"Everyone's gathered. Let's keep this brief—listen up!"
Raising my voice just enough to carry, I stood before the assembled formation of 150 female soldiers, all lined up in the mess hall.
"I am Second Lieutenant Krombelts, Staff Officer! By order of Brigade Commander Althea, I have been assigned to retrain this company! First, let me make one thing absolutely clear!"
I clicked my boots together sharply, recalling the lectures I once received at the officer academy.
"If this company were to face a firefight right now, the outcome would be a massacre. You'd all be killed. And it wouldn't even be a fair fight."
I used the word "killed" deliberately. "Died" would soften the blow. I needed the shock to sink in.
"Not long ago, I led a platoon of fifty well-trained men into battle against the Agan Army. We succeeded in driving them back... but only twenty-two of my soldiers came out alive. Twenty-eight were either killed or wounded beyond recovery. That failure rests on me. And I never want to witness a disaster like that again."
If the unit I'd led back then had been at the same level as the 6th Special Task Brigade... I wouldn't be standing here now.
"Compared to those men, your current skills are sorely lacking. Your movements are slow, your coordination is off, and your morale is dangerously low. Forget about winning—at this rate, even retreating would be impossible. The Brigade Commander is gravely concerned."
Maybe it was the commander's name that made them pay attention. At least they looked like they were listening seriously... probably.
"From this point on, I'll be in charge of your retraining. I won't lie to you—no amount of training can guarantee your survival. Even seasoned soldiers die. But without training, your chances drop to zero."
It's an ugly truth, but war doesn't care about fairness. In this world, communication networks are primitive, supply chains fragile, and the concept of human rights nonexistent. On the battlefield, no one is coming to save you. Only your own strength can protect your life.
"In one year, I will turn you into capable soldiers. That said—I'm a man. I can't fully understand the physical and emotional burdens you'll face as female soldiers. If you have any concerns, speak up. There will be no punishment for voicing your complaints."
Feedback improves training. But if a complaint doesn't help make the training more effective, then no matter how many voices say it, I won't listen. I'm not here to coddle anyone.
"In my previous division, they called me the Grim Reaper. If you want to hate me, go right ahead. Full-scale training starts tomorrow. Dismissed!"
As my words echoed through the mess hall, Corporal Hannah raised her voice immediately.
"Salute to Second Lieutenant!"
Although somewhat disorganized, all 150 young women gave me a salute. I returned it crisply.
These women had nowhere to go—each one taken in by the Lieutenant Colonel's efforts. Across the country, there are tens of thousands more like them. But only 150 were here.
I'll do everything in my power to ensure as many of them survive as possible.
Still... I hope one of them doesn't shoot me in the back someday.
* * *
The following day, I began training by squad. Ideally, I'd teach them all at once, but a class that size would be impossible to manage. My only teaching experience was from a part-time cram school job back in my student days—even a group of fifty was pushing it.
"First training: reading, writing, and arithmetic."
The first squad sat in rows at the cafeteria, visibly confused. Even Hannah, their squad leader, tilted her head in surprise.
I gave a wry smile, adjusting my cap.
"Didn't expect that? Still, this is essential for what's coming next."
Scanning the group, I raised a question.
"Raise your hand if you can read the entire cafeteria menu."
The army's mess hall also doubled as an izakaya after hours. Unlike standard meals, those came with a cost.
A few uncertain hands rose—just over twenty. Less than half. Not surprising. Most commoners in Schwidel barely learn to write their names.
"Now, keep your hand up if you can calculate the total for six glasses of wine and four glasses of ale in your head."
Half of the raised hands quietly dropped.
Merchants and craftsmen might be used to calculations, but farmers—who make up 90% of the population—seldom need such skills.
I gave a short nod and pulled out a textbook from my officer school days. Many graduates sold theirs after finishing the course, but I had kept mine.
"If you can't read, you won't understand the gun manuals. If you can't write, you can't submit a leave request. If you can't do math, you'll be useless at managing supplies. These are all fatal weaknesses."
In general, people with higher education adapt more easily to new tasks. Things that came naturally to someone like me—who grew up in modern Japan—are far from obvious in this world. Literacy and numeracy, especially, are major hurdles.
Given that, the training will start here.
"You probably never imagined soldiers would be doing reading, writing, and math drills. But once you learn these skills, even if you're injured and discharged, you'll be able to survive. You could work as a clerk or in a shop. This training isn't just for battle—it's for your lives after the war."
When I softened my tone a little, the girls nodded quietly.
* * *
Of course, physical training was also part of the schedule.
For now, it focused on marching, formation drills, and running.
"Is this really enough for training, Second Lieutenant?" Hannah asked, jogging beside me.
I nodded, still keeping pace.
"Our top priority is reaching the battlefield quickly. It's much easier to defend a position than to take one back after it's lost."
A difference of just one day in deployment could shift the tide of battle. I'd seen that firsthand twice in real combat—and many times in board exercises at the academy.
Throughout history, speed has been a decisive advantage. Napoleon was one of the first to prove it.
"Let's be honest—female soldiers are at a disadvantage when it comes to bayonet combat. If possible, we want the enemy to retreat before it even comes to that. To do that..."
Running began to take its toll on my lungs. I probably shouldn't have joined this particular drill.
But Hannah smiled beside me, unbothered.
"So, we just have to get there first and show them we've already secured the winning ground, right?"
"Y-Yeah. Exactly."
She's got stamina. No signs of fatigue at all. Her grasp of tactics is sharp too. She's a solid NCO.
I'll leave leading the runs to her from now on. After this, I'll return to headquarters. A light physical regimen like this is already enough for the female troops—for now.
* * *
Between training sessions, I reported to Brigade Commander Althea in her office.
"Progress is steady, but slower than I expected. They've got potential... but their basic endurance and willpower are lacking."
Lieutenant Colonel Althea looked out the window, where the soldiers were drilling, then turned back to me.
"Second Lieutenant Krombelts. Can this training truly turn them into competent soldiers?"
"I'm doing what I was taught at the academy. Honestly, it's the only method I know. Didn't Your Excellency learn the same?"
The Lieutenant Colonel shook his head faintly.
"I only enrolled for formality's sake. Unlike you, I'm not a proper military officer."
Ah, the noble type. Especially those of high rank.
High-ranking nobles often command regimental forces made up of soldiers from their own lands. Naturally, the noble himself becomes the commander. But they're more focused on estate management and politics than on actual military theory.
That's why officers like me—commoners—get assigned as their aides or staff officers. It's a dead-end path for promotion, but I was granted the staff officer title as part of my transfer, so I can't complain. This is a rear-line post anyway. Safer than most.
If possible, I should stay on good terms with the Lieutenant Colonel. With that in mind, I explained further.
"A soldier who can't read is useless to Your Excellency. They can't be scouts, and we'd need to write their reports for them."
The army's systems, tactics, and tech will only grow more complex. We won't be able to rely on oral orders forever. This approach might seem inefficient now, but it's essential in the long run.
After listening, the Lieutenant Colonel nodded slowly.
"You're right. And beyond that..."
She leaned back in her chair with a faint smile.
"Reading and writing will help them after their service ends. Isn't that also part of your plan?"
She saw right through me.
I adjusted my cap, smiling wryly.
"Yes. If we're ordering them to risk their lives, the least we can do is help them build a life afterward."
"Our army has long been too harsh on discharged soldiers," the Lieutenant Colonel murmured, frowning slightly—before smiling again.
"It seems I've finally found a decent staff officer. I made several requests for someone with combat experience, formal training, and the ability to work with female soldiers. Looks like it finally paid off."
"Several requests, ma'am?"
She stayed reclined, folding her hands behind her head.
"You're the fourth. The three before you requested transfers almost immediately. I let them go."
"Please don't talk about people like they're fish you threw back."
Seems she's had her share of struggles too. Despite being a direct descendant of one of the Five Great Houses, she's still only a Lieutenant Colonel. She probably has to juggle negotiations with higher-ups while repeatedly gambling on new officers.
As she looked out the window toward the training grounds, the Lieutenant Colonel gave me an encouraging smile.
"I'll explain things to the soldiers myself. Try your approach for now. If anything goes wrong, talk to me. I'll take responsibility."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Having a superior you can rely on really does make a difference. Maybe I've lucked out this time.
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.