Diabolus 1st and 2nd ships, Chepelin and Revandelski each loaded with the 1st and 3rd platoons, ascended into the dawn sky.
We were able to locate the position of the Azoff ironclad ship without much difficulty thanks to the reports from nearby naval small vessels and fishing boats.
By the time dawn broke again beyond the vast coastline.
The problematic ironclad ship finally fell completely under Ukhraine’s control.
This was the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit that had descended upon cities, tearing through regiments like a whirlwind.
Even if there were many personnel on an ironclad ship, deploying just one platoon was more than enough to seize control of the vessel.
“Operation successful.”
“Good, then let’s tighten our grip on Fort Morok now.”
The Azoff port defense forces, who had simply assumed that the two ironclad ships suddenly appearing in front of them were allies, were immediately subjected to fierce bombardment.
Azoff was forced to flee into the city, completely panicking, unable to comprehend why their supposed allies were attacking them.
“8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit descending!”
“1st Mobile Battalion, 3rd Mobile Battalion successfully landed!”
Thanks to this, the forces of the Special Response Brigade that entered subsequently were able to enter the harbor almost bloodlessly.
There was some resistance, but it was not overwhelming.
Of course, it was also due to Roxanna Elrim’s divine artillery fire, leading Enok Fire Support Ship, which successfully carried out preemptive strikes.
And it was also due to the fact that the situation was assessed and the support coming from the western port was completely blocked by the bombardment of the two ironclad ships.
To think they only used such tight resources for Azoff.
I personally cast a spell to summon four warships, and with the overwhelming firepower of a total of 18 cannons, even one infantry regiment’s worth of troops was powerless.
Thus, Fort Morok was blockaded.
Since I transferred most of the command authority of the blockade forces deployed into the eastern port as promised by Brigadier General Sony Chepelin,
I closely examined the organization and combat capabilities of each battalion, and strategically deployed manpower to establish a triple-layered defensive line.
This was completely different from the hastily constructed defensive line that the 2nd Regiment had made when they landed in Maniopol due to a sudden attack.
Although it was truly regrettable for the citizens of Fort Morok,
By bombarding the residential areas adjacent to the defensive line, I turned them into flat ground.
Naturally, between the route leading to the eastern port and the central urban area, a boundary line was formed by the debris of collapsed buildings.
This forced the situation where anyone trying to project forces from Azoff into the eastern port would have to open up a terrain with no cover at all.
Even more so, Diabolus 3rd was alternating in the air, surveying the battlefield day and night, so the enemy couldn’t even think of launching a surprise attack.
“Report from the 2nd Mobile Battalion. The bridge connected to the north has been destroyed!”
“Our unit members have also completed our initial deployment.”
“We’ve just received a report that the 32nd Division, 124th Infantry Regiment has completely expelled the enemies entrenched in the west side of the harbor.”
As soon as the forces began to deploy, good news came pouring in one after another.
I smiled lightly while looking at the game pieces placed on the map.
“When you come in, you do as you please, but when you leave, it’s not so easy.”
Reports of a full-scale invasion of the Quernen Province in the Azoff Islands were quickly conveyed to the capital of Ukhraine, Kaieff.
Indeed, it was the Crown Prince himself who issued the mobilization order to the Special Response Brigade led by Sony Chepelin.
Finally, after a week since the invasion of Azoff,
Orlando Rus III arrived in the southern city of Uraos with his Central Army Corps.
“The overall situation has been briefly reported to me… Could you give me a detailed explanation?”
“Yes!”
In the conference room of the Uraos City Hall, where the key officials of the Ukhraine Duchy gathered around the Crown Prince,
An information staff officer from the Southern Army Corps rolled up his sleeves and started reporting the current situation in a serious tone.
From the fact that the Ukhraine Western Fleet and two cities were annihilated by Azoff within hours of the invasion, to the latest update on the blockade of Fort Morok.
Given that the gleaming Major insignia on his epaulettes never lied, he efficiently and neatly concluded his briefing before the Crown Prince.
“So, does this mean that Maniopol has been fully recaptured, and Fort Morok is completely surrounded and under pressure?”
“That’s correct, Your Highness.”
“…And we’ve also captured two of Azoff’s ironclad ships?”
It was an astonishing achievement.
While I already knew about the recapture of Maniopol, the news that the 2nd Regiment that had occupied the city was completely wiped out and two ironclad ships were captured was something new to me.
More importantly,
It was truly surprising that this feat was mainly achieved by the Special Response Brigade led by Sony Chepelin.
How long had it been since they last heard such a victory report?
Not the usual news of repelling raiding bands crossing the border, but a true victory that completely shattered the nose of Azoff, their bitter rival for over a decade.
“Really, you must have worked hard.”
Orlando Rus III clearly remembered how many tragedies occurred during his father’s reign.
His father was a virtuous king, but being too virtuous made him easily manipulated by other nations.
He was a benevolent ruler, but not a wise one.
For instance, the entire southern region was ravaged in the Quernen War due to a rebellion group entrenched in the islands.
Due to the pressure from the Soviev Empire, they had to sell half or more of the nation’s food production at low prices almost forcibly.
This led to an increase in national debt, and gradually, the Rhinehardt Empire and the Pry Free Democratic State also began to show interest in Ukhraine.
“Why can’t we resist the Soviev Empire? If we can’t, then we can’t.”
Though the domestic situation may have been stable, it was far from stable internationally.
The Ukhraine military continuously weakened, and with insufficient funds, the soldiers’ personal equipment was woefully inadequate.
That’s why Sony Chepelin and her Special Response Brigade were granted extraordinary authority.
If she, a great mage, could solve the military supply costs for a brigade-level force, then…
However, despite all this, Orlando Rus III constantly questioned himself.
Would doing this really prevent Ukhraine’s downfall?
A war that would engulf the entire continent was looming in a few years. As a duchy surrounded by major powers, Orlando Rus III keenly felt that time was running out.
Direct pressure from the Soviev Empire.
Persuasion from the Pry Free Democratic State.
Interference from the Rhinehardt Empire and the Adalya Kingdom.
All eyes of the nations on the continent were fixed on Ukhraine.
One day, when someone pulls the trigger, the first b*llet will surely hit Ukhraine.
That’s why he valued the ‘good news’ that came in.
Orlando Rus III wasn’t the kind of person to dismiss a ray of hope shining in the dark future.
“Arrange for the immediate awarding of medals to those who made significant contributions in this battle.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“And make sure to provide special meals for those fighting on the front lines. I would like to invite the officers and war heroes who contributed to this remarkable military success here.”
“I’ll arrange for that to be done along with the medal ceremony, Your Highness.”
The Minister of State bowed his head with a solemn voice.
It didn’t take long for the ‘Rhinehardt-made sausages’ and ‘Pry wine’ that had piled up in abundance under the pretext of ‘special meals’ to be delivered to the waiting soldiers on the battlefield.
“Hey, why are you crowding up front?! Hurry up! It’s urgent!”
“Hey, you! We’re in a hurry too! Are you the only ones in a rush?”
“What—? You know who’s riding in this carriage…?”
“Are you the only regiment commander? We have the regiment commander riding with us, d*mn it!”
“We’re the division commander, you crazy b*stard!!”
“Sorry for not recognizing you. Please go ahead.”
Uraos, a city that boasted an overwhelming scale as the second trading city of Ukhraine, was currently experiencing traffic jams of a horrifying degree.
Naturally, the Central Army Corps’ troops were stationed near the city due to Crown Prince Orlando Rus III’s stay in Uraos.
And because the Crown Prince called in dozens of high-ranking officials and heroes to receive commendations for the previous battles and to brief them on future plans.
Of course, among them were many members of the Special Response Brigade, the main force of the battle.
“d*mn it, should we have taken a ride on Diabolus? Walking from the drop zone in the city airspace would have been faster.”
“What’s this parade? Let’s do that after we occupy the Azoff Islands.”
“Captain Enok, you’re really strict about these things.”
However, they weren’t here just to receive commendations.
“We need to prepare thoroughly. To break the heads of the bastards standing guard around the Crown Prince.”
Planning the invasion of the Azoff Islands.
Although it was still being discussed at the ‘Corps’ level, now that the victory at Fort Morok was certain, someone needed to shoulder the responsibility and convey their opinion to the Crown Prince.
Naturally, the division commanders, who were mere subordinates, and even the southern corps commander, Major General Geor, were reluctant to deliver this fact to the Crown Prince.
Invasion operations.
In reality, this was the first national offensive since Ukhraine gained autonomy from the Rus Tsar Empire.
Despite the Southern Corps being more aggressive and progressive compared to other corps,
It seemed they judged that the risk outweighed the return when it came to risking their career on a potentially successful offensive operation.
As expected, the ‘bureaucrat habit’ of passing the buck to others kicked in once again,
And it returned to its original proposer, Enok Revendale.
“Isn’t your superior quite close to the Crown Prince? I’m sure His Excellency will listen attentively.”
“Augh.”
When he was ignored as a captain, now he’s being told that as the proposer, he should handle it.
As memories from his days in the K-Army crossed paths, Enok shuddered.
Well.
What else could he do?
Being a captain who hadn’t even reached the rank of colonel, all he could do was charge forward with passion and vigor.
Sure, there was a definite achievement.
And the support fire from Great Mage Sony Chepelin was on standby.
Before turning the Azoff Islands into a hellish inferno, causing a little trouble in the royal palace shouldn’t be too bad.
Perhaps?
