Reincarnated with the Country System

Bernard Empire Position

The Bernard Empire forces had set up their temporary base about seven kilometres from the west bank of the Ru River. The troops had dug trenches, built bunkers, and strengthened the defences. The bulldozers and labourers were still working. The 1st Infantry Division and 2nd Tank Brigade were stationed here. Their artillery units were positioned facing the river so that any attack could be quickly repelled.

Petrov looked at the winding trench line with his binoculars and said, "Tell the artillery battalion to set up counter-battery radar on grid 372 of the Riverbend. Any artillery movement east of the Ru River must be tracked."

Captain Ivanov, standing next to him, sent a message on the radio set and replied, "All batteries have reported—M109 Paladin howitzers are in position. Missile launchers are also ready, sir."

Petrov nodded and said, "Okay. Our troops should be ready for all types of attacks. Tell the navy to be ready to send air support."

Petrov then turned to Prince Eric and said, "Prince, are you sure your brother will attack first? Our drone feed shows little movement of Latvian forces."

A hint of humour on Eric's lips, "General, my brother's patience is thinner than ice. He is burning with anger at the moment, considering our 'defence' an insult. He will surely jump in with his monsters."

★★★

Armies of the Bernard Empire

1st Infantry Division: M1A1 Abrams, M2 Bradley IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle), TOW missile system. Soldiers wear Kevlar helmets, flak jackets, and night vision goggles.

2nd Tank Brigade: Upgraded version of T-72 tank, thermal imaging in the targeting system.

Artillery: M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, 30km range. MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System M270.

★★★

The Latvian Kingdom's army on the east bank of the Ru River

The Latvian Kingdom's army was gathering on the east bank of the Ru River. Soldiers were gathering here from all over the country. However, only 20 percent of Latvia's army was present, as the rest of their troops were fighting with other countries (Jimland, Amazonia and Britannia). Still, the army that had gathered here was large, mostly monsters, Draugr (creatures created from corpses), and giants.

Caspian, looking at a man in hood, said, "So what are our plans? I heard the Bernard Empire has taken a defensive position. It seems they are scared. This is the right time to attack them."

The man replied gravely, "I think so too, Your Majesty. The Draugr has been revived in the Northern Tombs. Flying Jaculus are circling the sky—a swarm could attack the enemy base in 30 minutes."

Caspian said firmly, "Then send them without delay. I want their destruction."

★★★

Latvian Army

Draugor (Undead Warriors): Reanimated Warriors. Skeleton bodies in black iron armour, Rune-blade swords in hands. Wounds rot when struck.

Stone Trolls: 12 feet tall, with granite-like skin. They wielded huge axes and hammers, with which they could inflict devastating blows on their enemies.

Jaculus (Flying Serpents): Smaller than dragons, with poisonous breath. When 50 of them fly together, the sky turns black.

Black Magic Imps: The size of human babies, but without eyes. In addition, they had sharp claws and teeth, with which they could tear enemies to pieces. They attacked the enemy by hearing sounds.

★★★

Defence of the Bernard Empire

The soldiers of the Bernard Empire were busy fortifying their position. The trenches were being deepened, and the bunkers were being reinforced.

Then Bernard's forward operative warned over the radio, "Report from Echo-3—Enemy flying snakes in the sky! Number over 50!"

Petrov ordered, "Bring all Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to the front! Artillery, begin HE-FRAG (High Explosive Fragmentation) shells on the Jaculus swarm!"

The first roar in the sky was heard as the M109 howitzer shell exploded in the midst of the Jaculus swarm. The field was drenched in a rain of blood and poison. But 10 Jaculus survived and sprayed poison on Bernard's trench. The air was heavy with the screams of the soldiers.

From across the river, the Draugr and behind them, 20 Stone Trolls attacked as the first wave. They crossed the stone bridge built over the river and began to advance. Then, there was a huge explosion. *BOOM!*

KRRRRA-KOOM! BA-DOOOM! CRACK-THOOM! KABOOM!

The bridge collapsed Experience new stories on My Virtual Library Empire

The Bernard Empire soldiers had already planted bombs on the bridge.

THOOOOOM

The Bernard tank commander gripped his radio handset as the battle raged. With a firm voice, he issued the order:

"Target acquired—T-72s, fire!"

BOOM! THWAAAAM! BOOM! BOOM!

The line of T-72s unleashed a devastating barrage, their 125mm rounds ripping through the Drgour and Trolls who had fallen into the river and were standing by the riverside. The impact sent geysers of water and body parts into the air.

The armoured behemoths continue their relentless firing. This greatly reduced Latvian numbers.

Then, the radio crackled to life. A calm but authoritative voice came through:

"Hammer-1, cease-fire. Let them cross the river now. Over."

The tank commander responded immediately:

"Roger, solid copy. Ceasing fire. Retreat position. Over."

The tanks then began to retreat.

.....

Caspian was very angry. Because his troops could not cross the river. He looked at his military commander and said, "Why are you standing here like this!? Go and do something!"

Then they realized the sound of the tanks' attacks stopped.

"Your Majesty, their attacks have stopped now. It seems that their magical weapons have run out of mana."

Caspian smiled, "This is our chance. Order our entire army to cross the river now. The Bernard Empire's soldiers are timid and weak. That's why they have taken defensive measures instead of attacking us directly. They will not survive our monsters. We will destroy them."

.....

Latvia's army began to cross the river by swimming or in small boats.

Also with them were war beasts. These were massive turtle-like creatures, their shells covered in spiked armour, their eyes glowing with a dull, malevolent light. These were the Kragturtles, living siege engines bred for war. Each one was the size of a small house, capable of carrying dozens of soldiers on their backs and smashing through fortifications with ease.

They started crossing the river with stone trolls and soldiers on their backs, who were heavily armoured and armed.

The first wave reached the shore. Boots hit solid ground. Stone trolls stomped forward, their weight sinking into the mud. Latvian officers barked orders as formations took shape. The advance was in motion.

Then—

KA-BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! THWAAAAM!

A series of deafening explosions ripped through the advancing forces. The soldiers of the Bernard Empire had planted many mines in the ground. Which exploded.

Fire and shrapnel erupted in all directions, tearing through men and beasts alike. Stone trolls were hurled into the air like ragdolls, their massive forms shattered by the sheer force of the blasts.

A Kragturtle let out a deep, guttural roar as an explosion ruptured beneath it, sending a shockwave through its armoured body. Soldiers perched on its back were flung off, screaming as they hit the ground—only to be caught in secondary blasts.

Chaos. Screams. Smoke.

Through the thick haze, the Bernard tank commander surveyed the carnage from his turret. He smirked slightly, then grabbed his radio.

"All units, hold fire. Let the mines do their job. Any survivors—light 'em up. Over."

_______________________

General Petrov was watching the destruction of the battlefield on the drone's live feed.

"We didn't need to take so many defensive measures. The trenches and bunkers now seem completely unnecessary. We've already destroyed a large part of their forces. I overestimated them."

From the sidelines, Eric smiled, although there was a slight artificiality in his voice. "General, your plan was the best. My brother's army has never been defeated so easily."

Eric knew the Bernard Empire was strong, but he had never imagined that the war would be so one-sided. Although he had seen the Bernard Empire's soldiers conquer cities before, this war gave him a full understanding of the Bernard Empire. Where the enemy was being defeated before they could reach them.

"However, General, my brother's forces still contain many dangerous dark wizards. They will be able to change the course of the war."

Petrov nodded. "You're right. But I also have the means to deal with them."

Suddenly, the radio crackled to life.

"Command, this is Eagle-1, flight leader of Eagle Squadron. We are approaching the AO. Requesting target coordinates and engagement orders. Over."

A radio operator rushed up to Petrov, saluted, and relayed, "General, air support has arrived. They are requesting attack authorization."

Petrov grabbed the radio himself. "Eagle-1, this is Command. Stand by for target coordinates. Confirm payload. Over."

"Command, Eagle-1 confirming. We have four Douglas A-3 Skywarriors armed with Mark 83 and FAB-500, escorted by six F-4 Phantom II. We are currently at Angels 20 and holding formation. Over."

Petrov looked at the drone feed again. The remaining Latvian forces were regrouping around the Kragturtles, trying to rally under the protection of their dark wizards. He made his decision.

"Eagle-1, you are cleared hot. Target: enemy ground forces at Grid 42-Alpha, with priority on war beasts, giants and magic users. Suppression of enemy air defences is already in effect. Make it rain. Over."

"Solid copy, Command. Weapons hot. Beginning bombing run. Eagle Squadron, follow my lead. Over."

-----------------------------

The bombers flew in a tight formation, they approached the drop zone. Behind them, the fighters scanned for any enemy airborne threats.

Inside the lead bomber, the bombardier peered through the targeting scope. His headset crackled as Eagle-1's voice came through.

"Final approach. Bomb bay doors opening. Prepare for drop. Stand by… Stand by…"

The crosshairs aligned over the enemy mass on the riverbank. Stone trolls, Kragturtles, and black-robed wizards were gathering, some already casting protective spells.

"Release! Release! Release!"

The FAB-500 bombs detached from their pylons and plummeted.

From the ground, Latvian soldiers looked up—just in time to see death streaking down.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOOOM!