Chapter 0 - Prologue
Prologue
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: Prologue
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Even knowing full well that he'll die, there are times when a man must fight.
For me, now is that time.
"Platoon Leader Schumacher, please issue the retreat order at once! With the enemy's massive army in pursuit, leaving just our platoon here is nothing short of courting a dog's death."
"The battalion commander ordered us to hold this position."
"That damned battalion commander is the bastard who bolted early to save his own skin, isn't he? It makes no sense for us to die obeying a guy like that."
Right after the defeat, Lieutenant Colonel Schmidt of our 3rd Battalion—desperate to save himself no matter what—ordered us to guard the rear before immediately fleeing.
Just like Won Gyun, who botched the entire Joseon navy at Chilcheollyang and then ran for it.
A trash bastard not worth grinding his bones to dust and drinking the marrow.
Get smashed in the head by a meteor falling from the sky and die.
"Let's just surrender to the republic bastards, Platoon Leader. Even rolling in the mud is better than the afterlife, right...?"
"I have no intention of surrendering."
"Platoon Leader, dying here would be a dog's death."
The place we're defending is indeed a strategic choke point.
But holding it with just one platoon... is utterly impossible.
"Surrender or flee as you see fit. The battalion commander abandoned you—how could I order you to die pointlessly?"
At my words, the deputy platoon leader—who'd been raising his voice in protest until now—fell silent.
"Sergeant Major Yurgen, I am an officer of the Empire. Even if the battalion commander decided to save himself alone and ordered me to die here. Even if that means I'll meet a meaningless dog's death. I will fight the enemy to the end right here. But I won't force that same choice on you all."
Yurgen let out a sigh, his face the picture of utter exasperation.
"And we can win this."
The hill we're holding has sheer cliffs on both sides, so only a few can pass at a time.
Moreover, the path that's actually usable is extremely narrow, making it the perfect defensive terrain.
"If the sergeant lends me his strength."