by Carlo Zen
Apparently, even if you resisted by strengthening direct support and using every anti-air gun you had, imperial aerial mages would somehow find a way through.
After Mary heard that explanation, she asked a single question. “Were there any other reports about the Devil of the Rhine?”
“There are signs she’s operating on the eastern front. Unfortunately, it’s hard to get any information besides that. Sorry.” As he apologized, he finally got to the point. “So that’s why we need to move. All our fighting forces must head to the eastern front. That’s what joint HQ decided.”
She glanced at him. The look in her eyes, like that of a child who didn’t want to go home, got on his nerves. If this was a marine magic officer of the Commonwealth, he would have told her not to be so servile, to have the self-respect of an officer, but…she was a volunteer and part of a group who had been through a short, accelerated training program.
It was an awkward situation, but Drake felt he had no choice but to argue her over to his side, so he spared no effort and said all he could. “Experienced mage units like ours are needed on the front lines. We may be receiving guidance from the Federation units, but our presence on the forward-most line will demonstrate an international united front.”
“S-so you’re telling me to just abandon the Entente Alliance?”
“Don’t misunderstand, Lieutenant. That’s definitely not what I’m saying.”
It was clear as ever that to check the Empire, it was necessary to compel them to carry out operations on multiple fronts. Or, rather, it was even more important now. The strategic value had risen since the Federation’s major defeat on the eastern front.
There isn’t a single soldier who feels nothing for their home. Soldier or not, who doesn’t have feelings for their home? It’s natural to have a bond with the land you were born on.
So for once, Drake could sympathize with this Entente Alliance girl Mary Sue. No matter how crazy she was, how embarrassing, or if her emotional grasp of the ideas could use some work, in his head, he respected her feelings.
“I understand how you feel. So I promise you as an officer and on my honor as an individual: As far as I know, the higher-ups don’t have any intention of abandoning it, either. At least,” he continued, “according to Colonel Mikel, the Federation intends to continue their support. They’re in a tough spot themselves, which is probably why they’re hoping the guerrillas will dominate the northern part of the Empire.”
Weapons aid, intel support, and training if necessary—the Federation Army was working hard to provide the orthodox basics of partisan support.
“But wouldn’t real support mean staying?”
“…Honestly, I’m not so sure.”
There was a simple reason the option of remaining didn’t come in his conversations with Mikel. It was just that clear how badly mages were needed on the main lines.
“I think we’re pretty effective at supporting the partisans…”
“…It’s not as if we have no effect, that’s true. But it’s also the case that the type of support we can provide is disjointed and limited.”
“What do you mean by limited?”
“The Republican Army tried things like long-range mage-unit advances and militia support on the Rhine front, and everyone knows how that turned out. What happened at Arene was undesirable, to put it mildly.”
The plan for a mass uprising of militia supported by aerial mages had seemed perfect on paper, but it was powerless in the face of the overwhelming force of a regular army.
The besieged troops may have been holed up in the city, but if they couldn’t disable the enemy guns, they ended up as mere targets. Whether the world wished it so or not, it had to be acknowledged as reality.
“But here we—”
“You’re trying to say that since the enemy is dispersed, they’re somewhat subdued?”
Sue nodded, and in part, her impressions were correct. Unexpectedly, perhaps it should be said…the Imperial Army had become distractingly restrained and polite in response to the threat of mages mixed in among the partisans.
“I guess we should take it that they’re using what they learned cleaning up on the eastern front to deter partisans.”
“They…learned?”
“That’s right.” Drake nodded. “They’ve realized how foolish it is to overreact to sporadic attacks. But there’s a limit to these things…”
Once a threshold was crossed, they would necessarily turn into beasts driven by raison d’état. If partisans and mages holed up at the root of the communication lines or a foothold put up organized resistance, a heavily armed unit would show up.
“Ultimately, the harassment we’re carrying out is within what the enemy can accept. So don’t you think it would be better to do something more than harassment on the front lines instead?”
“But if you can’t leave the unit, I could…”
He had expected her to say that, so he wasn’t surprised one bit. And even Drake could understand. The love for her homeland that made her want to stay, want to continue resisting, was commendable. But his position was such that he had to reply with a sober expression. “If we’re going to fight a clean war according to the rules, I’m not sure a solo mage staying behind for a combat mission will fly. Regardless of the interpretations for a unit’s fighting, the interpretations for a single combatant are split.”
“That’s ridiculous. I—”
“It’s not that I don’t agree with you, but it’s thanks to those ridiculous rules that we’re just barely maintaining human society. That’s just how it goes.”
“How can you—?”
“Please appreciate our situation, Lieutenant. It’s undeniable that our being dispatched here was based more on political factors than military strategy. Listen.” He broke things down to persuade her, hoping she would understand. “Sending a large aerial mage unit was an unprecedented measure to begin with. Considering how the war situation is worsening, the only right move is to withdraw before things get more complicated.”
If they were stuck trying to withdraw after the Empire sent a cleanup unit farther north than Norden, partisan trust in the Federation and Commonwealth would be compromised.
Should I just spell it out? Drake braced himself to speak. “If we act now, we can use the worsening war situation as justification to move.” You get it, right? He looked at her.
Withdrawing wasn’t a choice that felt good for anyone.
But now and only now could they pull out with the least friction. At this point, it was still possible for everyone involved to find common ground.
“I’ll be frank, Lieutenant. If we have to beat a fighting retreat, and your homeland gets caught up in it, you’ll see a jump in losses.”
He was trying to be logical and meet her in the middle, not just drown out her voice. This would be so easy if she would just understand. With that hope in mind, Drake said a prayer as he gave her his final conclusion.
“We’re moving out. Have the troops get their stuff together.”
“…Yes, sir.”
“You get it?”
If she would understand, even if reluctantly… If she would just understand as an officer, as a soldier, with some part of her mind…
“…Will we…or I…be able to come back again?”
“Let’s hope so.”
“Hope? …Understood.”
“You do? Thanks.”
That was a little nod she just did! At that moment, a weight was lifted off Drake’s shoulders—he could have cheered.
Even naval artillery shells are lighter than this! he thought; his face muscles were threatening to grin, but he pulled them into a sober expression.
“If we can, it would be great to see everyone again.”
“Yes, it would be great if we could all safely meet up in the future.”
“Well, I guess I’ll get packing.”
“Please do.”
Sue looked the same as ever as she saluted,
but to the extent that he could see her endeavoring to imitate the officer manual, he could at least term her a novice soldier.
Has she ameliorated some of the nonsense in her behavior?
…No, what is it? Something standoffish? Wait. He abruptly called out to stop Sue as she was about to leave the room. “Could you wait a moment?”
Something was bothering him.
That was all.
But Drake’s hunches were what had allowed him to survive so long.
“Lieutenant Sue, tell me something honestly.”
“Sir?”
“Having discussed it this much, I think you understand that we can’t leave you behind, but…”
“…Ngh. Yes, sir.”
“You want to stay so badly that you would go absent without leave?”
“Colonel Drake, please…”
“I can’t let you do that.”
“…There’s no way?”
Contrary to how easy her expressions were to read, she sure lacked understanding as usual. What can we do with her? Drake was realizing that he was out of ways to persuade her.
He could shout her down or throw every bit of logic he had at her, but this one’s determination wouldn’t be rocked by anything so simple.
With no other choice, he reached out a hand and called up the Federation-side HQ.
He was used to the procedure of the interpreter picking up on a single ring and challenging the caller. “It’s Lieutenant Colonel Drake. I’d like to leave a message for Colonel Mikel. Can you tell him that I have someone here who needs convincing from one of his political officers?”
“Yes, Colonel… But convincing, sir?”
From the slight gasp and puzzled question coming over the receiver, it was clear that the man didn’t understand what was going on.
Well, of course he didn’t.
Why would an interpreter have any idea why a Commonwealth soldier would be requesting convincing from a political officer?
“He should understand if you tell him I’d like First Lieutenant Liliya Ivanova Tanechka to speak with her friend First Lieutenant Mary Sue. She seems to be awfully homesick. I feel like a friend would be able to get through to her better than someone like me.”
“Understood,” the interpreter responded, and after a brief exchange in Federation language, he relayed that they had agreed. “That can be arranged. Was there anything else, Colonel Drake?”
“Thanks. That’s it. I appreciate it.”
When he clunked the receiver back into place, he gazed up at the ceiling in spite of himself. Things should be fine for now, at least.
…Or maybe I should hope they will? But no, political officers follow orders well enough to make themselves useful.
“What a mess this is.”
I never thought the day would come that I’d rather have an obedient Communist as a subordinate. That’s just terrific. I’ve never even daydreamed of it since my first day in the service.
“…Shit. I get it, but… Why does there have to be such a huge discrepancy?”
Ever since the Great War broke out, so many aerial mages had fallen, yet the imperial units remained their army’s sharpened spear tip?
The enemy mages burned army headquarters while my subordinates are off living in their own worlds. O God, whatever is this trial for?
AROUND THE SAME TIME, EASTERN FRONT, IMPERIAL ARMY FORWARD POSITION (AT THE CROSSING)
Even flawed, what is a victory if not a victory? Especially if it’s a definitive victory that will probably go down in history.
The eastern front is broader than those where we wiped out the Republican Army, but when the enemy carried out an all-or-nothing offensive, we surrounded them in a reversal. That’s virtually a golden formula for crushing the enemy field army.
Having come this far, the Imperial Army has realized its long-cherished desire.
In the strategic realm, this was our second encircle-and-annihilate operation. And what’s more, the victory comes with a huge leap forward compared to the time we did it when our own territory was under attack.
All’s well that ends well. No one is thinking about trivial errors during the last step. In the end, it was such a brilliant breakthrough in the east, which was deadlocked not so long ago.
This is what it’s like to get a supremely sweet sip when you’re dying of thirst in the desert. Or maybe it’s even better than that. A complete victory is a seductive wine that can steep you in feelings of omnipotence.
We won, our enemies lost, and the name of the Reich, crown of the world, has been proclaimed far and wide. At this point, the Federation will have to start thinking about a compromise.
Even Lieutenant Colonel Tanya von Degurechaff is overjoyed, hopeful that the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk10 is just around the corner.
That’s what a magnificent victory it was.
On the operational level, it must have been definitive.
“Ha-ha-ha! Wonderful! This is wonderful!”
With a smile like she’s gotten exactly what she wanted, Tanya strokes her relaxed cheeks in spite of herself.
When was the last time I smiled from my heart?
After getting thrown into this stupid world by Being X, I’ve been struggling in the Reich with its mess of crazy neighbors, and finally, finally, there’s some light at the end of the tunnel.
I’m ready to raise a hearty cheer.
Though we may have let some of the defeated remnants get away, all that faces us is the Federation, having lost its field army. If the Council for Self-Government is encouraged by our military victory and becomes even more pro-Empire, peace and security should be possible after the war.
…It’ll be at least twenty years of peace. Given that much time, they’ll secure a splendid position in society, defect, make a name for themselves, or carry on with a peaceful, secluded life—they’ll have the freedom to choose how to live.
Freedom. Yes, golden freedom.
And so, with the camera First Lieutenant Serebryakov procured from somewhere slung around her neck, Tanya and the other officers of the Salamander Kampfgruppe even have enough time to take a commemorative photo.
“Colonel, would you like to take a photo?!”
“Please do!” Tanya replies to her camera-wielding adjutant, practically shouting, It’s worth commemorating! in her buoyant mood, standing on the bridge they captured and posing.
“What a great job the airborne guys did securing this position unscathed! And I never thought we’d have so much film!”
“It reminds me of Moskva.”
“Moskva, Lieutenant?”
“Yes.” Serebryakov nods with an unaffected smile. “Because we used film we borrowed from the Federation.”
“…Oh, that’s what you mean, right.”
Photographs and video may be different media, but the two occurrences shared the fact that they had played around with equipment acquired on the ground. Just like Sun Tzu said, being able to procure supplies in enemy territory is such an advantage. It’s efficient, cost-effective, and, best of all, doesn’t take a thing out of your own pocket. Tanya is in such a good mood, she asks Serebryakov for something she never would normally.
“Once the photos are developed, bring me a few. I’d like to hang them up.”
It may be quite different from selfies on social media, but it’s always a good idea to have some material to show off. Photographic evidence for discussing one’s career with a worldly air is incredibly important—I was there that day. It’s a practical application of signaling theory, or perhaps an extension of it.
“Of course! Please expect the highest-quality finish!”
“I will, naturally!”
Then she smiles and strikes some poses. Maybe she goes a little overboard, and just as it hits her that other people are watching, too…
“You’re in a really good mood, huh, Colonel?”
“Ha-ha-ha! You bet, Major Weiss. I’ll say this, since it’s you I’m talking to…but I’d be an awfu
l party pooper if I wasn’t happy right now.” When she asks, “Don’t you think?” with a sidelong glance, everyone laughs, proud looks on their faces.
Great coordination, she thinks, though she can’t overlook the stern face on a mid-ranking officer she sees out of the corner of her eye.
…Apparently, he heard me making fun of him loud and clear.
“Hey, Colonel von Degurechaff. Congrats on the victory.”
“Oh, if it isn’t Colonel Calandro!” She salutes ostentatiously as if she only just noticed him.
He salutes so sincerely—he must be good at putting on the right persona for the occasion. “I congratulate you on behalf of your ally Ildoa.”
“Thank you. The airborne guys really pulled it off. No, it must have been the organic coordination among all the troops and our allies.”
“Perhaps,” murmurs Calandro. The esteemed Ildoan guest worked so hard, but…Tanya and the others have pulled off such an outstanding victory that they’re a bit excited. “Please allow me to commend you on the splendid job you did. Only hearing really is…nothing compared to seeing. Whoever said a picture is worth a thousand words had the right idea.”
“Oh?”
“Personnel, teamwork, support—I feel like I’ve gained a peek at a high-level way of combining these elementary factors.”
“I’m honored,” Tanya replies adroitly with a smile. “Thank you so much for your kind words.”
“…You don’t have to stand on ceremony. Those are just my genuine feelings.”
“Well then.”
“Congratulations, Colonel von Degurechaff. Your state has really done it. I’m sure a cease-fire is only a matter of time now… You could say there’s a diplomatic out in sight now, right?”
“If we don’t get tripped up. With all due respect, it’s not within our grasp just yet.”
“But practically, it is, no?”
“The difference between almost grasped and actually in hand is subtle but very real.”
Once upon a time, the Empire let a rat called De Lugo escape. When we realized he was less like a rat and more like a tiger, troops were sent to the southern continent. And now it has become evident that a few divisions down there won’t be enough.