[CHAAAAAARGE!!!]
After about 2 hours of bombardment by the Mage Squad, Garback Platoon finally began its assault.
Though I say that, we weren't instructed to attack the enemy ourselves.
We just jumped out of the trenches at the signal and ran across the plain, where bullets from the enemy were flying in, to the next trench as fast as we could.
[Touri, don't leave my back! Salsa, even if you have to use your life, protect Touri at all costs!]
[Understood.]
[Yes sir!]
It seems that the Platoon Leader doesn't expect me or Salsa to be a force that could be counted on.
He probably regards me as a mere healer and Salsa as a meat shield to protect me.
Salsa himself seems to be aware of this to some extent.
[I repeat the order: I shall protect Second Class Medic Touri even at the cost of my life.]
[That's a good spirit! Now don't just be all talk and actually show it through your actions.]
I somehow feel like Salsa is being strangely enthusiastic. He's being treated like a throw-away pawn, but why is his morale so high?
Well, there's nothing better than having a determined guard.
Besides, from the way Platoon Leader is talking now, it seems that Private Salsa's life is worth less than my own.
That's something I can be a little relieved about.
The assault operation that day seemed to have been a success.
Unlike the operation 3 days before, the enemies' burnt corpses were lying all over the place, and the smell of burnt flesh and iron hit my nostrils.
[Gahahaha, it seems that the enemy didn't expect us to attack in such a short time. Give the last rites to the surviving vermins!]
Platoon Leader Garback, with a high-pitched laugh, charges into the enemy lines.
In this battlefield filled with roars of explosions and splatters of blood, gunfire echoed from all directions, seemingly enjoying it like a fish in water.
[...F- Fast.]
[I'm going to speed up so that I won't be left behind by Platoon Leader, Salsa.]
Platoon Leader Garback continued to charge ahead of everyone else.
We were running as fast as we could, but his back was getting further and further away from us.
[OGRAAAAAAHHH!!! BE THE RUST OF MY SWORD!]
I, who was forced to follow him, could only inwardly scream "Please don't charge in recklessly".
The Platoon Leader, diving into a hail of bullets all alone, without any support from others, looks like a suicidal maniac.
However, strangely enough, the safest zone on the battlefield ended up being behind the Platoon Leader, who was supposed to be leading the assault.
[How come the bullets aren't hitting him!?]
[...He seems to be cutting them. The bullets, I mean.]
I see, I had forgotten about that.
I had been so busy fighting a bloody war that it had slipped my mind, but this is a fantasy world of swords and magic.
The Platoon Leader is a swordsman. He's a swordsman so skilled that he can even cut down bullets.
[How come the Platoon Leader, who is running while cutting down bullets, is still faster than us!?]
[I don't know...!]
Platoon Leader's battles were simply awe-inspiring.
He would dive toward the trenches where the enemy might be hiding, splattering blood and gaining control of the battlefield.
Me and Salsa really ended up just tag-alongs following him.
Even following him was only possible because Platoon Leader Garback occasionally stopped to decapitate enemies, allowing us to keep up somehow.
[Ora, I'm gonna leave you greenhorns behind! Stay behind me if you wanna live!]
[U- Understood!]
I never thought I would actually see a person cutting bullets with a sword in real life.
I had always thought Garback was just a rough, arrogant and detestable superior but...
Even Head Medic Gale, who hates such a Platoon Leader, admits that he is an excellent assault infantry.
Imperfect he may be, Platoon Leader Garback is undoubtedly our country's "Ace".
[Platoon Leader! You're advancing too fast! If we advance any further, we can't coordinate with the other units!]
[Huh? They're freaking doing this again, these damned slackers.]
However, his bad habit was just as I heard many times from Head Medic Gale.
He was so absorbed with charging that if left unchecked, he would continue cutting enemies without observing his surroundings.
This time too, we definitely are over-extending into the enemy lines.
Our allies were still in combat a few dozen meters into the camp.
[Hahh! Haahhh... Platoon Leader. I suggest giving priority to securing geographical advantage rather than advancing any further.]
[...Geez, can't be helped. You two look exhausted too, so this is just the right time.]
Without a doubt, our platoon was becoming increasingly isolated.
Seemingly having realized it himself, the Platoon Leader's face turned grim, but after a sigh, he signaled for our troops to halt their advance.
[Ahh, everyone, assemble. Using this trench as our base, our platoon will be providing support for our allies' advance.]
[ [ Understood. ] ]
Almost as soon as the order to assemble was given, our platoon's members appeared around us.
Unlike me and Salsa, who were dripping in sweat, our senpais still looked quite composed.
They had properly managed to catch up with the Platoon Leader while engaging in combat.
As expected of soldiers who have had many battles in the past.
[Platoon Leader, excuse my interruption, but I have a report.]
[What is it?]
[My unit's First Class Infantry Grey has been wounded in the thigh by a bullet. Continued bleeding poses a risk of death, so I would like to request treatment from the Medic.]
At these words, I looked over and saw the young male soldier on his shoulder with a pained expression on his face.
The Platoon Leader seemed to consider it for a moment, before turning to face me.
[Hmm. Touri, you can use Healing Magic up to two times, right?]
[Yes.]
[Good. Provide first aid to Grey, and if necessary, you have permission to use Healing Magic once.]
[Orders received. First Class Infantry Grey-dono, please show me the affected area.
Ohh, I'm finally assigned a normal Medic-like job.
It's hard to do this while standing there, exhausted, but frontline treatment like this is the very reason for my existence here.
Let's rally our spirits and handle this matter thoroughly.
[Alright, the others are to secure the perimeter. While providing cover for the advance of the other platoons, everyone is to guard Touri and Grey.]
[Y- Yes!]
Even so, Platoon Leader Garback actually gave permission for me to use Healing Magic on his subordinate huh. Even though he told me I am to only heal him...
Well, maybe it's because today's battle is over.
Perhaps in fear of Platoon Leader Garback, most of the enemy soldiers around are retreating.
[There's hematoma in the gunshot wound on your thigh. We'll need to drain it, so it's going to hurt a little bit.]
[...Urk! Thank you, Touri-chan. Let's go on a date sometime.]
[I have confirmed that the blood clot has been removed, and will now use Healing Magic.
[I wish you'd give me some kind of reaction though.]
This is the first time I've spoken to him face-to-face, but First Class Infantry Grey seemed to be a coquettish soldier. I do wonder where he intends to take me on a date on this battlefield though.
His flirting attempt aside, First Class Infantry Grey looked young and had a very well-trained body. I suppose he's a veteran in his own right?
[The treatment has been completed. I'll provide you with an oral rehydration solution, so please promptly consume it. If you see blood in your urine within 24 hours, please report it to me or another Medic immediately.]
[Yes, thank you for the help. ...Mngh, ouch.]
[I'm sorry, my skills were still not sufficient enough for a complete recovery.]
[No, no, you stopping the bleeding is already enough. I honestly thought I was going to die.]
Thereupon, I proceeded to disinfect Grey-dono's thigh and wrapped it in a bandage.
Grey-dono's face looked pale and there was a possibility that he had lost a considerable amount of blood, so I also gave him some fluids.
[I succeeded in stopping the bleeding, and unless you're shot again, I guarantee First Class Infantry Grey-dono's life.]
[I see. I'll be careful then.]
[You done? Then, you also join in supporting the allies, Grey. Touri, you take cover in the trench the enemy has dug.]
It seems like Platoon Leader was done giving orders, so I took cover in the trench after that.
I was not armed and my rucksack contained only medical supplies and tools, so I couldn't participate in the battle in the first place.
Fortunately, our allies caught up and joined us, successfully securing the terrain after we grouped up with them.
[The battle is over! Each of you swap places with the rear unit and maintain our hold on our original camp!]
Soon, a different platoon arrived, and we relinquished the front lines to them, bringing our battle today to a close.
On this day, we succeeded in advancing 31 meters.
Although we did not regain all of the territory the enemy had previously invaded, we were able to get even with them.
[Gahahaha, it's a great victory. Today our platoon suffered only one casualty and advanced a distance of 31 meters! It's been a while since we've had such an efficient advance!]
Platoon Leader Garback let out a hearty laugh.
[If the rest of the platoons had just moved forward a little faster, we would have made up for our previous loss. What a waste. If only I had 10 more men in my platoon...]
...After the battle was over, I heard the Platoon Leader's words and looked around.
There, I noticed. There were only 7 members in our Garback Platoon.
One member is missing.
[Platoon Leader, let's just do that.]
[Oh, you're right. Ahh, the life of Scout Lendl was the cornerstone of our victory. The 31 meters we've advanced is the crystallization of Lendl's life.]
[...….]
[All salute our brave Scout Lendl.]
We saluted for a few seconds to Scout Lendl, who died somewhere we had no knowledge about.
I later heard that he was shot in the head because he was so desperate to keep up with the Platoon Leader's charge that he failed to be alert to his surroundings.
He was apparently a rookie who had only been here for less than a year, a soldier with not much experience.
[Alright, let's go back and have a drink. I'll go grab some ale from the warehouse as a reward again.]
[Thank you very much, Platoon Leader!]
[Gahaha, you better be thankful.]
No one was saddened by Lendl's death.
Garback is smiling, looking like he's in a good mood, while the other platoon members have cheerful expressions on their faces.
[Salsa, Touri. Mere maggots that you are, you did well managing to survive. I shall allow you special permission to sit along with us.]
[...It's an honor. Thank you for your consideration.]
[But in exchange, you'd better prepare a performance for everyone!]
How can they be so cheerful when someone has died?
...No, that's right. This was a battlefield.
The death of a person is surely not an uncommon occurrence.
[...Are you alright? You look pale, Touri.]
[There's no problem. Besides, you're the one whose face looked like it was drained of color, Salsa.]
[I'm alright. I will be alright.]
What did Scout Lendl look like? What kind of personality did he have?
I, who had never talked to him, knew nothing about him. It should have nothing to do with me whether a stranger dies or not.
And yet, what is this nausea that is rising from within me?
[...Hey, Touri. Why are those people smiling?]
[I think it's because the tactical objective in today's battle had been accomplished.]
[I see. I guess you're right.]
We must endure. This daily life next to death is the "battlefield" in which we find ourselves in.
Scout Lendl died, but his sacrifice was firmly in the interest of our country.
That's why, his death is something I must also smile about.
[Oi, newbies. Don't dawdle. We're handing this location to the next platoon and retreat.]
[Y- Yes, senpai.]
[Oh, I knew you two would have a gloomy look on your face. All newbies are like that when comrades die, so don't worry and just switch over.]
First Class Infantry Grey-dono, who I had treated earlier, worriedly called out to the dazed us.
It seems that we have caused trouble to our senpais because of our inability to sort out our emotions. I must reflect on this.
[My apologies, First Class Infantry Grey-dono. We will immediately begin our retreat.]
[Unnn, unnn. Even Touri-chan, who doesn't show much expression normally, makes that kind of face huh. It's really pretty.]
[I'm ashamed of my inexperience.]
Moreover, it seems like they've noticed that I'm deeply affected by the loss of a comrade.
It seems that my emotion was clearly visible on my face.
I wonder if this is something that would make me a target of Platoon Leader's disciplinary action?
[I'm envious that you can show such an expression. After all, we've already given up on this a long time ago.]
[Ummm, that things like a comrade's death are just part of daily life, that really must be true huh, Grey-senpai.]
[Yeah. We're part of a frontline assault platoon, so casualties are just part of our everyday life. I can't even guarantee that I'll be alive tomorrow either.]
The expression on Grey-senpai's face wasn't that of anger, but more of a concern towards us.
It was a gaze that conveyed compassion, akin to an adult consoling a child crying after having a frightening dream.
[But you know what? Think about it, where do you think the goal of this war is?]
[The goal?]
[Yes, the goal.]
Thereupon, Grey-san gently admonished us.
[We've been fighting here for 10 years now. Continuously advancing and retreating along the front lines, as if we're playing a tug-of-war.]
[...I'm truly impressed by the efforts of our senpais.]
[That's not important. Do you guys have any idea how this war can possibly end?]
"Considering the other side's perspective as well, that is."
First Class Infantry Grey continues with a serious look on his face.
[We're being pushed a bit right now, but we can still fight. If we draft all the young men who might still be in the country, we can last another 10 years.]
[...….]
[The enemy is probably the same; they likely still have quite a bit of reinforcements they can bring in.]
That certainly might be true. I have my aptitude for Healing Magic, so I could hardly refuse the conscription, but most of my friends from other orphanages didn't become military personnel and instead went to earn a living in civilian life.
Bernie was the only one who joined the military at the same time as me, but he volunteered instead of being conscripted.
In other words, there are still people left in the country who can be drafted.
However, if that many people were conscripted, that would destroy the productive capacity of the country.
[Trench warfare, you see, heavily favors the defending side. Those holed up in the trenches would just shoot the ones attacking. In this situation, no matter how hard they try, the attacker will suffer more damage than the defender.]
[That is certainly true.]
[The Mage Squad are doing a good job, but it's impossible to wipe out all the soldiers holed up in trenches with just those bombardments. The enemy is also desperately surviving with defensive magic and anti-explosion equipment, waiting to shoot and kill us as we charge after the bombardment has stopped.]
Certainly, no matter how you think about it, it's advantageous to return fire from the trenches.
That's why we took our time and carefully coordinated with the mages for the attack.
[The war will continue for another 10 years. Do you really think you can survive as an assault trooper in this place, where there's no guarantee you'll be alive tomorrow, for 10 years?]
[You have to either pray to God or make a desperate effort to live.]
[That's impossible. We'll die here; that much is already certain.]
That's what he meant when he said they had already given up huh.
Grey-senpai sadly laughed.
[Death is our goal. It's the salvation God has given us for our hard work, liberating us from further suffering.]
[...That is... If we can break through the enemy lines and conquer the capital...]
[Impossible. The form of warfare has changed. Unlike the days when cavalry flourished a while ago, as a result of the spread of guns and gunpowder all over the world, this trench warfare has become the mainstream of warfare.]
[....]
[Trench warfare leads to no end. Even if you are defeated and fall back, one side can simply dig new holes and set up firearms in it, turning it into a strong position. So, there's no way you can invade the enemy capital in one fell swoop like before.]
"If I've said this much you should understand now", Grey-san continued.
[Those who died are those who reached the goal. They were the lucky ones who got out of this hellhole first. Even Lendl is probably having a party over there right now with our comrades-in-arms who have departed before him.]
[Is that your view of life and death, Grey-san?]
[If you don't think so, you can't be an assault soldier. Death is our salvation, our God-given right.]
[...Uuuu. But I still don't want to die.]
[That's understandable. To reach that level of enlightenment, both you and Touri-chan need a lot more experience. But well, I'm sure the day will come when you understand.]
Patting Salsa's head...
[In time, you will envy those who died.]
With those words, First Class Infantry Grey ended the conversation.
After being chastised for spacing out by Grey-senpai, me and Salsa were walking side by side toward the Platoon Leader's tent.
[I will envy those who died? I don't understand.]
[I agree, Second Class Private Salsa.]
After returning to our base, it seems that there will be a party (?) hosted by Platoon Leader Garback tonight.
According to Grey-senpai, Platoon Leader, who had drunk alcohol, would be 50% more unreasonable than usual, so I can't be late.
[I don't want to die. I don't want to become just another piece of flesh rolling around like maggot-filled trash.]
[I would also like to be excused from that.]
[However... After being on the battlefield for a long time, I wonder if I'll start thinking like that too? Will I start seeking salvation in death?]
[I don't know? Isn't it dependent on your view of life and death?]
Salsa-kun seems to be deep in thought about Grey-senpai's words.
Indeed, Senpai's expression as he admonished us earlier was unbelievably calm, almost as if devoid of sanity.
[Perhaps, First Class Infantry Grey-dono is too gentle of a person.]
[Gentle?]
I think I caught a glimpse of his personality in those words of his.
I believe that Grey-dono is a very gentle man by nature.
[What's so gentle about a guy seeking salvation in death?]
[Well, it could be that he is simply trying to distract us from our fear of death.]
Death is salvation.
If he really believed in such a distorted idea, it would be strange that Grey-senpai hadn't killed himself already.
Even though he was telling us such things, he himself must be afraid of dying.
However, even more than that...
[What more reason could there be?]
[I'm sure Grey-senpai is afraid that if he didn't think his fallen comrades received salvation in the afterlife, he probably wouldn't be able to maintain his sanity.]
I couldn't help but think that to myself.