After the defensive battle, I found myself in the field hospital for a few days.
The previous defense had been one of the most extensive offensives in recent memory, and there had been heavy casualties.
So, the Medic Units were busy taking care of the patients.
Our work wasn't limited to just treatment and care.
We had to move the field hospital to the rear because the enemy had advanced so deep, and we had to spend a lot of time moving our baggage and the patients.
Furthermore, we had to frantically pacify the rookie soldiers who seemed to have reached the limits of their stress and started acting violently from insanity, as well as treat the medical personnel who were injured as a result.
Our medical resources such as bandages and disinfectants weren't sufficient enough, our Healing Magic couldn't keep up with the amount of patients, and there weren't enough beds and nurses. Every day was like a battlefield for us Medics.
I worked diligently under such difficult conditions, but even so, we didn't have enough hands, and many soldiers kept dying.
I believe that some lives could have been saved if satisfactory treatment had been provided.
However, even when we, the Medic Units, continued to work at the very limits of our capabilities... Helping out everyone was just not possible.
Four days had passed after Salsa's death. Early in the morning, around 3:00 am.
Continuing to work amidst irregular sleep schedules and overwork, I...
[Touri-chan. ...I'm sorry, but Garback wants you to come back today.]
[Understood.]
For the first time in a while, I was ordered to work on the front line instead of the hospital.
The hospital is still busy, but for just me to be called back, I wonder if we're gonna get sortied today.
I haven't rested after an all-nighter and am in pretty bad condition... But orders are orders.
Giving a salute to Head Medic Gale on the spot, I moved towards the vicinity of Platoon Leader's tent.
[Hmph, there you are, halfwit. Did you have fun with the carefree work back in the rear? Get yourself fired up.]
[Yes, Platoon Leader.]
When I went to the briefing area, Platoon Leader Gaback was already awake.
Among the gathered platoon members, there was also Allen-senpai, who had recovered from his wounds and was back to his normal self.
[I'm gonna hand you your orders. The infantries are to dig holes, while you, Touri, I'm gonna have you working myself so follow me.]
[Yes, Platoon Leader.]
I was prepared for an offensive, but it seemed that we wouldn't be heading out for a sortie today.
On the day of an offensive, infantries are often ordered to stand by instead of digging trenches to conserve their strength.
In that case, the reason I'm called here might be for a continuation of the previous lecture on
Or perhaps, I may have done something again and a severe scolding awaits me.
Well, whatever the case may be, all I can do is what I am told.
[Hmph. Touri, you haven't met the replacements yet, have you? Greet them.]
[Understood.]
At the urging of Platoon Leader Garback, I looked around at the platoon members again.
Speaking of which, there are people in the platoon that I have never seen before.
It seems that while I was away, the platoon members were replenished.
[I'm Second Class Medic Touri Noel. I'm a rookie who arrived just two weeks ago. I would appreciate the guidance of my Senpais.]
From what I saw, there were three new faces.
Moreover, they are all quite young... All of them must be the same age as Salsa-kun, or maybe even younger than him.
[...I'm Second Class Infantry, Naridome.]
[I'm Second Class Infantry, Rodley. ...Just as I heard, you really are a seedy fellow.]
Both of them are Second Class Infantry... the same rank as Salsa-kun. In that case, they should almost be the same age.
From my impression of them, one's a reserved and unfriendly guy, while the other's a foul-mouthed person.
[I am Corporal Verdi. In this platoon, I have been entrusted with command just below Sergeant Garback. I'm a Scout with a fair amount of knowledge, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask me.]
Corporal Verdi, who introduced himself last, was a decent-looking man.
He also seemed to be quite young, perhaps a graduate of Military Academy? He seemed to have a high rank for his age.
In any case, I should remember to address Corporal Verdi respectfully.
[You done with introductions huh. Well then, Touri, come over here.]
[Yes, Platoon Leader.]
And also, they are strangers. Do not get along with them.
If I get unnecessarily attached to them, I might end up getting hurt like what happened with Salsa-kun.
Let's maintain an emotional distance this time and cultivate a mentality of being indifferent to whoever may die.
[Ten more laps, give me a firm shout!]
I was assigned by Platoon Leader to go running.
It was a long-distance run, emulating my situation back on the battlefield, with equipment on my back.
[One, two. One, two.]
[Your voice is so quiet, you trying to seduce me with that panting, you d*mn whore!!!?]
[One, two! One, two!!!]
[That's right, raise your voice!]
What is this? Isn't this training for infantry, not for medics?
No, of course, I understand the importance of this kind of strength training.
I also know that this effort will greatly affect my survival rate.
However, I am a medic. Even as I am training in this way, there are my senpais in the rear who are still working frantically to provide medical treatment.
...To be honest, I feel guilty about leaving them behind and running around here.
[Ten laps done!]
[Alright, let's start with your defense training. I give you permission to use
[Yes, Platoon Leader!]
After completing my quota, Sergeant Garback immediately threw a large number of rocks at me.
I immediately deployed
Since I am being trained, I must grow as much as possible.
[
Just as I had learned before, I formed a V-shape shield.
Thanks to this, the stones Platoon Leader threw didn't hit me directly, only grazing the edges of my body.
[Your deployment speed is good, but the angle of your shield is still not good enough! Form your shield at a right angle.]
[Yes, Platoon Leader!]
Even when he told me my shield was no good, Platoon Leader continued throwing stones at me.
As he told me, I formed my shield again, adjusting it so that the center would be at a right angle.
This time, not a single stone grazed me.
[Alright, get back to running! Don't you get too exhausted yet, we're just getting started.]
[Yes, Platoon Leader.]
[While you're running, I would throw a stone at you by surprise. Be alert and watch your surroundings while running!]
... It's just, this is something I'm reluctant to say since I'm actually being trained here...
If we could receive this kind of training before sending us to the frontlines...
[You lack stamina so much that you're slowing down the march of the troops. A slow caterpillar is what you are.]
[Yes, my apologies.]
[Even on the days you are on duty as a medic, you must at least meet the running quota for your current training. If you can easily do it already, ask the guys around to throw rocks at you. If you train during your breaks, they won't complain.]
The sleepless training was extremely hard on my still immature body.
Every muscle in my body was tormented, and by the end of the training, I couldn't even stand and was convulsing on the ground.
If I just left it as is, I probably wouldn't be able to move tomorrow. I need to loosen up my body after this.
[Alright, you can go back to your medic duties tomorrow. Don't slack off.]
[Yes, thank you very much.]
[A few weeks of such training and you will have grown from a caterpillar to an ant. If you don't, I will kill you.]
During the training, I could tell from the way he talked.
Platoon Leader didn't like the fact that he was forced to march slowly because of my slow pace.
Well, I was just 15 years old, born in an orphanage, and had received no training until two weeks ago. My physical strength would obviously be poor.
And so, even though he intended to find an opportunity to train my physical strength, he couldn't open up such days.
Thus, last night, it seemed that Platoon Leader came to the conclusion that I could train alongside my medic duties and assigned a training regimen for me.
[...]
In other words, it seems that I can no longer rest even during breaks between busy medic duties.
I understand that this is necessary. However, I don't know if my body can handle it.
[Oh, Second Class Medic Touri.]
[...Hello. Errr, Second Class... Private Rodley.]
[What, you got exhausted only from running? Pathetic.]
Total exhaustion. That was the most accurate way to describe my current state of mind.
It was probably the first time in my life that I had used up all of my energy and stamina.
However, after this, I would have been having a good night's sleep for the first time in a long while.
After all, under Platoon Leader Garback's orders, I am to resume working at the hospital again at 5:00 am tomorrow morning. This would be the only night I can get a good night's sleep.
I'm sorry to my medic colleagues who are probably still working very hard at the moment, but please let me rest now. Otherwise, I will seriously die.
[Touri-chan, good work.]
[Thank you for the hard work, Grey-senpai.]
[He really had tired you out huh. Sergeant Garback's grueling training sure is hard to handle.]
Grey-senpai gave me a sympathetic look.
Yes, hellish training after an all-nighter was hard to bear.
I can't move a finger anymore.
[It's a little early, but ummm, I'm going to take a rest.]
[Yeah, yeah, go to bed early. One of the new recruits is already resting anyway.]
I looked toward the trench and saw that the quiet Second Class Private was already lying down.
If I'm not mistaken, his name should be Naridome.
[...Why am I... ...I am...]
From what I heard, when he finished digging trenches, he laid down right away without trying to talk to anyone.
And for some reason, he kept mumbling something to himself with his eyes wide open.
[...Ummm?]
[Ahh, a lot of rookies turn out like that. Just leave him alone.]
Perhaps having understood what I was trying to say, Grey-senpai laughed dryly and told me.
The atmosphere around him seemed similar to the patients who went crazy and went on a rampage in the field hospital though.
It's a little scary, so let's sleep at a distance from him.
[Well then, if you'll excuse me, Grey-senpai.]
[Yeah, good night, Touri-chan.]
I rested myself in the small trench at the opposite end of the trench from him.
[...…..]
Just like that, I literally fell asleep like mud.
[.....]
—————I found myself in a rather nostalgic scene.
It was a view of a vacant lot next to the orphanage, where I was playing chase with my childhood friends.
Among the circle of people having fun, I could see Bernie.
This was the everyday life for me until just a month ago.
Laughing and playing with my fellow orphans was just "the usual" for me.
However, we were able to enjoy that "peace" thanks to the frontline soldiers who risked their lives to stop the enemy troops.
I want to return to this place.
Run away from the army, throw everything away, and return to that orphanage.
I want to drink warm soup and sleep in a fluffy bed.
"Of course, that won't do, Touri."
The next moment, the image of Salsa-kun's face as he died passed through my mind.
I can clearly recall the image of Salsa-kun's body crooking from the pain, blackened and charred by the flames.
Just the sight of him made my chest tense and the throbbing in my heart quickened.
He risked his life to save me.
That is why I couldn't just cast away everything.
I can't just leave Salsa-kun lying here in such a lonely place and go home by myself.
I have to work hard for Salsa-kun.
"Taking the easy way out by yourself isn't fair."
[—————–]
That's why, Salsa-kun, at least in my dreams...
Please allow me to dream of the warm and happy orphanage during this brief rest.
The time I open my eyes tomorrow morning, I will once again be desperately fighting.
That's why, please don't be angry. Please don't grab my collar like that, it's scary.
No, I understand that you're angry at me for having such thoughts, but please don't corner me any—————-
[...Hah!]
[ ! ? ]
It was something so out of place that I awakened from my sleep.
There was no way that the kind Salsa-kun would grab me by the collar and get angry with me.
After all, he was so gentlemanly and calm.
[Eh? Eh...?]
[Tsk.]
In other words, I'm being held by someone in reality.
When I opened my eyes upon realizing this, I saw the face of a man with bloodshot eyes in front of me.
[What are you———- Mnghh!?]
[Annoying, shut up.]
When he realized I was awake, he covered my mouth with his hand and clamped my nape with his other hand.
[If you resist, I'll kill you. Shut up.]
...I couldn't quite make out his face in the darkness but...
I guessed that someone from the platoon had assaulted me while I was asleep.
This man's hand had already slipped under my military uniform and was ravishing my bare skin.
[...]
I had been so careless. I can't believe I wasn't able to wake up until things escalated to this point.
Normally, I would awaken upon being touched, but my sleep today had been too deep.
If I just obediently let him have his way... If I don't resist here, I will be put to death for violating the military law relating to having a sexual relationship with someone.
If I'm gonna be killed either way, I'd rather desperately resist here.
[...Ouch!? E- Eh, what!?]
[Wha...]
Flicking my foot, I ended up kicking not the guy who was straddling me, but someone who was sleeping next to me.
Given that the man had a tight grip on my neck, I was afraid that if I screamed, there was a real possibility he would kill me.
And so, without making any noise, I subtly moved my legs to get the person next to me to wake up.
[Errr... Touri-chan? No, wait, what are you doing!?]
The person sleeping next to me, from the sound of his voice, seemed to be Grey-senpai.
I ended up kicking Senpai hard, so I'll have to apologize later.
[Oi, who are you!? Which unit do you belong to!?]
[...The fuck, fine. Tsk...]
With the muzzle of Grey-senpai's gun pointed at his head, the guy straddling me reluctantly released his grip on my throat.
[—————–Naridome, you b*stard!]
And his face was illuminated on.
It was the newcomer with a dangerous atmosphere, who had been mumbling something to himself before I went to sleep————— Second Class Private Naridome.