by Carlo Zen
This much may be a gamble, but the Esti oil fields are in the east, so Tanya expects she’ll be able to borrow some from the Eastern Army Group. In a defensive battle, she’ll be able to feed her vehicles as much freshly pumped oil as she wants.
On that point, unlike the guys on the southern continent, she won’t have to worry about fuel. Yeah, the more I think about it, the more sense it makes.
“P-please, don’t be ridiculous, Colonel!”
“Fine, I won’t ask you to make the improvements. We’ll do them ourselves. So please get the armored vehicles out of the warehouse for us.”
Perhaps it is a bit much to ask the Equipment Section to perform the “repairs,” she realizes. If she was told that their job was management and not refurbishment, well, that may be true. She sees the logic of the argument, so she backs down.
I guess I’ll have to bug the Technical Arsenal to do a rush job for us, Tanya decides. Luckily for her, she has tons of acquaintances she can’t unmake back there. She could tap Schugel even. He may have that awful habit of praising God, but his skills are legitimate.
And if she insists to her connections in the instructor unit that it’s a self-propelled-gun experiment, she can expect them to cover the costs of the improvements, too. So she extends a hand and urges the major to give up the goods.
“But that’s crazy.”
“No, I insist on taking them.”
“With all due respect, Colonel, it’s just…”
But for some reason, this guy doesn’t seem to get it.
Even though Tanya is speaking humbly to him, he’s gotten stubborn and keeps repeating, “I can’t; I can’t.”
So Tanya gives a slight nod and gets to the point.
“Major, let’s be blunt. Is it ja or nein?”
JUNE 28, UNIFIED YEAR 1926, GENERAL STAFF OFFICE, SERVICE CORPS DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S OFFICE
It was common to find subordinates coming in with a petition immediately after orders were issued. Any officer working in the General Staff undoubtedly had experienced a subordinate come crying to them that they didn’t have enough troops.
But this time even Lieutenant General von Zettour couldn’t understand his visitor’s request.
More accurately, perhaps you could say that though he understood the request itself, it was practically the most brazen one he had ever received, one that defied comprehension.
“‘…I want a replacement mage company’?” he murmured, stunned.
As long as his eyes weren’t malfunctioning, no matter how he read it, the form was a request for a whole new mage company. There was no room for misunderstanding there. There were no errors in the composition, and the document was formatted perfectly.
Slowly placing it on his desk, Zettour, who lately sensed his fatigue building up, raised his head. Before his eyes, standing at attention, were Lieutenant Colonel von Degurechaff and a woman wearing the first lieutenant insignia. Colonel von Degurechaff brought the other one with her, so she must be…uh, yes, her adjutant Lieutenant Serebryakov.
“Is this a joke, Colonel von Degurechaff?”
Without even thinking, he replied that he couldn’t grasp her intentions. After all, the Salamander Kampfgruppe was being formed with the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion as its key unit.
“I beg your pardon, General von Zettour, but it is no joke. I’ve concluded that in order to successfully operate in an integrated way, a company of mages is absolutely critical.”
“Colonel, you already have an augmented battalion. To put it another way, don’t you already own a weapon of unparalleled strength? Take as many companies as you want out of that.”
With that augmented battalion alone, the Kampfgruppe had the strength of a regiment’s or brigade’s worth of mages. Despite it being a newly formed unit, they were giving her a battalion of infantry and a company each of armored and artillery units. Yet she wanted more?
She was essentially asking for an independent, augmented mixed brigade’s worth of muscle. Honestly, talk about overpowered. It wasn’t the kind of force he could entrust to a lieutenant colonel.
“As you so wisely point out, that is correct. But if possible, we need a shield, even if it’s a weak one.”
But she didn’t even seem to react to his bothered tone. As far as he could tell, she seemed genuinely convinced that the company was necessary.
He couldn’t believe the gall it must take to request that a company of mages be squeezed out from somewhere at this stage in the war.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“You said I could.”
Certainly, he said he would be somewhat forgiving, but this? No, if she really needed it, he would consider it, but she already had the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion—an augmented battalion. He’d had a hard enough time quieting the voices requesting companies for operations that were desperate for mages.
“Most of the usable mage units are on the front lines.”
The reason the augmented battalion was kept at full head count and the reason they’d been able to enjoy a rest in the capital was that despite going too far and being a handful, their achievements were simply that significant. That was also why they were so in demand on the front lines.
“This goes without saying, but I need you to understand that despite the rapid increase in mage units, commanders on the front lines are still complaining they don’t have enough personnel.”
“Is it really that serious?”
“Circumstances have changed since the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion was formed. We’re hopelessly low on mages. The eastern and western fronts are practically competing for them. Anyone with an aptitude is already assigned to a front, and the rest haven’t completed their education yet.”
Frankly, the mages they’d been able to cultivate were only a drop in the bucket of what they needed. The mage battalion of the Salamander Kampfgruppe was already augmented with an extra company, so giving them another was… How much more of an impossible thing could you ask for?
The army has already absorbed most everyone with any magic ability. Zettour grumbled in his head about the first place with a glance at Degurechaff.
Even if she was an extreme example, the army had been aggressively working to take in anyone with aptitude to expand their magic forces. The Empire simply didn’t have a surplus of mages.
Perhaps other countries had the option to conscript groups of talent that were yet untapped, but the Empire had already done that, so it was suffering a shortage of personnel. Well, maybe there were some undiscovered talents in the next generation, but it would take time for them to grow up.
Degurechaff, before him with her poker face, was certainly an exception.
Somehow, he didn’t think there could be that many damaged kids in the Empire like this young teen back from the battlefield. And actually, regardless of how he felt about it as a soldier, personally, the idea of interacting with them was terrifying.
“But, General, I need them.”
“Explain why in a bit more detail.”
“General, it’s the relationship between the hammer and the anvil. I can’t swing the hammer of the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion if the anvil is weak. Plus, the battalion has been trained for and is used to operating as four companies together. Please think about it.”
Aha. Zettour understood what Degurechaff was trying to say.
She wanted to strengthen her hammer, the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion. It could still be termed a selfish request, but the battalion probably was trained to work together in four companies, exactly as she said.
“I understand, but hold on… It’s not that I don’t have any ideas. It’s just…”
“Yes, General.”
There were some mages who weren’t called up because the army wasn’t sure if they were usable. They had also turned up the heat to raise a few out of season. If they scrounged those together, they could form a company.
Even if it was impossible to get their hands on those, there were other mage candid
ates who hadn’t made the cut. They could probably manage to get a company out of those. If that was all, then pulling from that group wouldn’t be impossible.
“Sorry, but these are less like soldiers and more like chicks. I’m telling you, they’re barely out of the shell. I could give them to you, but wouldn’t they just be in your way?”
“This time I won’t ask for anything fancy. As long as they’re mages, I’ll take them.”
…But apparently, she would use whatever she could. She was both an advocate for and manifestation of that philosophy. Before she had lived even ten years, she had leaped into the army and was spending her life on the battlefield.
Perhaps no one had the luxury of the right to be sane in this crazy world. Normalcy was an extravagance they would have to enjoy after the war.
“…If mages who are just barely capable of providing direct support to infantry are all right, I can gather a few together.”
“That’s fine. By all means.”
They were new recruits who hadn’t even completed their mage training, never mind become capable of fighting in maneuver battles. They might be able to support infantry, but the current war situation was worse than cutthroat. They could probably be used only in limited defensive battles.
They would be such a crude unit that the acceptable attrition rate would have to be raised.
“But they really are green. They haven’t even completed their training. The instructors said they were useless. Really, we were planning on using them as infantry, but if that doesn’t bother you, you can have them.”
Normally, the training period was six months, but they had gone through only half that. They were infantry who, unable to keep up with the intense training, didn’t quite make it to mage level. Of course, the instructors had crammed what knowledge they could into them, but they’d only scratched the surface of formulas and mage-specific training.
The evaluation was that they might be good for catching bullets.
“Do they have firing squad experience?”
“They should…”
“Then that’s fine. I have no problems as long as they can kill the enemy. I’ll reeducate them in the field as we go.”
But Degurechaff was unfazed and inquired about their experience with killing people.
It was proof that she really was the singular anomaly known as Degurechaff.
She saw people as products, and she was asking if they had been tested—that was the nuance. Could such a completely utilitarian view of people even be taught?
Certainly, the army is an organization that pays attention to individual functions. Substitutability and cost consciousness are two factors hounding everyone. But can you really judge a human being by those criteria alone?
“…All right. I’ll make the arrangements right away. So? If there’s anything else, you can tell me now…”
“Thank you, but I think I need to confirm the condition of the infantry unit the Salamander Kampfgruppe is getting before that. I’m grateful for your kindness.”
And he got a polite word of gratitude. A salute that exhibited the model attitude an officer should have.
That innocent face and her straight back made her look something like a surreal doll.
Doesn’t…
Doesn’t anyone think this is strange?
When an officer learns their superior is back from an inspection in a violent rage, all they can do is pray the storm doesn’t hit them.
That day, the officers of the Empire’s most experienced and much decorated unit, the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion, received terrifying word from First Lieutenant Serebryakov that the one superior they feared was in a mood like a hurricane.
What fool played with fire on top of a powder magazine? It was with this lament that the officers of the battalion, in an effort to avoid setting off even the slightest spark, soberly went about finishing a thorough, perfectly synchronized inspection of their gear.
Having prepared for the worst, they could rest easy knowing there were no flaws the murderous Lieutenant Colonel von Degurechaff could reprimand them for when she came crashing into their temporary garrison; they mentally applauded Serebryakov for slickly sending word ahead.
Colonel von Degurechaff usually saluted mechanically with an expressionless face, so if she was overtly displaying her emotions, something serious was going on.
Degurechaff’s wrath…
Those with good intuition escaped to training. As if unable to fathom being anywhere nearby, First Lieutenant Grantz and his company came up with the idea of a long-range, low-altitude, decentralized raid exercise.
It was a strenuous flight that involved concealing themselves and suppressing their mana signals to the greatest extent possible; normally even members of the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion would balk at such difficult training, but that day it was hugely popular.
The ones who could flee were blessed indeed.
But the ones who couldn’t, the duty personnel and Captain Weiss, had no choice but to enter the tiger’s den despite the foreboding mood.
Stealing a glance at their superior, Weiss wholeheartedly bemoaned their situation. Ahhh.
“They’re useless! I either want to retrain them immediately or shoot them all dead!”
The colonel must have been fantasizing about executions. Perhaps unconsciously, she actually said aloud that she wanted to shoot someone, and her hand reached for the pistol at her hip.
If she were a little girl reaching for her purse, it would have made for a pretty picture, but when her petite hand was unconsciously reaching for a firearm, all the scene inspired was fear.
“What in the world happened, ma’am?”
He didn’t want to ask, but if he didn’t, things were liable to get worse. He knew it was a land mine, but he cautiously spoke up—thinking that he would recommend Grantz, the sole defector, as the Kampfgruppe commander’s adjutant.
“Disobedience and insubordination! Unbelievable!”
“…Huh? Someone disobeyed you, Colonel?”
But her furious response blew every other thought out of his head.
Disobedience and…insubordination? Degurechaff was such a stickler for regulations that it was hard for Weiss to believe. But judging from her face, beet red with rage, something must have happened.
Given that the colonel didn’t hesitate to equate insubordination with execution by firing squad, Weiss was genuinely surprised that there was anyone in the Imperial Army stupid enough to disobey her.
Honestly, it was a huge pain in the neck to get caught up in the cross fire, but he wanted to call those imbeciles over. Really, he wondered how they were even alive.
I don’t get it. Explain what’s going on. He looked to Serebryakov, who had accompanied Degurechaff, in confusion.
“The infantry commanders say they have their own way of doing things.”
Serebryakov answered, her face tense. Degurechaff urged her to go on, so she reluctantly continued.
She tentatively began to explain what happened in a matter-of-fact tone.
How the new infantry battalion commanders underestimated the colonel.
How they respectfully ignored the colonel’s orders, citing their confidence as pros.
How they wanted the right to act on their own discretion.
“I couldn’t believe it. It’s not like the rules suddenly change when we’re at war! How could they become officers without understanding that much? All the officers in the rear must be insane,” Degurechaff snapped.
I want to shoot them. Her entire body was a manifestation of that thought. From the way Serebryakov flinched and cowered next to her, Weiss was able to imagine the scene quite naturally. It must have nearly given Serebryakov a heart attack.
“Who did such a thing?”
“All of them! All the officers of the 332nd Infantry Battalion!”
When Weiss gave the room a quick scan, it was obvious that the duty personnel were scared stiff.
…He had heard rumo
rs that there weren’t any good officers left in the rear. But were they really so stupid as to mistake a lion for a cat?
What the hell.
He found himself ever so slightly understanding why the colonel said she wanted to have the firing squad take care of the failures.
“Using those guys is out of the question, so I’m going to get replacements.”
“How will you do that?” Weiss was incredibly careful about how he asked, which was why her answer petrified him.
“That’s obvious! Go and bring back the Guard Division’s new Fallschirmjäger battalion!”
“…Huh?”
…What? Guard Division? Fallschirmjäger?
What is she even talking about?
“The Second Guard Division is on leave for reorg for a while, right?”
“Uh, yes, Colonel, that’s right,” Weiss had to reply.
“Wonderful.” Degurechaff smiled. “On the Rhine front, the Second Guard Division was too stupid to do anything but hide behind us. Makes me wonder how they can actually guard anything.”
“Uh, yes, Colonel, quite right.” Weiss found himself nodding, as he knew the relationship between the Guard Divisions and the court.
“We’re going to make meaningful use of that force. We’ll trade. Even these idiots should be able to pretend to do ornamental defensive missions.”
“Uh, yes, Colonel, it’s just as you say,” said Weiss with an emphatic nod. In his head, he prayed for her to stop unconsciously reaching for the computation orb around her neck.
“…So you’re going to ask the General Staff?”
Please, please don’t explode.
He was practically clinging to God as he nervously broached the question. He would have felt more optimistic leaping into a forest of swords and hails of bullets.
After all, in that scenario he wouldn’t be up against Colonel von Degurechaff.
Then a miracle occurred. At least, the members of the 203rd Aerial Assault Mage Battalion headquarters who were present that day thought so.
“No need to worry. The commander of the battalion in the Second Guard Division already approved it.”