[...It's raining.]
[Oi, it's raining!]
Weather is very important on the battlefield.
[Oi, I got the vinyl sheets. Everyone gather.]
[Let's make a roof~~]
For example, rain. It's a symbol of blessing for crops and a precious opportunity to replenish drinking water for those like us who don't have access to a clean river.
[Don't we have any umbrellas or capes?]
[You'll get one after you climb the corporate ladder, rookie.]
On the front lines of war, rain... is the most formidable enemy for foot soldiers.
[HACHOOO!]
It was not yet dawn. Our platoon was sleeping in the trench, but was awakened by a cold feeling sporadically touching our skin.
It's raining.
[Oi, Salsa, nail the edge of the sheet on the other side.]
[Y- Yes.]
When it rains, each platoon goes to collect one large vinyl cloth provided to them.
The vinyl is then laid over the trenches to form a temporary roof.
We foot soldiers would shelter from the rain under that roof.
[The key is to make the roof properly slanted. Do you know why, Salsa?]
[Errr, so that water doesn't accumulate...?]
[Correct. If you set up the roof horizontally, water will pool in the middle. Make sure to prepare the lowest point with a ditch and create a drainage system.]
Rain is basically a disadvantage for foot soldiers.
First of all, heavy rain makes the ground muddy, making it difficult to march.
In addition, guns and other weapons that use gunpowder are more likely to malfunction.
The rifles supplied to the foot soldiers are supposedly completely waterproof but...
If they are used in the rain, there's a good chance that they will become too damp to fire.
[On the other hand, those conditions are the same for the enemy. So, combat operations in the rain aren't really recommended.]
[Then, there will be no sortie today?]
[That isn't the case. Even if the soldiers can't use guns, weapons that don't rely on gunpowder———- such as bows and swords can be used even in the rain. Waterproof hand grenades had even been developed for such instances. So, intentionally launching a surprise attack in the rain isn't out of the question as a strategy.]
[But in the end, bows are unstable because they lose distance, aim isn't precise and fail to reliably kill the enemy. That's why it's said that it's better not to fight in the rain.]
Such is the reason why it's difficult to have a battle on a rainy day.
It's difficult for the attackers to gain distance, and it's difficult to use gunpowder, so the defense side has a slight advantage.
In other words, there's a good chance that I will be stationed in the field hospital today.
[In that case, I wish it would rain all the time.]
[...Stupid. It's still warm now, so you're quite clueless, but rain is our worst enemy.]
The Senpais grumbled back at the words Salsa casually said, their faces full of bitterness.
To be honest though, I was thinking the same thing as Salsa right now, that I wished it would rain for a long time.
[Worst enemy huh. Is it scarier than the enemy soldiers shooting at us from the trenches?]
[Yeah, we can still somehow deal with those by having Platoon Leader charging towards them. However, we can't do anything about the rain.]
The Senpais say they're more afraid of the rain than the enemy pointing their guns at them.
...I thought it was some kind of joke, but the Senpais said this with serious looks on their face.
[Before I was assigned here, I was actually in the defense unit.]
[The defense unit?]
[Yes. Those lot who are still in the forefront trenches even now, shivering under the rain while keeping their vigilance up in case the enemy attacks.]
With an incredibly unpleasant look on his face, Senpai———– Scout Allen-san shared his experience with Salsa and me.
[I lost 5 comrades-in-arms and 3 toes to the rain.]
[Toes?]
The defense units are the ones who have the terrible and unpleasant job of "staying in the frontmost trenches and waiting for the enemy".
As members of the assault unit, our job is to charge in battle, kill the enemy in the trenches in front of us, and secure the terrain.
The defense units are tasked with intercepting assault units like us in the trenches.
The equipment and the composition of each unit are very different from each other.
Assault units are made up of Infantries equipped with small guns that allow them great maneuverability, Scouts who can advance to check on the enemy in the trenches in the direction of their charge, and high offense and suppression-capable troops, such as Grenadiers, who can suppress trenches from long distances.
They are mainly active during offensives, and when the allied defense network is breached, they rush in to support as guerilla troops.
Therefore, assault units are based in the rear of the battlefield so that they can move flexibly.
And although none of them are present in Garback Platoon, most of the assault units have grenadiers in their ranks.
Grenadiers are troops that throw small explosive devices like hand grenades at enemy trenches or shoot with their special guns.
They can effectively kill enemies in the trenches from a long distance, making them very powerful soldiers.
I heard that grenadiers used to be assigned to Garback Platoon, but one day, a new grenadier misjudged the speed at which Platoon Leader advanced and lobbed a grenade into the trenches immediately after Platoon Leader's charge, causing a terrible disaster.
Since then, Garback no longer had grenadiers in his unit. What happened to that rookie was something everyone was too tight-lipped to tell me.
On the other hand, defense units are made up of soldiers who can withstand endurance battles, such as Armor Soldiers with high durability, Mages who can use Defense Magic, Medics with strong resilience against injuries and infections, and Craftsmen who build barriers and set barbed wires.
Although defense units have a lower mortality rate (to a lesser extent compared to assault units), the significance of front-line treatment is extremely important to them, so medics are occasionally assigned to these units.
The harshness of their duties is one of the highest in all units, and they are a hellish unit that keeps on alert in case of enemy attack, in fear that they may be bombed by the enemy's Mage Squad at any moment.
On the other hand, unlike the assault troops, defense units enjoy a significantly higher number of breaks. On this frontline, the defense units get a rest day every three days.
On their rest days, they aren't blamed for what they do as long as it does not violate military discipline. They can play cards with their war buddies or buy the services of prostitutes. They are even provided recreational items with reasonable priority over others.
[Well, even with such preferential treatments, the defense units still have the highest rate of individuals experiencing mental breakdowns.]
[...Right.]
Assault units have some time to prepare themselves before the attack.
Moreover, if nothing is said in the briefing, they can rest assured knowing that there will be no fighting.
However, the defense units don't have such leeway. Once you are assigned to this role, they find themselves constantly hiding and enduring the fear of bombardment at the frontline until the shift changes.
The stress they carry on their shoulders is unimaginable.
[The rain during defense duty is truly the worst. You can't just fetch vinyl sheets while you're in the frontmost line, so when it rains, you're basically exposed to the elements.]
[Uwahh...]
[The ground was flooded out and filthy water was splashing everywhere. Because of this, infectious diseases are prevalent, and the diarrhea of those who have fallen ill is streaming along their legs.]
[....]
[Back when I was in my previous unit, bloody diarrhea was rampant, and my comrades were dying rapidly from dehydration. It's tragic, dying from diarrhea; being unable to move, buried in one's own filth.]
[Urph...]
[Moreover, during winter, the water is freezing cold, and just getting wet in the rain can cause necrosis of the toes. When the water level rose, dirty water mixed with diarrhea would seep into your footwear, so wearing boots is also pointless.]
It seems like recalling those memories had been unpleasant, as Allen-senpai had a grim expression and chose to end the conversation there.
The frontmost line seems to have terrible sanitary conditions. I'm glad I wasn't assigned there.
[Assault units are blessed. In exchange for their jobs having a high mortality rate, we get to shelter from the rain in a covered area like this.]
[That's right... We are very blessed.]
[Well, if the Platoon Leader hadn't been selfish, Touri-chan could actually have slept in the field hospital tent.]
[Medics were originally non-combatants in the first place. I've never heard of a medic belonging to an assault unit.]
Ah, that really was the case huh.
No matter how you think about it, it's definitely absurd for a medic to be sent out to the frontlines.
[Why did the Platoon Leader ask for a medic in the first place?]
[I heard that when Platoon Leader Garback was bombed recently and forced to retreat with wounds, he snapped towards the top brass, telling them "If we had a medic in the front line, I could have continued charging forward".]
[Platoon Leader still planning to go forward even after getting bombed huh.]
You should just retreat quietly in such situations.
[We're entering the rainy season. I'm sure our sorties and the frequency of enemy offensives will decrease.]
[I hope so.]
[That's why you should learn what you can while you can, rookies. Especially you, Salsa, you'll eventually lose Platoon Leader's protection.]
[Y- Yes.]
[Well, for starters, let's have you learn to run in a low profile. If you keep running with your head up and bouncing around like now, you'll die quickly.]
Just like that, we were awakened by the early morning rain and spent the night listening to our Senpais talk about their experiences.
We had never had the opportunity to listen to the stories of our senior foot soldiers, so it was quite fresh and insightful.
[You need to reduce your hit area. Just by lowering your head and crouching as you run, your hit area becomes 10-20% smaller than running normally. This is a skill that increases your survival rate, so keep this in mind.]
[Like this...?]
[That's right. It may be slower than running normally and put a strain on your lower back, but it's good to get used to that forward-leaning posture. if you're going to continue being an assault trooper, that is.]
We're still rookies. There's so much we don't know about established tactics and techniques on the battlefield.
[It's almost time for the briefing. Alright, let's go in front of the Platoon Leader's tent.]
[Yes, thank you very much.]
[I learned a lot.]
I wonder if after this lesson, have we rookies gradually become closer to being a proper "soldier"?
[Touri, you're going to the field hospital today. You'll be under the command of Head Medic Gale until tomorrow.]
[Understood.]
As expected, I'm assigned to hospital duty today.
At least for tonight, knowing that I won't have to face the deadly frontlines is a relief.
[The rest are digging trenches. It's raining and the footing's not good, so be careful.]
[Understood.]
Ahh, I'm really glad I'm not an infantry.
Doing manual labor all day under this rain with my current stamina would undoubtedly lead to exhaustion.
And I don't even want to think about waiting in the trenches as part of the defense unit.
[Well then, dismissed. All personnel, head to your posts————]
Just as I patted my chest, feeling relieved...
—————–Bam!
A massive, deafening roar resembling an explosion echoed in the distance, reverberating through the faraway trenches.
[....! Enemy attack! All hands to battle stations!]
[Understood!]
In the rain, we rushed into the trenches.
Then, holding our breaths, we pressed our backs against the black soil.
[Allen, report.]
[Reporting. Multiple plumes of smoke are rising from allied trenches approximately 50 meters north of our position, near the central point. It's presumed to be an offensive by enemy magic infantries.]
[Alright, I will ask for instructions from the higher-ups. My previous orders are rescinded.]
The scout, Allen-senpai, emerged from the trench and used his binoculars to report the situation around him.
...An enemy offensive.
I've heard that they wouldn't attack us much because the rain would reduce their firepower...
[Orders from the top. This platoon will immediately move north to intercept the enemy.]
[U- Understood.]
[As soon as we arrive there, we will be under the command of Lt. Colonel Renvel. Rejoice, you lot, the idiots have come to become minced meat!]
Under the gleeful Platoon Leader's lead, we moved north along the trench.
He must be happy to be able to kill enemy soldiers even when there are no orders to attack.
[Senpai, you liar! You said the enemies don't come much when it's raining!]
[Welp, they're here~~]
The sound of explosions echoed through the battlefield.
The ruthless attacks by the enemy Magic Squad is pouring down on the frontmost line.
Even now, the defense units on that frontmost line are probably desperately defending themselves.
[There will be plenty of bombardments for a few hours to reduce the defense units in the trenches. In the meantime, we in the back will gather and fortify our rear.]
[We'll likely have to abandon the frontmost trenches, but we won't allow them to advance beyond that.]
This was apparently the basic movement for when you're on the defense-side. While Mage bombardments are powerful and unparalleled, they take several hours, so it effectively serves as a "We'll attack this position for a few hours" warning.
However, if the magic bombardment isn't carried out or the duration ends up being too short, leading to the defense units not being significantly diminished, the attacking side will face a counterattack.
That's why, the Mages are forced to firmly push through with their attack. As a result, this allows time for fortifying defenses.
Thus, it's difficult to gain distance all at once in one offensive.
The attacking side, at the cost of a significant amount of resources and the lives of assault troops, manages to advance only a short distance.
However, such an offensive doesn't allow one to break through the enemy lines at all. By the time they manage to take control of one trench, sufficient enemy troops have been deployed in the rear.
Furthermore, the "distance" they painfully gained at the cost of many sacrifices is easily regained by the next enemy offensive.
Also achieved by the enemy at the cost of a significant amount of resources and the lives of assault troops.
——————I wonder what value does playing this jintori game hold?
No matter where I look in the camp, I don't think anyone had the right answer to such a question at that time.