Original subtitles

You're out of your office in the middle of an operation, huh?

And you're entering without permission.

Does the word "classified" mean nothing to you?

I simply thought you might join me for breakfast.

You stayed here all night again?

There's no one waiting for me at home.

Your wife and daughter are still at her parents' home in the south?

Yes. They haven't left since my daughter's fiancé died.

It's still badly affecting her, it seems.

I'm sure she knew it was possible, but...

It's a tragedy happening everywhere in the Empire right now.

You can come stay at my place, if you like.

I'll get you something more comfortable to sleep on.

I'll pass.

As long as I can sleep, it doesn't matter where I do it.

The operation's started.

A large-scale counterattack that will determine the fate of the war.

However it ends, I hope it ends here.

Yes.

How does our comms network look?

It's fine.

No sign of enemy airpower in the area.

"No reparations, no territorial changes, no other conditions" is not acceptable.

That's our leaders' determination.

Which means we need to win better terms for ourselves.

Security guarantees are our top priority.

A demilitarized buffer zone. And reparations, if possible.

It's fine to continue the negotiations, but...

Now the war's entirely political.

High leadership made the call.

I'm sure you have your own opinions as a soldier,

but I'll ask you to keep them to yourself.

It's time.

Let's get started, then.

A sealed order from command.

Now, let's see what they've got to say today...

Paratroopers? That's crazy.

The bridges are too far...

Get our officers together immediately.

Understood.

We still don't have our lines in good order...

Even if we push our lines forward, they'll just push them back.

We still don't have enough supplies...

This was supposed to end with unconditional peace!

And instead we're launching a large-scale attack?

Major, what should I be doing during this operation?

Don't worry. Nothing difficult.

If they tell you to go, you go.

If they tell you to return, you return.

You run around for a while, and then the battle's over.

Our trained officers have learned to keep their heads straight, but...

If you're going to fight, you need sweets!

Hey, don't keep them to yourself!

Hey, don't take every last one!

I'll have to take a lesson from them.

It's not like peace talks are off the table entirely.

I'll just have to do my job.

It's time, everyone!

Our goal for this operation is to surround and annihilate the enemy's field army.

We'll destroy the enemy's main forces

and eliminate their ability to continue this war.

The key to this operation is to use the river to the enemy's rear as a barrier.

The paratroopers have already deployed to make this happen.

They're attempting to lock down several bridges.

We will follow up and reinforce the paratroopers,

destroying the enemy's line of retreat and supply lines.

Of course, the enemy will do whatever it takes to get those bridges back.

We need to support the paratroopers and protect the bridges.

Thus, this operation will be about mobility.

We will smash into the enemy lines with a highly mobile "iron hammer"

and meet up with our paratroopers at the enemy's rear.

With their lines of retreat and supplies totally cut off,

we will then divide and surround the enemy field army.

Our allies will then annihilate our trapped foe.

So thoroughly the Federation's leadership never wants to fight a war again.

Our job in this operation is to be at the front of the charge.

We'll be breaking through the enemy's center.

If we're delayed, the paratroopers may be wiped out.

Our responsibility is great.

Lieutenant Colonel, an operation like this requires air superiority.

We can't move when we're being shot from the sky.

Don't worry.

Our allies have already secured air superiority, I'm told.

Even if that's true, the enemy's defenses are strong.

They don't have any trenches yet, but...

How do we break through?

Look at this!

A Federation command jurisdiction map?

That's right.

Strategic HQ intelligence has a plan for us

to slip through the gaps in their assigned combat areas.

But can we slip through the enemy's lines with an entire division?

Is that possible?

We won't be able to communicate with our allies, right?

I can understand your concerns.

So I've decided to prepare a little trick.

A trick, ma'am?

That's correct, Captain Ahrens.

Get us to the river, no matter what it takes.

Sitting on a tank hurts my butt more than I thought it would.

It sure does.

But it means we don't give off any magical signals like we do when we fly,

so the enemy will be focusing on the other mage units.

The Federation will be looking for mages in the sky, not on the ground.

And that means we're much more likely to succeed.

We have clear visibility on any approaching enemies too.

Enemy attack!

3 o'clock!

We're completely within enemy territory.

If the enemy finds us...

We're sitting ducks.

Hang on tight!

Ambush at one o' clock!

W-Wait, don't shoot!

Those helmets!

Those are allies!

Our allied paratroops.

Everyone! Wave your helmets! Wave them!

Comrades!

I'm so glad you're alive!

I'm so glad you're here!

I'm Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff, formerly in charge of this combat team.

Is there anything you need?

We've been here for three days and are running low on ammo.

I'll get it immediately.

We'll ask for some water in exchange.

Water?

There's plenty of water...

That's what you've won as a prize of war, right?

Let's have a trade, then. Water for ammo.

True. This is our war prize.

I'll take a photograph to remember the occasion later.

Of course. Let us prepare the cameras!

The charge was a success.

6th Airborne Regiment has made contact with the Rerugen Combat Team.

The Rerugen Combat Team?

Apologies.

That's the codename for the Salamander Combat Team.

Let's surround the enemy immediately with all our forces.

The troops have already started to move.

Okay, we've got them.

This is where the mission really begins.

We'll stop the enemy's attempt to break out.

Taking out their counterattack unit's leadership would be the fastest way.

Attack their HQ directly?

Which unit has resources to spare for that?

Don't play dumb, Zettour.

We have the perfect hunting dog for this job just waiting around in the East.

Them?

Indeed.

The enemy's camp is better defended than we thought!

None of the units are making progress!

Damn it... Strategic HQ never gives me a day off!

We're pulling back!

Major Weiss! Casualty report!

Eight lightly wounded!

The most badly wounded is an idiot who took a bullet in the behind!

We're capable of continuing the operation!

We are not!

There's no reason for us to work so hard for some random side job!

There's a possibility of enemy reinforcements.

We're retreating.

And even if we did break through their camp and find their HQ,

we don't know for sure that it would really be their HQ.

I don't know if I follow...

It's likely they've set up a fake HQ.

So this is a trap.

It's obviously a trap.

Or are we supposed to be bulls charging at a red piece of cloth?

If we were lucky enough to find the enemy HQ, would it really be their HQ?

Really?

Thus, we will maintain our anti-surface formation

and continue to hunt for the enemy HQ, just in the opposite direction.

The opposite direction!

It's important to always do your job,

but only when there's enough in it for you.

Eight o' clock! I found it!

What?

Enemy command!

I'm sure of it!

H-He found it?

That moron has made so many bad IDs!

Why does he have to be right now?

Lieutenant Colonel, it's time for us to be bulls, right?

Fuck it all!

Attention all units!

Any units in the vicinity of the enemy camp and command HQ

are to evacuate immediately!

Hurry!

Damn it all!

Direct hit on enemy command!

The Rerugen Combat Team has done it!

We were just beginning to see the enemy make an organized attempt at escape.

We managed to stop them from escaping.

That's the best we can hope for now, I believe.

Everyone, we've done it!

Lieutenant General Rudersdorf!

Congratulations!

We've won.

Yes.

Once more, we were able to win.

Oh, Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff.

Hello, Colonel Calandro.

Marvelously done.

After a defeat like that, it's only a matter of time before a ceasefire is signed.

But I'm told we allowed an organized retreat in several places.

Well, you can't be expected to get 'em all.

Either way, the war will continue until peace is achieved.

Sheesh...

It's good to not let your guard down.

Why don't the two of you take a picture to celebrate?

No, I'll pass.

It's your nation that won the day.

Fare well.

Lieutenant Colonel, make a pose!

Give me a more natural smile!

A little more!

Grin!

Grin...

Does this make up for my sins at least a little?

It won't be long until you make field marshal.

I appreciate it, but the honor is something to be shared among us all.

No, it's clear who was taking the lead here.

My friend, you've done it.

Be proud.

Should I say thank you?

To me? To the soldiers?

The soldiers, I suppose.

Now, even Moskva is within reach of our troops.

Only in theory.

The lack of supplies is a problem?

We've little hope of bringing the railways back online.

The ceasefire negotiations should be our top priority.

I just got the report in from Colonel Rerugen.

It's only a matter of time before it's reached.

The Federation is putting together a peace proposal.

Excuse me.

News for you both.

High leadership is holding an emergency meeting.

We still have some forces left,

but this is a disaster.

I can understand why the Politburo wants to end the war, but...

I'm supposed to give up on my beautiful fairy?!

Oh?

Oh? Oh? Oh?

The Empire is drunk on victory?

They're falling for their own propaganda,

without knowing what things are really like for them?

This is why the masses need to be properly led.

We must fight this war politically.

When you're in love, everything goes your way.

An immediate ceasefire along existing lines.

Areas currently under our control will remain so.

A demilitarized zone will exist for several kilometers along the border.

Citizens in presently occupied territories

will be given the opportunity to vote for independence or join us.

We will accept multinational observers,

and the vote will be held as soon as the peace agreement is signed.

This is the peace agreement the military and the Ildoa Kingdom put together?

Yes, that's right.

You're really trying to tell me this agreement is in our favor?

What?

Indeed.

The military believes this is the best deal we can get and supports it.

I'm sorry, but can you really call yourself an Imperial officer?

How can we have peace with these awful conditions?

"Awful conditions"?

Many of our men died to make the enemy agree to them.

It seems you're unaware of domestic political opinion.

We can't have a ceasefire or peace with these conditions.

The Empire has suffered massive financial damage.

Without reparations, our budget will...

You'll go bankrupt, I assume.

The government itself may fall.

And while I hesitate to say it,

the Imperial family itself may be in danger.

You overstep, sir.

A soldier should fear only one thing: his enemy!

If too much fear of a civil war puts the whole nation in danger,

then isn't it better to have a civil war?

Lieutenant General Rudersdorf.

This operation was yours, so I'd like to hear your opinion.

Do you believe the Imperial Army cannot win any more victories?

To be honest, it will be difficult.

"Difficult"?

Indeed. Difficult.

You're not saying impossible, I see.

A soldier's job is to protect the nation from external threats.

Many soldiers have sacrificed their lives to bring us to this point.

I don't know if it's worth sacrificing more of them.

But if you're willing to make unlimited sacrifices...

How could I be so irresponsible as to say we cannot win?

So you're saying if we're willing to take the needed measures for victory,

we may be able to win?

Then we must have you fight for the future of our nation.

No matter how many of our men must die?

We can't let our sacrifices so far be in vain.

So we must be prepared to make more.

Very well.

Stop it.

If you insist so much on victory...

Don't!

...then I shall bring you victory!

Shut your mouth, Rudersdorf!

No matter what the cost...

Our army shall be victorious!

All right, I'll take the photo!

Huh?

Why?