Claude stopped at the capital of Sidins, Efenasburg. He had to discuss with Eiblont about the political affairs of Rimodra and Sidins as well as make preparations to split his forces.
Thanks to the rapid advance of the army and Claude's disguise, the dukes and nobles of the two duchies were almost wiped out in one fell swoop. The few that managed to slip through the net were no longer able to cause any more trouble.
What troubled the two generals now was the fact that they regretted not having enough soldiers. Thundercrash had three divisions of 120,000 men, and 1st Folk was led by General Berklin towards the capital of Nasri.
That was the most crucial step of Operation Crescent Hook. It was like a black tiger digging out the heart, a fatal blow.
They would paralyze the entirety of Nasri in preparation to wipe out Aueras' mortal enemy in the eastern part of Freia.
3rd folk was led by Myjack and was tasked with sweeping through the former Askilin territory and the eastern enclave of Shiks.
The most important thing was to take over the three southern prefectures and consolidate the military industry there to produce the bullets and cannons needed for Thundercrash's new rifles and cannons in the shortest time possible to satisfy the needs of the entire corps.
It was a difficult mission that concerned the survival of Thundercrash.
Dyavid's 2nd Folk was in charge of destroying the duchies of Rimodra and Sidins. The mission had been completed, but the 2nd Folk's forces had been split up. There were three important cities in Rimodra and two strategic cities in Sidins, so they had to split up their forces to defend them.
Claude only had one reinforced combat line left in HQ, as well as two logistics battalions, a guard battalion and a garrison battalion.
A division's combat forces consisted of four main field regiments and an independent reinforced battalion. Rimodra's port cities of Carmontolle and Frolik, as well as the capital, Rivasero, and the Sidins' capital, Effenasburg and Emis were all strategic locations. The 2nd division's troops were stationed in these five key cities.
It could be said that the Second Division no longer had a mobile field unit and had become a local garrison force.
Claude's original plan to lead 2nd Folk to Nasri to reinforce 1st Folk and wipe out the entire kingdom had come to naught. He had two options: One, endure for two months and wait for the patrol fleet of the region to arrive and escort the six local garrison lines over to replace 2nd Folk's forces.
Only then would they be able to assemble 2nd Folk and head towards Nasri.
The advantage of this route was that the soldiers of the Second Division would be stationed in these five key cities for two months, allowing them to rest and reorganize.
At the same time, the cruising fleet would have enough ammunition when they arrived for the second time, so there was no need to worry about ammunition consumption.
The downside was that 1st Folk would need to hold on for more than two months after taking over Nasri's capital. During that time, the Nasri Kingdom could mobilize their standing corps and local armed forces to besiege 1st Folk or defend against 2nd Folk. That would change the tide of the battle in an unpredictable manner.
The second option was to give up all the cities apart from Port Floria and gather all of 2nd Folk's forces to head straight for Nasri. They would first destroy Nasri so that they would no longer be able to resist.
But that way, Thundercrash would be surrounded by enemies on all sides.
Without a path of retreat and a reliable supply route, the two folk would be in grave danger if they ran out of ammunition and supplies. They might even be wiped out.
But at that moment, Claude received an eagle message from Monolith regarding the victory in Ambrize.
The victory was far beyond his expectations. He believed that Monolith would be able to defend Ambrize, but he didn't expect such a huge victory.
The two divisions were equivalent to a regular army. One against seven, not only did they win three defensive battles, but they also attacked the enemy camp at night when the enemy's morale was low. They used the heavy bombardment of the new cannons and long-barreled rockets to attack the enemy camp, causing the enemy to completely collapse and flee …
The most shocking thing was the casualty ratio. Only four out of the seven corps from the eastern alliance managed to make it back, losing close to two hundred thousand men.
On the other hand, the Monolith Corps had captured almost two legions of captives, more than 130,000 people. They had only suffered about 1,700 casualties, and less than 300 soldiers had actually died. This was a 1: 100 casualty ratio.
It was said that the statistics blinded everyone in the temporary court of Whitestag.
"Bonny and Piccolo's days are starting to get tough …" General Eiblont commented, hitting the nail on the head.
That was the obvious truth. The victory in Ambrize was like a shot of adrenaline to the temporary court. The nobles started talking about how they would be able to launch a counterattack and recover the entire country within a month.
Their calculation method was very simple. Since the Monolith Corps could take on seven enemies at once, then with the addition of the three ace divisions and a second-tier division, the kingdom would definitely have the strength to launch an attack and chase all the enemies out of the kingdom's territory in one go.
Bolonik and Beechlin had already rejected the suggestion to launch a counterattack. They were still clear-headed. The three defensive battles and the night raid had used up half of their ammunition reserves. For the next two and a half months, they wouldn't be able to get any more ammunition from the autonomous region.
That was because the patrol fleet had to send ammunition to Thundercrash first, while Monolith's mission was to defend Ambrize.
"This victory gave Monolith half a year of time. The enemy won't be able to launch an attack within that time," Claude said as he pointed at the map.
He tapped on the map. "The reason Rimodra and Sidins were able to join us so easily is not only because they mistook us for an alliance, but also because they sent their newly formed corps to the royal capital. Otherwise, we'd have to deal with them first.
While the alliance had lost three corps in Ambrize, they were gathering new reinforcements in the royal capital. So far, it was known that there were five corps gathered in the royal capital. One was the standing corps of Shiks, one was the newly formed corps of Sidins, one was the standing corps of Nasri, one was the light cavalry corps of Canas that had just arrived in the royal capital and one was the newly formed corps of Rimodra.
"It's said that Nasri's standing corps is still on the way.
On the other hand, Shiks has formed two new standing corps and is preparing to transport them to Nasri. We don't know when they'll arrive, but we have no idea.
However, I've already sent Admiral Moriad's armoured fleet north to ambush Seaking's convoy. I'm sure we'll get word of it soon.
"That's why launching a counterattack when there are still more than 600,000 soldiers in the alliance's ten corps on the mainland would be a fool's errand.
However, because the Monolith Army had captured the enemy's camp and seized all the supplies, the temporary royal court and the Ministry of Army were envious.
They want Monolith to hand over all the spoils of war to them for military use. Boni and Bick are currently negotiating with them. "
Eiblont slammed the table angrily. "How shameless of them! They've already run all the way to Whitestag, yet they're still trying to fish for food in our bowl!
If they're that capable, tell them to get supplies from the enemy themselves! "
Claude tossed the second letter on the table. "Haha, Boni and Bick rejected the ministry of the army's request to launch a counterattack. Do you know what they said?
They asked Monolith to hand them the new rifles and cannons. They said that since Monolith is afraid of death, they should equip other units with the new weapons to attack the enemy.
"Do they really think Monolith can win with these new weapons?
What idiots. I wonder how they managed to get to their current positions. How could they say something like that?
"However, Boni believes that we can give them some of the spoils of war to lessen the pressure on Monolith.
"Currently, the soldiers of Monolith are a little restless and believe that the enemy won't be able to withstand a single blow. They aren't willing to stay in the trenches any longer.
That's why Boni and Bick hope that we can hasten the execution of our plan. Once Sidins and Rimodra fall and news of Nasri's Polivisia being taken over spreads, the alliance's armies will fall into chaos. Then, it'll be much easier for them to launch a counterattack and they'll only have to deal with Shiks and Canas. "
Eiblont shook his head helplessly. "But 2nd Folk's forces are all stuck defending those places.
"Right now, we have five strategic cities and haven't even cleared out the surrounding areas. We can only ensure the safety of this passage. If we give up on those cities, the alliance will be able to easily take over those territories when they retreat. By then, we'll be surrounded by the enemy in Nasri."
Claude pointed at the map. "Actually, Rimodra and Sidins only have two strategic locations: Port Floria and Odin Mountain Range.
Port Floria is the key port for our shipping, while Odin Mountain Range is the gateway to our kingdom.
"I've already ordered Bloweyk's Wolffang to work with 2nd Folk's reinforced battalion to take over Odin Mountain Range. There's only one garrison line there.
"I plan to leave the reinforced field line directly under me to you. You'll be in charge of clearing out the surrounding areas of Rimodra and Sidins.
"Most of the youths in the two duchies have been forcibly conscripted into corps and sent to the kingdom. Most of the nobles have been captured by our operation. There aren't many resistance forces in the two duchies, or rather, the commoners of the two duchies miss the days when they were ruled by our kingdom.
In fact, we don't need to station the 2nd Division's troops in these five strategic locations. One battalion per city is more than enough.
After all, a battalion equipped with the new weapons is equivalent to an entire enemy line.
That's why I'll have the transport, security, and garrison battalions of our logistics department stationed in these key cities. Assemble 2nd Folk's forces and I'll lead them to Nasri to reinforce 1st Folk.
I'm worried that if we bide our time here for more than two months, the Nasrian Kingdom will have time to withdraw their main forces and join in the battle against 1st Division.
"Also, if Ironclads fail to intercept Seaking's fleet and allow the two Shiksan corps to come ashore, it'll be a variable in Nasri's war.
With the addition of 2nd folk, I'll be able to wipe out the two Shiksan corps that came as reinforcements. "
General Eiblont nodded. "I understand. I'll stay here and help you take care of your retreat.
When the cruiser ships the six garrison lines over, I'll bring the troops to Nasri to meet up with you. "
General Eiblont was left here because the two duchies had a lot of territory, and they needed someone to be in charge of everything, be it military or administrative. They needed someone who could make decisions and make decisions in case of an emergency.
However, it would take some time to gather the forces of 2nd Folk. While they were waiting, two more reports came from the frontlines.
The first was that Myjack led 3rd Folk to sweep through the former Askilinian territory and reclaim the so-called Shiksan enclave, bringing the three southern prefectures back under their jurisdiction.
However, he reported something else. In the former capital of the Askilin Principality, Braveso Castle, they found four labor camps. They were all captive soldiers of Prince Hansbach's army.
There were more than fifty thousand captives in these four labor camps. They had originally belonged to the First Prince's four armies, but after the First Prince's assassination, they had occupied new territories, divided their territories, and developed into warlords.
However, Shiks joined forces with Nasri and Canas to attack the newly conquered territories in the name of restoring Sidins and Rimodra. They quickly wiped out the four corps and the captured soldiers were forced into forced labor.
What troubled Myjack was that the fifty thousand captives were all Aueran soldiers. While they weren't on the same side, they were still compatriots.
Now that they were rescued, they requested to join the army to take revenge on Shiks.
It was said that their lives in the hard labor camps were very miserable. In just a short two to three years, countless people had died of exhaustion, cold, beatings, and starvation. Originally, they had more than 60,000 captives, but now there were only about 50,000 of them left …
"I'll leave this matter to you," Claude said to Eiblont.
"First, pick some of them to form a few garrisons. Their weapons and supplies will be allocated from the supplies we seized. They're all veterans. Let them rest and reorganize in the towns they're stationed at. That'll reduce the pressure on us when we don't have enough men to defend the places we don't have enough men.
Our Thundercrash Corps must maintain a mobile assault force in order to deal with unexpected and sudden situations. "
The second report was from General Berklin. He had led 1st Folk to successfully occupy the Nasri capital of Polyvicia after a not-so-fierce siege. Most of the Nasri royal family had been captured, and most of the nobles and officials in the capital had been captured by 1st Folk.
However, due to the war, two of the Nasri princes were stationed outside and were lucky enough to escape.
After Berklin took over the capital, he first carried out a massive manhunt in the city and captured all the Nasri nobles and officials in one fell swoop.
Then, they boldly dispersed their troops and attacked everywhere, defeating the local garrisons of all the towns within a hundred miles of the capital. Then, they collected all the provisions and armaments and retreated to the capital of Polyvicia.
News of the capital being occupied had already spread throughout Nasri. It wouldn't be long before they were surrounded by Nasri's garrisons.
"Major Mason Hughes, order the lockdown to be lifted," Claude called for his adjutant.
Now that Operation Crescent Hook was a success, there was no longer a need to keep it a secret. The fishing boats in the two port cities and ships from other countries that didn't belong to the Easterners could now be released.
"Also, report to Whitestag that Thundercrash has successfully landed in the newly conquered lands and destroyed Rimodra and Sidins, recovering all the lost lands.
At the same time, they launched a surprise attack on Nasri and successfully took over the capital.
The duchy families and nobles of the two duchies will be sent to Whitestag to be dealt with by the royal court. As for the Nasri royal family, they'll have to wait for a while before they can head to Whitestag, "Claude said briefly.
"Yes, General."
Mason Hughes saluted and was about to leave when Claude called him back. "Wait, send my orders to the other divisions of 2nd Folk. Have them gather up in two days and rest for two days. We'll attack Nasri five days later."
When the newly conquered lands were taken over by Thundercrash, Rimodra and Sidins were wiped out, Nasri's capital was taken over by Thundercrash and most of the Nasri royal family was taken captive, the entire royal court was filled with joy.
"It's true, Your Majesty. I promise it's true." Bolonik understood Fredrey I's doubts and doubts.
The kingdom had been on the brink of extinction due to the alliance, but Monolith sent out two corps to take on seven enemies at once, dealing a heavy blow to the enemy and stabilizing their defences.
Thundercrash, on the other hand, silently landed in the newly conquered lands and destroyed two duchies that had just been restored. They even launched a surprise attack on Nasri's capital.
They captured the king and most of the royal family.
Now, even a fool would know that the war had turned on its head. The scales of the war were now heavily tilted in Aueras's favor. It could be said that the kingdom had turned defeat into victory.
The surprised Fredrey I grabbed Bolonik and questioned him repeatedly, afraid that Claude's news was just a joke. In just an hour, the king had asked for its authenticity four times.
"That's why we rejected the ministry of the army's plans for a counterattack. As long as Thundercrash's Crescent Hook succeeds, we can just sit back and watch as the enemy panics.
By the time we take action, the enemy will no longer have the will to fight and will either collapse or surrender. There's no need for our brave soldiers to risk their lives to take down the enemy's defences. All we need to do is maintain the pressure on the enemy, "Bolonik said gleefully.
On the second day of the fourth month, 601 of the Sacred Light Calendar, Claude led 2nd Folk into Nasri.