Abyssus Abyssum Invocat Read online

  “The Salamander Kampfgruppe has accomplished what it was formed to do. Now we’re going to send the units back to their original stations.”

  “…What?!”

  Send them back?

  For a moment, Tanya is speechless, but then she yells at her superior. “Please don’t break up my Kampfgruppe! They’ve finally come together as a combat group!”

  “It’s the Empire’s Kampfgruppe, Colonel.”

  “…Ngh, please excuse my outburst.”

  The general wears a small, wry smile and says it’s fine as he hands over the sheaf of orders. But Tanya still can’t accept it and raises her voice again.

  “I worked so hard to train them! A commander like that can’t abandon their unit!”

  They’re my pawns to move.

  She doesn’t want even a superior officer laying a hand on her men.

  …Whether in a company or the military, the chain of command works the same way.

  Nothing good comes of a commander’s superior overruling them!

  Yet now…the General Staff is stepping in on my command?

  “It’s unheard of to disband a unit that is prepared to be deployed at any time!”

  “All your arguments are valid.”

  “If that’s true, then—!” She’s about to beg him to reconsider when…

  “Colonel von Degurechaff, I’m sure you remember this, but the Kampfgruppe was formed and tested as an ad hoc task force, not as a regular unit.”

  “…So you’re saying I shouldn’t have invested in it?”

  “The intention was for you to test the ‘ad hoc formation’ part. You built a magnificent team of elites—too magnificent. I can understand that it’s a shame to disband them, but…,” he continues soberly. “A single elite Kampfgruppe isn’t what we need. Kampfgruppen make many types of combat possible. But the critical factor is the doctrinal knowledge on how to form them ad hoc on an organizational level, not the strength or talent of a single commander.”

  The logic is sound. Thinking of the entire Imperial Army, it’s better to have universal standards that can be applied everywhere rather than outstanding individual feats.

  When it comes to Kampfgruppen, I can see how they would want to be operating with many of them.

  “I’m sure you understand. In order to create a foundation where the General Staff can form Kampfgruppen and entrust them to officers, we need to acquire the know-how.”

  We shouldn’t go about making an irreplaceable cog. He’s right that we need a few people who know about making, duplicating, and employing cogs in an organization.

  And in the military, where attrition is a given, it’s important to have multiple backups. Logically, it does make sense.

  But even so, Tanya still argues. “Please take the situation in the east into account!”

  She’s practically shrieking.

  She has just returned from the forward-most line on the eastern front. For someone aware of what is happening in the present tense, it’s impossible to blithely follow logic.

  Reasoning that works in one context isn’t necessarily sound in another.

  “This is only a lull! Shouldn’t we acknowledge the value of having a good, able combat asset like a Kampfgruppe as a strategic reserve?”

  “Of course we considered using it as a strategic reserve. But the lull is a stroke of luck. Now is the time to look ahead.”

  “Ahead?”

  “Our rate of attrition on the eastern front is severe. If we keep losing soldiers at this rate, our army’s combat capability will be worn down to nothing.”

  “Nrgh.” Tanya is lost for words despite herself.

  She can’t help but nod… The Empire has been pouring vast amounts of blood and iron into the east at an unbelievable pace.

  It’s not as if the army will cease to exist by tomorrow.

  Neither will there be any operation issues next week.

  Even next month, the forces should be able to maintain their combat capability.

  And with luck, they might make it through next year without collapsing.

  But it would still chip away at the Empire’s finite human resources. They would slip away like grains of sand in an hourglass.

  …But unlike an hourglass, there’s no way to flip over and start again.

  “Soon we’ll be forced to make use of crumbled units. That day may not be tomorrow, but it’s coming. So it’s essential that we, as an organization, learn Kampfgruppen doctrine so we can reorganize units on the fly, even if it’s atypical.”

  Considering the nightmare of their decreasing human resources, I can understand why Operations would jump at Kampfgruppen operation as the knowledge for reorganizing collapsed units.

  “That you pulled off the formation so quickly gave us hope, and we’re grateful for that. So I’m sorry, but it’s time for the General Staff to test out that know-how. Go back to commanding the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion for now.”

  “…Yes, sir.”

  There’s no room to argue. When she thinks of all the authority being taken away from her…she feels downhearted, even.

  “That said, at the moment, the only one with successful experience leading a Kampfgruppe is you. In the not-too-distant future, we’d like you to lead one that we form and collect data for us.”

  “Understood. I’ll do my best. When will I be posted to the General Staff–formed Kampfgruppe?”

  “Actually, you won’t have to wait very long.”

  “What do you mean, sir?”

  “Work is already under way. It should only take another week, maybe ten days. The objective is to give young officers experience. And we don’t want you to be without a Kampfgruppe for too long, either.”

  The idea of having her veteran team taken away from her and being given a test team selected by the General Staff makes her dizzy. I get it because I used to work in HR: It’ll be a team that is convenient for HQ but which doesn’t take the people on the ground into consideration.

  “So what will the battalion and I do until then?”

  “I would have liked to give you leave, but the Empire isn’t in any position to let free units twiddle their thumbs. We’ve got work for you to do, Colonel.”

  “Yes, sir!”

  Though she replies gallantly with her heels snapped together, her mind is gloomy in inverse proportion to her voice. This is what it means for your nerves to start wearing thin.

  “Very good. Then let’s have you play pirates. You can teach real pirates how to fight a war using live ammunition.”

  He sets an operation plan before her, and the paper makes a slight noise.

  Surprisingly, we’re being assigned to the north, not the east where the intense fighting is going on. It’s a patrol mission over the autumn Northern Sea… If I’m going to do it, I’d much rather do it in the summer.

  “…We’re joining a maritime patrol line?”

  “Yes. There aren’t many mage battalions that can handle long-range searches over water. The guys up north came begging us to lend you to them.”

  The Northern Sea is famous for its cold temperatures. Even though it’s only the beginning of fall, it’s sure to be chilly already.

  Of all the times of year to do long-distance flights through sea breezes… We just keep getting the short end of the stick.

  “Nominally, it’s an on-the-spot inspection. Well, you’ll be given the details when you get there. That said, this is all very sudden—I do feel bad about it. Plan on being gone about a week.”

  “Understood.”

  I do understand.

  Even if she doesn’t accept it, it’s an order. So then. She grits her teeth. She has to do as they say.

  She performs a salute according to the manual, all her fingers perfectly in line.

  Thus, after losing her Kampfgruppe, Magic Lieutenant Colonel Tanya von Degurechaff takes in the news that she will be flung into a literal frigid nowhere.

  She had no choice. No, she wasn’t even asked. She wa
s told. It was unavoidable.

  I gotta get this off my mind, she thinks and begins looking forward to the free lunch Colonel Uger promised her.

  Not that she doesn’t regret that.

  …I must have been more sleep-deprived than I realized. What Colonel Uger said was true.

  The meal was indeed free.

  It was the food from the General Staff Office army dining hall—if you can call the horrifically stewed lumps “food,” that is.

  “Ha-ha-ha, I heard the news! General von Rudersdorf sure works his people hard.”

  Sitting across from her, laughing with luxury flatware in hand, is her dear old classmate.

  You can’t just… Tanya decides to warn him. “Are you familiar with the words military secret, Colonel Uger?”

  “That’s a very good point.” He laughs. “But you don’t need to worry.” He averts his eyes from the not inedible thing the General Staff dining room served as lunch and shrugs innocently. “Disbanding the unit and reassigning you guys falls to the Service Corps. In other words…”

  He brings his fork to his mouth, frowns for a moment, picks up his water, and washes down whatever it was to continue speaking. It’s not good manners to have things in your mouth, so he drank the water for the conversation’s sake… Of course, that’s just how we dress up the chore of extracting nutrients from disgustingly flavored food.

  I’m compelled to remark that the offerings of the General Staff Office’s banquet hall taste as horrible as ever. It’s like the food quality is sacrificed to and becomes the inverse of the plate quality.

  “To give away the secret, I’m in charge. Naturally, then, arguing with you about your assignment is part of my responsibility.”

  “How nice to have a close friend on the case.” She is grateful but also a bit wary, since it’s different from usual. “I was sure it was Colonel von Lergen.”

  They eat as they talk. That way, they can distract themselves from the alleged “food” provided by the mess hall the General Staff is so proud of.

  Speaking strictly of the flavor, the food on the forward-most line is a bit…no, quite a bit better. This is a moment she is glad to be a magic officer provided with a high-calorie diet.

  The chocolate and cookies they get as extras taste pretty good. If they were the same quality as the banquet hall food, it would be difficult to avoid losing the will to fight.

  “Who knows? It’s probably just convenient. It’s not as if we need to know. Still, a search-and-destroy mission over waters you’re assigned to sure brings back memories.”

  His eyes are expressing something like a smile, but he’s not smiling.

  Oh, I see.

  If he’s telling me indirectly not to ask what Colonel von Lergen is up to, then…is that what this is about?

  “But…it sure is a pain. As the free unit being sent in, we can’t help but be puzzled. An operation premised on an on-the-spot inspection of civilian ships…?”

  “Right, what if you accidentally sank them? You have a record, after all. We in the Service Corps will be concerned for the digestive health of our colleagues in legal.”

  I feel like I’ve been hit where it hurts. And Tanya can’t help but wince. That was an accident, but yeah…I can see how it would be considered a “record.”

  “And in the Northern Sea…? Commerce raiding up there would be politically problematic.”

  “So we’re being considerate to the people residing on some other continent or whatever?”

  There is only one nationality of ship sailing the Northern Sea that would require an on-the-spot inspection. It would only be ships from the Unified States.

  When you think about it, there’s no reason a civilian ship would be crossing such dangerous waters.

  No, there should be no reason at all, and yet strangely…retired Unified States Navy sailors are apparently finding new positions on civilian ships in the Northern Sea.

  “It’s ridiculous, but on the other hand, I can’t say we shouldn’t go through with it. Am I wrong, Colonel von Degurechaff?”

  So all Tanya can do is respond with a wry smile.

  “No, I think you’re right. It makes sense.”

  The General Staff and Army Command, who want to prevent the Federation Army from getting any stronger, have pulled Navy Command into this strange relationship—where they actually have different ideas but are working together—on the pretext of letting them finally take credit for something. Then the Foreign Office must have stepped in to request some political consideration. They’re right, but it’s the ones in the field who have a hard time.

  This is just the kind of situation when you have to hold back a sigh. Bad food, depressing conversation. And on top of that, the annoying situation in the field and political backdrop.

  Sheesh. Then just as Tanya is sipping her pseudo–ersatz coffee…

  “…So I’m just talking to myself, but…” Colonel Uger speaks suddenly once the waiter has left them. “The Northern Sea operation your unit is being deployed for is made possible by the joint intelligence agency of the Army and Navy Commands.”

  Tanya cocks her head in spite of herself.

  The bad relationship between the General Staff Military Intelligence Division and the joint intelligence department of the Army and Navy Commands is legendary. They always clash on vertical hierarchy, budget allocation, and authority issues. She heard they needed to work on integration, but…

  Apparently, this White Wings Grand Iron Cross is going to bring trouble, just as I thought.

  “The disbanding of the Kampfgruppe had already been decided. But I heard the higher-ups wanted to put you in the instructor unit doing combat skill research.”

  …So an extremely reasonable and utterly peaceful life in the rear was stolen from me yet again? Again?

  “It was a quick intervention that resulted in the change to the north. Intelligence is moving really fast on this. Well, it’s no wonder. They’re in a much more delicate position than the guys in the Military Intelligence Division.”

  …They’d messed up in the fights with the Entente Alliance, the Republic, and Dacia.

  After ignoring the somewhat forceful warnings from the General Staff, the army and navy must be aiming to regain their power even if it means risking their honor.

  “That’s why they’re so keen to bring down something big.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “…I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like they’re planning any major operations.”

  If the Service Corps isn’t aware of it…then they can’t be moving that many troops. It would be difficult to use a big army without stockpiling supplies ahead of time with the support of the Service Corps.

  “In which case…I’m just talking to myself, but…something smells like trouble.”

  So that’s what’s so fishy.

  We, the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion, are inherently fairly easy to use. We’re one of the few commands with outstanding firepower that can be deployed without putting too much stress on the logistics network.

  We must be extremely convenient.

  The intelligence agency must be envious.

  “I’ll bear that in mind, although I don’t really expect Intelligence to collect accurate info.”

  “How could you? Those guys need help.” With that comment and a wry smile, Colonel Uger’s tone of voice changes. Oh, I see, so that’s the end of that conversation, then?

  “…Speaking of needing help, first up should be this dining hall, no?”

  “I heartily agree, Colonel von Degurechaff. The General Staff definitely needs some superior intelligence officers and some cooks with a sense of taste.”

  She agrees, but she also notes that he’s holding the conversation back due to the proximity of the waiter, so she arranges her knife and fork and tamely feigns ignorance.

  Once their dishes are cleared and Tanya is enjoying her post-meal tea, Uger addresses her, as if he just remembered something, in a businesslike manner.
“Now then, I have a present for you. I had Colonel von Lergen arrange a going-away party for your Kampfgruppe at the officers’ club. So I hope you’ll drink up.”

  “So there was a reason to suffer through this meal.”

  “Ha-ha-ha. I’m taking a page from General von Zettour’s book. Every chance he gets, he treats people from outside to this food.”

  “The world is going to start calling you Service Corps officers out on your nasty habits.”

  “Oh, we risk our lives so you guys on the front know how hard we are working. All right, I’ll see you again sometime.”

  “Yes, see you again.”

  SEPTEMBER 28, UNIFIED YEAR 1926, EVENING, IMPERIAL CAPITAL BERUN, THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE OFFICERS’ CLUB

  Lieutenant Colonel Tanya von Degurechaff is a distinguished magic officer with the Silver Wings Assault Badge, a seasoned aerial mage crowned with the alias White Silver. She’s a diligent officer who adheres strictly to the rules but also grasps the concepts of authority and duty well enough to exercise appropriate discretion during missions. As such, she’s a good person who hews closely to the image of the Empire’s ideal officer.

  Thus, Colonel Tanya von Degurechaff has been extremely loyal, if only superficially, to the Imperial Army’s paradigm.

  Until today, at this moment.

  “…Move, Corporal. Do you know whose way you’re in?”

  “Sorry, Colonel von Degurechaff, but I can’t do that.”

  The one holding his ground even under Tanya’s stubborn gaze is…a corporal at the officers’ club. Well, if he’s an imperial soldier working at the officers’ club in imperial capital Berun, then I see—it makes sense that he would be chosen for both looks and ability.

  He’s not timid, but he also has the proper courteous attitude. Tanya isn’t against calling him the best sort of honor guard.

  “I’ll make myself clear. I’m an active-duty aerial magic officer. If you try to obstruct the exercise of my valid rights, I don’t care if you’re an MP from our side or not—you won’t get off so easily.”

  “With all due respect, ma’am, it’s the rules!”

  The only problem is… Tanya repeats her request and sighs internally.