Chapter 282

Perhaps this is how it should have been from the beginning.

Major Geskoin smirked as he finished his cigarette. It was one of the many luxuries he could enjoy in this lavish room.

“We need to slow our advance…”

“Yes, Your Excellency. Now is not the time for an advance.”

The bespectacled eyes of Major Geskoin looked downward. At the end of the large table sat a general with a plate of veal steak in front of him, just like him.

Two stars. Colonel.

“Commander of the 8th Division. No, Colonel Commonwell.”

“…….”

“It seems you don’t understand, but that’s not what’s important right now.”

The taste of the cigarette was sweet. Far away, outside the residence, no one was unaware of what was happening on the front lines. However, no one knew how the soldiers were dying.

Colonel and Major General. Division commander and Corps commander. The generals of the Empire’s defense force.

The rank placed before the names of the two men, that title, perfectly blinded them.

“Since the Empire Navy lost in the last battle, there has been quite a stir in the imperial court.”

“What kind of…?”

“They’ve begun to doubt the abilities of the Supreme Commander of the Navy.”

“…Are you saying that Count Banneret might be dismissed?”

Colonel Commonwell’s complexion turned pale.

No matter how favorable the situation seemed, battles are always urgent.

There was a possibility of losing the retaken trench again, and the city they had taken yesterday could be occupied again by tomorrow.

In the midst of this, they intend to dismiss the highest-ranking commander of the navy? That would be untenable. The morale on the navy side would be devastated.

And if the navy were to falter, the ones who would suffer the consequences would be the army.

Especially for the 8th Ground Defense Division, which was advancing along the coastline, it would be even more fatal.

Unlike Colonel Commonwell’s worries, Major Geskoin fortunately shook his head.

“No. No matter how foolish a decision they make in the imperial court, they wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“Thank goodness…”

As Colonel Commonwell visibly relaxed, Major Geskoin’s eyes sparkled, and he laughed aloud. After cutting a piece of steak and putting it in his mouth, he continued speaking.

“However, it is true that the navy has shrunk back a bit. There’s no need for unnecessary psychological warfare anymore. For the time being.”

The juicy veal was indeed a delicacy. A smile emerged on Major Geskoin’s face.

“Therefore, the army must do its job.”

“…Excuse me?”

Colonel Commonwell sensed something odd. There seemed to be a strange meaning behind Major Geskoin’s words.

And it became a reality due to the following words from Major Geskoin.

“How many units are stationed on the right flank of the 8th Division?”

“The 848th and 858th Mechanized Infantry Battalions under the 101st Ground Defense Brigade, the 868th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, the 771st Artillery Battalion, and the 72nd Armored Cavalry Regiment are stationed there.”

“The troops are sufficient.”

As Major Geskoin had said, the ones responsible for the division’s right flank had a significant number of troops. But what were Major Geskoin’s thoughts that led him to say there were sufficient troops?

That curiosity was quickly resolved.

“In front of the 8th Division’s path of advance is the coastal city of Palts.”

“Palts…”

As Major Geskoin gestured with his finger, his aide brought the tactical map. Colonel Commonwell looked at it while rinsing his mouth with wine.

“Do you know what is located here?”

“…Is it the coastal artillery?”

“That’s right. Coastal artillery. And if the enemy’s allied navy wishes to engage in battle with the Empire’s navy again, they must pass through the waters near this city of Palts. The entrance is a narrow bottle shape, isn’t it?”

At this point, it was impossible not to know. The position of the Army Major of the Empire’s Defense Force was not something earned through luck. Colonel Commonwell looked at Major Geskoin with a slightly pensive expression.

“Your 8th Division must occupy the city of Palts. Time is of the essence.”

“B-but…”

“Before the navy can gather their fleet once more and engage in battle, seize the city with the coastal artillery. Then the navy will lose face for having won with our assistance, and the army will be placing a debt on the navy.”

“…Your Excellency. Right now, our 8th Division’s forces have reached the conclusion of their offensive. Advancing recklessly at this stage could…”

“Colonel Commonwell.”

Major Geskoin rose from his seat and took a step toward the frozen Colonel Commonwell.

“What is lacking? Is it supplies?”

“…We lack supplies, but the morale of the soldiers is dire. They’ve pushed too far from the Karkas Basin.”

“It is true that the enemy’s counteroffensive was fierce.”

“Then…!”

“But, Colonel Commonwell. The war must be viewed from a broader perspective.”

Major Geskoin was known for his stubbornness. He was a brilliant strategist with exceptional military capabilities, but he was a hardheaded general who would not waver even when persuaded multiple times to accommodate others’ opinions.

“…We need ammunition. Especially shells…”

“Supplies will be provided overland. Even if it slows down the advance of other divisions, priority will be given to supplying the 8th Division. Will this suffice?”

“…….”

Colonel Commonwell bowed his head.

‘…Is it possible?’

Even while silently bowing, Colonel Commonwell’s sharp mind spun rapidly through thoughts.

If they were to receive shells, they could unleash indiscriminate artillery fire upon the enemy trenches present on the way to Palts.

As the enemy shrinks under concentrated fire, when the infantry and tanks advance together, the 771st Artillery Battalion will commence a moving barrage.

‘…We might be able to do it. But…’

Many would die. Moreover, to enter Palts by the date Major Geskoin demanded would not even allow time to retrieve the injured.

“Your Excellency. The remaining wounded soldiers will be taken care of by the rear medical battalion, but the prisoners will hold us back.”

These are the ones who have completely lost morale and surrendered. It is best not to harbor any expectations that such individuals can march at the same speed as the soldiers.

In that case, it would naturally be impossible to enter the city of Palts on time.

However, Major Geskoin had a remarkably bold side that exceeded Colonel Commonwell’s expectations.

“Prisoners?”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“Kill them.”

“…Excuse me?”

Colonel Commonwell doubted whether he had misheard.

But, Major Geskoin, standing with a ripe red strawberry in his mouth, smiled widely and casually shrugged.

“Is there a problem?”

“Y-Your Excellency. Killing prisoners is a violation of international law.”

“Hahaha…! International law, you say?”

Major Geskoin began to laugh heartily.

While Colonel Commonwell was flustered by his behavior, and the aide looked at him with an awkward expression, Major Geskoin laughed for a long time.

“Which side first violated that esteemed international law?”

“…….”

“The longer we hesitate, the more those bastards will seize the opportunity to pounce. We must not give them any openings.”

“But breaking international law…!”

“International law is dead! Colonel Commonwell!”

It was chill. Colonel Commonwell felt the cold sweat streaming down his cheek.

“International law and all that is irrelevant now! There’s no reason to care about the press or the eyes of the world anymore! After all, they’re different races, and they’re not even human!”

“…….”

“So just move according to orders. Move according to orders….”

According to orders.

Colonel Commonwell quietly raised his hand. At that silent salute, Major Geskoin sharply returned the salute.

“I will proceed as you instructed.”

“Good. I look forward to good news.”

Before being a member of the international community, he was a soldier.

And an imperial soldier obeys orders.

* * * * *

“Stand by.”

It feels suffocating. The smell of gunpowder stings the nose everywhere, invading the brain.

“Stand by.”

Some soldiers, whose excitement and exhilaration began to take over their bodies, began to squirm, seeming unable to endure the orders of the officers and non-commissioned officers moving around the trench.

However, Colonel Meijhem’s eyes were not directed at them.

“Stand by.”

The repeated stand-by order. Gradually, very slowly, the breath becomes labored. Colonel Meijhem awkwardly gripped his pocket watch with his left hand.

– Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

The hands of the clock moved slowly. The hour hand, the minute hand, and the second hand, moving even faster, produce an obsessive and rhythmic ticking sound, slowly mesmerizing Colonel Meijhem.

– Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

This battle would be the last. Once this trench is occupied, the way to Palts will be an unoccupied territory.

The enemy’s only possible retreat path would be over the ridge beyond Palts, and it would be lunacy to attempt to enter the city of Palts, which is cornered at the coast. After all, it would be like a rat trapped in a jar.

So, they only need to win this battle.

They only need to win this battle.

They only need to win this battle.

He had thought this hundreds, thousands of times, but this time he felt confident. This battle would be decisive.

– Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

Even while thinking this, the clock hands continued to turn. Colonel Meijhem focused intently on the watch.

Lunch, a leisurely stroll, snacks, playing in the park with his beloved dog, and romance with a loved one…

Today is Sunday.

And right now.

– Tick-tock.

The magical time, noon.

– Peeeee—!! Peeeee—!!

“Advance! Advance—!! Soldiers, forward!!”

Shouting at the top of his lungs, Colonel Meijhem was the first to rush out of the trench. A pistol was already in his left hand.

“Advance!! Forward! Get out!!”

Under the screams of officers and non-commissioned officers shouting everywhere, the soldiers who had half-climbed the ladder quickly began to leap out of the trench. As soon as they emerged, they seized their rifles and rushed forward.

Among the countless soldiers, Colonel Meijhem held his pistol high and continued to shout.

“Advance! Advance!! Move out, right now!!”

– Peeeee—!! Peeeee—!!

The piercing sound of a whistle that punctures the eardrums, screams that had already started to resonate, and the artillery fire of their own mortars began.

As infantry advanced, the barrage of the mortars would also advance in intervals.

Since real-time coordination was impossible, the infantry had to strictly adhere to the timing. Otherwise, they’d be swept away by their own allies’ fire.

Colonel Meijhem swallowed a dry swallow and ran toward the enemy trench alongside the soldiers emerging from the trench. Shouts and screams scattered over the no man’s land.

– Splash—!

“Ugh! ”

“Get up, soldier! You must move now!”

“Th-thank you!”

Colonel Meijhem lifted a soldier who had fallen into a muddy artillery pit and continued running. The enemy’s trench began to come into sight.

Above the trench where the shelling was falling, nameless elf soldiers were awkwardly aiming their machine guns and leveling their rifles toward this side. However, Colonel Meijhem shouted deftly.

“Get down!! Everyone, get down!!”

“Get down!!”

– Tatatatatat—!!

As the soldiers all dove down like a single body, bullets rained from the enemy trench. Those who were unlucky or unable to lie down fell, shredded like paper.

Colonel Meijhem clenched his eyes shut. The enemy fire soon died down.

Then it was time for the relentless advance once again.

“Advance! Advance!! Soldiers, forward!!”

The thick smell of gunpowder made him want to cry. But there was no time for whining now.

After repeating the cycle of advancing and lying down several times, Colonel Meijhem was finally able to reach the proximity of the enemy trench. Several soldiers had already infiltrated the trench on the other side.

As Colonel Meijhem rose, he spotted a machine gunner with a flustered expression. Click, click. The machine gun appeared to be malfunctioning, refusing to respond even to the shooter’s frantic attempts.

Toward that machine gunner, Colonel Meijhem, who had now approached, thrust his pistol at him.

– Bang—!

Blood and brain matter splattered as the machine gunner fell, having his head pierced. Then the soldiers who rushed out from behind Colonel Meijhem charged at the frozen elf soldiers standing on either side of him.

“Ugh—! D-die…!”

“H-humans, wait—!”

“Kill these bastards!!”

Bayonets pierced the enemy, and entrenching tools were thrust into their necks.

Blood sprayed. The falling elves were beings of red blood, not monstrous creatures with blue blood or bugs with green blood, as the Empire’s propaganda claimed.

The sound of the machine gun ceased, and the gunfire and screams blanketed the long rows of trenches.

The victory was wounded, and the damned city was truly right in front of them.