Dr. Einstein may have been no good as a military man, but he contributed to the nation,
which makes him better than a rank-and-file soldier! Don't they know that rather than
giving guys like Einstein and Nobel guns, they need to give them pencils and make
them do calculations?! Of course, anybody with a touch of crazy like the mad scientist
is a different story, but still.
Having mad scientists contribute is about as meaningless as standing Nobel up on the
forward-most line. Having Nobel study nitroglycerin would be much better for society.
He was also a wonderful guardian of human capital who advocated for peace in order
to prevent wasting resources.
In other words, everything is for the future of humanity.
Alfred Nobel had a great reputation as a guy who "became rich by finding ways to kill
more people faster than ever before" (as per Wiki), but there was no one who valued
efficiency as much as he did!
If it were me, I would want to add, "He worked to protect human capital."
Ahh, why this extravagant waste of human capital? If there are plenty of posts and not
enough talent, we can just pull them off the front lines. Don't you think this is why
we're lacking talent?
Supposedly they are finally correcting this…
Well, all I can do is rewrite these notes as a formal opinion to turn in.
I'm on a train, but since we're at war, there isn't even any good scenery to look at, so
I'm bored.
I've been summoned, though, so I guess I have to endure it.
Perhaps we'll have some breathing room after thoroughly crushing Arene. The unit
was given leave, and the higher-ups will consider where to station all the troops that
were assembled. Well, I expected that much.
But why am I the only one who has to appear at the General Staff Office in the capital?
I sincerely reviewed my conduct to try to find anything that would warrant me being
called in, but I don't think I made any mistakes.
Yes, we saved lives and eradicated the enemy mages.
And before that, on the Rhine lines, I even received a decoration for my daring exploits,
albeit in a simple battlefield presentation.
I don't think any of my behavior has been problematic.
And I don't recall any slipups in terms of controlling my subordinates, either. I adhere
strictly to regulation in the battalion because there is no way I'm getting stuck in a
military tribunal for mismanaging my reports like Mr. Yamashita.22
I have zero tolerance for abuse of prisoners. Due to the temperament of my unit, we
rarely have prisoners, but I can say with confidence that we never torture or abuse
our captured information sources. Unlike the amateurs who take more prisoners than
necessary and then tear their hair out over how to feed everyone, we don't take on
more than forty-eight people can handle; it does make things somewhat easier.
I have an ideal unit that both adheres extremely close to international laws and
devotes themselves to their missions, which is nice and easy; they don't give me much
trouble. So why am I being called in?
"Excuse me. Long time no see, Major von Degurechaff."
I'm nearly lost in my meandering thoughts when they're interrupted by a familiar
voice. A man wearing a mid-ranking officer's coat stands in the entrance to my
compartment. Before I wonder who it is, I look at his face and more or less understand
the situation.
"It certainly has been a while, Major Uger. Good to see you're doing well." I stand up,
hastily remove my cap, and bow. Well, etiquette might also require that I let down my
tied-back hair. Luckily, there are no rules enforced so inflexibly near the front lines.
Hmm, but I heard that Major Uger got a post in the rear. I think it was either with the
army's Railroad Department or Logistics.
Of all the officers in my class at war college, he'll probably go the furthest. He had
already been promoted to the middle ranks when I got my captain's commission. He'll probably make it to lieutenant colonel rather quickly for someone not serving on a
battlefield.
Ahh, I'm jealous. After you serve in Logistics, you usually end up either in the General
Staff or an instructor position at the war college. It won't hurt me to stay on good terms
with him.
"Yes, I'm glad to see you in one piece, too. I heard about Arene. Sounds like it was
rough."
"I'm afraid military secrets are involved, so I can't give you details…"
And since we were in college together, we're a bit closer than acquaintances. Or really,
although class reunions and the hierarchy of commissions operate in the background,
they still influence officers to have ties to one another—connections.
"That's fine. Today I'm basically on an errand for General von Zettour. Are you, too?"
Aha, I guess I should say. He must be here as a messenger. The poor guy is really getting
run around.
"Do you know something?"
"…Well, I suppose I can tell you…"
Can he keep a secret or not? Well, Major Uger is fairly sensible, so I'll be happy he
trusts me.
There's nothing more handy and essential than connections, influence, and a network.
"The army's Railroad Department is being asked to plan urgent transportation into a
war zone. I'm going to report that."
"…I don't mean to be rude, but I don't see what that has to do with me. At most, won't
I be one of the field officers being transported?"
The Railroad Department performs a critical role in the Empire, where we use interior
lines strategy. If the rails can't move troops smoothly, our force can't get where it needs
to be in an efficient way, and we can't concentrate our fighting power. Then the Great
Army is like an elephant with a body, so big it can't move.
A department that important probably gets asked to plan urgent transportation into
a war zone fairly often.
That's fine.
But why does that overlap with the reason I've been summoned?
I don't mean to sound smart-alecky, but I'm a mage. And I'm a battalion commander—
nothing more than a tactical component. At most, I'd be asked to get on such and such
a train to go to such and such a place. Or, since I can fly, they might tell me to zoom off
somewhere under my own steam.
There shouldn't be any reason to call me all the way to the capital.
"It's where they're going that's the problem. The higher-ups are apparently planning
to pull the Rhine lines back."
"The Rhine lines… You mean, we'll retreat?"
The shock keeps Tanya from understanding what Uger has said for a moment.
We pushed so hard only to pull back?
"That's right. I guess they mean to fall back and make them bleed."
Fall back and make them bleed… So that's what they're doing? Hannibal's Cannae, on
this scale?!
"…That's unexpected. It's drastic, but an interesting idea."
Agh, I guess I'm losing my edge. The Concorde's failure isn't funny anymore. We should
adhere to the rule that says not to lament the money you've invested in an unprofitable
enterprise but rather lament any further loss. My time on the front lines has really
rusted my economic, rational sensibilities. It's horrifying.
Or does Being X mean to destroy this faithful believer in the modern, practical spirit?
I have to stay conscious of the context—that I'm in this war-torn world he was
blabbing about. Terrifyingly, my senses of the market and what's rational were on the
verge of numbing.
Ahh, war is such a crime. I want to escape this human madness and wastefulness as
fast as I can. We should quit this war with actual bombs whizzing around and have
economic wars instead.
"Still…pulling back?"
But, hmm, General von Zettour has come up with a surprising idea, thinks Tanya with
unstinting admiration.
It would take time and effort to push the lines forward, that's for sure. A retreat isn't
so hard. And actually, even if the enemy pursues us, we can expect fewer casualties
than if we charged at heavily defended trenches. It's not a bad idea. If we organize the
uneven lines, we should be able to face them head-on.
And well, striking into Republican territory gives their supply lines the advantage, but
if we retreat, it'll be easier on ours.
Of course, the plan will only work if they go along with it.
"That's why the information is so tightly controlled… It seems like we're going to be
putting on a bit of an act."
"An act?"
"Listen, Major. That mess in Arene destroyed our supply lines. We can't maintain the
front anymore."
…Hold on a minute.
That's the story we're telling about our retreat?
No matter how inept we think the Republicans are, surely they'll at least send out
scouts.
"Isn't that a bit of a stretch? Whether through a third power or a unit participating in
the battle, I'm sure the truth will leak out."
"No, just the opposite. We'll spread propaganda through the other country. 'The heroic
citizens of Arene resisted and practically destroyed the Imperial Army's railroad.'"
Wow. I'm genuinely impressed. I'm no propaganda expert, but I can imagine how
effective this could be. I honestly never expected someone in this world, and at such
an age, would come up with this brand of information warfare.
I'm struck once again by how wonderful the human race is, so truly adaptable.
Of course, it's absurd that they can be this wise and still fight wars…
Well, behavioral economics attempts to explain the human ball of contradictions from
an emotional angle.
I'm sure it makes many interesting points.
The citizens of Arene gave their all and fought so bravely, so fiercely, that the Imperial
Army lines were shaken. The moment someone shouts, You would waste these gains?
levelheaded debate will be overwhelmed by a torrent of emotion.
"You mean we'll take away all their choices?"
Bravo. It's a reproduction of the dance Bismarck made Napoleon III do. The Ems
Dispatch incident is a truly classic feat of diplomacy. Even a mere sensible person like
me can appreciate it.
This is essentially a provocation.
Well, if Bismarck's move was a provocation, maybe this is more like coaxing. Well, I'll
leave the detailed categorizing to the academics, but I still want to praise this move
with a bravo from the bottom of my heart.
"That's right. Even if they don't come to help them, all it will take is someone to
whisper, 'They abandoned them.' It can't hurt to send around that kind of
disinformation."
"It's a marvelous idea. I'm surprised he thought of it."
Well.
The Republican administration will probably hate getting a reputation as the type that
watches resisting civilians die in the middle of total war when they need the unity of
their people.
A nation can't expect its people to accept its logic that a small sacrifice will benefit the
majority.
Really, the only ones who declare something like that are the Soviets or their ilk,
although in Pol Pot's case his "small sacrifice" was about a third of the population.
Well, some nations go to war under the pretext of protecting their citizens, so I guess
it balances out.
Deploying troops because of murdered missionaries is a cliche by now. The Empire
has a few past conflicts along the same lines.
Of course, purely as a diplomatic issue, a country shouldn't be lazy when it comes to
protecting its citizens. Or rather, the people pay taxes to be protected. Even in a nightwatchman state, the people want protection from their government, so that should be
provided.
In that sense, security is the nation's duty. Well, it probably only goes so far, but still.
Oh, I've gotten quite off track. This is no time to let my thoughts wander.
"But what does that have to do with me?"
How does a mere field major like me fit into a grand strategy like that?
I honestly have no idea. Really—how?
In principle, it's better for confidentiality—there'll be fewer leaks—if fewer people
know, so I'm sure it's on a need-to-know basis only, but I have to ask.
"It's simple. Apparently, your 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion will be the rear guard for
the retreat."
"…They think far too much of us."
Actually, considering what happens to people who know too much… The civilian
method is to give people a large retirement allowance or pension to keep their mouths
shut. Yeah, that gets expensive. Hence, all the criticism of how much golden parachutes
cost.
Conversely, if you want to keep costs down and resolve things in a practical manner,
you can render people incapable of talking. And if you can accomplish it legally on a
battlefield, it's a no-brainer.
…Is this to threaten us into staying quiet about Arene? The thought sends a chill up
my spine.
Maybe I'm thinking too hard, but it sure seems like my loyalty is being questioned. It's
true that in a pinch I prioritize my own safety, but…I've still been getting results for
them. And I'm pretty sure I've been displaying my allegiance to the organization at
every opportunity.
No, maybe they found out I hesitated in Arene? But I don't recall that resulting in any
failures. Plus, I have the great excuse of protecting our own people.
Yeah, I want to believe there are no issues. Then why are we getting stuck as the rear
guard?
"Your mission will only be a delaying defense, but it'll be rough, I'm sure. You're
probably being summoned to discuss it."
"A delaying defense when we're half-enveloped? Losing half of my troops won't buy us
time."
We got asked this question all the time in the academy, but I never thought I would
actually be put in this situation.
It's possible, but I'm not doing it and Let's try it are very different things.
It's easy to say pretty words like, I'll use my subordinates as a shield, but to actually do
it takes a tremendous amount of discipline.
At least, it's too much to ask of a young officer like me.
"Half…? You'd be basically wiped out…"
"Yes, I'm sure we would be. I never thought I'd end up having to actually implement a
scenario from the academy's oral exam."
I want to shout, Surely, you must be joking! but nothing would be more pointless. I feel like I have at least a little understanding of Major Uger's personality.
Basically, I don't think he's the type of guy to joke around.
Besides, as long as I have no idea why he would lie to me, it's safer to assume it's the
truth. In other words, I'm going to be the tail end of the army performing delaying
action as we retreat? What an elegant way to indirectly tell me to drop dead.
Am I allowed to say that this is something they should have a family of warriors like
the Shimahdzus23 do and not mere mages? I just barely manage to control my urge to
flee out the window of the car. Running away now won't improve my situation one bit.
I have to think how I can resolve this—no, how to survive. I need to find a way out.
Fortunately, my subordinates are all capable shields. I may need to use the
Shimahdzus special, the sutegamari fighting retreat. Maybe I should apply to license
it. Gotta follow the rules at all times.
"You're overthinking it. It won't take that long. Won't you basically be on lookout?"
"On the perpetual battlefield, you have to be prepared for the worst, though, you
know? Not that I enjoy having that temperament…"
My hope is that they just get the lines moved back in a hurry so we don't have to suffer.
In other words, it's only a hope. I can't risk my life on this sad, little chance. We have
to be an ultra-vigilant rear guard. What the heck?
If I was going to feel this sick, I shouldn't have eaten that beef stew. I wanna throw up.
Was the reason Rudel drank milk because his stomach couldn't handle anything more
than that?
No, I think he was serious about nutrition and just a total battlefield addict.
But maybe I should take a page from his book and drink some milk; it'd be good for
my health. I'll take some time to seriously consider this later.
"…We'll do our best and try not to take too much time."
"I appreciate it, Major Uger."
Anyhow, what the heck.
It'll be fine if I can go to General von Zettour directly and get him to take back the
orders later, but…
If they're trying to shut us up, he definitely won't.
No, even if he doesn't turn down my request, the danger of being disposed of will never
quite leave us.
In that case, I might have to consider surrendering to the Republic in order to survive.
Well, no, I guess that would be dangerous, too… It's so unlucky that we accidentally
sunk that Commonwealth vessel. At worst, I would be sacrificed for long-term friendly
relations between the Commonwealth and the Republic or whatever. Actually, that's
definitely what would happen.
If that's true, then the first thing I need to do is get out of this jam.
"Either way, as long as we're soldiers, we do what we must. That's how it is, right?"
Damn it. I have to pretend I don't know anything and survive. Of course, the ideal
would be if this is all a misunderstanding.
It's better to be pessimistically prepared than think optimistically and fail. If you're
assuming you're fine at the cost calculation stage and you put too much trust in a 5.7-
meter standard for sea walls, what happens?
Of course, a corporation has to be conscious of costs. Rather, I think a nation that
wages a war with no sense of cost is far madder. I choose to firmly support peace. That
said, I'm all for intervening in a region in order to secure limited interests.
The costs of a war waged by a practical economic agent should be capped within a
permissible limit. And how about the escargots' standards? Power plants? More like
fortresses. Well, the actual fortresses they build have pretty well-known reputations,
in various senses of the word, e.g., the Maginot Line.
Ahh, this is no good. It appears my intellectual curiosity and purity are making my
mind wander.
"Either way, Major von Degurechaff, for now, we've reunited. How about a toast to
mark the occasion?"
"All I have is ersatz coffee, but if that works, I'm happy to."
Anyhow, next time I'll make sure to have some milk on hand. Incidentally, for some
reason, the Empire is famous for its milk.