Several days had passed since Erika stormed out of the barracks, fuming. In that time, the atmosphere in the company had changed noticeably. Supplies continued to be issued, and the parade ground was filled with soldiers in training.
“I hear there’s going to be one hell of a fight soon.”
“This time the whole company’s moving. The target’s obviously the Ashen Forest, right?”
“Maybe the company commander’s drawing up another grand plan.”
Rumors spread throughout the company that a major battle would soon break out.
Then, one morning, as if to prove them right, a messenger came to the barracks.
“All officers and NCOs, assemble in front of the company command tent immediately!”
At the messenger’s shout, the entire barracks area stirred. The officers and NCOs of each platoon began moving busily, their expressions saying that the moment had finally come. I, too, left the barracks with Sergeant Gunther.
The inside of the company command tent had been rearranged for a briefing. In the center stood a large table bearing a detailed map of the Ashen Forest, and the officers and NCOs gathered around it.
All the platoon commanders were already there. Lieutenant Walter of 1st Platoon, Erika of 2nd Platoon, and Lieutenant Franz of 4th Platoon. Then Captain Seraphina, standing at the center, opened her mouth.
“Listen carefully. Based on 3rd Platoon’s recent reconnaissance and the testimony of the rescued scouts, we have confirmed that the threat in the Ashen Forest is far more organized than expected.”
Everyone’s gaze turned toward me. Erika bit her lip.
“We must cut out the enemy’s roots before the problem grows any larger. In other words, our mission is to annihilate the orcs’ main force in the Ashen Forest and destroy all of their infrastructure.”
Seraphina pointed to the map with her baton and began explaining the operation. Every eye in the tent focused on her fingertips.
“3rd Platoon, Lieutenant Jaeger.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“3rd Platoon will take on the most crucial role in this mission. You are to infiltrate this point, believed to be the enemy command center, in the shortest time possible.”
Her baton tapped precisely at the center of the area where the red dots on the map were most densely clustered. Low gasps escaped the surrounding officers. Even on the map, it was literally the heart of the enemy, a place that required breaking through countless hostile positions.
“Your mission is not a simple strike. You will assassinate the enemy leadership and destroy their communications facilities and command tent, crippling their chain of command itself. Your objective is to turn them into headless chickens.”
If it succeeded, the battle could be ended with the greatest ease. If it failed, however, we could be isolated in the middle of the enemy camp. It was a highly difficult mission. Perhaps that was why the sound of Sergeant Gunther swallowing dryly behind me seemed unusually loud.
“Once 3rd Platoon’s attack succeeds and the red signal flare goes up, 1st Platoon and 4th Platoon will immediately begin a frontal assault. Your mission is to take advantage of the confusion caused by the loss of their command, completely crush their main force, and mop up the remaining troops.”
The seasoned Lieutenant Walter of 1st Platoon and the eager Lieutenant Franz of 4th Platoon nodded with resolute expressions. As the overall outline of the operation became clear, puzzlement appeared on Erika’s face. That was because the mission for herself and 2nd Platoon, the most aggressive of all, had yet to be mentioned.
At last, Seraphina’s gaze turned to her.
“2nd Platoon will move separately.”
Seraphina pointed with her baton to a western ridge on the outskirts of the forest, quite far from the engagement area.
“You will lie in ambush here and completely block the enemy’s escape route. In addition, you will only be deployed if an unforeseen variable occurs. In other words, Lieutenant Stahlberg, your mission is to calmly observe the entire battlefield as the reserve.”
Erika’s shoulders flinched. Clear bewilderment surfaced in her eyes. It was as good as telling her to sit around twiddling her thumbs until the battle was over, let alone take part in the frontal assault. She glared at Seraphina with a look that said she could not accept this at all.
“I object, Captain!”
In the end, Erika could not hold back and stepped forward. The air inside the tent froze. Everyone’s eyes turned to her.
“What is your objection, Lieutenant Stahlberg?”
Seraphina asked back in a voice that sounded as though she had expected it.
“Assigning 2nd Platoon to the reserves is a clear waste of combat power! Our platoon has the best mobility and firepower in the company. Rather than a passive mission like blocking an escape route, it would be far more efficient for us to break through the enemy lines alongside 3rd Platoon or stand at the vanguard of the main force!”
Erika spoke passionately.
“Status Analysis.”
[Name: Erika von Stahlberg]
[Emotion: Anger and humiliation at not having her abilities recognized, and a strong sense of rivalry from not wanting Max Jaeger to steal the glory]
“I admit the failure of the last reconnaissance mission! But please give us a chance to make up for that mistake! Give 2nd Platoon a chance to fight as well, Captain!”
At her appeal, several officers exchanged wavering looks, but Seraphina did not move an inch. She lightly tapped the map with her baton and said,
“The crux of this operation depends on whether the surprise attack succeeds, Lieutenant Stahlberg. And the most successful surprise attacks are possible only when every variable is controlled.”
Her blue eyes pierced straight through Erika.
“Lieutenant Jaeger’s 3rd Platoon may fail. The frontal assault by 1st and 4th Platoons may run into unexpected resistance. Or enemy reinforcements we know nothing about may appear. Preparing for all of those possibilities is precisely your mission.”
There was not the slightest tremor in Seraphina’s voice.
“The most reliable card is played last. You will be responsible for those variables. That is my decision because I trust your outstanding mobility and firepower most. I will ask again. Do you have any complaints?”
“……No, ma’am.”
Seraphina had skillfully preserved Erika’s pride while, in the end, completely dismissing her argument. Erika stepped back, biting her lip in frustration. Her shoulders were trembling faintly. Further objection was impossible.
“That is all. Each platoon will immediately begin final preparations. The operation begins tomorrow at 0500. Dismissed.”
When the briefing ended, the officers left the command tent one by one. Just as I was about to step outside, I ran into Erika, who had been waiting for me in the corridor. With her arms crossed, her face was full of discontent.
“I suppose I should congratulate you, Lieutenant Jaeger. You’ve taken the tastiest piece again.”
Her voice was full of thorns. I shrugged and replied,
“The tasty pieces are often poisoned. Only someone who can handle them should eat them if they don’t want to get sick.”
“What…?”
Erika’s face flushed red. Just as she was about to snap back at me, Lieutenant Walter of 1st Platoon, who had come out behind us, stepped between us. He was a veteran soldier with a splendid mustache.
“That’s enough, both of you. Is this really the time for platoon commanders to be measuring each other up on the day before an operation?”
He took a cigarette from his pocket, put it in his mouth, and clicked his tongue. Lieutenant Franz of 4th Platoon, who had been following behind him, looked back and forth between us with an expression that said he had no idea what to do.
“Lieutenant Walter is right. This operation will require cooperation from the entire company, won’t it?”
Franz awkwardly tried to mediate, but Erika’s anger did not subside.
“Cooperation? What kind of cooperation am I supposed to have with someone who gets to monopolize all the glory at the vanguard while I’m stuck playing escort and blocking an escape route?”
“Status Analysis.”
I swept my gaze over the three platoon commanders before me in turn.
[Name: Walter]
[Emotion: Annoyance at childish antics, realistic concern about the operation]
[Name: Franz]
[Emotion: Anxiety and discomfort over the conflict between platoon commanders]
[Name: Erika von Stahlberg]
[Emotion: Strong jealousy, humiliation over her mission, anger toward Max Jaeger]
Their reactions were obvious. I took a step toward Erika.
“If you think blocking the escape route is playing escort, then you’re badly mistaken, Erika.”
She flinched at my voice.
“The moment you forget your mission because you’re blinded by glory, those fleeing orcs will be taking your platoon members’ heads. I know what you want to prove, but don’t do it with your subordinates’ lives.”
“Hmph. Pointless talk.”
She barely spat out those words, then turned sharply and disappeared down the corridor. Lieutenant Walter exhaled a long stream of cigarette smoke and shook his head, while Franz remained restless.
“What are we supposed to do with that stubborn young lady?”
Leaving Walter’s mutter behind, I headed for the barracks where my platoon members were waiting.
From that afternoon until night, 3rd Platoon moved with precision. The sounds of firearms being disassembled and oiled, the metallic clatter of ammunition being distributed, and the shouts of squad leaders filled the barracks.
I inspected the equipment and packs of each platoon member one by one for the last time. Only after confirming that every preparation was perfect did I return to my barracks to get a little sleep. I lay down on the creaking bed, but sleep did not come.
How much time had passed? Outside the barracks, the bugle sounded the call to assemble.
At last, the time had come. I rose from my seat and picked up my rifle.
*
At the entrance to the Ashen Forest, where thick darkness and fog had settled, 3rd Platoon assembled at the appointed time.
White breaths from the soldiers, who tightly gripped rifles damp with night dew, scattered into the mist. The forest waited for us with its mouth open like a giant beast.
“Everyone, report your positions.”
Reports followed my question.
“1st Squad, ready.”
“2nd Squad, ready.”
“3rd Squad, ready.”
All preparations were complete. Soon, Hanna approached my side. She closed her eyes for a moment and focused on the flow of mana coursing through the forest.
“I can see it, Lieutenant. The mana is surging toward the center of the forest. And… small mana nets are spread out around it.”
“Can you find a gap?”
“…Yes. It’s very faint, but I can see a path.”
“Good. Guide us.”
As Corporal Hanna and I took the lead, the members of 3rd Platoon followed behind. Concealing ourselves in the fog, we continued advancing.
I stayed close right behind Hanna, watching the minimap floating at the edge of my vision. Because of the fog, it was difficult to see even an inch ahead, but on the minimap, green dots representing the positions of our platoon members were glowing.
Before long, red dots began to appear at the edge of the minimap.
“At eleven o’clock… three of them, Lieutenant. They appear to be an orc patrol.”
Hanna spoke. On the minimap as well, the red dots were approaching directly toward us.