My Platoon is F**king Hopeless

Despite wearing thick clothes, the chilly season that had stubbornly seeped in had passed by.

This winter was surprisingly not that cold.

Even the northern regions of the Rhinehardt Empire, which suffered damage from heavy snow every year, had passed without any incidents.

And as if to prove the passage of time,

Colonel Johannes von Weisenberg brushed his fingers over his gleaming rank insignia.

After passing through his days as a captain involved in the development of the Moldoke Armored Train, he had come to hold an important position as the commander of the newly established Rhinehardt Empire’s 32nd Armored Battalion.

Tank.

Once a cavalryman galloping on horseback, today his steed was an armored vehicle painted gray steel.

He was known for his particularly radical inclinations even within the cavalry corps.

Johannes had clearly realized the limitations of cavalry and saw tanks, being developed in a neighboring country, as a solution to overcome those limits.

Originally, tanks were cast-offs from the Britton United Kingdom.

The moment he saw the massive warship rolling on land, a fierce flame ignited in his heart.

As a result,

What was once merely a steel coffin moving on tracks had evolved to become something worthy of being called a ‘cavalry.’

The newest tank of the Rhinehardt Empire, the PZ. 38, commonly known as the Cherrycoke tank.

Although Cherrycoke was classified as a light tank due to its inadequate armor and armament,

It boasts a 37mm cannon, equivalent to artillery firepower, and can reach speeds up to 42 km/h on roads.

Is there anything else to boast about?

It was produced entirely with 100% Rhinehardt technology, unlike the magical tanks of Okhraine, which require a wizard to operate. Instead, it has a high-output engine, allowing ordinary soldiers with no magical aptitude to easily operate it.

A weapon perfectly suited to represent the next generation of cavalry.

Colonel Johannes von Weisenberg felt immense pride in being the first to command this unit.

“How exciting!”

After donning his uniform, he was admiring the magnificent photo of the tank when a voice with a hint of laughter came from behind him.

Turning at the familiar voice, he saw an old man with combed-back hair smiling at him.

Dr. Mercedes Musk.

One of the eight scientists who control the world’s science, a genius comparable to Dr. Halbertstadt in heaven, said to be present on earth.

His work includes the Cherrycoke tank.

“Naturally. How could someone remain calm seeing such a beautiful form?”

“Don’t exaggerate.”

The relationship between Dr. Mercedes Musk and Colonel Johannes was very close.

From the early stages of developing the Moldoke Armored Train, they were connected. Dr. Mercedes Musk, originally just a consultant, became actively involved in the development because of Colonel Johannes.

Even after the armored train project was successfully completed, the two continued their exchanges.

As philosophical colleagues sharing the ideology of Reichsstellung (Reich Positionism), Dr. Mercedes Musk became a strong support for Colonel Johannes von Weisenberg.

As one of the eight scientists,

Although the Rhinehardt Empire doesn’t place much emphasis on magic users, he held a status similar to that of a foreign grand mage.

With such a person acting as a direct sponsor, Colonel Johannes’ future was surely paved with flowers.

Of course, he also possessed the corresponding skills.

“But what brings you here?”

“I wanted to talk to you about something.”

Conversation?

There was no need to meet specifically in the barracks for such a thing.

“If it’s not an important matter, I could treat you to dinner at a nearby restaurant…”

“It’s important. Besides, it’s something others want to talk to me about.”

At Dr. Mercedes Musk’s words, Colonel Johannes felt a chill run down his spine. Known for his keen intuition, he often took unconventional paths but succeeded because of his sharp instincts.

“Greetings.”

“…!!!”

“Chancellor Erich Hindenburg!”

A towering man with white whiskers walked confidently towards Colonel Johannes.

Why would the Reichskanzler, who oversees state affairs on behalf of the Emperor, come all the way here?

Certainly, the 32nd Armored Battalion was well-known within the Rhinehardt Empire’s army, but he hadn’t thought the Chancellor would come himself.

“Hail Victoria!”

Colonel Johannes, just a mere lieutenant colonel, faced the Chancellor with a flustered expression and saluted loudly.

“Colonel Johannes von Weisenberg, nice to meet you.”

“Pleasure to meet you, sir!!”

Click.

Adjusting his boots, Colonel Johannes stood straight and responded.

“You have spirit.”

“I told you, sir.”

“If a young officer gains the favor of Dr. Mercedes Musk, how could I dislike them? Hahaha!”

Seeing the two men laugh boldly, cold sweat trickled down Colonel Johannes’ back.

What on earth is happening?

“You look visibly anxious.”

“No, not at all!”

“Do you know why I’m here?”

Colonel Johannes’ mind spun.

“I… I’m not sure.”

“That’s natural. This is a highly classified operation even on our side.”

The young colonel sensed that things were becoming complicated.

“You know the current global situation isn’t normal, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

Colonel Johannes read the newspapers daily, filled with astonishing events.

Across the sea in the American Federation Republic, a massive economic downturn followed the bursting of a bubble.

Once solid companies crumbled like castles, causing tremors throughout the nation, leaving citizens to bear the brunt of the damage.

Protests erupted almost daily.

Freedom itself is a dangerous value. The government of the American Federation Republic lacked justification to suppress the citizens’ furious anger.

Because it was freedom itself.

In any case, the crisis that hit the leader of the Free Union and the most powerful economy affected the economies of the Britton United Kingdom and the Pry Free Democratic State, leading to further tension between the Adalya Kingdom and the Pry Free Democratic State.

Violence along the border was not uncommon, and recent reports indicated mutual shelling.

Everyone could only talk about the arrival of an era of chaos.

Soldiers trained fiercely to fulfill their roles in a tumultuous era.

Nationalism within the Empire Alliance functioned as more than just an ideological concept, serving as the driving force of the nation.

Reichsstellung.

Colonel Johannes, deeply immersed in this ideology, felt that the global situation was like a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any moment.

“A secret telegram arrived from the Soviev Empire.”

“The Soviev Empire?”

Although the Rhinehardt Empire and the Soviev Empire belonged to the same alliance, their relationship was complex.

Given their claim to inherit the Rus Tsar Empire, it was hard to warmly welcome a country that inherited an enemy of the time.

However, they aligned with the Western liberalists, resulting in the world being divided into the Empire Alliance and the Free Union.

While allies, they were not quite blood allies.

Perhaps the Adalya Kingdom was closer to a blood alliance.

The intelligence conveyed by this ambiguous ally was shocking.

“Next month, they plan to launch a large-scale ‘special military operation’ against Okhraine.”

“… ”

Colonel Johannes von Weisenberg fell silent.

Those northern people truly intend to start a war.

“The Soviev Empire wants us to support their occupation of Okhraine.”

“That won’t be easy.”

“I agree. Okhraine isn’t what it used to be.”

Okhraine wasn’t formidable just a few years ago, but now it possesses international relations and military power comparable to major powers.

Thanks to the reforms adopted by figures like Enok Revendale and Sony Chepelin, and King Orlando I’s active support, significant progress has been made.

Of course, if the Soviev Empire truly goes to war, Okhraine will eventually fall.

But the invading Soviev Empire itself will not escape unscathed.

“Though the Emperor finds it distasteful, there’s debate within the royal court about whether to comply with the request as allies.”

“What a difficult situation.”

“Moreover, we have a friendly relationship with Okhraine.”

“Our military trains at the munitions factory in the Biyaltock territory. We’re also collaborating in the newly established aerial division.”

In essence, compared to the Soviev Empire, which is merely an ally, Okhraine is much closer.

To attack a country that should be protected instead seems absurd.

Besides, if conquered, it should naturally become part of the Rhinehardt Empire’s territory.

It’s incomprehensible why the great Rhinehardt would stand idly by while the Soviev Empire invades.

Hindenburg slowly nodded, reading the emotion on his face.

“I understand your thoughts. However, diplomacy isn’t simple.”

Though old, the Chancellor still had a sharp gaze.

“Therefore, we’ve decided to form a ‘special task force’ to deploy to the Okhraine front.”

“So we’re participating in an invasion?”

He’s a soldier.

He never forgot the spirit of obeying orders.

No matter how unjust it might seem, as long as it’s the superior’s will, it’s the true duty of a soldier to follow.

But Erich Hindenburg shook his head.

“No, the Rhinehardt Empire has no intention of playing along with the Soviev Empire’s game.”

“In that case…?”

“A fake war.”

What Hindenburg uttered was as unexpected as the news of the Soviev Empire invading Okhraine.

“You’ll lead your armored battalion to threaten the border area of Okhraine.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes. But it’s still a war. Do you understand what I mean?”

Johannes adjusted his posture and replied.

Namely, a deception operation to fool both Okhraine and the empire.

“Yes!! I understand!!”

“You’re a smart fellow. Then I’ll watch.”

The unexpected meeting with the Chancellor concluded.

Colonel Johannes von Weisenberg and the 32nd Armored Battalion were quickly organized into the Okhraine expeditionary force—officially assigned to the rapid response unit of the western command district of the empire.

On February 24, Imperial Year 345.

Wheeeeeeeeee!

With the ear-splitting siren, the rapid response unit’s deployment order was issued.

“Advance tanks!!!”

After centuries,

The curtain finally rose on the world war.

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