Operation No Issues (6)
"The most headache-inducing spot...? If it's something like that..."
Gobert paused in thought before picking up the pointer.
"This is one of our company outposts that's pushed further forward than the others. It's surrounded by three of Bakomore's combat outposts, so we take hits every time."
A blue dot was encircled by three red ones.
The Lucia region had established a buffer zone of about 2 km on each side along the border with Bakomore per their agreement. The core of the pact was no hostilities within that total 4 km buffer. But over time, no one gave a damn anymore. To keep watch on each other, companies and combat outposts had sprung up on the key high ground in the buffer zone, and securing advantageous positions had led to fierce clashes. That outpost must have held on remarkably well ever since those positions solidified.
"So, does that company have more troops than usual? Any mages assigned?"
"It's reinforced with extra combat troops beyond standard company strength, and we can provide long-range magic support from the battalion HQ in the rear."
"Hmm... But it's too close to the enemy for immediate support."
"Exactly. We can't embed a mage in the company, so we're always playing catch-up."
Mages were precious assets. Especially ones with Brione's skill—they weren't assigned to regular army units lightly. Deploying such a mage to a forward outpost where they might eat a sword any second to protect some legion grunts? Unthinkable. It was only because this was the border facing the enemy that a mage was even at battalion HQ; any other legion, and it'd be a pipe dream.
But the problem was, army mages were mostly greenhorns. Sure, there were mid-level or higher ones classified as such, but the ones slinging attack spells on the front lines were kids. Even if battalion HQ fired off long-range spells at that outpost, could they even pinpoint the coordinates right? One botched set of coords, and instead of hitting the enemy, attack magic rains down on our own company. From that angle, the place looked seriously precarious.
"Looking at the deployment, why not just seize all three Bakomore outposts up front? They'd never take it back."
"Right. If we could grab them, it'd be an iron fortress. But we can't suppress all three at once—there's no way. They cover each other perfectly. Plus, magic traps everywhere make even approaching a nightmare."
"Got it. What else?"
"This spot here—nothing special otherwise, but the terrain's a real bitch."
Gobert's pointer tapped a spot that anyone could see was fucked terrain. The Lucia region was mountainous overall, but this area had exaggerated folds.
"As you can see, it's brutal rough ground, and up close, it's reeds and bushes taller than a man..."
"Blind spots where they infiltrate constantly because no line of sight, right?"
"Yes, exactly. We've tried clearing the bushes and reeds multiple times, but no dice."
"Burn 'em, and the ash fertilizes them—they grow back bigger in months. Try plowing the whole field, and you get hit."
"Haha, you know it well, bro."
On the border, especially facing the enemy, line of sight was essential. That mess needed sorting.
"And the last one?"
"Right here."
Gobert pointed to a cluster of bright red flags fluttering thickly. Checking the contour lines, if war broke out, it was one of the few passes where a large force could quickly cross the border.
"They're reinforcing troops there nonstop. Won't launch a big assault, but if they wedge in slow and steady, it'll crack the line eventually."
"Yeah. Push just a bit more, and the front collapses. Hmm... Do we use that pass too?"
"If we invade Bakomore later, sure, but not now. Given the kingdom's situation, we should seal it instead. Plus..."
The pointer jabbed the big mountain next to it.
"That whole mountain's a tunnel complex. They cover from there, so no way to stop troops pouring in."
"Got it. All clear."
As we left the ops room, Gobert asked,
"So, how're you handling this?"
"The way I'm best at."
"What's that? Violence and deception?"
I burst out laughing at Gobert's quip.
"Here's the play, Gobert. From now on, you're the commander who gets uncomfortable with everything."
"Pardon...?"
"Meaning, become the general who suddenly wants to fix shit that's not an immediate crisis."
"Ah, yes. So I push ops against the legion commanders' objections, and you back me up from behind?"
"Exactly. You swoop in and solve all the problems they've let fester and rot."
"I get it. The more they bitch, the better it works."
"Damn right. So, let's talk next moves."
We headed back to the office and hashed out the plan. Gobert caught on quick—no big time sink.
We set night ops for work in the buffer zone, so time to kill. First time at forward command, I figured I'd wander and sightsee solo. Gobert fretted, but my logic was: no one stops a special ops officer with top ID.
"Hold up, Balder."
Everyone but one.
Just stepping out of HQ when Kamei called me back.
"What?"
Without a word, Kamei hurled a sword at me. I snatched it midair—longsword.
"The hell? Round two?"
"No proper finish yet."
"The fuck? No finish? Want me to plant you in the dirt again?"
"As long as this heart beats, the duel ain't over."
Her solemn fist to chest cracked me up.
"Hilarious. Folks'd think you're some epic hero rising from adversity."
"Follow me, Balder."
Kamei turned and strode off. I eyed her a beat, sighed, and trailed. Gotta humor her fire, or her pride might drive her to off herself. Stubborn knight type.
Kamei led to an open lot in HQ grounds. Straw dummies marked it as sword training area. She gripped her blade reverse, stance set, face blank.
I spun my sword and asked again,
"Sure no regrets?"
"Letting you walk's the regret."
"Fine... Can't be helped."
Legion grunts spotted the guard captain facing a stranger and gathered.
"What's up? Spar?"
"Captain! What're you doing?"
Kamei answered by twitching her blade tip faintly. Not nerves—advanced feint to blur my vision.
I dropped my longsword loose, eyed her grip and footwork quick. Then took my stance: blade reversed in scabbard-like sheath illusion, left hand mid-blade grip.
"Blade backwards? What kinda stance is that?"
Grunts buzzed at my odd hold. No surprise—it wasn't in legion manuals. Clan-exclusive swordplay, rarely used in real fights. Not low utility; just never needed formal swordplay. Legend says the Revenge King created it, but did my ancestor really need it for combat? Maybe just to show off like me now.
Blade reversed, I sidestepped slow into standoff with Kamei. Her right foot shot forward, tip slicing my throat. Blinding speed—normals die clueless.
I whipped my gripped sword diagonally up, batting hers aside. Twisted left instantly, thrusting tip at her throat with full body weight. Nearly buried in her neck.
Kamei deliberately unbalanced, hurling sideways. Beast reflexes, as expected.
She rolled dirt-caked from the tumble, scrambled back desperate. Shock etched her face.
"What the hell was that just now...?"
Chilled silence gripped the grunts. Teeth bared, Kamei regripped—now two-handed on hilt, blade slanted over shoulder.
In that case...
Unlike her upward tip, I dangled my longsword near-ground slant. Feinted foot twitches, baiting her advance.