Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Vimy Ridge in the Second Battle of Artois.

Hill 70 in the Battle of Loos.

Hill 958 in the Battle of Makibra.

Isonzo on the Italian Front.

Looking at the major battles of 1915, there's one common thread - if neither side retreats, the fighting takes the form of a back-and-forth struggle centered around specific points.

Back-and-forth battles.

Isn't it strange? In the era of great trench warfare where defense has absolute advantage, how can battles swing between attack and defense?

Colonel Lee Donghwi, who had studied European warfare before participating in battle, found the cause in the changed 'value of the front line' compared to last year.

"The value of one li has become several times more expensive than last year..."

When humans burrowed into the ground like moles, the value of that ground suddenly skyrocketed.

The moment soldiers leave their trenches, they die before taking even a dozen steps. Very few make it alive to enemy lines.

Unlike the early phases of war when General Aleksei Brusilov, the Russian Empire's most brilliant and innovative commander, could maneuver entire armies across hundreds of kilometers of front lines with relative freedom, now even gaining or losing a single kilometer has become precious and costly. The advent of modern defensive fortifications, artillery networks, and interlocking fields of fire has transformed the nature of warfare.

While there may be complex political interests entangled with those above, those further above in the command chain, and the shadowy figures pulling strings behind them all, the fundamental cause of this tactical shift lies in the dramatically increased strategic and material value of every meter of the front line. Modern warfare has become a grinding battle of attrition where gains are measured in yards rather than miles. Discover more stories at empire

Then what the Korean Imperial Army must do is one clear thing - adapt or perish in this new age of warfare where territory is bought with blood and held with iron determination.

"Run further! We must reach enemy lines!"

"If the enemy comes into view, crawl without question! We can only win by crawling to kill the enemy!"

It's about delivering that front line that has suddenly become so valuable.

20 years ago.

The Korean Empire's new army, raised to imitate Western armies, numbered about 5,000 men.

Starting with these 5,000, they were divided into the Central Army Guard and Provincial Army Guard, growing to 10,000 men 17 years ago.

And 15 years ago, in 1900, the force grew to about 20,000 men.

28,000 during the Russo-Japanese War.

50,000 in 1907 after reinforcement following Russia's victory.

And in 1915, today, the Korean Imperial Army has implemented conscription and sent 300,000 volunteer soldiers to this Russian land alone.

Never in the history of the Korean Empire, no, even in Joseon's history, had the military grown so large.

However, upon arriving at the front line, Donghwi coldly evaluated the worth of these 300,000 troops.

'With low training levels, they have low reliability among allies and aren't properly treated as allies.'

To this vast Russian Empire, an army of 300,000 was merely equivalent to forces guarding a single province. In other words, at this rate, the Korean Empire's voice would never grow stronger.

Therefore, Donghwi thought he shouldn't be satisfied with just troop numbers but needed to achieve merit. And here in Bydgoszcz, the greatest merit was undoubtedly the front line.

Just defending the line wasn't enough.

They had to consume it.

'Here, advancing one li earns a medal, advancing ten li makes you a hero.'

Since the Commander-in-Chief was currently trying to spare lives, he would surely be pleased if the Korean Imperial Army offered to walk into death's jaws in place of Russian troops.

After this line of thought, Donghwi immediately requested to his superiors:

"We will take the lead. Please maintain continuous artillery fire during that time."

"Are you mad? One high explosive shell kills everything within 30 meters. Artillery fire over friendly troops will only lower morale. It's impossible."

"The Korean Imperial Army's morale will not fall even in death."

While bringing up the story of Gwanchang, a Hwarang of Silla, Donghwi persistently requested artillery support during their advance.

"What, Asian Vikings? What occult belief makes you think death raises morale?"

From the Russian officers' common sense perspective, these Asians were no different from colonial troops dragged into someone else's war.

Their morale would be low, risks of insubordination and rebellion would be rampant, and above all, their combat effectiveness would be lower than white troops.

Nevertheless, Donghwi continued his request.

When they advance toward enemy lines, please fire artillery directly above them.

In his mind, this was the only way to achieve merit.

'Will we die worthlessly, or die achieving something meaningful!'

Even he at the front lines had heard news that the Russian Empire had recently reconciled with Japanese imperialism.

That wasn't all.

The Japanese navy had successfully escorted Australian troops from U-boats hundreds of times and sent hundreds of Red Cross nurses to France, earning the nickname 'Angels of the East.'

While this might be heartwarming news to Allied soldiers, it sounded different to Donghwi's ears.

All these news made him an urgent and desperate man.

Merit, military achievements.

Urgent.

Merit that wouldn't lose to the treacherous Japanese Empire that had switched sides.

Merit enough to distinguish 'Koreans' from 'Asians' within the Allied Powers.

He needed it now.

This wasn't simply a suicidal plan born from hasty thinking.

After all, Russia had a clear precedent, didn't they?

'The one-armed Jewish General, Hertsel Yankelevich Tsam.'

A soldier who made a discriminated and persecuted people recognized within the Russian Empire.

His life proved that Russia would recognize the price of blood, even if one's ethnicity and race were different.

"...While permission has been granted from above, you must personally acknowledge that we gave no unreasonable orders. Naturally, we won't take any responsibility, and this will be treated as an independent and voluntary operation."

"Thank you, thank you so much!"

"Damn, I don't know anymore either. I hope you achieve what you want in this hell."

Permission was granted.