by Carlo Zen
“As an educator, I’d like to turn this expertise into a book someday.”
“Is everything all right, Colonel? You seem to be in a strangely buoyant mood.”
“It’s nothing. This is just an interesting experience, even for me. I was thinking I’d like to write a book about education, that’s all.”
Just as she’s about to continue with, It’s about the importance of changing your point of view, she realizes she’s in need of some self-criticism. It won’t do her any good to focus only on her workplace. She nearly misses a major resource that can only be seen from a broad, overhead perspective.
No, rather than miss, perhaps the better verb is overlook regarding things below.
“Look at that, Major.”
“Hmm?”
“Our enemies left all that stuff behind. It’s a mountain of treasure.”
The enemy mages’ conduct was exemplary, but the confusion of their ground troops was exemplary in the opposite meaning. If pressed, I’d say it could be used as a textbook example of a rout.
It’s the same scene we saw when we trapped the François Republic’s army in the revolving door. You can only call it the perfect example of how much a company, an army, even a country—probably any human organization—weakens when the person in charge fails to provide a clear direction.
Most of the enemy ground troops, unable to take decisive action in response to the swiftly changing situation, ended up choosing the foolish plan of defending whatever position they found themselves in and rapidly deteriorated into a chaotic mess.
Even if a couple wise, brave officers ordered a retreat, the difference between an organized retreat and individual heroes retreating is huge in terms of the resulting confusion and losses.
As a result, they dropped a lot of things.
“Let the rest of the troops know. Tell them to send out some trucks to seize the abandoned Federation artillery gear. And invoice them for our discoverer’s fee.”
“Enemy artillery gear? Shovels I’ve had Grantz and those guys collect before, but I’m not certain we can even put heavy equipment to use…”
“It’s called diversifying your procurement channels. The supply process is in dire shape, you know.”
The Art of War mentions this, too, but goods procured in enemy territory are cheaper, whether in terms of shipping or price of acquisition, than those from the homeland. In my Japan days, what Sun Tzu said was such a fundamental principle that I couldn’t grasp it, but it can’t be denied that he was cost conscious. Regrettably, current international law prohibits a formal plunder economy…
We can’t break the rules, but thankfully the laws don’t ban seizure. And to come at it from the other end, it’s just a fact that we aren’t able to carry everything from the homeland like the American Empire.
“…What a drag,” she grumbles before she catches herself. “At this rate, we may have to rely on the enemy for rifles, too.”
When Weiss begins to chuckle—“No way…”—Tanya shakes her head slightly.
“Major, right now may be the only time you’re able to snicker like that.”
THE FEDERATION, SOMEWHERE IN MOSKVA, OFFICE OF THE COMMISSARIAT FOR INTERNAL AFFAIRS, WHICH EXISTS TO SERVE THE PEOPLE
In the plain office, the commissar of internal affairs…the devil in the guise of a human, Loria, was cocking his head in surprise.
“We lost?”
Across the desk, a career soldier, with the rank of colonel in a uniform with no wrinkles, flinched as a chill shot up his spine; he broke into a cold sweat as he nodded in silence.
“Against the Imperial Army’s B Group?”
“…Yes.”
There was fear in the voice he had to squeeze out. This colonel had known Loria for some time and was able to speak his mind to a degree…but having witnessed firsthand the commissar’s severe reaction to failure, he was probably having a hard time relaxing.
To put him at ease, Loria gave a casual shrug and put on an intentionally cheerful expression. “…Well, I don’t mind. We managed to win in the critical cities down south.”
“You’re counting this as a victory?”
“Comrade Colonel, I’m surprised. You’re a soldier, yet it seems you lack common sense for a military man. From a military standpoint, we can surely call this a win.”
Even if it’s better to be feared than loved, binding people with fear alone is for fools.
“Comrade, I’ll be frank. Our comrades-in-arms are doing a good job.”
Fear is like a medicine you administer as needed. The right amount keeps the organization functioning smoothly, but the side effects from too much are extreme.
“But…”
The Federation Army officer was still hesitant, and Loria delivered his conclusion matter-of-factly. “We bore the brunt of the imperial attack in the south. The resource-rich regions are unharmed.”
The Imperial Army’s attack had been ferocious, but it eventually ran out of steam. Even the imperials were stopped by the combination of the tyranny of distance and nationalism.
Yes. There, Loria added something in his head. The large role played by the material support they were receiving from the capitalists was indeed material.
Either way, the thwarting of enemy intentions had a decisive psychological effect on the party leadership. Being able to resist the Empire…was better proof than insulting reconciliation struggles that the Federation could forecast bright prospects.
“We not only prevented the enemy from achieving their aim but wore down their armored forces at the same time… One lost city is a small price to pay.”
Even if the fallen city’s name was taken from their general secretary’s…they had only lost a city with a symbolic name. That was all. The impact on their ability to continue fighting would be extremely limited.
The party leadership was so terrified of losing the southern resource area that the types of people who would make a fuss about losing one city when they stood to lose them all were no longer around.
Come to think of it, the party had felt well ventilated of late.
“The army judged that they wouldn’t be able to defend it successfully and retreated. I’m not about to go back on my promise to accept the comrade generals’ decisions unconditionally.”
“B-but…the city we lost is Josefgrad.”
That those below should fear the disfavor of the general secretary made sense, but the commitment to use everything available was now long in the past.
“I’ll inform our comrade general secretary personally as well—that the troops did a good job. And I’ll arrange a little something for our comrades in the field.”
“I—I appreciate it!”
As the color returned to the colonel’s face and he relaxed his shoulders with a sigh of relief, Loria smiled like a loving, understanding father.
“The problem is the enemy’s B Group.”
The central lines should have performed a checking attack, tidied up the lines, and achieved a modest victory; that they were instead repelled was unexpected.
To the Federation anyhow, it should probably be said.
To Loria, it was also a surprise, but he could see how it was possible.
“That what-do-you-call-it, the Devil of the Rhine? I saw a report that she was there raising hell. There aren’t any further details?”
Her…
My adorable, mischief-loving fairy…
My little devil brandished her fury.
This is what it means to get suddenly hot between the legs.
Ahhh, I had no idea my fairy was right there, so close.
“We’re going after her unit, since they’re the ones who caused trouble in Moskva…” Suppressing the heat that threatened to creep into his voice, Loria maintained a nonchalant air to the greatest extent possible. Falling in love at his age struck him as embarrassingly pure.
“Due to the failure of the offensive, nothing is certain. At present, we have the unconfirmed report that
the multinational unit engaged with the Empire’s most capable unit.”
“With Comrade Colonel Mikel commanding, was it?”
“Yes, it’s Colonel Mikel from our side. A magic marine by the name of Drake is the commander from the Commonwealth. Though apparently, this lieutenant colonel has ties to their intelligence agency.”
Having been asked implicitly if that was a problem, Loria smiled. “That’s probably fine. We’re good friends with the Commonwealth. Friends don’t need to worry about each other’s backgrounds, and there’s nothing we need to hide.”
If there were, they would never have let in even the limited group of journalists they had. They needed the West to see only the good points of Communism.
They weren’t about to show problematic elements to outsiders. Of course, if the Commonwealth Army’s intelligence agency made some kind of egregious slipup, he would be more than happy to condemn them in front of the journalists and lament the infidelity to their alliance…so they always stayed ready.
“At any rate, we can recover.”
It was actually huge that they had managed to stop the invasion at the cities and protect the resource-rich areas. He could live for love, but if he suffered a setback at work, he wouldn’t have time to tend to his affections, so he was grateful to the army for doing a good job.
“It was the enemy’s Operation Andromeda, yes?”
“Yes, that’s what the code said.”
“We’ll just laugh at them for being overly attached to such a fantasy operation. The winners will be we who are supported by scientific Communism. We shall claim victory!”
“Yes, sir!”
The colonel straightened up and saluted—he was a good career soldier. These comrades of Loria’s would be quality pawns who would bring his desires to fruition.
“Then, Comrade Colonel, if I can trouble you to tell the General Staff, I’d like them to take the measures that are necessary from a purely military point of view.”
“I’ll be sure to let them know.”
“And one more thing. That Devil of the Rhine really is a problem. Do you agree?”
“Of course, she’s a dangerous presence…”
Loria nodded that she was a special sort of danger.
This devilish fairy was making off with his heart.
The things that welled up in him when he so much as thought of what her panting and gasping might sound like…
He wanted to know so badly.
What a tempting danger of a monster.
“On that note, I’d like you to ready a unit specifically to track her.”
“…Is that an order, sir?”
“No, just the suggestion of one Federation citizen. Do be so kind as to consider it. Though if you’re up to it, I’d like you to pursue her jointly with the Commissariat for Internal Affairs.”
B GROUP ON THE EASTERN LINES, PROVISIONAL FORWARD COMMAND POST, THE POSITION PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS SOLDIM 528
“Lieutenant Colonel von Degurechaff here.”
When she enters the room, her sense of smell is confused by an unexpected stimulus. The entire space is filled with a mellow fragrance. After a moment’s hesitation, Tanya’s brain remembers that it’s the long-lost scent of black tea.
Ohhh, right. This is the smell of real tea.
“Hello there, Colonel. Yes, I’ve prepared us some tea as promised. Take a seat.”
“Thank you.”
This is a source of caffeine often interrupted due to the John Bulls’ maritime blockade. Eager to partake, Tanya happily accepts Lieutenant General von Zettour’s invitation.
“The orderly will bring it right over. Now then, Colonel von Degurechaff. Let’s have a little chat while we wait. How’s the pursuit battle going?”
The moment she sits with a cheerful expression, the question hits her like a ton of bricks. Chuckling inwardly at his brilliant command of soft and hard manners, she answers her superior’s question with the very definition of a sober look on her face.
“…We weren’t able to catch them. At least, it’s not possible with my troops alone.”
Maybe it would be possible with an augmented mage battalion?
Nah, that would be tough. We need to face the fact that the Imperial Army can no longer guarantee qualitative superiority. Just by discovering that the Commies can compete with us in quality, the future of the Empire has gone pitch-black.
“Really, the entire army is short of manpower.”
“Well, that’s no surprise. As long as we’re lacking reserves, hoping to increase our gains in a follow-up attack is an awful lot to ask in the first place.”
“…Can we even say we’ve won in a situation where we’re unable to properly run down our enemies?”
Being unable to even go after withdrawing enemies is tantamount to allowing them an opportunity to recover and organize a retreat. It may look like we successfully took ground or broke through the encirclement, but really, we dropped the ball.
“What do you think?”
“You’re asking my thoughts, sir?”
Tanya is bewildered when he nods the affirmative. She thought he might ask her opinion, but she wasn’t expecting him to be this direct.
But he’s asked. If she doesn’t make good use of this opportunity, she’s nothing but a mooch. She hesitates for just a moment and then speaks what she has felt for a while now.
“We’re failing to annihilate the enemy field army… If we don’t even have the wherewithal to chase them as they retreat, this is truly a disaster. At this rate, it’ll become a battle of attrition. That’s what the Imperial Army needs to avoid more than anything.” This is Zettour she’s talking to. She figures that rather than dress things up, she should get straight to the point. “With all due respect…despite that, I fear we’re already getting ourselves trapped in that situation.”
“I welcome your honesty. But I’ll amend one point.”
“Sir?”
“We’re not ‘getting’ trapped—we’re in up to our necks.”
He grumbles that things are abysmal and sadly shrugs. The murmur, stripped of Zettour’s usual calm, even carries a whiff of powerlessness and frightens Tanya.
“…It’s that bad, sir?”
“I was in the Service Corps, you know? Well, no, I still technically have a position there. And I’m also here dabbling in leading troops on the front lines.”
This is the analysis of someone well versed in rear echelon matters who has taken a dive into the field. Basically, he should have the best understanding of the current situation.
“I’ll give you my conclusion, having seen both sides. Colonel, things are horrible. To call them ‘too horrible’ wouldn’t be overstating it.”
When he glances at her, Tanya realizes how precarious the atmosphere is. Not that she’s overly concerned, but she doesn’t want the mood to be bad. Discretion is the better part of valor.
She searches for a way to change the subject and—Oh!—grins. “…Ah, how rude of me. I completely forgot. Congratulations on your victory, General.”
“…It’s hard to be genuinely happy about it. Oh…” He smiled wryly. “I can’t forget my manners, either. I appreciate the rescue, Colonel. You saved me from a dangerous spot. I mean that.”
“Hmm?”
She’s confused by his last few words. She thought she had dodged a bullet, but this conversation seems to be heading off in another strange direction.
“What is it, Colonel von Degurechaff?”
“I was sure you leaked the location of the headquarters on purpose to act as bait… Was that not the case?”
“You’re right that I meant to be bait.” He continues in a bitter monotone, “I never believed I would be saved, though—there was no guarantee.”
He risked his life to lure the enemy? Tanya can’t relate at all. He acted as bait without even thinking about his own safety?
“…That’s a bit difficult for me to comprehend.”
“I’m sure it is. I never
imagined we’d be so hard-pressed that we’d have to use HQ as bait. I knew this would be rough, but I guess I underestimated things.”
Zettour spoke so simply. Tanya considered him logical, had never doubted it. She even specified in her mental evaluation of his character that he was a pragmatist you could talk to. Yet, he’s capable of self-sacrifice in the heat of the moment…? That’s a grave oversight on my part.
If you follow someone unconditionally, you risk being led into danger; the warning echoes in Tanya’s mind.
“That’s why I’m grateful to you. You did a great job commanding out front during both the pursuit battle and the defense of Soldim 528. I’ll have Colonel von Lergen pull some strings to submit a medal application.”
“All I did was have my troops form a meat wall to be bludgeoned. It had nothing to do with my abilities.”
“So you’re saying the one who ordered it should be responsible? That’s an interesting way to comment. Or are you saying it was terribly irresponsible?”
“I think in my position it’s best to keep things formal and remain silent.”
“Hmph.” Zettour smiles wryly. “You always do stand your ground, Colonel von Degurechaff.”
“Yes, I believe in myself.”
You can only lie to other people. Trying to deceive yourself is sheer folly. In an era when all things are uncertain, you should at least be able to have unconditional trust in your loyalty to yourself.
I go my own way. Rather than leave my fate up to randos like Being X, I’ve decided to put my faith in my modern self’s determination.
That’s why people with no sense of self-preservation frighten me.
“Perhaps you’re making too much of self-determination?”
“It’s more productive to act and regret it than to regret not acting. I prefer taking responsibility for myself over leaving my fate up to someone else.”
“…That must be why, then.”
I don’t know what it is that he saw, but Tanya sincerely expects that Zettour will accept her ideals.
Especially in this sort of era, getting to probe the leader you’re following is a precious opportunity. Given that she and Zettour have had some communication hiccups in the past, whether they are able to gain a solid common understanding here or not could very well determine my future.