December 06th – 09th, 1799

On the next day, a table with three army recruiters was set in front of the hospital. During the first cold hour they spent there, only two Harmanians passed by, and volunteered to fight. But as they spread the word about it around, more and more men and boys approached it, until a large queue was seen slithering around the building, and the whole place was surrounded.

In total, 52.000 men signed up for a place in the international division of the republican army, during the two first days of the recruitment.

Francis was proven right; the locals were furious.

And his idea turned out to be very useful, because right after they reached those numbers, word got around that the Ruhmnian's 8th corps had joined forces with the 11th corps, plus a brigade of sorts, and were getting ready to storm the capital again.

A huge battle, unlike any of the others they had ever seen before, was about to take place.

—I just received a letter from field marshal Eric Fanton, the leader of the Infensus legion. Hepzburg and Latavia are theirs, at last, and they are on the way to the capital. Fanton has also said that the Cruentus legion has crossed the river, and they are closer to us than them. He expected them to be here tomorrow morning —Lugo said to all of his high ranking officers, with whom he was having an emergency meeting—. Our Chasseurs also have discovered the position of our enemy. They have gone deep into the Lutkin forest, and have settled down on the other side of it, near an abandoned town. We think they are waiting for the arrival of the 11th Ruhmnian brigade, so they can overpower us and push us out of the capital —the marshal looked to Laupin and nodded, giving him permission to continue with the explanation.

—We'll fake a retreat. We'll pretend we have left Petrovak and we'll attack the Ruhmnians once they are walking through these streets.

—How? —general Santerre asked.

—Major general Munsch will lead the Harmanians volunteers out of here, through the road that leads to the city of Yshanka, along with some empty carts and wagons. We'll have the men wear our uniforms, so our "retreat" looks more convincing, and real. But our actual soldiers will be hiding inside the buildings surrounding the town hall, waiting patiently for the approach of the Ruhmnians. And how will they know when to return to Petrovak, you may ask? —Laupin gestured to one of the rogue Ruhmnian soldiers that were part of his division—. Alexsei, please explain.

—Hello. Good morning. I am oberst Alexsei Dayevich. And I will notify the Ruhmnians of your supposed departure —the young man said with his thick accent, taking pauses so that the foreigners around him could understand his words.

—And how do we know we can trust him? —Obermann asked.

—Hermann von Kottac was my starik. Longtime friend —he answered immediately—. I want to avenge him.

—That proves nothing.

—Alexsei has saved my life two times since I dared to step into Harmania. I can speak of his honesty and his bravery, because I have seen it myself. And I trust him —Laupin swore, earnest and serious—. The real question is if you trust me.

The officers looked at each other with a mixture of awe and dismay. Although slowly, they began to realize they had no other option but to agree with the major general, and take the risk of being betrayed for a slim chance of survival.

—So, when will this ambush take place? —Arquette asked, to move the conversation forward.

—On the day after tomorrow —Lugo replied, and crossed his arms—. Any more questions?