A Peaceful Land of the Orcs (3.4)
The General Staff of the national army expanded significantly as a reflection of the lessons learned from the war.
Never again would they "entangle themselves in branches."
Thus, they began to create unique systems within the national military that were not found in other countries.
Currently, the Orcsen military has a specialized branch called the General Staff Corps. In other nations, officers from branches like infantry or artillery typically become staff officers. However, Orcsen has a system where individuals are trained from the start specifically to become staff officers.
The most capable officer candidates are enrolled in this corps, where they are assigned to various units, handling logistics, strategy planning, and more. Those who rise to senior ranks are assigned to the General Staff Headquarters (though general branch officers can still become staff officers).
The Communications Corps.
This, too, is unique to Orcsen. In other nations, field telegraph installation is supervised by the engineering corps, and inter-unit communication is often managed by soldiers within each branch.
The Communications Corps is responsible for planning telegraph installations, operating telegraphs, constructing and conducting magic communications, and supervising these tasks.
Senior members of this corps are assigned a dedicated bureau within the General Staff Headquarters, as military communication plays a crucial role in both logistics and the formulation and execution of operations.
Indeed, it was regarded as an essential factor in ensuring smooth operations and success.
The Transport Corps.
This corps handles the practical aspects of logistics.
Using wagons, waterways, and recently developed railroads, they transport supplies from rear bases to the front lines. Their duties go beyond mere transportation, encompassing supply management and storage as well.
They maintain close coordination with the Accounting Corps, which handles financial aspects, and the Cooking Corps, which prepares the food delivered to the units.
Many of Orcsen's national and military food storage facilities are built near port warehouses or adjacent to railway stations to facilitate their work.
The Geodetic Survey Department of the national army also exists.
As a sub-organization under the Geographical Division of the General Staff Headquarters, this department specializes in creating military maps. It employs soldiers selected from various branches who possess geodetic and surveying expertise and compiles information into geographical surveys.
These surveys include not only geographical and topographical data but also details about local climates, resident temperaments, and regional economies.
It goes without saying that such information is critical for planning operations and executing logistics. Although other countries have similar organizations, Orcsen's unique aspect is that its survey department is part of the General Staff Headquarters.
And then—
Dineluth’s magic senses detected something.
Not from the ground around her, but from the sky.
She looked up.
There it was.
A colossal shadow passed over the tent, tracing an arc in the air.
Some of the Great Wolves below the hill instinctively howled, only to receive a sharp glare from Advin and fall silent.
The sound of mighty wings flapping filled the air.
Descending into the center of a massive double-ringed chalk circle drawn by engineers below the hill was an enormous winged bird.
—A Great Eagle.
Its body was a dark brownish hue.
The front half of its wings, tail feathers, and leg feathers shone with a lustrous white.
Its beak was a vivid orange-yellow.
The striking coloration was both breathtakingly beautiful and dignified, exuding an aura of nobility.
Its wingspan, when fully extended, measured an incredible six and a half meters, undoubtedly making it the largest known flying creature in the world.
For Dineluth, it had been ages—truly ages—since she had last seen one. The species had long been eradicated from the Belleriant Peninsula.
The Great Eagle moved its sharp, predatory head back and forth as it ascended the hill toward the tent with surprisingly nimble steps. Although the Orcsen military's tents were built large to accommodate the oOcs, even these seemed cramped for the eagle.
"My king."
Its voice matched its sharp beak—a tone that cut like a blade.
"Hey, Rainders. How’s the weather today?"
Gustav responded with his characteristic casual wave. It seemed the king reserved formal salutes only for the most solemn of ceremonies.
"Splendid spring weather. A few clouds, but I assure you it will be a fine day."
"I see. Major General Andariel, this is your first meeting with him, isn’t it? Allow me to introduce Werner Rainders of the Great Eagles. He is the son of their current chieftain."
The Great Eagle turned its head toward them and inclined its yellow beak downward in what appeared to be a bow.
Realizing this must be the tribe’s version of a salute, Dineluth hurriedly returned the gesture and introduced herself.
Around its neck was a metal plate with the same insignia as those worn by the Great Wolves, indicating its affiliation with the military. A closer inspection of the rank insignia engraved on the plate revealed—
Major General.
Dineluth was startled to find the eagle held the same rank as her. However, every military adheres to a seniority convention for those of equal rank, where the officer promoted first takes precedence. Judging by the wear on the eagle’s plate, Rainders was undoubtedly the senior.
By saluting second, Dineluth had inadvertently committed a breach of etiquette. However, Rainders did not seem inclined to reprimand her.
Being newly stationed, she could hardly have known who was senior, and this was a formal introduction arranged by the king, so he let the matter slide.
Relieved, she exhaled quietly.
"I am Rainders, commander of the National Army’s Great Eagle Corps. I would say it is a pleasure to meet you, but—"
Rainders’ words were laced with an odd sharpness as he paused and fixed his gaze upon her.
His eyes.
They carried not just the piercing glare typical of raptors, but something else—something Dineluth recognized.
"We have met before. A long, long time ago, in a distant past. You likely do not remember. There are many things I wish to discuss, but another time, in another setting."
"......"
This eagle—
Memories stirred within her, rendering her speechless.
Sensing the strange tension between them, the previously bustling tent fell silent.
Gustav cleared his throat.
"Well, Rainders. Take a seat."
He gestured for the soldiers to bring a prepared log.
Rainders grasped the log and adjusted himself. Due to his biological structure, this was the closest approximation to sitting the eagle could manage.
Major General Kite, a Dwarf, let out a coarse laugh, followed by the chuckling of Major General Staupitz, a Kobold. Their laughter seemed to signal the resumption of the tent’s lively activity.
Dineluth exhaled a trembling sigh.
The laughter of Major Generals Kite and Staupitz—
—"Serves you right, Dark Elf."
That’s how it sounded to her.
Perhaps it was merely her exhaustion leading her to imagine such things.
But she doubted it.
The Great Wolves, the Dwarves, the Great Eagles, the Kobolds—
They bore no goodwill toward her—or the Dark Elves as a whole.
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