Second Lieutenant Viktoriya Serebryakov,
reporting in as your assistant as per Strategic HQ orders.
You're my assistant?
Yes.
It seems I was assigned this post because I already knew you, and we're both women.
Gee, the brass sure is being awfully considerate.
Belated congratulations on your promotion, Second Lieutenant.
Thank you!
I'll get to work right away, then!
Don't bother. This isn't something two people can handle.
Don't worry.
I've already spoken with Garrison Command.
They'll send dozens of unoccupied MPs and other personnel.
What?
I wanted to contribute to clearing the organization work as fast as possible.
Having an assistant who's too talented is also a problem.
I should have left her on the Rhine Front!
First Lieutenant Aisha Schubert, reporting in.
First Lieutenant Klein Balhelm, likewise.
Good to see you.
I am Colonel Gregorio von Turner, head of the Mage Battalion Organization Committee.
You are to head to 6th Air Squadron Command at once.
But we were told to gather at this garrison by 1400 today.
There's been a change of plans.
Th-There has?
Also, should you raise any alarm bells regarding your handling of classified info,
you will be punished and returned to your original unit at once.
Keep that in mind.
Yes, sir!
Failure
Are you sure?
Don't ask me.
Those who fail to notice the plainly obvious deserve to be returned to their units.
But that's the fourteenth pair.
Jeez...
I was sure at least four of them would pass.
Actually, Strategic HQ just sent a demand that we speed up the selection.
Episode 5 My First Battalion
So the creation of the mage battalion is nothing but propaganda?
And I'm supposed to shut up and leave?
Sorry.
I'm glad to see you're so ambitious.
If there's another opportunity, please volunteer.
I understand.
Excuse me.
It's an illusion created by a normal optical spell,
and the voice is a magical synthetic.
I can see why you keep failing people.
A mage should be able to see through this easily.
But out of thirty-nine sets,
thirty-three have been deceived and sent back to their home units.
Only twelve people have passed.
That's only enough for a company.
You'll have to lower the standards for passing.
Then I'll need time for reeducation and to devise an acceptable new standard.
How long, exactly?
A month.
Only a month?
Training a new soldier takes two years.
I don't care.
Reeducate them, even if you have to get a little rough.
Roger.
Don't tell me...
Imperial Army Zugspitsche Training Grounds
An enemy attack?
What happened?
I-It's so cold...
I figured this would happen.
There's your wake-up call!
No need for thanks!
I got word that the artillery unit running exercises in this area
had old shells they needed to dispose of.
Let's give them a chance for some fun.
Also, I'm very sorry to say this,
but they don't have much ammo stored for the exercise...
They'll run dry in about thirty-six hours, maximum.
Th-Thirty-six hours?
Let's begin!
Time to start defensive training!
R-Retreat!
Hurry!
Move your hands!
We should be able to block training shells with magic—
That's strange.
I guess they screwed something up, 'cause real shells are mixed in there.
Did...
Did you have to go that far?!
They're coming!
Concentrate!
Get down...
Dodge...
It's over.
I hope so...
Those thirty-six hours just flew by, huh?
Knowing you're all warriors, you haven't had enough fun yet, right?
And so,
it's time for you to move to the next point.
You have forty-eight hours.
No defensive spells or flight magic.
If I detect any magic, I'll launch a magical artillery strike of my own!
I'll give you one warning.
Be very careful on your way.
A bomber!
What's that?
A-Army dogs?
We should probably go around them.
N-Nothing's really happening.
Was she just trying to scare us?
It's possible...
Knowing the captain, it's totally possible.
Damn it.
She's rotten to the core!
That bitch!
Retreat! Retreat!
H-Help me.
My leg...
Now you're napping during training, huh?
Want to face a firing squad for dereliction of duty?
Hang in there!
Hey!
Are you okay? Breathe!
Hey!
N-No...
Too useless to even dodge an avalanche—
C-Captain, that's going too far!
H-He came back to life?
I can't believe it.
That isn't human...
If I try and drop out,
I'll meet a fate worse than death.
So that's all of you?
Even though this was unexpected, training is training.
At this rate, you'll never reach the designated point before time expires.
If you're going to quit, then now is—
I will continue the training!
Me, too.
Leave it to me.
And me.
I can keep going.
Let me do it.
Hurry!
We'll finish the march!
Right!
I-I'll go, too!
One Month Later
Today, you people are no longer maggots.
Today, you are Imperial mages.
You're part of a brotherhood.
From now on, until the day you die,
wherever you are, every member of the army is your brother.
Most of you will go to the war zone.
Some of you will not come back.
But always remember this:
Imperial soldiers die.
That's what we're here for.
But the Empire lives forever.
And that means you live forever!
Thus, the Empire expects you to fight forever for it!
Sir, yes, sir!
Imperial Strategic HQ External Bureau
How did this happen?
Why did I do that?
I don't even remember.
Organization Department
Maybe it's because I used the Type-95 too much in training.
I should get examined for mental corruption...
Major Degurechaff!
A military communiqué from Strategic HQ.
Understood.
Immediate answer required, huh?
Yes, a messenger is waiting outside.
Drawing Room
Congratulations on your promotion, Major Degurechaff.
I'm Lieutenant Colonel Rerugen from Strategic Headquarters.
Thank you.
I've heard your name many times.
I thought you were inspecting the forces in theater?
Yes, I returned a few days ago.
Is something wrong?
No, nothing.
I'll ask you a question, then.
This order says we are to depart at once for the southeastern garrison,
and it's given the highest priority level.
I was told your 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion had been assembled.
But we're still basically a training battalion.
I'd like six months, at least, to get everyone trained.
The inspector said
they had reached the level where they could be deployed immediately.
All of them are using prototypes of next-generation Elenium Type-97.
And they have completed adaptation training at 8,000 meters?
I just got them the requisite equipment to balance their fighting strength.
Engineer Schugel owed me a favor.
Our military has nothing to spare!
To the west, the Rhine theater is a stalemate,
and we haven't finished things in the north.
That's why I'm so confused...
Why are we being deployed to the southeastern garrison?
It was Strategic Headquarters' decision, after my inspection of various theaters.
Understood.
If you'll excuse me now.
Oh, right...
This is just a personal bit of advice,
but since you are headed to the southeastern garrison,
why not take the opportunity to learn Dakian?
Dakian?
I see...
The Entente Alliance, the Republic,
and now the Dukedom of Dakia?
Imperial Army Southeastern Theater, Military Garrison 5
A message from the southern zone.
"Emergency.
A corps-sized Dakian military unit has invaded our borders."
Yes.
The enemy infantry comprises approximately 600,000 men, in four army groups.
What's the aerial combat situation?
No information on enemy air strength.
What?
Is there a problem with communications?
Everything is normal.
There's no word of an air superiority battle,
and we've also intercepted unencrypted communications.
Unencrypted?!
Those must be fake...
I can't believe the enemy has no air forces.
But all communications we've picked up in the area are the same type,
so that should be accurate.
They aren't encrypting communications, and they have no aerial forces?
I didn't expect the Dakian Army to be so inept.
Attention!
Imperial Army 203rd Air Mage Battalion
A message from the battalion commander!
Vice-Commander and 2nd Company Commander First Lieutenant Matheus Johan Weiss
It is time for war, everyone.
Battalion Commander and 1st Company Commander Major Tanya von Degurechaff
No, something merely similar to war.
Today happens to be my birthday.
Perhaps the Dukedom of Dakia knew this, since they've sent me a gift.
A wonderful surprise present!
A bunch of targets for a live-fire training exercise.
1st Company Second-in-Command Second Lieutenant Viktoriya Serebryakov
You may choose to shoot them
or to destroy them with spells.
With guaranteed air supremacy,
3rd Company Commander First Lieutenant Wilibald Koenig
this is a man hunt, if anything!
It's like kicking boy scouts about.
4th Company Commander First Lieutenant Rhiner Neumann
One last thing.
This time, our targets will return fire...
Probably.
Not that any of you are stupid enough to get shot down,
but keep it in mind.
Very well, gentlemen.
It's time for some sports!
Confirmed sighting of the Dakian vanguard unit.
Approximately three divisions.
All battalion soldiers, move out.
Teach them what war is all about.
Bright the hammer of civilization down upon them!
Roger!
Advance!
Don't break formation!
A live-fire exercise is an apt way to describe this.
It's basically a bunch of scarecrows.
If we miss, we'll be a laughingstock.
Penetrating spells... Fire!
Sheesh, we can't let them beat us.
Follow their lead.
Prepare artillery spell!
Fire!
Well, this sucks.
I have nothing to do.
I was sure this would be a tough battle.
What, scared of a mere three divisions?
It's hard to believe you survived the Rhine.
Major, um...
Three divisions is a lot!
I've thought this before, but your idea of what constitutes a threat is a little...
A little what?
Oh! It's nothing!
I'm sorry, Second Lieutenant Serebryakov.
Looks like you're right.
Um, I'm sorry?
We should define them as a horde or mob, a little under 50,000 strong.
I can see why calling them "divisions" could lead to misunderstandings.
How silly of me...
Well, it's the first world war in this world.
Few soldiers truly understand the threat that air power represents.
What's that?
What are they doing?
I believe they're lining up to fire a volley.
You're kidding.
What year do they think this is?
This isn't the era of cavalry.
Lieutenant Weiss?
Why are you falling back?
Why are you breaking attack formation?
Enemy infantry has gotten into AA formation.
So as doctrine dictates, he's trying to fall back to the limits of his range—
Doctrine? That idiot can't act without a manual?
Does he really think an infantry bullet can hit a flying mage?
If any mage is shot down by one, I'll kill him before the enemy does!
Very well! We'll join in, too!
Company, follow me!
Th-The enemy!
Fire! Fire!
That isn't fair!
Come down!
Man, I didn't expect I'd be unable to even hear the machine guns.
Drop grenades!
It's so strange.
Aren't we the ones being invaded?
Jeez, what a bunch of morons.
This looks like the invading army's real HQ, not a decoy.
They're broadcasting communications in the clear, without even dropping output?
I'm starting to think we actually mowed down a bunch of tourists, not soldiers.
Y-You bastards!
Welcome to the Empire.
What is the purpose of your visit? Do you have a visa?
Sh-Shut up!
No visas?
Would you like to enter the country as prisoners of war, then?
K-Kill them all!
Fire!
This is a waste of time, huh?
Yeah.
Kill them all, except the commander.
Yes, ma'am.
Presents for Strategic Headquarters.
Take everything but the bodies!
Hey, you.
Put a booby trap on that corpse.
Has the unit rendezvoused?
Yes.
Shall we wipe out the remaining troops?
Where are our allied air fleets?
The 7th Air Fleet will arrive shortly.
As soon as they've reloaded their bombs, they'll launch a full-scale attack.
Then we'll let our allies annihilate the enemy, and we'll advance.
Yes, ma'am!
Where will we go?
The capital.
The capital?
Forward... Farther forward.
Let's try this, and see how far we can go.
Our battalion is capable of moving forward.
Target sighted.
Looks like a Republic-backed arms factory.
It's probably filled with flammables.
But I don't see any air defense.
No...
They're using last century's paradigm.
They seem to still be living in two dimensions.
This is our chance. Let's attack.
Second Lieutenant,
we aren't the kind of barbarians who'd ignore international wartime law.
In adherence to the laws the ethicists made,
we must destroy nothing but the enemy factory and warn them to evacuate.
But, Major, we'll lose the chance for a surprise attack.
First Lieutenant Weiss...
I saw this earlier, but you play by the book a little too much.
I-I'm sorry!
Second Lieutenant, give the warning immediately.
On the international channel, just like the rules say.
But, um... You're sure you want me to?
Oh...
Yeah. Looks like it would be better for me to.
Instructor! We swear that we will conduct a fair war,
in accordance with international law!
We warn you now!
The Imperial Army is about to launch an attack on your military facility!
Wonderful!
They seem to think it's a kid's prank!
I didn't know you had theater experience, Major!
Now, everyone,
we have fulfilled our duty under international law.
Let's get to work.
All units, prepare ultra-long-range spells!
Target the Carbelius Weapons Factory!
All companies, match your fire to the commander's.
In God's name, bring down his wrath on all who would violate the Fatherland.
Manifest the miracles of God on Earth.
Open fire!
Sixteen direct hits.
The rest are near hits.
Hmm, not bad.
Secondary explosions!
Wow.
Tamaya!
Just an expression of joy. Don't worry about it.
Looks like we owe Dakia big time.
Not only did they help with our live-fire exercise,
but they even treated us to a post-exercise fireworks show.
Halt! We've achieved our objective!
Now, let's head back, my battalion.
This program is fiction. All persons, groups, places, laws, and names appearing in it have no relation to the real world.