Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: What Are You Doing? Hurry Up and Run!
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Koenihesen's summer grand offensive ended in failure.
Not just any failure, but a colossal one.
The opening we created—Erwin and I—didn't go unnoticed by our Allied Forces. They punched straight through the enemy's weakened lines, sliced right into their midsection, and spun around to form a massive encirclement net of their own.
There were several reasons the Allies managed to maneuver like that.
First off, we'd successfully blocked the enemy's movements. The enemy had no options beyond attacking outright—retreat wasn't even on the table—so in a way, they'd tied up their own mobility.
Second, mobility. The forces they'd yanked in a panic to catch us were what you'd call Koenihesen's top-tier rapid response units, damn near first-rate in terms of speed.
With those pulled away to chase us, they had nothing left to plug the gaps when the Allies surged forward.
Finally, no reserves. Koenihesen was actually short on troops. They'd thrown every last soldier into that sprawling front line for the offensive, and then Erwin pinned down an entire division in the process.
To bail those guys out, they sent another division's worth of reinforcements—holes were inevitable.
No more grand offensives for them now. All that's left for the Koenihesen bastards is salvaging whatever forces they can and pulling back.
"You're all safe and sound. That's a real relief."
And the ones who'd come to our rescue? Unexpectedly, not the Imperial Army, but elves.
Hell, their ears really are pointed. Not just a little taper—these things look like spear blades.
And how do they manage their hair like that? Man or woman, it's all silky smooth.
It's all so long, yet it shines like that? Up close, I don't spot a single bald elf. Do they just not have the baldness gene at all?
Suddenly makes sense why they strut around claiming superiority. Humans, dwarves—we all thin out with age. But these elves? Thick manes forever. Damn pointy-eared freaks!
"I offer my sincere thanks for saving our lives. I'm Richi Reinhardt."
Of course, hair-perfect elves are pointy-ears, but the ones who saved us? Good elves. Absolutely.
"I'm Enka of the Eastern Spring. I couldn't believe the Supreme Commander's son was out here, but seeing you like this... you've laid the groundwork for a reversal right here."
"You're too kind. And it wasn't me. Truth be told, this guy's the one who pulled it off."
I sidestepped casually, shoving Erwin forward at the same time.
Why do you keep trying to duck back? You handled all the tactics and command.
All I did was play a bit of bait and back him up from afar. Don't dump the credit on me.
Especially since I'm the Supreme Commander's kid—any "merit" I snag just invites backlash.
"Ho ho. Another hero of the Empire. What's your name?"
"Ahem. I'm Company Commander Erwin of the 1st Cavalry Division. Thank you so much for coming all this way and saving my soldiers' lives. I'll never forget this debt."
"Hahaha! Debt? Don't say that."
Yeah. Debt my ass. The Empire played shield up front while they got all prepped.
I get it. Elves and beastmen always skimping on commitments because their populations are so damn low.
The Empire knows it too—they're accommodating because we're one stiff breeze from folding ourselves.
But even the Empire nearly crumbled once, and they still held back? That's the problem.
From what I recall, even my goody-two-shoes dad laid into them over it once.
"Um, sorry to interrupt."
Enter slips in—haggard as hell, but loaded with experience now.
"So... what happens to us now?"
"You'll hand off to the incoming Imperial Army and withdraw to the rear."
"And the offensive...?"
"Our elven rangers and the beastmen warriors will take the left flank. The Empire's brave units will handle the right. We'll encircle the Koenihesen forces that haven't retreated yet."
Couldn't shine in the defense, so they're grabbing shares this way?
Eh, whatever. Higher-ups' call. Not my place to yap yet.
Besides, the Koenihesen guys know full well what happens if they can't retreat.
They'll put up hellish resistance on offense, just like they did defending. And take heavy losses.
Not as bad as the Empire, but elves and beastmen will bleed too. Fair's fair.
"We'll take our leave then. The area's secure now—prep to fall back."
The elves pulled out, and I let out a huge sigh of relief before flopping right down where I stood.
I wasn't the only one. Enter, Ariete—everyone's legs just gave out, collapsing in heaps.
"...We survived."
"Yeah."
"We really survived."
We mumbled it blankly like that when someone crept up beside me.
I looked up. Erwin was gazing down with a gentle smile.
"You did great."
"You too. Nah, you had it worse, Erwin. Command, tactics—you handled it all."
"Sure, that's true. But making those tactics work with those troops, right on time? That's on you, Richi. And Mr. Enter, Ms. Ariete too. Everyone."
He said without us, this level of success would've been a pipe dream.
The rearguard's more vital than ever for frontline troops to fight at peak. That's what Erwin said as he extended a hand to me.
"Here's to working together going forward, Richi Reinhardt."
His eyes said he was sure we'd cross paths again soon.
Probably will, like he figures. Me in the rear, him on the front lines, rolling in the dirt.
Still, giving our all for the Empire's victory? Same deal.
"Same here. Looking forward to it, Erwin."
Wonder how far this guy's climbing now. Youngest regimental commander?
*
"Company Commander Erwin reporting back to the division commander."
After linking up with the Imperial Army following the elves and getting relieved, Erwin, I, Enter, and Ariete finally made it back to 1st Cavalry Division HQ.
There, my brother—looking as beat as the other commanders, buried in ops plans and battle reports—greeted us.
"Good work, Company Commander Erwin. Word is your exploits were huge."
"No, sir. It was my men, the officers, the NCOs. I just hung back and..."
"Modesty's a virtue, but not always. This is one of those times. The Empire needs heroes right now, and you're one no one can deny."
"You're too kind, sir."
After more back-and-forth, he ordered us to head back and rest.
I moved to follow Erwin out—but
"Richi. Hold up a sec."
Brother stopped me, so I turned back and sat.
"Heard your contributions were pretty big too."
The others filed out of the division commander's office, and he spoke up.
"Contributions? It was all Erwin and the troops. I barely saw combat. Played bait and just cost us brave Imperial soldiers."
"Tactics and strategy come after logistics and manpower. The rear commander who pulls that off? That's decisive merit for victory."
From the vibe, the brass is already shining spotlights on me like Erwin.
Supreme Commander's son. Youngest division commander's brother. Perfect poster boy for the Empire's new war hero. Hell, I'd greenlight it too.
"Brother. One favor?"
But too many brave souls had to stay buried for that.
"Erwin's a hero among heroes—no denying it. Massive feats. Pump him up, no question. But not me. Keep it internal; no public hype."
"Still dodging the spotlight?"
"Nah. Not that."
I've already made up my mind. Spotlight comes with the territory.
This ain't some wallflower bullshit.
"You know it—overall Allied win, but we took an L early. Lots dead, wounded. Hyping the Supreme Commander's son as hero? It'll drag Dad through the mud everywhere. And talk about you too, obviously."
"Initial loss is fact. If responsibility's due..."
"Erwin's 1st Cavalry too. So no spotlight on me, keeps it clean. And... yeah, that's the big one, really."
Flash of memory. Those troops charging the enemy without a second thought in the crisis.
Knowing they'd die, knowing they'd never see family again.
Yet never forgetting their duty, marching forward proud.
"Too many didn't make it back. And this war? Ain't over. Pushed 'em back, counterattacking now—but it's just starting, really. So—"
The real battlefield where I step up full throttle? That's from here on.
"When it's all done? Then make me the hero."