Saga of Tanya the Evil (幼女戦記)

Ah! My eyes!

Medic! We need a medic over here!

We're dead. We can't beat their forces on our own!

Heh.

Mage reinforcements?

This isn't a rescue mission.

There's no way we can keep up this air support.

What are the platoon commander's orders?

Um, she says that under no circumstances are we to retreat.

Our duty is to delay the enemy no matter what the cost.

Believers, have faith in the Lord's blessings.

For He will not abandon us in battle.

God, give me the power to destroy the enemies

of our Fatherland.

Show them your wrath.

Such power. Incredible.

Why are you standing there gawking

at my explosion spell?

You should be picking off any survivors.

Platoon Commander.

We are soldiers of the Empire.

When the brass gives us orders, we do not fail them.

Second Lieutenant Tanya Degurechaff.

No matter how many enemy shells or bullets cloud the air,

she flies high and without fear.

Like a fairy of the battlefield.

In this cursed world scorched by the flames

of a never-ending war, one nation stood unmatched.

The Empire, whose vast military and industrial powers

kept its flag flying ever-victorious in battle.

But no country can stay invincible forever,

and despite its incredible forces,

the Fatherland has found itself surrounded by enemy armies,

facing defeat.

With threats on multiple fronts,

the Empire's military developed Plan 315.

Small troop companies fight at the nation's borders

to delay invading enemies,

while a mobile main army travels throughout,

striking with the full power of the Fatherland.

But how long will this work?

What's the situation on the Rhine?

How long until our main forces are deployed there?

They're currently held up in the north.

It'll be another two weeks, at least.

To get them to the river,

we'll have to rearrange the rail and ship schedules.

That sort of planning takes time.

Huh. We'll have to pull the front lines back even more.

That'll put the western industrial areas in danger.

We don't have any other options.

We weren't prepared for how strong the enemy would be.

Plus, we're out of reinforcements to send.

Damn it all.

A major offensive against the Entente Alliance

was a huge mistake from the beginning.

Idiots.

If we'd kept a smaller army, we'd still have reserves left.

We have only ourselves to blame.

The Empire's predicament is due to our own failures.

We should've convinced our superiors

that the Republic would mobilize in greater numbers.

Now, I'm afraid that Plan 315 is no longer viable.

Our attempts to delay the enemy aren't working.

Perhaps we could break our border troops

into mobile defense units.

Maybe, but that would be difficult

given the state of the Rhine soldiers.

Those companies are exhausted right now,

and I'm not sure how much help they would be.

Every spare soldier has been sent to the western line.

Some new blood will improve our odds.

If nothing else, it could buy us a little time.

Huh. If you're right, it may improve our chances of victory.

Excellent work.

Given the circumstances, I'd hardly call this a victory.

Why not?

Reports from the field say we've lost

over half the units we've deployed to the Rhine Theater.

Our officers say the western line has become a living hell.

Targets on the ground at two o'clock.

Artillery spells. Fire!

Right! Okay!

It's coming from above!

Imperial mages!

That's right. We got you.

I'll see you bastards in hell!

Die, you damn Republicans!

The artillery! We can take that unit out.

Harald. Follow me!

Roger!

Corporals, return to your formation.

Our orders are to delay the enemy's advance

by attacking the flank.

But we have an opening.

We can take out their artillery!

That's not our mission! Stand down. Get back here! Now!

I have a shot!

Got 'em!

Did you see that, Commander?

Let's keep goin' at it.

We can crush this whole unit.

Oh, come on. It's not that bad.

Just force it down. You need your strength.

I heard the 202nd and 203rd companies

were completely wiped out.

I volunteered to fight here on the front lines.

But I thought I'd hate the Republicans

more than my commanding officer.

Soldiers of the 205th.

Your lieutenant wants to see you.

What? You're sending us back home?

You're getting off lightly, as far as I'm concerned.

You should be grateful for that.

The army has no need for officer candidates

who disobey orders.

But we were just trying to take out a key unit!

Didn't you see how many of our infantry their artillery killed?

I don't have time for excuses.

An army is a machine. It can't have a single cog out of line.

You're dismissed.

No. I won't accept this!

I chose to come to the front lines

to protect the Fatherland.

That means I have to defeat the enemy or die while trying.

Me, too. I'm in agreement with Corporal Kurst.

A man of the Empire is expected to be brave, I won't run home!

So what the two of you are saying

is that you're going to blatantly disobey

your superior officer's order again?

Lieutenant!

I agree to take your opinions under consideration.

But make no mistake, you will face some form of punishment.

Corporal Serebryakov.

You look concerned about something.

Wha--? Uh. Lieutenant Schwarzkopf!

Um, well, I was just wondering

where Corporals Kurst and Harald were.

That's right. You were in their class, weren't you?

They're not here.

As of this morning, they're stationed at the rear.

The rear? Really?

Yes.

They're probably standing by in one of those

cramped pillboxes right about now.

It was Lieutenant Degurechaff who recommended

that the corporals be transferred out.

I understand the soldiers were foolish enough

to get on her bad side.

Yes, Sir.

I figured they would be punished harshly

for the way they spoke to her yesterday, but...

I see.

At least they've been sent to the rear, where it's safe.

If you're giving up,

then you don't deserve to wear that uniform.

Take it off.

Or prove to the Empire you're not a weakling.

I'm fine.

Then here are your orders.

Ma'am!

Gather the officers.

I have some unfortunate news.

We've encountered another setback.

The 403rd Mage Company was ambushed

by two squads of enemy mages who are targeting our observers.

That means our soldiers can't take flight

and use artillery spells because there's no one left

to spot incoming enemy fire.

So the enemy sent their observer-hunters.

Oh, that's right.

Didn't you encounter these specialists

in the north, Lieutenant Degurechaff?

Yes, Sir. I'd hoped they were dead.

We're going after our trapped observers.

The mission will begin immediately.

Are there any questions?

We can delay the hunters, but a rescue will be difficult.

Hm. Even with your Type-95 on our side?

I will fight as always,

but Corporal Serebryakov cannot.

She's met her power limit,

and I won't be an incompetent leader

who goes on a rescue mission only to lose my own soldier.

Company Commander. I can do this!

I hereby volunteer for the rescue mission.

Stop it. Stay and gather your strength.

But I'm a proud soldier of the Imperial Army

and I'm certain I have what it takes

to complete this mission.

Corporal!