It was unbelievable.
It wasn’t just Major Kinbel Lezantshev of the 32nd Division. All the officers at the division headquarters, the personnel of each combat regiment, and even the officers leading the reinforcements from various provinces.
Everyone had the same expression.
“The recapture of Maniopol has been completed as of this time… They did it!!!”
At the herald’s exclamation filled with joy, those gathered in the headquarters let out a thunderous cheer.
“Whoooa!!”
“They’re crazy, those guys are really crazy!”
They had reclaimed Maniopol. It completely overturned the negative judgment that the front lines would become entrenched after the initial operation failed.
Moreover, according to the strategy, they also managed to completely destroy the main forces of the Azoff 2nd Regiment that were trying to break through the encirclement and join up with the allied forces at Fort Morok.
A miraculous victory.
And the one who achieved this miracle was neither Major Kinbel nor the excellent staff of the 32nd Division.
It was the Special Response Brigade, newly established by Colonel Sony Chepelin.
Captain Enok Revendale.
Major Joseph Lebandovsky.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say it was their entire achievement. From planning the operation to designing and executing it, everything was done in their minds.
However, what caught Major Kinbel Lezantshev’s attention was Captain Enok Revendale.
While Major Joseph Lebandovsky was an exceptional talent, he had the background to support it. He had even undergone commissioned training in the famous mountain division of the Pry Free Democratic State.
Even managing a single division in the southern front, Kinbel knew clearly the difference between someone who had returned from abroad and someone who had been stuck here in Okhraine.
His service record was also only at the level of a major.
If this war ended—meaning if they drove the enemy out of Fort Morok—he might even aspire to the rank of colonel or perhaps even general.
The problem was Captain Enok Revendale.
Promoted from lieutenant to captain in just seven months.
It was astonishing enough on its own, but considering his tactical understanding was so high that one couldn’t imagine he had been in the military for less than a year.
Especially given he was a mage infantryman.
Mage infantrymen were not known for focusing on tactics; they usually cared more about post-battle matters.
Though there were some exceptions, most mage infantrymen he knew didn’t have a high understanding of other branches of the military.
Mage infantry were essentially support units.
Their role was to operate in small units, being temporarily controlled by unit commanders after being torn apart in the field according to the combat manual.
So, they didn’t have much reason to deeply consider the deployment or tactics of other units.
“But it’s different. He understands the operations of cavalry, artillery, and infantry. He knows exactly what roles need to be fulfilled.”
Major Kinbel Lezantshev was not a two-star general like others, who had gained their rank through “politics” and “bribery.”
He too was a war hero.
Ten years ago, he was one of the heroes who had struggled to push back the waves of Azoff that had swept across Okhraine.
Therefore, Kinbel could immediately tell how monstrous an asset Captain Enok Revendale was.
“Recapturing Maniopol alone is already a mad feat, but if we manage to recapture Fort Morok and completely drive out the Azoff forces…”
From being the highest-ranking shomemaker in Okhraine in just seven months…
To becoming an unparalleled war hero who achieved the rank of major in just a year…
“…if you could come to our division during next year’s reassignment, it would be perfect.”
Kinbel genuinely thought so.
As soon as Sony Chepelin, who was inspecting the battalions under her brigade, heard that the Azoff forces had invaded the Quernen Province by crossing the sea, she ordered all available troops to head south.
Normally, she would have to follow the command of the headquarters, but since her unit had been granted military autonomy by the regent, it was possible.
Except for the 3rd Mobile Battalion, which was performing surveillance and emergency response operations on the northern border with the Soviev Empire.
She mobilized the 1st and 2nd Mobile Battalions, and even the 5th Special Task Support Battalion, which had not yet been officially announced.
But when she arrived at the scene as quickly as possible, she found:
“You’ve arrived.”
“Captain Enok!!”
“Aren’t you too late? The name of a great mage will be disgraced.”
Maniopol had already been recaptured.
And by her 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit!
“What kind of magic did you use?”
“It was truly thanks to Chief Staff Officer Joseph Lebandovsky.”
“What are you talking about? It was because of Captain Enok’s outstanding leadership. Your command was impeccable.”
Majors Lebandovsky and Enok laughed heartily, passing the credit back and forth.
Of course, the unit itself was equipped with Diabolus, making it far more agile than other units, but even Sony Chepelin could hardly believe such achievements.
Azoff was different from any group they had faced before. Though classified as a militant group, they were considered dangerous organizations alongside the Adalya Kingdom, Rhinehardt Empire, and Pry Free Democratic State.
Not only did they declare autonomous territories, but they were also armed with weapons of unknown origin.
According to intelligence, they possessed at least the equivalent of two divisions in terms of manpower.
Even when they attacked the Limansk Arsenal, the Soviev regular army only had a platoon-sized force, yet they still found it difficult to handle them.
The news that an entire regiment had been annihilated was enough to astonish the great mage Sony Chepelin.
“Anyway… I’ll give a detailed briefing on this recapture operation later.”
“Why? Can’t you just tell me now?”
“Don’t mention it. People are already approaching me everywhere in the 32nd Division camp asking for a word. I’ve instructed the unit members to stay in their tents and rest as much as possible.”
“That makes sense.”
“We can do that after sorting things out in Fort Morok.”
After all, they had only recaptured Maniopol. With enemies still vigilant in Fort Morok, Enok believed he couldn’t just meet people casually.
Furthermore, with the entire Special Response Brigade under his command and Sony Chepelin arriving…
They needed to seriously consider future operations.
As the three entered the tent, Lumina Blue, who had been nodding off inside, jolted upright in surprise.
“Madam Brigade Commander! Glory to our homeland!”
“No, no, take it easy. I heard you were very busy assisting Captain Lumina Blue. You must be exhausted.”
“No, no, it was my duty.”
“Lieutenant Lumina Blue, you may go rest now. Thank you for your hard work.”
Joseph Lebandovsky also gestured for her to enter, so Lumina Blue bowed in gratitude and returned to her tent.
Lumina, who usually stayed until the end, was unable to escape the overwhelming fatigue after the battle.
Enok Revendale and Joseph Lebandovsky felt the same exhaustion.
Both had suffered from insomnia and pushed themselves to the limit, so they might not be significantly affected.
“Let’s discuss things then.”
“I’ll start with the quick success. At least 2,000 casualties on the enemy side. The Azoff 2nd Regiment that occupied Maniopol suffered more than just a loss in combat capability; they lost an entire regiment.”
Enok recounted every detail of the events to Sony Chepelin, from the planning phase to the assault and the annihilation of retreating enemies in conjunction with the 32nd Division.
“It’s a great victory. There’s no doubt about it.”
Joseph Lebandovsky added. It was indeed a great victory. The battlefield saw effective disruption and the use of new Ukrainian weapons, including Enok’s firepower support.
“But… what about our losses?”
Sony asked cautiously. Even though they had won a great victory, based on what Enok and Joseph said, it must have been a fierce battle.
When raiding a bandit group, several soldiers had been severely wounded, and during the recovery of the pearls of advance in Limansk Arsenal, there had been fatalities.
Given the scale of the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit, Sony Chepelin couldn’t even begin to guess the number of casualties.
However, Enok smiled slightly instead.
“This is truly remarkable.”
“Huh?”
“There were quite a few severe injuries, but not a single death.”
Indeed, it was a truly remarkable achievement.
Sony Chepelin opened her mouth in amazement, looking bewildered.
In a massive tent formed outside the 32nd Division camp, 3 kilometers away from Maniopol, Bella Meyer slumped into a seat.
“Puuu…”
“Thank you for your hard work, Medical Squad Leader.”
“All surgeries and treatments were performed perfectly. It’s all thanks to the squad leader!”
“No, it’s because everyone in the squad worked so hard.”
“Bella, you can go rest now. You’ve done a lot.”
Similarly, Joseph urged her to go in.
Bella bowed in gratitude to the three and returned to her tent.
Even Bella, who usually stayed until the end, couldn’t escape the crushing fatigue after the battle.
Enok Revendale and Joseph Lebandovsky felt the same exhaustion.
Both had suffered from insomnia and pushed themselves to the limit, so they might not be significantly affected.
“Then let’s talk a bit.”
“First, I’ll report the quick success. At least 2,000 casualties on the enemy side. The Azoff 2nd Regiment that occupied Maniopol suffered more than just a loss in combat capability; they lost an entire regiment.”
Enok recounted every detail of the events to Sony Chepelin, from the planning phase to the assault and the annihilation of retreating enemies in conjunction with the 32nd Division.
“It’s a great victory. There’s no doubt about it.”
Joseph Lebandovsky added. It was indeed a great victory. The battlefield saw effective disruption and the use of new Ukrainian weapons, including Enok’s firepower support.
“But… what about our losses?”
Sony asked cautiously. Even though they had won a great victory, based on what Enok and Joseph said, it must have been a fierce battle.
When raiding a bandit group, several soldiers had been severely wounded, and during the recovery of the pearls of advance in Limansk Arsenal, there had been fatalities.
Given the scale of the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit, Sony Chepelin couldn’t even begin to guess the number of casualties.
However, Enok smiled slightly instead.
“This is truly remarkable.”
“Huh?”
“There were quite a few severe injuries, but not a single death.”
Indeed, it was a truly remarkable achievement.
Sony Chepelin opened her mouth in amazement, looking bewildered.
