Since Sony Chepelin’s attack never ceased after that. Not only because magic wasn’t used, but also because the dense forest of trees surrounding the cliff provided adequate cover from smoke.
The issue of food was also not as difficult to resolve.
It was somewhat fortunate that there were many wild animals to eat in the snow mountain, which was rarely visited by people.
Among the soldiers, some had grown up in the harsh northern regions, and they began to skillfully set traps to hunt rabbits and deer.
Naturally, there was a great risk of being discovered by Sony Chepelin if guns or magic were used recklessly, so all disassembly and cooking had to be done by hand.
Moreover, the soldiers led by Claude found a valley near the foot of the mountain, continuously supplying drinking water. They also collected edible plants like bindweed and mountain strawberries growing around the area.
Despite the smooth supply of food, due to the nature of the snow mountain, quite a few soldiers showed symptoms of hypothermia.
At that time, we could minimize non-combat losses by warming up inside the ‘igloo’ designed by Bella Meyer.
Thus, seventy-two hours passed in the snow mountain. As the thick morning fog cleared and the bright sun rose beyond the towering peaks,
“Thank you for your hard work!!! Everyone!!!”
Sony Chepelin’s voice echoed throughout the entire snow mountain. To be precise, it started from within the bodies of the officers and staff, including the platoon leaders.
The magic engraving, small as a dot on the wrist. Upon analysis, it was a rather simple spell that would play a recorded message after a certain amount of time.
Being engraved by a Great Mage, it’s no wonder I hadn’t noticed it until now.
Only then did I realize that Sony Chepelin didn’t track our location merely by magic or smoke.
‘…I guess it makes sense that they planned everything out even though they just threw us into the snow mountain without any plan.’
Our Sony Chepelin has plans after all?
The Major must have cast spells every time the magic power was detected or when a campfire revealed our position.
Thinking back to how we changed combat lines to hide and secretly maneuvered after our positions were fully known…
There was no avoiding the feeling of helplessness.
“The current time is 7:30 AM! The official end of the snow mountain survival training is hereby announced! Members of the 8th Assault Magic Infantry Battalion must complete their descent by 9 AM! That’s all!”
That lively voice was particularly grating.
‘Later… When I make a big achievement and rise above Sony Chepelin, I will give her a slap!’
All I could do was clench my fist and vow.
“Definitely!”
As soon as the soldiers heard that the training had ended, they quickly completed their preparations to move out.
“d*mn, I’ll never pee here again.”
“The north will be hell from now on…”
Each soldier muttered thick curses while packing their gear. Each time, I felt that the human condition was the same whether in reality or here.
I chuckled as I looked at the orderly troops.
“Is everyone accounted for? Any casualties?”
“No casualties!”
Thanks to the excellent leadership of my platoon leaders, not a single casualty occurred in the company.
Although we encountered dangerous situations such as meeting Yetis, it was commendable that no one was injured.
“Good. But since we’re not completely down yet, don’t relax too much and ensure safety during descent!”
“Yes—!”
“Alright, let’s descend!”
As I gave the order, the soldiers began to descend in formation along the ridge.
Of course, with well-maintained paths unlikely on a Yeti-infested snow mountain, the squad members tied themselves together with ropes to prevent accidents.
After enduring the harsh survival training, it was only fair to avoid injuries during descent.
‘I’m glad they followed me so well.’
Though we had only known each other for two weeks and the platoon leaders, excluding Claude, were very young, there was still a high probability they wouldn’t follow orders.
But in retrospect, the soldiers under my command were quite cooperative.
Perhaps because of similar ages, there was a friendly atmosphere between the platoon leaders and the soldiers, almost like friends.
‘I can vividly recall my days as a captain.’
While the situation, era, and methods were slightly different from before, my mindset had clearly changed from the immature state back then.
‘Good.’
Here, there seemed to be no worry about disappointment.
There were no dismissive adjutants, no abusive battalion commanders, and no soldiers always going on leave and causing trouble.
‘If I had handled things wisely back then like I do now, the results might have been different…’
The faces of those I had befriended flashed before my eyes.
-‘The company commander is too strict. We’ll be gone in less than two years, so the soldiers should develop affection for the unit.’
-‘The information department and regular field units are very different. The company commander needs to take the initiative to approach the soldiers.’
‘I couldn’t do that back then, but now I understand what they meant.’
The golden lifeline, Sony Chepelin, had already been secured. If she came secretly to meet someone at the head of a nation, that was the end of it.
Now, I needed to focus on the people below me.
Starting with Lumina, down to the nameless junior soldiers.
Only if they follow my orders and grow can we save this country teetering on the brink.
This stance has remained unchanged since I first possessed this world.
Just look at our low-ranking squad members, who are now respected as capable squad leaders by the soldiers.
Watching them grow was incredibly satisfying.
“Captain Enok Revendale, it’s our turn to depart.”
“Has the fourth platoon departed as well?”
“Yes.”
Even though the 72-hour survival training had ended, the training itself was not over.
Why is it called Hell Week?
It’s called Hell Week because it’s as grueling and tough as going to hell.
Life in the snow mountain was challenging, but less than a week had passed.
The training schedule for the remaining two weeks was completely unknown.
During this training period, my role as a company commander was to unite our precious company members with one heart and mind.
“Good. We need to hurry and depart to receive the next training seriously.”
I nodded to Lumina beside me and began to follow the line of troops descending.
After the training ended, the assembly point announced was the border fortress ‘Mtsensk,’ which borders the Calpas Mountains.
This was a place I knew well.
When playing as the Soviev Empire, Mtsensk Fortress was one of the key points we had to bypass during the invasion of Okhraine.
Mtsensk Fortress was the first frontline fortress one encounters right after crossing the Calpas Mountains.
And simultaneously, it was the only defensive fortress established in the far north.
Given that the powerful river ‘Kyial’ originating from the mountains blocks the way to the plains, any invading force entering through the Calpas Mountains must break through Mtsensk to reach the plains of Okhraine.
A massive fortress visible immediately after crossing the mountains.
A vast plain unfolds after passing through the fortress.
Anyone could see it was a strategically crucial point, so most players tried to assault Mtsensk with all their might. Even I did the same when I was a newbie.
But it didn’t take long to realize how foolish that was.
To reach Mtsensk, one had to first breach the Calpas Mountains.
Even if elite divisions were sent, the combat effectiveness would drastically decrease due to the harsh geographical conditions of the mountainous terrain.
A demonic realm where Yetis roam freely.
It was already difficult for a small force to hold out for 72 hours; setting up a division or corps-level stronghold and continuously attacking the fortress was nearly impossible.
Soldiers are not herbivores; they can’t march forward while picking strawberries.
The supply chain would suffer significant losses as well.
Seeing the elite divisions carefully nurtured being torn apart by the defense forces of Okhraine, who had the geographical advantage, was heartbreaking.
So, ever since I understood Hajoje’s reasoning to some extent, I never deployed troops toward the Mtsensk Fortress.
One realizes too late that even ripe-looking fruits may contain lethal poison.
This past experience made Mtsensk Fortress seem different to me.
An imposing fortress. The thick walls were resilient enough to withstand hundreds or thousands of artillery strikes.
The defending soldiers had an eagle-like gaze.
‘That’s why divisions are divided and lost.’
Even the grand Belgorod Fortress, which I instinctively treated as nothing more than a watchtower, made me nod in agreement.
“First Platoon Leader Enok Revendale.”
“You’ve trained hard. Please come in.”
The guard at the gate saluted, and the heavy gates began to open.
“Sergeant Major Sony Chepelin instructed me to go to the special tent east of the fortress.”
“A special tent…?”
“Yes.”
I felt slightly puzzled. Mtsensk Fortress was practically a small city in scale.
If special tents were prepared inside, it would mean staying there for several days.
Does that mean this Hell Week training ends here?
‘No, it was a two-week plan. Maybe we’ll rest for a couple of days and move to another area.’
As I headed to the location mentioned by the guard, I pondered Sony Chepelin’s intentions.
“Ah…?!”
Lumina’s startled voice echoed. Without thinking, I turned my head, and a familiar woman waved at me.
Who is it? Before I could react, she rushed over and hugged me tightly. A fresh scent wafted towards me.
“Our remarkable junior~! Long time no see!!”
“Captain Debra Bennett? No, why are you here…?”
“I’m not a captain anymore. Look here.”
Three diamonds.
She finally advanced in rank.
“Captain Debra Bennett.”
“Yes, yes. And Enok Revendale became a captain too, right? An ultra-rapid promotion from platoon leader to company commander!”
“Wait, but why are you here, Captain?”
I was stunned by the unexpected appearance of someone. Seeing me flustered, the captain playfully patted my shoulder.
“Why? Because I moved to the Central Education and Technology Research Department this time.”
“Really…?”
“What do you mean really? You don’t care?”
“I meant why is Major Viktor Zelensky’s subordinate here at Mtsensk?”
“They said they want to test a new weapon here, so I came along for the test run.”
“A new weapon?”
“None of you have seen it? They’re testing it now. Look up!”
I looked up and saw a shiny oval object floating above the roof.
“A balloon? Wait a moment.”
A huge white balloon slowly ascending into the sky. It was something I couldn’t miss.
“…My goodness.”
Lumina gasped in surprise, and the soldiers behind her exclaimed in unison.
A dirigible.
The symbol of terrifying aerial weaponry spread its wings towards the sky.
