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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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‘Artillery is the god of modern warfare.’ – Joseph Stalin, the Marshal of Steel.
‘God is on the side of the army with the strongest artillery.’ – Napoleon Bonaparte, the ruler of Europe.
The great commanders who had shaken the world all emphasized artillery. The artillery corps played a crucial role in warfare.
Although it was currently overshadowed by the magic corps, if the range of cannons increased and weapons development, including high-explosive shells and magic-infused ammunition, accelerated, it would become a corps with insane potential, far surpassing the firepower of the magic corps.
Even in reality, it only took 40 years for the field guns of the Napoleonic era to evolve into high-explosive self-propelled howitzers that could demolish concrete buildings. What would it be like in a world where magic existed?
With each passing year, unimaginable new weapons appeared. From airships to biplanes, biplanes to twin-engine aircraft, twin-engine aircraft to jet fighters. The air force wasn’t the only branch undergoing dramatic development.
The cavalry, which had once charged with sabers on horseback, was transformed into armored corps covered in steel, spewing out terrifying engine noises. And infantrymen, who had once used simple flintlocks, were now armed with deadly combat rifles that could fire dozens of rounds in seconds.
In reality, technological development would have been suppressed for various reasons, but fortunately, this was a world where a deus ex machina called magic existed.
It wasn’t unreasonable for an armored vehicle, which had once been a light tank, to suddenly appear with over-technology like reactive armor or composite armor.
This was what set Hearts of Iron apart from other strategy simulation games. Depending on the player’s actions, unconventional weapons could appear, skipping the normal development route.
The problem was… until now, everything had been processed within the fixed framework of the game system.
Now, I had to move ‘directly,’ based on the knowledge from the game and the knowledge I had accumulated during my time in the military.
It was perfect hyperrealism. Fortunately, I had a high understanding of the Reinhardt Empire’s artillery operation tactics and artillery weapons. And I was able to hold my own against Johannes, a current Imperial cavalry captain.
“So, you’re saying you’ve developed a weapon that can completely replace the 12-pounder smoothbore cannon currently in use in Ukraine?”
“It boasts a longer range. The operational concept itself is different from the 12-pounder, which specializes in direct, close-range support.”
Johannes’s eyes narrowed. He seemed to be doubting the veracity of my words.
“It’s a cannon that can be used without needing to be re-aimed after firing, by applying the recoil only to the barrel, not the entire cannon.”
“I’m not underestimating Ukraine… but considering your country’s industrial power, I’m a little skeptical that you can achieve such results.”
“It’s up to you to believe it, Captain.”
As I nonchalantly brushed it off, Johannes’s face became even more complicated.
To be honest, it was just a blueprint at the moment. A prototype hadn’t even been produced, but the concept of the underlying technology, the ‘recoil mechanism,’ had been established.
The so-called ‘Grizzly’ 57mm howitzer. As soon as I delivered this idea to the almost non-existent Ukrainian artillery corps, they, who were hungry for new weapons, immediately took over a position in the technology research department.
They had successfully managed to effectively absorb the recoil upon firing by plastering wind and water attribute magic tools directly under the barrel.
Though it was still based on the experimental results using mock ammunition and was closer to a fixed cannon, with continuous research and experimentation, we would be able to produce a self-made weapon comparable to the early main field guns of HOI.
In fact, based on the AI, the development of Reinhardt’s recoil-type field gun would take another year from the start of the game, so it was true that we currently had a technological advantage.
So, it wasn’t a 100% bluff.
“Reinhardt’s technological power is overwhelmingly superior to that of Ukraine and any other country in the world. But there are certainly areas where it is lacking.”
“Hmm… You certainly have a point.”
He was half-convinced. From now on, it was all about how I played my cards.
“I was very impressed by the Moldau armored train, so I’d like to discuss how we can help each other.”
I handed him a neatly folded note from my pocket. It was an address I had prepared before the party started.
“I’ll be staying in Reinhardt for about a month with Brigadier General Sony Zeppelin.”
“I see. Deoronto 8th Street isn’t far from my quarters.”
“I’m not familiar with Reinhardt’s geography. Let’s have a meal together sometime.”
“Sounds good.”
Johannes said that and put the note I had given him in his front pocket.
“I’ll contact you then.”
“I’ll be waiting. Then, we should go and look at the other exhibits.”
I gave a slight nod and turned around with Lumia to see the next exhibit. It seemed I had already made my first connection.
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Besides Count Ferdinand’s airship and armored train, there were many other things to see.
As expected of Reinhardt, a technological powerhouse, their firearms were also of a very high standard. Although we were using Bretton breech-loading muskets, they were already being supplied with bolt-action rifles similar to the Mauser rifle.
In fact, if it weren’t for me, who had detailed knowledge of the recoil-type field gun, it would have been developed first in Reinhardt, not Ukraine. It took several months just to establish a simple concept.
The abysmal technological capabilities of Ukraine compared to Reinhardt were clearly revealed.
In addition, from very early model trucks to communication equipment, although it would take a little more time for mass production, it could be said that it was the most advanced and technologically superior country among all the countries on the continent.
‘If only I could make them an ally, it would be perfect.’
After the Soviet invasion, the Reinhardt Empire also invaded Ukraine from the south, under the pretext of ‘mediation,’ at the same time as the Free Democratic Republic of Pry’s army crossed the border for ‘protection.’
Although they were better than the Soviet Empire, who actually started the war, they were still an adversary. But that was only in a normal situation.
In the end, the reason why the Reinhardt Empire participated in the Ukrainian front was to prevent the expansion of the Free Democratic Republic of Pry.
Since they were already a weak nation, and if they were torn apart in three ways, they wouldn’t be a big threat. They were trying to destroy a useless country and use it as a kind of buffer zone.
Then what if we became a valuable friend to Reinhardt? Or, even if not a friend, what if we became a country like a ‘chicken rib’ – something that’s not worth giving to others, but not worth taking for myself either?
In the end, the relationship between countries was based on pure self-interest. In my previous world, the United States had withdrawn its troops from Afghanistan because it wasn’t ‘profitable.’
And the Afghan government forces, who boasted of their advanced equipment, lost their capital to the Taliban, who were operating mere armed trucks, in less than a week.
But what about Ukraine─ the country that became the motif for this world’s Ukraine?
Against Russia, the world’s second-largest military power, they had not only put up a good fight but had also widely announced their unwavering will to the international community.
All sorts of weapons were supplied to Ukraine, and Russia had to retreat with much more serious damage than expected.
‘That’s the value we should aim for.’
It was probably impossible to prevent the Ukrainian homeland from being devastated by war. But it would be possible to prevent the entire country from being swallowed up and all its people from being torn apart and suffering.
We would designate the Soviet Empire as our primary adversary and maximize our diplomatic relations with the surrounding countries. The more complex the diplomatic relations, the more hesitant the Soviet Union would be to attack Ukraine.
And if the Ukrainian army responded skillfully, the war could certainly be brought to a stalemate. The Imperial Alliance, including the Soviet Empire, wanted to expand westward.
If Ukraine successfully blocked the first step of that expansion, the great powers, including Reinhardt, would see this small country in a new light. Perhaps other countries that were not fond of the Soviet Empire would also intervene.
There were no eternal alliances, and the ruling principle of the empire, ‘imperialism,’ was originally to bite and hunt those weaker than oneself, regardless of whether they were friend or foe.
And so, the first day of the exhibition ended.
“Captain Enoch Levandal, are you here?”
A precious ‘build-up’ opportunity to realize that thought had arrived.
“This is Captain Johannes Weissenberg of the cavalry. I came with Dr. Mercedes, the lead researcher of our Moldau armored train. The doctor is very interested in the Captain’s theory─.”
“I’ll be right out!!”
And he even brought a big shot from the Reinhardt Empire’s technology innovation world with him.
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