?”
“I’d cut it.”
“That’s a simple answer, but I’d like to know the specifics.”
The methods to counter the Tree King, who employs strategies that ordinary people cannot comprehend, are limited.
At least, I don’t have many options.
“No, honestly, that’s the only way to put it. Ideally, we’d gather mages skilled in fire and have them launch massive spells to scorch the land day and night, but if I have to handle it alone, I’d have to wear heat-based armor magic like Amaterasu, burn the trees, and keep cutting. I used to be confident I could cut anything by ‘cutting it conceptually,’ but I’ve recently learned there are exceptions. As for a specific method, the only way would be to use Valse-san’s dimensional barrier for protection and break through the speed limit with thought acceleration to charge to the main camp in the shortest and fastest way possible.”
That method can only be described as a brute-force tactic.
After all, the opponent is the Tree King, who can manipulate natural disasters at will.
The best way to deal with natural disasters is to prevent them from being used.
“This method also assumes we know the Tree King’s location. Frankly, if I were to fight head-on, assassination would have a higher probability of success.”
“Sending Jiro-san as an assassin… that’s a nightmare.”
“It’s not my hobby.”
Even the formidable Tree King doesn’t manipulate terrain year-round.
Therefore, attacking when their defenses are weak is the standard practice.
“Now, our allies’ operational methods are secondary. We have plenty to do on our end. This shift in the war situation will undoubtedly be useful for negotiations with neighboring countries. Let’s try to consolidate our position as much as possible before receiving the report from Ann.”
“Yes, then let’s approve these documents.”
“Another mountain of paperwork today.”
I thought that, but I wonder if this mountain of paperwork could also be reshaped like the Tree King’s work.
Specifically, into something like flat ground.
Today’s Word:
When the advantage shifts, do not grow complacent.
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