Chapter- I (part 2)

"Of course."

Tanya responds with a broad smile.

In contrast to slow-moving infantry, aerial mage units are made for mobility. To put it another way, their ability to shoot and scoot is their chief feature. If there's no need to

hold a position, they can simply fly away. That's a strategy that works well on the eastern front, where the usual order of the day is defense in depth—though the static defensive battle the unit just fought in is not a great example.

Anyway, outside of times when operating as a Kampfgruppe, there's not much appeal in sharing the fate of another unit.

"Oh, we'll just throw a wild party with the jettisoned supplies of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment—if you don't mind forgetting some choice rations."

"…So your Silver Wings aren't just for show, huh?"

"Oh, they definitely are. All right, Colonel Kreisler, I hope we both have good luck." "Yes, stay safe out there."

The good-bye ends with salutes and well wishes. Tanya and the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion members watch as the others leave the crumbling building.

"Are you sure you don't want to withdraw with those friendly troops?"

Tanya nods at her vice commander with absolute certainty. "Major, we and the infantry move at different speeds, as I'm sure you know."

"Yes, ma'am."

Honestly, considering how we can consistently outrun the Federation aerial mages, if all we want to do on the eastern front is escape, it's extremely easy. Not to mention that the huge group of foot soldiers making up the Fifty-Fourth Regiment serves as a great decoy. Our retreat should go quite smoothly.

"We have the leeway to take it slowly. I see no problem with staying here until we have cover of night. Sleep in shifts now, while you can."

"The beds were all blown away…"

"I'm sure you'll be able to find enough for half an aerial mage battalion. The troops who aren't getting some shut-eye should have some tea and high-calorie chocolate."

"That's quite the leisurely shift."

You're not wrong. Tanya agrees with her vice commander's grumble but doesn't forget to tack on a warning. "If there's no enemy attack, that is."

"Certainly. Then, if you'll excuse me, I'll go first."

"Yes, switch up in two hours. I'll wake you, so get some shut-eye."

"Understood." Weiss salutes, and as she watches him go, Tanya realizes the first lieutenants are standing next to her.

"Lieutenant Serebryakov, you too. Get to bed. Lieutenant Grantz, you're with me. Go look for some coffee beans or something."

"Coffee beans, ma'am?"

"Sort through the remains of the Fifty-Fourth's regimental HQ. I'm sure you'll find at least one bean. If that doesn't work out, grab some of the troops' tags and we'll trade them in for luxury goods when we return to the rear."

"Got it. I'll task a few people."

As the mages set off with their shovels, Tanya makes good on her words and chomps into some chocolate.

In any case, we've earned a breather. All that's left is to make our way back to the rallying point and join up with the rest of the Salamander Kampfgruppe.

To be frank, when coordination is doubtful, cooperating with another unit is an absolutely terrifying prospect.

It was hard to not let it show on Tanya's face. Synchronizing on the fly is hard to pull off even for pros. To cooperate with amateurs who are fuzzy on even the basics is sheer horror.

A ragtag crew is basically a walking nightmare.

If someone makes a mistake and ruins themselves, that's their own fault. Sadly, the fundamental principle of war is collective responsibility. And your life is what's at stake.

I'm not about to entrust that to someone I can't believe in.

How would that be any different from getting treated by some quack doctor who doesn't have a license to practice medicine.

Even in cases of disease or injury, I'm extremely reluctant to leave my fate in the hands of a doctor. But it must be done. As long as they guarantee professional standards, they deserve my respect.

Quacks and other fakes, however, should be shot. There's no waste more toxic than an incompetent fool who thinks they're an expert. That goes the same for soldiers at war. If you're receiving payment and putting your life on the line to fight, there are no compromises allowed. Troops who can't be put to good use are nothing but dead weight, not even usable as meat shields.

If you're not a pro, don't even speak to me. Don't bother me. If at all possible, make yourself useful and cause some damage to the enemy. While it's incredibly self-centered, Tanya is confident that these sentiments are utterly human and normal. That's what a human is to Tanya von Degurechaff.

Being taught that humans are political animals who construct society to serve their own interests is one of my earliest memories from Japan, my onetime schoolhouse.

Back then, I probably didn't fully comprehend it. "Sheesh, you can't sniff at lifelong learning, can you?"

There's no limit to the amount that can be invested in human capital. It's a virtue to learn whenever the opportunity presents itself. Ultimately, there's no such thing as a professional who stops learning.

"I guess that's a pro's job, huh?"

In that respect, the members of the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion and the Salamander Kampfgruppe are model, certifiable experts.

They enjoy combat just a bit too much, but, considering the current situation, Tanya can only rate them highly. Personality, education, and taste are all secondary factors when it comes to evaluations. The main criterion is whether or not they can properly fulfill their duties.

In other words, people who can't do their jobs well are garbage. In private life, I'll be respectful. But working with them is impossible. If it's a choice between war maniacs who can fight a war or good-natured people who can't do anything useful, I want the former beside me when I'm on the front line…

Then Tanya is suddenly struck by something. "…Why am I assuming that I'll be fighting in a war?"

If you say it's because she's currently at war, then there's nothing else to it.

But for a peaceful peace-loving liberal democrat like Tanya, the state of war should be

an exception. Not a natural state of being.

War shouldn't be used as a justification for anything. "Fucking hell."

This war needs to end.

Tanya swallows the words instead of saying them and turns on her heel, a glum look on her face.