After I departed from the field hospital, I ran along the trenches for a while and met up with the Garback Platoon.
Our position was directly in front of the enemy's bombardment. In other words, we are in the location where the heaviest offensive was expected.
In fact, there was already a large column of fire rising just a few dozen meters ahead of our trench.
[2nd Class Medic Touri Noel has arrived.]
[You're freaking late. You wanna be killed that much?]
[My apologies.]
The platoon members had already finished preparing for battle and were holding their guns along the trench.
A glance around and I saw a large bruise on the face of the two new recruits, but I didn't care.
[Touri. If I am wounded, you are to treat me immediately. Otherwise, you are to stay here trembling in this hole.]
[Understood.]
Just like before, I will be operating as if I'm Platoon Leader Garback's first aid kit.
If the Platoon Leader jumps out, I would have to move my face out of the trench.
I hope there are no bullets or shrapnel flying my way.
...Ah, come to think of it...
[Platoon Leader, I have something to report.]
[What is it?]
[I had been on hospital duty until just now, so I had consumed my mana. With the remaining amount of mana I have, I'm limited to using it only once.]
[...Tsk, alright.]
Reflecting on the previous instance, I properly gave out my report.
Let's make sure to report even these small details properly.
I don't want to be shouted at and chastised anymore.
[Make sure to always leave extra mana in case of emergencies next time.]
[...Yes, I will try my best, Platoon Leader.]
That's what I had answered, but I don't think it's possible.
During hospital duty, I'm forced to use Healing Magic incessantly, so I'm completely unable to leave aside some of my mana. I mean, the mana of all Medics had never been enough for all the patients.
I'm actually still running low on mana right now, but until the enemy's assault begins, I believe I can recover enough for just one use.
[Also, it seems that my mana pool has grown larger, and when my mana is full, I can use Healing Magic up to three times in a row.]
[That so.]
And I realized, as the Head Medic pointed out the other day, that the number of times I've been using Healing Magic has increased. This is also something I should report.
...Being able to use it three times in a row isn't that prestigious of a record though. The average Medic is about to use it 5-6 times.
The Head Medic praised me for it though, saying that it was high for a novice, telling me she had high expectations of me for the future.
[Are you finished with your reports? Then get in position.]
[Understood.]
Well, with that, there shouldn't be anything I failed to report, right? There's gonna be none of those anymore, right?
Then, as per Platoon Leader's instructions, let's just stay in this trench trembling until he gets injured.
[Enemy advancing.]
[Alright, all hands ready.]
After I had taken up my position, the bombardment continued for about an hour, and soon the enemy offensive began.
There was hardly any resistance from our side, and the 1st and 2nd defense lines were breached.
It was a very long bombardment today, so it seemed that there were hardly any defending troops left in the frontmost line trenches.
The enemy, with relatively little consumption on their side, charged into our trench.
[Fire, fire! Make them regret they attacked the line my platoon is defending!]
[Roger that! Platoon Leader!]
[DIE!!! SABBATH FIENDS!!!]
However, it won't be so easy for them to capture our territory from here on out.
The enemy started flopping down the moment they crossed the second trench.
From our 3rd defense line, where the enemy's bombardment can't reach, our resistance becomes even more fierce.
[HYAAAAHAHAHA!!! KILL THEM ALL!]
[Rookie! We're trying to listen to enemy fire here, so don't shout!]
[...….]
The foul-mouthed rookie, Rodley, uselessly shouted and was punched by Platoon Leader. What an idiot.
Even so, why is the enemy still charging up to the 3rd defense line when they know it will only cause them more casualties?
I would have already been grateful if we pushed forward two lines, and then stop advancing after achieving our tactical objectives.
[Platoon Leader! It looks like our defense line on the right side is about to be overwhelmed by the enemy!]
[Tsk, Marrue, Grey, defend the right side of the trench to the death!]
However, the enemy is no slouch either. A desperate charge, driven by sheer numbers, saw the enemy move into the neighboring trench on our right.
Without a moment's delay, Platoon Leader Garback deploys two of his subordinates to the right.
This is because if the enemy gains control of the neighboring basepoint, they may move along the trench and attack the other trenches of the 3rd defense line from the side.
[Kaminari... isn't here huh.]
I heard bored mutterings from nearby.
Today's Garback Platoon Leader is holed up in the trench, firing his rifle.
He usually wields a sword, so it was refreshing to see Platoon Leader fighting like a normal soldier.
[Platoon Leader. You're not going to charge today?]
[Ahh? I obviously wouldn't, idiot.]
[...Excuse my rudeness.]
When I asked him about it, it seemed like Platoon Leader really didn't intend to charge today.
If he can handle a gun, why not just use it regularly instead of swinging a sword?
[Use your head a little. The advantage of being in a trench can be maximized most effectively through a gunfight.]
[Yes, Platoon Leader. Then, why did Platoon Leader rush out with a sword during the previous offensive?]
[It's because I'm up against Kaminari. Bullets basically don't work against Aces.]
Bullets don't work on Aces.
Now that he mentioned it, I guess that's true.
Platoon Leader Garback also ran through a hail of bullets without a scratch.
[If one uses swordsmanship, equipment, or
[...I see.]
[Just by being able to deal with bullets to a certain extent, you'll be in a position to live a comfortable and luxurious life in this hellhole. That's something you should also work on.]
Even if he tells me to work on that, if dealing with guns were that easy, there might not be casualties in wars.
Judging by the exasperated expressions on the faces of Grey-senpai and Allen-senpai, who were listening to the conversation, it's likely that Platoon Leader Garback had said something absurd.
[Platoon Leader! They've broken through our right flank!]
[If they attack, fight back! If you don't think you can win, just plead for mercy!
It seems that the unit that was defending to our right has been destroyed. The enemy has finally entered this trench.
We should be in quite the predicament, but there's no sign of impatience on Platoon Leader Garback's face.
The trenches have been designed to be prepared for such an eventuality after all.
[Touri, you stay in their blind spot!]
[Yes, Platoon Leader!]
First, as a defense against attacks from the sides, there are walls of sandbags piled up inside the trenches.
Furthermore, the trenches are built in a meandering S-shape to prevent direct fire from neighboring base points.
Thanks to this meandering path, defenders can "wait at the corner" behind sandbags if they are attacked along the trench.
The set-up of the trenches is well thought out.
[Grenade, throwing!]
[Permission granted!]
We waited for a while, but there was no sign of the enemy attacking.
The enemy troops either went towards the other side or instead opted to not attack the trenches, preferring to secure their location.
Without a moment's delay, Grey-senpai threw hand grenades.
[ ■■■ ! ! ? ]
[Direct hit!]
Almost all of the suppression troops seemed to have been killed by the hand grenade.
It seems the enemy really didn't move after securing the base point.
[Well done, Grey-senpai.]
[We know where our allies' base points are after all. Unlike the enemy, even if we threw it without looking, we can still launch a grenade attack.]
The enemy can't possibly know the structure of a trench they're entering for the first time.
However, each of us knows the position of the defensive base points on both sides.
Prioritizing geographical control and not moving instead makes them an easy target for grenades thrown at that basepoint.
[Gahahahaha! They're running away, shoot them in the back!]
Perhaps startled by our bombing, the enemy troops started crawling out of our trench in a panic and retreated.
However, Platoon Leader happily shot them in the back.
If only one unit manages to advance and take control of our trench, we can be in for a tough time.
In a war, a troop rush means death. A daredevil rush is the most foolish act on the battlefield.
[This is because you attack without knowing their own position!]
And so, the established way to trench suppression should be to gain control of the trench simultaneously with several units, while supporting your allies.
By doing so, one can gain control of a basepoint with minimal casualties.
Such is the case but...
[There's a certain someone who does the same thing and wins all the time though.]
[What is it, Grey, you got any complaints?]
[No, not at all, Sir!]
The crazy Platoon Leader nearby slaughters one after another along the trenches after he gains control of a basepoint in their trench.
It was only when I was on the defense side that I realized how frightening my superior is.
No matter how many shots are fired, he keeps charging, cutting his way forward, and creating a bloody massacre in the trench. He's too terrifying as an assault soldier.
[Platoon Leader, the enemy's at the offensive again!]
[Ahh? They're here again huh.]
[They've brought greater numbers than before.]
I thought this was the end of our work for the day, but it seems the enemy offensive has started again.
Where on earth did all these enemies come from?
[Hmph, no matter how many times they come, we'll turn the tables against them.]
Saying this with a smile, Platoon Leader picked up his gun again.
However, the enemy's numbers made it look like our side was at a disadvantage.
[The basepoint on our right has been taken control again!]
[You guys concentrate on the enemy in the front! Leave the enemies on the right to Marrue and his troops!]
Through the trench, I can hear the cries of numerous enemies.
I'm not sure because I haven't stuck my head out, but there's probably hell spreading out above the trench.
Why do the enemies keep advancing even under such heavy casualties?
[Platoon Leader, there's a major situation. The basepoint to our left has also been breached by the enemy! If they take control of it, we'll be caught in a pincer attack!]
[What did you say? Just about everyone's freaking useless!!!]
Allen-senpai raised an unusually alarmed voice. It seems that the left basepoint is also in danger.
If we lose both base points flanking our location, things will be extremely dangerous. We need to retreat immediately, or we'll be forced into a very disadvantageous battle.
It will leave us surrounded by enemies after all.
[Enough, I'm gonna head out. I'm going to cover the left basepoint, so Touri, keep an eye on me!]
[Yes, understood.]
[The rest of you, endure their frontal offensive! Don't let them bring this place down until I get back!]
Seemingly unable to overlook such a situation, Platoon Leader Garback unsheathed his sword and leaped out of the trench.
[ ■■■ ! ! ? ]
[Shut up and die!!!]
The bewildered enemy soldiers are immediately cut to pieces when Garback suddenly jumps out of the trench.
Thereupon, Platoon Leader ran towards the left basepoint at a tremendous speed.
[SHAAAAAAAAA!!!]
As to be expected of him, Platoon Leader Garback raised a battle cry and ruthlessly slaughtered the enemy soldiers.
...Platoon Leader really is stronger when he pulls out his sword huh.
[...Allen-senpai!]
[I know!]
At that time, at the edge of my vision, I saw the enemy in front of us throw a grenade.
I immediately readied by
[
(T/N: 風砲 / Wind Shot. Chanted as ウィンド / Wind)
He blew up the grenade with Wind Magic.
I see, so this is what he was talking about when he said he was going to use magic to strike it in the air huh.
[They're still coming!]
[Aren't these guys afraid to die!?]
[ ■■■ ! ! ]
However, with Allen-senpai's gunfire having ceased, an opening appeared in the battle line.
Before I knew it, enemy soldiers had come within a stone's throw in front of me.
Struck by an emotionless and ruthless sense of killing intent directly from above, I involuntarily flinched.
[What are you doing!? Naridome, fire!]
[....]
[Stop dawdling! Quickly intercept them!]
Just like that, the enemy soldier jumped toward Second Class Infantry Naridome... the rookie who had assaulted me earlier.
The enemy was within the range of his gun, but he didn't make a move.
[Naridome————]
Eventually, the enemy kicked Naridome in the face and entered the trench.
Even after being kicked to the ground, he still doesn't move an inch. There, I finally realized what had happened to him.
Private Naridome's forehead had a hole through it. Before I knew it, he seemed to have been shot dead.
[ ■■■■■■ ! ! ! ! ]
The soldier who came into the trench was a middle-aged man, about 30 years old.
Holding blood-soaked swords in both hands, he immediately slashed at Corporal Verdi.
[Hyiiihhh!?]
Corporal Verdi hurriedly points his gun at him, but the man's sword flashes faster than that.
Thereupon, the Corporal's arm was cut off and flew through the air.
The enemy then aims his other sword at Verdi's neck...
[Get down, Corporal!]
[ ■■ ! ? ]
Allen-senpai provided covering fire, causing the enemy soldier to move back his body and evade, allowing the Corporal to escape with his life.
Just like that, the enemy takes a large distance from the Corporal and leaps close to me.
Eventually, raising a cloud of dust on his feet, the "swordsman" landed in front of me.
...Now then...
[TOURI, RUN AWAAAAAY!!!]
And then, the "enemy's" eyes looked straight at me.
The distance between us is about one meter. I'm well within his slashing distance.
[ ■■■■■ . . . . . ]
I don't understand the enemy's language. I have no clue what he was saying.
However, there's one thing I can understand. That is...
[ ■■■■■ ! ]
"I will kill you!"
——The overflowing murderous intent and resentment in the enemy's eyes.
At the time, no one in the platoon was in a position to help me.
I'm a 15-year-old girl. Depending on the person, I may even look younger than my age.
Yet, the enemy soldier held no hesitation.
He had a clear intent to kill even a child soldier.
[ ■■ . ]
"Die."
[Ah.]
The swordsman raised his sword high and filled with the intent to bring me down, he brought it down upon my head.
If things continue like this, I will die. This life saved by Salsa-kun will be consumed for nothing.
I don't want that. For my sake, and for his sake...
[
I think my movements at that time were almost unconscious.
The shield that I held up on the spur of the moment was much sharper than the one that Platoon Leader Garback taught me.
It was an isosceles triangular
[ ■■■ ! ? ]
The tip of the sword that was swung towards me slid on the face of the
As I was taught by Platoon Leader, I should deflect the enemy's attack, not catch it.
It seems I have been able to put that into practice perfectly.
As I was able to avoid a close-range attack, the enemy swordsman's agitation was palpable.
[...Die.]
Momentarily it may be, there was a person who, without missing the opportunity of that moment, came in.
That is...
[Die, die, die!!! You sh*thead, savages, inhuman fiends! You blood-sucking sleazebags!]
It was the foul-mouthed rookie... Rodley-kun.
[ ■■■■ ! ! ]
[How's that!? Does that hurt!? Well, suck it up! THAT'S RETRIBUTION FOR KILLING PEOPLE AS YOU PLEASED! AHAHAHA!]
He leaped at the enemy soldier from behind and slashed him across the neck.
His warm blood splattered all over my face.
[AHYAHYAHYAHYA!!!]
...Rodley, at this moment, was clearly different from my first impression of him.
He looked as if an important thread in him had been cut.
[AHYA, AHYA, AHYA!!!]
All the while laughing, he repeatedly and half-madly slammed the issued army knife into the enemy's face.
Rather than looking reliable, I just couldn't help thinking he's creepy.
[Oi, calm down, Rodley! If you're already done killing him, go back to intercepting the enemies in the front!]
[...Ah? Tsk, roger that.]
However, when Grey-senpai called out to him, the tension around him suddenly reverted to how it was before.
Then, with an indifferent look on his face, he hid in the trench again and resumed intercepting the enemies.
What was that, just now?
[...D*mn it, should have tormented him more. That was a mistake.]
Rodley's muffled muttering at that moment was unpleasantly audible.
He's kinda creepy, but he did save my life.
I'll be sure to thank him later.
I thought to myself as I fell on my blood-stained bottom.