Do Your Own Revolution

#129

Pheeeeeee—!

“Aaaaaah–!”

“Forward! Move forward-! Advance–!”

The moment the whistle pierced the sky, countless footsteps shook the earth.

One day after the Emperor’s declaration of war was broadcasted and formally delivered to the Republican government.

Starting from the western border region of the continent, full-scale war between the Republic and the Empire began.

“Machine gunner! What are you doing! Fire immediately!”

“There are mages in the front line! They’re deflecting the machine gun bullets-!”

The moment the Republican officer saw where the machine gunner was pointing, his face filled with dismay.

Clang-! Clack clang-!

The Magic Corps mages advanced while spreading wide barriers.

And behind those barriers, Imperial infantry were approaching in a crouching position, firing in sequence.

The combined arms system integrating mages and infantry.

This was not something created with just a day or two of training.

“Send out the Armored Infantry! These mages can only maintain barriers! If we take down the mages, we can break through!”

“They’re targeting the mages!”

“Get the recoilless rifles ready! Hurry-!”

Bang-! Kaboom–!

The Empire was able to perfect the combined arms system proposed by the Special Magical Power Unit by incorporating the Magic Corps, which was originally under the Knight Order, into the Kalhyram Army organization.

The Magic Corps mages receiving fire support from Imperial forces.

Looking at the Imperial marksmen and artillery protecting their rear, the Magic Corps officers swallowed hard.

‘This is completely different from when we were cleaning up after the Knight Order…’

‘We can survive. We’re no longer just bullet shields for the Knight Order……!’

Unlike the knights who performed one-man shows with their outstanding power, the Magic Corps was a subordinate group of the Knight Order with lower-grade imprints implanted.

Designed as a secondary force, they were able to quickly adapt to the organization created in cooperation with the Imperial Army.

Infantry protected by mages, and mages maintaining barriers with infantry fire support.

“The Empire’s vermin are using such pathetic tactics!”

Thud-!

The moment the Armored Infantry deployed to sweep them away stepped forward, something burst out from between the infantry lines.

Clang–!

“?!”

The Imperial Guard Knight Order, deployed away from the capital to the battlefield.

Their magic imprints focused on defense could easily block attacks from the heavy Armored Infantry.

And while these guard knights held back the Armored Infantry.

“Th-the line is breached! They’re pushing through!”

The main Imperial force that bypassed the Armored Infantry began to pour into the Republican trenches and started slaughtering the soldiers.

Once they entered the trenches, the mages no longer needed to maintain barriers.

For the Republican forces without magical power, it was impossible to withstand their magic.

***

“Huu…….”

The Republican capital, Viselgrad.

Westraine Republican Army General Headquarters.

As he heard the bad news coming from various parts of the front line, the face of the man with a cigarette in his mouth grew more furrowed.

“An average combat ratio of 20 to 1, how is such an absurd result possible!”

“The frontline commanders must have lost their minds. Minister Georgi! Even if the military supply situation has worsened, such incompetence……!”

“Enough-!”

The man’s rebuke struck sharply at the high-ranking officials adorned with numerous medals.

Just a bunch of idiots who only know about spiritual warfare.

That’s what Marshal Georgi Kalinin thought as he glared at them.

He was the Minister of Defense of the Westraine Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Westraine Republican Army.

“While the enemy’s new organization is a problem, that’s not the biggest issue.”

After saying this, Kalinin carefully examined the Imperial Army’s movements marked on the operational map.

“In the span of two weeks, the Imperial Army has advanced like an unstoppable force, and most of the border regions have fallen into their hands.”

“…….”

“And the reason this has happened is not because of the frontline officers.”

The reason the Republic had been able to dominate the Empire until now was because the Empire was divided due to its internal political situation.

However now, the Empire’s previously fragmented power was united around the massive organization called ‘Kalhyram Army’.

The Magic Corps, incorporated into the Imperial Army’s lower echelons, conducting joint tactics with Imperial forces.

The Imperial Intelligence Department, integrating previously scattered operation plans and communication systems to coordinate between units.

With all these elements combined, the ‘Kalhyram Army’ had become a military force with overwhelming firepower and momentum that the previous Imperial Army had never shown.

‘Two years. In that short time, you created a monster, Keiren.’

While admiring the system created by the Empire’s renowned general who had faced him before, the staff officers examining the operational map asked him.

“Then, can we not stop them?”

“No. That’s not the case.”

Kalinin spoke firmly.

“The Republic’s strength lies in its vast territory and the enormous human resources that pour forth from it.”

“…….”

“If they fail to maintain their early war advantage and hesitate, the Imperial Army will naturally get bogged down in the vast swamp that is the Republic.”

No matter how excellent an army they’ve created, they are still a collection of humans who need food and rest.

The longer supply lines become, the more restricted unit movements become, and the longer the war drags on, the more troop morale falls.

‘Moreover, with the Knight Order waiting for an opportunity to seize power within the Empire, their impatience will only grow worse.’

Having considered all this, Kalinin could immediately recognize:

“The Kalhyram Army has only one goal – to end the war as quickly as possible.”

“Then……!”

“What should our Republican Army do to counter this? It’s simple.”

Kalinin’s eyes gleamed as he pointed to one spot on the map.

A small city located in the center of the front line.

Dansk, the main corridor connecting the eastern and western Republic.

“We’ll conduct delaying operations centered here and bleed the Imperial Army dry.”

Establishing strongpoints and defense, conducting delaying actions through them.

This was his specialty that had protected the Republic from monsters for decades.

“Preparations are already complete.”

Losing Intelligence Bureau Director Randall was a painful loss, but even so, the Republic still had two mages with seven stroke imprints.

‘Agent 2’ directly under the Secretary General and ‘Raptor’, the Republic’s ultimate weapon.

While one was operating covertly within the Empire, the other could face the Kalhyram Army main force that Keiren would bring.

‘Now that Agent 2 has roasted the magic nobles, the Imperial Army only has one seven stroke mage they can deploy…’

Eugene Lorentz.

A chilly smile spread across Kalinin’s face as he recalled that name.

‘We don’t need to win.’

Just pin him down in the middle of the front line, and use that time to gather troops and maintain the line.

“The Imperial Army will use their trump card to break through this corridor.”

The Special Magical Power Unit.

The Devils of Magic Bullets who had slaughtered tens of thousands of Republican troops.

However, thinking about the information gathered through the Revolutionary Army, their weakness was clear.

“The weakness of the Special Magical Power Unit that uses magic bullets is their combat endurance which can’t compare to knights. If we drain their stamina through delaying actions, we can definitely win.”

Hold out until winter comes, then hunt down the Imperial Army as they struggle in winter’s fury.

After destroying the Imperial main force like that, the Republican Army could uncoil from its defensive posture and launch a counterattack.

With the massive military organization that was the Imperial Army gone, no matter how strong the Knight Order might be, they wouldn’t be able to withstand the Republican Army’s offensive.

Having finished his thoughts, Marshal Kalinin addressed the gathered staff officers and generals:

“Keiren… no, the Emperor’s fatal flaw is just one thing.”

“…….”

“Trying to swallow up the massive entity that is the Republic. That arrogance of underestimating our vast lands of Westraine.”

Dirtying Republican soil with Imperial boots?

Ridiculous.

The moment they set foot on the bear’s back, they would pay the price.

Click. Crackle.

After the staff officers who had drawn up the operation plans departed.

Alone in the conference room, Kalinin heard a radio transmission from the Intelligence Department.

– Reports are coming in from frontline soldiers.

“Speak.”

– A mage with overwhelming firepower has been confirmed in the central front. Reports suggest it’s Eugene Lorentz, head of the Special Magical Power Unit.

Central front.

After gauging the location, Kalinin immediately said:

“Connect me to Petrenko.”

The Republic’s proud seven stroke mage.

Westraine’s Raptor, Georgi Petrenko.

After several rings, a voice came through the communicator.

– Eugene Lorentz. You want me to catch and kill him?

A voice full of fighting spirit.

However, Kalinin slowly shook his head.

“That’s not necessary. I know well what kind of person Eugene Lorentz is.”

A mage with such tremendous potential that he could kill Randall before awakening his seven stroke.

The risk was too great to face him head-on in combat.

– I’m not a snake like Randall. If we fight head-on, I can win!

“Don’t underestimate Randall. He was a greater mage than you.”

– But Father……!

“I’m not doubting your abilities.”

Cutting off the words with a firm voice, Kalinin said.

“Aside from that Agent 2, you are the Republic’s only seven stroke mage. In other words, you are a hero of the Republic.”

– ……!

“With Klaus, the leader of the reformist faction dead, you are the one who must lead the next generation of the Republic.”

After saying this.

Softening his voice, Kalinin spoke with a smile.

“So I ask you, don’t treat your life carelessly. You have greater tasks to accomplish in the Republic after this current war. Understand?”

– ……I understand. Father.

Hearing his son’s much softened voice, Kalinin quietly said.

“Face Eugene, but make sure you return alive. This is both a father’s request and an order from the Republican Army Commander-in-Chief.”

– Yes.

“I wish you good fortune. My son.”

With those final words, Kalinin ended the transmission.

The murky sky in the western continent.

Looking up at the gloomy sky, he muttered.

“That’s right. Our real enemy isn’t the Empire.”

Hanging there was a photo of the Secretary General.

A propaganda poster with the text [Our Great Leader!]

“A devil trying to rule as a god in a people’s nation.”

Glaring at it, Georgi muttered with a face twisted in anger:

“He is the Republic’s true enemy.”

***

Kaboom–!

In the midst of battle on the central front.

Just as high-explosive shells from an armored train were about to strike Republican soldiers, a fist appeared without warning and deflected the shells.

“Colonel!”

“It’s Colonel Georgi! We’re saved-!”

The moment his face appeared, the faces of the frontline soldiers immediately brightened.

The Republic’s Raptor, Georgi Petrenko.

A hero of the Republican Army had appeared on the front line.

“Hu!”

Grinning widely, Petrenko immediately launched himself toward the center of the front line.

“Proud soldiers of the Republic-!”

A voice that didn’t lose out to the cannon fire from the Imperial armored train.

“I! Stand with you!”

Seeing him raise his fist while carrying the Republican flag, the Republican soldiers gritted their teeth and began reforming their lines.

“This should be enough for the soldiers’ morale.”

The bearing of a hero, raising up allied troops fallen into despair.

Watching the soldiers regaining their spirit, Petrenko looked toward one section where the battle line was crumbling.

An officer of the Special Magical Power Unit slaughtering Republican Armored Infantry.

Eugene Lorentz was there.

“All that’s left is to crush you!”

Precise magical formulae.

Simultaneously cast attack spells with flawless accuracy.

Though he couldn’t see the face behind the gas mask, he was certain.

That this was the Empire’s hero, Eugene Lorentz!

Thwack-!

“?!”

Instantly closing the distance, Petrenko immediately pressed Eugene.

Petrenko, who mainly used body strengthening spells, pressed Eugene while keeping close range, while Eugene responded using magic bullets.

Feeling the heat graze his face, he could be certain.

This firepower.

This was definitely the Empire’s hero, Eugene Lorentz!

Boom-!

His magic imprint, [Black Flame Armor], blazed as it lit up its seventh stroke.

Domain.

The moment he maximized the power of his seven stroke imprint, black flames arose around his body.

Rumble–!

A single punch shattered the ground completely, and one kick annihilated an entire Imperial platoon.

Overwhelming power.

However, watching Eugene dodge it, Petrenko gritted his teeth.

“As expected of the Empire’s hero. You’re saying you can beat a novice seven stroke like me even without Domain?”

“…….”

“Well then, fine.”

An overconfident enemy is the best prey.

If I kill the Empire’s hero as soon as the war starts, the rest of you Imperial bastards will be nothing but rabble!

Having finished this thought, Petrenko raised his magical power to its peak.

“Tch-!”

Eugene clicked his tongue and immediately deployed spells, but it was laughable.

High-powered spells cast with magic bullets could simply be dodged, and magical power chains could simply be broken with force!

Though he didn’t fall easily thanks to support from subordinate mages, the battle gradually tilted in Petrenko’s favor.

Then suddenly.

“Opening-!”

Thwack-!

Seizing an opening, Petrenko’s hand grabbed Eugene’s neck and slammed him into the ground.

Did he protect his body by surrounding it with magical power in that moment?

He thought that, but it didn’t matter.

The moment I grabbed his neck, his life was in my hands.

Looking at Eugene caught in his grasp, Petrenko spoke, intoxicated with victory:

“My victory, Eugene.”

“Yeah, I lost. That’s true, but…”

Eugene trailing off like that.

In that moment, Petrenko felt something was wrong.

“You, don’t tell me?”

A possibility that suddenly popped into his head.

As Petrenko asked this, Eugene slowly removed his gas mask, and.

“At the same time, you Republican forces have lost.”

What appeared beyond the gas mask was the Special Magical Power Unit 1st Battalion Commander, Guille.

It wasn’t Eugene.

“Wait. Then these guys are……!”

Only now did Petrenko release his grip and look at the mages approaching him.

Imperial Guard Knight Order.

And Magic Corps.

Mages rushing forward wearing emblems showing their respective affiliations.

Among them, none belonged to the ‘Special Magical Power Unit’.

“I thought it was worth trying to impersonate him, but to think you’d actually mistake me for Eugene… I must have grown quite a bit. Don’t you think?!”

“A six stroke mage……!”

It was an oversight.

A level where firepower alone could match a seven stroke.

But to think he wouldn’t realize it for such a long time……!

“Answer me! Where is the real Eugene!? Where did all of you Special Magical Power Unit, you Devils of Magic Bullets go!?”

Just as he grabbed Guille’s collar and asked this.

As numerous spells restrained Petrenko and separated him from Guille, Guille smiled and said after putting some distance between them:

“Where else would they be?”

The direction he pointed was west, toward the Republican capital.

When Petrenko turned to look and raised his magical power, only then could he sense something.

High in the sky where battle raged.

Five airships flying beyond it toward the capital.

“No.”

Only now understanding everything, Petrenko despaired as he looked toward the distant capital.

A distance he could barely sense with his seven stroke mage magical power.

It was already too far to chase after.

“Run away! Father-!”

Clang-!

The moment he tried to hastily leave, Guille’s chains bound him.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

With a blood-covered face, Guille spoke to him with a devilish smile:

“You need to play with us for a while here. Oh great hero of the Republic.”

“You, you bastards……!”

Mages who had surrounded him and were now aiming their weapons at him.

Looking at them, Petrenko realized.

That they were the one who had fallen into a trap.

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