‘Artillery is the god of modern warfare.’
Marshal Joseph Stalin of the Iron Guard.
‘The Lord is on the side of the army with the strongest artillery.’
Napoleon Bonaparte, the ruler of Europe.
Great military commanders who have shaken world history at least once all cried out for artillery. This is how important the artillery corps is in the role of war.
Of course, it seems to be mysteriously overshadowed by magic soldiers at the moment, but if the range of cannons increases and the development of weapons such as high-explosive shells accelerates, including anti-magic explosive shells.
At some point, it will become a division with insane potential that far surpasses the firepower support of magic soldiers.
In reality, it only took 40 years for cannons from Napoleon’s era to evolve to self-propelled guns capable of shattering concrete buildings with high-explosive shells.
What about a world where magic exists?
New weapons that one could never imagine appear every year. From biplanes on airships to jet fighters.
The most dramatic developments are not limited to just the air force.
Cavalry units, which once wielded sabers on horseback and planned assault tactics, transformed into armored vehicles with terrifying engine sounds.
Infantry units also began wielding lethal combat rifles that could fire dozens of rounds in seconds instead of simple slingshots.
If this were reality, technological advancements would have been suppressed for various reasons, but ironically, this is a world where Deus Ex Machina, magic, exists.
It’s not unreasonable for ordinary tanks to suddenly acquire advanced technologies like reactive armor or composite armor.
This is exactly what sets Hearts of General apart from other strategy simulation games.
Depending on the player’s actions, extraordinary weapons can appear in leaps and bounds, bypassing the usual development path.
However, the problem is that until now, everything was handled within the set parameters of the game system.
Now, I had to move based solely on the knowledge I accumulated during my time in the military and the knowledge within the game.
Truly perfect hyper-realism.
Fortunately, my understanding of the artillery tactics and equipment of the Reinhardt Empire was quite high.
I had reached a level where it could somewhat work against a serving cavalry captain like Johannes.
“So, you’ve developed a weapon that can completely replace the 12-pound field guns currently being recruited in Okhraine?”
“It boasts an even longer range. It’s a weapon fundamentally different from the 12-pounder field guns specialized for direct-fire close-range support.”
Johannes narrowed his eyes. He seemed skeptical of my words.
“The recoil is applied only to the barrel, so there’s no need to re-aim after firing, making it usable immediately.”
“While I don’t underestimate Okhraine… considering the industrial capabilities of my home country, I have some doubts about achieving such results.”
“Faith is in your hands, Captain.”
When I dodged it lightly, Johannes’ face became even more complicated.
To be honest, that’s right. At this point, I only had blueprints. Prototypes hadn’t even been produced yet, but the concept of the ‘recoil absorption mechanism,’ which forms the basis of the technology, was established.
The ‘Grizzly’ 57mm howitzer.
As soon as I conveyed this idea to the Okhraine artillery corps, who were already hungry for new weapons, they immediately secured a position in the technical research department.
They successfully managed to effectively absorb the recoil by applying wind and water magic devices below the barrel.
Even though it’s still in the stage of experimental results using dummy ammunition and resembles a fixed cannon.
Continuing research and experiments will eventually allow them to produce their own weapons comparable to the initial main field guns of Houzhi.
In fact, according to the AI standards, the development of the recoil absorption mechanism field guns in Reinhardt took more than a year from the start of the game, so we are currently at an advantage in terms of technology.
So, it’s not entirely a bluff.
“The technological prowess of Reinhardt is overwhelmingly superior to Okhraine and any other nation in the world. However, there are certainly areas where it falls short.”
“Hmm… Your words certainly make sense.”
I had half-convinced him. Now, it’s a matter of how to push my teeth further.
“As I am deeply impressed by the Moldoke armored train, it would be good to discuss how we can help each other.”
I handed Johannes a folded note I had prepared earlier. It was the address I had prepared before the party started.
“I plan to stay in Reinhardt for about a month with Major Sony Chepelin.”
“Oh, that’s close to where I’m staying. How about having dinner together sometime?”
“That sounds good.”
Johannes put the note I gave him into his front pocket.
“I’ll contact you then.”
“I look forward to it. We need to check other places as well.”
I made a slight gesture and turned around with Lumina to see the next exhibit.
I felt like I had already made my first connection.
*
Apart from Count Petrinant’s airship and armored train, there were plenty of impressive things to see. Reflecting the technological prowess of Reinhardt, personal weapons were also of a very high standard.
Although we use Brette-style flintlock muskets, over here bolt-action rifles similar to Mausers are already in circulation.
If I didn’t know the detailed information about the recoil absorption mechanism, the Reinhardt Empire would have developed it first rather than Okhraine.
Given that it took several months just to establish the basic concept.
The stark disparity in technological capability between Reinhardt and Okhraine was clearly evident.
From early model trucks to communication equipment, while mass production may require more time, this level makes it possible to say that it is the most advanced and technologically proficient nation when combined with all the countries on the continent.
“If only it could be made into an ally, it would be perfect.”
After the invasion by the Soviev Empire, the Reinhardt Empire faced a ‘protective’ army crossing its borders from the Pry Free Democratic State and simultaneously a ‘mediating’ force invading from the south through Okhraine.
While it’s better than the actual war instigators like the Soviev Empire, it is still an enemy state.
But this is only in a general scenario.
The reason Reinhardt participates in the Okhraine front is to prevent the expansion of the Pry Free Democratic State.
An already weak country, and if divided into three parts, it would no longer pose a significant threat from that point onward.
It was intended to be a buffer zone after destroying a useless country.
Then, what if Reinhardt could become a valuable friend? Or even if it’s not a friend, something too valuable to give away and too ambiguous to take, like a ‘mixed blessing’?
Ultimately, the relationship between nations is based on pure logic of gain.
In the previous world, the United States withdrew its troops from Afghanistan because it wasn’t profitable.
The Afghan government forces, despite their formidable equipment, were defeated by the Taliban, who operated nothing more than armed trucks, in less than a week.
But what about Ukraine—no, the country that inspired the Ukraine in this world?
Facing the second-largest military power in the world, Russia, Ukraine not only held its ground but also demonstrated its resilience to the international community. Various weapons were supplied to Ukraine, and Russia had to retreat with much more severe losses than expected.
‘This is precisely what we should strive for.’
While the devastation of Okhraine’s territory due to war may be inevitable, it is possible to prevent the entire nation from being swallowed up and its people suffering.
By assuming the Soviev Empire as the primary adversary and maximizing diplomatic relations with surrounding countries, the complexity of diplomacy will make the Soviev Empire hesitant to attack Okhraine. If the Okhraine military can respond skillfully, the war could stagnate.
The Soviev Empire and its allies aim for expansion to the west.
If Okhraine successfully blocks the first step of this expansion, major powers like Reinhardt will reconsider this small country.
Other nations that view the Soviev Empire unfavorably might also join in. There are no eternal alliances, and the imperialistic ideology that governs the empire does not distinguish between allies and enemies, preying on the weaker.
Thus, the first day of the exposition ended.
“Captain Enok Revendale, are you here?”
A precious opportunity to build up for the realization of that thought presented itself.
“Captain Johannes Weissenberge of the Reinhardt cavalry. I am here with Dr. Mercedes, the chief researcher of our Moldoke armored train. Dr. Mercedes has shown great interest in your theory—”
“I’m leaving right now!”
And leading such a giant of innovation in the Reinhardt Empire’s technological revolution.
