“It must be rolled back to the Stone Age.”
That one overwhelming statement pressed down on everyone gathered in the hearing room. Could there be a sentence that more clearly demonstrated resolve and delivered a powerful shock than those words?
Even the generals demanding action couldn’t find the words to continue, rendered speechless like mute statues.
Even Georgi Vasiliopoulos and Sony Chepelin, who had set the stage, couldn’t help but give high praise to Enok Revendale for casually uttering such strong words.
“Crazy b*stard!!”
“Of course it’s Enok, d*mn it! I knew I could count on him!”
Though their praise was somewhat different, it was praise nonetheless.
“Roll it back to the Stone Age?”
However, the Duke showed no signs of wavering.
He merely raised an eyebrow slightly in response. With that reaction from the Duke, Enok Revendale continued to press his argument.
“They’ve already played all their cards. The personnel who occupied Maniopol and Fort Morok during the initial landing were likely the elite forces scraped together by the Azoff National Liberation Front.”
“That’s correct.”
“At the same time, their best commander, Nur Ezenner, is isolated in Fort Morok, and both of their hidden card ironclad ships are now in our possession.”
The strength of the Azoff National Liberation Front lay in their rapid and efficient deployment of troops and naval power equal to or surpassing that of the Okhraine Duchy’s navy.
It was ironic that the navy of a mere island-based liberation force was on par with the navy of the fully independent Okhraine Duchy.
But what can you do? That’s the reality.
However, with this expedition ending in catastrophic failure, Azoff now holds no advantage over Okhraine in any area.
Their army was always at a disadvantage.
As for air force, a concept that currently exists only in Okhraine and the Rhinehardt Empire, that’s irrelevant.
And their navy completely lost its edge when the two ironclads were captured.
“This is the perfect opportunity. They’re like mold; if we don’t thoroughly eradicate them when we have the chance, they’ll creep back onto Okhraine’s territory again.”
Enok Revendale turned his head slightly to look at the generals gathered in the hearing room. Even before many distinguished stars, Enok’s gaze never wavered.
A belief that made his rank as captain seem insignificant.
There were certainly people who once held similar beliefs to this captain and served in the military.
To make Okhraine a prosperous and powerful nation. To protect this country they loved with their own hands.
But the reality of the Okhraine military was cruel beyond measure.
The generals gathered in the hearing room were all individuals who had weathered those storms and come out worn down. People who compromised with reality and chose to stay in their positions rather than uphold their beliefs.
However, the sight of the captain before them now was enough to reignite the tiny embers still remaining in their hearts.
“Perhaps this is our first and last chance, Your Excellency.”
Orlando Rus III looked at this bold captain with satisfaction and replied.
“In that case, what can you promise me, young man? If there’s an opportunity, there must surely be a corresponding price, right?”
“First, I promise Your Excellency the complete recovery of Okhraine’s territory, and second, a perfect victory recorded in history. In exchange!!”
Enok never just spouts pretty results without substance.
He was a player.
When raising the stakes, you need at least enough capital to match the stakes.
How could you expect to win a game with nothing in your hand?
“In exchange…?”
Curiosity flickered in the Duke’s eyes. Pure curiosity about what this captain would say next.
“Appoint Lieutenant Colonel Sony Chepelin as commander of the landing force. It must absolutely be Lieutenant Colonel Sony Chepelin.”
“What!?!”
Without a moment’s hesitation, those words were spoken.
Naturally, the hearing room erupted in chaos once again.
*
“You’re insane! Not just Lieutenant Colonel Sony Chepelin, but apparently there’s not a single sane person in the Special Response Brigade!”
“General Kaskal! Watch your words. Regardless, their achievements cannot be denied, can they?”
“But failing to properly discipline your subordinate captains, letting them run wild like untamed calves, is also undeniable.”
“Hmph…!!”
After the hearing ended,
All officers below the rank of general had returned to their units, but the true leadership of the Okhraine military remained.
Because Orlando Rus III had ordered them to stay.
And they were still reeling from the firestorm caused moments ago by that captain.
Ironically, Sony Chepelin, the center of controversy, was merely scratching her ear, unconcerned whether they cursed her or not.
“Lieutenant Colonel Sony Chepelin! Say something!”
“What should I say? You’ve already made up your minds, haven’t you? It’d be like reading scriptures to a deaf person, wouldn’t it?”
“What did you say!?”
“Enough!! Enough!! Be silent!!”
Finally, the Duke shouted, bringing order to the chaotic hall.
“What does the Minister of State think?”
“I agree entirely with attacking the Azoff Islands… However, I’m concerned that His Excellency the Duke is being swayed too much by just one captain.”
The reactions of most military generals, including the Minister of State, were almost identical.
They were either negative or neutral about the invasion plan, and their evaluation of the Special Response Brigade, led by Sony Chepelin, the hero of this victory, was quite harsh.
It was natural.
Because they hadn’t truly recognized the worth of the Special Response Brigade and Enok Revendale.
When the recapture of Maniopol was completed, only the 32nd Division under the Southern Corps had clearly witnessed how the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit, led by Enok Revendale, performed.
Even other division commanders and officers within the Southern Corps were undermining the achievements of Sony Chepelin and Enok Revendale.
Claiming that the Special Response Brigade fought so well only because of new weapons.
Or that they received ample support because Major Mage Sony Chepelin was in command.
Watching them chatter away with such absurd speculations, General Kinbel Rezantsev of the 32nd Division could only feel exasperated.
Would his division have been able to retake Maniopol without the 8th Aerial Mage Infantry Combat Unit?
More fundamentally,
Would they have been able to achieve the complete annihilation of the Azoff 2nd Regiment occupying Maniopol without Enok Revendale?
Definitely not.
“If I had been given command, I would have retaken Fort Morok immediately. What’s so regrettable about continuing defensive operations?”
Major General Robs of the 51st Division shouted loudly. He had always harbored a strange dislike for Captain Enok Revendale.
Someone whose pride outweighed his abilities, opposing anything said by the much younger and less experienced officer.
No matter that they were fellow division commanders, General Kinbel Rezantsef felt ashamed of his colleague.
“Hmm… Are there any other opinions?”
At that moment,
Lieutenant General Georgi Vasiliopoulos, Commander of the Southern Corps, who had remained silent until then, raised his hand.
“I agree with Captain Enok.”
Not to be outdone, Major General Kinbel Rezantsev quickly raised his hand to concur. Subsequently, Lieutenant General Zygmunt, commander of the National Gendarmerie, also sided with General Vasiliopoulos.
“There’s no falsehood in battle records. Judging by the accomplishments Captain Enok Revendale has achieved so far, he is a prophet who will lead the Okhraine military to a stronger and more progressive future.”
Zygmunt remembered clearly even now.
The young ensign who successfully identified and tracked down suspicious elements within a day of being assigned a mission.
What’s more, he annihilated an entire regiment of the Azoff National Liberation Front that had infiltrated the south and recaptured the city.
Truly astonishing feats.
If he had been an officer in the National Gendarmerie, Zygmunt would have promoted him to major at any cost.
Having been in the military for over twenty years,
Had there ever been someone in Okhraine who achieved such unbelievable brilliance? Never.
Even Brigadier General Hapenluk Helheim, commander of the Central Corps’ Mage Brigade, hadn’t accomplished as much as Captain Enok Revendale.
“His subordinates’ morale is also exceptional. As the head of the National Gendarmerie serving beside His Excellency the Duke, it’s embarrassing to admit, but Enok Revendale’s unit is currently the sharpest sword we possess in Okhraine.”
The existence of jealous individuals means
One has ability.
And the leadership of the Okhraine military wasn’t corrupt enough yet for everyone to point fingers at that ability.
“Minister of State.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“Are we currently in a wartime situation?”
“One could say so. We haven’t received any letters regarding ceasefires or peace agreements yet.”
“In that case, ‘wartime ranks’ can also be applied.”
Orlando Rus III shifted his gaze to Sony Chepelin. Recognizing that look, she stood up straight.
“Lieutenant Colonel Sony Chepelin, I hereby appoint you as commander of the landing force effective immediately.”
“I’ll deliver the best results worthy of your trust.”
“The headquarters of the landing force will be directly under the Duke’s command, and full autonomy over all authorities will be granted.”
Those who had been chattering incessantly finally fell silent. How could anyone dare to oppose such a public announcement by the Duke?
“You know this is an unprecedented promotion in the history of the Okhraine military.”
“Yes.”
“How much time do you need?”
“Give me a month. I’ll finalize every detail of the operation, including training.”
“Great ambition.”
Orlando Rus III smiled lightly and said,
“Bring glory to our homeland.”
The title added at the end was as heavy as the newly increased number of stars.
“Major General Sony Chepelin.”
