Saga of Tanya the Evil

In the league of powerful nations, the Empire's armed forces were far ahead of the others. Even during peacetime, a field army would be garrisoned in the borders in the name of national security.

Right now, in preparation for war, an ad hoc army was formed on top of that by mobilizing troops that weren't part of the garrisoned forces.

They even considered information warfare and invited presses from other countries as a counter measure, covering all the angles. That's why the Empire was so doubtful— "Were they going to attack for real?"

For Tanya, she would never even dream about the day the Federation would march on the military powerhouse without any just cause, and doing so with an inferior force in front of international media.

But in this world, fact was stranger than fiction. For Tanya, it was inconceivable how the situation developed into such a stage. Putting it crudely, it was like seeing the suicidal impulse turn physical in an instant.

"War is breaking out! I say again, war is breaking out! The war started just now! Because we were invaded, the Empire has declared against the Legedonia Federation! Earlier today, Federation forces invaded Empire territory from several areas; in retaliation, the imperial forces are counterattacking and heading for the borders! According to reports, our forces have engaged the enemy on multiple fronts!"

With armoured units as the main corps, all allied forces were being mobilized. At the same time, war correspondents from the media were shouting with panic as they send reports coming in from the various battlefronts to the entire world via radio waves.

… Since victory is assured, is that why information warfare is necessary? *sigh* Since our gross national product, technology, and military are miles ahead of them, taking preemptive actions by assuming our victory would be an obvious move.

Permitting the presence of the media before the war started meant that high command knew they had the leisure of promoting their cause. Showing the might and righteousness of the Empire was a good political move. They had already proven the other party was the first to cross national borders, so they had the casus belli to act.

They probably allowed the media to follow the troops to showcase the victorious battle. National leaders that would allow the media to cover a military defeat was a fictional existence in this alternate world as well. Having minimal classification of reports was a sign that things were going well.

These were all reasons why Tanya wasn't nervous. To be honest, when she heard that she would be thrown into the north for a training exercise, she wanted to scream to the heavens, "Please give divine retribution to this militaristic nation that forced a prepubescent girl to the dangerous front lines, and the existence [X] who threw a kind-hearted man into this world!"

However, if the battle was one-sided like the Gulf War, it would be a chance for her to secure a great future and there wouldn't be any problems. She would be fighting a war her side would win, staying in the army that would win, and attack the enemy safely from the sky. A simple mission that would advance her career.

This was unexpected, but it wasn't a bad thing. No, it was a golden opportunity. Border patrols were boring and dangerous; even if you accomplished something, it might easily be ignored because of 'political considerations'. Thanks to this, patrol missions in the conflict-prone zone of Norden was a thankless task.

It was hard to accumulate merits here, and as if to remind her of how bad the situation was, Tanya's appearance was that of a blond child with fair skin. Her experience was that of an OCS graduate, a young Mage that had a bright future ahead.

Even if her commanders were willing to use her, they would suffer infamy as the one who destroyed the bright future of a child if anything was to happen to Tanya. Her abilities aside, just her doll-like appearance would feel out of place. Even Tanya herself wouldn't want anything to do with someone looking like that unless it involved herself or official duties.

That was her objective view after being commissioned in the Empire military. Although her instructors gave her good reviews, just doing tasks expected of her pay grade made it hard to dispel the unflattering name of 「Loli Mage」.

Hence, the only way was to strive for great accomplishments. But even if she wanted to do so, she didn't have the chance to do so all this while. In other words, she was a "Mage", but wasn't treated like one.

She was treated just like a baby that would get in the way. Being called an inferior product without considering her experience and situation was humiliating.

The ironic thing was that during a battle in which the Empire had the overwhelming advantage, Tanya was given a chance to buff her resume; she was unexpectedly lucky.

She would be able to participate in this war in great condition. If that was the case, she hoped to obtain the authority and status that would allow her to survive, and to build her social network. In order to do that, she had to be active in this war and earn merits.

When she thought about it that way, Tanya felt that the situation wasn't that bad after all, unconsciously relaxing her bright red lips.

"No, isn't this the best thing for my resume?... It isn't a bad thing."

No one could hear her quiet mutters. Even if someone was flying near her, her words would probably be covered by the screams of the Empire's artillery and the impact of the shells.

If Tanya pretended that she was observing a display that was several times larger than the Fuji Combined Firepower Exercise, she wouldn't feel that depressed.

"Fairy08, this is Goliath07. Please report the effect of the bombardment."

"Goliath07, this is Fairy08. The bombardment is effective. I say again, the bombardment is effective."

It was a simple job of observing the results and forwarding the telemetry to the artillery. Using flying spells while lugging a radio signal set wasn't easy, but the Operation Orb issued by the Empire army were excellent.

For a potential conflict zone like Norden, many of the units situated in these northern lands were dispatched from central headquarters.

Even Tanya herself was from central , at least on paper, and was assigned into a temporary unit after she was sent here for a training exercise.

If she performs her duties diligently, she will make it back to central one day and being assigned to an administrative role would no longer be a dream.

If she got selected to be the an Mage officer escort for the administrative department, she might be tasked with the defence of the imperial capital and stay far behind the frontlines.

Looking at it from another angle, this was an experience that would help her career tremendously, an assignment she should be grateful for.

When Tanya learned that she would be sent to the boring and dangerous north for a training exercise, she hated her instructor to death. However, it was hard to tell in life if you were unlucky or not.

It was a bit late, but she should find some time soon to report on her situation and thank him. Social networks had to be maintained properly.

I am looking forward to the rose coloured life of the elites after all. Tanya was in a good mood as she took part in the battle by observing the shelling of the warzone.

"Norden Control, this is Fairy08."

"This is Norden Control, reading you loud and clear, over."

The shells exploding before her eyes successfully dealt critical damage to the infantry units. Although Norden was a mountainous area with undulating landscape, wandering carelessly into enemy territory when their artillery was in position only made the Federation forces easy targets. On top of that, it was a terrain without any cover.

"Fairy08, acknowledged. We are suppressing them right now. I conclude that they are suppressed. The enemy units are falling into disarray."

The well prepared artillery fired on soft targets from an adequate distance with the guidance of artillery observers on grounds they had already mapped out. It would be harder to not obliterate the enemy.

She watched the group of people who used to be soldiers scampering around and falling to the shells' shrapnel easily. From what she was seeing from her binoculars, Tanya judged that it would be a waste of shells to continue the bombardment.

"Fairy08, Norden control, acknowledged. Push forward to the second defence line and direct our forces to the main enemy infantry body. We will suppress them with direct fire, over."

"Fairy08 wilco. Proceeding now, continuing observation mission, over."

Conversing calmly with the control tower made Tanya think that, "the radio is working unexpectedly well in a real battle," and how free the sky was from radio interference. Reflected in her blue eyes was a cloudy sky, but the weather would definitely not cause radio interference.

The signal was crystal clear. So clear that Tanya thought she looked dumb carrying the extra large signal set because she thought the signal would be distorted because of the lodes in Norden.

In order to locate the enemy remnants that were still resisting, Tanya flew over the routed Federation forces. As she push ahead as ordered, she felt really confused.

What was the Federation thinking?

If they wanted to conduct a live fire exercise, why not just request for one? If she knew fighting them was easier than shooting a turkey, on the level of shooting dodos, she should have rejected the observation mission and volunteered for air to ground assault missions.

In a sure win battle, air to ground bombardment not only assured air superiority and protected aircraft, you can pick and choose the most valuable target to hit. She was so envious of them.

"Norden control, this is Fairy08. I have arrived at the destination, over."

"Norden control acknowledged. Also confirmed on our end. Sending tactical updates to artillery units. Please proceed with artillery observation, over."

"Fairy08 roger. Will carry on with artillery observation until advised otherwise, over."

"Norden Control acknowledge, out."