Chapter 7

### Chapter 7: The First Mission

"First, I would like to ask you to train the soldiers."

Colonel Altsar, the regimental commander, pointed outside the window.

"The female platoon under my command has completed basic training, but they have no combat experience. It was not my intention to send them into battle, so this is to be expected."

"Then why?"

When I asked, Colonel Altsar smiled.

"Lieutenant Chrombertz, I can tell from your last name that you are not from a wealthy family, right?"

"Yeah, my father was a drunkard. My mother ran off with another man, and before I knew it, I was living on the streets."

Colonel Altsar nodded solemnly.

"You survived well."

"While living on the streets, I got along with an old man who had been in the military. We did all sorts of things to earn money."

"So, it was his recommendation that led you to the officer school, right?"

"That's right."

Colonel Altsar had a slightly pitying look and sighed softly.

"Many former soldiers, especially those from poor backgrounds, idealize the military. On the other hand, many also view it with hostility."

From my use of the term "former soldier," Colonel Altsar seemed to have read everything.

That old man used to say, "The military is great. You could become a good officer." I wonder if he's doing well.

So, how does this relate to the female platoon?

Colonel Altsar glanced at me.

"But if you were a woman, what would have happened?"

It's a difficult question. Civilian women cannot enter the Imperial Officer School.

I thought about the society of Schweidler and then answered.

"There would be only two paths. Become a tenant of the church and sell your freedom, or sell your body in a brothel. No, there was one more."

"That's right. Become a female line infantry soldier and sell your life."

Colonel Altsar looked at the female soldiers marching outside and then turned back to me.

"I wanted to offer them a third way of life as soldiers. It's not a good life, but it offers some freedom and better treatment than the other two. If they get sick or injured, they can see a military doctor."

If I were a woman, I wouldn't have become a lieutenant. It's questionable whether I would have even become a soldier. The way that old man treated me is also very questionable. He was never a noble person.

Thinking about it, being born a man was quite fortunate. I didn't think it was particularly lucky that I had the same gender as in my previous life.

Hanna whispered in my ear again.

"If I hadn't been picked up by the regimental commander, I would have spent my life turning a millstone."

That's not one of the options I just mentioned. Oh well.

In any case, I understood Colonel Altsar's thinking. He wanted to increase the options for women in a world without human rights or social welfare.

Many imperial nobles call commoners "parasites of the empire" or "vile ruffians." Many nobles are also enthusiastic about charitable activities, but most do it for the reputation of being "benevolent nobles."

In that sense, Colonel Altsar can be considered a relatively normal noble. He takes care of commoners himself, even if it's limited to women.

I can't read his true intentions yet, but at this point, there seems to be no reason to oppose him. I might as well praise him.

"I am impressed."

"Save your flattery, Lieutenant Chrombertz."

As he said this, Colonel Altsar combed his black hair with his fingers, but his cheeks were slightly red. He must be fair-skinned, so his complexion shows easily.

"Anyway, I want to train my troops."

"But sir, isn't this platoon not meant for the battlefield?"

You said that just a moment ago, didn't you?

Colonel Altsar scratched his head.

"The political situation is unstable. There's something fishy going on around the Duke of Litray. I can't say more than that right now. I'm sorry."

"Is it because you don't trust me?"

"That's part of it."

Part of it, huh.

"But there are so many things I don't understand. My estimate is fifty-fifty. Preparing for the worst half is my job. I hope you understand."

"Yes, sir, if it's an order."

I saluted with a serious face so as not to make Colonel Altsar uncomfortable. In any case, I have no choice but to assist her.

Colonel Altsar looked at me.

"Then I will assign you your first mission. Improve the training of the First Female Infantry Platoon under the Sixth Special Regiment. Train them to the point where you can entrust your life to them as their platoon leader."

"Yes! ... No, wait a moment."

Platoon leader?

Colonel Altsar chuckled.

"I am currently the platoon leader, but it's odd for the regimental commander to also be the platoon leader. However, there are no other officers in this regiment."

"What about the squad leaders?"

"There are three sergeants. Hanna is the first squad leader."

I turned around sharply. This girl is a squad leader?

When a commander is killed in action, sergeants are allowed to temporarily serve as squad leaders. It's only temporary, though.

Since there are no female commoner officers, this regiment makes do with this arrangement.

"Well, the squad leader position isn't really filled, is it?"

Hanna, blushing, tried to shrink. Even when she tried to shrink, she was still big.

I turned back to Colonel Altsar.

"Me as the platoon leader?"

"If another officer comes, I'll make them the platoon leader, so don't get your hopes up. If any officers want to come, that is."

I really hope someone comes. Since a platoon is the basic unit of military life, being a platoon leader is a very demanding job. I don't want to do it.

"I don't want to be a platoon leader, so I will show my worth as a staff officer."

"Very well. I am counting on you. You and I are the only ones who have received proper officer training."

A regiment with only two officers. It's quite a challenge.

"Then I will first assess the platoon's training."

### * * *

And so, I found myself in the position of training the female platoon, but it wasn't going to be easy.

"Too slow, too slow."

As I muttered on the vast parade ground, Hanna, standing next to me, tilted her head.

"Which part?"

"All of it."

I sighed.

"It takes thirty seconds to reload for the next volley. At least try to do it in twenty-five seconds."

"The barrels are too long, making it difficult to load. The women are smaller than men."

Indeed, the physical differences between men and women cannot be ignored. The guns are the same as those used by male soldiers, so they are a bit too long for the women.

Muskets are loaded by ramming gunpowder and bullets down the barrel with a ramrod. If the barrel is too long, it's hard to reach, making the task difficult.

"I understand the situation, but the enemy won't wait for you."

In any combat situation, being slower than the enemy is fatal. We need to improve this to make them effective soldiers.

"Let's consider updating the equipment."

"Thank you, sir."

It will take a lot of time and money to shorten all the guns for the platoon.

Wait, what if we get cavalry rifles? They are designed to be shorter for use on horseback. I'll discuss this with Colonel Altsar.

"Also, the marching is too slow."

"The stride is too short."

"The formation changes are too sluggish."

"That's just not acceptable. I'll make sure to enforce it."

Hanna, looking apologetic.

The physical disadvantage is unavoidable. If it were the era of spears and bows, it would have been even more difficult. Now that it's the age of guns, the difference in strength is less fatal.

However, a bayonet charge would be tough...

I thought for a moment and then said to Hanna.

"Gather the entire platoon in the mess hall. I have something to say."

"Yes, sir."

Hanna smiled and saluted.