I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 332

The Italian army’s landing naturally reached the ears of the coalition of enlightened nations.

The Italian army had marked Southeast Asia as a bridgehead for advancing into Asia and confidently pushed forward.

The Allied forces, while confident in their strength, were taken aback by the Italian army’s aggressive advance, and agreed to halt their offensive for the time being.

After all, the opponent was a major Western power, and the name of Rome carried significant weight, even in Asia.

It was only natural to be extremely cautious.

“If we lose to Italy, the morale of our alliance, which has been good so far, will plummet. Let’s retreat all the way to our border for now.”

“Is it necessary to retreat all the way to the border? How about retreating only to the Cambodian border and then assessing the situation?”

“We must avoid fighting until the enemy’s strength is understood. If Italy truly has the potential to claim to be the successor of Rome, we may be facing a formidable enemy.”

The officials from Japan and the Korean Empire who came to assist Vietnam were slightly overwhelmed by Italy’s presence.

It was Rome, no less.

The historical accounts of Rome, which they first encountered during the Enlightenment [a philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 18th century], were a fresh shock to the Eastern officials.

To think that there was a nation that achieved such a high level of civilization in the BC era in the West as well.

Of course, the Tang Dynasty of China was also a tremendous empire that was not inferior to Rome.

However, Eastern people used to see themselves as the center of the world and the West as far inferior.

The reality was different, and now that structure has been completely reversed.

The shock that Eastern intellectuals received from this alone was indescribable.

The newly formed Italian Empire, the self-proclaimed rightful successor to Rome.

The so-called ‘fundamental force’ that it exuded just by its existence was on a different level.

Moreover, the Korean Empire, Japan, and Vietnam all harbored anxieties.

The reason they had been able to achieve continuous success was because they were fighting against other Asian countries.

They didn’t know what would happen if they fought against a true superpower like Europe.

These anxieties gripped not only the commanders but also the soldiers who were fighting directly.

While arrogance is the cause of defeat, a lack of confidence also leads to a decline in morale.

The Allied forces had no choice but to retreat and reorganize their ranks.

The Allied forces’ disgraceful act of turning tail without even fighting allowed Thailand, which had been cornered, to breathe.

Conversely, the Italian army, which already had sky-high confidence, lost its restraint due to the victory it gained without fighting.

“Kuhahahaha! Those uncivilized Asian bastards. I’ve been on the battlefield quite a bit, but I’ve never seen such cowardly guys before.”

“General, they’re not uncivilized. The fact that they ran away as soon as we arrived means they have the ability to assess the situation at least.”

“Ah, that’s right. As expected, they’re much smarter than monkeys because they’re the same people. Garibaldi, you were so cautious, do you still think the same?”

How can this be happening?

It feels like common sense is being defied.

I looked into it in detail, wondering if it was a trap, but they really did withdraw.

Without leaving a single person behind. All of them.

‘They advanced to the doorstep of the capital and suddenly ran away?’

I can understand retreating a little bit.

But how should I accept them running away with their tails between their legs all the way outside the border?

“Could it be the enemy’s strategy to make us careless…? Is that possible?”

Pellegrino, the commander, responded to Garibaldi’s caution, who still didn’t let go of his suspicion, with a deep sigh.

“Garibaldi… Do you think that makes sense? If you really seriously think so, tell me. I won’t ignore it either.”

“…I don’t think so. I’m sorry.”

“Yes. There’s also a saying that overestimating the enemy is more harmful than underestimating them. Being careful is good, but if you’re too cautious, you can’t do anything.”

Pellegrino understood his subordinate’s feelings.

Rather, isn’t it admirable that he doesn’t push everything with recklessness, unlike the young people these days?

He has no doubt that he will become a reliable pillar to lead the Italian Empire in the future.

“Then the answer is clear. Let’s advance as is and get the enemy to surrender altogether.”

“You mean, instead of strengthening our defenses, we’re going to counterattack?”

“Of course. There’s no reason to let those who are scared of us and run away go, is there? When is the best time to inflict the greatest damage on the enemy? Isn’t it when you hit the rear of the retreating enemy?”

That’s when you chase and annihilate the enemy who is retreating while actually fighting on the front lines, and the situation is different now.

I had a strong urge to refute, but Garibaldi had no choice but to shut his mouth.

Because he knew that even if he opposed it here, it would be useless since not only the commander-in-chief but all the officers were insisting on pushing forward.

“Does anyone have any objections? If so, now is the last chance, so speak up.”

“General! I think we should leave right now. Their escape speed is so amazing that we might not even get to fire a single shot before the war ends. Wouldn’t that be too unfair?”

“Hahahaha! That’s right, General. We should leave right away, even if it’s late tomorrow.”

“Hmm, hmm. Now that I hear it, that’s right. Then, the route of advance should be like this, right?”

Pellegrino drew a very straight and precise line from Bangkok, where they were, to Hue, the capital of the Vietnamese Empire.

Garibaldi, who had decided to remain silent, couldn’t keep his oath for even 3 minutes and opened his mouth again.

“Commander-in-Chief, even so, that’s too long of a marching route. How about advancing south instead of east, where the enemy’s main force retreated, and liberating Cambodia? That way, we can get the maximum efficiency with the minimum input.”

“Garibaldi, Garibaldi. I’ve said it many times, but why do you keep forgetting that the country we’re fighting against now is not the same European opponent.”

Pellegrino clicked his tongue as if he was frustrated and continued.

“Don’t you understand that what we need right now is an overwhelming victory and achievement? If the news that we avoided the enemy’s main force and were messing around in the southern city is spread to Europe, what will they say?”

Garibaldi could now perfectly understand Pellegrino’s intentions.

So, the home country didn’t come here to fight a war in the first place, but to play politics.

They’re assuming that the war has already been won and are only thinking about how to maximize the publicity effect.

“Ah, Commander! I think we should still make sure to supply water properly.”

A staff member raised his hand and shouted, and Garibaldi’s face lit up for a moment.

So there was at least one comrade who could think!

Garibaldi was secretly cheering, and Pellegrino looked at the staff member who opened his mouth with a questioning look.

“Securing water is definitely an important issue. Or is there a reason why you’re emphasizing it in particular?”

“To boil pasta, we’ll need more water than we’re calculating now. The water quality here is not as good as in our home country, so we’ll probably waste a lot of water.”

A wise answer to a foolish question.

Pellegrino clapped his knees and gave a thumbs up to the clear answer.

“I certainly didn’t think of that. Good. Everyone, keep this in mind and move accordingly.”

The morale of the officers plummets the moment the pasta supply is not properly maintained.

The soldiers can eat something a little less delicious, but the officers have their pride, so can they eat pasta that’s swollen in braised food?

This was a critical issue that could not be compared to anything else for those gathered at the command headquarters.

※※※

“Our goal is only one: to slow down the speed of the advancing enemy.”

Since Ryu Hyowon arrived in Vietnam, leading his old body, the movements of the Allied forces have become more closely coordinated.

The Allied forces, which originally planned to send only a small number of supplies and officers to support, changed their policy due to Italy’s participation in the war.

“What is the enemy’s speed of advance?”

“It’s fast. They’re entering the jungle without hesitation.”

“…That doesn’t make sense.”

The location where the Italian army was advancing was a rugged area covered with countless jungles.

Ryu Hyowon, who received a detailed map from the Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam, was able to immediately understand why Nam Viet [an old name of Vietnam] had been called a natural fortress since ancient times.

Because he could immediately see that it was impossible for any country to break through this area using normal methods.

“Could it be that Europe has developed some kind of new weapon that we don’t know about?”

Nguyen Son, the commander of the Vietnamese army, was unable to even think of fighting until the support force led by Ryu Hyowon arrived.

It wasn’t just because he was timid, but also because the officers from the Korean Empire and Japan who were dispatched continued to take a passive attitude, so he couldn’t help it.

“That’s a possibility, but could it be that the enemy is underestimating us? I think we should test the waters first.”

“I agree. We have to clash first to know.”

Now that the enemy has approached our border, the battlefield from now on is like home to the Vietnamese soldiers.

Moreover, even if it’s a small number, the Korean Empire and Japan are sending support forces.

Even if the enemy is one of the major powers of Europe, they didn’t think they would lose so futilely.

“We have even repelled the Mongols who dominated the world. Even Rome will be no problem!”

They are confident in defense, if not attack.

Seeing the enemies advancing without hesitation, it seemed like there was some kind of scheme, but there was no choice.

First, they would clash and grasp the enemy’s strength, and then come up with additional countermeasures.

Ryu Hyowon and Nguyen Son paid close attention to the Mekong River, which runs vertically through the Southeast Asian mainland.

The moment when the enemy tries to replenish water is the opportunity for a surprise attack.

The time has come to determine whether the Allied forces are frogs in a well or Imugi [a mythical Korean dragon] who will ascend to heaven after obtaining the Philosopher’s Stone.

※※※

Tatatang! Dudududu!

“Uwaaaagh!”

“What, what is it!”

“It’s an ambush! An ambush!”

“Cazzo! [Italian curse word] As expected of uncivilized bastards, a messy ambush!”

“Prepare for battle! Prepare for battle!”

The Italian army fell into chaos due to the sudden barrage of enemy bullets.

“Company Commander! Where is the Company Commander!”

“I don’t know! Just shoot and see!”

“Even if I try to shoot, I need to know where the enemy is, you idiot!”

Since they were ambushed in a dense jungle, there was no way to secure visibility.

Above all, the officers who should be giving instructions were even more flustered, so there was no sign that the chaos would be resolved.

Garibaldi, who received the report, hurriedly opened the barracks and searched for the officers who should be commanding the unit.

“Bafanculo! [Italian curse word] It’s an ambush, what the hell are you doing!”

“No, still, it’s time for noodles, so how can you fight during mealtime? Do those uncivilized guys not eat…”

While the soldiers are eating canned food that has recently been supplied, the officers are still enjoying gourmet food with freshly boiled pasta.

Just looking at the cooking set in front of you, it included silverware and cooking utensils that could make more than two kinds of pasta dishes at once.

Garibaldi is once again furious at the reality that this is the equipment that the Italian Imperial Army boasts of.

In the end, Garibaldi, unable to shake off the resentment in his heart, distorted his face like a demon and screamed.

“Stop bullshitting and go command right now! You trash who only eats this pasta and shits!”