Youjo Senki - Volume 12 - Chapter 2.2

NOVEMBER 27, UNIFIED YEAR 1927, THE ILDOA FRONT

It’s those on the front line who must make the impossible possible. This is just as true for the Federation, the Commonwealth, and Ildoa…as it is for the Empire. Without a moment’s relief after escorting General Zettour to the rear, Tanya received new orders to support Colonel Lergen’s 8th Panzer Division.1 The plan is for the division to charge down the peninsula at full speed the moment the temporary cease-fire ends. Agreeing to the enemy’s proposed weeklong cease-fire was presented as a gesture of goodwill, when in actuality it’s simply a facade for the grueling work that the Imperial Army’s logistics network needs to do to provision the Empire’s soldiers and bring resources to the front lines in preparation for the renewed offensive.

This goes for the aerial mages as well, who are being used like pack mules. It’s a brutal task. The mages, who can fly on calories instead of fuel, hand-carry the fuel liter by liter so they can power the division primarily made up of tanks and mechanized soldiers. In terms of exploiting subordinates, nothing Tanya has done can even come close to her superiors.

After transporting enough fuel for the upcoming offensive, a meeting is called to discuss Tanya’s real job—combat.

It’s more or less a kind of discretionary labor system, but Tanya doesn’t have a death wish. Living is the highest priority, and Tanya has no plans to watch her subordinates pointlessly lose their lives. Once all the fuel has been delivered, the Kampfgruppe rendezvous with the 8th Panzer Division. The first order of business is meeting the division’s commanding officer.

Lergen and Tanya thoroughly examine every little thing that can be discussed in advance. It’s not as if they’ve been estranged to the point where it’s difficult to coordinate. The two quickly go over what their respective units’ roles will be and how much firepower they each possess, and they finish by sharing intel on the expected battlefield.

All that’s left is to guess what their actual orders will be. Both Tanya and Lergen know full well that General Zettour places great trust in them and are more than familiar with his disposition as a commander.

“The general is so full of energy now that he’s left the doom and gloom of the east for greener pastures here under the sun in Ildoa.”

Tanya shares an idle complaint, earning a deep nod from Colonel Lergen.

“Yes, but…I can’t help but feel that he was just as lively back east as well.”

“That’s fair,” Tanya agrees before pointing to a spot on the map laid out on a fold-out table normally used during a field battle.

“It’s as you can see, Colonel.”

It is clear that, following General Zettour’s orders, the Imperial Army was deploying slowly along the map. The cease-fire started on the Ildoan campaign’s tenth day and continued for a week of fleeting peace, where the army primarily helped escort citizens out of the war zone. The truth behind this image, however, was much gloomier.

“Our forces have lost combat strength. The line is stretched thin. You can tell from our positions that we’re in disarray.”

Upon closer examination, there are divisions that have halted in odd places. On the other hand, there are divisions that are actively pulling back. At the same time, there seem to be vanguard units that were tasked with launching decisive attacks and have pushed forward.

Allowing a cease-fire while the army is in such disarray is a bit surprising. If a cadet at the military academy made such an obvious blunder, they would be kicked out of the school.

“At this rate, we’ll lose the upper hand. It’s also highly likely that the enemy is using this respite to reinforce their line.”

The enemy has been given one week. This is an unusually long period of time in the world of military strategy. It’s certainly more than enough to prevent the Imperial Army units that advanced recklessly from suffering a devastating counterattack and has also created an opportunity to adjust supply lines…but it also gives the enemy a chance to reorganize. Colonel Lergen agrees wholeheartedly with Tanya’s remarks. The reluctance in his nod practically says out loud, I know, but what can we do? which communicates all too clearly the dire situation of the Imperial Army.

“We can’t ignore the fact that the Unified States has joined the war as Ildoa’s ally. We’ve confirmed what seems to be their advance units at a few different locations.”

He lets out a frustrated sigh.

“Time is on their side…”

“So it seems.” In annoyance, Tanya touches her watch before she speaks up again. “The front has become a mess because time is against us. If I may be frank, this display of confusion and disarray could be described as an unforeseen disgrace for our Imperial Army.”

At the very least, this never would’ve happened in the early days of this war. If it weren’t for the obvious toll the war has had on the Empire, its enemies would’ve suspected something was obviously wrong. The Imperial Army’s formation is messy. Almost too messy.

“This is precisely why I expect General Zettour to play another one of his tricks.”

“His tricks, you say?”

He murmurs this before lowering his voice to avoid being overheard by anyone around them.

“So you also think he’s going to try something…?”

Both of us witnessed the grand performance he pulled off in the east. The current disposition of troops had to be a gamble of some sort. Tanya knows this well, having played a key role in the general’s past schemes.

“Why, of course I do, Colonel. I believe the entirety of the Imperial Army is under the same impression. Oh…” Tanya catches herself. “I suppose that applies to the Federation as well. They’ll catch on quick.”

Unlike Ildoa or the Unified States, the Federation earned its knowledge the hard way. The ones who subscribed to pragmatism rather than the ideology of Communism would recognize Zettour’s plot for what it is.

“They’re one of General Zettour’s countless victims, after all. As a fellow victim, I can promise you that anyone who’s learned their lesson through bitter experience will be suspicious of whatever this is.”

Colonel Lergen stares back in wonder before giving a light chuckle.

“It seems irrational at first, but it does make sense. You have quite the profound perspective, Colonel. I admit I must agree.”

Naturally, Colonel Lergen still has his doubts.

“But…while I do believe this is all to sharpen his fangs, that is as about far as I can read into this. What is it you think the general is trying to do?”

“I can’t really say for sure myself.”

“Guesswork is fine, Colonel Degurechaff. I’m open to any insight into the general’s mind.”

Tanya begins to speak.

“In that case, to put it bluntly, military rationale dictates that the current strategy is an utter mess. Of our forces here in Ildoa, I’m assuming only the few who have seen action on the eastern front and have the general’s devious designs instilled within them will understand what’s happening here.”

“Who knows where this is all leading?”

Tanya gives her own guess in response to Colonel Lergen’s idle grumble.

“Perhaps all this chaos is necessary? I think we should look at it as the groundwork for what’s to come.”

“In a political sense? Ah, that would explain why we were stopped in front of the Ildoan Palace. If we interpret this as the general searching for a starting point to negotiations, then perhaps…”

Colonel Lergen stops short of saying “peace,” but Tanya has her doubts about this speculation. General Zettour does have the end of the Empire in his sights. However, he isn’t the type to quietly accept his fate without putting up a considerable fight. He came to Ildoa fists swinging.

“It’s perfectly fine that we received the orders not to attack the city when we approached the capital. Not attacking the seat of Ildoa’s royal family is a political decision.”

This issue comes from the fact that such an important order wasn’t given until the very last minute. From Tanya’s perspective, this was abnormal. If the order to halt hadn’t arrived in time, Imperial forces might have charged into the capital before the cease-fire.

Nevertheless, Tanya continues.

“Our orders to stop very well may be a part of the general’s plan.”

“What makes you suspect that? I’m not one to toot my own horn, but our swift advance to the capital was about as successful as we could hope for. Isn’t it possible we simply exceeded expectations?”

Colonel Lergen’s logic makes perfect sense, but Tanya is forced to retort.

“Were it the opposite—if we were ordered to make an unexpectedly early assault—I could understand.”

Orders to expand an attack are to be expected. Being told to attack in order to capitalize on a fleeting advantage is part and parcel of war.

“However, we were told to stop our advance despite having a chance to capture their capital, which to me suggests there is trickery afoot.”

In all honesty, Tanya would’ve gladly mounted an assault if she’d had the chance. She was trying to change her job, after all. Taking over the most important city would certainly look good on a résumé. Despite this, she was given the orders to halt. Losing such a great opportunity was a let-down, to say the least.

Either way, since she is a simple officer, it isn’t Tanya’s place to decide whether or not to take over the enemy’s capital. Had she independently done so without authorization, she would’ve just been marked down as a dangerous soldier who doesn’t follow orders—definitely not a reputation you want while looking for a new job. Tanya needs anything she can put on her résumé at this point. She considers different angles to find a good way to spin this.

It’s now clear that there just aren’t many opportunities to do that here. This is a point of pain for Tanya…though the intent of the top brass has become clearer.

“The way I see it is, the fatherland, or perhaps more aptly, General Zettour…is going to turn Ildoa into his own personal playground.”

“A playground?”

“Doesn’t it seem like a toy box? While the hostilities have yet to begin again, we’re currently positioning a powerful task force to seize the enemy capital. Our enemies are also using this time to build up their forces. It feels as if the general is allowing his friends to come and bring their toys to play.”

For such a well-mannered war, it would undoubtedly be a bloody one.

“There’s a chance this may be more of a political display of power as opposed to a part of the actual war…”

Just as Tanya is about to agree with the colonel on this point, a young officer with the rank insignia of a major on his jacket rushes into the tent where the two commanding officers are in the middle of a meeting, offering the bare minimum of a greeting as he scrambles to collect himself.

“Excuse me, Division Commander!”

“I’m merely the acting commander. What is it?”

The young officer gives a slight salute before holding out a slip of paper. It appears the latest instructions have arrived.

“I brought this for you! They’re new orders from the fatherland.”

The overly enthusiastic major holds out the orders before sprinting from the tent as quickly as he appeared. Tanya already lost interest in the man and is more concerned with the orders.

“Speak of the devil. Is it from General Zettour?”

Colonel Lergen nods as he reads through the orders.

“These sound like the orders he’d give.”

“So this means…,” Tanya questions eagerly, which is met with a firm nod by Colonel Lergen.

“We are to take out the enemy field armies the very moment the cease-fire comes to an end. You will be leading your troops into combat against the enemy mages.”

“Take out their mages and focus all of our strength against whatever the Unified States brings to bear? Is that his true plan?”

“Those are the orders for you. The entire army will attack with the intent to wipe out their field armies before they can regroup. It’s a general offensive.”

“It’s time to give those newcomers from the Unified States their first taste of war.”

We’ll welcome our new guests with a nice initiation. We won’t hold anything back. I’ll make sure they learn just how nice our Imperial hospitality really is. This really is looking to be a well-mannered war.

At this point, Tanya is brought out of her excited stupor by a warning from Colonel Lergen.

“There is a note written here for you.”

“For me?”

As she asks this, she remembers it is General Zettour that we’re dealing with here. Honestly, an unnaturally long amount of time has passed since she’s received orders for a tried-and-true front assault. The General Staff has continually used the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion for his more personal, most abusive missions, after all. Tanya can only reminisce about the peaceful, good old days of her previous world, where she used to leave the office at a reasonable time every day.

Oh, how I miss peace.

How I miss going home at the end of the day.

How I miss my old life.

It was a good life I had back then. That is why I want to get it back.

“Yet another challenging task? My troops and I will see it through. We shall leave the Ildoan capital in ashes with a direct attack.”

“It seems General Zettour knows you well.”

“Excuse me, Colonel?”

“The note specific to your battalion demands you show restraint with your attack on the capital. This is a cut-and-dried order. There is even a limit on how close you’re allowed to get to the capital.”

Colonel Lergen offers a wry grin as he says this, prompting Tanya to check the text for herself.

“My apologies, Colonel, but…this means these orders are forbidding me to attack the capital, let alone take it over.”

Surely this isn’t this case, Tanya thinks as she watches Colonel Lergen affirm her suspicions.

“Effectively, yes.”

The two share a mutual confusion regarding this point. The general’s orders are essentially to leave the capital alone. These extra, clearly defined orders addressed to Tanya push this point.

“To think the general would ever give orders like these.”

One can only wonder what craftiness is afoot behind these jarringly confusing orders. Whatever the case may be, one thing is for sure: This is only the beginning. Tanya and Colonel Lergen, the pawns of the General Staff, will likely be tasked with purely political restrictions.

“This changes the way we’re fighting this war.”

“Yes… Although, I can accept it without resistance. I will do whatever is necessary.” Colonel Lergen dons a tired expression. “I do find myself wishing we could fight a regular war for once.”

A lingering exhaustion can be heard in his tone as he utters this.

“This is war and politics. We must be careful about how we proceed.”

This is true for everyone. How a person carries themself during a time of war is paramount. Tanya wants as many stars as she can get to secure a safe, successful future. Achievements look great on a résumé, after all.

“I honestly wanted to attack the royal capital, given the chance…”

Tanya’s honest opinion makes her aspirations just a little bit too clear. She sees Colonel Lergen’s expression tightening up a bit, which tells her that her superior understands the importance of restraint. Tanya, being fairly confident in her understanding of psychology, instantly recognizes that there is a misunderstanding that she must clear up.

“Please don’t worry, Colonel. I am a soldier. I will follow my orders. While it’s unfortunate that I’m so misunderstood, if I’m told to hold back, then I will do so.”

“Ah, er… Colonel. Is taking out capitals a hobby of yours?”

“What do you mean? Taking out capitals?”

“First Dacia, then the Federation, and now Ildoa. You have a habit of going right for the jugular…”

“Ah…”

Tanya concedes this point. She recognizes that she has a quick trigger finger when it comes to taking out targets that could be considered significant achievements. Even now, the urge is strong when the royal capital is just a hop and a skip away. That being said, she isn’t so irrational as to ignore direct orders. Foolishness is the last trait she wishes to accentuate on her résumé. Thus, she will play the part of the good officer—or at least the version of one in her mind—and stand at attention to confront Colonel Lergen’s misunderstandings with an exemplary and impressively firm attitude of an officer who understands their duties.

“Colonel, don’t be mistaken. Everything I’ve ever done, I was ordered to do. When duty calls, I will fly far and wide, and burn down all that I must before making my triumphant return.”

“That’s reassuring. I’ll expect great things from you during this operation, then.”

“But of course. Leave the enemy mages to my battalion. You’ll find that our attack will prove highly devastating for their field troops as well.”

“Good.” The colonel always ends his exchanges with a polite response. The man is probably too polite to be a General Staff officer, but that’s neither here nor there, as the colonel segues into his next question. He wants to know what the 8th Panzer Division can do to help. The answer Tanya von Degurechaff gives to this question has a wicked intent behind it.

“If I may, Colonel Lergen, I will take you up on your offer. Would you be willing to lend me the tanks we’ve acquired from Ildoa on this campaign so far?”

Those from the New World had a sense of admiration for the Old World. This may have stemmed from a place of prejudice, but the Old World’s long history and vibrant culture were enough to fill any visiting youth with adoration.

Sadly, this was a sentiment that belonged in a different era. The Unified States vanguard that landed on the shores of Ildoa would be met by the monster that prowled the continent. The Imperial Army, both emaciated and battle-hardened by prolonged total war, was a spiteful beast.

It may have been a product of culture, a by-product of continually fine-tuning the art of war. Atop a mountain of bones sat the world’s enemy, a demonic chimera with the head of a General Staff officer and wings of hard-won experience.

These youths should be applauded.

They surely deserved to be recognized.

These ordinary people would become heroes in the fight against the Imperial Army, a monstrosity born from necessity.