The heavy and awkward silence remained longer than expected. Unable to speak rashly in the presence of the unexpected head of state, Orlando Rus III also did not say much, just looking at me slowly.
I wanted to shout out, ‘Sit down! Why aren’t you saying anything!’
Though I felt the urge to cry out, I am not foolish enough to stick my neck out for no reason.
It was the Viceroy himself who broke the heavy silence that had persisted even after leaving the battalion.
“Why do you think I went through all this trouble?”
He tossed out a sentence as if probing. The conversation here in this carriage would clearly determine my treatment.
There was a high probability that the Viceroy was deeply involved in this personnel order. If so, it somewhat made sense why an entire platoon would be moving in such a distorted transfer structure.
Whether it was Lieutenant Colonel Lockhart or the Personnel Command, they could simply ignore procedures because of their absolute power.
“I only know that it has something to do with the Special Response Brigade.”
“That’s precisely why the personnel order was issued. There’s no need for conjecture.”
Even though I tried to provoke him slightly, he didn’t take the bait, as expected of the Viceroy. This means he wouldn’t budge even this much.
“Try guessing why I came looking for you. After all, we have plenty of time until we reach there.”
I calmly organized the current situation in my mind.
“The Special Response Brigade, the whole platoon is being transferred, but there’s a separate escort team formed, and everyone is departing separately. The Viceroy boarded my carriage.”
All the keywords pointed to one common value: “security.”
Why would the Viceroy secretly board the escort carriage while hiding his identity? Why would the platoon members, assigned to the same place, depart separately? It must be intentional to create confusion about the information.
The issue ultimately stems from the artifact stolen in Belgord.
Although Commander Ramur, who clearly passed on the information, was executed, it remains unclear who the higher-ups are.
However, one thing is certain: there is a clear traitor within the Okhraine Army or its cabinet.
I answered the Viceroy with a calm voice.
“You’re wary of traitors within the administrative department. That’s why you don’t need to inform via messenger or letter… Doesn’t this mean that the place where I and the platoon members are heading is an unusual location within the Special Response Brigade?”
“What do you mean by unusual?”
“A training ground or research facility set up for special purposes?”
When I said this, the Viceroy looked surprised, widening his eyes.
“Did Sony give you a hint?”
“No, I haven’t spoken with Major Sony Chepelin separately since then.”
“If that’s true, you really have impressive insight. Now I understand why she highly evaluated you.”
Orlando Rus nodded contentedly with a satisfied smile.
“It’s a training camp. A rare place within the Okhraine Army, where a secret project is underway.”
As expected, my prediction hit the mark.
Using magic soldiers like a special unit was actually a common strategy in Hats of Generals. With technological advancements, enhanced mobility allowed for paratrooper-like tactics, reaching battlefields to destroy rear facilities before escaping.
Given that the brigade commander leading the Special Response Brigade is Major Sony Chepelin, it’s clear that the Okhraine Army had always considered this approach from the beginning.
A special unit capable of pouring firepower equivalent to artillery onto enemy strongholds in a single deployment?!
Only an idiot would leave such a unit unused.
Of course, even if Okhraine uses it, other parts may still fail, resulting in poor performance and failure.
Regardless of which side, Sony Chepelin’s Special Response ‘Division’ was notoriously difficult to break through.
In short, it’s a select elite force within Okhraine. An effective main combat unit that can fight well even when war breaks out.
And such a main combat unit doesn’t get created overnight.
“You and your platoon will be part of the training unit, responsible for training personnel. You’ll become founding heroes.”
“For me, it’s nothing but an honor.”
This moment distorted one of the plans I had been considering for five years, but upon closer reflection, it wasn’t significant.
Perhaps… I might end up projecting much more influence over the Okhraine Army than with the original plan.
If the Viceroy, Orlando Rus III, personally met a low-ranking lieutenant, it implies significant personal expectations.
Even without stars, Sony Chepelin could confidently assert her opinions among other generals because she has a very close relationship with the Viceroy, Orlando Rus.
There’s no reason why I couldn’t be like her.
I’m already seasoned in politics, and I’ve been given maximum political stats.
I always carry the resolve needed to survive in the jungle of the army.
“The leaders of the future should not be complacent old generals, but young officers like you.”
The Viceroy continued, looking straight at me.
“The world situation is rapidly changing. Our people have become too weak during the hundred years of peace.”
Clunk—, clunk—.
The carriage wheels made noisy sounds as they bounced on the uneven road.
“Soon, we must survive in the storm that will engulf the world. For this purpose, work hard.”
“I promise.”
There’s no need for elaborate rhetoric. As a soldier, doing what you’re told is the essence.
I shook hands with the Viceroy and nodded.
—
“Then I’ll return to the capital. If we go any further, someone might notice I’m missing.”
“Please return safely, Your Excellency.”
From the start, there was a separate escort team prepared where the carriage stopped.
I saluted properly to the Viceroy and watched his escort team disappear into the sunset.
From then on, it was a solo journey. I slowly took in the scenery visible through the window.
Contrary to the mountainous northern region, this area is a vast plain. Fields of green wheat stretch endlessly toward the horizon.
It seems the unit’s new location is in the south.
Okhraine’s southern region is a vast plain bordering the Rhinehardt Empire to the southeast, the Pry Free Democratic State to the southwest, and the Schweizland Kingdom, another neutral country.
Due to its flat terrain, once the defensive line is breached, forces can easily push through, making it a terrible defensive position.
This is why even the relatively stable northern region eventually fell under the Rhinehardt Empire’s intervention.
‘The key is how to maintain this region.’
I had roughly outlined a strategic plan. It’s unreasonable for the Okhraine Army to launch an offensive from the beginning of the war. What can be established now is a defensive strategy.
Both Orlando Rus III and the Okhraine Army seem to think that fighting against the Soviev Empire is more likely than the Rhinehardt Empire intervening…
Discussing strategies after being blindsided is pointless.
‘If possible, building a fortress line like the Maginot Line along this axis would be ideal.’
For now, since I’m assigned to the Special Response Brigade’s training unit, I can’t immediately project influence.
There’s hope that by slowly expanding my network, I can prepare adequately before the war begins.
Then, the southern front will be drenched in the bl**d of the careless Rhinehardt troops.
Oh right, come to think of it, now that my affiliation has changed, I wonder how my status screen has changed.
Since I didn’t feel the need to check my stats recently, I hadn’t checked them much.
“Status Screen.”
As I muttered briefly, a semi-transparent window appeared in front of me. Despite knowing I can use this ability, there’s still a strange feeling.
Dreams increasingly take place from Enoch Revendale’s perspective, making me realize I’ve fully adapted to life in Hats of Generals.
There’s no point in checking the individual screen, so I move on.
The crucial part was the unit management screen.
With the personnel order issued, it’s clear that my affiliation has changed from the Northern Corps 3rd Magic Battalion to the Special Response Brigade.
My exact post is still unknown, whether I’ll be an instructor or a trainee under Major Sony Chepelin.
But the status screen would definitely show how I’m deployed.
“Unit Management.”
Checking with considerable anticipation, the unit management screen was shockingly different from what I expected.
—
[Central Corps Direct Special Response Brigade]
[8th Assault Magic Infantry Battalion (Training)]
Commander: Major Sony Chepelin (Temporary)
Chief of Staff: Joseph Lebandovsky (Temporary)
First Platoon Leader: Enoch Revendale (Temporary)
Platoon Second-in-Command: Lumina Blue (Temporary)
…
—
“Major Sony Chepelin was somewhat expected, but…”
An assault magic infantry battalion?
Where on earth did such a bizarre formation come from?
