As the artillery bombardment from the fortress began, just as the Krombelts Staff Officer, Second Lieutenant, had predicted, Lieutenant Colonel Althea furrowed her brows.
"It's strange, isn't it? Being shelled by our own side," she muttered. "By the way, where is that Second Lieutenant?"
Corporal Hannah pointed toward the western wall, her expression confused. "Well... he's over there."
"What?" Althea snapped, turning sharply. That spot was dangerously close to the fortress's artillery—a place clearly visible to the Brugge soldiers occupying it.
"What is he doing there?" she asked.
"He asked me to bring him tea," Hannah replied hesitantly. "When I arrived, he was just sitting in a chair, reading."
"What? What the hell is going on?" Althea's eyes widened. The usually composed Lieutenant Colonel looked shaken. Hannah had only seen her lose composure once before—back in the millhouse. This made it the second time.
"He said if he's going to suggest a risky strategy, he should place himself in the most dangerous spot," Hannah explained.
"That's a bold move... but if he dies, it'll be a huge problem for me," Althea muttered. "Call him back."
Hannah shrank slightly. "Captain Dumble from the defense team is trying to convince him right now."
* * *
"What are you thinking!?" Captain Dumble roared, nearly drowned out by the thunderous blasts. "Do you understand how dangerous fortress artillery is? Even a near miss can kill or injure someone!"
I placed my teacup on the sideboard, watching the ripples dance from the impact shock of a nearby shell. Rising to my feet, I offered a calm smile.
"There's no need to worry, Captain."
I waved lightly toward the fortress, though I doubted they could see me. "This bombardment is amateurish. They aren't trying to establish crossfire."
Captain Dumble blinked, momentarily stunned. "...Indeed."
He leaned over the parapet and scanned the battlefield. "They haven't corrected their aim. This isn't even proper preparation for an assault—it's textbook bombardment, done by the book but poorly."
"Right," I nodded. "Maybe the infantry or engineers firing don't have proper training. Or perhaps the defenders are too fierce, and they can't concentrate on the artillery. Either way, the threat level is no higher than a thunderstorm."
Captain Dumble seemed to calm down slightly, his eyes fixed on me. "I'm impressed you understand crossfire. Aren't you infantry?"
"Infantry can't fight without artillery support," I said. "I've studied the basics of gunnery."
"Impressive," he muttered. "I'd like our division's infantry officers to hear this."
* * *
"Crossfire" refers to a method of adjusting artillery fire: shooting in controlled patterns until the impact points bracket the target. Once they cross over, you fix the aim and continue firing. It sounds counterintuitive, but it's the most efficient strategy.
The enemy manning the captured fortress cannon hasn't figured that out. Their artillery can't show its full potential.
In this world, artillery is already inaccurate. There's no point fearing half-baked shelling.
Still, every time a shell lands near the fort, the noise is staggering. The female infantry have been screaming for some time.
Captain Dumble looked pale, but as an artillery officer, he understood what I meant.
"So, this is why you're out here?" he asked.
"That's right," I said. "If it's random shelling by novices, the hit rate's the same no matter where you stand. There's no logical reason to hide."
"I never thought a Second Lieutenant from the infantry would talk artillery like this," he said, scratching his head. "But I must say... you're the most reckless soldier I've ever seen."
"I'm honored," I replied with a small smile.
Sitting on a chair atop a wall while being shelled probably looked like madness. But I had the "Grim Reaper's scythe"—a sixth sense that warned me when I was about to die. So far, it had never failed. Still, I didn't know why I had this power.
I pulled a chair out for him. "As long as the shelling continues, the enemy won't send infantry. If they don't attack and the shells don't hit, we can wait here until rescue arrives."
"If they don't hit..." Captain Dumble repeated, still uneasy.
I shook my head. "Of course I'm afraid. But if an officer shakes in fear, how can the soldiers stay calm? I'm just pretending to be reckless while trembling inside."
I wasn't sure if the "Grim Reaper's scythe" would always protect me. But up to now, it never betrayed me.
Captain Dumble offered a wry smile. "You're not good at lying. Seems like you enjoy the battlefield. Ah... now I see. You're that 'Grim Reaper Krombelts.' Heard you were from the Fifth Division."
I raised an eyebrow. "How does someone in the Third Division know that?"
He scratched his head again. "We've got someone from your class in our division. So it's not just rumors, huh?"
What kind of rumors, I wondered...
Still, Captain Dumble looked relieved. "I see now—you're not an ordinary soldier. Do as you please."
"Thank you," I said with a salute, my thoughts wandering. Someone from my class... in the Third Division? Who could it be?
* * *
"Who the hell is that guy!?" a Brugge infantryman shouted from the artillery post in Godo Fort.
"Look! That Schwider officer is having tea on the wall!"
"Are you serious!? What kind of nerve does he have!?"
Gunfire echoed through the fortress. In the courtyard below, the bodies of Schwider and Brugge soldiers piled up, and the number was still growing.
"He's waving at us!" one of them shouted.
"Damn it, what a joke! Kill him!"
The fortress cannon roared. The shell missed its mark, kicking up a cloud of dust in the wasteland behind the wall.
"To the right! Move it more to the right!"
"Didn't we just adjust it to the right!?"
Cannonball trajectories shift depending on gunpowder amounts, wind direction, and barrel temperature. Even under the same conditions, they never fly quite the same. You can't just rely on the sights.
Still, the Brugge infantry, blood boiling, could think only of blasting that "arrogant Schwider officer."
"Why won't it hit!?"
"Who cares!? Schwiders can't even make decent cannons!"
Another shot was fired—aimed even more to the right—but it overshot and landed farther behind.
"Enough! I'll do it—"
The voice cut off. A Brugge infantryman collapsed mid-sentence, blood gushing from his head.
"What!?" one of them shouted.
They spun around and found a Schwider artilleryman standing in front of them. Bloodied, barely able to stand.
Had he been hiding among the dead?
"You bastard!"
As rifles raised, someone shouted, "Wait! He's got explosives! Don't shoot!"
The Schwider artilleryman had several small powder barrels strapped to his chest and waist. Each fuse was already burning down.
The ground around them was filled with more barrels.
"Wha...!?"
The Brugge infantry froze, eyes wide, as the dying soldier grinned.
"Let's see who flies higher."
Notes:
• Althea - Colonel Althea Medelin. Female. Brigade Commander of the 6th Special Task Brigade. Young woman in her twenties with long black hair. Noble from the Medelin family, a rival to the Litreille clan. Professional and disciplined, yet approachable. Holds a high rank despite her age, indicating exceptional ability. Relationship: Superior to Euner Krombelts, welcomes him to the brigade.
• 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.
• Brugge - A neighboring territory with mountain troops that pose a threat to the border. The enemy's strength and intentions are unknown, but they are the primary target of the brigade's deployment. The border with Brugge is a contested area where hundreds of lives are lost for minor territorial gains.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.