Original subtitles

The Imperial army, being harassed by the Federation's persistent attacks,

recognized the right to self-rule by anti-government forces

within occupied territories to stabilize the front.

A nice, warm coat.

It's not your size! Give it to me!

Calm down! There's enough for everybody!

That's for tall people, not fat people!

It's hard to believe what we were going through last month.

The Federation and Allied Kingdom expanded their cooperation,

beginning a joint operation to the North.

Comrades, let us support our flank!

In the name of international cooperation,

how about a joint operation with the Allied Kingdom?

Gentlemen, we will be launching a decoy operation to support allies.

We will threaten the Imperial forces in the East by attacking their flank!

The Federation and Allied Kingdom strengthened their efforts

to work with partisans in the former Entente Alliance.

The Empire needed to respond fast,

and sent the agile Salamander Combat Unit.

Damn it. Spring's a long way away.

We succeeded in driving the two enemies back.

The Empire pulled back its reinforcements

and decided to send them to the East once more.

In the grand scheme of things, this was only a minor skirmish.

But the Ildoa Kingdom was beginning to take action behind the scenes.

Ildoa Kingdom Army Command

So the Empire was forced to send reinforcements to the North?

Ildoa Kingdom Mountain Unit Colonel Igor Gassman

Correct.

It seems that they're finding this rather costly.

They're asking to pay for the high-octane fuel we're secretly providing them

Ildoa Kingdom Army Command General Virginio Calandro

with things they've plundered during their operations.

They're like a bunch of burglars.

This story is a work of fiction. People, organizations, locations, laws, names, etc. have no relation to any real-life counterparts.

Which means they're in dire straits.

If we offer them help, we can put them in our debt.

And if we can end this war, other countries will praise us endlessly.

But will they listen to us?

We simply have to leave them no other choice.

We must save our poor allies no matter what.

Episode Three: Well-Intentioned Mediator

Imperial Strategic HQ

Ildoa is doing a sudden mobilization exercise?

We can assume the exercise is just what they said it would be,

but we can't be too cautious.

We might see another disaster like we saw with the Republic!

Ildoa could be a threat,

which means we need to drastically rethink our strategy towards the Federation.

I'd like to deliver those macaroni fuckers straight into our enemy's hands.

Agreed. But Ildoa is a valuable ally.

It would be a poor idea to simply abandon them.

If they are our allies, they'll allow us to send observers.

I'll send Rerugen from our HQ.

He'll see what there is to be seen, I'm sure.

Ildoa Guest Facility

I am General Virginio Calandro.

Colonel Igor Gassman asked me to make sure you're settled.

I'm honored, Colonel Calandro.

His hands are far too strong for him to be a mere political general.

He's been on the battlefield many times, then.

I would love to be frank with you, since you're an ally.

I'll skip the pleasantries.

Ildoa is prepared to serve as a well-intentioned mediator

and offer the gift of peace.

Can you explain?

Essentially, we wish to serve as mediators for peace negotiations.

I'm sorry. Mediators for peace negotiations?

Indeed.

We're prepared to serve as a liaison between our friends.

I may be overstepping myself here,

but I believe you're looking for a way to end this war.

Our leader back home would be the one to decide that.

Of course, this is normally the job of a diplomat.

But given the nature of our relationship,

it seemed things would go smoother if we spoke to someone in the military.

We've prepared to serve as a negotiator between the empire and its foes.

This is still internal,

but we're also prepared to work with the States to jointly call for peace.

I hope you'll understand what I mean when I say

we speak from a position of considerable power.

I see...

So that's the reason for this sudden mobilization exercise...

Those southern leeches!

They're pretending to be neutral negotiators?

If the conditions are right, it may be worth pursuing.

And in the negotiations, we would want war reparations, I assume.

We're preparing to accept Ildoan observers.

And they'll use these to make decisions during the peace talks?

I want to find a way to bring this war to an end.

No, I must find one.

Back to the east, huh?

First snow, then mud.

I keep washing my socks, and it doesn't help.

We're stuck too far out in more places than I thought.

Why don't they reorder the battle lines?

They've made promises to the national councils.

They can't retreat even if they want to.

I thought we were winning, and now we're back to losing.

I guess I don't even have time to be thinking about saving my own ass.

How do we find a way to end this war?

Lieutenant Colonel, a moment?

What? What is it?

Someone's here from Strategic HQ.

It's been a long time, Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff.

The coffee on the front lines has a whole different scent, you know.

The Imperial stuff is just coffee-colored...

Colonel Rerugen, what brings you here today?

I was hoping to ask you to look after a guest.

A colonel from Ildoa.

A war observer?

Indeed.

Colonel, in our current state, we can't appropriately welcome him...

I know, and I'm asking anyway.

I see there must be something going on here.

I'm sure you'll find out eventually.

People's lips never stay sealed, after all.

Today, I will become a mobile combat team commander,

with the Salamander combat team serving under me.

You'll be serving under me,

but in fact, you will continue to serve as the actual commander.

In other words, I am second in command of a non-existent Rerugen combat team,

while commanding the actual Salamander combat team.

Correct.

But there is one thing I'm going to have to ask you to put up with.

My name will be the one on the official combat reports.

At least in the documentation, I will be stealing credit from you.

Please... forgive me for this.

Someone takes over all responsibility on paper,

and the guys in personnel owe me one?

Hell yes.

But still...

I am a soldier who has sworn to serve my country.

I won't say I'm entirely on board with this...

But I hope you can promise I'll be well taken-care of for this.

I'm relieved.

I was expecting you to shoot me.

You're such a funny man.

Hello, fräulein.

I've been through it all, Colonel.

My entire body has been covered with blood.

Call me fräu, or Lieutenant Colonel, whatever you like.

I am General Virginio Calandro. I've been sent here as an observer.

Lieutenant Colonel Tanya von Degurechaff.

I've heard you had the glorious Silver title,

but I'm still surprised at your actual appearance.

Less surface area means I'm harder to hit.

Do watch out for stray bullets.

I should, definitely.

I'll crouch like this when I'm out on the battlefield.

Welcome to the front lines.

On behalf of your Imperial allies, I welcome you.

You always get warm meals?

Food affects morale.

Eat while it's hot, Colonel.

Their forces are well-disciplined, even though we're on the front lines.

I'm sure the Empire must be spending a fortune to maintain them.

What's the situation on our surroundings?

Captain Ahrens just encountered an enemy tank group.

I'm sorry,

but may I be present for this discussion?

Yes, of course.

Honestly, I'd prefer you fucked off, though.

You appear to be fighting in a residential area.

How do you handle that?

Artillery, I would say.

Artillery? With no warning? Over a residential area?

Yes. It should minimize casualties.

Lieutenant Colonel, isn't that a violation of international wartime law?

The convention you're referring to is reciprocal.

It applies only when all parties to a war are signatories,

and only to battles between said parties.

As far as I'm aware, the Federation is not a signatory.

Which makes it okay to burn a town?

Yes.

They've done the same to many Imperial cities.

So the same fate awaits them.

Wait!

You're going to destroy a church?

Attacks on religious personnel are a violation of wartime code!

Hmm? I'm not sure I follow.

Religious facilities and personnel are to be protected...

We've confirmed the building lacks

the markings required to designate it as a religious facility.

What?

We respect both military code and the laws of war.

But the fact is, there's no mark there.

But that's clearly...

Do you see any kind of marking, Colonel?

No.

Thank you for your cooperation!

You wanted to discuss something?

I'll be quick. I want to ask you a question.

I'll answer anything I can.

I want to talk about how you see this war ending.

That's why I'm here!

I see... so Ildoa is trying to serve as peace mediators?

They'll give us the exit we've been looking for?

I'm sure it's hard to accept...

But are you willing to make compromises?

Can I make compromises to get out of this mudhole?

Hell yes, I can!

Cut your losses! This is the time to cut your losses!

Would you tell us what the bare minimum conditions you'd be willing to accept are?

Conditions? I don't have any.

No conditions?

I am a soldier.

I swore a duty to obey any lawful order.

If my leaders have decided on a way to end the war,

I don't set conditions, I simply obey.

My duty to obey lawful orders is my highest priority.

That is what it means to be a soldier.

I see.

So the empire prioritizes the national interest, even on the front lines?

Yes.

Even the lowest commander at the front obeys!

They are terrifyingly loyal to their orders!

How can we persuade them...

Then they'll listen to us.

I see a way to make this mediation work.

Now the war will end.

I got the war observer to understand that we Imperial soldiers are normal people.

I'm sure the peace negotiations will go great.

I did my work well.

Now this war will end...

Lieutenant Colonel, may I have a moment?

What?!

What is it?

A visitor from Strategic HQ...

Again?!

It's been a long time, Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff.

It's been so long since I've had real coffee.

The stuff back home looks like coffee, but...

Lieutenant Colonel Ugar, what brings you here?

We had some problems at a nearby railroad.

While I was fixing them, I remembered my comrade

from military school and decided to drop by.

I see. I'm glad to hear that.

This is my subordinate, Major Weiss.

I thought he could join us.

It's rare to see you with one of your subordinates.

He's mostly here to keep listening ears away.

What do you mean?

I heard that Ildoa is working towards peace.

You heard it too, then?

They forced a war observer on me, and I was wondering why.

The brass feels that we need

to make some compromises to bring a swift end to the war?

I hate it, but yes.

We need to accept reality.

I assume both sides will abandon demands for war reparations,

abandon conquered territory,

and restore borders to exactly what they were at the start of the war?

They might even sign a treaty requiring all sides to shrink their armies.

Lieutenant Colonel...

That would not be peace with honor.

It would be no different than surrender!

Do you know how much money we've spent? How many lives we've lost?

Doesn't that mean that the sooner we stop making sacrifices, the better?

You would understand that better than anyone, I thought.

What is your opinion, Major Weiss?

I'd like to hear the thoughts of a frontline officer.

M-May I speak?

Go ahead. Speak.

I would say that between a reward that justified the sacrifices,

and a future where no more sacrifices needed to be made at all,

I would choose the latter.

Yes.

But...

I just can't accept it.

What?

To shed all this blood and end up with nothing at all...

I just can't...

Wait, wait, wait!

I'm shocked... Even you feel that way?

How can you accept it, Lieutenant Colonel?

Because I have to!

A frontline commander's job is knowing what to focus on and what to give up!

If we have to cut our losses, then that's what we do.

I'm sorry, ma'am, but that's just logic.

It's... nothing but logic!

This is bad.

Even my fellow soldiers and subordinates who I trust the most

have fallen victim to the Concorde effect.

From the look of things, Strategic HQ and the high leadership

are going to have a hell of a time convincing the frontline soldiers.

Will they have to crush them by force?

Killing our own soldiers will look bad on my resume post-war...

Imperial Strategic HQ

The Federation's demands have been relayed to us via Ildoa.

They seek a ceasefire with no reparations,

no territorial changes, and no additional conditions.

Colonel Gassman,

I have a message from command regarding the peace discussions.

Let me hear it.

They've rejected our demands, but negotiations are continuing.

With enough time...

You've gone soft.

What?

I said you've gone soft, Zettour.

I've already talked to the high leadership regarding this.

You can't have...

I will share our nation's answer.

Go on.

"Eat shit."

That is all.

We will seize our destiny with our own fists.

We will not put it in the hands of another.

Our army's will is unyielding!

We will begin Operation Iron Hammer!

4th Company Commander!

3rd Company Commander!

2nd Company Commander!

1st Company Commander!

Wow, you people in the mage unit all got reassigned, huh?

Huh? Then Major Weiss is...

Replacing Lieutenant Colonel Degurechaff, since she now runs the combat team.

He's in charge of all the mages.

That's amazing! Congratulations!

Shut up!

Wh-Why?

Actually, losing the position of company commander means less bonus pay...

And he has to pay out of pocket for stuff to keep the unit running.

His take-home pay has actually gone down.

Promotions are scary...

Next Time Operation Iron Hammer