…… Nice to meet you, Enok Revendale, Colonel.
“First time meeting you, Ernst Fell, sir.”
“There’s no need to call me by rank now that we’re not in the military.”
Field Marshal Ernst Fell of the Okhraine General Staff had submitted his retirement application but was honorably discharged as a Field Marshal and took on a new role as the Minister of War.
The Ministry of War.
Officially known as the Defense Planning Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It exists only to exclude the location of the Aiman conflict. In reality, it is an unambiguous central government department that treats its minister with the same respect as if he were a minister.
The Minister of War has the obligation to report their duties to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, but there is no obligation to follow the orders of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In fact, it is a direct agency of King Orlando I, with just a signboard hung as if it were under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Of course, because they must not attract external aggression, the selection process for both me and Field Marshal Ernst Fell was conducted very secretly.
Except for the key officials of the administrative department who support it, who knows who belongs to this Ministry of War?
“All the personnel you selected have been confirmed. It’s surprising that there isn’t a single person from the 8th Rapid Assault Mage Infantry Battalion.”
“They are excellent combatants and commanders, but they are not outstanding at planning overall strategies.”
“So that makes sense. Usually, in such situations, one would push their own line.”
Field Marshal Ernst Fell, who is now my superior as the Minister of War, spoke while slowly flipping through the documents I submitted.
Well, there are people who can be considered part of my line. Rather, this is where the real cream of the crop can be found.
Most of the initial appointments to the Ministry of War were taken up by former officers from the Central Technical Education Research Institute.
“The artillery tactics planning department has Yan Bloch, Lieutenant Colonel, and the cavalry… no, it might be better to call it armored division now?”
“It’s the Armored Reform Bureau.”
“I’m not joking with names, but what is this all about? Yes, regardless, the head of the Armored Reform Bureau is from the Eastern Corps.”
“She not only actively resisted the coup but also stopped those who were trying to leave after destroying the occupied village.”
“If Colonel Olena was a much-discussed figure before, and she just got promoted to Colonel, this seems like a proper appointment.”
Colonel Olena Derevugina.
She was originally a battalion commander in the cavalry brigade under the Eastern Corps, which was one of the main forces behind the coup.
As soon as she realized the truth of the coup, she immediately armed the entire battalion and entered a siege to resist the coup, making her one of the few commanders to do so.
Although she was initially relieved of her position due to King Orlando I’s decree, she was later recognized for repelling a group of retreating soldiers who were trying to loot citizens.
Despite being from the Eastern Corps, she was honored as a soldier who upheld the right honor and a loyal officer.
A female Colonel in her late thirties.
By today’s standards, it was quite an extraordinary ability.
Of course, as someone who rose from First Lieutenant to Major General in less than five years, I shouldn’t say much.
Moreover, the network I selected and embedded in the War Planning Department was not limited to this.
Major Debra Bennett, who has maintained a connection since the Third Mage Battalion.
A practical officer in the War Planning Department’s Magic Warfare Task Force.
Captain Ivan, a former infantry company commander, who worked together with me during the first real operation, the liberation of Belgorod Fortress.
A practical officer in the War Planning Department’s Infantry Strategy and Tactics Task Force.
Other individuals whom I had met and worked with on various occasions before this coup, were actively recruited based on their abilities.
What does it matter if they are Majors or Captains?
There were many who, despite achieving great victories and excellent results, failed to build their lines and thus could not advance to key positions.
Especially in the Western Corps, where they did not directly border northern or southern regions like the Northern or Southern Corps.
Because the evaluation of commanders greatly influenced promotions and assignments, many genuine soldiers were ‘deliberately’ excluded.
Even considering the relatively better situation in the Northern Corps, it became clear how messed up the personnel system of the Okhraine Army was.
They could be killed by a mere comment from a Major, or follow even unjust orders.
Living in a life where they faced all kinds of competition among peers and were despised by locals, this was the path the trusted officers of the Okhraine Army had lived through.
Among those who persevered in this gap between reality and illusion, it was these people who would lead the country onto the right path amidst future calamities.
“There are no problematic appointments. Moreover, the War Planning Department is essentially under your jurisdiction, isn’t it?”
“Still, procedures must be followed.”
“You’re impossible.”
Ernst Fell shook his head lightly and gave a light laugh.
“Anyway, it seems we’ve covered all the bases. Has the personnel order already been issued?”
“Yes, it’s scheduled to be sent out to all departments today.”
“You’ve opened up a clear path ahead. Considering you are the youngest Major General in Okhraine history and the quickest to reach the rank of General, you have a lot to bear…”
The Minister of War added, looking at the sky with a hollow gaze.
“To be honest, I don’t think I can help much. I am too old now. My understanding of tactics has also declined.”
“But you have reached the pinnacle of Okhraine’s Chief of General Staff.”
“Do you think that position held any authority? It was a position to oversee a virtually dead army, except for a few units. It was a place for a field marshal, a place where one had to watch the nation’s comfort with open eyes.”
He clicked his tongue bitterly.
“Still, it seems there’s a glimmer of hope now. If you ever find yourself surrounded by old men who care only about their own bowls, let me know.”
This was an absolute declaration of support from a former Field Marshal, the peak of the Army’s Chief of General Staff.
If there were still people holding me back despite the dire situation, it meant he was willing to step forward and break the pot himself.
I bowed respectfully to the old general, whose eyes still held the fire of battle despite his age.
“That alone is reassuring.”
*
Enok Revendale became a Major General.
Naturally, he deserved a high rank for successfully securing King Orlando I from the coup forces, protecting civilians, and suppressing the coup.
Another reason behind his promotion was the severe shortage of manpower.
Many from the Okhraine Army, who had been responsible for one of its pillars, left due to the coup.
Two corps were entangled in the coup and vanished.
Not just that, the National Guard was virtually disbanded, and the Capital Defense Division saw major changes in leadership.
Those who actively participated in the coup were executed in various ways, depending on the severity of their crimes.
Those who were forced to participate were dishonorably discharged or relegated to minor positions.
Soldiers and non-commissioned officers who merely followed orders were scattered as their units fell apart.
The void created by these events had to be filled somehow through promotions.
To supplement the lack of officers, even promising non-commissioned officers were encouraged to pursue officer training.
The stagnant and tangled military hierarchy was systematically reorganized, automatically promoting long-serving non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
The fierce storm of reform.
In the midst of this, the 8th Rapid Assault Mage Infantry Battalion was hit head-on by this storm, as always.
Since its inception by Sony Chepelin, the Special Response Brigade had been a controversial unit in Okhraine.
Proudly contributing to the victory in the Quernen War, they were considered elite troops within the army.
After the war, instead of moving as a whole unit, soldiers and officers were dispatched to various units to conduct training, leading them to be the obvious target of reform.
“The 8th Rapid Assault Mage Infantry Battalion is to be dissolved?”
Sony Chepelin frowned upon hearing the news immediately upon returning to the capital from the International Martial Arts Conference.
“Does this mean it’s been used up? Out with the old, in with the new?”
“No, Sony. Let me explain.”
“While elevating Enok to Major General was a wise decision, are you saying we should give up the 8th Rapid Assault Mage Infantry Battalion as well?”
Certainly, he wouldn’t show such an attitude to the king of a kingdom that had declared itself a kingdom, received recognition from the Pry Free Democratic State and the Rhinehardt Empire, and elevated his international status from a co-king to a king.
King Orlando I could only sweat profusely in front of such a Sony Chepelin.
“It was exactly Enok Revendale’s opinion.”
“What?”
At that moment, someone knocked on the door outside the audience chamber where the two were having a private meeting.
“It seems you’ve arrived. Come in and hear it from him. Come in, Major General Enok Revendale!”
Upon King Orlando I’s exclamation, a blonde officer cautiously entered and saluted.
“Honor to the Motherland!”
Major General Enok Revendale.
Deputy Director of the Defense Planning Department, Director of the War Planning Department, and current commander of the 8th Rapid Assault Mage Infantry Battalion.
“Enok!”
“Long time no see, Colonel Sony Chepelin.”
It was the first time seeing each other since the International Martial Arts Conference.
Although it had only been a few weeks in actual time, both felt as if it had been several years.
“You’ve gone mad. I never thought you’d become a General. How did a mere First Lieutenant reach this level in just two years?”
“It’s all thanks to being under excellent commanders and having a good line.”
“A line? That’s just you making your own line…”
A light jest.
Sony Chepelin, as if nothing had changed, smiled broadly as he accepted Enok’s salute and shook hands.
“But wait, you said the 8th Rapid Assault Mage Infantry Battalion is to be dissolved. What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Are you referring to the discussion about it?”
When Enok turned to King Orlando I, he nodded silently.
“It’s the first step in our plan to reform the army.”
“Sure, the talent pool is overly concentrated, but why dissolve a perfectly fine battalion?”
Sony Chepelin acknowledged the point. The 8th Rapid Assault Mage Infantry Battalion had no wasteful personnel from the commander to the lowest-ranking soldier.
It was indeed greedy to keep such talent confined to one battalion.
However, Enok Revendale threw another bombshell in front of Sony.
“This isn’t just about the 8th Rapid Assault Mage Infantry Battalion. The Special Response Brigade, currently commanded by Colonel Joseph Lebandovsky, is also planned for dissolution.”
“……???”
Sony Chepelin grabbed Enok’s shoulder firmly when Enok casually mentioned it.
“What do you mean! Explain clearly!”
“To be precise, it’s planned for restructuring.”
“Restructuring?”
Enok’s eyes flashed as he watched the mage tilt his head in confusion.
“We plan to consolidate the existing mobile battalion and the rapid assault mage infantry trained in each corps since the Quernen War into a single unit.”
Collectively known as:
Okhraine Special Operations Command (UKSOCOM).
No matter who the opponent is or where they are,
Fierce hunters who deeply infiltrate and ultimately strangle their prey will begin to gather under a single banner.
