Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: The Beginning of the Crisis (2)
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A month had passed since then.
During that time, on a personal level, I'd recalled how the Rhineland Front played out in the novel and devised strategies for various scenarios.
I'd also been on the lookout for a chance to rack up some major achievement like last time, putting on quite a show at the company level.
I'd gotten opportunities to join five battles, and each time, big and small merits piled up.
Annihilating an enemy company single-handedly, smashing two platoons, supporting another of our companies that was getting pushed back by the enemy and averting a crisis, and so on.
Thanks to all that action, all the officers except me were guaranteed a promotion at the war's end, win or lose.
The company commander had even gotten word from the division's operations staff officer that if he kept performing like this on the Rhineland Front, he could break through the staff officer barrier and make major.
Promote to major and discharge, and he'd get a knight's title for life—noble privileges and a pension to boot.
So, before long, he trusted me so much that even if I told him red bean paste could make miso soup, he'd believe it.
Thanks to that, even though my rank was the lowest, my influence had risen to just below the company commander's.
If a commoner orphan like me, a student platoon leader, had been assigned to a unit full of nobles...
No matter how many merits I racked up, my background would've held me back, making it hard to build this solid a position.
Being placed in a unit of staff officer graduates was the best luck I could've had.
So, I hoped things would keep going like this.
But just like that, my little wish shattered to pieces when the company commander showed up before the officers, small keg and mug of beer in hand, a rotten look on his face.
Damn, no duty for once, good vibes today, but that face means bad news.
"Sir! What brings you here, Company Commander?"
We officers greeted him like that, but instead of the beaming smile he'd always given lately, he confirmed my hunch with a still-crumpled expression.
"The battalion commander informed me that the Black Lion Mercenary Corps has come to support the Franco Republic."
At those dreadful words, every officer except me turned pale as dirt.
The Black Lion Mercenary Corps was one of the top mercenary groups renowned across the entire Europan continent, beyond just the Reich Empire and Franco Republic.
And they numbered over two thousand—a massive enemy force.
And though they didn't know it, in the original novel, it was the Franco Republic bringing in the Black Lion Mercenary Corps that turned the tide, forcing the initially dominant Reich Empire forces on the Rhineland Front into retreat.
Just as us platoon leaders, me included, were about to erupt in complaints about this mess, the company commander cut us off and continued.
"So, after all our achievements so far, I've been reassigned as the 1st Company Commander and Deputy Battalion Commander of the 3rd Regiment, 4th Battalion. And you'll all be transferring with me."
I don't know about Korea, but here, the 1st Platoon Leader had a bit more clout than the others in the company. In the Imperial Army, among battalion commanders, the 1st Company and 1st Battalion commanders were considered key posts.
So on the surface, it looked like a promotion for the company commander.
But considering our track record and the current war situation, the new battalion we were joining likely had the numbers to fill a battalion but lacked combat prowess.
Because the battalion was a mess, they probably planned to reorganize around our capable company and use it as the main force.
The platoon leaders seemed to think the same, complaining in voices thick with anger.
"Isn't this too much? I heard from a guy I treat like a little brother that the 3rd Regiment's 4th Battalion is a total shitshow after losing a bunch of veteran officers in the last battle."
"Why does the division commander keep dumping crap on our company the more results we get?"
"Lord Deus, why do you keep giving us this fucking bullshit?"
I really wanted to join in the griping, but complaining wouldn't change a thing.
Instead, the whole company, me included, needed to figure out how to preserve our combat strength without massive losses.
All those mock strategies I'd run paid off—I instantly came up with a pretty solid plan.
Leveraging my elevated status from past merits, I spoke up on behalf of the other officers.
"What do you plan to do, Company Commander?"
It might seem cocky, but it was a necessary question, so he sighed and answered.
"Major Blancia told us to take the vanguard and play a central role in the battalion's attack. I agree with the battalion commander, but do any platoon leaders have opinions?"
At the company commander's question, the other platoon leaders just wore thoughtful expressions, saying nothing.
"Lieutenant Jaeger, I have a suggestion for the Company Commander."
"Speak."
"For now, I'm against taking on the role of vanguard company for the 4th Battalion."
At my words, the company commander and officers stared at me like they'd misheard or wondered if I'd finally lost it after all the "good job" praise.
And rightly so—even with my influence nearing deputy company commander level, there were two ranks and ten years of service between me and the commander.
Challenging him like this, even if not outright defiance, meant I was either crazy or steel-resolve committed.
I had plenty of reasoning in my head to convince them.
"Think about it. Sure, if we lead with an initial fierce clash, we can handle enemies of similar numbers no problem. But as vanguard, we'll face more troops than us at some point, regardless of the battle flow, and need support from rear companies."
In fact, we'd wiped out the Valliere Battalion last time because other units backed our ferocious charge.
That's why every unit, except the vanguard, always organized reserves or support forces.
"But if we can't trust the support coming while we're hammering the enemy up front, as you say, then yeah, the early battle favors us. But without support at key moments, our endurance drops, and we'll take heavy losses."
Moreover, our company—known for taking an enemy battalion commander's head—drew attention from both allies and enemies, even after switching regiments and battalions.
If a unit like that fights vanguard, Franco Republic officers will recognize us and go all-out to crush us for glory.
The battle will intensify, troop and stamina drain accelerating.
"Plus, expecting a newly reorganized battalion to pull its weight if the company or platoon leaders fall? So, even if other vanguards take heavier early losses, we should stay as reserves and support units getting pushed back."
Sure, an ace company like us opting for reserves over vanguard might get called cowardly.
But better than losing the company because the incompetent battalion's troops can't provide support when needed.
Unlike modern times, reserves here were in relatively safe rears but crucial for deciding battles, just like vanguards. We could turn the tide—supporting routing units or striking enemy weak points.
The company commander looked annoyed at his idea being directly countered, his face slightly crumpled.
But he soon realized not following my plan could doom not just the company but the whole battalion, so he sighed.
"I'll report to the battalion commander that our unit will act as reserves behind the other three companies."
And the next day.
As discussed, our company headed out as reserves for the newly assigned battalion.
Until now, we'd always fought vanguard or second line right behind, so when battle started, cheers and screams rang in my ears.
Today was different.
From a distance, a mass of rumbling voices, with only the occasional loud shout coming through clearly.
"You filthy Franco bastards! Die here, and I'll stuff snails in your ears!"
"I'll turn you into women, so thrust your crotches out! I'll castrate you!"
"Fuck, these shits hurt like hell!"
Like that, countless allies and enemies died before us, but we reserves just watched from outside the whirlwind.
One reserve duty is conserving strength until the critical moment—natural, no one complains.
Just as a twinge of guilt hit me...
The company commander bellowed, pointing ahead.
"Battalion commander's orders! 4th Company, move to support the 1st Company fighting up front!"
Our unit's real battle had begun.