Chapter 15

The approximately one hundred female infantry soldiers dispatched from the 6th Special Operations Brigade arrived at the border area with the Duchy of Bruges without any particular issues. Squad Leader Hanna, a corporal, said with a bright smile,

"I was worried that we might be attacked by bandits because we're all girls, but it turned out to be quite safe."

"Considering we're all girls armed with guns, that's not surprising."

I doubt anyone would attack a column of a hundred musketeers. If they did, I'd respect them.

I pointed to the rear of the column.

"On the contrary, our march has brought some security to the roads. Pilgrims and merchants have been following us."

Thanks to this, we didn't run short of supplies during the journey. We could buy anything with Colonel Altsar's pocket money. The wealth of the Five Royal Families is truly extraordinary.

Anyway, aside from that, we're actually in a bit of a bind right now.

"That's not what we were told, Major Dambur."

Colonel Altsar was arguing with the elderly garrison commander in front of the main gate of Zeffer Fortress.

"The 6th Special Operations Brigade was supposed to reinforce this fortress."

"No, we received orders to reallocate forces within our 3rd Division..."

The major, who seemed experienced, was probably finding it difficult to argue with a noble officer three ranks above him.

However, he is the de facto commander of the fortress, and this is under the jurisdiction of the 3rd Division. We can't just force our way in. The colonel seems to be considering this.

After a while of back-and-forth, the colonel turned to me and smiled.

"It seems they're fine with us camping outside the fortress. What do you think? Should we go to another fortress?"

"Out of the question."

I have a fair understanding of how the Imperial Army works.

In situations like this, forcing our way in is the right approach.

We could leverage the prestige of the Medilen family, use the colonel's rank, or hint at the request from the Duke of Litreuil, since no other reinforcements have arrived yet. But if that were the case, the colonel wouldn't have asked me.

I looked at the garrison commander and confirmed with the colonel.

"Are you looking for a smart and logical approach?"

"It's not a request. It's more of an order."

"Then I'll follow your order."

This exchange is also part of my appeal to Major Dambur. He probably now sees me as the "brigade commander's confidant." A mere lieutenant can't be underestimated.

Now, what should I do? As I stepped forward, I quickly thought through my options.

They probably have a bias against the 6th Special Operations Brigade, a unit composed entirely of young women. They likely think it's a decorative unit that can't fight properly. If I were in his position, I'd be a bit uneasy too.

Let's start by dispelling the misunderstanding.

First, I'll show respect for his rank and experience as a superior officer.

"Excuse me. I am Lieutenant Yuiina Chrombertz, a staff officer. I previously served as a squad leader in the 5th Division."

"Hmm?"

The garrison commander looked at me with a puzzled expression but seemed willing to listen when he saw my staff insignia.

"Do you need something, lieutenant?"

I asked in a low voice.

"Is the major concerned that the soldiers of the 6th Special Operations Brigade are just for show?"

The garrison commander glanced at Colonel Altsar and responded in a low voice.

"I have the responsibility of commanding this fortress. I can't accept soldiers who won't be useful. Of course, I believe the 6th Special Operations Brigade is elite."

It was a flimsy excuse, but I understood his position and true thoughts.

If that's the case, there's a way to persuade him.

"Our soldiers have been trained by me. They are far more capable than ordinary new recruits."

"Is that so?"

You believe they are elite, don't you?

"If you doubt it, let me show you their training. First Squad, form a dense two-rank line!"

At my command, the first squad deployed and formed two rows. The front row knelt, and the back row stood in the gaps between the front soldiers.

"We will conduct a combat drill. First Squad will be the attackers, and Second Squad will provide support!"

Hanna, the corporal, saluted.

"Repeat, we will conduct a combat drill! First Squad, ready your weapons!"

The fifty soldiers of the first squad took aim with their muskets and assumed firing positions.

Soldiers from Zeffer Fortress poked their heads out from various places, curious about what was happening, but I ignored them and moved behind the formation.

The girls of the first squad took their firing positions and simulated firing and reloading.

This is a standard drill that any unit would perform.

I told them,

"Meian, hit in the left eye. Judina, left shoulder injured. Reka, killed in action."

The girls I named immediately clutched the designated areas and crouched down.

Immediately, Midona, the corporal of the second squad, shouted,

"Begin medical evacuation!"

The girls of the second squad dragged the "injured" girls from the first squad. The gaps were filled by the second squad, maintaining the fifty-person firing line.

I increased the "casualties."

"Yuiuren, gun malfunction. Kyuzil, right leg injured. Sadire, killed in action. Carla, killed in action."

"Use this!"

The girl next to Yuiuren, whose gun "malfunctioned," handed her a gun. It was from a "killed" soldier.

I think that's enough.

"End the drill."

"End the drill! End the drill!"

In the end, almost all of the first squad, except a few, were evacuated, and the second squad filled the gaps. The rear was left with only the "casualties" and a few members of the second squad.

I turned to Major Dambur.

"As you can see, we train for situations where casualties occur. The girls won't panic even if their neighbor is hit. I understand you might be concerned about a unit composed entirely of inexperienced women..."

Major Dambur took off his cap and scratched his head.

"Alright, alright. If you're this prepared, you deserve to man the fortress's gun ports. I won't say anything more. ...Welcome, Lieutenant Chrombertz. We are comrades now."

Major Dambur extended his hand. Then he asked me,

"It would have been easier to leverage the authority of your superiors. Why did you go through this demonstration?"

I shook his hand firmly.

"To dispel the misunderstanding."

The military is a group of people, and petty harassment is a daily occurrence. Especially on the front lines, being shot from behind and killed is not uncommon. The atmosphere is quite different from the safe rear areas.

Colonel Altsar understands this, so he probably wanted me to handle it according to the local customs. Probably.

At least, we've successfully resolved the issue, and our two squads of the 6th Special Operations Brigade can now garrison the fortress.

As we walked together, the colonel said in a low voice,

"The 3rd Division is the army of the Mildor family. The prestige of my family doesn't reach here. Thank you."

"This is part of my job. Leave it to me."

I smiled at the colonel and added,

"You know, the garrison commander has significant authority beyond their actual rank. If they judge that an order would hinder the fortress's defense, a piece of paper has no meaning."

Colonel Altsar chuckled and shrugged.

"As a commander, in the field, even a royal order can be ignored. That's textbook."

"Yes. They can pretty much do as they please, so be careful. Minor troubles can be smoothed over easily."

If the entire unit covers for each other, no one will know what happened. Any "fact" is at the discretion of a superior officer.

Major Dambur probably won't do anything strange against a noble three ranks above him. However, if we get too cocky, we'll face consequences.

Looking up at the ancient fortress gates, the colonel murmured,

"We spend far more time facing our allies than our enemies. It's only natural to pay attention to our allies. Right, lieutenant?"

"Yes, sir."

We looked at each other, chuckled, and entered the fortress.