Chapter 14

### Chapter 14: The 6th Special Operations Brigade, Deployed

Upon receiving Colonel Altsar's summons, I was immediately at a loss.

"Our brigade is not in a state to fight, sir. We haven't even procured the guns yet."

However, this is not a world where complaints from a staff officer can change anything. As expected, the colonel shook her head.

"Deployment is unavoidable. It's due to 'political reasons' that you might not like."

Political reasons, huh... Then complaining is pointless. I need to find a way.

"Understood. I'll make sure to procure shoes and clothing."

Shoes directly affect marching speed, and trousers and undergarments are a strong request from the female soldiers. When fighting for their lives, everyone must be in attire they can agree on.

Colonel Altsar then asked, "By the way, I heard that the prototypes of the new cavalry rifles have arrived."

"They are still being inspected, but we've already found initial defects. The manufacturing process puts a strain on the barrels, so defective products are inevitable."

Even in the underground workshops, the quality varies widely. I am grateful that they rushed to make them, but the deployment plan needs to be revised.

I handed the colonel a list.

"Based on our previous shooting training, I've selected marksmen from each platoon. I plan to have them use the rifles first."

"You're well-prepared."

"It's necessary."

Having a sniper in each platoon is convenient. If used well, they can pin down the enemy.

"However, this is just a trial. Don't expect significant results. There might even be a need to redesign the rifle."

"Indeed, preparation is lacking. But if we could always be fully prepared, there would be no hardship."

"True."

The rule of war is to prevent the enemy from preparing adequately, so battles are often fought with insufficient preparation.

Colonel Altsar folded her arms and stared at me.

"I plan to deploy two of our three platoons. One platoon will remain as a reserve. As your staff officer, I'd like to hear your opinion."

She paused before asking, "We are tasked with driving the Bruges mountain rangers out of the border region. The enemy's strength and intentions are unknown. Assuming the operation goes smoothly, what is the maximum damage we can expect to our side?"

A difficult question.

"I was in the 5th Division, which fought against the Agan army, so I don't know much about the Bruges army. However, as line infantry, we should expect significant casualties."

Our training and experience are insufficient, and our equipment is far from perfect. Moreover, the battlefield is essentially the mountain rangers' territory.

"Considering it's our first deployment, if we engage in open field combat, we might be annihilated. There is no effective way to minimize friendly casualties."

"Hold on."

Colonel Altsar looked exasperated, but I continued.

"However, friendly casualties are just 'friendly casualties.' I don't think it necessarily has to be the 6th Special Operations Brigade that suffers them."

"Hmm?"

Colonel Altsar reacted and then stared at me intently.

"Are you suggesting the 3rd Division...?"

"Guarding the Bruges border is the 3rd Division's responsibility. They should be the ones to pay the price."

"You're a scoundrel."

To be honest, I sympathize with the soldiers of the 3rd Division. I even sympathize with the soldiers of the Bruges duchy.

In this world, hundreds can die to move a border by a few hundred meters. Then, to move it back, hundreds more die. It's a war whose purpose is unclear.

But as a mere lieutenant, it's pointless to lament such things. I decided to focus on what I could do within my responsibility, which is to protect the 6th Special Operations Brigade, even if it means sacrificing everything else. Of course, this "sacrifice" includes the 3rd Division.

In my previous life, I complained a lot about bureaucratic turf wars and vertical management, but in this life, I'm doing even worse.

"Of course, it does hurt a little."

"Really?"

It's true.

But the pain is gradually dulling, and eventually, I won't feel anything. It's an unpleasant thought, even if it's just a job.

"But for the sake of my peace of mind, I'll have to be ruthless."

"You can say that so calmly."

Colonel Altsar propped her cheek on her hand and sighed. Then she smiled.

"But that's what makes you my staff officer. Keep it up."

"Leave it to me."

I'm practically the villain here.

* * *

I called the first platoon leader, Sergeant Hanna, the second platoon leader, Sergeant Midona, and the third platoon leader, Sergeant Rozel, for a briefing. Midona and Rozel are former servants of the Medilen family and are old acquaintances of Colonel Altsar.

I showed them a map.

"Our mission is to reinforce a fortress in the border region. There are several outposts around the fortress. We will head to one of them, Zepher Fort."

"What is an outpost?"

Sergeant Midona raised her hand apologetically, so I smiled and responded.

"It's a fort to prevent enemy encirclement. When the enemy tries to surround the fortress like this..."

I used a cup on the table to represent the fortress and surrounded it with several coins.

"If we have allies who can attack the enemy's encirclement from the outside, the enemy can't focus on capturing the fortress. They will be effectively caught in a pincer attack. The outposts are where these allies are stationed."

I pushed the coins aside to create gaps in the encirclement.

"The fortress and the outposts work together. Therefore, the enemy must capture several outposts before they can capture the fortress. Of course, the outposts also work together, so it's not easy."

"I see..."

Hanna and the others nodded in understanding.

I decided to continue the explanation.

"We will reinforce Zepher Fort, which is part of the fortress defense network. Thanks to the colonel's negotiations, we have secured a 'hotel.'"

As someone close to the head of one of the Five Royal Families, Colonel Altsar has political influence. It's fortunate to have a superior with such influence, as I lack it.

It's significant that we have secured a place with a roof and walls, as it's unknown how well our girls can endure camping on the battlefield.

"However, if we dawdle, other units might take the outpost. Each outpost has a limited capacity, so we need to move quickly."

"Yes, sir!"

"Understood."

The platoon leaders saluted me.

Well, here we go on a field trip with a hundred people. I need to do my best to lead them.

* * *

Two days later, I set out from the brigade headquarters with a hundred men from the first and second platoons. Due to some members being unwell, about ten from the third platoon also joined.

"This makes me more of a handyman than a staff officer..."

I sighed while being jostled on my military horse, feeling a bit guilty about riding while the girls walked.

"I can hear you, lieutenant."

Colonel Altsar turned back with a wry smile, so I spurred my horse to ride alongside her.

"I apologize. I'm not good at multitasking."

The colonel didn't reprimand me but looked apologetic.

"I'm acutely aware of the shortage of officers. I'll increase the number, so please don't die until then."

"I'll do my best."

Will it be okay to die once the numbers increase...?

There's something I need to confirm.

"Sir, isn't this operation larger than expected?"

The colonel looked at me intently and asked quietly.

"Why do you think so?"

"Zepher Fort, where we are heading, is a rear outpost behind the fortress. It's more natural to assume that other outposts are also receiving reinforcements if we are reinforcing a rear outpost."

Usually, reinforcements are needed at the front-line bases in front of the fortress. If we are sending reinforcements to a rear outpost, it's likely that we are also sending them to the front outposts. This suggests a large-scale military operation.

However, I don't know the actual situation, so I'm asking the colonel.

Colonel Altsar looked around and then whispered.

"It seems that Duke Litreuil is plotting something, but I haven't heard anything."

"I see..."

I thought she might share some significant secret, but it seems she doesn't know either.

"By the way, lieutenant, is this pace okay?"

I checked the pocket watch I was given and answered.

"It's fine. The pace is steady, and no one shows signs of fatigue. The marching training is paying off."

"Your training was correct, then."

"For now, but..."

I'm worried that we might fall apart before reaching the battlefield, and I don't know if we can fight effectively once we get there.

I felt anxious, but there's nothing I can do about it now. It's a matter of how we handle it once we arrive.

I hope everyone can return safely from this mission.

But from past experience, I know that's difficult.

In war, someone will die.