by Carlo Zen
Or more plainly, it's like Doolittle's Tokyo Raid.
Harassment and propaganda.
Less like a conventional battle and more just persistence in striking a weak point, but it's extremely effective, so I recognize the threat it poses.
"We have to acknowledge the outcome. It's going to be hard to pull any more troops from the west. We may even have to send reinforcements their way." Tanya is forced to make a disheartening conclusion. "...The east is going to get the short end of the stick for a while, I suppose. It's unclear how that will affect us, but it probably won't be fun."
In response to Tanya's negative, you could say, outlook, Weiss asks, "The fact that the timing lined up with Ildoa's posturing made me feel like we were being attacked from all sides. It sent a chill up my spine. Do you think they planned it that way?"
"We can't easily assume it wasn't their intention."
Weiss is right to be anxious.
Considering how the enemy might think, it's clear. They reminded the Empire of the latent threat the sea and Ildoa posed.
Now that we know what the problem is, we probably need to do something about it. Which means strengthening defenses. We have to do something, even if the means to are scarce.
"Simply scaring us is already a win for the enemy."
Sadly, the Empire doesn't have an infinite fountain of manpower.
It has to split up its limited resources. This was a very cost-effective move for the enemy considering that the Imperial Army has to allocate troops to somewhere that isn't the main front.
It was a good investment for the states warring against the Empire.
"The biggest pain is that they've proven that it's possible."
It's not about intention but ability.
That's probably what Weiss is worried about, too.
"Yes, even if it's merely a possibility...it's clear that we can't ignore the threat at our back."
"Things will get really hairy if they start making landings."
That was what happened after Normandy. Anyone who knows Operation Overlord4 can tell that the strategic dilemma facing the Empire, with its similar geography, is obvious.
The burden on the eastern front is too great.
One thing's clear, and that's that we can't go on like this.
"Luckily"---Tanya relaxes her expression in a bit of a smile---"the Kingdom of Ildoa is playing it smart. We can probably hold out some hope there."
"...Excuse me, ma'am, but do you really think Ildoa is smart?" Weiss asks with his eyes if she's being sarcastic, but she shakes her head. A player who deserves respect doesn't necessarily have to have a wonderful personality.
Look at Talleyrand, Palmerston, or Bismarck.
You could call them all a fine pack of monster kin...and you would be quite right. It would have been a nightmare to negotiate as a diplomat with any of those guys.
But if you view them as players, they're all renowned experts.
"For an allied country, we sure can't trust them at all."
Both eternal allies and perpetual enemies are impossible for a state. The eternal in diplomacy means valuing the method itself as the purpose.
But that's an unforgivable cessation of thought. What's really admirable is a healthy raison d'état.
Even a dirty move, if made with a minimum of intelligence and a sense of national purpose...is incredibly smart.
"Ildoa as a neutral country isn't an actor we need to be rid of just yet." On the contrary... Tanya thinks quite highly of Ildoa. "As long as our interests align, we can trust their dirtiness."
"You mean you can trust a competent enemy more than an incompetent ally?"
"Excuse you, Major Weiss. The Kingdom of Ildoa is our wonderful ally. I'm sure having such a competent player on our team will end with good results for the Empire as well. Either way," she continues, "it's great to be able to negotiate."
"Colonel, you think this development is good?"
"Isn't it obvious?" She turns to First Lieutenant Grantz, who has chimed in. "The essence of civilization is language."
"Language is awfully leisurely. War is more direct."
If only this could be ended just by lamenting.
It makes sense for a mid-ranking officer like Grantz to suggest attacking the enemy...but even if individuality is to be respected, there has to be a limit somewhere. The members of the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion like war too much. The thought puts Tanya at a loss. Yet she can't reprove them for being full of fighting spirit---the awkwardness.
"We can hardly burn down every country besides our own and send the world back to the Stone Age. So we should be open to talking. Listen," she continues. "Discussion, troops, discussion. Talking is the first step to making up."
"With all due respect...do you think Ildoa will really end up mediating?"
"No, it's impossible."
"Huh? Then isn't this a waste of time?"
"I agree with Lieutenant Grantz. There's no reason we need to go along with the enemy's delaying tactics..."
Grantz isn't the only one looking stunned. I'm appalled to find even Weiss sympathizing!
Hence me always wanting to cry, This is the problem with warmongers!
"Officially, the wonderful ladies and gentlemen of the Kingdom of Ildoa are our allies. Kindly refrain from referring to them as enemies so casually. Look." She lowers her voice and adds, "Regardless of what Ildoa's motive is, they didn't think things through enough here. The Empire has beaten the Republic, the Entente Alliance, and Dacia besides. A peace treaty with those countries might be possible. But"---she pauses to sigh---"if the Kingdom of Ildoa is engaging with the Empire on behalf of the Federation, the Commonwealth, and the Free Republic...its motive is clear."
The other officers don't seem to see it, so she tells them.
"Ildoa can only be aiming for none other than peace on all fronts."
This isn't the sort of situation where peace with each country separately could come about. In order to close the curtain on this war, Ildoa needs to talk with everyone.
Yes, with everyone involved.
That's not the kind of meeting that can come together very quickly.
"And everyone's too stubborn to agree to overall peace. Neither the Federation nor the Commonwealth will accept an Empire victory. Not unless we make some big concessions..."
"Colonel, do you think the Empire should make concessions?"
"That's a good question, Lieutenant Serebryakov." Employing some care in choosing her words, Tanya delivers her conclusion. "Honestly, it's probably not something a soldier on active duty should think about. We're soldiers---soldiers engaged in the service of our emperor and our fatherland."
Peace is a milestone on the path to a world without war. How could anyone be against it?
"Unless you're a savage or an idiot, we have no choice but to follow the military's rules and regulations."
When the food arrives, Tanya puts a stop to that conversation.
"...All right. That's enough of the super-serious talk. Let's enjoy this dinner, troops."
A meal is always a joy.
Even with the worsening lack of supplies, distribution in the Empire is still functioning well enough that dining out is possible.
Honestly, if asked whether she'd like to eat at the General Staff Office, she would promptly refuse---that's how good the food is. Probably any soldier would choose a café recommended by a friend over that stuffy dining room.
Palatable food and a decent atmosphere make for a dinner that's not too shabby. In other words, it's a great place to discuss vacation.
"And while we're at it, let's talk about what's up next. For the time being, we're on standby. We're not in a war zone. As long as you don't do anything that requires the MPs to get involved, I don't mind if you cut loose."
"Understood," says Weiss. Tanya figures he's fine. She's a bit more anxious about Serebryakov, Grantz, Wüstemann, and the other lieutenants.
"Got it, you guys? Take care---yes,
extra care---not to get in a fight with the MPs." As she presses her point, she continues as if she has remembered something. "I imagine it'll be a short break before we return to the east, but...you can go home for a visit if you want. As long as you're not on duty, you can do as you please once we get back."
"Um, who's on?"
The one who asks is Weiss. In other words, he seems dependable.
"I trust you, Major Weiss! We'll---you'll go halves with me."
"...Understood."
It's not that she doesn't feel bad for not being able to give him a full vacation, but work is work. She needs him to simply resign himself to the fact that this is the misfortune that accompanies military service.
The one responsible exists to take responsibility.
Granted, another way of doing things is to push responsibility off onto your subordinates...but Tanya doesn't want to associate with the fools who boast, I'm a waste of space who doesn't even take care of the stuff I'm responsible for!
Hmm. Tanya calms her thoughts a bit.
"But, man, ersatz food sure is awful. As per usual, there's nothing that whets my appetite less."
"Given the situation in the homeland, the front lines must be getting favorable treatment when it comes to food."
"That's probably how it should be, but once your tongue gets a taste of luxury, it takes time to reacclimate."
"I'm not sure if you can call frontline life luxurious..."
Before Tanya realizes it, she's...stupefied.
Even once I reboot, it's so surreal, I'm shocked. I---a person who values a civilized, cultured lifestyle and respects intelligence---have been charmed by the battlefield?
What an awful thing war is. I must acknowledge this unexpected truth: In a world at war, the harshness of everyday life can warp even human customs and values.
"...It's an incorrigible problem." It's all Tanya can do to gasp out that one remark.
When she reaches for the coffee cup that was finally brought over, thinking to calm herself down, she notices something strange. "Sheesh, so the coffee is all ersatz?"
She doesn't even have to put it in her mouth---the weak scent is enough to make her sick of it. It's hard to call drinking odorless muddy water civilized.
But she knows she has no choice, so she takes a sip, but her expression still makes her look ill.
"Well, it does taste a little better..."
Coffee is a luxury item.
Personally, Tanya would like to object, but coffee isn't considered a necessity. Yet a nearly fanatical love for coffee is pathological throughout the Empire.
The Imperial Army without coffee is like Limeys without their rum. It's nowhere near possible to call that a healthy existence.
The awful taste of the coffee you can recognize even half-asleep is a barometer that tells you the Empire's status. If things go on like this, they really will be substituting muddy water for coffee soon. Something has to be done. Of course, we don't have many choices.
It has to be peace.
"We should. We should, right? But..."
With outside ears around, she swallows the words make peace.
When she scans the café, she doesn't spot anyone who seems to be overtly listening, but she has to be careful. Even if the MPs aren't listening, she doesn't have any desire to get into a wrangle with good-intentioned patriots, either.
Tanya knows that civilians in the rear tend to espouse more radical opinions than the soldiers.
No knowledge, no shame---something like that maybe.
People who've never been on the battlefield tell us to "win" the war like it's so simple. Apparently, people who don't know the battlefield also don't know that nothing is more irritating than their cheerleading. Being able to shoot clueless newbies who are like, I came to help you guys! is my only joy on the front line.
Most people don't learn something unless they experience it.
Tanya doesn't disagree that the tuition for experience is too high, but neither can she deny how effective the education is.
"Sheesh. In that sense, this flavor is reality."
The bitter flavor of this coffee is the Empire's truth. How many people, upon experiencing this taste, would think of the nation's fighting forces?
Not most of them, and just as she's ready to be done with that line of thought, she notices a waiter heading her way, and her body stiffens.
Has running her mouth off caused some kind of trouble?
"...Excuse me, are you Lieutenant Colonel Tanya von Degurechaff?"
"That's right... But wait, sorry, you are...?"
She doesn't know why he knows her name.
Maybe the reason she braces herself---Has he caught me in his web?---is all the time she spent playing with the Federation commandos on the front.
"Oh, do excuse me. Lieutenant Colonel Uger comes here quite often..."
"Oh, Colonel Uger? Sure is a small world."
It happens just as experience is really making the alarm bells in Tanya's brain clang. When she finds out he's someone Uger knows, she lets her hovering hips fall back down to her seat and answers him with an exaggerated smile.
"...He told me that if a young girl came in today and complained about the coffee, I should give her some of 'the reserve.'"
"'The reserve'?"
What's this? She notices something pungent wafting toward her and cocks her head.
"...Hmm? This smell..."
"It's nothing special, but please have a cup."
"Ooh!" She inadvertently expresses her delight at the smell of coffee. The cup of liquid being poured describes itself by its transparent blackness and, more than anything, its rich fragrance.
The smell leaping into her nostrils is indeed the genuine article she has been longing for.
"It's the real thing, imported via Ildoa, although we haven't been getting much lately."
"Wonderful." Her tense expression relaxes and she ends up smiling.
It's good news that imports can make it in through a third-party country. It means Ildoa is being useful as a neutral country, at least insofar as letting luxury goods through.
"It's the Railroad Department's vice, right?"
"To the extent the law permits."
"Of course. This is Colonel Uger we're talking about. He's so precise--- I can just see him making sure he doesn't bring in more than regulations allow."
"Ha-ha-ha. You know him well."
What a pleasant conversation with this smiling waiter.
"Well, I'll leave you to enjoy it."
The scent of intelligence, civilization, and culture.
This is it---a civilized individual's break time...is how wholeheartedly delighted she was about to be when the nasty voice of one of her self-centered subordinates dampens her mood.
"I'm honored to partake of my share."
"Tch, right, you guys are here."
"Colonel, it's not fair!"
In response to Tanya's snarl, her subordinates come back as though their feelings have been hurt; their mental game is tough.
Is it their thirst for coffee, perhaps? The Imperial Army's attachment to caffeine is a bad habit. I may not be allowed to voice such thoughts, but thinking so in disgust is my prerogative.
"I seem to remember you guys drinking up my gift from Colonel Uger, though..."
"We did it in the war-buddy spirit."
That not only the three lieutenants but even Weiss is looking over at her expectantly is a pain. Their insistence is formidable, and she is nothing but irritated by their smooth talking.
Agh... Tanya gives up on monopolizing the coffee with a sigh.
Thus, she's coerced into calling after the waiter who is on his way back to the kitchen. "Sorry, but you can see the predicament I'm in. Do you think I could get some for my officers, as well?"
Seeing the unwilling look on her face, he must have sympathized with her from the bottom of his heart. "Understood," he said, and I should add that the look in his eyes as he nodded was terr
ibly courteous.
Perceiving the deepest essence of hospitality in the way he so tactfully prepared enough for everyone without saying a word, Tanya lifts her cup.
"All right, troops. Let's savor this little moment with our coffee."
Ready? She looks around at the group, and it hits her.
Once everyone had received their cup, she had begun giving a toast even though it wasn't alcohol, and it doesn't even feel that weird.
It's a bizarre experience, this feeling that it's strange and yet not strange at all...but coffee has been in short supply for some time now. It would be a waste to just gulp it down in one go.
"To the ally who may or may not submit to us! Cheers!"
Everyone cracks a smile and enjoys their coffee. She didn't intend it to be a sort of group ritual, but it's fun nonetheless.
She takes a leisurely sip, closes her eyes, and savors the flavor.
Ahhh, the taste of civilization.
Her cheeks relax in spite of herself, and she exhales deeply, entranced.
The food was so-so, and the coffee was the real thing. Tonight she's also impressed, thinking, Colonel Uger really knows how to choose them.
A half-assed neutral country is often a bat flitting around. But as long as the bat is useful, it will be welcomed by all sides.
Surely Ildoa is trying to walk the line as closely as it can. Toward the Empire, it's being as troublesome as allowed while trying to do favors as major as possible for the Commonwealth and the Federation.
If you called it being faithful to its raison d'état, that would be the end of it.
In a word, it's robust.
If it wasn't being faithful to its contract, that would be another story. But when something isn't written, it's the same as if it doesn't exist. Types of ingratitude that don't appear in the contract should be allowed.
To Tanya, that's obvious, since they're signing a contract, not exchanging ideas. The party that brazenly hurls abuse is merely a numbskull who can't admit it was their own mistake to not read the contract thoroughly.
For better or worse, it's great to know that Ildoa is a player with good sense.
Formally, it's an ally, but in practice, it's neutral.