Reincarnated as an Imperial Prince

Thirty minutes have passed since the declaration of war from both countries was issued through a multitude of media. A new scene was developing near the border of Ruthenia and the Choson Empire.

One of the key cities of the Choson Empire was Sinuiju, which lies in the north of the Choson Empire along the Yalu River under the control of the Yamato Empire. From the other side of the cities lies Dandong, a city controlled by the Ruthenian Empire.

The only thing that connects the two forms is the bridge that was constructed months ago. It serves as the most crucial bridge for the two countries as it is the only bridge that has direct access to either part of the city.

October 18, 1927, it was midnight. Rows of T-25 “Bear” Ruthenian Main Battle Tanks rolled across the bridge covertly under the cover of darkness. It was a slow process as the Ruthenian Army didn’t want to overload the bridge that could collapse it. The tanks form a strong vanguard spearhead once across the river to create a defensive perimeter, securing the bridge against any surprises as infantry, artillery, and support units followed behind.

The troops crossing the bridge were part of the 15th Infantry Division and the 36th Armored Division stationed in Dandong under the command of the Eastern Military District. The 36th Armored Division was composed of 50 T-25 tanks and 10,000 soldiers while the 15th Infantry Division was composed of 15,000 soldiers with army vehicles such as 20, IAV Stryker Armored Vehicle, the Sleipnir, 25 LAV-25 Assault Vehicle,  80 M113 Infantry Carrier “Iron Sow” 20 M939 Utility Truck “Ox”, 80 Humvee “Polkan” Jeep, and lastly, 20 M109 “Paladin”.

All these war machines were delivered with the use of military trains and cargo aircraft. For the last two years, the Ruthenian Empire has been mass producing a large number by the hundreds. From tanks, aircraft, vehicles, and weapons. Not only are they producing these war machines but the industry needed to build more assembly lines and factories in every major region of the Ruthenia Empire in order to keep up with increasing demands.

It was an astonishing feat from a logistical perspective. Having adopted modern training that incorporates Pre-WW2 and Cold War doctrine, the Ruthenian soldiers had mastered almost every one of its skills and tactics during the past four years. In addition, they have undergone intensive training over the years and have learned how to operate in most of its aspects. It wasn’t all just physical training but also psychological, cognitive, and behavioral training that turns an ordinary peasant conscript into a full-fledged fighting unit.

Four years ago, they were just skinny illiterate men from the countryside who had never even fired a gun in their life. Today, their constitution has been improved greatly by years of training. Turning them into effectively educated fighting units. And now, they received their very first mission.

Their objectives were simple. Capture the city of Sinanjiu from the Yamato Empire and protect it at all costs. The reason was simple: the bridge that they crossed just now serves as a strategic point for the Ruthenia Army. Its purpose is crucial for supplying the troops as well as ensuring the flow of troops into the Choson Empire. Should the Yamato Empire successfully force the Ruthenian Army out of the city and retake control of the city, they can easily destroy the bridge, effectively cutting off the Ruthenian Army’s access to the peninsula.

The Ruthenian Military High Command can’t allow that to happen.

Thirty minutes later, forty percent of the troops had successfully crossed the bridge. Squads from the 15th Infantry Division have detached themselves and scattered across the city to provide cover for the passing of troops. Their assault rifle, FAL, trained in every direction, covering each other’s backs with extreme muzzle discipline.

The city was silent, only hearing the soft growl from the engines of the tanks and vehicles. It was midnight, after all, adding the curfew imposed by the Resident General of the Choson Empire. The Ruthenian soldiers were not expecting civilian encounters. With their flashlights, they covertly searched for any sign of human activity inside the city. Until they found a nice-looking place that seems to stand out in the fearful and silent city.

A three-story western building with lights on in every room. The Ruthenian soldiers can hear boisterous cheers and laughter coming from inside the building. Based on the voices and languages used, they identified the people reveling inside the building to be Yamatos.

“Aren’t they aware that their country is at war?” asked the soldier who was peering through the red dot scope as he scanned the building.

“Looks like it,” the squad leader surmised, looking at the other squad.

There are five squads in total, each having ten members including the squad leader. They communicated through tactical hand signals.

According to the intel, there are only 200 forces stationed in Sinuiju. But that number will rise when the two armies from Pyongyang and Hanseong arrive. It is imperative they clear the city out of Yamato soldiers and set up a defensive perimeter.

One of the squad leaders pulled out his radio and reported their sightings to the command.

“Alpha to Overwatch, we spotted a three-story building about 700 meters from the bridge, Cut. Hearing Yamato language from inside the building. Awaiting instructions over.”

“Copy that Alpha, how many units do you have?”

“Fifty men, over.”

“Copy that Alpha stand-by…”

Overwatch is the codename of the High Command overseeing operations for this war.

“Overwatch to Alpha, link up with the other squad and assault the building, over.”

“Copy that Overwatch, Alpha out.”

Ending the transmission, the squad leader Alpha motioned to the four squads who were in a squatting position and informed them of the mission.

Receiving a thumbs up and a nod of the head, Alpha signaled the commencement of the operation. They rose to their feet and crept slowly towards the main gate.

As they neared the building, they spotted two Yamato soldiers sitting on stools by the gates. They were sleeping with their hats covering their faces and what seems to be ceramic bottles at their feet. Apparently, someone snuck them or they secreted some local booze to get some joy while on the job.

A deadly mistake.

One of the ruthenian soldiers from the Alpha squad approached the sleeping Yamato soldier stealthily. He pulled out a tactical knife from his waist. Taking a deep breath and preparing himself for the next step, he clambered the man’s mouth, preventing it from making a sound, and slit his throat.

His comrade met the same fate as another Ruthenian soldier did the same to him.

With the guards neutralized, they opened the gate and went inside. There, they could hear their noises clearer. There seem to be women as well in the party.

The Ruthenian soldiers form up around the door for a breaching tactic, the noise covering their footwork.

Then without further ado, one of the soldiers kicks the door down and it flew open with a mighty crash.