Imperial Chronicle (Cold Steel IV)/Issue 8

EN= [Breaking News] War to Start at Noon, September 1

Governor General Rufus announced that Operation Jormungandr is to start on September 1, making it five days until Erebonia's forcess attack the Calvard Republic.

◆The Empire's Successful Military Expansion◆

The Imperial Army press office told us that even if they couldn't reveal the finer details, they thought it important to let everyone see the proof that Erebonia is an extremely powerful nation, made so by all its citizens' tireless efforts.

The Imperial Army was originally comprised of 20 armored divisions, but five more have been established following recent conscriptions. The new recruits are led by select experienced officers, and their divisions are to become reserve forces. RF has provided 12 Dragunov-class railway cannons, with 11 to be used by the main attack force. The Gargantua-class airships are expected to play a major part in military operations.

While Calvard's forces are estimated to number around 840,000 solders, the Empire is sending 850,000 to the front, with reserve forces that bring the total to 1,250,000. Besides our sheer numerical superority, the Imperial Army is both better trained and equipped, making our advantage clear as day.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

[Notice] Beware of Calvard Spies

Individuals believed to be Calvardian spies have been sighted in southeastern Lamare. Espionage agents of the same affiliation also previously caused trouble in Heimdallr. The public is advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.

[Special] Emperor Eugent's Surgery Scheduled

Emperor Eugent's condition is still critical following his shooting over a month ago. He is now scheduled to have surgery--performed by top medical staff--while under close guard.

[Column] Workforce Shortages Continue

As the war looms near, towns and villages find themselves bereft of young men, who have been drafted into the army. But some considerate citizens, like Friedel and Loggins, extend a helping hand to those who find it hard to cope with workforce shortages. These two former Fencing Club members have been honing their skills since graduation and undertake any work required by the local populace, from culling monsters to delivering parcels. Even farmwork is fair game.

'We're just doing what we can. And if we can relieve some of the burden from the bracers, all the better,' the helpful young heroes told us. This selfless pair certainly sets an excellent example that we could all stand to follow. 【速報】開戦日確定！９月１日正午に 昨日、帝国が推し進める《大地の竜》作戦が９月１日正午に 発令すると、共同立案者であるルーファス総督より告知された. ５日後、ついにカルバード共和国との全面戦争が始まることに なる. ◆軍備拡張の成果◆ ここで、現在の帝国正規軍の現有戦力を確認しておきたい. 「細かな情報は省かせてもらうが、全国民の尽力で成し遂げた “強国の証”を、皆さんにも知ってもらうべきだろう」と、軍 広報部からお達しがあった. まず機甲師団については、本来は２０だった数が、先立って の徴兵により５師団分を新設. 率いるのは優秀な将校たちで、 開戦時は強力な予備戦力として本国に控えている見込みだ. 兵装については、ＲＦ社の協力によりドラグノフ級列車砲が 計１２基完成. 内１１基が、主要な戦線で使われることになる. また新造艦である《ガルガンチュア級飛行戦艦》も惜しみなく 運用される予定だ. 共和国軍の総兵力が８４万人とされているのに対し、帝国 の出征兵力はおよそ８５万人. 本国待機の戦力と合わせればそ の数は約１２５万人に上る. 人員だけでなく、練度の高さを見 てもどちらがかは言うまでもない. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 【告知】共和国諜報員、未だに潜伏中か 先日、共和国の諜報員らしい姿を、ラマール州南東部で目撃 したとの情報が入ってきた. ７月に帝都を騒がせた彼らが、未 だに潜伏している可能性は充分にある. 該当地域で暮らす方々 は、くれぐれもご注意を. 【特別】ユーゲント皇帝陛下手術日決まる 皇帝陛下が事件に遭われて１ヶ月以上──依然危ういご容態 だが、手術日の目途が立ったと皇室広報官が伝えた. 当日は、 最高度の医療体制に加え、厳戒態勢を敷いた中で進められる. 【コラム】人手不足が続く中で 開戦日が決まったことで、各地の徴兵や徴発も大詰めとなっ ている昨今. その最中、男手が減った小さな村や町で人助けに 乗り出す２人の若者──フリーデルさんとロギンス氏の姿を本 誌記者が捉えた. 学生時代は共にフェンシング部に所属し、卒業後は武者修行 をしていたという２人. 魔獣退治や荷物の運搬、時には畑仕事 までも引き受けている. 「自分たちにできることをやったまで です. 遊撃士の方々への手助けにもなればと」 鍛錬の成果が行く先々の安全を守り、持ち前の面倒見の良さ が出会う人々の心を支えているようだ.
 * -|JP=