02x03 - Well-Intentioned Mediator

[bunniefuu]

The Imperial army, being harassed by
the Federation's persistent attacks,

recognized the right to self-rule
by anti-government forces

within occupied territories
to stabilize the front.

A nice, warm coat.

It's not your size! Give it to me!

Calm down! There's enough for everybody!

That's for tall people, not fat people!

It's hard to believe what we
were going through last month.

The Federation and Allied Kingdom
expanded their cooperation,

beginning a joint operation to the North.

Comrades, let us support our flank!

In the name of international cooperation,

how about a joint operation
with the Allied Kingdom?

Gentlemen, we will be launching
a decoy operation to support allies.

We will threaten the Imperial forces
in the East by attacking their flank!

The Federation and Allied Kingdom
strengthened their efforts

to work with partisans in
the former Entente Alliance.

The Empire needed to respond fast,

and sent the agile Salamander Combat Unit.

Damn it. Spring's a long way away.

We succeeded in driving
the two enemies back.

The Empire pulled back its reinforcements

and decided to send them
to the East once more.

In the grand scheme of things,
this was only a minor skirmish.

But the Ildoa Kingdom was beginning
to take action behind the scenes.

So the Empire was forced to
send reinforcements to the North?

Correct.

It seems that they're finding
this rather costly.

They're asking to pay for the high-octane
fuel we're secretly providing them

with things they've plundered
during their operations.

They're like a bunch of burglars.

Which means they're in dire straits.

If we offer them help,
we can put them in our debt.

And if we can end this w*r, other
countries will praise us endlessly.

But will they listen to us?

We simply have to leave them
no other choice.

We must save our poor allies
no matter what.

Ildoa is doing a sudden
mobilization exercise?

We can assume the exercise is
just what they said it would be,

but we can't be too cautious.

We might see another disaster
like we saw with the Republic!

Ildoa could be a threat,

which means we need to drastically rethink
our strategy towards the Federation.

I'd like to deliver those macaroni f*ck
straight into our enemy's hands.

Agreed. But Ildoa is a valuable ally.

It would be a poor idea
to simply abandon them.

If they are our allies,
they'll allow us to send observers.

I'll send Rerugen from our HQ.

He'll see what there is
to be seen, I'm sure.

I am General Virginio Calandro.

Colonel Igor Gassman asked me
to make sure you're settled.

I'm honored, Colonel Calandro.

His hands are far too strong for him
to be a mere political general.

He's been on the b*ttlefield
many times, then.

I would love to be frank with
you, since you're an ally.

I'll skip the pleasantries.

Ildoa is prepared to serve as
a well-intentioned mediator

and offer the gift of peace.

Can you explain?

Essentially, we wish to serve as
mediators for peace negotiations.

I'm sorry. Mediators for
peace negotiations?

Indeed.

We're prepared to serve as
a liaison between our friends.

I may be overstepping myself here,

but I believe you're looking
for a way to end this w*r.

Our leader back home would
be the one to decide that.

Of course, this is normally
the job of a diplomat.

But given the nature of our relationship,

it seemed things would go smoother if
we spoke to someone in the military.

We've prepared to serve as a negotiator
between the empire and its foes.

This is still internal,

but we're also prepared to work with
the States to jointly call for peace.

I hope you'll understand
what I mean when I say

we speak from a position
of considerable power.

I see...

So that's the reason for this
sudden mobilization exercise...

Those southern leeches!

They're pretending to
be neutral negotiators?

If the conditions are right,
it may be worth pursuing.

And in the negotiations, we would
want w*r reparations, I assume.

We're preparing to accept
Ildoan observers.

And they'll use these to make
decisions during the peace talks?

I want to find a way to
bring this w*r to an end.

No, I must find one.

Back to the east, huh?

First snow, then mud.

I keep washing my socks,
and it doesn't help.

We're stuck too far out in
more places than I thought.

Why don't they reorder the battle lines?

They've made promises to
the national councils.

They can't retreat
even if they want to.

I thought we were winning,
and now we're back to losing.

I guess I don't even have time to be
thinking about saving my own a*s.

How do we find a way to end this w*r?

Lieutenant Colonel, a moment?

What? What is it?

Someone's here from Strategic HQ.

It's been a long time,
Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff.

The coffee on the front lines has
a whole different scent, you know.

The Imperial stuff is
just coffee-colored...

Colonel Rerugen, what
brings you here today?

I was hoping to ask you
to look after a guest.

A colonel from Ildoa.

A w*r observer?

Indeed.

Colonel, in our current state,
we can't appropriately welcome him...

I know, and I'm asking anyway.

I see there must be
something going on here.

I'm sure you'll find out eventually.

People's lips never stay
sealed, after all.

Today, I will become a mobile
combat team commander,

with the Salamander combat
team serving under me.

You'll be serving under me,

but in fact, you will continue to
serve as the actual commander.

In other words, I am second in command
of a non-existent Rerugen combat team,

while commanding the actual
Salamander combat team.

Correct.

But there is one thing I'm going
to have to ask you to put up with.

My name will be the one on
the official combat reports.

At least in the documentation,
I will be stealing credit from you.

Please... forgive me for this.

Someone takes over
all responsibility on paper,

and the guys in personnel owe me one?

Hell yes.

But still...

I am a soldier who has
sworn to serve my country.

I won't say I'm entirely
on board with this...

But I hope you can promise
I'll be well taken-care of for this.

I'm relieved.

I was expecting you to sh**t me.

You're such a funny man.

Hello, fräulein.

I've been through it all, Colonel.

My entire body has been
covered with blood.

Call me fräu, or Lieutenant Colonel,
whatever you like.

I am General Virginio Calandro.
I've been sent here as an observer.

Lieutenant Colonel Tanya von Degurechaff.

I've heard you had
the glorious Silver title,

but I'm still surprised at
your actual appearance.

Less surface area means
I'm harder to hit.

Do watch out for stray b*ll*ts.

I should, definitely.

I'll crouch like this when
I'm out on the b*ttlefield.

Welcome to the front lines.

On behalf of your Imperial allies,
I welcome you.

You always get warm meals?

Food affects morale.

Eat while it's hot, Colonel.

Their forces are well-disciplined,
even though we're on the front lines.

I'm sure the Empire must be spending
a fortune to maintain them.

What's the situation on our surroundings?

Captain Ahrens just encountered
an enemy tank group.

I'm sorry,

but may I be present for this discussion?

Yes, of course.

Honestly, I'd prefer you
f*cked off, though.

You appear to be fighting
in a residential area.

How do you handle that?

a*tillery, I would say.

a*tillery? With no warning?
Over a residential area?

Yes. It should minimize casualties.

Lieutenant Colonel, isn't that a
violation of international wartime law?

The convention you're referring
to is reciprocal.

It applies only when all parties
to a w*r are signatories,

and only to battles between said parties.

As far as I'm aware,
the Federation is not a signatory.

Which makes it okay to burn a town?

Yes.

They've done the same to
many Imperial cities.

So the same fate awaits them.

Wait!

You're going to destroy a church?

Attacks on religious personnel
are a violation of wartime code!

Hmm? I'm not sure I follow.

Religious facilities and personnel
are to be protected...

We've confirmed the building lacks

the markings required to designate
it as a religious facility.

What?

We respect both military code
and the laws of w*r.

But the fact is, there's no mark there.

But that's clearly...

Do you see any kind of marking, Colonel?

No.

Thank you for your cooperation!

You wanted to discuss something?

I'll be quick. I want
to ask you a question.

I'll answer anything I can.

I want to talk about how
you see this w*r ending.

That's why I'm here!

I see... so Ildoa is trying
to serve as peace mediators?

They'll give us the exit
we've been looking for?

I'm sure it's hard to accept...

But are you willing to make compromises?

Can I make compromises to
get out of this mudhole?

Hell yes, I can!

Cut your losses! This is
the time to cut your losses!

Would you tell us what the bare minimum
conditions you'd be willing to accept are?

Conditions? I don't have any.

No conditions?

I am a soldier.

I swore a duty to obey any lawful order.

If my leaders have decided
on a way to end the w*r,

I don't set conditions, I simply obey.

My duty to obey lawful orders
is my highest priority.

That is what it means to be a soldier.

I see.

So the empire prioritizes the national
interest, even on the front lines?

Yes.

Even the lowest commander
at the front obeys!

They are terrifyingly
loyal to their orders!

How can we persuade them...

Then they'll listen to us.

I see a way to make this mediation work.

Now the w*r will end.

I got the w*r observer to understand that
we Imperial soldiers are normal people.

I'm sure the peace negotiations
will go great.

I did my work well.

Now this w*r will end...

Lieutenant Colonel, may I have a moment?

What?!

What is it?

A visitor from Strategic HQ...

Again?!

It's been a long time,
Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff.

It's been so long since
I've had real coffee.

The stuff back home looks
like coffee, but...

Lieutenant Colonel Ugar,
what brings you here?

We had some problems
at a nearby railroad.

While I was fixing them,
I remembered my comrade

from military school and
decided to drop by.

I see. I'm glad to hear that.

This is my subordinate, Major Weiss.

I thought he could join us.

It's rare to see you with
one of your subordinates.

He's mostly here to keep
listening ears away.

What do you mean?

I heard that Ildoa is
working towards peace.

You heard it too, then?

They forced a w*r observer on me,
and I was wondering why.

The brass feels that we need

to make some compromises to
bring a swift end to the w*r?

I hate it, but yes.

We need to accept reality.

I assume both sides will abandon
demands for w*r reparations,

abandon conquered territory,

and restore borders to exactly what
they were at the start of the w*r?

They might even sign a treaty requiring
all sides to shrink their armies.

Lieutenant Colonel...

That would not be peace with honor.

It would be no different than surrender!

Do you know how much money we've
spent? How many lives we've lost?

Doesn't that mean that the sooner
we stop making sacrifices, the better?

You would understand that
better than anyone, I thought.

What is your opinion, Major Weiss?

I'd like to hear the thoughts
of a frontline officer.

M-May I speak?

Go ahead. Speak.

I would say that between
a reward that justified the sacrifices,

and a future where no more
sacrifices needed to be made at all,

I would choose the latter.

Yes.

But...

I just can't accept it.

What?

To shed all this blood
and end up with nothing at all...

I just can't...

Wait, wait, wait!

I'm shocked... Even you feel that way?

How can you accept it, Lieutenant Colonel?

Because I have to!

A frontline commander's job is knowing
what to focus on and what to give up!

If we have to cut our losses,
then that's what we do.

I'm sorry, ma'am, but that's just logic.

It's... nothing but logic!

This is bad.

Even my fellow soldiers and
subordinates who I trust the most

have fallen victim to
the Concorde effect.

From the look of things,
Strategic HQ and the high leadership

are going to have a hell of a time
convincing the frontline soldiers.

Will they have to crush them by force?

k*lling our own soldiers will look
bad on my resume post-w*r...

The Federation's demands have
been relayed to us via Ildoa.

They seek a ceasefire with no reparations,

no territorial changes,
and no additional conditions.

Colonel Gassman,

I have a message from command
regarding the peace discussions.

Let me hear it.

They've rejected our demands,
but negotiations are continuing.

With enough time...

You've gone soft.

What?

I said you've gone soft, Zettour.

I've already talked to the high
leadership regarding this.

You can't have...

I will share our nation's answer.

Go on.

"Eat sh*t."

That is all.

We will seize our destiny
with our own fists.

We will not put it
in the hands of another.

Our army's will is unyielding!

We will begin Operation Iron Hammer!









Wow, you people in the mage unit
all got reassigned, huh?

Huh? Then Major Weiss is...

Replacing Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff,
since she now runs the combat team.

He's in charge of all the mages.

That's amazing! Congratulations!

Shut up!

Wh-Why?

Actually, losing the position of company
commander means less bonus pay...

And he has to pay out of pocket for
stuff to keep the unit running.

His take-home pay has
actually gone down.

Promotions are scary...