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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Angel Dust]
[Proofreader - Prototype]
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Side Story 6
Familiarity can sometimes be a disadvantage, but it can also be an advantage.
In this case, the Empire's situation was more of the latter than the former.
After the Southern Great Forest War, the Empire enjoyed several years of peace.
The absence of major conflicts had lulled them into a false sense of security.
But as the trumpet of war sounded once again, their dormant instincts began to awaken.
Within a week, two legions were dispatched to Lasker and Avileshti.
Simultaneously, the regular army headed south and began to rapidly penetrate the Great Forest.
Within the Empire, new units were formed and prepared for deployment at any time.
The years of peace and the Empire's consistent treatment of its soldiers had finally paid off.
The power of the active-duty soldiers exploded as they took up arms and fastened their uniforms to prove their worth in this moment.
Even those not on active duty played important roles in their respective positions.
Some transported military supplies, others manufactured them.
Even those who simply did their best in their original jobs contributed to the effort.
And amidst all this, the women also found ways to do their part.
* * *
"Is everyone here? Let's get started right away."
As soon as the personnel from the Ministry of War and the Special Task Force took their seats, Eloise dimmed the magic lamps.
The room darkened, highlighting the giant map that had been prepared behind them.
"I believe you are all familiar with the terrain of the Southern Great Forest. You would have surveyed and thoroughly analyzed the area during the Great Forest War. However, the situation of the Southern Great Forest is different."
The Hyzens command had handed over tactical maps as part of their cooperation with the Empire.
But they weren't completely accurate.
No nation in their right mind would readily hand over detailed maps of their territory to another country. It was probably just a gesture of goodwill.
In terms of accuracy, maybe 70 to 80 percent.
The Empire didn't press the issue, not wanting to be accused of interfering in their internal affairs.
But the situation had changed. They had been attacked, and they had declared war.
In this situation, even Hyzens couldn't just say, ‘Deal with it yourselves,’ and wash their hands of the South's problems.
Their pride was important, but the Empire's pride was far more important.
They had drawn their swords first, so they had to do something.
The Empire had already threatened Hyzens, demanding ‘The most accurate internal terrain and tactical operation maps.’
It was their way of saying, ‘You failed to manage this situation properly, so take responsibility.’
The Empire didn't stop there. They also utilized the elves within their borders.
These elves wouldn't be labeled as traitors.
After all, the Empire would get the information from Hyzens anyway.
The only burden they had to bear was that they cooperated a little earlier than their homeland.
And Eloise was the first to raise her hand and offer her cooperation to the Empire.
"Here. And here. These are the places where Hyzens and Luzernes fought most fiercely. They're the main areas where magic stones are produced. If you quickly move south and seize these areas, Luzernes' magic will lose its power."
Of course, it wasn't simply because of Karl, or her love for him.
Eloise was also an elite among elites, having worked in her country's military leadership.
Although she had kept her distance from politics, she had still gained valuable knowledge and experience.
She knew exactly what she could do and under what justification.
"I'll cooperate with the Empire. So you exchange students, just stay put."
Her target was the Hyzens exchange students in the Empire.
More specifically, they were the children of prominent elven families.
In peacetime, they were exchange students, but in wartime, they became hostages.
With many children from influential families, Hyzens couldn't ignore them.
And since they weren't trained, they couldn't resist the Empire's pressure to cooperate.
This is where Eloise found her justification for cooperating with the Empire.
In exchange for the Empire not pressuring or taking the exchange students hostage,
She would step forward and cooperate with them.
This way, Hyzens couldn't easily criticize Eloise.
Who would criticize a decision made for the sake of their country's exchange students?
Especially if those students were from prominent families!
"Next, Luzernes still relies on magic and bows rather than guns and gunpowder. We've talked about magic stones, so next is bows and arrows. They may seem to just cut down any tree and use it, but there are specific trees suitable for making bows. If you break through the Great Forest, seize this area, and then sweep through the surrounding region, you can disrupt their bow production."
How did she know so much detail? Because she had infiltrated and eliminated some of their technicians.
Or she had carried out numerous sabotage missions of that nature.
"Thank you for the valuable information, Eloise Loengrand. We'll inform the Imperial Army currently advancing towards the south so they can incorporate this into their operational planning."
"Our Special Task Force informants have also mentioned similar information. Thank you for your cooperation."
"You're welcome. But please don't touch the exchange students."
Eloise and the officials exchanged glances and subtly coordinated their words.
She wasn't just any elf, she was a high-ranking commander.
And now, she was set to become one of Karl's many wives, a man who was a true power player.
Imperial departments are inevitably influenced by politics.
How many could ignore such factors?
"Oh, by the way, have you heard any news about Karl?"
"The last we heard was that he was the first to break through the Great Forest and engage in combat. Has the Special Task Force received any other information?"
"Unfortunately, we have similar information. He's probably in the middle of a battle, so news is delayed. Let's wait a bit longer."
In this situation, one might expect them to be worried, but no one seemed to be.
'He's the man who single-handedly killed the leader of Luzernes.'
'The people around him may be called reservists, but the soldiers accompanying him are seasoned veterans, more than capable of outperforming many active-duty troops.'
'I just hope our Karl isn't too reckless.'
The fact that they all shared similar thoughts was the decisive reason.
* * *
"Huff. Huff."
In a training ground filled with mud and filth, several soldiers were crawling.
Despite the stench and the urge to vomit, they didn't stop.
Swish, Swish!―
"Don't rush. You need to be faster, but also stealthier than anyone else. A sharpshooter isn't just someone who's good at shooting. You often operate alone, so you need to be stealthy, and survival is crucial."
Lavrenti, who was observing the situation, offered advice based on his experience.
The trainee sharpshooters, holding their waterproofed rifles, listened with gleaming eyes.
"Hundreds of training sessions, hundreds of calculations, one shot, and one escape. Remember, you play a crucial role on the battlefield, but you're also on your own out there."
Of course, there were times when they provided support fire for allies engaged in combat.
In those cases, they would fight alongside them and receive various forms of assistance.
But more than half of a sharpshooter's missions were carried out alone.
Sniping high-value targets or buying time for retreating allies were some examples.
Naturally, they couldn't dream of support. They had to make decisions alone, fight alone, and retreat alone.
"Sometimes people ask me if I'm afraid. Not just of death, but of the torture and beatings I might endure if captured by the enemy. Of course, I'm afraid. I'm human, so it's only natural."
The soldiers who had emerged from the mud and filth quietly aimed at the targets placed in the distance.
Each had a different target. Some were moving, some were small, and others were well-concealed.
"But that's a worry for after the mission. From the moment you enter the operation, approach the target, and finally pull the trigger, the only thing that should be on your mind is..."
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The only thing that should be on their minds was the target.
"...Maintain that state and proceed with the extraction."
At Lavrenti's command, the sharpshooters slowly crawled back into the mud.
Their targets were all ablaze with smoke rising from bullet holes.
* * *
"It's frustrating to be unable to do anything."
In the academy, which had suddenly become quiet due to the war, Selena, a graduate student, was having a brief conversation with Lefia, the student council vice president.
"Ah! Karl told me not to say things like that!"
"Yes, he did. But I can't help it."
I wish I had worked in the military. If I wasn't a graduate student, I could have done something for the military like the rest of the gang.
"Of course, you must be disappointed, but I don't think you need to be!"
"Lefia?"
"Some people can contribute in war, and others can contribute after the war! I think you and I are the latter! So let's cheer up.”
Seeing Lefia clench her fists, Selena laughed.
She understood why Karl was so fond of her. Lefia, her newfound sister, had a strangely captivating charm.
"Let's think about doing something else for the soldiers later, just the two of us."
"Yes! Sounds good!"
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Angel Dust]
[Proofreader - Prototype]
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