The Rose Cross Army, led by Rose, is finally to sortie.
“…This is the situation. Overall, the Mechanist Army is at a disadvantage.”
Amara concluded the situation briefing.
“This offensive is unusually well-coordinated for the Alliance. We must start by disrupting the cooperation between the divisions.”
Master Baxu said, and Littok, sitting next to him, nodded.
“Don’t we need to reinforce things before that? There seem to be several fronts that might collapse before we can disrupt their coordination.”
Colonel Roogetsu responded to the Magician’s words.
“Alhambra, if we get caught up in shoring up our defensive friendly forces, we will be exposed to the Alliance’s offensive throughout.”
“Then what will you do?”
“We will reinforce the front lines and sever their coordination simultaneously.”
“Colonel, the front lines span an extremely wide area. You can’t possibly manage everything, can you?”
Origa’s voice lacked its usual bite. It seemed Origa also acknowledged the Colonel as special.
“Origa, I did not claim I could manage everything. What we will discuss now is which front lines to save.”
Zahat interjected with a sarcastic expression.
“It’s all in how you say it, Colonel. Let’s be frank. What we’re discussing is which front lines to ‘abandon,’ right?”
Zahat wasn’t lying. To choose to save something is also to choose what to abandon. I think this boy is disliked precisely because he says things that don’t need to be said.
“Don’t get cocky spouting the obvious, you little brat. Colonel, doing the reinforcing and severing simultaneously means splitting the corps into two, right? Who will command the detachment?”
Colonel Roogetsu answered Barbaranes’ question not with words, but with his gaze. He stared intently at me.
“I see, so that’s how it is.”
Yueln nodded and said so, while Barbaranes exaggeratedly shook his head.
“Whoa, seriously! Entrusting the detachment to some naive little girl? Colonel, what are you thinking? After the masquerade party, is it a school play now?”
“Barbaranes! Watch your words! Lady Rose is an Imperial Princess!”
“Princess or Queen, I don’t care, but there’s no way this little girl can command a detachment! You should go back to your castle before your daddy-given insignia gets stained with blood and play house with your maids!”
Amara rebuked him, but Barbaranes was not convinced. I can’t entirely blame him.
“The detachment will be the Rose Cross. This is a decided matter.”
Colonel Roogetsu said quietly, but Barbaranes still pressed on.
“But Colonel…”
“Silence. Who cares about your opinion! All we are to discuss is the choice of battlefield, so don’t get ahead of yourself!”
“…”
Chastised by the Colonel, the king of the corps, the barbarian fell silent with a dissatisfied look.
“So, Princess Rose, that’s how it is. Could you please assume command of the detachment?”
The Colonel asked me, as if testing my resolve, and I replied with a confident expression.
“I accept. I will command the detachment. Please entrust it to me.”
“We will assign two battalions from the corps to the Rose Cross. What are your wishes, Princess?”
Hmm, what should I do? I should avoid the troops with strong personalities… but they all have peculiar traits!
(Princess, it’s Master Baxu and Littok. There’s no other choice.)
R-right. Master Baxu is an upright person, and Littok seems stoic.
“Then could you assign Master Baxu and Littok as reinforcements?”
“Is that acceptable to you, Master?”
“Understood. I will do my best.”
“And Littok?”
“…Understood.”
I’m glad they seemed to accept it.
“Then Princess Rose, that is the decision.”
“Thank you, Colonel Roogetsu.”
“Toma, I’m entrusting Lady Rose and the detachment to you.”
“Ah, I’ll try not to let them die, but no promises.”
Colonel Roogetsu probably intended for Major Toma to command the detachment. Naturally.
From there, the strategy meeting turned to discussions about which direction to sortie.
“Major Toma, military operations involve politics, don’t they?”
I asked Major Toma in the car on the way back to the Rose Castle.
“Military and politics cannot be separated. However, in the case of the Mechanist Army, it’s not about strategic locations or anything like that. It boils down to who is more convenient for them to survive.”
“…Is that so…”
“That’s why they can never win against the Alliance, which is inferior in terms of sheer numbers. The Alliance is also fractured, but the Mechanist Army is even more so. If it’s a competition between incompetence and incompetence, the Mechanist Army has the advantage.”
Having the advantage in a competition of incompetence is the worst!
“That’s unfortunate for the soldiers.”
“Humanitarianists spew platitudes about how human lives are precious, but in reality, nothing is treated as lightly as human lives.”
“‘Humanitarianists’…”
“I’m not saying all pacifists are like that. But those who loudly proclaim humanitarianism are probably not truly valuing lives. They never attempt to achieve their goals ‘at the risk of their own lives.’ They just make noise from a safe zone like ducks.”
…That strikes a chord. Perhaps I was also a “humanitarianist” before. I wished for peace, but I didn’t take action. But is the me now, who is participating in war to end the war, the correct one, or was the me before, who simply wished for peace, the correct one?
Upon returning to the Rose Castle, I explained the outline of the operation to Ashes and her group, and summoned the knights of the Rose Cross. Major Toma requested the mobilization of corporate mercenaries from Lilygen’s Spec Company headquarters. I had previously requested 500, but with the skill of the capable executive director (Director Benio), 1,500 soldiers were dispatched. Furthermore, five Land Battleships and ten Land Cruisers were sent. I am serious, and Spec Company is also serious. Combined with the 1,400 knights of the Rose Cross, plus the 1,500 from the Ghost Brigade, and 200 from the 5th and 6th Battalions of the corps, a total army of 3,200 was formed. The total number of ships includes 12 Land Battleships, 20 Cruisers, 20 Escort Ships, and numerous combat helicopters. This force can be considered a major power. All troop mobilizations will be completed today, and we will sortie tomorrow.
The next morning, the impressive sight of the great army assembled outside Byakuya Castle was projected onto the large screen of the Pallas Athena, filling me with elation. The grand fleet, shining in the morning sun, was a sight to behold.
“Spec really pulled out all the stops. They probably have a pride in sending more troops than Prince Adel received from Tron Company.”
The Major, who reads between the lines, appeared on the screen and made an uncharacteristically direct comment.
“Director Benio must have worked hard as well. I should be grateful.”
“Achieving victory is the greatest repayment.”
Yes, you’re right. This isn’t a game. It’s a real war.
“Yes. We will definitely achieve victory and return alive!”
“First, we’ll head to Sugar Pot. We’ll disembark the Doctor there and resupply.”
“Yes, and then we’ll head to rescue the hard-pressed 7th Division, right?”
“If everything goes according to plan.”
“Is there a chance it won’t go as planned?”
“Sugar Pot is close to the front lines. The situation might have changed by the time we arrive. We should analyze the situation upon arrival at Sugar Pot and make our decision then.”
“Understood. Display the commanders of each ship on the panel.”
As I gave instructions to the operator, the large screen split into many smaller sections, showing the unit commanders. Ashes, the “Guardian God”; Quester, the “Sword Saint”; Clifford, the “Handsome Bearded One”; and the proud Knight Commanders of the Rose Cross, along with reinforcements from the corps: Baxu, the “Iron Fist,” and Littok, the “War Demon,” not to mention the corporate mercenary commanders from Spec Company… and my mentor, Toma, the “Grim Reaper.” With such an esteemed group gathered, there is nothing to fear. They are all waiting for my command. To make my vow, I drew the sword gifted to me by Master Tetsusai from its sheath. Master had forged this Western sword for me. “Whether it be the East or the West, a tool for killing people is still a tool,” Master Tetsusai had said, but I have no intention of making this sword merely a tool for killing. I named this sword, which emits a faint golden light, Himmelwolf, the Celestial Wolf. I will swear an oath on this sword of protection in front of everyone!
“Knights of the Rose Cross, corporate mercenaries of Spec Company, and reinforcements from the Last Legion, thank you for gathering under my banner. I, Stinrose Ringvolt, will serve as your standard-bearer. Though I am still inexperienced, I pledge here to fight alongside you, risking our lives!”
The elites displayed on the screen panel responded to my words, some with words, others with strong nods. Only Major Toma yawned with a look of disinterest, but I’ll pretend I didn’t see it!
“Lady Rose, give the order to sortie!”
Ashes said, and I nodded, took a deep breath, and gave the command.
“Rose Cross Army, sortie! Our target is the Mechanist Army fortress, Sugar Pot!”
Now, let’s begin. …My war!
