A Peaceful Land of the Orcs (6.2)
Military terminology can indeed be quite cumbersome.
Organization refers to the budgetary and legal framework. For example, it’s the term used in documents submitted by the Ministry of War to the Ministry of Finance, outlining the creation of a specific unit. This is why the Anfaughlia Brigade was named as such. In Orcsen, the total number of divisions is fixed by the National Defense Law, and without amending the law, they couldn’t officially designate it as a division.
Formation, on the other hand, refers to the actual assembly of personnel, equipment, and other resources after the budgetary and legal measures have been completed. It signifies that the unit has taken shape as a functional organization. This is the stage the brigade has now reached.
Training refers to the state where the unit is fully prepared for deployment to the battlefield, having undergone extensive drills and exercises. It means the soldiers have reached a level of maturity in both morale and skill.
In other words, while the Anfaughlia Brigade may appear complete on the surface, it is still in the stage of needing further refinement and training.
In any case, it was decided to hold a formation completion ceremony to showcase the brigade to both internal and external audiences.
Under the presence of King Gustav, high-ranking military officials, bureaucrats, influential figures, foreign ambassadors, military attachés, and media from both domestic and international outlets were invited to a grand review ceremony.
With the help of the brigade’s engineers and reinforcements from the 1st Grenadier Division, a massive tiered reviewing stand was constructed in the brigade’s garrison grounds. It was adorned with decorative drapes in the colors of Orcsen’s national flag—white with black horizontal stripes.
A military band also arrived. The Anfaughlia Brigade did not yet have its own band, so the one from the 1st Grenadier Division was borrowed.
Even as early summer approached, the temperature in the capital, Wildschwein, remained mild.
24 degrees Celsius.
The air was dry, the breeze refreshing, and the weather pleasant.
The sunlight shone brightly, making the green leaves of the trees glisten.
Dineluth already knew that the day would be blessed with excellent weather.
The day before, and again early that morning, Werner Rainders, the Great Eagle, had flown over the capital three times, sending a magic communication to assure her that the weather would be perfect.
“Congratulations on the brigade’s formation,” the message concluded.
Dineluth replied, “Grateful for your friendship.”
Two hours before the ceremony began, attendees started arriving in droves.
High-ranking military and government officials.
Ambassadors and military attachés from various countries.
Domestic dignitaries. Among them was a lavishly dressed Kobold noblewoman, whose exact status was unclear.
Gustav arrived quite early, accompanied by High General Zebeck, Minister of War General Bonin, and Cavalry General Zieten. They gathered in the brigade commander’s office, which served as the waiting room before the ceremony, where Gustav commended Dineluth for her efforts.
“Well done, Major General,” he said simply.
Though his words were brief, the firmness of his handshake and the intensity in his eyes conveyed deep appreciation.
From Dineluth’s seasoned perspective, it seemed that Gustav had opted for this straightforward greeting to avoid the hassle of more elaborate formalities. His innate shyness had surfaced, and he likely found it tiresome to engage in the usual back-and-forth of courtesies. Moreover, he still had to deliver a formal speech at the ceremony, which was probably another source of his reluctance.
Dineluth was already acquainted with General Bonin and High General Zieten.
The latter, in particular, left a strong impression.
As the head of the cavalry in the army and one of only three High Generals in the country, Zieten was a stern-looking veteran. Though he rarely appeared in public due to his chronic rheumatism, he was the undisputed authority on cavalry in Orcsen’s military. Dineluth had paid him a visit earlier in the spring to introduce herself.
Zieten was a career soldier who had managed to shape the cavalry, often treated as a stepchild within the Orcsen army, into a formidable force. He was a seasoned veteran who had fought in the Battle of Rosalind Valley and the Dutone War, and alongside High Generals Zebeck and Schwerin, he was one of the stalwarts who had supported the fledgling Orcsen in its early days.
Though a man of few words, Zieten seemed to take a liking to Dineluth. When she visited him under the pretense of seeking guidance, he humbly dismissed his own importance but shared several stories from the Battle of Rosalind Valley and the Dutone War with her.
---Some time after the ceremony, Dineluth would learn that Zieten had repeatedly tried and failed to enhance the mobility of Orcsen’s cavalry. He had placed his hopes in the Anfaughlia Brigade as the realization of his ideals. After the brigade’s recent exercises, High General Schwerin had visited Zieten and praised Dineluth highly before returning to the north. As a result, Zieten had gone out of his way to facilitate the procurement of horses for the brigade.
These facts, relayed to her by a third party, surprised Dineluth. She hadn’t realized how much Zieten had taken to her. This revelation deepened her respect for the old general, who had quietly extended his support without seeking recognition.
“Major General, you must be busy with preparations. Don’t worry about us. We’ll relax here until the ceremony begins,” Gustav said.
Though his words might have seemed uncharacteristically casual for a king, Dineluth was genuinely grateful.
Military ceremonies are troublesome affairs.
Especially for the host.
Right up until the moment the ceremony begins, you’re swamped with preparations, yet you must maintain an air of composure and grace.
“Understood.”
Dineluth saluted and gratefully took her leave.
However, even she had the presence of mind to ensure that the King and generals were served hot coffee and pastries.
The ceremony began at 10 a.m.
First, the military band played.
The Orcsen national anthem, “Orcsen’s Glory,” was performed, and all attendees stood to pay their respects to the flag and anthem. As this was a formal ceremony, even Gustav, who rarely wore his military helmet, stood at the center of the reviewing stand, helmet on, showing his respect.
“Orcsen Gloria” is a piece that makes extensive use of wind instruments, blending lightness with gravitas. Composed during the Dutpme War, during the defense of the homeland, it also serves as a march.
Mother Earth, Our Motherland
Mother Earth is ours
Mother's bounty is ours
Golden fields of wheat
Silver mountains and rivers
Dark forests of trees
To protect them all
With unity like family
We swear to see it through
What do you think about this chapter?
