\[Rewritten Light Novel Style – Full Polished Version]
The deep roar of cannon fire thundered from the direction of Godo Fort—far louder than before. It wasn't just sporadic gunfire. That was the unmistakable sound of fortress-grade artillery being unleashed.
Almost simultaneously, a flag signal was raised high from the fortress.
"'We are under siege by a large enemy force. Remain on high alert.'"
I lowered my telescope with a grim expression.
Corporal Hannah stood nearby, visibly uneasy.
"So... being under siege... That means it's turned into a full-scale castle assault, right?"
"That's correct," I replied calmly. "One of the outer forts has likely fallen. That's left a hole in the defense line, and the enemy's probably using it as a foothold to launch their main assault."
Zephyr Fort, where we were stationed, was technically one of the protective outposts for Godo Fort. However, its placement behind the mountains rendered it ineffective for direct attacks. Its primary purpose was to maintain rear-line communications.
"Captain Dumble has ordered us to bolster our defenses," I informed her. "The 6th Special Task Brigade will be assigned to lookout duty. We'll also run interior patrols. Make sure all patrols are done in pairs."
"But... isn't the fortress the one being attacked?"
"If I were the enemy commander," I said, crossing my arms, "I'd deploy scouts and light guerrilla units behind the frontline. They'd aim to sever the support lines, cut off communication, and isolate the stronghold. That's the smart move. They'll show up here before long."
Tactics like these—harassing the support structures, disrupting towns, capturing roads—are bread and butter for professional soldiers. At officer school, they drill it into your skull: isolate the enemy, cut supplies, break morale.
Sensing the tension rising, I tried to lighten the mood with a half-joking smile.
"All right, recruits. Today's special lesson is how to defend a fort. The tuition fee is paid in lead—so don't forget to pay up."
The Schwider soldiers gave a chuckle, the kind of joke they liked. I liked it too.
...But the women in our unit didn't react much.
"Huh."
"Understood..."
That landed flat. Something was off.
Next to me, Hannah stared vacantly ahead. Then, as if snapping out of a trance, she suddenly barked out.
"H-Hey! Eyes forward! Salute!"
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
I blinked. What the heck was she staring at just now? Seriously impressive focus... but at least she wasn't paralyzed by fear.
Good. That's what matters. I smiled reassuringly.
"No need to worry. The Lieutenant Colonel and I will handle the orders. You just follow your training."
Everyone saluted and nodded with determination. Good guts.
For now, I had to focus on my duty. I'd accepted responsibility—so it was time to act like an officer.
I returned to the Lieutenant Colonel's side. She was quietly reading a letter—not an official order, but something far more elegant. A noble's letter.
"Second Lieutenant, your assessment?" she asked.
"Not good," I answered. "Godo Fort is using fortress cannons, but... it doesn't sound like victory fire."
"You can tell just from the sound?"
"To some degree."
Artillery isn't just destruction—it's mathematics and discipline. Each shot is deliberate. And the rhythm... the rhythm tells a story. When the timing's tight and clean, it's an attack. But now, the pattern's erratic—more like desperate flailing than a well-planned strike.
"It sounds like they're firing everything they've got to stall the enemy," I said.
"I see," she murmured, lost in thought.
"What's our response so far?" she asked.
"We've increased the sentries. Captain Dumble's moving the lighter field cannons to cover the approach from the fortress side."
Zephyr Fort's field guns weren't especially powerful, but they were lightweight and maneuverable. Good enough for quick defense. Not enough to win an artillery duel.
The Lieutenant Colonel looked at me.
"I'd like your honest opinion."
"If I were thinking only about my company," I said with a sigh, "I'd want to evacuate immediately. But..."
I scratched my head, feeling the weight settle on my shoulders.
"The fortress hasn't fallen yet. So technically, the enemy hasn't broken through. But the route between here and the main fort is likely already cut off. High risk, very little time."
"You're right. Once that link is severed, we can't reinforce the fortress, and they can't send troops back here. The chain of command will collapse."
She nodded with surprising composure. Though she lacked frontline experience, her noble education in military theory served her well.
She held out the letter.
"This is a secret message from Duke Litreille. She insists—no, demands—that we hold Zephyr Fort at any cost."
"With respect, isn't she just a politician?"
"She is a politician," the Colonel said quietly. "One of the Five Pillars of the Empire."
Her bitter expression said more than words. Clearly, there were politics in motion behind the frontlines.
She adjusted her cap with a sigh.
"It's unhealthy for soldiers to interfere with politics. But the reverse is just as dangerous. Unfortunately, this is the reality of our Empire."
Technically, civilian control doesn't exist here. The Schwider Army belongs to the Emperor, not to the nobility. But reality ignores technicalities. The nobles still pull strings where they shouldn't.
Can't be helped.
"In any case," I said, "we respond to what's in front of us."
"I'm sorry to put this on you."
Please don't say that. If you look at me like that, I might start taking this job seriously.
"If there's any reason to hold this fort," I added, "it's to buy time for reinforcements. Duke Litreille might mobilize the Fifth Division using her influence over the aristocratic generals. Though... I don't trust it."
"Neither do I. But retreat is no longer an option. Prepare a delaying action plan."
"Yes, ma'am."
A delaying action, huh... Our tactics would vary depending on the enemy's strength, their goal, and how long we had to hold. But realistically, we had very few cards to play.
Besides... I'm not a genius tactician who turns the tide with one clever trick. I'm just a second lieutenant. I follow the Imperial Army's handbook.
I returned to my tent, using the distant cannon blasts as grim background music. Structurally, this fort is fragile under sustained bombardment. If real artillery reaches us, we're finished. Our light field cannons can't compete in a duel.
So could we win against infantry? The field guns are made for anti-infantry. Our company could at least man the firing ports. Maybe we'd hold out for a while?
Of course, the enemy wouldn't send infantry without covering artillery.
"Artillery..."
A chill crept down my spine.
I rushed outside and grabbed my telescope, scanning the outer walls of Zephyr Fort.
"Damn it. I knew it..."
The fortress walls had cannon ports facing our direction. They were sealed for now—but if those cannons were rotated and aimed this way...
"What's wrong, Staff Officer?" Hannah asked, confused.
I kept my voice low.
"If Godo Fort falls, we'll be within range of their artillery."
"What!?"
She turned sharply, staring toward the distant fortress.
"You mean... they'll turn the cannons against us?"
"Exactly. Those fortress-grade guns, from that elevation, could bombard us with ease. Normally, they'd be our support—but if the enemy captures them..."
Once a central fortress falls, branch forts like ours lose all strategic value. The usual response is evacuation. But this time, Duke Litreille had ordered us to hold.
It was suicide. Everyone would die.
...Or so I thought.
But something felt strange.
Even in this grim moment... I didn't sense it.
The 'Grim Reaper's Scythe.'
A faint, inexplicable power I've had since childhood—it brushes against my neck when death is near. If staying here meant certain death, it should've whispered already.
I remembered one such time.
I was still a street kid back then.
A basket of white bread lay abandoned in an alley. For someone like me, used to black rye and sour grain, white bread was a dream. I checked—no one around.
But just as I reached out, I felt it.
The cold slide of a blade against my throat.
I froze. That sense—it was unmistakable. A warning of death.
Thinking it through, white bread would never be left unattended in a slum alley. The kind of people who buy that bread never even walk here.
Regretfully, I tossed the bread... but took the basket.
Just then, a group of other street kids swarmed me. They stole the basket and ran. I let them, not fighting back too hard.
I lived.
The next day... they were all dead.
Each one had scratched their nails to the bone, their fingers soaked in blood. Whatever was in that bread... it was agonizing.
Only one little boy survived long enough to speak. He'd only eaten a piece. I tried to help, but he passed away that night.
"Euner... I'm sorry. We must've been cursed..."
His final words were barely audible.
"I wanted to see Mama... one more time..."
Maybe it was a noble's poison test. Or just twisted entertainment. For them, such things aren't rare.
That's why the 'Grim Reaper's Scythe' is essential. It doesn't show me how to avoid death—just when it's ahead.
And right now, it's quiet.
Of course, that doesn't mean I'm safe. If everyone dies and I'm taken prisoner, the Scythe stays silent. It only reacts to my death.
Still, retreating now would be even more dangerous. Musketeers are vulnerable in a fleeing formation. Even officers can be shot down before surrendering.
In that case, a siege is safer.
A fragile fort, small guns, green recruits, uncertain backup, and the authority of a low-ranking officer.
And the Grim Reaper's Scythe.
How do I play this hand?
I lowered my telescope and closed my eyes, letting the sound of distant cannon fire fill the silence.
Notes:
• Godo Fort - A stronghold located on a mountain peak, west of Zephyr Fort. It serves as a border guard base and has the capability to provide fierce bombardment in case of an attack. Located in the Empire.
• Hannah - Hannah Heiden. Female. A Corporal in the 6th Special Task Brigade. Her appearance is tall with broad shoulders and a reverse triangle athletic build. She has a confident and assertive demeanor. Her relationship with Second Lieutenant Krombelts is initially formal but becomes more respectful after recognizing his rank. She is strong and capable, easily carrying heavy luggage.
• Zephyr Fort - A rear outlying castle located in the border region. It is part of a network of fortresses designed to prevent enemy encirclement. The brigade is deployed here to reinforce its defenses. Securing a 'hotel' for accommodation was a significant achievement, given the challenges of field camping.
• Dumble - Male. Garrison commander of Zephyr Fortress. Experienced and cautious. Wears standard officer attire. Initially skeptical of the 6th Special Task Brigade but is persuaded by Euner's demonstration. Becomes more cooperative afterward.
• Schwider - The country where the story takes place. It is ruled by nobility, with the 'Five Royal Families' holding the highest status. The language and culture are distinct, with a strong emphasis on class and accent.
• Duke Litreille - Female. Politician from the Litreille family, not a soldier. Beautiful woman around 20, wearing military uniform with a family crest. Described as suspicious and of high caution. Relationship: Rival noble family to the Medelin clan, encountered by Euner on his journey.