Bear School Astartes

To win, you must continue to bury yourself in hard and tedious work.

After arranging this war record, which can cause a significant impact on the long-standing ’civilization theory’ of the Niflgaard Empire, Veltrest still has many things to do.

”Another piece of intelligence, from Sintra.”

Roche pulled out a sheet from the stack of papers in Veltrest’s hand and placed it on the top.

Veltrest gently read the words on it: ”’Embers’? Is this guerrilla group causing trouble again?”

Guerrilla warfare is not a fresh term, especially in newly occupied areas; guerrilla warfare against the occupying forces is a common occurrence for every commander.

In fact, Veltrest once taught Vernon Roche about this topic.

According to guerrilla warfare theory, the more inhumane the occupiers are in the occupied area, the more frequent and destructive the guerrilla activities will be.

This is because guerrillas will gain support from the people in the occupied zone, supporting them in attacking the invaders.

But the overall advantaged invaders will intimidate residents, thereby committing more inhumane acts.

Then the vicious circle begins.

After reading the war records written by Hacksaw and understanding what the Niflgaard people have done in the Sintra occupied zone, Veltrest is not at all surprised by the emergence of numerous official and unofficial guerrilla groups there.

But this ’Embers’, they are not an ordinary guerrilla group. Very, very unusual.

Before the forest fire a few days ago, no one had ever heard of these people. The Niflgaard people hadn’t, the Northern Alliance Army hadn’t, not even the former Sintra General who is also fighting guerrilla warfare—Marshal Visegrad—had heard of them.

This isn’t a big deal; after all, most guerrilla groups are not worth mentioning, lacking combat power and achievements. Usually, being able to maintain their presence in enemy territory is a great feat.

However, after that forest fire, this name suddenly shot into the sky like the pillar of smoke that day!

Their first battle to gain reputation—this group directly attacked a Niflgaard border outpost at night!

Reportedly, they took away more than five hundred Niflgaard war horses!

Though Veltrest couldn’t understand why a temporary outpost would have such a luxurious resource like over five hundred war horses, looking at the Niflgaard reaction, this matter is most likely true.

This makes it even more surprising.

How could just a guerrilla group know there are war horses in the Niflgaard’s outpost?

This isn’t just superior combat strength; their intelligence is incredible!

And this action is merely the beginning of their recent activities.

Like all guerrilla groups, their name wasn’t one they chose for themselves.

It was given by their enemy based on their unique performance.

Wherever ’Embers’ have acted, they leave behind a small pile of white ash-like residue.

Perhaps as a memorial, or emotional venting for friends and family who have died.

Happy people have their own happiness, but guerrillas in enemy-occupied zones share largely similar misfortunes in this.

”What did they do this time?”

Veltrest asked.

”Still a temporary outpost, according to our battlefield division, within section seventeen of the border line.”

Roche replied matter-of-factly.

”Hmm, compared to last time when they burned down a small supply depot, this counts as being restrained. Hope they survive longer.”

”You might misunderstand, Majesty. They didn’t take anything in the chaos at that outpost.”

Veltrest raised his eyes blankly: ”Then it was...?”

Roche pursed his lips: ”They... slaughtered the entire outpost garrison, including the resting patrol unit there. Estimated... at least five hundred people.”

”...wiped them out.”

Temeria’s King blinked.

”Is this damn thing a guerrilla group?!”

-----------------

”Is this damn thing a guerrilla group?!”

The same question echoed in the Niflgaard camp, but the tone was so deep it felt like a hand pressed against the sword hilt.

Meno Kuhorn, the overall commander of this Niflgaard campaign.

His whip was in his hand, though he made no angry or irrational move. However, everyone present seemed to be startled quails by thunder, not daring to look up at him.

Meno Kuhorn is widely known in the Niflgaard Army; he is a legendary alumnus of the Imperial Military Academy, and he even has several pages dedicated to him in the textbooks describing his wartime command experiences.

Imperial Military Academy graduates see Meno Kuhorn as if a textbook idol has come to life.

A major battle can’t stem from any sudden reason or circumstance.

Before a major battle, both sides will be aware of the impending showdown, and the attacker will have compelling reasons, and the defender must be ready to fight.

Then all available forces are placed on the table, beginning the command-level contest.

According to Meno Kuhorn and Veltrest’s thinking, the current situation has reached a critical moment.

Lower-level officers might still be relaxed due to the victory at the Sodden battle, but at the upper levels, such a mindset is suppressed strongly by Meno Kuhorn.

”And in such tense circumstances, amidst dense personnel movements! A temporary outpost! The resting place of soldiers and their supply point, wiped out by a guerrilla group?!”

His hawk-like eyes and nose are pure Niflgaard lineage, giving immense pressure when glaring.

”Is this how you want to report to me? And I report to His Majesty the Emperor in this way?”

Meno Kuhorn’s eyes repeatedly scanned the map, and the chess pieces symbolizing military strength.

This is a crucial battle, determining whether the Empire will be forced to halt at Sintra or charge forward like a wedge into the northern territories.

He wouldn’t tolerate this glorious battle failing. This requires addressing any oversight.

After a silent moment, he calmly asked for specifics.

”How many are ’Embers’ exactly?”

The atmosphere in the tent eased. The lieutenant holding the collated intelligence immediately stepped forward to report.

”We have professional trace experts offering opinions. After investigating many scenes, they believe their number doesn’t exceed seventy people.”

At this point, every officer displayed incredulous expressions.

Seventy people wiped out five hundred... were the soldiers in the outpost all without armor?

In their experience and studies, only unarmored versus armored would produce such a casualty ratio.

Yet Meno Kuhorn remained calm and continued to ask.

”So, the last shift personnel leaving before the incident, and the first arriving afterwards—how long was the gap?”

”In other words, I want to know, in their seventy versus five hundred engagement, how long did ’Embers’ take to achieve total annihilation?”

The lieutenant did not immediately respond. He bowed his head to carefully review the intelligence in his hand, repeatedly confirming before swallowing and raising his head.

”Marshal...”

”Speak!”

”They seemed... to have only taken less than twenty minutes.”