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The Battle of Mare was a critical engagement conducted by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) as part of a larger effort to neutralize Zorzal's forces and pave the way for the Legitimate Government’s advance toward the capital, Sadera. The primary objective of the operation was to capture the strategically vital Mare Fortress, which stood as a key defensive position for the Imperial forces.
JSDF forces initiated the attack by launching a series of precise rocket strikes, designed to sow confusion and disrupt the Imperial defenders' coordination. This bombardment effectively neutralized the fortress' outer defenses, creating a window of opportunity for the assault. In a coordinated maneuver, combat helicopters then bypassed the fortress walls and gates, executing a rapid insertion of ground troops onto the fortress spires. This surprise drop caught Zorzal's defenders off guard, allowing the JSDF to gain a foothold within the fortress.
The ensuing battle, marked by its swiftness and precision, resulted in the collapse of the Imperial defense. Within a short period, the JSDF overpowered the remaining resistance, securing control of the fortress. The fall of Mare represented a significant strategic gain for the JSDF and served as a decisive blow to Zorzal's forces, further weakening his position in the region.
Aftermath[]
The Battle of Fort Fyue was a key engagement that demonstrated the disparity between the perceived strength of the Imperial defense and the reality of their situation. The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) achieved a relatively easy victory, managing to secure the fort without taking any losses. However, the Imperial forces defending Fort Fyue were notably fewer than anticipated. This was later revealed to be the result of a strategic redeployment, as many Imperial troops had been withdrawn to reinforce other critical locations around the Marais region.
After securing the fort, the JSDF and their allies advanced toward their next objective, but their progress was disrupted by an ambush from Imperial forces under the command of Podawan and his Wyvern Corps. The ambush marked the beginning of a more dynamic phase in the battle, with the Imperial forces attempting to slow the JSDF’s momentum and regroup for a counteroffensive.
In a bid to maintain morale among the Imperial leadership and pro-war senators, General Herm Fule Maio made a series of highly misleading public statements. He falsely claimed that reinforcements had been sent to bolster the defenses of Mare and that the Imperial forces were engaging in fierce combat to wear down the JSDF’s fighting strength. Maio's statements about the "strong fighting spirit" of the Imperial troops were, however, in direct contradiction to the reality on the battlefield. The fall of Mare and the significant losses suffered by Imperial forces went unreported, hidden behind a veil of propaganda designed to manipulate both the Senate and the public.
This attempt to deceive the Imperial Senate and military leaders was not isolated. Emperor Zorzal and Maio used these fabrications to rally support for a final offensive aimed at recapturing Italica, despite the increasingly grim outlook for the Imperial forces. The strategic use of misinformation to delay the inevitable collapse of Imperial morale and command is a stark reminder of the lengths to which military and political leaders will go to maintain control, even in the face of mounting defeat. The narrative of these events is explored in Volume 8, Chapter 9 of the light novel, where the stark contrast between Imperial propaganda and battlefield reality is laid bare.
While the fall of Fort Fyue might seem like a tactical loss for the Empire, it was a significant moment in the unraveling of their broader strategic position. The failed deception and the retreat of Imperial forces would mark the beginning of the end for the Empire's resistance in the region.