“Hmph, so… that’s how it is.”
Nikolai Hilbert, high-ranking inspector of the Imperial Intelligence Bureau, muttered as he watched two airships gracefully ascend into the sky and disappear. Despite the facility’s self-destruction, they had failed to capture the rats.
“Got hit pretty hard.”
“What should we do now?”
At a secret exit far to the north of what was once the Ryemansk Arsenal, Karl Schumann, lieutenant of the Third Platoon, spoke. On each of his sides were briefcases stuffed with documents containing mutant research data.
Not only the lieutenant but also numerous researchers behind him carried such bags in abundance. The elite personnel had already evacuated the facility immediately after the attack began.
In short,
the destruction of the facility did not result in any loss of the essence of the mutant research.
“There won’t be any changes. Lieutenant Karl Schumann will continue the research just as we’ve done until now.”
The empire has an overabundance of military bases. With quite a few facilities left untouched by the previous emperor, finding a new base for Lieutenant Karl Schumann and his subordinates would not be an issue.
“The problem is that they know what kind of experiments we’re conducting.”
“To be honest, which country didn’t do the same when they got raided? Even the Amelia Federal Republic, which talks so much about freedom, has its share of ominous urban legends.”
“That’s irrelevant. The biggest issue is that this information can now be used against the empire.”
Sanctions or condemnation from the international community? They weren’t afraid of those things. What truly threatened the empire’s security was giving the Western Free Alliance Army a ‘just cause.’
War, after all, is ultimately a battle of justification. No matter how absurd the reason may be, there has never been a war between nations without any reason in history.
And the fact that the Mutant, Soldier Project was nearly complete?
It was the perfect soft spot for those detestable ‘Free Alliance’ bastards to sink their teeth into.
“The intelligence bureau will have its hands full for a while.”
Yegor Ivanov said this as he turned his head. There had been around six people when they arrived at the arsenal, but now only one person remained behind Yegor.
“What’s your name?”
“…Vladimir, Vladimir Maklin.”
Yegor roughly placed his hand on Vladimir Maklin’s shoulder and handed him a shiny badge from his pocket.
A yellow dagger bound with a red ribbon—a symbol proving one’s status as a proud member of the Intelligence Bureau.
“Congratulations, comrade, you’re now Lieutenant Vladimir Maklin of the Third Division of the Intelligence Bureau.”
When the hood covering Vladimir’s face was removed, tousled black hair appeared. His blurred focus fixed onto the badge.
“Lieutenant Vladimir Maklin, comrade. There’s a mountain of work waiting for you at the Intelligence Bureau.”
“…I will lay down my life for the Emperor and the Empire.”
“A good attitude. We’ll discuss the details once we return to headquarters.”
This time, they managed to save just one.
Yegor Ivanov clicked his tongue and moved forward. Though they had selected talented individuals even among the second tier, the results were less than satisfactory.
But now wasn’t the time to blame the useless candidates for the Intelligence Bureau. It was more important to consider how to respond to Ukraine’s public opinion campaigns regarding the giant balloons flying in the sky and quickly gather information about the unit led by the blonde Ukrainian officer.
Since they had delivered a sharp stab in the back,
their first priority was to stitch and conceal the wound. The great bear would reveal its fury right after.
The airfield built behind the barracks of the 8th Assault Mage Infantry Battalion. Against the backdrop of the slowly rising morning sun, two airships docked in the hangar.
Soon after, the airship’s entrance opened, and people began disembarking one by one.
The first ones to disembark were emergency patients. At least thirty stretchers were quickly moved out of the airship.
Under the command of Sergeant Bella Meyer, the personnel assisting with the landing gathered together and transported the wounded to the battalion headquarters building.
Among them, stretchers covered entirely in white cloth were not few. Each time a stretcher passed, the gathered crowd solemnly bowed their heads.
As soon as the evacuation of the emergency personnel ended, those who followed were the combat troops.
Their disheveled appearance testified to the intensity of the battle—wild hair, faces covered in dirt.
The exhaustion evident in their eyes, parched lips. Their ragged appearances could easily pass for residents of some beggar’s den rather than soldiers. Yet, once they stepped onto solid ground, they finally sighed and burst into laughter.
And the last ones to disembark were the responsible commanders.
Led by Sony Chepelin, the battalion commander, staff officers and platoon leaders advanced.
Operation Name: The Night of the Empire.
This marked the conclusion of the first overseas military operation since the establishment of the Okhraine Duchy and the inaugural regular operation of Sony Chepelin’s 8th Assault Mage Infantry Battalion.
The operation was a success.
They had recovered the stolen artifact, and both airships returned safely.
That alone was an incredible achievement, but what was even more astonishing was that it wasn’t all.
The 8th Battalion did more than just retrieve the stolen artifact; they witnessed the horrifying results of ‘mutant’ experiments.
Testimonies from the 1st and 2nd Platoons, who directly engaged with mutants, along with significant evidence materials collected from mutant body tissues and warehouses, were secured.
Initially, they had only planned to break even.
But what happened? Not only did they recover their losses, but they also scored several times more. Even the madmen who charged recklessly after losing their stakes couldn’t catch up.
Despite these accomplishments worthy of immediate celebration, the expressions of the officers gathered at the staff headquarters were far from cheerful.
Good results inevitably come with sacrifices.
Total casualties: Thirty-five.
Of which, ten were severely injured, and six perished.
Out of the total 350 troops deployed, combining the 8th Assault Mage Infantry Battalion and the 3rd Mobile Battalion,
most of the casualties, amounting to 120, came from the 8th Battalion. This was understandable given that they were the first to be deployed to suppress enemy forces and penetrate the underground facility.
Sony Chepelin sighed deeply with a grim expression at the regrettable sacrifices.
“Still… everyone worked hard. If it hadn’t been for the platoon leaders, we would have suffered even greater casualties.”
“I agree.”
Staff Chief Josef added, addressing the three lieutenants who had their heads bowed low.
“On our way back to base, I briefly analyzed the mutant biological samples. They showed strong resistance to bullets and physical force. The fact that we sustained such minimal damage against these monsters is solely due to your exceptional skills.”
No one present could deny that. Who could have anticipated that the empire had created monsters impervious even to state-of-the-art weapons?
At that moment, Lieutenant Nikolai Hilbert of the 2nd Platoon cautiously raised his hand.
“That’s not accurate.”
“Hmm?”
“The success of this operation was entirely due to Captain Enok Revendale of the 1st Platoon and Lieutenant Claude Rain, leader of the 1st Squad under him. Without their swift response, our battalion would have been annihilated on the spot.”
“…Lieutenant Nikolai?”
Enok Revendale looked startled at him. Nikolai continued resolutely.
“I am inadequate. I realized this even more through this operation. I need more combat experience and more training.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
Surprisingly, Lieutenant Lune Aire, the 3rd Platoon leader, chimed in as well.
“We lacked experience in facility infiltration and indoor combat, making it difficult to handle unexpected situations. We need further improvement in this area.”
What was the intention behind these words from the two lieutenants? Enok Revendale was bewildered.
“Ah, I understand both platoon leaders’ sentiments. Indeed, despite encountering two mutant entities, the 1st Platoon had no casualties. An astonishing feat.”
Sony Chepelin nodded in agreement.
“Regardless of the operation’s success or failure, from now on, the 8th Assault Mage Infantry Battalion will re-enter training. We’ll expand our ranks, currently numbering only 160, and establish a reserve force.”
Certainly, the 8th Battalion, as an assault mage infantry battalion, had a relatively small number of personnel.
Excluding the staff department, which served in a supporting role rather than direct combat, the operational personnel barely reached 120.
However, recruiting new soldiers, re-educating officers and non-commissioned officers, and conducting additional training, including indoor combat as mentioned by Lieutenant Lune Aire, would consume an enormous amount of time.
Before anything else, Sony Chepelin was not merely the battalion commander of the 8th Battalion but also the brigade commander of the Special Response Brigade and a Grand Magus. She couldn’t afford to be tied down to the battalion indefinitely.
Why were the celestial pearls needed in the first place?
She also had to fully engage in the airship project led by Count Petrinant Ludwig of the Rhinehardt Empire.
She needed to discuss future political situations with Duke Orlando Rus III and continue the purge of ‘unstable elements’ within the military.
There was simply no time to waste on mere battalion training.
Therefore, Sony Chepelin had originally planned to appoint a suitable talent as ‘deputy commander’ to oversee battalion training and manage battalion duties upon the completion of this mission.
“What about Staff Chief Josef?”
“No objections. I also have many things I’d like to discuss with Lieutenant Enok Revendale.”
“Is there any particular dissatisfaction from the staff department?”
“Our staff department is already stretched thin; we don’t have the luxury to cling to titles.”
“So let’s say most are in agreement.”
Sony Chepelin approached Enok Revendale. Instinctively sensing something, the blond lieutenant’s face betrayed confusion.
“Effective immediately, I hereby appoint Enok Revendale as Major and Deputy Commander of the 8th Assault Mage Infantry Battalion.”
“Wha? But, what exactly are you saying…”
“Congratulations, Major. You’re about to make another mark in Ukrainian military history.”
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
Satisfied applause from Lieutenant Nikolai initiated the heavy silence that had weighed down the battalion office, filling it with clapping sounds in an instant.
