Clear, with a chance of artillery shells.
Visibility is excellent again today,
and so a bloody war is taking place.
Just when you thought we'd finally taken out the Entente Alliance,
you find yourself back to the front lines, dealing with shells the whole day.
And sometimes, when you wake up,
you can find that the comrade who went to sleep next to you is dead.
Unified Year 1925 April, Rhine Front
That's how life is on the Rhine Front.
Battalion, we'll provide support for this mission.
Get in there as low as possible
and take out all enemy artillery at once.
Deal with enemy air units and mages as you see fit.
Also, our allies won't cease artillery fire even after we begin the mission.
I doubt anyone in my battalion is stupid enough to get hit by one of our shells,
Imperial Army 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion, Company 2 Second Lieutenant Warren Grantz
but keep it in mind.
They're as extravagant as ever.
Artillery shells aren't free, you know.
Stay sharp.
Those are airburst shells with timers.
Once they explode, their fragments will rain down on us.
I know that.
This is 05.
I've sighted two enemy mage companies approaching!
Company 1, begin anti-mage combat.
Show these idiots we won't see them without an appointment!
The rest of you, take out artillery.
Do it fast, and rendezvous with us!
Battalion, it's getting lively here.
Fun, ain't it?
Damn it.
That's why I told you to stay sharp.
First Lieutenant Weiss!
But I managed to score a fair few points.
Count on me next time, too.
Don't blame me if the last point you score is when you get blown up.
Haven't had enough of the commander up your ass?
I know...
Take a lesson from Second Lieutenant Serebryakov.
She became a veteran just by flying next to the battalion commander.
What's this about me?
You and the commander have been a pair for a long time, right?
Well, I suppose so, but...
Will you take my place?
Military regulations won't allow that.
I'm sorry, but we can't.
I see.
Major Degurechaff!
Is Major Degurechaff here?
I'm First Lieutenant Weiss, her second-in-command.
Is this an emergency?
Episode 8 Trial by Fire
A rear area's been cut off?
Y-Yes.
The partisans have started a rebellion in Arene City.
Arene City was formerly Republican territory.
We failed to extinguish the opposition completely, huh?
Local garrison MPs failed to quell it.
They already control the railroad and are straining our supply lines.
That's bad.
We have to fight without food or shells?
Imperial Territory Arene City
Die!
Take this!
Dog of the Empire!
A-An aerial insertion...
The Republic's begun an airship mission!
Enemy mages are trying to hook up with the rebels—
Republican Army 2nd Mage Company Lieutenant Colonel Severin Bientot
Secure defensive points and prepare for a long battle!
Every day that we can, we'll draw out the war and strangle the enemy!
Rejoice, Major Degurechaff.
Imperial Army Western Theater Command
Commander Mortiz Paul Von Han
As of 1423 today, you have a special mission from Theater Command.
"The 203rd is to eliminate enemy mages who have joined forces with Arene rebels.
Afterward, work with allies to recapture the city."
The situation requires quick action.
We're counting on you.
With pleasure, if those are your orders.
But combat in a city will be difficult.
No need to worry about that.
Strategic Command has given us a plan to quickly eliminate enemy units in the city.
And what is it?
An evacuation order will be issued for Arene.
Under international law, anyone who remains in the city after that order
will be considered a Republican soldier.
Orders from above are to eliminate all hostiles in the city.
Once you wipe out the enemy mages, our artillery will begin a barrage.
I see.
So we've got hell ahead of us,
and hell behind us.
Naturally, this is a very silly question.
But our enemy is only the Republican Army, yes?
Of course.
If possible, I would like to know the nature of these enemy combatants.
All of them, except a small number of Republican mages, are militiamen.
Many Imperial civilians have already been captured.
How sad...
We must get to work immediately, then.
Yes.
Well, the civilian presence will be an issue.
But I can't see regular soldiers using civilians as human shields.
We're simply taking out an enemy base...
Since we'll be following the rules and issuing an evacuation order—
Major?
I'm sorry, sir.
It is a sad thing, though.
Yeah, it's terribly sad.
But we are soldiers,
and if orders say we must burn beautiful Arene to the ground,
that is what we must do.
Who would want to be a soldier, huh?
An evacuation order? Ha!
Battalion members, it's time for a sightseeing trip.
The enemy has sent airships.
Their mages have joined up with the Arene militia.
The city has fallen into Republican hands.
Of course, we'll take it back!
But there's a problem.
We must eliminate all Republican forces in the city.
All?
Well, firing on non-combatants is strictly forbidden.
But since we're fighting in a city,
we have permission to destroy property.
Additionally, we'll issue declarations before and after combat with enemy mages.
If the enemy accepts our terms of surrender, then very well.
If they don't, we wipe them out.
Dismissed.
Wipe them out?
In a city?
Eliminate all enemies?
She can't mean...
Is this really okay?
Wiping out all enemies in the city means...
It means...
I can't imagine them surrendering just because we issue a declaration.
And I heard we're even using an artillery barrage.
Besides, differentiating between militia and non-combatants is impossible!
We might end up—
Don't say another word.
Get in here and stay put!
I didn't expect them to be here in just a few hours.
It seems they're taking this seriously.
Bravo Leader to Combat Area Control.
Sending data on enemy mage unit.
Confirm.
The Devil of the Rhine?
They brought out the big guns, huh?
Enemy vanguard has passed the IFF boundary.
Approaching airspace above the city at high speed.
They're coming!
Prepare for long-distance ambush!
No one's here, huh?
An evacuation order was issued.
So of course not.
Ambushers! We're being sniped at!
Engage!
Everyone, split up!
Enemy locations confirmed.
Four o'clock and seven o'clock.
They're fast.
You won't escape!
Damn it.
Where are they?
Everyone, prepare for close-range combat.
Their goal is to buy time!
Don't get scared!
Yes, ma'am!
Second Lieutenant Grantz...
Sorry, but I'm feeling strangely tired.
Can I get a stimulant?
R-Right!
First Lieutenant Weiss! You've been hit!
What?
You didn't notice?
I'll use a coagulant.
Hurry!
Second Lieutenant, how does that idiot look?
His life isn't in danger, but I don't think he can keep fighting.
Fine.
First Lieutenant Weiss, get out of here.
But, Battalion Commander—
Your leaving won't create problems.
I'd rather you take all the wounded out of here than slow us down.
Yes, ma'am.
First Lieutenant Koenig will take over as second-in-command.
I'll take command of Company 2.
Roger.
Good luck.
You think too much.
You hesitated, didn't you?
You fool!
Be prepared for the worst when I get back.
I'm sorry.
Enemy mages have scattered!
They're charging us!
Fall back!
Stay at range and keep firing!
Enemy mages are retreating.
They're hiding inside a building.
Fine, the assault is canceled.
Let them go inside.
Are you sure?
If we ensure they can't touch the artillery units outside the city,
we've basically achieved our objective.
What happens later isn't our problem.
Roger.
Let's send our message.
Connect me to artillery, too.
A message to the irregulars engaged in armed rebellion.
In accordance with Article 26, Clause 3 of the Wartime Combat Treaty,
we request the release of all Imperial civilians in your custody.
Release the people of Arene that you have unlawfully imprisoned.
Shut up!
We are the people of Arene!
There are no unlawful prisoners!
We cannot allow your massacres to continue.
In accordance with Article 8, Clause 5 of the Wartime Combat Treaty,
send us your commanding officer.
If you fail to heed this warning,
we will be forced to consider you combatants.
It's way too late for that.
Damn those Imperial shits!
What do we do? What do we do?
Damn it... Damn it all!
Did you get that?
Yes.
I recorded it with my computation jewel.
Send it to Command.
Sheesh... This is the problem with militias that don't have a chain of command.
Command to all units involved with the operation.
We will move to wipe out the enemy.
Eliminate Republican forces in Arene.
Okay, I've fulfilled my duty by demanding their surrender.
Let's get to work... "protecting our people."
Wha...
What is this?
What the hell is this?!
Commander Bientot!
Protect the Republican citizens and withdraw from the combat zone!
Hurry!
Loading complete.
Fire.
This way!
Hang in there!
I'm just saving the prisoners...
I'm just helping people.
Anyone else?
I think this is everyone.
Attention, Pixie Battalion.
Remaining enemy mages are at point B4, serving as a rear guard.
They're interfering with our spotters and preventing our artillery from firing.
Can you take them out?
I have visual.
No problem.
It's possible.
As soon as the rear guard is down,
we'll resume the artillery attack.
Try to finish within five minutes.
Roger that.
I'll do my best.
Battalion Commander!
Please reconsider...
They don't know how to escape an artillery barrage!
If... If we take out those mages—
The Empire's enemies will be wiped out by artillery.
Fine by me.
But that's—
Second Lieutenant Grantz,
the enemy you let go will take up his gun again.
To shoot us.
If we let them go, some will become new soldiers who hate the Empire.
So... You want us to kill them just for that reason?!
This is the order from our superiors.
We shoot the enemy, or they'll shoot us.
If nothing else, we must shoot until we're told not to anymore.
I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said.
But I'll say this once more.
This is the order from our superiors.
Take up your gun.
What did you want to discuss?
This paper,
which was submitted last summer to the Army Academy's 17th Lab.
The paper deals with ways to legalize combat in cities.
It contains a way to interpret wartime law,
to avoid the restrictions on artillery bombardment of cities.
Did you use this when you planned this operation?
If I did?
Nothing.
I just wanted to know for certain.
The author of the paper was Major Degurechaff, wasn't it?
As you say, she seems to be an extremely talented soldier.
Not using those talents would be foolish.
I am going to give her an extremely important job
to end the war with the Republic.
You're finally awake?
Allied Kingdom Humanitarian Aid Group "Peace World Hospital"
I'm told you were found floating in a fjord, critically wounded.
You've been unconscious for months.
They only identified you a few days ago.
I saw a light.
The light of God...
Very interesting.
And what did God tell you?
To destroy that devil.
Next Time Prepare to Advance
This program is fiction. All persons, groups, places, laws, and names appearing in it have no relation to the real world.