Very Wrong Reincarnation: Isekai with Game Nation

Vol. 3 Chapter 13

The room in Belgrade was tense - the atmosphere heavy and grim. The war council of Yugoslavia had gathered again. The losses from the west were still being counted when the first reports from Koper and the coastal defenses arrived. Every line read out by the officers brought another silence - another pause that weighed heavier than the last.

"Reporting confirmed numbers," said Colonel Petrovic, a pale officer standing by the map board. "Two Koni-class frigates lost, one Kotor-class, one Končar-class, five Osa missile boats, twenty-three trawlers and fishing vessels converted for auxiliary use. Three towns, one airbase, two cities, and several villages sustained direct bombardment. Eighteen tanks destroyed, twenty artillery pieces, three MRLS batteries. Total casualties estimated at fifty-seven thousand, both military and civilian."

The words lingered in the air for several seconds.

At the head of the table sat General Radomir Pavlovic, commander of the Western Defense Command, who had taken charge of national military matters while Tito and his cabinet were away. Around him, several senior officers exchanged quiet whispers. The mention of Koper being annihilated hit the room like a hammer. Major General Vuk Stefanovic, the head of intelligence, adjusted his glasses - his voice trembling slightly as he continued.

"Koper is gone. Ninety percent destroyed. The entire city reduced to rubble by a naval bombardment lasting three hours. We estimate over five thousand civilians dead or wounded. There were no survivors among the defenders. The last message from Colonel Djuric, the garrison commander, was cut off mid-sentence."

Another silence followed.

"The enemy fleet," Stefanovic went on, "believed to be supported by American forces - appears to have moved west. Based on intercepted communications and visual sightings, they may be heading towards Dalvat."

The mention of Dalvat caught everyone's attention. That was the front where the Yugoslav Army was already engaged in heavy fighting against the Sanctium and their mysterious new ally.

"Dalvat?" repeated General Marko Vasic, chief of staff for ground operations. "They're heading west? That would put them behind our lines. Our troops there are already under pressure from the front. If they get hit from the sea-"

"They'll be caught between two fires," said Rear Admiral Milan Kovacevic - grimly finishing the sentence.

Colonel Stefanovic nodded. "Our sources on the coast report the fleet that attacked Koper has begun regrouping and refueling. Our aerial observation is impossible - but based on reports from shadowing ships before they were sunk in the west, they are not withdrawing. They may be preparing for another strike."

"Or a landing," Kovacevic said - tapping the map. "Look here, Dalvat. Shallow gradient beaches, no rocky cliffs. It's perfect for amphibious operations. If they bring transports..." He didn't finish the sentence.

A voice from the back of the room - Lieutenant Colonel Branko Ilic - said, "Americans. They're behind this. No doubt about it."

That provoked murmurs throughout the room.

"It must be them," said Colonel Novak, head of logistics. "Those aircraft we've seen over Dalvat - they look like F-14s. Even their tanks - reports say some resemble the Pershing design. Who else could field such machines?"

"Their technology doesn't match exactly," said Captain Radovan Milic - a younger intelligence analyst, fidgeting nervously. "Some details are-"

"Do not talk about details!" barked General Vasic. "Our men are dying! The coast has been burned to the ground! You think some insignificant differences change who's behind it? The Americans are the only ones who could do this!"