Several Days After the Battle with the Dukedom of Dakia
The southern region reports that,
with the 7th Air Fleet's aid, we have broken through the Dakian central lines.
We are now beginning a mop-up operation
to cut the enemy's comms lines and destroy them.
Overwhelming a force of 600,000 with only 70,000?
Splendid.
We should be able to occupy Dakia by winter.
But our country still fights on two fronts.
The Republic and the Entente Alliance.
There's a lull in the fighting in both theaters, but...
We are worrying about a world war.
The fewer fronts we must fight on, the better.
Our only choice is to start wiping out the weaker enemies, like Dakia.
We attack the Entente Alliance, then?
They're probably more fragile than the Republic.
The problem is supply.
Our supplies in the central Norden Region...
I'd like a little time to stock supplies before an assault.
The snow's slowing railway development.
We've known each other a long time. Out with it.
We're already taxing the northern rail and port systems to their limits.
No dramatic change can be effected in a short time.
Making it through winter is all we can do with our current supplies.
We don't have any to spare for an offensive.
I get that our current supply lines have issues.
But I have a suggestion.
I would like to use your ace in the hole...
The 203rd Battalion, which attacked the Dakian capital.
Imperial Army Southeastern Theater, Military Garrison 5
Attention!
Good work in Dakia, everyone.
As I'm sure you've already heard, the 203rd has received a transfer order.
We're heading north, to Norden.
First the south, then the north.
No rest for the weary.
It's perfect. I've been wanting to ski.
We were always intended as a rapid-response force,
but it looks like HQ wants to work us like draft horses...
I'm sure they have quite the carrot for us.
But horses aren't lucky enough to get food for free.
Strategic HQ specifically requested us.
Our opponent in this snowball fight is
the Triple Entente, which has launched several attacks on our territory.
We're expected to test a new type of tactic.
We have to show them that our battalion has its act together enough for hiking.
Do not forget your duty as soldiers!
Yes, ma'am!
Good...
We will now relay to you the orders from HQ.
Lieutenant Weiss.
At 1800, we will start the long, overnight journey north.
Major, about the flight plan to Norden...
Second Lieutenant Serebryakov, don't you think it's strange?
Wh-What is?
Even without the central forces,
we should be more than capable of defeating the Entente Alliance.
That war should've been over by now.
That means someone is poking their nose where it doesn't belong.
One of the other major powers is intervening?
Yeah.
The Republic... The Allied Kingdom...
Perhaps both.
But the whole world will be watching as we go hiking.
Understood.
I'll pass it on.
I knew a world war was a possibility, but things are moving faster than I expected.
Dakia's sudden invasion was also inexplicable.
It's possible...
That the insane, self-proclaimed "God" is using his invisible hand here.
Episode 6 Beginning of Madness
Entente Alliance Capital, Ministry of Defense
Excellent news, everyone.
It's still in the early stages,
Entente Alliance Council of Ten Olvajoule Kazole
but we've begun the process of working with our allies.
That is good to hear.
But aren't they afraid that we'll end up like Dakia?
They're afraid that we'll fall,
and then the Empire can direct its full force toward the Republic.
That news makes us sound pitiful.
Not only the Republic, but the Allied Kingdom will aid us, too.
They've also begun secretly monitoring the Empire.
I'm envious they have resources to spare.
We have nothing left to spare at all.
We're forced to ask the other major powers for aid.
It's pathetic,
but we have few other options.
Thus, let us do the best we can now.
Imperial Army, Northern Region Kraggana Supply Base
Fire! Fire! Fire!
Keep firing!
Damn it, they got here faster than expected!
There are more of them, too.
Those intelligence asses said we had nothing to worry about.
I'm running out of magical energy...
I can't keep up my defensive spells!
Battalion Commander, let's fall back.
No!
We have to defend the supply base to the death...
Battalion Commander!
I screwed up...
I'm sorry. Take care of the rest...
Roger.
03 and 07, you're at your limits, too.
Take the commander and fall back.
This is Viper 02.
The commander has been wounded, and I'm assuming command.
Roger, Viper 02.
And I've got bad news.
Emergency message from the northeast area.
Observation teams have spotted two company-sized units of mages.
Additional forces?
Where were they hiding until now?
We've confirmed foreign mages of unknown nationality.
They'll be in your airspace soon.
It will be very hard to fight further.
Requesting permission to withdraw!
Lieutenant, multiple sightings at two o'clock.
Bombers...
Contact lost with forward units!
M-Multiple bombers sighted.
Send interceptors immediately!
Wait five minutes.
We'll discuss it with command.
Can you intercept?
Hell no!
Our altitudes are too different.
And we haven't wiped out the enemy mages!
That base holds mountains of our supplies.
If it's bombed, we won't last the winter.
Please... Just hang in there.
Bombers are at an altitude over 9,000.
Only fighters can go that high.
Not good.
We'll be wiped out!
What? Is that true?
All right! Viper Battalion, retreat at once!
Retreat!
Reinforcements from central!
Battalion-sized unit heading your way from area B-3!
Their call sign is "Pixie"!
Rejoice! Their commander is a named mage!
Enemy mage unit at altitude 6,500.
Forward forces are regiment-sized.
Two companies to the rear.
Companies 2 through 4 will hit the forward units.
We'll take out the rear units and bombers.
Then we'll launch a pincer attack from the rear.
However, while your job is to delay them,
there isn't any need to wait for me.
Feel free to defeat them all.
Yes, ma'am!
Now, Company 1, gain altitude.
We'll go around and knock out the two rear companies.
Imperial Army, Northern Theater Command
Northern Theater Strategic Commander Lieutenant General Heinrich Schreise
Interceptors are ready to go whenever, yes?
Yes, they're standing by in the hangars.
Ready to launch on your order.
Let's do it, then.
We need to stop those bombers.
Message from the 203rd Battalion,
Pixie Battalion, the ones fighting.
What?
Read it.
Well, um...
What is it? Hurry up!
They say they don't need help...
They don't need help?
They've got guts, huh?
They want us to owe them a favor.
Airborne Control has sighted Pixie Battalion.
Speed is 250.
Altitude is...
Pretty fast.
What's their altitude?
A-Altitude is 7,500...
No, it's still increasing!
What?
It must be some mistake.
Those are mages, not fighter planes.
They're certain. Present altitude is 8,500.
Speed is 300!
Is their gear working?
They're working fine.
Everything is working properly.
I can't believe it.
It seems Strategic HQ had an unexpected ace up its sleeve.
Prepare for close-quarters combat!
We'll wipe out the enemy's forward units!
The enemy's computation jewels are better than expected.
Don't get cocky!
They're fast.
They can hit accurately with this altitude difference?
Seems like it's those foreign mages.
They're tougher than we'd thought.
So, everyone, how are you enjoying a real war?
The other day's battle against Dakia was just a live-fire exercise.
I want to let you fight to your heart's content this time,
so I turned down reinforcements.
Be proud. You've been given a chance to pass a trial of iron and fire.
Our battle is being watched by the other major powers
and the entire world.
Our nation's honor is at stake, and failure isn't permitted!
That's just like the major...
Also, the company that contributes least
will pay for the post-victory celebration.
I ordered some fine twenty-five-year-old booze.
If you don't want to go bankrupt, fight hard.
Company 2, maximum altitude!
Everyone, fly like death's at your heels!
Don't bankrupt me!
All companies are fighting hard.
It's hard to show off how good a commander you are.
It's them! The bombers!
They're finally here, huh?
Enemy mage company below us.
Twelve of them. Altitude 6,500.
What do we do?
Leave them to the rear mage units.
We're too high up for them to do anything.
Enemy escorts are here, too.
Two mage companies.
Second Lieutenant, lead the company and take them out.
Sorry, but I'm taking all those for myself.
A-All those bombers?
I actually want to become the air force's ace, too, and this is my big chance.
I'm afraid you'd need to do it in a plane to stand any chance, ma'am.
Really?
I wish I could go back and get one, then.
But I guess I can't turn my back on them now.
Don't want them thinking I retreated when I faced the enemy.
Guess I'll work enough to earn my salary.
Company 1, we're advancing!
O-One mage incoming!
One mage?
Impossible!
That's suicide.
S-Speed is 250.
Altitude is 7,500.
What?
They're still climbing!
I'm up against some slow, heavy chunks of steel.
I won't be able to dance with them.
Altitude 8,000... 8,500.
At this rate, she'll match us!
Climb!
Everyone, lay down some fire!
She's too fast!
It's only times like this when I'm happy to have this tiny body.
A-Altitude is 10,000!
Who is this girl?
Damn it... Hit her! Hit her!
Stop.
Don't fire randomly!
Calm down and aim—
Good day, gentlemen.
And goodbye.
The formation leader's plane...
C-Call off the mission!
Turn around, fast!
Release all bombs and lighten the planes!
This is as easy as hitting fixed-gun emplacements.
Lord, hear my prayer,
and grant my desire.
Bring down the hammer of your wrath from Heaven.
Mayday! Mayday!
This is—
Pixie 01 to all units.
The metal birds are heading back to their nest.
Begin your pincer attack on the remaining mages.
I'm going to recover prisoners from the prey I shot down.
I wanted to get some information from them,
but I can't just cut out their brain and take it.
It's a joyous thing.
Everyone in this world is out for your blood, you of so little faith.
A great crusade to punish the blasphemer has begun.
Being X...
I knew you were screwing with me!
How does it feel to fight the entire world?
Damn it!
I'll show you!
Somewhere in the Norden Region, Allied Kingdom Army Observation Post
It's the named mage we saw in the west.
We've identified her. The Devil of the Rhine.
So she's real?
Allied Kingdom Army Military Intelligence Lieutenant Colonel Sir Isaac Dustin Drake
I guess the Republican forces weren't dreaming.
We were right to put an observation system quickly into place.
She took out those bombers by herself.
She really is a devil.
You have the recorded data, right?
Yes, no problem.
What about communications intercept?
Unfortunately, they used an unknown encryption algorithm...
I'd love to put up a control plane,
but our priority now is taking this equipment back, huh?
It's from Alpha Unit.
The named is emitting a powerful magical-energy signal.
Your light is like the morning sun.
All right.
This is our chance for good data.
Use it to illuminate the darkness, hidden in the ground.
What is she doing?
I can't even imagine.
Turn off power to the equipment!
She's tracked us back!
Praise the Lord, who is now born unto us!
I-I've detected an artillery spell!
Does she realize how far away she is?
Retreat... Retreat!
Observation waves are gone.
Splendid work, Major.
Major... is something wrong?
Let's go. We'll wipe out the remaining enemies.
Damn it! She got us!
Republican Capital Parisee, Ministry of Defense
The Entente Alliance's attack on the supply depot has failed.
Republican Army 2nd Mage Company Lieutenant Colonel Zevran Biantot
The mages we sent suffered multiple casualties.
Vice Minister of Defense and Armies General Pierre Michelaud Lugo
"Message to Entente Alliance Command.
We've told you that an analysis of the attack on Dakia
reveals that leaving your rear lines undefended is dangerous."
They're in bad shape.
Don't you think expecting anything from them is pointless?
Silence, Colonel Biantot.
I-I'm sorry!
Doomed or not, we'll use what we can.
Naturally.
Imperial Army, Northern Theater Forces Command
Welcome to Norden.
Or should I say welcome back, Major Degurechaff?
Yes, I've returned to the battlefield here,
General Rudersdorf.
Glad to have you.
That was splendid work today.
I'm honored, General.
I'd like to give you plenty of opportunities to fight here.
Yes, sir.
Excellent.
All right, let's start talking about work.
Major, you will be taking out an enemy defensive placement.
Does that mean we're advancing the front lines?
With our present supply situation...
For now, I'll merely say it is a new plan.
Roger.
As you know, the other major powers are beginning to intervene.
We'll have a real mess on our hands.
But we're counting on you, Major.
How does it feel to fight the entire world?
Yes, sir.
Not only the Entente Alliance, but the Republic and the Allied Kingdom...
And anyone else who wants to meddle...
I'll teach them all a lesson.
Hallway, Entente Alliance Ministry of Defense
5th Air Mage Battalion Colonel Anson Sue
Colonel...
Congratulations on your promotion.
Don't be stupid.
You can tell where our country's headed by the fact that I was promoted
because my superior officer was killed.
If you survive till next year, you'll be a general.
If you survive two years, you might be running the whole place.
If you have time for jokes, get ready to go.
We're heading to the rear lines.
Yes, sir.
I'm terribly sorry, sir.
You impress me, Lieutenant Weiss.
Wh-Where's this coming from?
You don't smoke, right?
I have no intention of restricting any rights,
and I don't want to tell people not to smoke on the battlefield.
But I wish people would keep the secondhand smoke in mind.
Secondhand smoke?
What's that?
Major Tanya Degurechaff, with the 203rd Air Mage Battalion.
This way.
Next Time War Report
This program is fiction. All persons, groups, places, laws, and names appearing in it have no relation to the real world.