Translator: Skythewood
Editor: Hiiro
An hour after the attack from the large cannons, the Kioka commanders had doubts about the current situation.
「... They are not showing any signs of fear.」
「... Yes, I think so too.」
The adjutant observed the enemy camp through the telescope in his hand, and nodded in agreement.
「Their destroyed base is being repaired. Are they replenishing their numbers in the trenches, or is the damage they are taking worse than it looks to us...?」
「After that bombardment?... How did they do that?」
「I’m not sure. But the Major General might know.」
Major Mazeya looked to his pouch. Colonel Gatra groaned, and before he could even make a decision, a call came from the Commander-in-Chief.
「── You are saying that the enemy showed no signs of fear after the large cannons attack?」
In the Kioka Headquarters, Jean was confirming the situation.
「Don’t need to be surprised. There are several balloons flying behind the enemy position, right? ── That’s it. The observers on the balloon predicted where our shells would land. With how big those Blast Cannons are, it will take time to adjust the angles. With enough training and the Sprite communication system, it is possible for the soldiers to evacuate ahead of time.」
Using the new Sprite communication function together with the balloons was an obvious move. The opponent was Ikuta Solork after all. They did all the preparations they could to make this fight possible.
「Even so, the prowess of the large cannons will leave a deep impression on them. If the soldiers will leave the area that the cannons are aimed at, we should make use of that.」
In Jean’s mind, the observation period was over. He was certain that the other party felt the same way, and issued his next orders.
「We have shown our cards. Exkyaazy*── Good, onto the attack phase.」
Before the time was ripe, he was as quiet as a boulder covered in moss. And when it was time to move, he would act swiftly.
When facing the entrenched Imperial forces, the Kioka army led by Jean followed this principle. The eight large cannons aimed at the right flank of the enemy and all the normal Blast Cannons opened fire at once── when the shells falling like the rain made the Imperial soldiers duck their heads down, the Kioka infantry started their assault.
「Full speed ahead──!」 「The enemy is slow in returning fire! Don’t stop!」
The shouts of the Kioka soldiers echoed out loud. The shelling flying above them in an arc, and the infantry attack── This was the coordinated attack of both the infantry and Blast Cannons that the Empire had considered before.
Ideally, the infantry should attack after the shelling weakened the enemy as much as possible, but this proved ineffective against the entrenched opponent. Before they waste more shells in this ineffective attack, Kioka turned to the offensive.
「Damn it, engage them──!」「Damn it, don’t raise your head! You will get blown away!」
The Imperial soldiers tried to engage, but the nonstop shelling, and the fear and anxiety made it hard for them to aim. Worse of all, the Kioka infantry didn’t stay in their ranks, and have spread out into columns. This formation requires a high degree of training, was much more mobile than staying in line formation, and most importantly, made them small targets. This was proof that with the advent of Air Rifles, Kioka was also probing the new ways that wars would be fought.
「Don’t panic!── Spread out against the shelling!」
However── a bombardment from the air exploded in the ranks of the infantry charging towards the trenches. Seeing their comrades being blown apart stopped the Kioka soldiers in their tracks.
「Ughh, they are using Blast Cannons too──」 「Don’t falter! We have more people!」
The officers urged their men onwards, but the shells continued falling in the meantime. The bombardment flew in from behind the entrenched Imperials to counter the Kioka’s charge.
「Hit confirmed on the leading elements of the enemy!」「Good── excellent targeting! Keep firing!」
The artillerymen cheered at the successful attack. The Imperial’s Blast Cannons numbered less than a tenth of the Kioka forces intercepted the charge. The Kioka commander clicked his tongue at that.
「How is their targeting so accurate…!? Charging in columns makes the target smaller, and they are firing at an arc over their comrades! So what is this accuracy...?」
「── If we can predict how and where the enemy will attack, it’s not difficult.」
Ikuta said. On the chess board before him, the pieces were clustered together on one side.
「By using the chessboard to reverse engineer the solution, how will the enemy attack the trenches that spreads to the right and left? Normally, they will attack either the right or left wing── since the retaliatory fire will only come from one of the wings. And to minimize their chances of getting hit, charging in columns will be the sensible option ── with the conditions reduced to this, we can aim our cannons at the predicted attack route ahead of time.」
The youth said with conviction. He believed that person would adopt the best strategy. His confidence in the enemy commander gave him the confidence to decide the countermeasure.
「I changed the undulation of the terrain slightly to push them into these attack routes. Since this is our home ground, the Blast Cannons position had been arranged ahead of time, and we knew what angle to fire at to hit anywhere on the field. Don’t think you can reach the trenches so easily.」
Ikuta pushed the pieces on the board back to the other side, and narrowed his eyes.
「I will welcome the battle turning into a quagmire. However── That’s not what you want, right, Jean?」
「── Maintain the same objective and just change the attack route. 『Don’t let the troops take the easiest paths』.」
At the same time, the white-haired officer gave his instructions. Miara enquired his reason.
「Jean, this is...?」
「Can’t you see? They predicted our attack path and aimed their cannons there. They already expected us to attack the flanks of the trenches. This means── the seemingly easiest paths to take are the most dangerous.」
He knocked the table with his finger. Miara couldn’t imagine how many schemes are churning in Jean’s mind right now.
「That might be so, but the battle will get out of hand if this continues. 『Let’s change the terrain too』── pull the aiming point of the large cannons further back.」
When they heard the large cannons firing, the soldiers in the fore of the trenches lowered their bodies. However── the explosion of the shell was surprisingly far in front of them.
「...?」 「What? They didn’t aim properly?」 「The large cannon shell didn’t fly very far...?」
The soldiers raised their heads timidly and frowned. Some of them looked relieved, but that expression vanished the next moment. Because the Kioka soldiers were sprinting for the craters made by that explosion.
「N-No.」「Are they going to──」
The Kioka rushed to the craters before they came under retaliatory fire, and kept their body low in the holes. That kept them safe from any shots from the front. The Imperial Windgunners opened their eyes wide.
「They are using the craters as makeshift trenches...?」
「No way! They changed the terrain from so far away...!」
The Imperials were dumbstruck. The Kioka used a shot from several kilometers away to make a trench they took so much effort and time to dig. As they watched the unreasonableness of their difference in technology, a new crater exploded in front of them.
「Good, run over there!」「It will be safer in the pits...!」
The Kioka troops used this chance to sprint for the holes. Seeing that everyone had entered safely, the Platoon Leader took the lead by taking the shovel off his back.
「Hold your shovels── and get digging!」
Without waiting for his orders, the Kioka troops were already pushing their shovels into the earth.
「... They are digging trenches too?」
Suya observed the enemy during the pause between bombardments.
「They blow a crater with the giant cannon, then send in the troops to dig it further… It’s a good tactic. This will minimize casualties and increase work efficiency.」
She analyzed the situation and unconsciously touched the bayonet on her waist… If she had to use this weapon, that would mean the base had fallen. However, Suya also knew that this battle wouldn’t end with just that.
「Brace yourselves, everyone── the enemy has closed their distance with us. The battle is going to get harsh.」
As the battle on the frontlines intensifies, the people in the back also get busier. Mobilizing an army of 10,000 requires massive resources and enormous amounts of people to transport them. Just like a waterfowl’s feet paddling underwater, war wasn’t possible without supplies.
「Good!── Are there any other cargo?」
In one of the villages serving as a midpoint station of the supply line. A petite brown skinned woman stood at the front to direct the transport operations. She was the Shinnack Tribal Chief, Nanak Dar.
「Yes, it’s all here!」
「Good, then send it over! Casualties are coming in slowly, so we have to be prepared too!」
With her permission, the fully laden carriage set off. As the Shinnack Tribesmen watched the carriage go, a low thunder-like growl could be heard. They furrowed their brows uneasily.
「... The Blast Cannons can be heard from here? Is this really fine?」
「Since that Ikuta is in command, it will be alright.」
Nanak was the only one who could promise that confidently. The Tribal Chief’s unwavering attitude motivated the people, but at this time, a man ran over in a panic. He was Nanak’s long time acquaintance, Meliage.
「── Boss! Sorry, but can you come with me!? There’s a scuffle between the young ones!」
「I will be right there!」
Nanak immediately got on her way, and followed Meliage to the village’s main building. Inside the building, two young people were in each others’ faces, ready to fight. Seeing how heated they were, the gutsy woman of the Shinnack Tribe took a deep breath and yelled:
「That’s enough! Both of you, stop!」
The two of them froze. Nanak walked up to them briskly and glared at their faces.
「The eastern frontlines have engaged with the Kioka forces. Tell me, why are you quarreling during a time like this?」
She asked them for the reason behind the conflict. One of them said:
「Boss! He was saying nonsense! He said we should turn to Kioka immediately...!」
The crowd behind Nanak started to waver. She was the only one who was unmoved, and smiled boldly.
「That’s interesting── is it true?」
She asked the other person. Her calm demeanour made that man hesitate before shouting:
「That’s right, I can say it as many times as you want! We shouldn’t be helping with the goods transportation here, and surrender to the Kioka Army immediately! For the sake of the Shinnack Tribe’s future!」
「Why you… Such drivel!」「Shut your mouth──」
「Wait!」
Nanak stopped her tribe mates sternly from using force, and stared right at that man.
「Let him speak── You mentioned the future of the Shinnack Tribe, right? What do you mean?」
Seeing the Tribal Chief urging him to speak, the man used this chance to rant:
「Isn’t it obvious, the Empire won’t let us live in peace! They look down on us, and the fields we worked so hard to cultivate are ruined by this war! Isn’t it better to go to Kioka!? I know about them! That’s a nation made up of many different races, and they won’t treat outsiders unkindly! Am I right, Boss?」
The man asked eagerly, but Nanak frowned.
「I did hear about that… But did you forget? We were betrayed by Kioka before. After getting driven out of the mountains by the Church of Aldera Holy Army, I won’t work with them again.」
「Are we to continue suffering in the Empire then, Boss? To be scorned by them who mock us as barbarians from the mountains...!」
「Not at all… There are still many issues, but our lives are gradually improving. And we are working hard to improve that too. I don’t know who mistreated you, but I won’t let others look down on us forever.」
Nanak looked right into his eyes and said. After locking gaze with her for a long while, the man averted his eyes and said quietly:
「... I can’t trust you.」
「Why?」
「I can’t approve of the hard work you mentioned, Boss… After leaving the mountains, you have been learning the culture and politics of the Empire. And even cosying up to the people in the Capital… You are half Imperial to me now.」
The unexpected retort made Nanak hold her breath. Mileage who was watching on the side couldn’t help walking forth.
「You...! You don’t even know who she is doing this for!? And how she feels working so hard all this time──」
His words got cut off by Nanak who reached her right hand out. Nanak took a deep breath to calm herself, and then said:
「You are right… Things will be different from the times we spent on the mountains!」
And so, she shared her feelings after suffering much hardships and defeat before coming here.
「We were chased from the plains to the mountains. And now, we were chased out of the mountains into a corner of the Empire. And you are not comfortable living here… And want to head to Kioka?」
「......」
「I have enough… I don’t know what kind of place Kioka is. However, there is one thing I do know── there are no utopias. Even if we search the entire world, there won’t be a place that will take us in without needing any price, and let us live in peace. If we want to get closer to that goal, the only way is to build a place that belongs to us.」
Nanak told everyone firmly, because she didn’t want the Shinnack Tribe to become nomads wandering the world for a nonexistent promised land.
「It doesn’t matter if you acknowledge it or not, this is the Empire’s land. If we want to live here, how can we ignore the Empire’s customs? We can’t, so I learned those customs. I reflected on my past where I got defeated wielding my blade with brute force, and learned politics, business and law that will be the Shinnack Tribe’s new weapons.」
「...Ugh...」
「── In order to live here, I have changed, and the Shinnack Tribe will also change slowly… There are things that won’t change. Like our dances, rituals, songs, tales and belief in the Sprites… That will still be tied to our souls.」
Nanak patted her chest with a smile.
「Another thing── Most of you are probably worried, but the Empress of this country won’t abandon us easily.」
「... Huh...?」
「Because of various reasons, that Empress detests me, but even so── she didn’t let her personal feelings distract her from her treatment of the Shinnack Tribe. With her status, she could have taken my head whenever she wanted. She had several chances already, but I’m still alive. Don’t you think that’s interesting?」
「......」
「If you lump all the Imperials together, you will miss the interesting people hidden amongst them. You have been in the care of Hanna and Mirtog before, do you hate them? Have they looked down on you or mocked you?」
The man couldn’t answer that question. Their friction with the Imperials might run deep, but the Tetzirich couple was an obvious exception. They toiled in the fields together with the tribesmen, and ate the dishes cooked from the harvested crops. In the Shinnack Tribe, no one treated the couple as just another Imperial.
「We are at war now, and we are responsible for supporting the troops from the rear. Without the appropriate level of trust, we won’t be stationed here. It will be a shame to tread on that trust.」
Nanak patted his shoulder with that, then turned to the crowd and announced to her tribemates:
「Alright, if you get it, then go back to work. Transport, nursing and cooking, we will have more work in the future! The more we accomplish, the more stable our position in the Empire. For the future of the Shinnack Tribe, this is the time to lay down a solid foundation!」
The group slowly went back to their stations after hearing that. The young people in the scuffle earlier also followed. A moment later, the man who was facing off against Nanak walked past her as he muttered: 「... Sorry, Boss.」
「... You actually convinced him. You are incredible, Boss.」
Meliage said with an impressed face. Nanak snorted:
「Of course, I also thought about it a lot… If I can only raise my voice on the battlefield like in the past, I won’t be able to lead the current Shinnack Tribe.」
The moment after she answered, her partner Wind Sprite Shia notified her of a call. Nanak immediately picked up the call from her acquaintance.
「── Nanak Dar here. What do you want, Empress?」
「── I’m a bit concerned, so I called you to check.」
Being feisty from the get go was the norm with this person. Chamille stated her intent without being fazed, and after a short pause, she got a dubious reply.
「You are calling personally? What a nosy person. What do you want to know?」
「I will get right to the point, I want to know the reaction of the Shinnack Tribe… After being forced to abandon the land being cultivated, your group has been forced to accept many demands for strategic reasons. I know people holds a grudge against me, but is there any danger of open rebellion?」
The Empress asked worriedly, and a mischievous voice answered.
「Your level of comprehension isn’t bad. Just moments ago, the young people in the tribe had a scuffle because of this.」
「...! As expected...」
「Understandably, everyone was unhappy… By the way, you are worried for nothing. We are not stupid enough to abandon our mission or turn to the enemy over something so trivial.」
Nanak declared. Chamille felt that she was worrying about nothing, but the other party continued with a gentler tone:
「But I was hurt by something that was said… Seeing me learn Imperial culture, a young man told me that I’m like half Imperial now.」
「...!」
Chamille froze when she heard that. The pain Nanak felt could be heard through her bitter laugh from the Sprite.
「What I’m trying to do for the future of the Shinnack Tribe looks like a betrayal to some people── leading a tribe is hard. It’s useless telling you all that though.」
The Empress clenched her fists… the person she didn’t really get along with was showing her frail side, so she couldn’t just ignore her. Before Nanak hid her feelings behind her usual strong face, Chamille said:
「... No, I understand, Nanak Dar.」
「Huh?」
「I said I understand. Since I took the throne, I attempted countless things… and have the same worries.」
A silence fell between them. Sensing that she was listening on the other end of the Sprite, Chamille continued:
「The right way of ruling might not have the support of the people, and governing in the wrong manner might not be criticized by others. What is right, and what is wrong── we might need centuries to truly understand that. I know that is the norm for politics, but… I just can’t get used to it.」
The Empress expressed all the frustrations that had accumulated so far. After a long pause, she got a quiet reply.
「... Is that so? You have the same problems?」
Nanak muttered at this unexpected revelation── and then laughed out loud.
「This might be a folly of the moment── but right now, I want to grab a drink with you.」
「I feel the same… I will drink with you when I’m allowed to in the future.」
「Huh? Who needs to grant permission for the Empress to drink?」
Nanak asked stiffly. Chamille hesitated a little before answering bashfully:
「.. Solork won’t let me drink, he says drinking at my age will hinder my growth. Don’t you think it’s illogical? Even though he drank like a whale when he was younger than me.」
She said childishly, and an intense pressure came from the other side of the Sprite.
「... You got guts showing off your love life at a time like this.」
「Huh? S-Showing off my love life?」
「It’s even more infuriating that you aren’t aware── enough, get back to your work! You don’t need to worry about this place!」
Nanak ended the call with that. Chamille stood there in a daze, then turned around when she sensed a presence behind. Vackie was covering her snickering lips behind her.
「...! Vackie? When did you──」
「Since the beginning── Sigh～ I’m so jealous～ Aside from me, you have other friends you can quarrel with.」
The girl in a white coat said in a feigned tantrum and pouted her lips. Chamille wanted to retort, but since she would get teased no matter what she said, she swallowed her words.
「...... Get back to work.」
「Yes yes yes～!」
On the other hand, in the sea southeast of the Empire. The two fleets that had set off from their respective ports could size up their opponents at the same time.
「... Admiral, that’s...」
On the Flagship 「Red Dragon」, which was similar in size with the other ships, the adjutant who was watching through his telescope at the front deck said timidly. Admiral Erynphin Jurgus beside him stared right at the enemy, his feet shoulder width apart as he nodded firmly.
「That’s right── the opponents we are picking a fight with this time.」
Admiral Jurgus said as he watched the orderly spread out Kioka fleet before him. They had five times the number of ships he saw at Port Nemong, a huge naval force with almost every vessel from the 1st to 4th fleet. Aside from the number of ships obscuring the horizon, there was something that the Imperial sailors feared more.
「... The number of ships is about even on both sides. However...」
「However?」
Admiral Jurgus urged him to continue, but the adjutant was hesitant to speak. He couldn’t avoid the truth any further if he said it out loud. After a long silence, he finally said:
「... The enemy fleet is made up entirely of Blast Cannon Ships.」
In the Kioka fleet facing them from the east, on the front deck of the three mast Blast Cannon ship 「White Wings」.
「── This is what I personally think, and instead of being reliable, it’s a little embarrassing.」
The Rear Admiral wearing her trademark feather scarf outside her uniform── the「Great Mother of White Wings」Elulufay Tenerexilla, was standing there with a complicated face.
「── Because that’s the facts. We had the advantage of using Blast Cannons during the last war, but still lost. With that in mind, how should we prepare for this revenge match?」
She looked around her as she said that. When she turned her eyes away from the Imperial navy she could see the same thing everywhere. The fleet of ships without gunports covered the ocean.
「── More Blast Cannons than last time. If ten isn’t enough, then prepare a hundred. If a hundred is too few, then a thousand. Such a childish way of thinking lacks elegance. Don’t you think so?」
She expressed her dissatisfaction and grumbled. Greg answered with an awkward smile:
「I can understand how you feel, but in this world, there are overwhelming advantages that are clear even to a child. No matter how the battle plays out, there can be no results aside from victory. Preparing such a force is an ideal in a strategic sense.」
Elulufay nodded reluctantly, as her fearsome looking aide said── it was better to have a higher chance of winning. By fighting with such an advantage, her subordinates were more likely to survive.
「In other words, this is a war we can win regardless of who has command── otherwise, this would be troubling. Since the Fleet Admiral this time isn’t the Great Mother.」
Greg said as he turned his gaze towards the Kioka flag ship to the west of the 「White Wings」. Elulufay looked at the Fleet Admiral from afar, and said with a sigh.
「The Admiral of the First Fleet, huh… I don’t plan to say anything more at this juncture, but can’t Ario choose someone else with his political prowess?」
「He probably wants to push you into that role, but the defeat at Port Nemong and the two years spent as prisoners of war has its effect. We are lucky that the fourth fleet wasn’t dissolved, so we have to accept this fact.」
Greg said in resignation. At this moment── he could see see the Great Mother showing an emotion beyond simple dissatisfaction and asked:
「... Do you feel uneasy? Do you think we might fail even with these many Blast Cannon ships?」
「I was confident of victory last time too… I hope I’m just worried over nothing. Even if the possibility is miniscule, what should we do if our advantage is overturned? ── Since we have experience fighting them, preparing for this possibility is our job.」
「... Well said. I don’t want to lose to the same opponent twice.」
The Great Mother’s words made Greg tense up again. At this moment, the sound of a gong entered their ears.
「It’s starting. If this goes normally, we will achieve an overwhelming victory── will we even have a chance to fight?」
「If not, we can just sulk in bed. If it comes to that, you can wait in bed for me.」
Elulufay answered with a wave of her hand. Interpreting her actions as the signal to war, Greg turned to his men behind him and shouted:
「Stay sharp── It’s starting!」
An intense battle played out on land. After Kioka started digging trenches, the two forces kept getting closer to each other.
「You back there, the ammunition supply is too slow! You want to enemy to break through!?」
「U-Understood～!」
Suya yelled at the sight of the empty ammo box, and a soldier rushed to the adjacent trench to check for more ammo. A hand from the side placed a fresh box of ammo before her.
「Here, use this.」
「── Major Sarihasrag? And Captain Sushuraf, why are you here?」
「My sector got blown to bits, give me some space.」
Sariha and his buffed brother came forth and took the space beside Suya with their Wind Guns in hand. They fought shoulder to shoulder as they conversed.
「It’s inevitable that the supplies will be delayed. Some sectors have been cut off by the explosions. It will still be fine for the moment── but it’s time to withdraw our defences.」
「... We can still fight. Keeping the future in mind, we have to make them waste as much munitions here as possible.」
「Of course you can go on── Woah!」
Seizing the gap when the return fire stopped, the Kioka soldiers charged out of their trenches. Sariha’s group didn’t miss this chance to open fire, shooting down the soldiers leading the charge, and stubbornly stopping the invasion attempt. Sariha fed a new bullet to his Sprite and continued:
「── With how close they are, one mistake and our defence line will fall. We can’t fight such a risky battle for long, you do know that, right?」
Suya bit her lips hard when she heard that. Her past mistake was haunting her, and she nodded with a stern face.
「... You are right.」
「I suggest that we start the retreat, Brother.」
Sensing his elder brother’s intention, Sushuraf was about to make a call. But before he could do that, their Sprites started to speak.
「── This is Ikuta Solork. Everyone in the frontlines, we are almost reaching the limit, right?」
The young Field Marshal said as if he was seeing this with his own eyes. He then ordered without any hint of regret:
「We will begin our withdrawal according to the plan. We still have ample time, so don’t rush your retreat and give the plan away to the enemy.」
Sariha, Sushuraf and Suya looked at each other and nodded. Ikuta continued:
「Don’t get hurt── After all, this is just the start of the war.」
On the fifth evening since the battle started, Major Mazeya felt something was strange as he looked at the enemy base.
「...?......?」
「Why are you staring at the enemy camp like that?」
When Colonel Gatra asked, his adjutant answered hesitantly:
「... I might be thinking too much, but the enemy’s retaliatory fire seems to be weakening.」
「Hmm? This is normal, since they are under prolonged bombardment.」
「No, not that… There seems to be a lot less enemy soldiers...」
Sensing that he shouldn’t ignore this, Colonel Gatra immediately contacted headquarters. He received an order right after making his report.
「── Attack immediately!」
「Huh...?」
「Send the troops into the enemy trenches. They are retreating, so there won’t be fierce resistance!」
The puzzled Colonel Gatra carried out Jean’s orders. The troops digging their trenches were shocked by this sudden instruction, and when they braced themselves and charged into the enemy camp, they found the place deserted.
「T-The enemy’s gone?」 「They must have retreated!」
「That’s impossible! We have air troopers watching them! Even if it’s the evening, we should be able to see a large number of soldiers leaving the trenches from the sky...!」
What kind of sorcery could make a ten thousand army disappear? It would be quite some time before they uncover the means──
「... Ughh… A-Are we there yet?」
「We’re almost there. Don’t be anxious, you will block the people behind if you fall.」
At the same time. The Imperial soldiers fleeing in a single file through a dark and cramped passageway..
「── After trenches, it’s tunnels, huh? How gloomy.」
Sariha grumbled in the darkness. Suya walking ahead of him answered coldly:
「If you want to become a pincushion in an open space, please go that way.」
「Hah! Don’t kid with me, I can pretend to be moles or anything if I can survive.」
They chatted as they advanced. They felt a breeze ahead, and soon left the long tunnel and returned into the open sky. Sariha dusted himself off, and looked at his men standing by near the exit.
「── Is that everyone? We are the last unit out of the tunnel, right?」
「Yes, big brother.」
Sushuraf who followed him out of the tunnel nodded firmly. Suya secretly sighed in relief when she saw his figure. She was worried about his buff body getting stuck in the tunnel.
「Good, seal the exit. Get it done quickly so we can withdraw.」
After confirming everyone was out, Sariha ordered his men to seal the tunnel. After pushing aside the wood frame supporting the tunnel and pushing the top with shovels, the tunnel collapsed. Since it would be faster to travel overground then to dig out the tunnel again, there was no danger of the enemy following right after them.
「It will take time for the cavalry to cross the trenches, so we just need to shake off their infantry.」
「Is the stamina of the men alright?」
「It’s fine, thanks to you forcing them to march at a ludicrous pace during training── we are going to run.」
The three nodded at each other, then led their troops on a run under the cover of night. They were long gone by the time the Kioka forces reached this place.
「── Not suitable for pursuit battles. It’s obvious, but that’s the flaw of the Blast Cannons.」
In the headquarters of the Imperial Central Base, Ikuta received a report that the withdrawal was a success shortly after ordering the retreat.
「It’s obvious that we retreated while conserving our forces, so you won’t do something as risky as pursuing with infantry, right? Even if you do, we will just take you on.」
Retreating with your back to the enemy was a high risk military maneuver. Withdrawing successfully against the Kioka forces led by Jean Arkinex showed the genius of Ikuta Solork’s strategy. Digging a tunnel ahead of time, choosing the evening when it was hard to see the movements of the soldier, and the troops retreating orderly starting from the rear in secret── if they miss one of these conditions, things wouldn’t progress so smoothly.
「Unlike a fort, there’s nothing to be happy about capturing trenches. It looks unimpressive, and can’t be used for anything else. It will hinder the passage of the Blast Cannons and cavalry… In other words, we don’t have to defend it stubbornly. It’s just a chokepoint built on the assumption that it would be captured.」
Unlike fortresses built with a high level of construction skills, there wasn’t much need for special techniques in digging trenches. If the soldiers and civilians work together, they could prepare many entrenched bases for this final battle. This policy could only work after they completely cut off their reliance on fortresses.
「Go deeper, Jean── This swamp is much more deeper.」
「── It’s like I’m being lured into a swamp.」
On the other hand, Jean had accurately read his opponent’s intention. He looked at the map laid out on the table with a snort.
「There must be more choke points ahead, huh… They would force us to waste our shells, then withdraw from the trenches before they suffer heavy losses. Exhausting us by repeating these steps… That’s the basic tactic of the Imperial army.」
Miara beside him nodded nervously. Leaving Jean aside, she never expected the opening battle to end like this… They broke through the entrenched base and took one step closer to victory, but the Imperial forces didn’t suffer much losses. There were no reasons to assume that future battles would get easier. However, the eyes of the 「Insomniac Brilliant General」 didn’t waver.
「But, you get it right, Solork? There is more than one path── for your strategy to be valid, you have to destroy all our alternative routes.」
Jean said with a low voice… Considering the capability of both sides, half of the development so far was as expected of an opening battle. The war that would be getting more complicated in the future was the main event for him and Ikuta.
「It’s your time to go── Move out, Harrah.」
「── Yes, got it, Boss.」
Taznyado Harrah received the instruction of his ally through his Sprite. Beside his buffed body, the petite Sergeant Major Mita Kenshi leaned forth.
「It’s finally time to go. What should we do, Blockhead?」
「Send out the advance party first, and find out the location of the enemy’s defences. Match the intel against the map to find out the feasibility of going around them, then move the main forces.」
Harrah said as he laid out a map. He knew what Jean needed very well. Do whatever he could to flank the Imperial forces and attack their rear. Harrah had to act like Jean’s eyes and hands to realize Jean’s strategy precisely.
「Even if there isn’t a path, we still have to break through── I’m counting on you, Phantoms.」
After handing the map to Sergeant Major Mita, he turned to his back. Dark figures were lining up in the pitch darkness.
「── The first defensive line has been breached. The enemy is coming, Brigadier General Sazarf!」
Tens of kilometers to the west of the trenches that had fulfilled its role, on the Kioka army predicted route. Inside the headquarters tent of the defensive blockade, Melza shouted after receiving that report, and Sazarf scratched the back of his head when he heard that.
「I was hoping they wouldn’t come, but the enemy isn't naive enough to go back if we ask nicely… All units, get ready to engage!」
The officers rushed out of the tent after receiving their orders, and the troops slid into their trenches on their officers’ orders. The basic tactic was the same here, they would make full use of the trenches and retreat at its limit to exhaust the Kioka forces.
「I want to hold the line for 5… no 6 days. The other places won’t get broken through before us… Hmm?」
When Sazarf was muttering to himself about his prediction of the future, his partner notified him about a call from the Field Marshal. He answered immediately:
「Yes, this is Senpa Sazarf. My unit is getting ready to engage the enemy, do you have any urgent──」
「Nothing much. Hey, how are things with Lieutenant Colonel Melza?」
Sazarf who was answering seriously almost lost his balance. He stopped himself from falling, then held the Sprite with both hands and yelled:
「Why you...! You are asking that now? Think about the timing!」
「No no, timing doesn’t matter when talking about such things. So I will give you some advice as a Scientist. Do you know that if you smoke too much, the girl might hate kissing.」
「I’m so moved by your advice! And I just switched the brand of my cigarettes on your previous advice too!」
Sazarf retorted── he then sensed that Ikuta’s jesting had a different air than usual, and asked with a serious attitude:
「... What, are you still bothered about what happened before?」
The silence made Sazarf realized that he was right.
「... How troubling of you to display your excellent observation skill here.」
「Of course I will notice, we have known each other for so long. Let me say this first, I’m not bothered about it at all. I want to apologize for making you worry instead.」
Their feelings reverted from Field Marshal and Brigadier General to their personal relationship, and Sazarf apologized.
「What a pain… I want to act like an elder before you, but you surpassed me and became the Field Marshal. I even troubled you with my wilful words. Why am I so lame?」
The moment he said that, Sazarf could sense Ikuta smiling through the Sprite.
「I never thought you are lame, Captain Sazarf.」
「... Like I said, I do have such a side to me.」
Sazarf couldn’t help smiling wryly── the small grudge in a corner of his heart had completely vanished. Ikuta paused and gave a last bit of encouragement:
「I will leave the defence to you. Don’t push yourself.」
「Yes, leave it to me.」
Sazarf ended the call after giving a firm promise. Melza who was listening beside him smiled.
「── The Field Marshal is unexpectedly delicate.」
「No… He has always been like that. He is very sensitive about the feelings of others.」
Sazarf reflected that him not being reliable enough was to be blamed too. Seeing Sazarf’s strong bond with the young Field Marshal, Melza said quietly:
「... I’m a little jealous.」
「Huh?」
「It’s nothing── get ready to engage!」
Melza pulled herself together and observed the defences. Sazarf一一 considered the problems she raised, and made preparations for the looming battle against the Kioka forces.
The Kioka forces that broke through the trenches waited until dawn to send out light cavalry as scouts on Harrah’s orders. But these first steps to prepare for an attack were filled with troubles.
「──! Enemy cavalry sighted! We are on a collision course!」
The Kioka cavalry was riding along the roads on either side of a slope, and one of the riders warned after spotting signs of enemy horsemen. Their captain grimaced.
「Enemy guerilla…? But we will be attacked one sidedly if we stop! Defeat them! Draw your blades!」
The riders drew their weapons. They were highly trained Kioka cavalry, and were confident that they wouldn’t lose easily against other horsemen── they spurred their mounts forth, and closed with the enemy in no time──
「── Ughh──?」
A few seconds before both sides would clash, they could see enemy soldiers charging down the slopes.
「What──」「A-Ambush form the cliff──!」
Shouts echoed immediately, but they were engaged with the enemy when the news had spread. The two units clashed at equal speed, but the surprise attack broke the Kioka’s formation. After losing their momentum, the Kioka cavalry was scattered by the attack.
「──Seh!」
The red haired rider on the battlefield plunged the Kioka soldiers into deeper despair. A saber cut their necks in an instant, his intimidating swordsmanship brought them death even from horseback.
「Uwahh──」「Kyaaa!」
Their chain of command was severed from the first attack, and the Imperial horsemen relentlessly assaulted the enemy staying stiffly in place. It didn’t take long before they were annihilated.
「Enemy advance unit, annihilated── recover the wounded and form up.」
Solvenares Igsem’s voice echoed out. The cavalry reformed on his orders, and a woman cheered softly.
「... G-Great! I’m alive! I survive～!」
「You took down one of the riders.」 「First Lieutenant Nei is suited for the frontlines.」
Her comrades beside her nodded with a smile. The fierce gaze of the vermillion haired general fell on them.
「Cut the chatter, prepare for the next battle── If the enemy scouts fail to bring back intel, we can delay their invasion. Buying more time will be beneficial to our side.」
The cavalry started advancing again after hearing that. First Lieutenant Niam Nei who was riding behind the vermillion haired general asked timidly:
「E=Erm～ Captain… How many more times will we be doing this?」
「Ask the enemy.」
He answered curtly. Niam held the reins with one hand, and pressed the corner of her eye with the other.
「... I want to cry.」
「Cheer up, First Lieutenant Nei!」「If we die, let’s play together in heaven!」
「Shut up, retard! Who’s dying～!」
She didn’t back down, retorting with a curse instead. The guerilla unit galloped in the fresh dawn air towards the next battle.
At the same time. A war was happening in a seemingly unrelated place.
「... Ugh...!」
Before the Phantoms that passed through the dark forest, a bullet bounced off the bark of a tree. They quickly jumped into the bushes to take cover, and clicked their tongue because of the situation they were in.
「I never thought they would deploy troops in a forest like this… Have they seen through what we are thinking?」
「Captain, let’s retreat. There must be a different route.」
Phantom nodded at each other before turning back. However── the moment they turned to leave, the point man’s feet sunk into the ground.
「── Uwah?」
「What happened!」
The Phantoms rushed to their comrade, and found that feet caught in barbed spikes. The Phantom couldn’t help groaning in pain.
「U-Ughh...!」
「This is… a trap?」
「... How is that possible. What kind of logic are they using to read our movements?」
The Phantom muttered in fear. In the forest they were traversing to flank the enemy, their opponent predicted that and took countermeasures. The fear of being read made them search for the enemy with bated breath in the darkness.
「── Ughh!」
When a soldier stopped to help his comrade who was trapped, a shot landed right on his leg. Torway was on a cliff facing the forest, and had taken out more than ten enemies from that position.
「Phantoms tread on paths that others wouldn’t take… And we hunters will stop them.」
He muttered quietly── and of course, he wasn’t the only one hiding in the darkness. On the thick branches, on the ground, or in the bushes, his snipers were spread out to support each other.
「Traps laid in the dim forest, and soldiers concealing themselves snipe at each other… How arduous and treacherous. It’s like you said, Yatori-san. The battlefield is turning into a despicable place.」
There was a hint of self mockery on the youth’s lips, but it was gone in an instant.
「I will guide the forefront of warfare to this stage. And that’s why, this darkness is the world of Torway Remeon.
Don’t worry, Ik-kun. I won’t lose to anyone again.」
He buried his firm determination deep into his heart. The youth found a new prey and squeezed the trigger.
In the Imperial base defending a route further to the north. After an intense battle in the day, dusk was coming.
「... The sun is setting already? It’s getting dark.」
「The enemy is right before us, don’t let your guard down. This will be a long night...」
The soldiers talked quietly in the trenches. They were exposed to intense nervousness for the entire day, and at that moment, they heard their comrade calling from behind.
「Hey, time to change shifts. You guys go rest in the back.」
「Ehh──?」「Changing shift? That’s great, but...」
The troops who were expected to continue with their work looked surprised. Their comrade shook their head when they saw that.
「You might not notice because of the excitement, but you are actually tired. It will be troubling if you force yourself and collapse. We still need you to perform in the future──」
Sounds of cannons came from the distance like a thunder from far away. Many soldiers lying in their tents were distracted by that sound, and couldn’t sleep despite their fatigue.
「... The sound of cannons even reached here.」「... Can we even sleep properly...?」
The soldiers tossed and turned in bed. The bed was relatively wide and comfortable, but they were still troubled since they couldn’t sleep. However, several medics soon came to check on the frowning soldiers.
「Here, ear plugs. It’s small, so don’t lose them.」
They gave soldiers who couldn’t sleep a pair of ear plugs made from corks. The soldiers didn’t expect this and opened their eyes wide.
「T-They are well prepared.」
「It’s pointless if your rest is disturbed by noise. Those suffering from minor bruises, please don’t endure it and raise your hands. It’s our job to ensure you have a good sleep and return to the battlefield full of energy.」
The medic said with a grin. After taking care of their comrades who couldn’t sleep, they quietly left the tents and walked to the cooking facilities nearby.
「Cooking team, are you working on supper? Please work hard, we won’t have the strength to fight after eating nasty food.」
「Leave it to us. I’m a veteran who cooked in the army for ten years. With all the crockeries I’m given, I can cook dishes on the same level of the mess on base here.」
The army cook declared as he stirred the pot with a long ladle. Drawn by the fragrance from the pot, the hungry soldiers sauntered over.
At the same time. In a room not far from Ikuta’s commander’s office, the medics deployed in the various camps made their reports.
「── Good, this will be fine. Rotate the personnel frequently, and don’t push the soldiers too much.」
Haro was checking the situation from the reports sent by the Sprites. Are the soldiers resting properly? Are they eating well? Are their mental states stable? If she senses any signs of danger from the reports, she would give the proper instructions. That was the mission she had in this final battle.
「The tent is stuffy and hard to sleep in, so please ventilate them with Wind Sprites. The air will flow by putting a Wind Sprite at the entrance and the exit. Explain to the soldiers that this would be more comfortable than going out to catch a breeze. As for the people in pain because of their wounds──」
Haro sat before her desk and concentrated on communication. At this moment── a blonde girl stood behind her, near the door.
「...Haro, how’s the situation at the rear?」
「Yes, Your Majesty. The training is paying off, and the troops are working as instructed. Our ability to fight over protracted periods have improved.」
Haro turned to the Empress and said after she ended the call. Chamille nodded.
「Ikuta doctrine, huh? ...Compared to having more Blast Cannons and balloons, this is the biggest revolution of the Imperial army.」
Before the final battle with Kioka, the dark-haired youth made the position of the Imperial army clear with his words. That became rules commonly known as Ikuta doctrine, which fundamentally changed how manpower was used in an army.
For example, instead of holding a defence base, the survival of the personnel was prioritized. Or stopping the use of a unit that had reached a certain degree of exhaustion. It completely ignored the use and dispose mindset in warfare, and maximized the continued usage of the Imperial Army as an organization. It inherits the ideal Bada Sankrei used on his regiment, and expands further on it.
「... Amazing. The right way of slacking and the correct way of working are the same thing. The idea Ikuta-san is always talking about has finally spread to the entire army. Adequate meals and adequate rest. By guaranteeing these two things, the soldiers can keep fighting without draining their body and mind. The longer the war, the greater its effect.」
「Yes── that’s true.」
Chamille concurred unreservedly. At this moment, the Sprite on the table sent a new message. Before she disturb Haro’s work, the Empress started to leave.
「I’m heading back to the capital, I have to take in the refugees chased here by the Kioka army… I will leave the rest to you.」
Chamille left after saying that. Haro watched her leave with a salute, then took the call.
「... Alright then. With the enemy splitting up, the number of battlefields have increased drastically.」
On the other hand, the Imperial army headquarters. The dark-haired youth stood before the map with the pieces representing the enemy and his allies, and thought.
「There are no dangers anywhere for now. The risk is high during retreats, so I will keep the channel open and give the order when the time comes… So the problem is the timing, huh? It’s difficult for the defence line to retreat naturally at the same pace.」
He muttered with a grunt── it was clear from his opening battle that he didn’t plan to defeat the Kioka forces with just one battle. He would exhaust the enemy as much as possible by bolstering the defences, then withdraw to the next base before the base reached its limit. He would repeat these steps and wait for the opponent to give up. The winning condition for the Kioka forces was to capture the capital, while the Imperial army’s winning condition was to stop them and defend their nation.
It might sound simple, but executing it was difficult. If the enemy broke through one of the many paths, they would flank around to the back of the other paths… Most importantly, one mistake during the retreating action would result in serious losses. The retreat of all the defence lines needed to be maintained at the same pace. Even with Ikuta’s command ability and the Sprites communication, this was still a risky tightwire walk.
As he was thinking of the development several steps ahead, Kusu notified him of an incoming call from Admiral Erynphin Jurgus. Ikuta stopped his train of thought and answered immediately:
「Hello, Ikuta Solork here. How’s the sea battle?」
Ikuta asked right off the bat. The noise from the other side was mixed into the call. He immediately understood that they were in the middle of a naval battle.
After a few seconds of silence, a voice that was heavier than ever answered through the Sprite:
「── Sorry, we lost.」
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