Hearts of General is a tactical simulation game that deals with wars between nations, but the problem is that countries do not immediately start fighting each other from the very beginning.
Generally, the war begins somewhere between four to five years after the game starts.
Players are forced to start from the rank of lieutenant, which is essentially a constraint and a unique level design of HoG.
So, what can players do during this time to improve their stats and grow their units?
The most orthodox method is to clear bandit raids or participate in localized battles near the borders to gain combat experience.
There was also the option of eliminating neutral monsters, such as demons or demon lairs, that were rampant throughout the country.
I initially planned to command field units, repel bandit raids similar to the recapture of Belgorod Fortress last time, and gradually improve my unit’s capabilities by clearing northern hemisphere demons.
But I never imagined that one of the representative demons, the Yeti, would appear here—especially during the Hellweek training period.
“Aaaah!!!”
“Gyaah!!!”
Bam! The Yeti roared and threw its fist, narrowly missing the First Platoon commander, Hilton. This monster was several times stronger than an ordinary bear.
Even if protected by magic, one could only hope for serious injuries at best; usually, it would result in instant d*ath.
“What are you doing?! Don’t just stand there like an idiot! Quickly bring the platoon commander!”
“Yes, yes!!”
As I shouted, a nearby soldier quickly darted out and dragged Hilton away. Just as the Yeti was about to charge, two gunshots from behind caught its attention.
“Over here! You little monkey! Are you so hungry from living on the icy mountains? This will taste better!!”
The soldiers started provoking the Yeti. Whether it worked or not, the creature turned its massive bulk towards the soldiers.
“Aaaaah!!”
“Wha… What the hell! Crazy b*stard! It’s too scary!!”
Everyone scattered behind trees, cursing loudly. It was understandable. The Yeti was a demon, and demons generally eat people. They are predatory beasts born to hunt humans.
Ordinary people are overwhelmed even by bears or tigers, let alone these predators being suppressed by genuine monsters.
“Hilton Callia, platoon commander! Are you okay?”
“Yes, yes…”
“Pull yourself together and respond! This is real combat!!”
Real combat.
Hearing that, Hilton’s eyes changed instantly. She jumped up from her fallen position and a magic circle appeared in mid-air.
Rumble—Boom!!
A thunderous sound echoed across the mountain. Purple mana burst forth and pierced through the Yeti in the blink of an eye.
Intermediate purple magic, Lightning Spear.
With its excellent penetration power, it easily pierced through the Yeti’s thick fur and leather.
“Kyaaah!!”
However, even with that firepower, the Yeti wasn’t defeated. Shocked but still roaring fiercely at Hilton.
“d*mn!”
I couldn’t just watch, so I activated my Magic Core and cast a spell.
The Yeti lived in the icy mountains. And creatures living in such environments are typically vulnerable to heat.
“Blaze Ballista!”
The words I spoke became energy, forming a giant arrow of fire. In just seconds, the red mana took shape and flew toward the Yeti.
Now that my body was recovering, and I had learned to handle mana more efficiently, I could use intermediate-level spells without issue.
Yet, Hilton, who should have retreated, was nowhere to be seen.
“…?!”
Turning my gaze, I saw Hilton charging at the Yeti despite the Blaze Ballista firing. Her movements were slow-motion-like, unfolding slowly.
“sh*t!”
Even though I had already lost control, the spell was already released.
Ka-boom!!
With a huge explosion, flames engulfed both Hilton and the Yeti.
“Platoon Commander!!”
Blaze Ballista is a formidable destructive spell. With enhanced penetration, it’s a powerful spell that could k*ll a civilian if hit incorrectly.
I prayed that the worst wouldn’t happen as I rushed into the thick smoke.
“Hilton Callia! Commander, don’t just rush in without orders!!”
If she needed immediate healing, I planned to take her to Bella Meyer. But what I saw in front of me was different.
Purple lightning wildly surged over the completely downed Yeti. A nauseating smell filled the air.
In front of it stood Hilton, commander, pressing the Yeti’s head with her boot, a cold smile on her face.
“Did you see that?”
“Yes, I saw it clearly.”
Sony Chepelin and Joseph Lebandovsky, who planned the training and were also evaluators, stood atop the highest peak in the mountain range.
Using sight-expanding magic, they observed the scattered platoons and analyzed the deployment based on the signal markers attached to each commander before the training began. It was the perfect spot for this.
Of course, the freezing cold that could k*ll an ordinary person in hours and the fierce winds that could push rocks aside raged, but…
For a Great Mage like Sony Chepelin, such conditions posed no threat.
It was the same for Joseph Lebandovsky, a commissioned student who excelled as a top student in the Pry Free Democratic State’s elite mountain division.
“Purely physical ability saved her, right?”
“Yes. Moreover, she added an electric shock to the spot hit by the ballista. Even a Yeti can’t withstand such an attack.”
Joseph’s usually pale face was now serious and sharp.
His weak appearance was gone, transforming him into a seasoned staff officer.
“What a thing. Where did you find such a person, Joseph?”
“I found her while searching disciplinary records. She was involved in a fight with a civilian in Ajov a few months ago, which left her completely disabled.”
“Wow… That’s intense.”
Sony Chepelin shook her head, tongue-tied. Even as a Great Mage soon to be promoted to brigadier general, controlling such a person seemed difficult.
“How well can Major Enok Revendale control her?”
“It’s crucial. Well, if the famous Claude Rain can be made obedient, there might be a chance.”
“I evaluate it positively.”
The chief of staff nodded slowly.
“Well, she’s suitable for a new unit like the Shock Mage Infantry. Not a commander, but a frontline field commander. Such a vanguard leader is essential.”
“Are you considering local promotions?”
“Of course. We can’t keep them as non-commissioned officers forever. To increase talented personnel, we need to reduce the gap in ranks.”
“The incoming staff officers will have a tough time.”
Despite the early summer, the two laughed and joked on the snowy peak of the mountain.
“So, it seems the situation is settling. Let’s start the bombardment.”
“Leave some for retreat.”
“Of course.”
Snap! Sony Chepelin snapped her fingers.
A gigantic magic circle spread above the sky where the first platoon was located.
“Hilton Callia, platoon commander?”
I cautiously reached out my hand toward the frozen-in-time platoon commander.
Surely, she was within the range of the Blaze Ballista before the magic hit, yet there was no injury on her body.
She only suffered minor burns from the inevitable flames.
The moment my hand touched Hilton, her stiff body collapsed.
“She fainted…!!”
Perhaps Hilton was similar to me and Bella Meyer. If she failed to control mana, she might go berserk and then faint.
‘Absolutely useless!’
I couldn’t help but blame the battalion commander and chief of staff for bringing such a unit.
This makes three people in the platoon with potential mana explosions.
But now was not the time to complain. After firing flares repeatedly and using strong offensive spells to detect the Yeti,
‘I’m sure Sony Chepelin noticed this. We need to withdraw our forces.’
It was obvious. Soon, crazy bombardments would fall. Staying here any longer was s*icide.
I helped carry Hilton Callia with the aid of a passing soldier and shouted to the scattered platoon members.
“Retreat the entire platoon, including the fourth squad, to the rear 500 meters! Move quickly!!”
“Yes!!”
“Those two, run east and inform the second and first squads that are deploying to move back to 500 meters!”
“Understood!!”
The two soldiers ran eastward without hesitation when pointed out. Bella Meyer and Claude would surely defend against the bombardment and safely withdraw the troops.
The problem was here.
In a situation where concentrated bombardment was expected, it was uncertain whether unconscious Hilton and her subordinates could be safely withdrawn.
Kyiing—
Just as I thought, the sound of a magic circle deploying in the air echoed. Our position was exposed. Now, curling up and hiding was safer than standing up and running away.
“Everyone, lie down! Prepare for bombardment!!”
I desperately deployed a Magic Barrier just before the barrage began. As long as Sony Chepelin didn’t fully commit, I could hold out somehow.
Looking at the colorful spells pouring in, I spread the barrier with all my might, feeling like I was grasping at straws.
Above it, eight streams of light rose. Bam! Boom!! The Magic Missiles intercepted Sony Chepelin’s spell before it could reach my barrier.
Only one person in the battalion has used such magic so far.
“Deploy a Great Magic Defense Barrier!”
“Regular infantry, retreat to the rear!”
Following that, familiar female voices and a cheerful smile appeared with the third platoon commander.
“Major, I came to assist!!”
