The southern part of Okhraine, bordering a small inland sea, was truly a land blessed by the gods. Abundant fishing resources, vast plains, and fertile soil.
Despite Okhraine’s economy and industrial power being significantly lower compared to other nations, it could proudly hold its ground as a Duchy in the international community.
Okhraine’s annual food exports accounted for an astonishing 60% of the country’s total exports. Especially for the neighboring Walter Tri-Countries and the Soviev Empire, which had difficult terrain making cultivation challenging, this was a very important source of food.
However, because of this, the Okhraine region had long been at the center of conflicts.
During the time of the Rus Tsar Empire, the predecessor of the Soviev Empire, they forcibly absorbed the then-unclaimed Okhraine territory. Prior to the era of peace, the three countries fiercely fought over effective control of the Okhraine region.
However, with the establishment of diplomatic relations between nations and the current inability to easily start wars,
the ones eyeing Okhraine’s land were minority ethnic groups.
Azoff.
The inhabitants of a small archipelago in the Borzunas Sea, adjacent to Okhraine.
While these islands barely extended into Okhraine’s territorial waters, they were actually descendants of people who crossed over from the southern continent via the straits.
It is not easy for two different ethnic groups, with different cultures, races, and languages, to blend into one nation just because they live next to each other.
Therefore, Azoff completely broke away from the control of the Okhraine Duchy and remained as a kind of armed resistance group based on the islands, under the name of the Azoff Autonomous Territory.
Up until now, it might be somewhat understandable, but the problem was that every winter, they would raid the southern coastal areas to procure insufficient food supplies.
While sometimes their raids only involved plundering merchant ships or occupying ports, about ten years ago, during the Quernen War, they even launched a large-scale invasion, capturing parts of the city and the southern region.
And today, history is repeating itself.
“Fire, fire! Keep firing to prevent them from advancing!”
“Commander! Most of our cannons are out of order! The old cannons we have, unlike explosive shells, cannot penetrate their armored ships!”
“How did they manage to build armored ships?!”
“I don’t know!”
In the southern coastal trading city of Maniopol in the Quernen Province of Okhraine,
before dawn, dozens of cannon shots rained down on the city. The city plunged into chaos in an instant.
Although the coastal guard and city guards declared a state of emergency and responded immediately,
after the Quernen War, equipment that had been largely neglected did not function properly. Coastal cannons covered in rust failed to even fire properly.
Boom–! Boom!
Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!
Cannonballs continuously raining from the sea. Flames rising and the sound of bells ringing to evacuate civilians.
Maniopol was thrown into chaos.
“Where are the coastal guard forces to repel the landing?”
“There’s no contact! It seems there is intense fighting going on at the front lines!”
“Goddamnit…”
The commander of the Maniopol coastal guard felt his mind go blank. Although he tried to respond, even he could see that the city’s defense forces were woefully inadequate.
Not only did they lack proper equipment, but they also lacked personnel capable of commanding troops on the front lines.
More importantly, he knew what the invaders from Azoff did to prisoners during the previous Quernen War.
Decapitation, beheading, burning at the stake, flaying alive—various atrocious war crimes.
Men writhed in agony from torture before dying, and women couldn’t even d*e though they wanted to. Rumors circulated that if taken to the islands, they would be raised as human meat.
Ultimately, the commander of the Maniopol coastal guard had to make a decision. Whether to continue a desperate fight here or retreat while preserving the remaining forces.
After a short period of consideration, the result was clear.
“Order a strategic retreat. Spread the word to all units! Retreat outside the city and join up with the Okhraine Southern Corps’ forces!”
“But Commander, if we do that, what will happen to the civilians?!”
“If we stay, the civilians will face a terrible end. We must preserve the lives of the remaining people so they can plan for the future!”
The commander of Maniopol spoke with a trembling voice. He was clearly terrified. Even though the soldier in front of him knew it, he didn’t argue further.
He was afraid too, just like the commander.
“All units! Retreat! Abandon the city!”
As soon as the coastal guard commander gave the order, the Okhraine guards left the city they were defending.
In just five hours since the invasion began in the Azoff archipelago, Maniopol fell.
*
“Southern coastal cities Maniopol and the nearby Port Morok have completely fallen into enemy hands.”
“What happened to the local defense forces?”
“They wouldn’t have chosen to fight to the d*ath. The last information I received said they moved northward and joined with one infantry division of the Southern Corps.”
I looked at the map while listening to Staff Chief Joseph Lebandovsky’s explanation. Maniopol and Port Morok, coastal cities located closest to the Azoff archipelago, how could they have been so poorly defended?
It hadn’t been a long period of peace either.
Just ten years ago, the entire Quernen Province was seized by “armed groups from the islands.” Anyone in their right mind wouldn’t neglect defense.
But Okhraine wasn’t in its right mind.
“Weren’t there any observation soldiers watching the movements of the Azoff archipelago?”
“They probably sank long ago. While the army isn’t strong, the Okhraine Navy is even worse.”
“d*mn, it’s really bad.”
I was genuinely frustrated. Maybe because I hadn’t had much stress lately, my head felt light.
“Excuse me.”
“You’re free to do as you please.”
I put a cigarette in my mouth. Lighting it and inhaling made my headache ease slightly.
“How is the Southern Corps moving?”
“The nearest 32nd Division has moved and constructed a defensive line 3 km from Maniopol.”
“At least they’re regular troops, not just the guards.”
“The Southern Corps hasn’t been too bad overall.”
Should I consider this hope? If they’ve set up defensive lines, it might have bought some time. Even though I haven’t seen Azoff, it’s probably just an armed group.
‘… But in the original world, Afghanistan and Iraq were also devastated by such armed groups.’
Even though both had support from the U.S. military, the situation in Okhraine is different. They have to repel the invaders solely with their own military strength.
At least they chose the coast as their base; if it were inland, they might have been caught off guard by sudden cavalry attacks.
In the world of Haowu, rebel forces are often like that.
No matter where they came from, as surrounding countries grew stronger, so did these damned rebels. Sometimes, unexpected armored divisions would suddenly appear.
I didn’t know how my situation in Haowu would be described, but it was clear this wasn’t something to laugh off.
Right now, while Bella Meyer suffers from trauma and the cult Strigoi continues to spread, despite Okhraine’s efforts, the large-scale pirate organization based on the islands is enough to shake this fragile nation.
“In any case, Colonel Sony, you’ll have to act as brigade commander from now on. Command of the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit has been delegated to me.”
“If you say so, I’ll follow.”
“Most likely, there’s a high chance you’ll be directly dropped into Maniopol. Unlike the previous operation at Limansk Arsenal or the last raid, urban combat in the city will be the focus.”
“Understood.”
“You’ll be responsible for coordinating with each unit. I’ll ensure you have full authority over detailed operational commands.”
“Just give me the orders.”
Joseph, the staff chief, was skilled at gathering information and forming strategies based on it.
If the Empire’s Night Operation at Limansk Arsenal had more information on mutants, they could have executed a more meticulous plan. There wouldn’t have been any casualties.
So, the way for our combat unit to fully utilize its capabilities now is… to relay real-time information to Joseph and receive orders.
In other words, communication was life.
“How many of those new communication devices brought from the Rhinehardt Empire did we get?”
“If you’re referring to mana-powered communicators, there are exactly three.”
“One for the airship Gesselchen, one for the artillery support ship Enok, and one for you.”
“Understood.”
I nodded. Although these devices were primitive compared to modern ones and cut off communication beyond 1 km, they were necessary to communicate in real-time with the airships floating in the sky.
“Who was appointed as the temporary aerial squadron leader?”
“Lieutenant Roxanna Elrim.”
“Assign her the control of the artillery support ship. How proficient is she with aerial bombardment support?”
“Above average. A 57mm howitzer isn’t particularly difficult to handle.”
“As for the medical squad, it will be entirely up to you. You should bring Lieutenant Lumina along. Lumina alone won’t be able to handle sudden ambushes.”
“Understood.”
The newly expanded 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit.
The newly acquired Enok artillery support airship.
The newly formed support team and reserve combat platoon.
Although we’ve experienced two real battles, the combat effectiveness of the unit remains unverified.
“Whether this will become a second Quernen War or just a localized conflict remains to be seen.”
Staff Chief Joseph muttered as he gazed at the vast farmland beyond the bridge of the ship.
“This will be a place of multiple trials.”
