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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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“Now, one last check before deployment. Company commanders and staff, gather around.”
With about two hours left until deployment, the officers of the 8th Assault Magic Infantry Battalion, including myself, gathered in Sonya Zeppelin’s office. It was the final briefing.
“The objective is the Lymansk Armory in the Pripyat region of the northwestern Soviet Empire. We’re retrieving the Pearl of Premonition stored there.”
Sonya Zeppelin pointed at the map with a baton. It was something we had heard countless times, but she was reiterating the objective.
While they had previously used mages mixed among bandits to attack the fortress, this operation involved deploying a proper combat unit to completely destroy the facility. In the modern era, this level of operation, even to retrieve ‘stolen property,’ would have drawn considerable backlash.
But in this era, where concepts like espionage and localized conflicts weren’t clearly established, such an operation was possible. Infiltrate with an airship and escape with an airship. At a time when airships as weapons were largely unknown, even to the Reinhardt Empire, it would be difficult for the Soviet Empire to figure it out.
Moreover, this was an operation Sonya Zeppelin had meticulously planned for months. We were all provided with cover identities as members of the Soviet rebel group ‘Red October,’ just in case. With concrete evidence, even the Empire’s counterintelligence agency wouldn’t be able to easily uncover the truth. It was payback for what happened at Belgorod Fortress.
How could I be so sure?
Because it was the same tactic used against me every time I played as the Soviet Empire. Whenever a facility was bombed or attacked, it was always Red October. Initially, I’d dismiss it as a simple act of ‘rebellion,’ but as I rose in rank and reviewed the information, it often turned out to be external sabotage rather than internal dissent.
Similarly, right now, they wouldn’t even imagine that a Ukrainian special forces unit had attacked their facility. They probably wouldn’t even realize the armory had been attacked for several days.
“The 3rd Battalion under the Special Operations Brigade will create a diversion, making them think we escaped by land.”
“Have they been operating within imperial territory all this time?”
“They’re working in collusion with the Red October group.”
She was a terrifying woman. Not only was she conducting Direct Action (DA) operations, but also Unconventional Warfare (UW). Though her personality was a bit eccentric and quirky, her tactical plan was certainly worthy of being Ukraine’s last hope.
‘The more I learn, the more I wonder why Ukraine always loses in the original story… Was there a coup or something?’
As I was lost in thought, Sonya Zeppelin, as if sensing it, snapped her fingers in front of my face.
“1st Company Commander, you’re not paying attention.”
“I apologize.”
“Then, Captain, would you explain the role of the 1st Company in this operation?”
Look at her, trying to find fault with me. But I was an officer who had survived all sorts of hazing in the K-Army. I had memorized the operational outline and mission details ever since the initial operation plan was distributed.
“The mission assigned to our 1st Company is to infiltrate through the northern gate of the armory and neutralize the troops stationed there. Two platoons will infiltrate the guard company headquarters and subdue the troops, and the other two platoons will occupy the armory west of the gate. Those are our main objectives.”
As I spoke without hesitation, Sonya Zeppelin, as if she hadn’t expected me to be so prepared, scratched her cheek.
“Hmm. Right, you had reason to be distracted.”
“I apologize. I’ll focus.”
“Anyway, all the other company commanders should memorize the operational objectives like Lieutenant Enoch. You all did well during the last bandit raid, but this time, it’s the regular army we’re up against, so it won’t be as easy.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The other officers replied in loud voices. Lieutenant Nikolai, the commander of the 2nd Company, who was standing next to me, nudged me and chuckled.
Since the 2nd Company was tasked with cleaning up the remnants after our company, the advance party, I had spent a lot of time discussing the ‘Night of the Empire’ operation with Nikolai. He seemed to consider us close enough to joke around like this.
After the final briefing…
I lit a cigarette outside with the 2nd Company commander.
“Need a light?”
“No, it’s okay.”
Putting aside our newfound camaraderie, he was my first smoking buddy since I entered this world. We had become close enough to drop formalities. I’d heard from the other platoon leaders that he was easy to get along with, and it was certainly true.
Scratch, whoosh!
I struck a match and lit my cigarette, the familiar acrid smoke filling my lungs.
“So? How’s the soldiers’ morale?”
“My company’s… pretty calm.”
“It’s no wonder, with all those unique platoon leaders. I’ve heard a lot about your company, how it’s full of eccentrics.”
What did they expect? It seemed like some kind of destiny, continuing from the 3rd Battalion. I hadn’t imagined that even the new faces would be so unusual.
As I sighed deeply, Nikolai flicked his cigarette butt and added, “But you’ve established a strong identity, haven’t you? Strong bonds between the squad members.”
“We’ll know for sure after we’ve been deployed in actual combat.”
“Right…”
Nikolai Hilbert crushed the remaining ember.
“This is the real beginning.”
How many will survive? The 2nd Company commander muttered. His eyes were still full of spirit and determination, but he couldn’t completely shake off the anxiety lurking beneath.
“I’m going back. You guys be prepared.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll all return safely.”
Nikolai waved and disappeared into his company barracks. Carrying various emotions – anxiety, nervousness, anticipation, fear – the bell finally tolled, signaling the start of twilight.
“As of 19:30, Operation Night of the Empire commences. All troops, board the airships!”
“Board—!!”
At Sonya Zeppelin’s command, over a hundred combat troops boarded the airships.
Ukraine’s revenge against the Soviet Empire had begun.
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Northwestern Soviet Empire.
The Lymansk Armory.
Deep night. About ten figures waited in front of the armory entrance. All of them were on horseback. Cloaked in robes in the dark night, they were difficult to discern with the naked eye.
Finally, when the guards turned on the magical lights at the entrance, the figures were revealed.
“Identify yourselves!”
“Lieutenant Colonel Yegor Ivanov. Inspector from the Empire’s General Directorate of Intelligence.”
The man at the front removed his robe and replied. The soldier guarding the armory was startled by the voice that cut through the darkness and opened the gate. A man hurriedly rushed out from inside the armory.
“Comrade Inspector!!”
The man who greeted them was a non-commissioned officer on night duty at the southern guard post of the armory. He saluted smartly, and the man on horseback returned the salute with a crisp, formal gesture.
“Welcome, comrade. I never dreamed you would arrive so late.”
“Something came up along the way. Well, I arrived within the day as promised, didn’t I?”
He smiled casually and entered the armory.
Lieutenant Colonel Yegor Ivanov, the Empire’s Guillotine. It had been reported that the senior inspector of the General Directorate of Intelligence would be visiting, but no one expected him to arrive so late at night.
‘He pushed through despite the rebels swarming nearby.’
Sergeant Maxim Stepanov, a Soviet soldier serving at the Lymansk Armory, clicked his tongue. The Pripyat region, where the Lymansk Armory was located, being a border area adjacent to Ukraine, was a haven for anti-imperialists and criminals. Due to the rugged terrain extending from the Carpathian Mountains, which formed the border, it was very conducive to guerrilla warfare. Because of this, the Lymansk Armory was a frequent target of attacks by various rebel groups.
Therefore, even those skilled in combat usually avoided this area after sunset, but the inspector and his party had kept their promise to arrive by today.
‘Amazing.’
As expected of the General Directorate of Intelligence, which boasted more power than even the Imperial Guard, the de facto emperor’s personal army.
“Comrade Sergeant, I’d like you to show me around the facility. Would you be free to leave your post for a while?”
“Ah…! Of course.”
The reason for the General Directorate of Intelligence personnel visiting the Lymansk Armory was simple. They were there to observe the ‘experiment’ that was underway.
“I’ve already woken the Guard Company Commander. He’ll be here soon to escort you, Comrade Inspector.”
“Is that so? I’m glad to hear that. But I’m worried I might have disturbed his rest.”
“Of course not. We can’t let your efforts in coming all this way through the darkness be in vain, Comrade Inspector.”
“Indeed, you are worthy of being the elite troops guarding the Empire’s frontier. His Majesty the Emperor will remember your hard work.”
“Thank you, Comrade!!”
Sergeant Maxim Stepanov bowed his head sincerely. The Soviet army, despite its massive size, didn’t offer many opportunities for promotion. Maxim himself had been stuck as a sergeant for six years.
If he did a good job assisting Yegor during this inspection, perhaps he could highlight his achievements? Already imagining another stripe added to his epaulets, Maxim eagerly followed the Inspector.
“This way, Comrade Inspector.”
“Hmm.”
They slowly moved towards the armory’s underground facility.
It was at this moment that the two airships that had departed from Ukraine crossed the Soviet border.
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