Very Wrong Reincarnation: Isekai with Game Nation

Vol. 3 Chapter 7

The vast expanse of Dalvat continent - The largest army unit - 13th Vanguard Army, a force of roughly 42,000 men, had been the first major formation to push into the heart of Dalvat in order to capture Acatia Plains. Composed of nearly four full divisions, their task was to secure and expand control deeper into the continent. Two more divisions, stretched over a 300-kilometer corridor of convoys and forward outposts, were meant to reinforce the gains and support logistics - but now, remained static.

Initially aggressive, the army's forward push slowed within the second month. With subsequent setbacks and intervention in the following months. The situation changed - orders came from high command to begin a controlled fallback. Outposts that were too far or exposed were abandoned. Instead, efforts turned toward creating a stable, fortified line of defense. Units moved back by sectors, always leaving behind delaying forces and laying mines in the expected approach routes.

Support vehicles previously assigned to mobile logistics were reassigned to earthwork duties. Requisitioned civilian labor from occupied areas was brought forward and set to work. Along a wide front, trench networks began forming to the point it's noticable from the air. Short-term forts and reinforced bunkers were dug out from available materials. In open terrain, tank hulls were buried up to the turret to act as stationary firing positions.

By the third week, the Yugoslav military presence had shifted fully into a defensive layout. Around 600 tanks-T-54/55s, T-72s, and M-84s-were spread across the trenches. Most were positioned to provide indirect fire or static defense. Their use as mobile armor had been stopped entirely. Crews were told to hide their positions during the day, using netting and improvised camouflage to reduce visibility from the air.

MiG-21s patrol were sent up more often than before, but not to strike targets. Their mission was to provoke enemy air forces. Flight paths were designed to look aggressive but always turned back short or under Yugoslav air defense zone. The hope was to bait enemy aircraft into dogfights or force them to reveal radar signatures to be shotdown from below. But none took the bait. The enemy jets only responded when deeper inland positions were attacked.

Because of this, the Yugoslav command did not authorize full air operations. Bombing missions and mass sorties were avoided or outright cancelled. Instead, the air force focused on scouting runs, signal interception, and limited air-to-air patrols over secured territory.

The front line turned quiet.

There were no major pushes by the unknown enemy or by Sanctium. No large formations advanced. The only threats came in the form of small-scale attacks-sabotage, sniper fire, occasional mortar strikes. Guerrilla units hit supply routes, ambushed patrols, or attempted to destroy fuel depots behind the lines. Some were disguised as locals, others appeared from the forests at night and vanished before a full response could arrive.

Despite that, the line held. Units rotated weekly. Engineers added more depth to the trenches, building fallback lines and underground shelters. Minefields continued expanding, marked clearly for Yugoslav patrols but hidden from the enemy. Each day without a full offensive was used to reinforce the positions and increase stockpiles.

For almost a month, the Dalvat front remained without large movements. Communication remained steady, and while enemy strength remained unknown, the lack of pressure gave Yugoslav forces time to harden their defense. Watchposts reported occasional sightings of enemy scouts, but no signs of armor, artillery, or large air groups had appeared close to the line.

The stalemate held. The Yugoslav army was no longer advancing, but it was not being pushed back. Commanders were told to hold positions at all cost, avoid unnecessary movement, and prepare for a larger battle that had not yet come - for now.
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