Chapter 97
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Reinhardt's Technological Prowess is World-Class (3)
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‘Artillery is the god of modern warfare.’
- Generalissimo Joseph Stalin
‘God is on the side of the army with the strongest artillery.’
- Napoleon Bonaparte, the conqueror of Europe
Exceptional commanders who once shook world history all cried out for artillery. So much so that the artillery corps is a unit that plays an incredibly important role in war.
Of course, nowadays it feels like it’s being subtly pushed aside by the Magical Corps, but if the range of cannons increases and the development of weapons, including high-explosive shells and magical explosive shells, accelerates...
From a certain point, it becomes a corps with such insane potential that it far surpasses the Magical Corps' fire support.
In reality, it took only 40 years for Napoleon's field guns to evolve into self-propelled high-explosive cannons that can blow up concrete buildings.
So, what would it be like in a world where magic exists?
Every year, unimaginable new weapons are churned out. From airships to biplanes, from biplanes to twin-engine planes, from twin-engine planes to jet fighters.
It's not just the air force that undergoes the most dramatic developments.
Cavalry units, which used to ride horses and swing sabers to charge into battle, transform into armored vehicles covered in steel, spewing terrifying engine noises.
Infantry also end up holding deadly assault rifles that can fire dozens of rounds in seconds, instead of simple single-shot muskets.
If this were reality, technological advancement would have been suppressed for various reasons, but coincidentally, this is a world where the deus ex machina known as magic exists.
It wouldn’t be strange for an armored vehicle that was once a light tank to suddenly pop out with reactive armor or composite armor, technologies far beyond its time.
That was exactly the part where Hearts of General differed from other strategy simulation games.
Depending on how the user acts, weapons that are out of this world could appear, skipping over the standard development routes.
However, the problem is...
If everything so far was handled within the predetermined framework of the game system...
Now, I had to move ‘directly’ based solely on the knowledge from the game and the knowledge I had accumulated during my time in the military.
It was truly perfect hyper-realism.
The fortunate part was that my understanding of the artillery tactics and artillery weapons of the Reinhardt Empire was quite high...
And I had reached a level where I could get through to Johannes, an active Imperial cavalry captain.
“So, you’ve developed a weapon that can completely replace the 12-pounder smoothbore cannon currently in use in Ukran?”
“It’s an item that boasts an even longer range. It’s fundamentally a different concept of operation from the 12-pounder, which is specialized for close-range direct fire support.”
Johannes’s eyes narrowed. It seemed he was scrutinizing the truth of my words.
“It’s a cannon where the recoil is applied only to the barrel, not the entire carriage, so it can be used without needing to re-aim after firing.”
“I’m not underestimating Ukran, but... considering the industrial capacity of your country that I know of, I have some doubts about whether you could achieve such results.”
“Whether you believe it is up to you, Captain.”
As I evasively brushed past the question, Johannes’s expression became even more complicated.
To be honest, that’s right. For now, I only had the blueprints. The prototype hadn't even been produced yet, but the concept of the 'recoil recuperator,' which serves as the foundation, was already established.
Commonly known as the ‘Grizzly’ 57mm howitzer.
The moment I delivered this idea to the Ukran artillery corps, which had been practically non-existent until now, they immediately secured a spot in the technology research department, as they were starving for new weapons.
They succeeded in effectively suppressing the recoil upon firing by plastering magical tools of wind and water properties right below the barrel.
However, it was based on results from experiments using dummy shells, and it was still close to a fixed-type cannon.
If they continue to repeat research and experiments, they might be able to produce their own manufactured weapons comparable to the main field guns of the early Hojoze era.
Actually, according to the AI standard, the development of the Reinhardt's recoil recuperator field gun takes over a year from the start of the game, so it's correct to say we currently have the technological advantage.
So, it's not a 100% bluff.
“Reinhardt's technological prowess will be overwhelmingly superior not only to Ukran but also to any other country in the world. However, there are definitely areas where it is lacking.”
“Hmm... That certainly makes sense.”
He’s half-convinced for now. From here on, the key is how well I can spin my words.
“Since I was deeply impressed by the Moldoke armored train, I would like to discuss how we can help each other.”
I handed Johannes a note that I had carefully folded in my pocket. It was an address I had prepared in advance, before the party started.
“I plan to stay here in Reinhardt for about a month with Major Soni Chepelin.”
“I see. If it's 8th Street in Deoronto, it's not far from the lodging where I'm staying.”
“I'm not familiar with the geography of Reinhardt. Let's have a meal together someday.”
“Sounds good.”
Johannes said this and put the note I had handed him into his front pocket.
“I'll contact you through that.”
“I'll be waiting. Well then, we still have other exhibits to see.”
After giving a subtle glance, I turned around with Lumia to see the next exhibit.
It felt like I had already created my first connection.
Aside from Count Petrinant's airship and armored train, there were quite a few things worth seeing. As expected of the technologically advanced Reinhardt, the level of personal firearms was also very high.
We were using the Breton-made breech-loading musket, but here they were already supplying bolt-action rifles close to the Mauser.
In fact, if I, who knows the detailed information about the recoil recuperator field gun, hadn't existed, it would have been developed in Reinhardt first, not Ukran.
It took several months just to establish the simple concept.
Ukran's technological capability, which was pitifully lacking compared to Reinhardt, was being revealed vividly.
There were also early prototype trucks and communication equipment. It might take a bit more time for them to be mass-produced properly, but at this level, it could be called the most progressive and technologically advanced country, combined, on the continent.
‘If only we could make an alliance with them, it would be perfect.’
The Reinhardt Empire, after the invasion of the Sovye Empire, invaded Ukran from the south as a form of ‘mediation,’ while the Pru Free Democratic Nation's army crossed the border for ‘protection.’
While it’s better than the Sovye Empire, which actually started the war, it is still an enemy nation.
However, that is only in a normal situation.
The reason the Reinhardt Empire is participating in the Ukran front line is to stop the expansion of the Pru Free Democratic Nation.
Ukran is already a weak nation. If it were to be torn apart in three directions, it wouldn't be a big threat from that point on.
They intended to annihilate the useless country and use it as a kind of buffer zone.
So, what if, conversely, Ukran became a valuable friend to Reinhardt? No, even if not a friend, what if it became a country that was a shame to give away to others but ambiguous for me to take myself, like a 'half-eaten cake'?
Ultimately, relations between countries are based on pure benefit.
In the world I used to live in, the United States withdrew its troops from Afghanistan because it was no longer ‘beneficial.’
The Afghan government forces, which boasted strong equipment, lost their capital in less than a week to the Taliban, who only operated armed trucks.
However, what about the case of Ukraine—or rather, the country that served as the motif for the Ukran in this world?
Against Russia, the world's second-strongest military power, they not only held their own but also widely informed the international community of Ukraine's resilience. All sorts of weapons were supplied to Ukraine, and Russia had to retreat with its tail between its legs, suffering much more severe damage than expected.
‘That is the value we must aim for.’
We probably can't prevent the Ukrainian homeland from being devastated by war. However, we can certainly prevent the entire country from being swallowed up and all its citizens being torn apart and suffering.
Assume the Sovye Empire as the primary enemy state and maximize diplomatic relations with the surrounding countries. The more complex the diplomatic relationships, the more hesitant Sovye will be to strike Ukran, and if the Ukran army skillfully responds, it will surely be able to stalemate the war.
What the Imperial Alliance, including the Sovye Empire, wants is expansion to the west.
If Ukran successfully blocks that first step of expansion, the major powers, including Reinhardt, will look at this small country in a new light.
Perhaps the restraint from other countries that dislike the Sovye Empire might come into play as well. There are no eternal alliances, and the imperial ruling ideology of ‘imperialism’ is inherently about hunting down and tearing apart those weaker than oneself, regardless of whether they are friend or foe.
And so, the first day of the exhibition came to an end.
“Captain Enok Levandel, are you here?”
A precious ‘build-up’ opportunity to realize that thought had arrived.
“I am Captain Johannes Weissenberg. I have come with Dr. Mercedes, the lead researcher of our Moldoke armored train. The Doctor has shown great interest in your theory—”
"I'm heading out right now!!"
And he brought a giant of the Reinhardt Empire's technological innovation circle with him.