The Saga Of Levi the Just
Chapter 10
The Rhine Front, 1926
With the Alliance and Dacia out of the way, the Empire concentrated all its night into the Rhine. Despite this, the war was still going on. It was 13 years since it started and the Republic still stood tall. However, the Empire is applying technology from the Alliance it had stolen to further advance Magical warfare. The Rhine front was at a stalemate for as long as the war itself raged on. The Republic has been on edge after the Alliance had fallen. They struggle along with the Empire. The Rhine Front was a living hell for both sides.
Joan watched from above as the bloodshed went on. The troops were getting slaughtered. The Empire has very same problem. No one was going to lose ground. The citizens of the Republic were gripped in fear by the war. The fighting continues to go on with no end in sight. It was a bloodbath.
'How can the Rhine Front still be going on? Either side would have gone down to the table and talk things out. Why is this bloodshed still going?' Joan thought.
"Major." A voice said.
It was Bientôt. He came in to see the Major seeming down.
"What's wrong?" Bientôt asked.
"Is any of this worth it?" Joan asked.
"I beg your pardon?" Bientôt asked.
"This war. Don't you think this is as far as it should go?" Joan asked.
"Well… if you want my opinion, this war should have ended, Guess the Brass insists on fighting because the public fears the Empire after everything has happened in this war." Bientôt said, "I guess until one or the other gets into peace talks, I doubt there will be an end."
'As I thought. I guess the Empire really is that much of a threat.' Joan thought.
As she looked on, the battle was hell on earth. Not a single end in sight. The Empire and the Republic weren't going to negotiate, not unless both sides are willing to put down their weapons.
Western Theater HQ
Levi looked out the window. Tanya went over to him.
"This war… doesn't the Republic know when to just stop and think with their heads for once? Or maybe their government is too damn stupid to know what they got themselves into?" Levi asked.
"I understand your feelings Vice Commander. But, as soldiers-"
"Our duty is to put down our enemy and make it so they don't pick up a weapon. They are willing to fight, knowing they will be crushed. Yet here we are on a stalemate. When is HQ gonna give us a decisive plan for victory?" Levi asked, "Tanya….. I….. I don't know if this war will end at all. Is this what Being X wants? Just to have us kill until we've finally lost it? Why we here? Why are they here? Just to suffer? I could see one of them with a missing limb, looking for it despite the gunfire. I could still be seeing burning bodies. Why must this war go on?"
"Well, Humans are greedy. That's for sure. Why are-"
"Because I'm worried about you." Levi said, "Ever since our first real battle, I wondered what would happen if you did die. I still feel afraid of that."
"So that's it? You just seem worried about me?" Tanya asked.
"More than that. I mean….. about our future." Levi said, "Do you want kids?"
"Nope, I definitely would make for a shitty parent to be honest." Tanya said.
"No, you'd make a great Mom, just don't shoot up the house or give the kid a rifle." Levi said.
"Don't worry, I wouldn't be that bad." Tanya said.
"Huh, i hope you are right. Hate to pay the bills with a crazy Loli wife." Levi said.
"Says the would-be shota husband." Tanya said.
"O-oi." Levi said.
Tanya kissed Levi without a single warning. She backed and let the feeling sink in.
"We will survive, Galm 01." Tanya said.
"Sure, Fairy 08." Levi said.
Strategic Operations HQ, Berun
"Men, we are forced on a stalemate with the enemy." Rudersdorf said, "If things keep going as they do, the whole world will be on top of us."
"We could try negotiation, but I doubt that will do anything." One man said.
"We could dig through their flanks and cut them off, but then we would have to blind the enemy." Another man said.
"Not only that, we would need something that could get a few mages over there to attack their HQ." Another man said.
"It's simple really," Zettour said, "We hit them with a Hurricane Bombardment with our artillery, after that, we launch a huge offensive."
"Anything other than that?" One man asked.
"Well, we could bait the enemy, but that would mean pulling one of our flanks out and hope the enemy is stupid enough to fall for the trap and spring it." Zettour said, "Hopefully, Schugel's inventions might shed light for us."
"So we are left with those options then?" Rudersdorf asked.
"For now, Yes." Zettour said.
Prime Ministry, Parasii, Republic Of Francois
A meeting was called by the prime minister. All the ministers were present and began discussing about all that has happened.
"This war is dragging out General. We've been at war with the Empire for a decade already. We've lost the Alliance and now the Empire is coming towards us with everything. Be glad that the military still has them occupied on the Rhine front." The prime minister said, "Putting you in as the Minister Of Defense was the right call because of your tactical ability, so why is it getting rusty then?"
"I'm sorry sir. It's just that the enemy is determined to fight as we are. The enemy is restless and so are we." Pierre said, "What I want to know is why haven't you open negotiations with them yet?"
"Negotiate? With them? Did you not see what they have just done in the course of three years? They took Dacia and the Entente Alliance. Negotiating with those barbaric Imperials is certainly out of the question!" The Minister Of Foreign Affairs said.
"We are still trading with the Allied Kingdom and the US, still, we are at a stalemate." The Minister Of Economics said, "If this stalemate drags out, by the time the war is over, we'll be bankrupt and all the markets will crash."
"The Empire hasn't shown a single sign of weakness in months." Pierre said, "Our countrymen are getting slaughtered out there with the enemy. Many soldiers have died in this war and I will not stand for anymore deaths."
"Then find a solution to this stalemate or you may as well be considered replaced." The Prime Minister said, "This war has gone for long enough."
The meeting ended and everyone was leaving. Pierre seemed furious. The brass themselves haven't been negotiating with the Empire since the war began. He began thinking about strategies that might put an end to the stalemate once and for all. An idea soon popped into his head.
'That's it! I finally got something that might end this!' Pierre thought, 'The enemy's rear line, if we could just reach it and cut it loose, we'll have them backed into a corner!'
A few day later…...
Western Theater HQ
"Our rear line is falling?" Levi asked.
"Yes sir, Aren City is quickly being taken by militia backed up by the Republic. Their Saint and Knight are backing them." An Officer said.
"When did it start?" Levi asked.
"Well, the enemy came out of nowhere, that's when the militia attacked." The officer said.
'If we lose Aren or its railways, our men won't last on the Rhine front!' Levi thought, "I want my troops ready along with ground forces ready to take it back. I'm heading out and getting the commander."
"Yes sir!" The Officer said.
"Get Operations on the line. Tell them we have a situation on the rear." Levi said.
"Yes!" The Officer said.
Aren City
Joan began firing at the enemy defense positions as the militia began taking the town.
"Fight on! Fight on! For the Republic and it's people!" Joan said.
The Republican Mages flew off and fired at the Imperial forces, giving them no mercy. The Imperial forces were getting slaughtered. The Militia has taken the Church and have begun using it as their base of operations. The Imperial forces were being overrun. Bientôt blasted an MG position in one of the buildings. The Imperial troops began to withdraw from the city. Anyone unlucky enough to not escape was captured or killed. Joan looked at the devastation of the town. She did something right for her countrymen, but she wasn't willing to condone killing unarmed men.
'All this death and destruction does is breed more hate. Why won't anyone think about it like that? Why would people ignore the real picture and just think about what they're doing?' Joan thought, 'Some of the men we captured are unarmed, so why kill them when they have no weapon to use?'
"Milady?" Frederick asked.
"N-nothing. I'm sure the enemy will send reinforcements." Joan said, "Have a defense perimeter laid out. I'll just… contemplate everything that's happened here."
"Madam, are you-?"
"Just go, Frederick." Joan said.
"Right!" Frederick said.
'What in the Devil has come over all of mankind? Are we just going to slaughter each other until we realize what we are doing?' Joan thought.
She remembered what happened in the Fjords and Norden. She could never shake it off. It was ingrained into her head. She remembered how Anson had a wife and child, now they wouldn't see him again because he died. She vowed in her heart to never let anyone feel sadness ever again.
The 203rd were headed their way towards Aren City. Artillery guns had been set up around the city. Levi and Tanya saw the town up ahead.
"Great, now the city fell. Looks like we have to take it back." Levi said.
"Just don't forget about military law. If we make an error, we are screwed after this is over." Tanya said.
"If we live that is." Levi said.
"Alright, I'll call it in." Tanya said.
She got the speaker out.
"Attention, all civilians in the city, You are to evacuate at once, failure to comply will result in You being the enemy and will be shot on sight." Tanya said.
"That ought to do it." Levi said, "We will have to ascertain the location of their base."
"Right. Let's see if the evacuation notice did anything." Tanya said, "Watch out for an ambush, the enemy could be hidden in the city."
The 203rd entered the city. The streets were clear. Levi didn't trust the silence.
"Keep an eye out for enemies in the buildings." Levi said, "I don't trust them at all."
Everyone kept their eyes peeled for enemies in the buildings. Levi knows that buildings provide a good amount of coverage. These places make for well placed traps on the field of battle. A shot rang out. It was headed for Levi. His barrier came on just in time to stop it.
"Ambush! Fire back!" Tanya said, "Draw them out from the buildings and crush them!"
The 203rd began firing on the buildings where the enemy was hiding. Enemy Mages were coming at them.
"Split up!" Levi said.
The 203rd split up and began engaging the enemy. The town was now engulfed in gunfire. The Mages went in pursuit of Levi and Tanya. A group of Mages was charging at them up ahead. They backed against each other and fired their machine guns, firing at the enemy. They shot down the Mages in quick succession. Weiss and Wolke were firing at the enemy. Their divisions were meeting heavy resistance.
"Where are you cowards at?! Can't fight without coming out of your hiding spots?!" Wolke said.
'They just don't know when to quit!' Weiss thought.
"Man, if they would come out of there, this would be much easier!" Willibald said.
"Just be glad we're not dead yet." Rhiner said.
Joan was hiding in the church with a sniper rifle the rebels gave her. She took aim and saw Levi and Tanya.
'Just got to breathe and stay focused.' Joan thought.
She breathed in and focused.
'This time, I'll end it. I'll put you down here and now. This is your grave you Demons!' Joan thought, "May the lord give us protection from our enemy so that we shall go forth in peace and happiness eternal."
Her eyes turned gold and she fired. Levi put up his barrier instinctively and was engulfed in a huge explosion.
"Captain!" Tanya said.
'I got him! Now for the other one!' Joan thought.
'She did it!' Bientôt thought.
The smoke cleared up slowly and he was still standing. Joan and the Republicans couldn't believe it.
'What the hell?! Is this the devil's luck already?!' Joan thought.
'The only one to make that shot, it's you isn't it? Saint of the Republic? And that power, it is you Being X, I should have known.' Levi thought, 'Now to pay you back!'
"God, show all your glory. Show this world your glory and carry your deeds in through the soldiers of the Fatherland." Levi said as his turned gold and went straight for the church at high speed.
"Captain Levi! Get back here!" Tanya said.
"Don't worry Major, I'll make it quick and painless. I'm just getting rid of one pest is all!" Levi said, "I'll make god bow before me and admit defeat!"
'Force god to bow before him?! Has he gone bonkers and thinks he can surpass Being X?!' Tanya thought.
"Damn!" Joan said as she loaded the rifle again.
She fired a shot, cocking the gun and firing as Levi dodged the shots. Levi fired a few bursts. A few bullets hit the scope, destroying it.
"Joan! A sniper is doomed when he's been spotted! Get out of there!" Bientôt said.
Joan quickly got on the ladder and began to get down from the tower. Levi blasted his way inside. He fired down at the stairs using penetration spells. Joan ran as the bullets roar past her. Joan fired a penetration spell. The shot was off, it grazed his arm. He fired a burst with an explosion spell combined with a penetration spell. The explosions blew up a chunk of the tower. The tower began to fall. Joan got out of the tower as Levi did the same, heading inside the main building. The tower fell and collapsed onto the church. Levi flew back into the church.
"LEVI!" Tanya yelled in her comms.
A dead silence filled her ears.
"That idiot…. why did you have to do that?" Tanya asked, "Why did you do that?"
"Major Joan! Major! Respond!" Bientôt said.
"Sir, the enemy is pushing us back, we are withdrawing back to evacuate the civilians." A soldier said.
"Go then! I'll find Joan!" Bientôt said.
"But colonel-"
"Go on without me! Go!" Bientôt said.
Bientôt got inside the building to see Joan was ok. The Imperial soldiers that were captured were in awe. Bientôt cared less about the soldiers, only the people he fought for mattered along with his comrades. The militia were scared out of their minds as the Demon Lord standing in front of them, smiling.
'That's the thing about militia and rebels. Once they see something that defies their own comprehension, the fear gobbles them up.' Levi thought.
"Run!" Bientôt said, "What are you doing?! RUN!"
"As Vice Commander of this battalion, I demand you release your captives." Levi said, "If you don't then I'll assure you that you don't get a chance to live."
"To Hell with you, little brat!" one rebel said as the others began firing.
The bullets bounced of the barrier.
"Fine, you sealed your fates." Levi said.
"No! They're civilians!" Bientôt pleaded, "Don't do it!"
Levi brought his gun out and shot the militiamen without mercy. Bientôt began to run and take Joan with him. Levi tapped into his comms.
"Pixie 012 to Commander Degurechaff, Captured friendlies secure. I have the Church under control." Levi said.
"You maggot! Disobey my orders like that again and I'll have to punish you big time!" Tanya said.
"Major, I may have gone against orders, I came here to take the town back and our captured countrymen. I'm sorry if I went against orders, but I'm only doing my duty." Levi said, "Now can I get a team to get my countrymen out?"
'Why that idiot!' Tanya thought, "Division 2, get the captured men out, Division 3 is to secure the church while Division 4 stays back on the rear while Division 5 takes out any retreating enemies."
"Commander, Second Lieutenant Weiss has been injured, we insisted that he'd be taken to the rear, but he insists that he continues fighting." A soldier said.
"How bad is he?" Tanya asked.
"Huh? Well, His shoulder took a bullet, so-"
"Get him out, I don't want a one-winged bird flying in our flock." Tanya said.
"Got it, we'll have one of own in Division 2 take command then." the soldier said.
"Lieutenant Visha, go and get Weiss out of there and take half of Division 1." Tanya said.
"But, what about-"
"I'll be fine. I'm going to have a talk with the Captain." Tanya said.
Viktoriya took half of Division 1 to retrieve Weiss. Division 2, now under the command of Vooran Glaz head out to get the captured men. Vooran got inside with the other men and saw Levi standing about.
"Commander?" Vooran asked.
"I heard Weiss got injured and now you're in his place." Levi said, "Don't stand there, get the men out."
The men began taking the other men out. Tanya came inside and walked over to Levi, slapping him in the face.
"What the hell do you think this is?! You had to go and do that crazy act of yours! You almost jeopardized-"
"I was trying to eliminate an enemy named Mage." Levi said, "If I let the enemy's ace get in the way anymore, our efforts would have been for naught."
"Why you dumb little-"
Levi kissed Tanya, holding her hand before she could slap him. They broke it and Tanya drew back the hand.
"Sorry, Commander, won't happen again." Levi said.
"Just be glad I haven't put you on court martial." Tanya said as she walked away.
'She loves me some where in the dark, cold, icy heart of hers.' Levi thought.
"All the men are secured!" Vooran said.
"Good, I'll call it in. Get to a safe distance." Tanya said.
Joan was riding on Bientôt's chariot. As the men evacuated the civilians.
"Sorry sir." Joan said.
"Don't be too sad. At least we got the train tracks. Now they won't send supplies from the rear." Bientôt as he pointed to the train tracks that had been destroyed.
"But still…." Joan said.
"Enough, you are a Saint. A Saint needn't cry unless the people she protects and the friends and comrades that fight beside her are-"
He was cut off from the sound of artillery shells falling from the sky. They watched in muted horror as the town was literally being burned to the ground as shells destroy the towns and kill unlucky civilians that couldn't get out. The barrage was destroying everything.
"My god…" Bientôt said, "The City is being burnt to the ground…."
"All those people…" Joan said.
"Those Imperial monsters! They won't stop at nothing until everything is theirs! Damn them! This is just mindless bloodlust and destruction! They're killing civilians!" Bientôt said.
'No…. stop it.' Joan thought, 'No more… stop it. Please, someone make it stop.'
She saw how children were caught up in ash. Buildings fell over on top of each other. The death and destruction filled her head.
Levi watched as the town burned to the ground.
'Being X, you could have stopped it all and ended this, but you refused, so for that, I will make the world you created bleed to death. Hell hath no fury.' Levi thought.
'Hopefully, when this all ends, any nightmares being X throws at me will be void and in vain.' Tanya thought.
"A complete bombardment…" Vooran said, "Commander-"
"Soldier," Levi said, "This is what the enemy gets. I could have hung them from the noose, I could have cut their heads clean off, I could have shot them in the head. I could have given them a quick death."
"Sir?" Vooran asked with worry and concern.
"I could have been merciful and leave them with no pain, but they insisted on resisting." Levi said, "I have no other choice but to make them know pain. They asked for it Soldier. They asked and I gave them a reason to surrender."
Vooran was shaken to the core. His vice commander was like a demon. He had a point however, the enemy could have just talked this war out and come up with a compromise to let the Empire have the Rhine as long as they did not invade. The Empire could have done the same. Both sides knew that negotiations were beyond possible. No one was willing talk, not ever.
"I find your lack of faith in what me and the Major are doing… disturbing." Levi said.
Berun, Empire of the Reich
Zettour was drinking tea. Erich came in with a report from Tanya.
"Sir, I heard that there was a victory at Aren, Right?" Erich asked, "I came in with this report from the Major. It was about calling an artillery strike on a populated area. Did you use this report to gain the results from that battle while avoiding military law violations?"
"Yes." Zettour said, "We must use their talents. We need them to end this war. We shall make the enemy know just how strong we are."
"Sir, don't tell me…. you're not going to-"
He grinned.
"Yes Colonel. They will be the ones that drive the final nail in the coffin of the Republic." Zettour said.
Research Division Base
Schugel was looking at a marvelous invention. It was a blimp combined with other blimps to create an airship. It had cannons on the blimps on the side. It was given the power to lift all its balloons into the air. He called it Das Schiff des Kaisers, or simply put, Der Kaiser. It took years of planning and funding and months of construction, and now, it is ready for testing. It's bomb bay doors contained several bombs. The man had finished what he had started. Now it is ready to be unleashed.
"It's complete." Schugel said, "Now to finish the V1s!"
He went off to another hangar to see what appeared to be incomplete rockets.
"God, give me the your brilliance so I can work your wonders!" Schugel said.
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