Chapter 7: First Battle (1)
“Trainee Platoon Leader Peter Yaeger! On June 8th, year 220 of the Empire, I was ordered to transfer to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Company. Loyalty!”
As I saluted, the company commander, who looked to be in his 40s, stared at me with an irritated expression.
Anyone graduating from the academy should, by their early 30s at the latest, have the rank of a major and by their 40s be promoted to lieutenant colonel or, if they fail promotion, retire and become a mid-level administrative officer...
He must be a company commander who came from the ranks of non-commissioned officers.
“I am Simon Werner, the major in charge of the 4th company. Welcome to the transfer. Since I am from the ranks of the non-commissioned officers, aside from you, all the officers in our company are also from the same ranks.”
From his expression, anyone could tell that he didn’t welcome the transfer at all, but I could fully understand why he would feel that way.
That was because having a trainee platoon on the frontlines was similar to a company asking the seniors to conduct new employee training when they were swamped with work and had to pull all-nighters.
Usually, trainee platoons were assigned to supply units or, if they were lucky, to the second-line units to gain some real combat experience before coming to the frontlines.
However, in the flow of the story, Stefan von Kozer, the division commander overseeing the Raintlant front from the 8th Division, wanted to impress the crown prince.
So he summoned a student platoon to the frontlines, asking the company commanders, who were already busy fighting, to train the newcomers and fight alongside them.
As a novice platoon leader with no real military experience, it would also drive me crazy to join forces with a ‘unit that can’t even march in step, relying solely on individual spear skills to barely stick together’ against the enemy.
It wasn’t surprising that it looked bad when a student platoon leader brought soldiers who had only trained for a month to a battlefield where lives were constantly at risk.
If there were a company commander who would warmly welcome such a guy, he’d undoubtedly be a hopeless commander on par with the Dark Independence Army.
That was because his unit was already garbage, unable to fulfill its role, so it wouldn’t matter if a useless newcomer came.
Still, I felt fortunate that the direct company commander wasn’t a noble from the academy but someone from the ranks of the non-commissioned officers.
He was also from a commoner background, so he wouldn’t nitpick my origin, and having plenty of combat experience was even better.
Meanwhile, as if thinking a new burden had arrived, the company commander sighed deeply and said,
“If we had met in a rearward unit or if it were peacetime, I would teach you as a company commander how to lead a platoon and handle soldiers. But this place is different. We have to fight the Francois and the Republican Army starting tomorrow. Therefore, without such processes, we must immediately start with a tactical meeting with the other platoon leaders. Are you prepared?”
In many novels and films, it’s almost a cliché that when the protagonist says, “Yes, I’m ready!” with enthusiasm, senior officers like the company commander usually view them favorably.
However, war wasn’t a place for youngsters like me to calmly learn something. It was a harsh place that didn’t tolerate inexperience.
What would happen if an inexperienced student company commander like me showed a confident and energetic demeanor in such an environment...?
Externally, I might receive compliments for my zealous appearance. But to commanding officers like the company commander, it might come off as reckless, a potential liability. I might be viewed as a loose cannon, unpredictable due to my overwhelming zeal or heroism.
Because in war, the most dangerous thing wasn’t a formidable enemy, poor supplies, or being outnumbered by the enemy forces. It was a commander acting out of misplaced heroism.
Hence, I responded with a deliberately calm and cool voice.
“Yes, I understand.”
Perhaps appreciating my attitude, the company commander replied with a slightly relaxed expression,
“Then, I’ll expect good things from you. Head straight to the company headquarters tent. The other company commanders will be waiting. I’ll be there shortly.”
**
Following the company commander’s instruction, as I entered the company headquarters tent, I saw company commanders of various units actively exchanging opinions.
“Deputy commander, our unit isn’t in the best condition. It’s a bit difficult to mention, but our men have been continuously mobilized for war. We can’t grant them leave, but at least a drink would be helpful, don’t you think?”
Facing the protesting officers, the company commander took out a letter from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“I also protested. However, Lieutenant Colonel Hans Weber, who’s in charge of selecting the student platoon commanders at the academy, had this assessment about Peter Yaeger. Let me see.”
When I heard that, I was stunned.
That was because, during the selection at the academy for students going to the front lines of Raintlant, they never mentioned that mock battles or midterm evaluations would determine platoon placements.
“His greatest achievement in a short span of one month was training the soldiers to a combat level comparable to the active duty squads on the front lines. In the mock battle, they scored a dominant victory without sustaining a single injury. As an evaluator, it is recorded that I have judged this unit ready for immediate deployment in actual combat. Furthermore, this individual is not of nobility but a commoner. There’s more credibility in this assessment, as there’s no reason for an evaluator of noble origin to favorably assess a student of common birth without basis.”
Hearing that, the atmosphere among the officers looking at me shifted slightly.
Just moments ago, they had seen me as dead weight if placed at the vanguard, but now I seemed like someone worth giving a chance.
The squad leaders here also knew about the evaluators’ biases at the academy. They must’ve thought that a highly-ranked evaluator wouldn’t lie about squad placements.
Although I received an unexpected midterm evaluation, I never thought it would be so helpful.
“Still, for Lieutenant Yaeger, it’s his first time on the battlefield. There might be challenges in performing his duties. So, alongside Yaeger’s squad, the 1st Squad leader and I, having lost the 4th Squad leader in the last battle, will assist him. How does that sound?”
The other officers seemed to have nothing more to add. There was a hint of discontent, but they all agreed.
“The plan is to push the frontline slowly until Crown Prince Hwang Tae Ja arrives. Once he’s here, a full-scale assault will commence. Thus, tomorrow’s battle might be tedious and mundane.”
Typically, battles in the plains were expected to be resolved in a day or a few days.
However, confrontations involving thousands could last from several weeks to months.
And in such cases, as I learned from the academy, there was no need for complex strategies if there was no active offense on a divisional scale.
I would be stepping onto the battlefield for the first time, at the vanguard. It was a relief that it wasn’t a battle deciding the fate of the entire division.
“Let’s conclude this meeting then.”
As everyone prepared to leave, I tried to earn some more points as a newbie.
“Captain, I apologize, but I’m unfamiliar with the surroundings of our current location. I and my squad shall do night duty tonight. Can you assign someone to guide us on the procedures for a brief moment?”
Hearing this, the suspicious glances from the squad leaders turned to curiosity.
To the person assigned to instruct me, this would mean extra work now. But if I was going to take their night shift?
For the soldiers who worried about low morale, it could mean an evening with booze and relaxation.
A proactive attitude from a newbie like this tends to win favor from his seniors.
Perhaps that was why the captain showed a look of approval, saying,
“Preparing for the first battle tomorrow and volunteering for night duty? Impressive. I’ll personally instruct you tonight. But if you stay up all night, you’ll be exhausted tomorrow. Go rest, and come out when it’s time.”
“Yes, understood!”
And that night, I stood night guard with the captain.
Thanks to my volunteering, other soldiers from different squads, excluding mine, could rest without overindulging in alcohol.
The captain, appreciating my thoughtfulness, shared his experiences and the right attitudes of a platoon leader until dawn.
As day broke and 7:00 AM approached, a majestic trumpet sound echoed, signaling the start of the campaign.
It was my first real battle since reincarnating in this world.
