When Azoff first crossed the sea to invade the Quernen Province, it wasn’t just Sony Chepelin’s Special Response Brigade that answered the desperate call for support from the 32nd Division.
The Southern Corps Commander, Major General Georgi Vasiliopoulos, declared a state of emergency and issued immediate mobilization orders to three of his divisions excluding the 32nd Division.
Due to the communication system not being fully established yet, they only managed to mobilize 36 hours after the invasion.
Nevertheless, it was considered relatively quick action.
To prepare for the possible annihilation of the 32nd Division, he had advanced units move in a fan shape around Maniopol and Fort Morok.
Finally, all the forces of the Southern Corps arrived at the outskirts of Maniopol where the 32nd Division was stationed.
The Corps Commander could hardly believe what he saw on the report card in his hand.
“Did we lose the city in just five hours from the invasion start time, and then recapture it in another 25 hours?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Major Sony Chepelin, is this true?”
“Yes, you can leave for Maniopol right now without any problem. The city is already under our complete control.”
“Remarkable…”
This was a natural reaction. The other generals gathered at headquarters looked no different.
Even the other division commanders who were skeptical until they saw three airships landing near their base were convinced the moment they received the report on the success of the liberation of Maniopol.
“They are the heroes of Maniopol.”
Moreover, there were no casualties among the troops. Instead, civilian casualties were more severe due to the atrocities committed by the Azoff troops that had been stationed there.
“But as you know, we haven’t completely won yet. There are many more troops and experienced commanders in Fort Morok than those who landed in Maniopol.”
Sony Chepelin poured cold water over the headquarters, which was elated by the apparent victory.
“You mean Nur Ezenner and Ismail Shanku. I’ve heard the reports.”
Major General Georgi Vasiliopoulos clearly remembered the names of these two individuals.
As the corps that played a major role in the previous war, they were like sworn enemies.
The commander of the 32nd Division, Kinvel Rezanchev, who had been quietly sitting, added his opinion.
“The troops that landed in Maniopol also included a cavalry platoon. It’s impossible to know how many troops are stationed in Fort Morok, which is relatively closer to the coast.”
“Furthermore, unlike Maniopol, criminal acts against civilians have not yet…”
That fact alone indicated how different the troops that had landed in Fort Morok were from those in Maniopol.
It meant they had 100% control over their soldiers.
“We should wait skillfully. Since the moment they attacked both cities simultaneously, it’s clear they intended to advance inland.”
“Even if it’s Azoff, wouldn’t it be too much to handle with just two regiments?”
“They’ve taken control of the disaster zone. Support troops are still pouring in.”
d*mn navy.
Even if the main stage was the inner sea, the Okhraine Navy was practically non-existent.
Of course. If even the army was in poor condition, the navy, which is less important, would be even worse.
At this point, they were relying on obsolete frigates that weren’t even used as merchant ships, meaning they had virtually no force to project power at sea.
Although it might be possible against Azoff, even if they deployed a large number of naval forces upon sighting ironclad ships, it would likely result in nothing but unnecessary casualties.
“Major Sony Chepelin.”
“Yes, Corps Commander.”
“Can you also land troops in Fort Morok?”
“…It’s possible, but the issue is that this operation was carried out without the enemy knowing about our 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit.”
Victory euphoria aside, an unseen airship appeared leisurely over the city.
This alone ensured a psychological advantage.
Moreover, the morale boost of the troops that had been completely out of control must have contributed.
If the 2nd Regiment of Azoff had deployed defensive forces appropriately to counter the landing at the port, even elite troops would have found it difficult to reclaim the port easily.
“Furthermore, the person controlling Fort Morok is Nur Ezenner. That old snake who watched Maniopol being retaken will not have failed to prepare.”
While Abdul Jabaddedehtan was known for his cruel and ruthless nature, Nur Ezenner was renowned as a brilliant strategist and master of tactical surprise.
Given that he was appointed as the overall commander of this expeditionary force,
the Southern Corps would suffer enormous losses if they recklessly threw troops at the numerically superior enemy.
“So, what should we do? Fort Morok has much easier access routes than Maniopol, but it is also much more fortified.”
At the Corps Commander’s blunt remark, the officers sitting around began to voice their opinions.
“Our 20th Cavalry Regiment was also defeated. A siege must be conducted alongside the assault.”
“As for the siege, what do you think about utilizing the captured enemy ships in Maniopol?”
“Regardless, numerical superiority is certain. If we launch aggressive attacks from the air, sea, and land, Nur Ezenner will have no choice but to retreat.”
And there was the Great Mage Sony Chepelin on this side.
Being purely a strategic weapon, she could obliterate the city if absolutely necessary.
“…What does the Special Response Brigade commander think?”
Sony Chepelin pondered for a moment. Despite her rank being only a colonel, she held significant influence in the command center, second only to the Corps Commander.
“It’s possible.”
“How long would it take you to formulate a plan?”
Sony Chepelin’s gaze met the Major General’s eyes directly.
“Two days. Two days will be enough.”
When the 32nd Division’s base was overturned in an overwhelming victory,
it wasn’t just the Okhraine Army that was turned upside down.
“Retook Maniopol in just 25 hours? And Abdul Jabaddedehtan and Sahadin perished!?”
“There are reports of flying battleships and soldiers. What on earth is going on here?”
“Practically, all the remaining forces in Okhraine territory are ours!”
The Azoff Command in Fort Morok fell into chaos unable to accept the shocking defeat.
The Azoff National Liberation Front had previously attacked Okhraine before.
Although the first large-scale landing and inland advance occurred during the Quernen War ten years ago, they had continuously engaged in minor skirmishes since then.
Okhraine’s military was the weakest.
The reason Azoff persistently targeted Okhraine Duchy’s territory was precisely because of this weakness.
Compared to the Pru Free Democratic State, the Soviev Empire, the Reinhardt Republic, and the Adalya Kingdom, Okhraine lacked parity in economic strength, military power, and diplomacy.
Not much had changed since the Quernen War, neither in terms of naval strength nor the state of coastal defense forces and urban defense forces.
However, when Okhraine easily reclaimed Maniopol, it dealt a decisive blow to the back of the Azoff leadership.
Flying battleships?
Not to mention, soldiers jumping out and firing bullets from the sky?
Azoff National Liberation Front, which had thought that dealing with them would be limited to skirmishing in open fields, started to feel fear with the appearance of overwhelming new weaponry.
Even the overall commander, Nur Ezenner, was deeply worried.
For Okhraine to begin dominating the skies was a significant setback for Azoff.
With Okhraine able to freely deploy troops or firepower without any interference, it opened up new avenues.
“Enough, enough! Calm down!”
“But Commander…”
“At this moment, the enemy is likely considering how to exploit our weaknesses. The more you act like this, the higher the chance of ending up like Abdul.”
Bang!
Nur Ezenner slammed the table hard, instantly silencing the noisy crowd.
“The enemy will definitely come with those aerial warships. Staff Officer! Based on the testimonies of the troops that escaped from Maniopol, devise a strategy to counter the aerial warships immediately.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“And request immediate reinforcements to the islands. We must secure the disaster zone. If the Southern Corps has concentrated its divisions here, the coastal defenses elsewhere must be weakened. This can be exploited to develop a strategic surprise attack.”
It’s too early to despair.
Fort Morok was almost surrounded except for the sea. The difficulty in attacking from the outside meant it was equally challenging to send troops out from within.
But perhaps it could be used to their advantage.
Fort Morok was entirely under Azoff’s control, and the sea was still dominated by Azoff.
If we dominate the skies,
we’ll let you dominate the seas.
Nur Ezenner’s eyes flashed.
“So… You said you want to formulate a plan to retake Fort Morok within two days?”
“Yeah. Apparently, Azoff’s warships are still heading towards Fort Morok.”
“Isn’t the navy completely destroyed?”
“The Eastern Fleet is still intact. Some smaller ships remain in the Western Fleet…”
I tapped the table. As usual, getting some sleep made my head clearer. Insomnia couldn’t compete with overwhelming combat fatigue.
“Chief of Staff Joseph Lebandovsky, Battalion Commander Enok.”
Sony Chepelin looked at me and the major in turn.
“Is it possible within two days?”
“…”
Some time was needed for thought. If this were a game, I could grasp the overall situation quickly, but unfortunately, reality isn’t so simple.
“It might be possible.”
“Really!?”
“But there’s one condition.”
In any case, retaking Fort Morok was a task that had to be done, whether good or bad.
Yesterday, right after the liberation of Maniopol, the first thing I discussed with Chief of Staff Joseph Lebandovsky was the plan to retake Fort Morok.
But given the enemy’s capabilities and the risk of the hidden card, the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit, being discovered, makes a solo operation too dangerous.
Our cards have already been shown.
The enemy didn’t come to Okhraine without reason, and with ‘that’ Claude Rain, a highly regarded strategist, as the expeditionary commander, a simple surprise attack would not be a good approach anymore.
“What condition?”
I firmly replied to the questioning Sony Chepelin.
“After formulating this plan, I need a promise of full command over all troops involved in the first offensive.”
