NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 177
While Enok Revendale, the Deputy Director of Defense Planning and Chief of War Plans Bureau, was actively networking both domestically and internationally,
It wasn’t just Enok Revendale who began moving swiftly.
The first was Sony Chepelin.
Since she had already been scheduled to take office as the Commander of the Okhraine Army’s Magic Division regardless of any coup d’état,
Sony Chepelin immediately reformed the entire magical corps of the army upon assuming her position, aligning with the plans Enok Revendale was advancing.
She easily agreed that it was highly inefficient to separate mages into units like platoons or battalions solely for providing firepower support to infantry battalions and regiments.
After all, if these mages were supposedly under the command of infantry battalions and regiments, how could those who knew nothing about magic properly utilize them?
Therefore, she restructured all the direct subordinate magic brigades and battalions within divisions and corps,
and primarily reassigned them to the newly formed Okhraine Army Air Corps and armored brigades.
Additionally, she recommended to the General Staff changes to the one-dimensional career advancement system where officers’ promotions were strictly determined by their military branch.
The reason other branches of the Okhraine military couldn’t develop much further
was because only those from the infantry were assigned to key positions commanding large forces such as division commanders or corps commanders.
Although the cavalry situation was slightly better, the artillery, which was already limited in numbers, had relatively fewer opportunities for promotion,
leading to a severe imbalance in personnel.
There were some voices within the General Staff questioning whether the restructuring was too abrupt after the recent coup, but there weren’t many brave enough to oppose the decisions made by Enok Revendale, who had risen as a national hero post-coup, and Sony Chepelin, the sole Grand Mage of Okhraine.
Besides, the reasons they might have opposed would hardly be respectable to voice publicly.
Sony Chepelin boldly carried out reforms, and her faction, once considered fringe and eccentric, quickly rose to become the main faction.
Even after the nation had undergone a dramatic upheaval, the factional struggles continued.
Though it was truly a pitiful state, she thought it worked well for her.
To uproot the corruption embedded in the foundation of this nation, she realized the help of the flies buzzing around her would be necessary.
Because only then,
when blood and gunpowder would spread across the continent, could her homeland remain safe amidst the flames.
“Soldiers… it has been far too long.”
Enok Revendale stood on the podium, looking down at the battalion formation below him.
As he gazed at his subordinates, mixed emotions seemed to overwhelm him, causing him to trail off.
Even before the coup, he was rarely seen by his troops, but now as a brigadier general, this was the first battalion he visited since his promotion.
To be precise, it had been months since all members of the 8th Assault Magic Infantry Battalion gathered together like this.
They too had been tirelessly working to build the new Okhraine Army, just like their battalion commander.
Yet, despite everything, the entire battalion made time today to attend.
Wouldn’t it be disrespectful to merely hear secondhand news about the dissolution of the place that had nurtured them into true soldiers?
“To the comrades of the 8th Assault Magic Infantry Battalion! Throughout the history of Okhraine, you have always been the winds of change. Even amidst the storm that engulfed the south, you bravely led the charge.”
“At first, everyone mocked you. When we first crossed the border of the Soviev Empire, your efforts went unrecognized by the world. We had to carry in our hearts the comrades who fell on that day!”
“But remember that day when the wicked ones came across the sea. Remember reclaiming Maniopol under the bright sun. Recall the cheers of the citizens who welcomed you with open arms!”
The cheers of the people seemed to echo in the ears of the 8th Assault Magic Infantry Battalion members. Citizens who had fallen into despair under Azoff’s exploitation.
A day when they felt the anguish of those who had lost loved ones and cherished values.
“We delivered a crushing blow to the island rebels on their behalf. The Azoff Islands were recaptured by our hands, and we achieved one of the greatest victories in Okhraine’s history!”
“You are warriors! The sharpest sword and shield protecting our homeland!”
As Enok Revendale raised his tightly clenched fist, thunderous cheers filled the battalion grounds.
“But to withstand the storms ahead, which will be several times greater, the ship called Okhraine still requires repairs. We must strengthen its deck, repaint it, and courageously replace the rusted parts.”
“And so… farewell to you all.”
That final statement pierced the hearts of the assault magic battalion soldiers.
Lumina, watching the speech, discreetly wiped away tears, while Bella Meyer bit her lips with a troubled expression.
Roxanna Elrim stood silently alongside the aviation platoon members, who were set to transfer entirely, gazing at the man she admired.
“Mr. Claude.”
“…”
Claude Rain silently grasped Lieutenant Hilton’s hand.
Similarly, Major Erwin, who was destined to join the newly formed tank brigade, was already shedding streams of tears.
“Our homeland needs you. For three years—short as it may seem, and long as it may feel—you’ve given your all under an insufficient commander. I, as your battalion commander, have been incredibly happy serving with you all!”
A heavy silence descended.
Even Enok Revendale, usually composed, seemed to struggle with the overwhelming emotions rising within him.
“What nonsense is this?! If the battalion commander is inadequate, should the rest of us die?!”
“That’s right!”
“We’ve been happy too, Battalion Commander!”
When one soldier spoke up, everyone burst into laughter, each adding their own words.
Tears welled up in some eyes, while others tried hard to suppress their emotions, but everyone’s faces were painted with a mix of sorrow and joy.
“Effective immediately, the 8th Assault Magic Infantry Battalion under the Special Response Brigade has been disbanded! That concludes the battalion’s disbandment!! Thank you all for your hard work—!!!”
With heartfelt conviction, he shouted those words.
Unable to contain themselves, the soldiers rushed onto the stage, pulling Enok Revendale down.
“One, two, three!!”
“Waaaaah!!!!”
“Thank you all for your service!!!”
Without any magic, Enok Revendale soared high into the sky.
Year 341 of the Continental Calendar.
The 8th Assault Magic Infantry Battalion was established.
Year 344 of the Continental Calendar.
The 8th Assault Magic Infantry Battalion was disbanded.
The legendary unit that would be recorded in Okhraine’s history books now faded into the annals of the past.
“Phew.”
The refreshing autumn gave way to the biting cold of winter.
Winter in the north was always harsher than elsewhere. Each breath felt like it froze your lungs, and every exhale created a puff of white mist resembling cigarette smoke.
But despite the bone-chilling cold, the man continued to gaze at the vast mountain range stretching before him.
“Comrade Chairman of the People’s Committee, I fear you may catch a cold standing outside in this weather.”
Behind him, a man clad in a thick fur coat appeared and spoke.
“In the land of Rus, this level of cold is nothing unusual, isn’t it?”
“Still, the flu has been spreading recently. Should you fall ill, it would be a great loss for our Red October.”
“There won’t be such a day. The day I fall is the day that accursed throne collapses.”
The middle-aged man chuckled, stroking his scruffy black beard.
“Do you see that peak over there?”
“Yes, certainly. Isn’t that Nerdaya Mountain, the tallest in the Urein Range?”
“Doesn’t something seem off? The snowline on Nerdaya Mountain, I mean.”
The man narrowed his eyes.
The snowline refers to the boundary where perpetual snow begins on a mountain compared to the regular surface.
He scrutinized the summit of Nerdaya Mountain carefully.
“I’m not exactly sure, but it does seem like it.”
“This summer was a bit warmer. The snowline has definitely moved upwards. Snow melted in the warmer climate and hasn’t reaccumulated.”
“Isn’t the snowline irrelevant once winter comes? The whole mountain will turn white anyway.”
“Yes, that’s true. But tell me, what do you think will happen if this winter turns out warmer than the last?”
The man, unsure why the Chairman of the People’s Committee was asking such questions, hesitated but responded nonetheless.
“The amount of snowfall won’t match last winter’s.”
“Exactly. With less snow, the people living beneath these mountains might live a little more comfortably, escaping the dangers of avalanches.”
Saying this, he turned and walked back inside.
The man still didn’t fully grasp the meaning behind his words.
“This winter will be warm. It means the time to cultivate the land is approaching. Tell our comrades in Red October to prepare for the harvest.”
Red October.
The vanguard against imperialism and the biggest headache for the Soviev Empire.
Vladimir Trotsky, the leader of the rebellion and the first Chairman of the People’s Committee, entered the bunker with his hands clasped behind his back.
The fire burning from the west.
Vladimir was ready to leap courageously into that fire.
If that happens, it would finally be possible to paint the empire red with fairness and equality.
Or rather,
Vladimir Trotsky believed it was certain to happen.