The Empire is a powerful military nation on a continent that looks much like early 20th century Europe. But in this world, magic is real. The Empire is involved in a war against the Entente Alliance, and fighting a poorly executed delaying action in the northern theater. Second Lieutenant Tanya Degurechaff leads a small platoon of mages. But there's something unusual about this lieutenant... she's only nine years old!

Tanya is now living life on easy street, as a highly-respected student at the military university. She's so highly respected, in fact, that one of the Empire's chief military planners asks her for her opinion on the course of the war. Eager to show off her intellect (and hopefully land herself a cushy job in the planning department), Tanya comes up with a plan of astonishing insight and intelligence. Her idea backfires, however, when she turns out to be a little too smart for her own good...

Tanya just barely manages to restrain herself from disobeying her superior officers and attacking the Republic remanents. But the Republic forces have escaped overseas, and vowed to fight to the bitter end. The Empire has been victorious, but in its victory it has terrified the rest of the world and spurred them to action. Is true victory possible at all?