Abdul Jabaddedehtan, the brigade commander of the Azoff National Liberation Front who had occupied Maniopol, strolled through the city hall square with a satisfied look on his face. The square, which had been bustling with people just yesterday, was now filled only with solemn silence.
This was to be expected.
There were piles of corpses of Ukranian officials on one side. No one would dare to wander around near such a scene.
They were the officials of Ukrania whom Abdul had executed as an example. Those who had held out in the city hall until the last moment and eventually surrendered. Normally, all of them should have been killed, but he had shown ‘mercy’ by executing only about ten of them.
Humans were truly simple; if a few people were killed right in front of them, they would quickly lose their will due to fear. It was no different in Ukrania. There were countless cases where people begged for their lives or sold off their comrades because they didn’t want to die.
Abdul found pleasure in such scenes.
“It’s been ten years. This city hasn’t changed at all.”
“That’s true.”
“In fact, it was better back then. Back then, the guards fought fiercely for two days.”
“Does this mean that Ukrania’s national fortune has completely declined? Did you see their coastal artillery?”
Sahadin, Abdul’s right-hand man and strategist responsible for the campaign in Maniopol, burst into laughter.
“They couldn’t even properly bombard us. Of course, even if our armor ships were functioning normally, they wouldn’t have been much of a match for our Azoff armor ships.”
“Imperial equipment is indeed superior.”
The liberation front, which was nothing more than an anti-government organization based on just four islands in the Azoff archipelago, could maintain such a large army solely thanks to the “strangely kind” country.
While not the latest models, they were provided with weapons of at least three classes that could fight on equal terms with Ukrania.
Moreover, they were even given prototype armor ships free of charge.
“When will the main force arrive?”
“The currents are not favorable, so it might take a bit longer. Since we’ve already taken Fort Morok, all we need to do is fortify the city and hold on.”
“Tell the soldiers to plunder appropriately. If we plan to stay for a long time, they must learn to conserve resources.”
“I’ll make sure to tell them.”
Collisions between Azoff and Ukrania were common. Even Abdul himself had raided a Ukranian guard camp near Fort Morok last month and killed over thirty Ukranian soldiers.
But this invasion was not merely a plundering expedition to prepare for winter.
It was a northward advance aimed at establishing control over the southern coastal cities of Maniopol and Fort Morok, gradually expanding territory inland.
Although Abdul had failed ten years ago, he was confident that this time it would surely succeed.
“Is contact with Commander Ezener of Fort Morok established?”
“Preparations are being made diligently. They have also successfully repelled the Ukranian cavalry units that approached for civilian evacuation. However, it seems they did not manage to secure as many civilians as expected.”
“Damn 32nd Division. They move quickly in the initial stages.”
Securing civilians was crucial in this invasion. In a situation where maintaining the city rather than destroying it was the goal, the minimum number of local personnel needed for maintenance was essential.
Furthermore, if civilians were held hostage, Ukrania would not dare to counterattack recklessly.
Ultimately, while Ukranian forces were caught between doing nothing and taking action, reinforcements arrived in the disaster zone with two armor ships, securing the city.
Stabilizing the front line naturally was the main role of the vanguard that had landed in Maniopol and Fort Morok.
Of course, minor deviations by the soldiers were unavoidable. That was what the leadership of Azoff believed.
At that moment.
“Commander Abdul Jabaddedehtan! Commander Sahadin!! Something terrible has happened!!”
A soldier, visibly pale, came rushing in. The soldier was drenched in sweat from running for a long time.
“What happened?”
“It’s a raid!! The Ukranians are!!”
Unbelievable news made Sahadin’s eyes widen. Could Ukrania have decided so quickly? Abdul looked equally startled.
32nd Division.
An elite unit that had clashed with Azoff in the previous war. Was this to say they were formidable opponents?
“…It’s fine. We already have control of the city. If we strengthen our main direction, even the 32nd Division won’t be able to break through the city.”
Siege. That was why Azoff Liberation Front targeted Maniopol and Fort Morok among countless coastal cities and villages.
Both cities were extremely difficult to approach by land once they secured the disaster zone.
“From which direction did the attack start?”
“It’s from the harbor! The enemy is coming from the harbor!!”
“What?!”
“We’ve already lost control of most of the harbor area!!”
As the soldier shouted desperately.
Boom, bang!
A clear sound of shelling echoed, confirming the truth. It wasn’t from the north. It was from the south, where the harbor was located.
‘Could the navy have been annihilated?’
There was no other explanation. Without landing by sea, how could troops suddenly appear in a harbor that was under control?
‘Did we underestimate Ukrania’s navy?’
Even if it’s a country with limited areas to operate, with a navy mostly consisting of old battleships from decades ago, it was hard to imagine how they could defeat the empire’s armor ships.
But if the troops had actually landed, those who had landed in Maniopol were now in a very dangerous situation.
“Commander…”
“Wait, did Ukrania really land troops? What were the troops controlling the harbor doing…!”
“I’m sorry to say, but most of the soldiers were engrossed in looting!!”
That’s right.
The disorganized troops were not limited to Ukrania alone. The reason the army emphasized strict discipline and prohibited indiscriminate looting was to maintain the region with active cooperation from local residents. To be ready to respond quickly to any situation.
But Azoff, which was merely a simple armed group, would not have considered such things.
They started looting immediately upon landing. The troops controlling the harbor were either drunk, asleep, or distracted by committing horrific war crimes against unfortunate civilians. They had no time to prepare for the enemy’s counterattack and were destroyed.
This was entirely Abdul’s fault. Though he had been appointed brigade commander due to his ruthless military achievements, as someone born like a bandit leader, he lacked knowledge on how to maintain the region after landing.
“How could these worthless scoundrels…!! Not being able to hold their alcohol and causing chaos…?!”
After winning such a decisive victory, how could this happen?
“Commander Abdul! You must regain your composure!!”
Sahadin grabbed him just before he lost his mind. The enemy’s guns were already close. Now, the priority was to remain calm and open a path, not to lose temper.
“Sahadin, what should we do?”
“Immediately request reinforcements from Fort Morok and break through the weak western gate. With Commander Nur Ezenner and First Battalion Commander Ismail Shanku of the 1st Regiment, we can surely handle the situation!”
Indeed, Sahadin was sharp.
Assigned by General Nur to actively compensate for Abdul’s deficient command abilities, his keen insight consistently shone even in the rapidly changing situation.
“Do as Sahadin said! Immediately gather the troops here at the city hall!”
“Yes, sir!”
The soldier, drenched in sweat, hurriedly rushed out of the city hall again.
“Commander Abdul, stay calm. It’s only Ukrania.”
Sahadin placed his hand on Abdul’s shoulder and spoke with conviction.
“If you follow my orders, you will easily defeat the likes of Ukrania.”
Sahadin did not know that his own sharp judgment was also on Ukrania’s palm.
*
In the sky 3 kilometers east of Maniopol City.
Levandovsky, the second ship of the Diabolus.
[The sea is clear. The fish are sleeping or drunk. They will cross to the eastern waterway.]
[The guide salmon will swim upstream to the eastern part of the city. Many Maniopol salmon have been secured.]
I checked the message delivered by the pure white pigeon. It was unmistakably Rick Hanson’s handwriting.
Not seeing any emergency code in the message indicated that the reconnaissance team had successfully completed its mission.
“Corporal Hanson, you will be the first non-commissioned officer to receive a medal for your outstanding performance.”
“You completed the mission excellently.”
I put the message in my front pocket and left the bridge. Soon, I saw the troops who had finished their parachute preparation.
Including those who had been deployed to Remansky Arsenal.
And new recruits who had just arrived.
The atmosphere was heavy with the cold and oppressive feeling of impending battle, regardless of whether they were soldiers, non-commissioned officers, or officers.
I began my briefing into the magic communication device I received from Joseph Levandovsky.
“The reconnaissance team that went ahead has succeeded in its mission. There are no troops currently managing the harbor, and most of them seem to be incapacitated due to looting.”
Incapacitated due to looting.
Even bandits wouldn’t fight like this.
However, we could only be grateful. If they were asleep, we needed to ensure they never woke up.
“First and Second Platoons will infiltrate to the east and join the reconnaissance team. Third and Fourth Platoons will advance directly south to secure the harbor.”
‘Reception confirmed.’
“This is Enokh, the third ship. Air Squadron Leader Roxanna Elrim is present.”
“5th Platoon on the third ship will wait until further orders are given. For now, focus on fire support. Over.”
‘Reception confirmed.’
Once the series of commands was clearly transmitted, the entrance to the transport compartment began to open. The moment of descent was approaching.
With determined eyes, I shouted to the troops waiting for orders.
“Today, we will write a new history here!!”
There was a need to confirm the combat capabilities and performance of the combat unit and new weapons. There was no reason to refuse when the other side offered real combat experience.
Rather, it was good.
“Do not show mercy to the filthy beasts that dared to intrude on our island. As battalion commander, I order you. No prisoners. I emphasize again. No prisoners!”
War crimes?
This isn’t a regular war. The opposing side is an armed group illegally occupying Ukrania’s territory. Given that they are blatantly trampling international law, we cannot afford to be generous.
“They are mere looters. Thieves. Pirates. They killed your parents and friends, and violated your wives, sisters, and lovers!”
Gnashing of teeth could be heard from someone.
“Our sole objective is to reclaim Maniopol!! Glory to our homeland! Hope to Maniopol!”
Hope!!
The enraged voices of the troops reverberated inside the transport aircraft.
“Let’s go, you bastards!!”
The non-commissioned officers leading at the forefront were the first to leap into the air. Against the backdrop of the three aerial fleets rising from the harbor, dozens of soldiers fell toward the city center.
8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit.
Operation Maniopol Landing.
