Chapter 18

The sound of cannon fire from Godeau Fortress is much louder than before. It's the sound of large fortress cannons firing.

At the same time, a signal flag message comes from the fortress.

"‘We are under siege by a large number of enemies. We are on high alert’... that’s what it says."

While checking through the telescope, I can't help but look grim.

Hanna, the sergeant, looks worried.

"Does that mean they're launching a full-scale siege on the fortress?"

"Yes. One of the outposts has fallen, creating a hole in our defensive network. The enemy is probably using that as a foothold to attack."

This Zepher Fort is also one of the outposts guarding Godeau Fortress, but we can't attack the enemy on the other side of the mountain. This fort is here to protect the supply lines to the rear.

"Captain Dambur has requested that we strengthen our defenses. The 6th Special Brigade will stand guard. We will also patrol inside the fort. Make sure to work in pairs."

"But the fortress is under attack, right?"

"If I were the enemy commander, I would deploy scouts and guerrillas behind the fortress to cut off communication with the outposts. The enemy will soon start appearing around the fort."

Siege warfare, whether of a fortress or a city, is a specialized skill for professional soldiers, and it is drilled into us at the military academy. Cutting off supply lines to isolate a target is a basic tactic.

Everyone seems tense, so I try to lighten the mood with a joke.

"Alright, new recruits, the enemy is going to teach us how to defend the fort. The tuition is lead bullets. Don't forget to pay."

The Schweidler soldiers love this kind of joke, and I do too.

...But the girls in my squad didn't really react.

"Hmm."

"Understood..."

It fell flat. Something's different.

Hanna, who was standing next to me, seemed a bit dazed, but then she suddenly shouted.

"Hey, stop staring and salute!"

"Yes, sir!"

What were they staring at in this situation? That's impressive.

But if they're not paralyzed by fear, that's good. I smile and return the salute.

"There's nothing to worry about. I and the colonel will decide what to do. You just follow your training."

Everyone is still saluting and nodding. Good spirit.

I'll do my job. Since I volunteered, I need to show some officer-like leadership.

When I return to the colonel, she is reading a letter. It's not a military order but a fancy, noble-style envelope.

"Lieutenant, what's the situation?"

"It's not good. Godeau Fortress is firing its large cannons, but it doesn't sound like they're winning."

"Can you tell that from the sound of the cannons?"

"To some extent."

Cannonry is both a skilled craft and a precise science. Every shot has a purpose.

So, the intervals and patterns of the shots feel different when they are making a desperate, all-out attack compared to when they are methodically pressing the offensive. At least, that's what it feels like.

"That sound is like they're firing in desperation. They seem to be firing as much as they can to stop the enemy's advance."

"I see."

The colonel ponders for a moment.

"What about the fort's response?"

"I've increased the sentry posts with my squad. Captain Dambur is moving the fort's cannons to face the fortress side."

The fort has light, mobile field cannons. They have limited range and power but are easy to move.

"Lieutenant, I want to hear your thoughts."

"If I only think about my squad, we should retreat as soon as possible... but that's not an option. I scratch my head.

"The enemy won't launch a full-scale invasion until the fortress falls. But the communication lines with the fortress are already dangerous and likely cut off."

"You're right. If the lines of communication are severed, the fortress can't withdraw troops, and we can't send reinforcements."

The colonel, though inexperienced in combat, has a good grasp of basic military strategy, being a noble.

She shows me the letter.

"It's a secret letter from Duke Litreille, insisting that we hold Zepher Fort at all costs."

"But isn't she just a civilian, not a military officer?"

"But she is a politician, and one of the 'five fingers' of the empire."

I understand everything from the colonel's grim face. It seems there are some strings being pulled behind the scenes.

The colonel sighs as she adjusts her cap.

"It's as unhealthy for politicians to interfere in military affairs as it is for military officers to meddle in politics. But this is the reality of our empire."

The concept of civilian control over the military doesn't exist in this world, but even so, Duke Litreille has no authority to interfere with the military. Officially, the Schweidler army is the emperor's army.

However, the reality is different, which is why such actions are tolerated.

Well, what can you do?

"Let's respond to the situation."

"I'm sorry to burden you."

Stop it. If you make that face, I'll end up working harder.

"If there's any reason to hold this fort, it's to send reinforcements to the fortress. Duke Litreille can move the 5th Division through the aristocratic generals, though I don't trust them much."

"Indeed, we can't trust them, but it's too late to retreat. Prepare a plan for a delaying action."

"Yes, sir."

A delaying action... The options depend on the enemy's size, intentions, and how long we need to hold them off. This time, we have almost no options.

Besides, I'm not a brilliant officer, so I can't come up with a brilliant plan to defeat a large army with a small force. I'll just follow the imperial army's manual.

With the distant sound of cannon fire as background music, I retreat to my tent to think.

This fort is structurally weak against artillery. If the enemy's artillery arrives, we're in trouble. Our cannons are light field guns, so we don't have an advantage in an artillery duel.

Can we win against infantry? Field guns are designed for infantry, and with my squad, we can probably cover the fort's firing positions. Maybe we can manage?

But the enemy will know this, so when they send infantry, they'll have artillery support.

"Artillery..."

I suddenly realize something terrible.

I rush outside and check the fortress with the telescope.

"Damn! I knew it!"

The fortress walls have many gun ports on this side. They are all closed now, but if the enemy moves the cannons, they can fire at us.

"What's wrong, Lieutenant?"

Hanna looks puzzled, so I whisper.

"If Godeau Fortress falls, we'll be under artillery fire from the fortress."

"What!?"

Hanna looks back at the fortress in panic.

"You mean the enemy will take over the cannons!?"

"Yes. From that height, the fortress cannons can easily reach here. They are supposed to support Zepher Fort, but if the enemy uses them, we'll be the target."

Usually, when a fortress falls, the outposts lose their meaning and defensive power, so the garrisons retreat.

But this time, Duke Litreille is ordering us to hold this fort even after the fortress falls.

It's impossible. We can't hold it. Everyone will die.

...But then, I tilt my head in confusion.

Even in this situation, I feel no presence of the 'Scythe of Death.' It seems I'm not in immediate danger.

The 'Scythe of Death,' a kind of precognition I have, can predict death a little in advance. If staying here meant my death, it would have warned me by now.

For example, when I was a street child, something like this happened.

One day, a basket containing white bread was lying on the street. White bread was a luxury, as the common people's staple was sour black bread with grains.

Fortunately, there was no one around who looked like the owner.

I thought I'd use this for dinner tonight.

But then, the 'Scythe of Death' gave me a chill down my spine.

I didn't understand it at the time, but eating this bread would have killed me.

Thinking about it calmly, white bread shouldn't be lying in a poor neighborhood. The people who buy such things never walk through dangerous back alleys.

I decided to leave the bread and just take the basket.

But then, other street children attacked me and stole the basket. I didn't resist much, so I didn't die.

The next day, most of them were found dead. Their fingers were bloody, and their nails were all torn off. They must have suffered terribly, scratching the cobblestones.

The basket was empty beside them.

One child, who had only gotten one slice of bread, barely survived. Despite my efforts, he died that night. He kept apologizing to me, saying, "Yuner, I'm sorry... We were cursed..."

His last words were, "I want to see my mother one more time..."

Some noble must have left the poisoned bread to test a poison or for amusement. Nobles and poison have a long history, especially for pest control and eliminating political rivals.

This kind of thing happens all the time.

So, the 'Scythe of Death' was essential for street life. It could predict death a few days in advance. It doesn't tell you how to avoid death, but it warns you if death is in your path.

Now, the 'Scythe of Death' is silent.

Of course, if all my comrades die and I'm captured, the 'Scythe of Death' won't say anything, so I shouldn't be overconfident.

Still, it's too late to retreat. Musketeers are vulnerable during a retreat, and I might be killed before I can surrender.

It would be better to surrender after a siege.

A weak fort, light and small cannons, a squad full of new recruits, uncertain reinforcements, the limited authority of a staff lieutenant, and the 'Scythe of Death.'

How should I play the cards I've been dealt? Where is the breakthrough?

I lower the telescope and can't help but think deeply.