Hasmon Landing Gambit
“Their technology is so backward anyway. There's no way they could pull off anything substantial.”
“The field of magic circuits is one that can advance dramatically the moment even a single piece of advanced material is acquired. We must always remain vigilant.”
Duchess Abiel, still holding firm to her opposing stance.
At her attitude, Duke Seto furrowed his brow.
“Is it really the right approach to stir up trouble and then just oppose everything without any countermeasures?”
As if repaying the humiliation from before, Duke Seto launched a blunt attack.
“You're making it sound like it's my fault. Our plan was flawless. It was ruined by an unforeseen variable and the reconnaissance command's complacency.”
“Was there truly not a single mistake in that process? From what I see, if Your Grace had paid just a little more attention, we could have avoided the problem altogether.”
“Then let me ask this: how exactly were we supposed to predict and prepare for the appearance of an ogre?”
A faint vein bulged on Duchess Abiel's forehead.
“Enough, both of you.”
Simon intervened to halt the two just as a fight seemed imminent.
“I understand that sharing circuit technology is difficult. But we can't just sit idle, so we'll have no choice but to request talks.”
In the end, after going full circle, the only option Simon could choose was dialogue.
“You two dukes, come up with ways to sway the Kingdom of Osiris during the talks and report back by the end of the day.”
“Understood.”
“Dismissed, both of you.”
At the emperor's command, the two dukes left the office.
A week later, the talks were held.
Unfortunately, none of the carrots offered by the Aditz Empire succeeded in changing the Kingdom of Osiris's mind.
“Good to see you. How've you been, Captain?”
The moment I entered the Intelligence Command headquarters in the heart of the capital, Colonel Eden Tal greeted me.
“I've been doing alright. And you, Colonel?”
“Busy as hell, I'd say. You'll be busy soon enough yourself.”
“Got it.”
It was exactly what I'd expected, so no surprise there.
Now it's the real western front.
I have no idea why they called me all the way to the capital if they're just shipping me west anyway.
“No reaction at all, huh.”
“The trip wore me out. The journey was so long.”
“Whining after riding in comfort on a wagon. Anyway, isn't this your first time at HQ?”
“Yes, sir.”
I'd seen the outside passing by before, but this was my first time stepping inside.
“Nothing much worth gawking at. If we have time later, let's hit the second-floor cafeteria. Their steak is top-notch.”
“Your treat?”
“On the house. But you're loaded—trying to pick my pocket?”
“Yep, dying to clean you out.”
Not a single coin left behind. Sweep it all clean—that's the dream.
“Tsk tsk. Buttering me up won't help. You've got a briefing right now—follow me.”
Eden clicked his tongue and took the lead.
“What’s the briefing about, anyway?”
I asked as we climbed from the second floor to the third via the stairs, walking beside Colonel Eden.
“You'll hear when we get there. Can't spill it casually.”
His tone was extremely cautious.
I'd figured an intel building meant fewer restrictions on talk, but this was unexpected.
The more secretive, the riskier.
This doesn't feel good.
“You'll hear a lot of unfamiliar stuff. Just nod along like you get it during the meeting. I'll explain the details later.”
“Understood.”
I'd planned to do that anyway, even without being told.
“Alright, let's head in.”
Creak.
Colonel Eden opened the conference room door without knocking.
“You're here.”
A heavy voice rang out the moment the door opened.
I turned toward it and saw... someone completely unexpected. Or rather, a rank I never anticipated sitting there.
Wait—one star, two, three... holy shit.
There's only one person in Intelligence Command with three stars.
Commander Kalun Rekiat, Lieutenant General.
For the record, having a family name doesn't mean he's from nobility; generals get noble-level treatment and a personal crest upon promotion.
“You're Captain Palan Oclo, right?”
“Y-yes, sir! That's me!”
The commander suddenly addressed me by name.
What the hell? How does he know my name?
A three-star knowing a captain's name?
Civilians might think it's cool, but it's anything but.
“You've been active despite just joining recently. Good work.”
“N-no, sir! Not at all!”
“No need to be so tense. Just arrived from the 7th Legion, right?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Have a seat. Just don't doze off.”
It was clearly meant as a joke, but it sent chills down my spine anyway. Just my imagination?
“Thank you, sir!”
No point dragging it out—I gave a short, firm reply and took a seat at the far end.
Wait, I'm the only company-grade officer here?
About fifteen people in the room, average rank colonel.
“Everyone's here now. Let's begin.”
Apparently I really was the last one; the commander immediately ordered the briefing to start.
“Yes, sir. Commencing briefing on Operation Hasmon Landing.”
The prepared briefer took the floor.
Why's a brigadier general doing the briefing?
His nameplate read Gevil Terf, Brigadier General, Director of Intelligence Management.
“Before we start, note that everything discussed here is Class 2 Secret. Exercise utmost security.”
In other words, watch your mouth.
Landing operation? What?
Thinking I'd misheard, I flipped through the neatly stacked materials on the table.
Operation Hasmon Landing
Class 2 Secret — Handle with Care
Fuck.
Unfortunately, I'd heard it crystal clear, not a syllable missing.
What kind of landing op is this? Out of nowhere.
The only landing op I know is Incheon, and if memory serves, it was high-risk as hell.
“The briefing is based on documents from Operations Command.”
“Is the op locked in?”
“That's what we've been told, for now.”
The intel director answered the commander's question with a hint of wiggle room.
“I see. Proceed.”
“Yes, sir. This landing operation involves the 3rd and 4th Fleets, plus the 17th, 19th, and 22nd Divisions. Total force: 40,000...”
The op explanation flowed smoothly.
The more I heard, the more my mind went blank.
“Operations Command proposed five routes as candidates, leaving final selection to Intelligence Command.”
“Five? They picked way too many.”
“Yes, sir. Page 4 shows the routes from Operations Command.”
Flip.
The sound of turning pages echoed in the room at Brigadier General Gevil's words.
Crazy. They're seriously planning to punch straight through enemy waters?
Five routes marked on page 4.
I'd hoped otherwise, but no—all straight shots in.
“Which one's the most viable right now?”
“Based on enemy activity, Route 3 looks promising.”
Route 3 crossed enemy seas, farther from the coast.
How the hell is that safe?
Act crazy, charge in, and hit Hasmon Fortress right away. That's the plan.
Holy shit, these guys are insane.
Write a damn novel about it.
Harsh words bubbled up my throat, ready to spill, superiors be damned.
But the real problem?
It doesn't end with the landing.
“Additionally, the Yalk Island assault involves the 5th and 6th Fleets, plus the 26th and 27th Divisions. Force size: 30,000.”
Yalk Island popped up out of nowhere.
Seemed odd at first, but hearing it made their full plan click.
Pin down the harbor at Hasmon Fortress, then hit Yalk Island.
Looking again, it didn't seem half bad—almost reasonable...
No, this is batshit crazy.
Ultra-high risk, ultra-high reward.
Even Sadis, who loved gambling, would've shaken his head.
“Total 70,000 men. We have to win.”
The commander stated the obvious.
No sign on his face that he thought the op was flawed.
“Per Operations Command, early detection means losing at least two fortresses or equivalent casualties.”
“Detection would actually be a mercy—we'd preserve the troops.”
I nodded involuntarily at the commander's words.
Our warships are inferior to Eltho's, and they want a landing op?
Sounded like a fancy way of saying "let's become water ghosts."
God, I wanna say something.
Scream "Are you insane?!" but alas, no balls to ignore six rank levels.
“Exactly. The op's core is landing undetected.”
Brigadier General Gevil stated the blatantly obvious.
But here came the real issue.
“Thus, we'll deploy seasoned agents to scout routes and areas. Please turn the page.”
Flip.
Pages turned again at his words.
I flipped mine too, revealing the recon op plan.
Operation Overview: Pre-recon to boost success odds of Operation Hasmon Landing...
Recon Routes: Route 3 → Planned Landing Coastline → Hasmon Fortress → Harbor → Yalk Island → Rendezvous with Envoy
Recon Team: Colonel Eden / Captain Palan Oclo
Detailed op laid out.
But the last line was the killer.
Shit, hold up! Why the hell is my name there?
He'd just said "seasoned agents."
Eden fits; I sure as hell don't.
“Primary goals: confirm Route 3 safety and path to Hasmon Fortress...”
Gevil briefed diligently.
Honestly, my head hurt too much to take it in.
“Op leads: Colonel Eden. Support: Captain Palan Oclo. Two-man team.”
“High risk, from the looks of it.”
The commander, having heard it all, turned to Colonel Eden.
“Heard you volunteered for a mission no one else could handle.”
Insane—what'd he just say?
I doubted my own ears.
Volunteering for a suicide run? You'd need a screw loose or blackmail—no other explanation.
“I saw it as essential for landing success and stepped up out of duty.”
I clutched the back of my neck at Eden's words.
You ain't the emperor. Why the sense of duty?
Dizzying.
“Truly grateful. And with capable Captain Palan along, no better ally.”
The commander's eyes turned to me.
“Y-you flatter me, sir.”
“Heard a lot about you. Colonel Orpia couldn't stop praising.”
Why'd you go and do that unasked?
No helpful allies around.
“Just got lucky, sir.”
“Hope that luck favors the Empire and you again this time.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
Depressed, I kept my reply short and listened to the rest.
Landing details, Yalk assault focus, etc.
Not captain-level stuff, but as a participant, I stayed till the end.
“To hit the timeline, depart south tomorrow.”
Colonel Eden nodded at the commander's words.
“Yes, sir.”
“Planning to just up and leave again?”
The commander tossed an enigmatic question.
What? Like not leaving means something bad?
Everything feels off now.