The Difference Is Like Between a Dog and a Cow

11 – First Battlefield (3)

The place where the troops of the battalion deployed was the garrison of the 18th Infantry Regiment. Against the background of the already fluttering white field tent, the platoon commanders of his company, including myself, gathered together.

It was to hear about the operation plan.

“Attention.”

“Attention-!!”

At the words of company commander Arendt, we chanted in unison. He was a company commander who would die for FM, so he tapped the papers with a satisfied smile.

“We will quickly deliver the details of the operation. All of you are full-fledged wizards, so write the contents directly in your head instead of paper.”

“Yes, I understand!”

The other platoon commanders answered leisurely, as if that was no big deal. I was the only one who couldn’t laugh.

“The goal of this expedition is to rescue Belgordo Fortress, which is about 4km away from the current location. It has been confirmed that the force currently pressuring the fortress is a band of bandits who have crossed the border from the Soviet Empire.”

It’s not particularly strange.

It’s not like a day or two in Hearts of General that bandits raid military forts.

Whether in peacetime or wartime. They are like silverfish who plunder munitions without regard to anything, and gnaw away metallurgically the lack of electricity.

So, especially when playing the Sobie Empire or the 3 Baltic countries, where there is a high probability of thieves, it was national rule to issue a ‘subjugation order’ that extremely reduced the occurrence of thieves.

‘I’m not in the position to issue a subjugation order right now.’

With a bitter taste in my mouth, I listened to the briefing of company commander Arendt again.

“The number is estimated to be around two hundred. The fortress’ situation was that the outer watchtower had been captured. The rest of the facilities are said to be unharmed.”

“I knew it. No matter how Belgordo is, it’s not to the point of being captured by a few bandits.”

The 1st Platoon Commander, Crenfuss Adele, nodded and agreed.

As he was in charge of the 1st Platoon, the leading platoon of the company, he was a lieutenant and was an officer with a seasoned reputation.

“Therefore, we decided to spend a day or so preparing the unit, and then the entire force would go out at 6:00 tomorrow morning. Our 2nd Company is responsible for providing magic support for the left wing of the Infantry Regiment. All right, anyone with any questions?”

“No.”

“Okay! Then we’ll disband today. 5Th platoon commander, you will stay for a while.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Captain Arendt nominated Kokna. I have a very bad feeling.

He waited patiently for the other platoon commanders to leave the company commander’s tent, then took out a pack of cigarettes from his front pocket.

“Smoke a cigarette.”

Char-.

I quickly took out a match, scratched it, and lit the company commander’s cigarette.

“Whoa… …. Thank you.”

“That’s a big deal.”

“His actions are also very fast for a new second lieutenant who was first appointed from the military academy. You have a sense of humor, and is the 5th Platoon Commander re-enlisting?”

“Absolutely not.”

After a firm denial, Arendt burst out with a characteristic croaking laugh.

“Khehehehe, just kidding. In the first place, I came at just the right age. No matter how much our principality lacks troops, we won’t force even those who haven’t yet attended the coming-of-age ceremony into the military gate.”

Actually, this was the story just before the war started. Since falling into the bog of World War II in earnest, the demand for child soldiers in any country on the continent skyrocketed.

“Anyway…… The reason I called you aside is that there are significant changes to the operation tomorrow.”

“Can I ask what it is?”

“…… I couldn’t remove it as a reserve. Your 5th Platoon has been assigned to support the tip of the left wing.”

“Really?”

It was an unexpected answer.

Didn’t he definitely come to visit us before going out and even tell us that we won’t be given a separate mission?

I thought it would be a rear support, or a reserve.

“Honestly, the battalion commander seemed worried, but the 2nd Infantry Battalion, which was in charge of the left wing, strongly insisted on sending your platoon into the operation.”

Why?

Of course, as an infantryman, it may be distasteful to make fun of the troops who have volunteered.

Anyway, it was because the position of a sorcerer tended to be a relatively ‘safe and sucking’ position compared to infantrymen who were exposed to fire on the front line.

Why, even in real life, didn’t you open up a fictitious day by saying which position is more difficult?

I felt the same way here.

‘But why my platoon? At best, there were three of them, including the platoon leader, and Lockhart would have said that there was a problem.’

However, knowing all the facts, I was just curious.

‘Well, the battalion commander can’t be fooled by the regimental commander. Besides, he’s the battalion commander of the support unit.’

In the end, our Magic Battalion played the role of a support unit in this operation, and the baton and decision-making authority should belong to the main actor, the ’18th Regiment Commander’.

I thought that if the 2nd Battalion commander in question had asked the regimental commander, and the regimentalist had raised his hand, Lt. Col. Lockhart would have had no choice.

“Whatever…… Now that it’s like this, there’s something I really want to ask you.”

Captain Arendt is only a company commander. He’s got to be kicked out from the top.

“As much as possible, Sergeant Rumia Bluet should not be involved in battle. Like last time, it will be a big problem if you do a ‘misfire’ on your ally.”

“Are you talking about an ally?”

“Yes. Don’t mention it to Sergeant Lumia. I told you because you, as a platoon commander, have the right to know.”

Only then did I understand why Sergeant Rumia Bluet was reluctant to talk about the past.

‘Did I accidentally explode the magic and cause damage?’

“Her magical power is excellent. To be honest, he’s a very wasteful talent to leave rotten in a platoon like this. But… ….”

I took Arendt’s words lightly and continued. White smoke came out of his mouth.

“You mean that the reason why the higher-level units do not take special measures even with such values is because they judged the risk to be higher than that.”

“Yes. Exactly. At least Sergeant Bell Meyer seems to be in good shape lately, so it can be said that there is no threat of causing a mana runaway.”

A runaway mana.

In an instant, you get out of control and fall into a state where all your friends and enemies are wildly using magic.

The worst catastrophe that would cause a huge aftermath if it happened at any time, let alone in the middle of the battlefield.

Because of that, it was also a fatal flaw that Bell Meyer had.

“Do you have any prognostic symptoms?”

“If the focus of the eyes disappears and the body acts as if it is frozen, I will subdue it by forcibly knocking it out. That is the answer.”

I got a great tip from the company commander. Rather than the outline of the strategy I had just heard, I had this content clearly engraved in my mind.

Don’t let Lumia participate in battle as much as possible. If Bell Meyer’s eyes lose focus, she will be subdued as it is.

In a way, it might be excessive, but rather, it was a way to protect them.

Even if an accidental bombing or magic runaway was caused during a regular operation, even Arendt’s company commander would not be able to easily bear the responsibility.

“…… Please sincerely Anyway, the 5th Platoon Commander was also given a chance.”

“I know.”

I brushed off the cigarette I had smoked before I knew it and crushed it in the ashtray placed on the desk in the field.

“Please leave it to me.”

Squadron commander Arendt seemed worried in many ways. Not even that. Didn’t he suddenly end up carrying a bomb that he didn’t even want to sell?

But from my point of view…….

‘I rather like it.’

I could see it as an opportunity sent from heaven.

If this operation is completed safely, at least I will be able to give people the perception that I am firmly holding the reins of the platoon.

I have no intention of ruining the perfect moment.

“Then I will go back to rest for now. Just to talk with the platoon members about tomorrow’s operation.”

“Yes, good job. So that you can successfully complete your mission with that confidence.”

“Glory to the motherland!”

“Glory.”

After an angular salute, I exited the company commander’s tent.

A red sunset hung over the sky before I knew it. The eve of the first operation. You should be prepared for what you can do for sure.

Time is leisurely.

Since you say you’re leaving at 6:00 in the morning, you’ll be able to take a break, right?

…… It didn’t take long to realize how soft it was, though.

***

Dimitri, a soldier of the 8th Division directly under the direct command of the Northern Corps stationed at the Belgordo Fortress, gulped down the liquor he had secretly stocked up.

Drinking during battle.

Originally, this would never have been allowed, but no one could stop him as he was exhausted from the two-day raid of bandits.

A reason to fear a court-martial when you might be able to see tomorrow’s sun right away.

“Dimitri, give me a sip too.”

The other soldiers had the same thoughts. Although they requested support, it is unclear exactly when the rescue team will come.

The garrison leader’s message, which is in charge of defending the fortress, must have died in the middle, and no more returned.

Given the situation alone, I could only say that it was hopeless.

“Nimi, what the hell is in this f*cking fort?”

He held out the bottle Dimitri was drinking and cursed.

An attack by bandits.

Of course, it only happened on a fictional day in the border area, but it was the first time I had ever been hit by such a fierce attack.

It has already been two days since the sit-in in the fortress began. In the process, the outer watchtower, which barely held out, was captured.

The decapitated head of a colleague who defended the position until the end was hung on the watchtower.

A very vicious offensive.

It was distinctly different from the usual thieves’ raids, where you stab once and then run away after being hit by a barrage of bullets.

“But these bastards, don’t they seem to have increased in number from yesterday?”

“I felt that way too.”

Something is strange.

It was as if he had a strong will to capture this fortress.

“…… Maybe it’s because of that? Didn’t they say a shipment arrived from the Principality of Rahit the other day?”

“It’s munitions anyway. At best, the cigarette silo and the uniform and ammunition are all there is, but there is nothing to rob.”

The Principality of Rahit was a member of the 3 Baltic States bordering Ukraine.

Because the three Baltor countries, especially the Principality of Rahit, maintained a very friendly relationship with Ukraine.

For fast cargo transportation, supplies were often stored in the fortress.

“Cargo is, frankly, a floating cloud. Listen carefully. I think these bastards aren’t just thieves, are they like Prakchi from the Sobie Empire?”

“What? Raid the border fort because those bastards have nothing to do? I don’t think you intend to start a real war.”

“You never know.”

The soldiers were just running wild speculation.

In an instant.

“Wait a minute. What is that?”

The soldier who was chatting with Dimitri pointed to the other side of the darkness.

“Dimitri! Look at that! What does it look like!?”

“Ah, f*ck. What is that?”

He handed over the remaining bottle, and after shaking off every drop, he raised his head.

It’s pitch black with no moonlight shining through.

In the midst of it, the softly shimmering red light catches my eye.

“Circle…… ? Isn’t that a magic circle?”

But Dimitri couldn’t figure out the identity of the light source.

It was because the baptism of flames pouring down in the darkness instantly turned his body into ashes.

“Aagh!!”

“What, what!!? Mage!? The enemy, among the enemies, is a mage!!”

The soldiers were startled and scared to shout.

Kwaaang!!!

A huge explosion occurred, and the wall, which had been standing firm despite several attacks, collapsed.