episode_0012

“…These are the characteristics of the monsters I’ve encountered.”

Concealing my trembling voice, I barely finished the PT, not the PT. Inside the corps command center, lower-ranking officers and staff below the corps commander were gathered. Excluding Lieutenant Colonel Gerald, who had brought me here, the average rank inside the command center was as high as that of a colonel. Even Colonel Auguste was included among them.

“Hmm. It’s not like I’ve lived a long life, but such bizarre things…”

Major Wig swallowed his sigh. The other officers had similar expressions. It was natural not to believe until they saw it with their own eyes. The report sent by Auguste to the army headquarters would naturally not have been believed. They probably thought it was a pitiful excuse from a commander who had fought fiercely and suffered defeat against the Muscovian Kingdom’s army. Auguste, sitting in the middle of the table, seemed to be saying, “See? I told you so.”

“Then, Lieutenant Marianne, you may leave now.”

As soon as the matter concerning me was finished, the order for dismissal was promptly given. It wasn’t exactly a dismissal, but more precisely, it meant to go out because a commander’s conference needed to be held. Since Lieutenant Colonel Gerald couldn’t participate in the commander’s conference, he came out with me. He had brought me along earlier for the announcement, so we were together for that reason.

“Still, Major Wig, do you realize the seriousness of the situation?”

The immediate summoning of a commander’s conference was evidence that Major Wig did not obtain the corps command through conniving. As I left the command center, things that didn’t seem visible due to exhaustion earlier began to come into view.

Troops were being deployed along the entire length of the Seoan River. Even if it was corps-level forces, they couldn’t be present everywhere along the Delfine River, which traverses the eastern part of the Frankia Kingdom from north to south. If the defense line is extended forcibly, it becomes easier to breach.

Like the 45th Division, which first encountered them from the west, the troops were concentrated where there were bridges. When considering cases like the encounter with the creature resembling a mermaid, even if they didn’t have legs, they could still possess the ability to cross to the west through the river. However, they couldn’t extend the front without a plan, probably because of this.

The soldiers were diligently digging trenches with shovels, not just reading books. Even here, it occurred to me that the shovel is inseparable from the ground. I might have wondered why infantry needed trenches in this era, but in this time, trenches were useful obstacles for infantry. The problem was simply that there were extremely few situations where they could be used.

“Block it! Water’s coming in!”

“You should dig it to a reasonable depth. Who the hell digs a trench by the river this deep?”

Of course, there were minor mishaps as well. Due to digging too deeply, there were cases where the river water rose into the trench, ruining everything and requiring them to start over.

“How many magic infantry are there in the corps? The more, the better.”

There’s no force as reliable as magic infantry in stopping monsters. While there were no battles where magic infantry were useless, they were more important in combat between people. In any case, with a regular musket, unless it was a small target, it could only cause wounds and ultimately had to be finished off with magic.

“I don’t know the exact number either. Usually about twenty are assigned to an infantry division, but at the corps level, it’s a first.”

“Still, with this number, we should be able to hold them off.”

Based on the lessons learned from the previous battle, the commander was planning the operation. It felt somewhat suspicious, but the strong support from the rear, advantageous terrain for allies, solid defense preparations, and an enormous number of soldiers seemed like it would be enough to hold off the monsters. Thinking back to the experience in the Black Forest or Saint Marg, it seemed that the number of monsters that an unlucky box could release at once might not be infinite.

“At any rate, Lieutenant Marianne. If you go straight ahead, you’ll reach the corps’ direct command magic infantry barracks. I also have things to do, so I should be off.”

“Okay. Take care.”

Watching the captain run off somewhere, I thought about how hard those ranks must be working. I headed in the direction he indicated. The corps’ direct command magic infantry unit. It seemed my affiliation had already been decided in a haphazard manner.

From a distance, the distinctive military uniforms of the magic infantry began to come into view. Just by observing the soldiers, who were not digging trenches with shovels like the infantry I had seen earlier, it was clear that the magic infantry received some degree of special treatment. As the distance closed, a soldier sitting on a crate cleaning his firearm noticed me.

“A new recruit?”

Was I a new recruit? It had been about a week since I finished training school. However, my actual time in the Frankian military was only about a day. Three battles took place within that day. Was I a new recruit? I’m not sure myself.

“I am Madohasa Marianne Roche. I used to belong to the 93rd Independent Alarm Battalion, but…”

“93rd Battalion? Wait. Hey! Didn’t our company commander mention being from the 93rd Battalion?!”

The main force of the 93rd Battalion was wiped out by Sasha’s spear soldiers. The 1st Training Company, which was stationed at Fort Saint Marg, participated in the Battle of Saint Marg, and the only survivors presumed to be alive are me and probably Cler. So, is Cler leading the current company? I hoped it was her. After narrowly escaping death a few times in just over a day, it seemed like we had grown closer emotionally. In that short time, no other emotions arose. It was just that my eyes unconsciously focused on Cler’s appearance.

It would be nice if the commander of the new unit I was being transferred to was someone I knew. Let’s wait a bit. The person I was hoping for appeared.

Golden hair tied loosely behind, neatly worn military uniform, a saber hanging at the waist. What changed was her slightly gaunt appearance and the rank insignia on her epaulettes now indicating a first lieutenant. Cler hesitated briefly upon seeing me, then came straight to me. Seeing her hesitation, I deliberately saluted exaggeratedly and reported my return.

“Lieutenant Marianne Roche. I have returned after the failure of the Saint Marg recapture operation.”

“I’m glad you’re alive, Marianne.”

“Sir, I mean, Lieutenant, I’m glad you’re safe. Congratulations on your promotion.”

“…I should have been there too at that time. I was the only one left behind… I’m sorry.”

Her tone sounded listless, filled with self-reproach. She blamed herself for being the only one left in the rear while the rest of her unit perished on the battlefield.

“If Lieutenant Claire were here, it probably wouldn’t have made much difference. I was simply inadequate to face those creatures. But now you’re telling me I’m in command of the Legion’s Madogu Infantry Battalion?”

“They say someone who has faced them in the battalion should take command. More so than you, Hassa Marian. You’re getting promoted too.”

“Me?”

Promoted? All I’ve done is survive. It’s a bewildering feeling. As I wore a foolish expression, a faint smile appeared on Claire’s lips.

“All participants in the Saint Marg Battle are promoted to Grade 1. Not as high-ranking as Colonel Auguste, but still.”

“I see.”

I should ask about my relationship with Colonel Auguste later. Not now. Claire turned around and shouted, “Unit! Assemble!”

At her command, the Madogu soldiers inside the barracks began to gather, looking disorganized. Only 16 of them, including three squads and the commanding officer. They all seemed somewhat lackadaisical, unlike the disciplined demeanor of Sasha’s Royal Guard Infantry Division that I had seen just moments ago.

Claire didn’t seem intent on reprimanding the Madogu soldiers for their lackluster appearance. Perhaps because the Legion was a temporary formation, and her unit, under her command, would soon be disbanded. She addressed the assembled members of each squad, placing me by her side.

“Here, standing beside me, is Marian, the only Madogu infantryman to survive the Saint Marg Battle.”

I’m an infantryman? I haven’t been promoted to sergeant?

“Within the Frankia Kingdom, if it concerns the monsters coming out of those accursed boxes, Marian is the foremost expert. Marian, the front of C Company is vacant, that’s your spot.”

“Oh, yes, ma’am. But why am I called an infantryman?”

“Your rank is indeed that of a sergeant. However, since there’s no one else with as much experience dealing with the monsters as you or me, you’re temporarily promoted to the rank of infantryman to take charge of the company.”

“Commander, shouldn’t you receive basic training? What kind of insane system promotes a rookie to squad leader after just a week? I looked at C Platoon with a wry smile. They looked uneasy from my perspective on the platform. It’s understandable. If someone who looks like a rookie is their platoon leader, it’s no wonder.

“Marianne Roche Mado… is a second lieutenant. Please take care of me!”

Even if she’s a temporary officer, there’s probably no one here with less military experience than me. She’s in charge of the division, so she’s probably not just an ordinary Mado infantry. Unintentionally, I’ve already failed to establish dominance with the honorific language.

“Then, you’re dismissed! Lieutenant Marianne, could you stay for a moment?”

I followed Claire hesitantly. Now that she’s a company commander, she even has her own personal tent. Unlike outside, warmth filled the inside of the tent. Since you can’t make a fire inside the tent, is she using magic? Claire glanced at me for a moment and then suddenly hugged me tightly. There should be some kind of omen for this. Suddenly doing this is harmful to the heart.

“Um, Lieutenant Claire?”

“…I’m relieved.”

“I also feel incredibly relieved that you, Lieutenant, are unharmed.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”

Was not saving me and retreating such a memorable event for her? With such a tender heart, she probably won’t last long in the military. Not as a commander either. Claire would probably be fine leaving the military at the right time, unlike me, who is an orphan, she’s a member of the Montuare family.

Her actions are simply due to a sense of responsibility and guilt. It’s clearly different from her attitude at Saint Marguerite, where we last met. She can’t keep embracing the stern viscount forever. I grabbed Claire’s shoulders, pushed her away, and said,

“It was unavoidable. Lieutenant Claire, retreating was tactically the right decision.”

“If it were Marianne’s situation, would you have retreated?”

“…Of course, I would have saved you.”

Whatever Claire was about to say, I didn’t listen and continued,

“Losing a strong magical affinity individual like Lieutenant Claire is a loss for the Kingdom of Francia. If the situation were reversed, saving would have been the tactically correct decision.”

“Ah… for that reason?”

“Yes?”

It was a faintly disappointed voice of Claire.