Deus Nos Ducit Ad Astra Per Aspera

-Outskirts of Erzincan-

The Russian Central Army Group is approaching Erzincan with a quick pace as they mow down any Ottoman troops who stand in their way.

A new type of IFV is introduced during this war. It has tracked wheels and has more armor for protection.

As multiple of such vehicles approach the city they all slow down while still on course towards the city.

BOOM BOOM

Artillery fire can be heard in the background as the IFV's make their way to Erzincan.

*Click Click Click*

BRRRRRRRRRR

SPROUT

SPLASH

CRUNCH

"AAAA! HELP ME!"

The mounted gatling gun on top of the IFV turned toward a Ottoman soldier as it shot at him and his comrades, turning him and his brothers into human fertilizer mixed with shrapnel.

"Sir, why are we driving so slow, shouldn't we go quickly into the city and take it from the Ottomans?"

The Top Gunner who just turned men into paste asked his Captain.

*Bang*

"Private! Do you hear yourself talking right now!?"

The Captain opened the Comand hach as he peeked out.

The Private fumbled as he shot another Ottoman infront of the IFV.

"Sir, I am concerned that at this speed I will get shot at. I am a sitting duck up here."

The Captain glared at him.

"You're a sitting duck with a fucking gatling gun! You won't get shot at if there is no one to shot at you! Besides those smooth barrel Ottomans can't even shoot straight and if you get hit by some miraculous shot then death fell in love with you!"

*Snicker*

The Driver laughed at the Captains remarks.

"Shut it driver and keep us on steady course!"

"Yes Sir!"

As the IFV's got closer to the edge of the city, Ottoman charges intensified.

BRRRRRR BRRRRRRR BRRRRRR

"We arrived almost there."

The Captain took his binoculars out as he looked at the battered city.

"Artillery boys are overachievers."

The Captain spat out.

"Sir watch out, you could get shot."

The Captain turned to the Gunner as he said.

"As I said Private, if you or I get hit then death has a date ready for us!"

BANG

"Captain!"

The Gunner screamed out.

"Die you Ottoman scum!"

BRRRRRRRRR

"AAAA!"

CRUNCH SPLASH

"Private calm your ass! I am fine ughh."

The Captain went back in the IFV as he administered bandages.

"Reloading!"

The Gunner took out the round magazine out of the gatling gun as he reached for a new one.

"Die Russian scum!"

A Ottoman soldier ran out of his trench and ran towards the IFV with a explosive on his hand.

The Gunner, stunned, cowered his face ready for a explosion.

BANG

BOOOM

"What?"

The Gunner looked at the Ottoman who now is smolderd on the ground.

"You think, while I'm shot, I'm out of commission!?"

"Captain!?"

The Gunner screamed out in surprise.

The Captain had reached for the side gun that pokes out the side of the IFV and shot at the Explosive in the Ottomans hand and blew him up.

"Sir, can I have my post back?"

The Gunner that manned the side gun asked.

"Yes, next time don't make me do this for you."

The Side Gunner nodded as he regained his post.

"Well sir, I guess you were right. Death does have a death wish for you and got a table ready for you two."

The Driver laughed as he said that.

"Shut it, keep an eye on the road."

The Captain grumbled as he sat down and held his injury while everyone laughed.

"All things considered the Captain is right, if we drive of now we are leaving our army behind us while charging straight Into 1 million Ottoman men. We would also be disobeying the Saintess's Order."

The Driver spoke.

Everyone nodded except the Captain who still is tending to his wound.

-Mobile Comand Center-

Anastasia listens to reports about the effectiveness of the new IFV's. She's impressed of its usefulness. Those Scientists in the Labs overdid themselves. But that's not a bad thing.

'Once this Operation is over, the Tanks can be deployed as nothing will be able to stop them. I hope their presence will coerce the Sultan to surrender. But knowing him he won't, as this would be the end of the Ottoman Empire. Which it would be.'

Anastasia though of multiple strategies and plans as the battles rage.

"I'm going out for a bit."

She said as she approached the door.

"Your Highness it's dangerous!"

Anastasia turned to the Captain of the Mobile Comand Center.

"We are far enough from the Frontline, I should be fine."

The Captain twitched.

"That it may be, we should still exercise caution."

Anastasia who already gripped the handle responded.

"I'll be back in a minute."

She went out before the Captain could scream out.

Now as she's outside she looks around.

The ground is littered with craters from previous battles as the soil is scattered around with Ottoman body's still laying around. Some no longer salvageable as their froms are nothing but bone fragments.

She sighs.

War is changing yet it is not.

You still die, the only thing that changes is the way you die.

She then crouched as she gripped the soil.

Anastasia frowned.

"The soil, it's dying."

Constantine who is next to her in his battle gear asked.

"Dying how exactly?"

Anastasia stood up as she answered.

"That's what I want to know. Call the Army Priests!"

Constantine nodded as he radioed in.

Soon the Priests came.

"How am I of service Saintess."

He gave a bow as he looked at Anastasia.

Anastasia handed a handful of dirt to him.

"The soil is dying, it sould not be happening. I need your expertise."

The Priests frowned.

He took the dirt as he examined it. He shook his head.

"The soil is cursed your Holiness, I do not know how."

Anastasias frown deepened.

"How can the soil be cursed, do you know?."

The Priests nodded.

"Yes, I know. The only way for the sovereign soil of a nation to be cursed is if it's ruler allows it to be."

"What do you mean?" Anastasia asked.

"If the ruler of the lands signed a contract with a evil sprit, or if a powerful spirit cursed it itself."

Anastasias eyes widened as did the Priests as he realized what he said.

"This means that the Sultan is siding with Demons." Anastasia said.

"We must inform the Emperor and the Church immediately!" The Priests said with a pale face.

Anastasia nodded.

"Constantine, you heard. Send word to father and the Partiarch."

Constantine nodded as he retreated into the Comand Center.

Anastasia thought.

'If Demons are involved, then this war does not seem like what it truly is.'