My Platoon is F**king Hopeless

“Crap.”

Insomnia was wreaking havoc even in the field. I should have gotten some sleeping pills prescribed.

I tossed and turned before finally getting out of my bed and stepping outside.

Thankfully, since all the soldiers in my platoon are female, they sleep in separate tents. Otherwise, neither I nor the two of us would have been able to get proper rest.

If the platoon leader is tired, then the soldiers will be in poor condition too.

As I stepped outside, I saw flames flickering from the signal posts set up for visibility.

The night was unusually dark, making the stars more visible.

After rummaging through my pockets, I took out a cigarette and lit it. Isn’t a cigarette essentially a sedative?

Maybe it’ll help me achieve some semblance of sleep.

“Sip… Haa.”

Taking a deep breath and exhaling, acrid smoke billowed out.

While the taste of the cigarettes supplied by the Okhraine military was terrible compared to modern ones, the calming effect with each puff remained the same.

‘Perhaps I should develop something like a hometown cigarette later. It seems quite profitable.’

General Hearts isn’t just about war; in reality, being a general involves more than just commanding troops and fighting wars.

During a temporary ceasefire or after a war ends, one must also manage internal affairs and dabble in civilian businesses to gradually build up the nation’s finances.

With that money, better weapons can be developed, factories expanded to produce those weapons, and military strength increased to prepare for another war.

That is the true path to victory in General Hearts.

‘Well, that’s a future concern.’

Even though months may pass quickly in the game, once possessed by this world, years could feel endless.

‘I’m fortunate not to have any family left behind. Even if I can’t return, there’s no lingering regret.’

For a moment, I recalled my reality.

A 7-pyeong single room. A gym membership card. A shopping basket. A high-end desktop computer. And a uniform hung on a rack.

Since my discharge, my life has revolved around playing games. No wonder I reached 10,000 hours.

Although I involuntarily re-enlisted again, I often missed the familiar air.

‘Maybe staying here forever wouldn’t be so bad if I just clear this.’

As I puffed on the cigarette and let my thoughts wander, I heard:

“Rise! All forces rise! This is an emergency!”

Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!

The quiet encampment erupted into chaos. The sharp sound of a bell echoed from the 18th Infantry Regiment building.

“Wake up! Wake up! This is an emergency!”

I immediately threw the cigarette to the ground and grabbed one of the soldiers running between the tents.

“What happened?”

Seeing he had been on guard duty, his hand holding the duty roster trembled as he spoke.

“The Belgorod Fortress has fallen!”

The fall of Belgorod Fortress.

Major Rockhart Cromwell, commander of the magic battalion, leaped to his feet at the news.

“What?!”

He had just received a report from the scouts that the fortress was intact moments ago.

How could the fortress fall to bandits in just a few hours? It didn’t make sense.

Rockhart wasn’t the only one showing signs of panic.

Colonel Alvin Nova, commander of the 18th Infantry Regiment, and other high-ranking officers also reacted similarly.

“What do you mean?!”

“The scouts closest to the fortress reported that the western wall exploded and collapsed, allowing bandits to infiltrate!”

“Damn it! Prepare for immediate departure! We can’t let them escape!”

As soon as the regimental commander issued the order, messengers frantically rang alarms.

Soldiers, officers, and non-commissioned officers rushed out of their tents.

It was utter chaos, but fortunately, with the plans already spread, the 18th Infantry Regiment quickly began to organize and form ranks.

This included Rockhart’s Third Platoon.

Given the relatively smaller size of the magic battalion compared to regular infantry battalions, and the simpler equipment, it was natural for them to organize faster.

“All forces, perform the planned operation perfectly!”

The battalion commander’s voice reverberated loudly in the night, and the soldiers responded with crisp salutes.

“For our country!”

Soon, the organized infantry regiment split and dispersed, and the three company commanders who had lined up in front of Rockhart disappeared as they led their units away.

The enemy now is nothing more than a band of thieves.

Even if they somehow managed to breach the fortress with explosions, the rescue force’s departure means they are already as good as dead.

The difference between having magical support and not is like night and day.

“By dawn, we should hear news of victory,” Major Rockhart muttered quietly.

“Enoch, your platoon is temporarily attached to the Fourth Platoon. The commander is Lieutenant Ivan.”

During our journey toward the fortress, I received a small scroll with a rudimentary map from Major Arrendt.

The words ‘Operational Plan’ were prominently written.

‘Doesn’t this seem important enough to deliver after we’ve already been deployed?’

Though the situation seemed unimaginable in modern times, it made sense considering the limited communication methods—only pigeons or personal delivery were possible.

In essence, it felt like an urgent deployment.

“Anyway, as the tip of the wing, you won’t have to face the enemy directly.”

“Still, if we need to provide magical support, what kind of spells should we prioritize?”

“Avoid red magic. Apparently, the trees in the forest are particularly flammable.”

“I understand.”

‘Looks like I should just tell Lumina to stay put.’

Already nervous, Lumina, whose specialty is red magic, would be completely excluded from this battle.

Of course, this is assuming combat might occur despite the odds. If the enemy doesn’t attack, Lumina won’t need to use her magic anyway.

“But Commander, I have one more question.”

“What is it?”

“We heard the fortress was breached. How did it happen exactly?”

Belgorod Fortress was one of the places I vaguely remembered.

Located on the border with the Soviev Empire, it’s one of the first strongholds attacked when playing the empire.

Due to its rugged terrain, it’s a small-scale fortress with limited supply routes.

The fact that the Okhraine Duchy has treated it merely as a surveillance outpost suggests they don’t consider it very important.

But that’s only true when facing regular forces.

‘They couldn’t have been completely overrun by bandits.’

Even a mediocre fortress has real walls.

Bandits would need ladders to scale the walls, or use battering rams to break the gates, or employ mages or artillery to bombard the fortress.

A mere band of thieves couldn’t breach the fortress through conventional means.

Just looking at the map, the fortress is too large to be easily overwhelmed by bandits armed with melee weapons or old firearms.

“I haven’t received the details, but the scouts reported observing explosions. The bandits must have had portable explosives.”

“The bandits’ equipment is surprisingly advanced.”

“They sure are. Anyway, I’ll rely on you, Enoch. Complete the mission splendidly and let’s have a drink together.”

“I’ll fulfill my duties.”

Arrendt smiled at me and immediately moved to relay the plan to other platoon leaders.

Watching him struggle to run made me realize how far technology has advanced in the 21st century.

There’s no electricity or telecommunications in this setting.

For someone who enjoyed the comforts of 21st-century civilization without cost, adapting to this world was one of the hardest things.

Back then, with just a communication soldier beside the commander, real-time communication was possible.

Still, the sight of dozens of soldiers advancing with torches in hand was quite impressive.

Even in a battle where they might die, it looked magnificent.

Somehow, it felt unrealistic, but that’s just how it is on the battlefield, where one’s sense of reality dulls over time.

Well, as a platoon leader, I should spread the information.

I slipped back and approached Lumina and Bella, who were walking in the rear.

“Sergeant Blue Lumia.”

“Yes, sir?”

Despite the late hour, Blue Lumia’s shining silver hair was still noticeable.

“Sergeant, you are forbidden from using magic in today’s battle. Use only your sidearm if you encounter the enemy.”

“Yes, sir… Wait, what did you say?”

“Blue Lumia is forbidden from using magic.”

“Why?”

She looked startled and asked again.

Is she truly unaware?

When I met her gaze, she quickly looked away, seemingly understanding.

‘You know why, right?’

Without needing to ask, Lumina nodded in agreement.

“Yes, sir.”

While I couldn’t prevent every incident, I was determined not to let her face another mishap in front of the battalion commander.

Lumina might feel disappointed, but there was no other choice. She would surely understand.

…Hopefully.

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