# Enhanced Translation
The rotation, of course, should begin by calculating the enemy's march route, supply lines, and troop numbers, then engaging at the most logical point. That was common sense in Krasilov.
But that was merely the barbaric warfare tactics of the uncivilized Krasilov people. Modern, dignified nobles never clash like neighborhood thugs.
"The Albinian court has strongly condemned our country's unauthorized territorial invasion over the past two weeks, and through your ambassador, has recommended the withdrawal of troops and compensation for unjust profits made in our territory..."
"Furthermore, regarding the following war crimes committed by your troops, we have seriously considered—"
"After confirming the previous expedition covenant through our bishop, your invasion is clearly illegal—"
"Due to your lack of response to our demands, the Albinian court has been forced to protect its own rights and interests."
"We hereby notify you that a state of war exists between the Albinian court and the Bellacrean royal government."
First, one must properly issue a challenge. Only demon tribes and elves fail to follow this legitimate rule.
Of course, no true noble pays attention to these declarations of war. What nobleman would care about the embroidery pattern on another's thrown handkerchief? It's enough that it was thrown and received. (In truth, it doesn't matter if it was received or not.)
From Bellacrean's perspective, it was no problem that Albinia was listed as the only direct war participant in the declaration. Equitania and Albinia had already become soul mates.
Therefore, at the moment the declaration of war was "received," the Albinian crusader army was happily marching north, sharing supply routes with the Equitanian legion that had been the target of the crusade.
At this point.
The Pope was feeling an Alzheimer's that not even holy power could heal as he compiled information from priests assigned to the crusader army.
The difference between infantile regression and the Pope's current state was that saying "woo-woo dada" wouldn't help resolve the situation.
"What in the world is this?!"
First, the Elsros front army began to strike. The shock was particularly painful as they had been the most reliable advancing force.
Just then, Bellacrean announced they would provide support and mobilized their legion. While this seemed like exemplary crusader behavior, the problem was that the advance hadn't been coordinated.
So while the Elsros court was expressing deep regret and testing the waters for crusader desertion—
"Albinia is deserting?!"
Albinia, which had been fighting hard at the border, sent a declaration of war to Bellacrean. From the Bellacrean king's perspective, the intention was obvious. They planned to devour the south under the pretext of being crusader forces.
Albinia's desertion, the joining of Equitanian forces, and the constant barrage of spam messages from the Saintess.
The Pope bit his nails as he stared at the increasingly chaotic military map.
He'd been had.
"Vitorio, Vitorio, Vitorio!!"
It was a plot by the Saintess and Equitanian King Vitorio. Before the war had even properly begun—before any real battle achievements, honors, or even rotations could start—the crusader army was beginning to run aground.
Mobilizing the six southern nations had pushed the scale beyond manageable limits. Perhaps if the church were in good shape, but especially not now.
What should he do? How should he proceed?
In the Pope's confused ear, a low voice resonated.
-Ask, and it shall be granted.
"Silence, demon!!"
The Pope jumped up from his seat with a shout. Giggling laughter scattered in the wind, and the air cleared again.
He gritted his teeth and left the prayer room.
"We're going to Albinia! We cannot ignore Albinia's desertion. Send priests to Bellacrean to request mediation in the conflict!"
All information has an expiration date. Ivan, having belonged to and even operated an intelligence group, was certain of this.
Information spoils faster than yogurt kept at room temperature in midsummer. And it's not something that can be preserved.
The moment you recognize information from a distance, it's likely already past its expiration date. So...
"Aren't we participating? We're the Hero Party, after all."
"The Hero Party's role isn't to go to war."
The rotation had already occurred. By the time the Pope realized this fact and tried to clean up the mess—around when the declaration of war between Bellacrean and Albinia would reach the papal threshold—
Below the hill where Ivan and his party stood, military flags fluttered across the horizon.
The eagle with a sword, Equitania.
The crowned deer, Bellacrean.
The salmon holding a key, Albinia.
The emblems of the three beasts fluttered everywhere. War horns, battle drums, and flag signals intertwined, while screams, shouts, and groans scattered in the wind.
This was rotation.
"Will the Pope really intervene personally?"
"If he chooses to isolate himself in the papal office, that works too."
This had been planned from the beginning.
"But if he doesn't, if he believes he can still salvage the situation and appears here in person..."
Whether for mediation or to condemn Bellacrean, whatever the reason, if the Pope leaves the papal office.
Then, the Hero Party would be needed. The Hero Party traditionally specializes in deep strikes and assassination of key figures.
To understand matters more clearly, we must turn back time briefly. To when the first button of this grand plan was fastened.
"Assuming we employ scorched earth tactics from the Elsros border, how much territory should we give up?"
"Five cities would be the limit."
Ivan answered Vitorio's question quickly. It wasn't something that needed calculation.
Unlike strategic simulations, abandoning territory isn't accomplished by simply clicking a button. Evacuating nearby citizens, transporting goods, burning remaining land, and blocking wells—all these actions consume time and resources.
So assuming war begins and territory is surrendered, even sacrificing the royal knights, the maximum time that could be bought would be 5 territories.
Any less than that, and scorched earth tactics become impossible. Burning more territory risks losing the momentum for reconstruction, and there wouldn't be enough time to attempt scorched earth tactics below that point—
"Because the culmination point of the offensive would arrive."
The enemy's rapid advance inevitably strains supply lines. Unless they're angels from heaven, human advances have limits. The enemy would stall before capturing four, or at most five territories if they're greedy.
This means victory doesn't guarantee continued advance. Even the Nazis in World War II, advancing while high on drugs, couldn't fully control the territories they occupied. Blitzkrieg is a tactic that completely paralyzes the opponent's wartime administrative system in all aspects except combat.
"We surrender the Elsros front, and for Albinia."
"Active avoidance of engagement, destruction of supply routes, and if possible, direct sabotage to cause confusion in military camps. About two weeks."
For two weeks, all capabilities would be poured into the Albinian border. Ivan's manual was that of the Annihilation Squad. If resources and authority to fully utilize it were guaranteed, paralyzing Albinia's border wouldn't be difficult.
If superhuman knights could be fully utilized.
The king could resolve that part. Vitorio's authority was high enough to control all knights on the front line.
With that, the first phase of the operation would be complete.
"Afterward, we disrupt Albinia and Elsros."
That was the Saintess's role. Spreading spam mail full of "heretical beliefs" to leaders, governments, and nobles of each country, and using "Saintess faction priests" to drive a wedge between the two countries.
After all, priests in this era were essentially the best foreign intelligence network. Nobles with existing connections would listen to the priests without suspicion.
"The Albinian court will complain of fatigue. Directly to the Pope."
"The Pope will start nagging the country right next to him that hasn't participated yet."
The papal office is in Bellacrean. And Bellacrean had not yet begun direct support for the crusader army.
Albinia and Elsros, with their shared borders.
Lorensia and Leonor, directly facing the great powers in the north.
Unlike those four countries, Bellacrean is in such a stable region it could be called a heaven-sent environment. This means they can operate their legion without having to consider other countries.
"What if Bellacrean simply provides material support?"
"That little Carlos? He wouldn't do that if he were in his right mind."
Vitorio responded to the Saintess's question with a hearty laugh.
If the crusader army is pushed back this badly, the Pope's authority will inevitably hit rock bottom. At that point, the Bellacrean royal family will certainly try to grasp the Pope and gain power.
The only variable here is to the north.
"Lorensia and Leonor. But there's no point worrying about them now. We have no way to respond. However."
The success of the operation depends on when these two countries join the war. The later they participate, the more likely the Pope will be exposed at the forefront.
"If Bellacrean tries to swallow Elsros and Albinia."
"That is, the case most favorable to us."
Ivan and Vitorio looked into each other's eyes as they continued.
"If we can directly co-opt the Albinian court and successfully make them desert the crusader army under the pretext of 'relief forces'."
"If we can 'jointly attack' and bring down Bellacrean."
Depending on the timing of participation, if Albinia thinks normally, they can roughly estimate the maximum range of Bellacrean's advance.
Unless they're demons, armies not using trains have limited marching distances.
The larger the scale, the slower the advance. The greater the distance from the home country, the more vulnerable the supply routes become, and the more vulnerable the supply routes, the more they'll focus on "plundering supplies."
If the situation can flow that far, Albinia will certainly become hostile to Bellacrean.
At that point, the Pope can no longer delay direct intervention. The crusader army would be in danger of running aground before it even starts.
"That would be the only way to draw out the Pope."
Going directly to the papal office is the worst option. Not only is the success of assassination unlikely, but with the variable of the Seven Dragon Generals, combat in the papal office must be avoided.
The Seven Dragon Generals are the strongest beings in the royal palace. There's no need to take on such a burden and attempt assassination.
A Pope assassinated within the papal office would inevitably become a martyr. That must not happen. At the end of that, the doctrinal war would take such an extreme form that no one could stop it.
The only clean way to end all situations.
"Draw out the true faces of the Pope and the Seven Dragon Generals in front of all countries and people, then execute them as traitors to humanity."
Ivan growled as he pressed down on a corner of the map.
"So thoroughly that no one, no ruler in this world, would even dare to think of joining hands with the Seven Dragon Generals."
"Well, that's the job of the Hero Party."
Vitorio tapped the map with a slight smile.
"I've bet my family, my country, and all my people on this. Have you heard that when war begins, the operation plan is the first casualty? Are you confident that this conspiracy hatched on a desk will certainly succeed?"
"Don't worry."
Ivan shook his head briefly. If this were a war, he would never have attempted operational control. In wars between nations, he was nothing more than an outsider. He was just an ordinary person who couldn't be any great strategist or conspirator.
But if this wasn't in the realm of war.
If it was in the realm of intelligence, sabotage, information disruption, and assassination.
In that area, Ivan could confidently establish operations better than anyone else in this country, or even throughout the six southern nations. It was what he had devoted his life to.
So there was no need to pay attention to the war, nor any reason to. This wasn't a war.
War should necessarily be just once, at the very end.
"I'm also betting everything I can."
At Ivan's words, Vitorio smiled and extended his hand. The two men's hands grasped each other, squeezing until their tendons stood out.
And two months after that plan began.
The first rotation between Bellacrean and the Albinian-Equitanian alliance occurred.
Ivan, Vitorio, and the Saintess's plan was proceeding without a single deviation so far.