Second Class Private Salsa was sent out as an infantry with no good training and was killed in the line of duty within 10 days of joining the Western Front.
He was only 18 years old, a young lad who had just graduated from high school.
For a young man who had been leading a peaceful school life until recently to be sent to the front lines and lose his life... How tragic could reality be?
As it turns out such a tragic event is common on the front lines.
On average, less than 1000 men die in a single offensive or defensive battle, and the majority of them are new soldiers who have just been sent to the front line.
When new recruits become assault soldiers, most of them die within 6 months. Only the remaining good assault soldiers survive for a while and earn the right to live a hellish life.
Those who die early or those who continue living a hellish life, I honestly don't know which is more fortunate.
Salsa has never been someone I would call a friend.
We didn't know each other very well, and we hadn't particularly engaged in friendly conversation.
I was much closer to Bernie Noel, who came from the same orphanage and died on his first day on the battlefield.
I knew that Salsa, who was so careless and dumb, wouldn't survive on this battlefield.
And so, I built a mental wall to keep myself from getting too close to him.
—————–And yet, I wonder why?
I couldn't get the image of his face while he was on the verge of death out of my mind.
I just can't get Salsa's expressionless, convulsing body out of my head, popping within my vision even as I close my eyes.
If I let my guard down even a little, I feel as if I will start to cry out loud.
The reason he died is probably because he saved my life.
If Salsa-kun hadn't protected me, I'm sure I would have been the one who lost half of my face.
I never thought it would be this tough being someone who survived being protected by others.
It seems that I was far more weak-minded than I thought I was.
[Your legs seem to have healed, Medic Touri.]
Stunned, I was brought to the field hospital, where I was healed by a senior medic.
I was then guided by a Nurse Soldier (soldiers who assist Medics and administer medicine such as IV drips), and laid quietly on a small piece of cloth.
[...Platoon Leader Garback.]
[I have some questions I need to ask you, so show up at my tent ASAP.]
After being treated in the field hospital, the Platoon Leader showed up in front of my bed and ordered.
Platoon Leader Garback looked down at me with a grim look on his face.
I can think of several reasons for his anger.
[Understood.]
[Hey! Soldier-san, that girl still needs to rest...]
[Shut up, this is a superior officer's order.]
Frankly, for some reason, the me at that time appreciated the anger he directed at me.
I felt that if I had done something a little better, Salsa might not have died.
I definitely could have done something better at that time.
[Get up and walk, Touri.]
[...Yes.]
In a somewhat ghastly state, I stood up as I was urged to do.
With the legs whose burns were carefully healed by my senpai, I firmly followed Platoon Leader's back.
[Hey, Touri, I hate people who can't learn more than anything else in the world.]
[...Yes, Platoon Leader.]
[I asked this question to you just a while ago. I asked you what you need when you use magic, didn't I?]
[I would need Platoon Leader's permission.]
It's just as I had expected huh.
What awaited me as I followed Platoon Leader Garback was a severe reprimand and violence.
The unauthorized use of
[If you remembered, why did you shirk from doing that?]
[Because I am incompetent.]
Immediately after I replied, I was hit in the face, chest, and stomach by Platoon Leader's tempest of fists.
It was a far more severe beat-up than that time I had used Healing Magic on Salsa-kun at my own discretion.
[Hey, had I neglected from informing you properly? What is it that will happen if you violate my orders twice?]
[...You said you would carry out my execution.]
[You had the presence of mind to remember my good advice, didn't you? Then, that just means you defied my orders of your own violation.]
[I have no excuses.]
[Die, you little shit!]
If things keep going like this, I really will die. Platoon Leader Garback really would beat me to death.
However, I had neither the strength to resist nor the will to beg for my life.
[Die, die, die, you brainless twat! If you dislike following my orders so much, then so that you won't have to listen to any more orders, I'll let you die in the next mission!]
He hit me over and over again with his tightly clenched fists.
All the while, I didn't say a word, just letting myself be hit.
[There are plenty of people who can take your place!]
The beatings continued until my whole body was like a mushy salted fish.
My hands, feet, everything visible on my body were covered in bruises. I vomited blood several times, and my bones in those spots were creaking and swollen.
[You are to not have any food for the day. Also, stay upright and stand in front of my tent.]
[...Understood.]
[You are not allowed to receive any sort of treatment. Just die already, trash.]
I received the Platoon Leader's order.
Dragging my broken legs with me, I did as I was told and stood outside the tent.
[You got spectacularly done in, Second Class Medic Touri.]
[...…..]
[Geez, Platoon Leader... I understand why he's frustrated, but this is just too much.]
After nearly an hour of "guidance" from Platoon Leader Garback, waiting for me outside was Scout Allen-senpai.
Looking at my ragged body, he looked apologetic.
[...Umm, Senpai.]
[What is it, Touri?]
[Ummm, Senpai's current state, what in the world...]
Seeing Allen-senpai's face, I was startled.
As for why...
[Yeah, I got beaten up too. It really hurts, dang it.]
[...]
Allen-senpai was injured just as severely as I had been.
He had been beaten up before I came here, and he had apparently been standing there for quite some time.
[I'm sorry to be blunt, but ummm, did you violate any sort of order, Senpai?]
[Not really? I didn't do anything.]
[Then, did you offend the Platoon Leader?]
[Well, there's no doubting that.]
At that time, I felt that Platoon Leader Garback's violence was excessive.
Allen-senpai, who was made to stand as a punishment, had injuries severe enough that he should be resting in the field hospital.
No matter how bad of a mood he is in, beating him up this bad for no reason is just too inefficient.
[...It's obvious I would get beaten up. After all, I didn't do anything.]
[Eh?]
[It's my job as the scout to keep an eye on the perimeter after the Platoon Leader sent us on a sortie. The one who should have perceived that explosive first was me.]
Allen-senpai bit his lip in frustration.
A small drop of blood dripped down his lower jaw.
[If I had noticed that grenadier, I could have used my magic to strike the projectile they sent or instructed everyone to escape to safety. However, I didn't even notice the grenade until the moment Touri used your Defense Magic.]
[...It was a projectile shot from a really long distance. Perhaps, from Allen-senpai's position, they were at a blind spot.]
[Even so, I should have at least detected their attack by sound. I was too focused on the exchange of blows between Platoon Leader Garback and Kamakiri, neglecting to keep a lookout on the surroundings.]
[....]
[And so, I had overlooked an enemy explosive that a rookie like Touri had noticed, plunging our platoon into a crisis. The Platoon Leader asked me why I, a veteran, didn't notice it, which resulted in this.]
I was taught by Allen-senpai about the division of roles for each troop.
The infantry who notices an incoming explosive projectile should immediately shoot it down or instruct an evacuation.
Timed explosives only explode a few seconds after they land.
The range of the blast, which could inflict fatal wounds to people, is roughly 4 to 5 meters, so survival isn't impossible if one immediately runs and drops down at a distance from the point of impact.
[...It was just as Platoon Leader said. I screwed up and killed a new recruit who could have had a promising, bright future.]
[T- That is... You're mistaken. Salsa-kun protected me. He died because I was too slow to take cover.]
[It's not a Medic's job to be on lookout duty, that's not yourself. In the first place, letting a 15-year-old girl, who has only been assigned to the unit for 10 days, talk about such a thing is something I could only feel ashamed of.]
In an ideal scenario, Scouts, whose job is to be vigilant of the surroundings, should notice and engage the grenadier before they launch their explosives.
With bullets flying around, it would have been difficult for a grenadier to accurately aim at the trenches. So, even if the Scouts don't hit their target, just shooting at them was already enough to restrain them.
[If I had properly done my duty, Salsa wouldn't have died and Touri wouldn't have been beaten up. Touri, if you feel resentment towards Platoon Leader, resent me instead.]
[...I don't hold such resentments.]
[That guy's crazy, a mentally deranged guy with a broken personality, but there's no doubt that I'm responsible for this incident. It's only natural for Platoon Leader to be pissed off, and he was just too angry with me that he overdid it with his guidance towards you, Touri.]
He spoke in a self-deprecating tone.
"All the responsibility for this incident lies with me", Allen-senpai seemed to feel that way.
[Stand tall, Touri. Sure, you might have disobeyed orders, but if you hadn't instinctively altered the trajectory of that explosive, there would have been more casualties. We were right at the strike course of that explosive. If you hadn't acted, half of our platoon would've been wiped out.]
[...Is... that right?
[I'm sure of it. I had seen the moment your shield repelled the explosive. Your violation of orders undoubtedly saved lives.]
Thereupon, giving me a gentle smile for the first time...
[That's why, you shouldn't blame yourself for this.]
Allen-senpai told me so.
[...The sun had set. Alright, Allen, you have permission to receive healing.]
[Thank you very much.]
Me and Allen-senpai kept on standing for a day without eating or drinking.
My broken legs are swollen, reddish black, and throbbing all the time.
[However, Touri, you are to stay. I will personally give you a thorough wringing.]
[...Thank you very much.]
[P- Platoon Leader!?]
However, it seemed like Platoon Leader still hadn't forgiven me.
He must have been very angry about my two order violations.
[I- If you're still going to give her further punishments, allow me to receive it instead. I'm the one responsible for what happened this time!]
[You're freaking annoying, Allen, you wanna die that much? Oi, Touri, come here.]
Dragging along my limping legs, I followed Platoon Leader.
This is an order after all.
[Platoon Leader! Please wait!]
[Shut up! You go get yourself fixed up for tomorrow!]
Allen-senpai tried following us until he tumbled to the ground.
However, unable to move satisfactorily anymore, he could only remain fallen and wasn't able to get up.
Ignoring him, Platoon Leader walked a few minutes to a place far behind the tent and ordered me to stand still and upright.
[Now then, time for your guidance, sh*tty brat.]
Platoon Leader picked up a pebble lying on the ground.
[ORAAA!!!]
[...Guh!!!]
He threw it at me with great force.
The stone hit me in the side of my torso, gouging out flesh and causing a large wound.
[Don't avoid it. You are under my guidance.]
[...Yes.]
I was already wounded all over my body, and yet he was still assaulting me with such ferocity.
It seems that Platoon Leader Garback really intends to kill me.
So this is my execution for violation of orders huh.
[Hey, Touri. How did you learn that shield spell? Who taught you?]
[I was instructed to learn it by Head Medic Gale-dono.]
[Yeah. I can see her point.]
Platoon Leader Garback picked up a pebble again with a grim look on his face.
It seems like I'm getting pelted with a stone again.
[So? What's the point of that trashy spell?]
[It's, umm, for defense.]
[I'm asking what's the point of consuming mana for such a fragile spell. Alright then.]
Platoon Leader Garback, with a fierce look as if he was facing an enemy, said this to me.
[You have my permission to use
[ ! ]
At the same time as he said that, Platoon Leader threw the pebble at me with all his might.
[
[Ora! What's the matter? Aren't you going to defend yourself?]
————–My Shield Magic is still faulty. It's not hard enough nor thick enough like Head Medic Gale's shield.
The pebble thrown by Platoon Leader Garback pierced through my shield and struck my broken leg.
[What's the matter? Defend yourself. Use that Defense Magic you're so proud of!]
[S-
[Everything freaking hit you, you piece of trash! Show me the idiots who consume magic power for such a trashy spell!!!]
No matter how much I used my shield, I couldn't prevent even a single pebble thrown by Platoon Leader.
[Have you come to terms with your incompetence yet, weakling!?]
At last, unable to stand, I fell to the ground.
Filled with pain and despair, I couldn't even exert the strength to stand up.
Ahhh... I think I'm starting to understand what Grey-senpai said before. Dying really is better than living this life.
Having survived being protected by Salsa-kun and being exposed to the superior's violence like this is painful.
[Yes... I am... incompetent.]
[Oi, incompetent, why are you lying over there!? Get up and set your
When one is sent to war, I suppose that is the moment their misfortune is confirmed.
If I am killed here, that might be a good thing———–
[You slant your shield when blocking.
Eventually, Platoon Leader stopped hurling pebbles.
He deployed a large triangular-shaped
[...Eh?]
[Listen here, brat, Head Medic Gale may be a medical professional, but she's just a clueless amateur when it comes to frontline fighting techniques. If you had learned how to use
Platoon Leader Garback continues to maintain his
Displaying the shield with its top facing towards me, demonstrating how its shape is bent into a "V".
[Bring out your shield with this shape, Touri.]
[Ah, errr, umm. S-
[No, that isn't it.]
Bring out a shield in the shape of a "V".
Even though he suddenly told me to do such a thing, I couldn't get the image right, so I failed.
As usual, the flat board-like shield formed in front of me.
[If you're not used to it, imagine extending that plank-like shield of yours from your palms.]
[Tip of my palms.]
[Then, shape the desired
Saying this, Platoon Leader Garback showed both of his palms in an outward-facing triangular formation.
I imitated him and formed a
[S-
[That's it. That's good enough.]
By doing so, I was able to form it just like Platoon Leader did———– Thin it may be, but it was still a triangular
...I see, with this shape...
[Heads up!]
Without a pause, Platoon Leader threw a pebble at me.
Just as before, it was a seriously thrown projectile.
However, when the stone hit the slanting-formed
The
[You understand now? When it comes to enemy attacks, deflecting should be your priority. You shouldn't meet them head-on.]
[....]
[If only you had been able to form a slanted shield in front of that blast, some of the debris would have been deflected and the damage would have been much different.]
In a stern tone of voice, Platoon Leader Garback said so.
If only I had learned this technique, the damage would have been reduced.
[Then, Salsa-kun would have...]
[If he were lucky, he would have survived.]
At that moment, dizziness overwhelms me.
The difference was only this simple. With just one minor teaching from Platoon Leader, my
If only I had learned this slanted shield technique, the kind-hearted Salsa-kun would have———-
[If only you had asked for permission beforehand to use
[....]
[Do you now understand why you were beaten up and receiving guidance?]
I felt like the world before me plunging into darkness.
Yes, I had been negligent.
I was still learning about it from Head Medic Gale, so I didn't share information about having learned
Because of that, he has...
[Your guidance is over. I give you permission to go to the field hospital and receive treatment.]
[Y- Yes...]
[Also, from now on, I grant you permission to use
I deserved to be beaten up.
Despite being taught the importance of following the instructions from one's superior before, I neglected it and ended up taking the life of a same-day colleague.
[...There won't be a next time, Touri.]
Leaving those words, Garback returned to his tent by himself.
[T- Touri-chan!?]
Feeling like I'm about to throw up, I unsteadily returned to the field hospital.
The pain in my body and the guilt weighing on my shoulders was driving me crazy.
[...THAT FREAKING GARBACK!!! What is he doing with a seriously wounded female soldier!?]
Unable to think of anything else, the screeching voice of the enraged Head Medic Gale only felt like a lullaby...
[That's it! I've run out of patience! I'm going to file a protest as the Head Medic! Inflicting severe injuries after being treated, what the heck is that lunatic thinking!?]
And I slowly lost grip of my consciousness.