After the Battle of Sofia ended, Montes, who had escaped disaster by the skin of his teeth, was summoned back home by the London Government. What awaited him was a day trip to a court-martial. This time, the British had truly disgraced themselves beyond measure.
Though Montes repeatedly explained that the traitor's betrayal had led to the defeat, it was of no use.
A loss was a loss. Even if they had inflicted heavier casualties on the Russians tactically, everyone knew that the Allied side had lost this battle.
The chief culprit was the British army's failure to hold the line, allowing the Russians to break through. Everyone decisively overlooked the fact that they had been attacked from both front and rear by guerrillas, and the British were too embarrassed to bring it up themselves.
Oliver, who had distinguished himself in the relief effort, was promoted to commander of the British army. Promotion should have been a good thing, yet Major General Oliver showed not the slightest joy.
He knew his own worth. His so-called merit in the rescue was merely an excuse. If not for his powerful backing, he too would have found it hard to escape blame for this defeat.
Had he not launched that so-called bait plan in an attempt to wipe out the guerrillas in one net, had the reinforcements not been stationed in advance at every key point, the guerrillas' main force could never have gathered and launched a surprise attack from the rear. In truth, he had been the one who had gotten Montes killed in this battle.
This might fool the bureaucrats back home and hoodwink the soldiers who had fought in the battle, but it could not deceive the officers on the front lines.
Under such circumstances, could his appointment as commander