Swimming to Sabotage
“Commander! The enemy has fully breached the walls!”
“Tch, faster than expected.”
Tepf Brigadier General scowled at his adjutant's report.
“Wouldn't it have been better not to abandon the walls...?”
“Don't talk nonsense. You think we can defend that massive expanse with fewer than ten thousand troops?”
Basil Major General had words to say to Tepf Brigadier General's retort, but he swallowed them.
They threw it away too meaninglessly.
The plan itself wasn't bad, but Basil couldn't shake the feeling that its execution had been far too extreme.
“There were variables, but it's not over yet. As long as we hold the docks, victory is ours.”
Hold the docks as the final defensive line.
That was Tepf Brigadier General's last card.
“Understood.”
“Just two more hours, and reinforcements from Yalk Island will arrive. If we grit our teeth, we can manage that much, can't we, Vice Commander?”
Basil Major General had a swirl of thoughts at Tepf Brigadier General's words, but he nodded for now.
“Yes... we can do it. Even if it seems impossible, we'll make it happen.”
“Good. And ignore the walls. Most of the troops we sent there were just guards and civilians anyway.”
Words so ruthless they lacked even a shred of humanity.
Yet no one could object.
Tepf was the highest-ranking officer present, and everyone gathered there was navy.
“Everything will be proven by victory. Today, we become the heroes of this place!”
“The enemy seems to be planning to drag things out, using the docks as their final defensive line.”
On the plains before Hasmon Castle.
The command post there was bustling, compiling reports from each unit and issuing orders.
“Lieutenant General Godric. If the enemy plans a last stand at the docks, doesn't that mean they're buying time until reinforcements arrive?”
“Yes. Since it's the docks, they're likely coming by ship from Yalk Island.”
Lieutenant General Godric nodded at Crown Prince Louis's question and added more details.
“That means our operation is a success for now.”
The reason for attacking Hasmon Castle.
Inflicting damage on the enemy's major city was a factor, but the primary goal was, of course, seizing Yalk Island.
“We need to capture the docks before their reinforcements arrive.”
“Agreed. But according to reports, their defenses are quite solid, so it might take time.”
Hasmon Castle's walls were poorly defended, but the dock area, garrisoned by the navy, was different.
Especially after the Commander-in-Chief's recent visit, with repairs and reinforcements everywhere—it could be considered fairly sturdy.
“Additionally, intelligence from the 103rd Battalion says the approach is narrow, so mass assaults aren't working well.”
Not good news.
Crown Prince Louis's expression soured.
“What's the best course of action?”
“I recommend issuing a general assault order and leaving tactics to the on-site commanders.”
Crown Prince Louis nodded at Lieutenant General Godric's suggestion.
“Do that. Invest all resources in capturing the docks. Also, have non-combat troops start spreading oil. It's impossible to fully take this place anyway.”
“Understood!!”
Crown Prince Louis's orders spread to each division, and the Imperial forces who had seized the walls now unleashed their assault on the docks.
“Don't fall back! Holding here is the only way we survive!”
“Don't fear their numbers! We just need to defend this spot!”
The Aditz Imperial forces desperately blocked the onslaught.
Their morale was far sturdier and more resolute than anticipated.
With the sea at their backs, we can only attack head-on—why are they holding so well?
And the endless barrage of magic bullets.
That explained the flimsy walls.
“At this rate, it'll take two hours.”
Lieutenant Colonel Garen shook his head in dismay.
“Two hours means their reinforcements will arrive, right?”
“If they left on time, they'd be here by now. The key is how many.”
He looked as if he'd already factored in a fight with reinforcements.
Well, it was obvious.
Anyone could see capturing the docks would take considerable time.
This isn't good.
Enemy reinforcements of unknown numbers.
Wasn't that too risky?
And if those reinforcements keep holding the docks, when the hell do we break through?
In the worst case, they could fail to take the docks, more reinforcements arrive, and get pincered from both sides.
We need to block their reinforcements, even if it delays the capture.
It seemed impossible, but he racked his brain desperately for a way.
“The enemy is coming by ship.”
Ways to stop ships from reaching the docks: bad weather.
Fuel exhaustion.
Grounding...
A short, potent word.
As it flashed in his mind, he spotted the enemy warships moored nearby.
If we seize those and ram the incoming reinforcement ships... it's over.
A simple, brutal plan.
The issue: how to seize the warships inside the docks.
Got nothing on that.
No matter how he thought, no solution came. For now, the plan was incomplete as he rushed to Major Schultz.
“Battalion Commander.”
“Speak.”
Major Schultz, eyeing the impenetrable defensive line with frustration, gave a curt reply.
“I've been thinking—how about blocking the enemy reinforcements?”
“Block the reinforcements? What are you talking about?”
Major Schultz turned, looking down at him due to their height difference.
“Seize their warships and ram the incoming ones.”
“That.”
A straightforward explanation, devoid of complexity.
Major Schultz seemed about to speak, then clamped his mouth shut.
What? No worth responding to?
A moment of worry, but thankfully, it was unfounded.
“Worth trying.”
“Yes. Blocking them makes capturing the castle much easier.”
“How do you plan to seize the ships?”
Major Schultz asked, gazing at the choked approach to the docks.
“Sorry, I haven't figured that out yet.”
“Fine. I just had a brilliant idea.”
Major Schultz stroked his chin beard, lips curling up.
Chills ran down his spine—an animal instinct.
“Lieutenant Colonel Garen.”
“Yes!”
“And... no. More than three risks detection. We'll go like this.”
Major Schultz stopped himself from calling more men.
Three... means I'm going too.
Well, expected for this level.
“We'll seize the enemy warships now, per Captain Palan's idea. Method: see that?”
Major Schultz pointed to the distant shoreline.
“We'll swim from there, infiltrate the nearest warship. Ditch all unnecessary armor—bring only your sword.”
Wait, sir. What do you mean?
Swim straight into the heart of the enemy?
Insane without being crazy.
What if we get caught?
On land with feet planted, he was an Imperial Knight monster.
In water, Palan was confident he could take him.
Probably not.
Still, entering the water was high-risk.
“Battalion Commander...? Isn't that too dangerous?”
“If this is dangerous, what's your alternative?”
“Well, no, but let's think more.”
“Captain, do we have time?”
His scowl and low growl exuded unimaginable pressure.
Damn it, I thought of swimming too—but dismissed it as too risky.
Why were these powerhouses so eager to court death?
No other way...
With more time, maybe, but no luxury for that.
“No, sir.”
“Second Company Commander, contact HQ, explain our plan, and request they ramp up the assault to draw eyes elsewhere.”
“Understood!!!”
Major Schultz swiftly issued orders and mounted his horse.
“Move out.”
Major Schultz galloped ahead.
Palan sighed inwardly and followed with Lieutenant Colonel Garen.
“Garen's a given, but you can swim decently, right, Captain Palan?”
Palan nodded at Major Schultz's question.
“Yes, sir. I can.”
He'd never learned in this world, but he'd attended swim classes in Korea.
“Then we start now. From here, follow my orders without thinking.”
“Yes, sir!!”
Garen and Palan replied in unison, stripping off leather armor and half-hoods, tossing them on the ground.
These are expensive... someone'll grab 'em, right?
He wanted to store them properly, but that'd earn harsh words.
“Enter the water.”
Splash!
Major Schultz dove in first.
Palan and Lieutenant Colonel Garen followed.
Then, naturally, freestyle...
“Captain, are you messing with me?”
“Pardon...?”
Major Schultz suddenly scowled murderously at him.
What? Why me?
He was swimming hard—what was wrong?
“Where'd you learn that weird stroke? Trying to expose our position?”
“N-no, sir.”
“Is that all you know?”
“Uh... yes.”
He was pointing out issues with his arm strokes.
Fair point.
“Haa, does the training camp not teach swimming anymore?”
Major Schultz muttered something Eden might say and extended his hand.
“Don't flail—just grab my hand and follow.”
“U-understood.”
Awkward, but Palan grabbed it.
Then, dive again.
Whoosh!
What... the hell.
His body shot forward like a motorboat slicing the current.
Is this human speed?
Pulling him along, yet impossibly fast.
Scariest: no sound, no wake.
This is military swimming?
Worth learning later.
“Hoo.”
“Hoo.”
Periodically surfacing briefly for air, repeating.
Starting far to avoid detection, it took over ten minutes to arrive.
“Reinforcements in thirty minutes! Hold on just a bit longer!!!”
“Manpower shortage here! Requesting support! Support!!!”
“Damn it! Why do they have so many heads!!!”
Arriving right under the enemy, chaotic voices rang out.
The useful info: reinforcements in thirty minutes.
Really not much time left.
No time to waste.