# Awakening the Sea God (2)
The landing army command was increasingly becoming a well-organized entity day by day.
Led by Major General Sony Chepelin, the commander, individuals who could have felt slighted if they were not second to none in capabilities from the Okhraine Army had joined the staff.
In no time, the staff had acquired a force comparable to that of the Avengers.
Among them was Colonel Lannister Kayle, assigned as the intelligence officer.
“What did I say? Didn’t I mention we would see each other again soon?”
Lannister and I had previously worked together on the matter of stealing the pearl from the reconnaissance ship and leaking military secrets. This made our reunion particularly joyful compared to anyone else’s.
“I never thought I’d see you like this.”
“Nor did I.”
“Hahaha!”
As Lannister and I burst out laughing, people bustling around the base gave us strange looks.
“You’ve been promoted to an information officer at the landing army command in just one rank. You’ve added another impressive career move.”
“Even Commander Enok Revendale leaped three ranks in no time. It’s dizzying.”
After exchanging pleasantries, we got straight to the point.
“So, how is the plan coming along?”
“It’s progressing smoothly. Anyone with any enthusiasm would be able to see it. It’s the first time I’ve seen soldiers work so diligently.”
It was a remark with a bite.
Only someone who had witnessed the disgraceful state of the Okhraine Army as an investigator for the National Guard could say such a thing.
“Moreover, Major Joseph Lebandovsky is so capable. I heard he even vomited bl**d yesterday from being too engrossed.”
“Oh… That’s quite a story.”
Seeing the operations chief Joseph bleed had been a common sight during the early stages of establishing the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit.
Of course, after some stability was achieved, such occurrences became less frequent.
If someone who didn’t flinch at regular duties started bleeding again, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine how much the staff at the landing army command had been depleted.
“However, despite the smooth planning, we are overwhelmingly lacking in information. We can’t tell how strong the current forces in the Azoff Islands are with just the prisoners.”
“Most are of low rank… It can’t be helped.”
Furthermore, the Okhraine lacked proper counterintelligence agencies.
Unlike the Soviev Empire’s Information Bureau, which was established separately, the Okhraine used the National Guard as a counterintelligence agency, resulting in low efficiency and accuracy in information gathering.
“That’s why I’m thinking of bringing Nur Ezenner from Fort Morok into the fold.”
There were no other options left.
Currently, at least two high-ranking commanders of the Azoff National Liberation Front were still in Fort Morok.
If we could somehow lure them, they could become invaluable assets for future operations in the Azoff region.
“Do you have any extraordinary ideas?”
“…? Are you asking me this now?”
I was stunned by the sudden question.
Isn’t the person who should come up with extraordinary ideas the information officer right here?
While I was staring blankly at Major Lannister, he chuckled and continued.
“Everyone from the operations team, including Chief of Operations Joseph, has said the same thing. Go find Major Enok Revendale.”
These people…
Do they think of me as a military encyclopedia that spits out ideas when poked?
Oddly enough, there was indeed an idea.
“Lannister Major.”
“Yes.”
“Have you heard of leaflets?”
*
Any male from South Korea who served at the front knew the name ‘leaflets.’
Originally, these were papers distributed in large quantities to minimize civilian casualties and lower enemy morale by warning them where bombings or artillery strikes would occur.
Now, they felt more like propaganda tools aimed northward.
Well, both uses aren’t entirely wrong.
The power of leaflets lies in their ability to forcibly provide information to those whose access is blocked.
No matter how tightly commanders control information, if leaflets keep dropping, they won’t be able to control every soldier.
And most importantly,
Nur Ezenner himself would certainly be greatly affected.
Fort Morok was completely sealed off. It wasn’t the age where communication could be done via radio waves over dozens of kilometers.
The lack of information wasn’t just affecting the soldiers but also the high-ranking commanders directing them.
It had already been over ten days since Fort Morok was completely sealed off.
There was a high probability that distrust and cracks were forming within the command structure about the homeland.
If leaflets suggesting “The Azoff Islands have abandoned you and are negotiating for peace. If you surrender, you will be treated well,” were dropped from the air, what would happen?
They already had control over the seas and skies.
Even if we dropped thousands of leaflets, there was nothing the Azoff soldiers in Fort Morok could do.
What could they do, maybe sh**t down aircraft with muskets?
Even with modern weapons like K2 assault rifles, anti-aircraft fire is difficult. There was no way the enemy could affect Diabolus with their artillery setup.
“But why are you going to the capital?”
“There’s a suitable friend for this task there. I also need to pick up a 57mm cannon developed by the Technical Research Department.”
I answered Roxanna, who was operating the 2nd Diabolus from the bridge. The two diamonds on her shoulder sparkled.
Immediately after the landing army command was formed, the Diabolus ships were all engaged in their respective missions.
Enok, the sole firepower support ship, circled near Fort Morok, providing real-time artillery support to the Azoff troops sneaking out slowly.
The remaining ships, 1st and 2nd Diabolus, took on roles in transporting troops and supplies.
Despite being part of the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit, the true masters were Sony Chepelin and her crew.
Why let a new weapon sit idle?
By doing this, we could increase the number of skilled pilots, contributing to the future development of the Okhraine Air Force.
“Who is this friend?”
“Oh, the person I met at Count Petrinant’s exhibition. Have you heard of Wilson Times?”
“Ah… I know what it is.”
“The equipment to mass-produce leaflets to the extent they can be dropped from the air exists nowhere in Okhraine except for this news agency.”
It was simple.
With the military industry already struggling, there was no way Okhraine had machinery to mass-produce newspapers or paper.
The true value of leaflets lies in demonstrating overwhelming industrial might.
Paper is a valuable resource. Spraying such resources in large quantities alone can exert psychological pressure on the Azoff troops.
When I first proposed the idea of leaflets, the higher-ups, unaware of their power, suggested handmade production.
But I firmly rejected it.
If we wrote messages by hand on paper, it would look like we had excellent industrial capacity.
So, I planned to use the American Federation Republic’s news agency, Wilson Times, newly established in the capital.
Moreover, I heard that the senior reporter, Sarah Ronald, who I met at the exhibition, is now the editor-in-chief.
If I could persuade her well, making and dropping several thousand leaflets would be easy.
This matter was also discussed with the co-ruler. Although I had intended to loosen media regulations, it depended on how it was presented.
Given the situation, I planned to make the most of it as an excuse for regulation easing.
“Speaking of which, Commander is busy too.”
“Commander Roxanna, how many times do you fly a day?”
“About twice? Including training, maybe three?”
“Really, you must be exhausted.”
I clapped my hands at her.
In fact, the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit was one of the least busy units among the personnel of the landing army command.
Their mission during the operation was essentially the same as when they dropped in Maniopol.
Always tasked with dropping behind enemy lines to pressure them from the front and rear.
Without any reinforcements, they trained as usual.
Ironically, despite being the most diligent in training, they became more relaxed as the operation approached.
Meanwhile, Roxanna Elrim and her aviation squadron were constantly operating airships.
It was an unfair situation.
“It’s fine. I actually like this. When I operate the airship, it feels like my heart stabilizes.”
“…Roxanna is amazing.”
I blurted out a pure expression of admiration, looking at her smiling casually.
Roxanna Elrim now exuded the dignity of a seasoned squadron commander.
Instead of wearing the garrison cap commonly worn by frontline pilots, she wore the ceremonial uniform.
Her youthful appearance was gone, replaced by that of a soldier protecting Okhraine’s skies.
“Hehe… I’m happy you think so. Oh, we’re almost at the capital. What should I do?”
Time had already passed like this.
Looking at the horizon visible through the bridge, the view of the capital, Kajeif, came into clear sight.
“Alright. Drop me off in the air.”
“Yes, understood!”
It’s faster and easier to drop directly from the air than to walk there.
“I’ll land at the Kajeif Military Depot. Just let me know when you arrive!”
“Understood.”
I waved lightly at Roxanna and headed alone to the boarding compartment of the airship.
Drrr, Drrrrr—
As the gears meshed with a sound, the vast sky filled my vision.
Without hesitation, I leaped toward the sky.
