Defense of Marshdale, Day 7:
Two days have passed since myself, Cale, and the other young staff members retreated into the city.
Despite our comrades' desperate efforts to hold the line, the sheer force of numbers overwhelmed us.
We tried our best to help everyone, but…
"All the bastions have been fallen."
"…The enemy has begun shelling the city walls."
"Oh, this city won't hold."
That day, the last bastion was overrun, and the enemy was at the gates of the city itself.
We had no remaining force capable of stopping them head-on.
"It's a lost battle…"
This meant that the defeat of the Austin Army at Marshdale was all but certain.
***
The medical headquarters in town was filled with the stench of death.
As a result of our withdrawal and the lack of triage on the front lines, large numbers of casualties began being brought in.
Since there was no time to carefully arrange the overflowing pile of corpses, we just threw them into the storeroom on the first floor. This ended up being a mistake on my part.
The smell of feces and rotting flesh from the piled up bodies began to permeate through the headquarters.
"Tie up the bodies, stack them to keep them from collapsing."
On the Western Front, fluids seeped into the ground, and carrion insects fed on the flesh; leaving bodies behind wasn't much of an issue.
However, leaving so many corpses inside the room turned out to be a worse decision than I had thought.
"Place the bodies of our comrades in places that block the back alleys."
"…Understood."
"Support them with boards, and there you have it! A wall of flesh."
Major Renvel gave the order to remove the bodies from the warehouse.
He then gave instructions to pile up the corpses that were becoming stiff from rigor mortis to act as sandbags.
"We're sorely lacking walls in the city. Can't whip up sandbags out of thin air."
"…"
"This clears out the stench indoors too, killing two birds with one stone. Back in my day, we'd use our fallen comrades' bodies as shields against arrows and hold our ground."
Following his orders, we wrapped the bodies in cloth and assembled them into a slippery, macabre wall of flesh.
Thinking about loved ones mixed in with the dead, stacked and stripped of dignity, felt like a blade twisting in my heart.
"Our final stand is about to begin. Prepare yourself, Medic Touri."
"Yes, Major."
In the now deserted medical headquarters:
I stood behind Major Renvel, quietly surveying the city.
***
Yesterday, the moment the last redoubt fell, Major Renvel ordered the evacuation of all non-combatant personnel, including medical staff.
The medical team, including Mr. Kuma, wounded soldiers who were unable to fight, and civilian volunteers who had stayed behind to transport supplies, were evacuated first.
So, those remaining here…
"Lieutenant Aria, what's the current situation?"
"Yes, sir. The enemy's magical artillery has been hammering us for the past three hours. Sections of the walls have collapsed, leaving breaches for them to enter."
"Casualties?"
"The details are unclear, but they're substantial."
"Very well. Abandon the city walls, withdraw into the city, and begin a delaying action."
Only those willing to face death remained.
"Are you kidding me? Leave that child behind and run away?!"
As expected, both the Takumas made a big fuss when they found out I staying behind…
But I managed to persuade them by bowing deeply, appealing to their sense of duty, and explaining on my own.
"I'm a soldier. I can work through the night for four or five days. I'm confident that I can escape the enemy even if I stay here."
The biggest difference between me, a soldier, and the civilian collaborators is stamina.
Although it has only been six months, I have endured Platoon Leader Garback's hellish training and have become relatively well-trained.
Especially when it comes to endurance running. Since I'm small and light, I can run quite well.
If I wanted to, I could keep working for a few days.
"I will stay behind just in case something happens to the Major."
And perhaps, as always, my role is to be a first aid kit.
I've been left behind to heal Major Renvel if he's injured.
But unlike a certain Platoon Leader, Major Renvel is the type to command from the rear. He's sure to retreat quickly if things become dire, which means my services might not even be needed.
But just in case, I'll be here, prepared for whatever may come.
***
"I have a question, Major. How much time do we need to buy in this delaying action?"
"One day should be enough. After a week of resistance, even the brass won't complain if we retreat now."
At this time, several strategies the enemy might employ were being considered.
The strategy that the enemy was likely to adopt was to not invade immediately after securing the walls, but to first bombard the city.
By destroying the city, it will prevent us from engaging in guerrilla warfare. From the Sabbath's perspective, this is the most reliable plan and will cause the fewest losses for them.
If the enemy appeared to use this strategy, we planned to immediately abandon the city and withdraw.
The purpose is to buy time from the start. If the enemy takes their time firing, then the objective's been achieved.
The most troublesome situation is if the enemy comes in and takes control by sheer numbers.
This is a case where artillery fire is not carried out within the city in order to seize buildings and supplies as they are.
In this case, we have to engage in delaying actions to allow our allies to retreat.
We have to use up our allied forces, who have managed to survive until today.
If possible, I would like the enemy to take their time and shell us thoroughly."
***
Half a day since the Sabbatian forces began their assault.
"Major, I have a report."
"Proceed."
"They've breached the inner walls."
"I see."
Wishful thinking never tends to work out.
Before the report was even complete, the clamor of gunfire and distant war cries reached us from the direction of the walls.
"So, they didn't stick to artillery…"
Unfortunately, the enemy did not secure the city walls and instead charged into the city.
It seems the Sabbatian soldiers are eager for guerrilla warfare.
"It looks like my reading was wrong."
"Maybe the enemy is out of magic stones."
Of course, we had made every possible preparation for the possibility of an enemy charge.
Magic traps are set up all over the place. Soldiers are hiding in buildings ready to intercept them.
However, we were significantly outnumbered.
I don't believe we can stop the enemy's advance.
"Major, will you retreat immediately?"
"…No, no. I'll hold out until the last moment. If the commander flees first, it sets a bad example for the subordinates."
This command center was located in the center of the city.
The sounds of fire and explosions could be heard in the distance. A normal commander would be making plans to escape.
"Well, I'm sorry, young lady. At worst, you'll have to die here. The time you earn here is for the sake of Austin's future."
"Of course. If it comes down to it, I have no intention of running for my life."
I still couldn't figure out what Major Renvel was thinking.
He was somehow confident in buying time here in Marshdale.
In the spacious command center, there were hardly any people left.
All who could fight had gone outside to take their positions.
Now, the only ones left in the command center were the aging Lieutenant Renvel, his two guards, and me.
"I was known as a fierce general back in the day. They called me the Renvel the War-Axe; I led a heavy cavalry unit."
"I have heard of your brave deeds."
"Those were good times. The only weapons flying in from the enemy were arrows and stones. If you could move in heavy armor, you were practically invincible."
The Major proudly began to tell a story from the past.
I've heard that soldiers enjoy sharing their tales of bravery with their juniors.
"Among them all, I was the strongest. I had the physical strength to swing this big battle-axe while wearing full plate armour."
"That's impressive."
"In those days, that was justice. The strong charged straight ahead and crushed the enemy. The ones who died on the battlefield were weak. The ones who fled were cowards."
With that, the Major grabbed the battle-axe that was leaning against the wall with one hand and hoisted it onto his shoulder.
"If guns hadn't appeared, wars would have ended much sooner. We would scatter the enemy, corner them into surrender, and that would be that. I couldn't have imagined a scenario like now, where we're holed up for ten years, exchanging fire in a tedious manner."
"…"
"And in gunfights, it's not the strong who stand at the front, but the weak. Fresh recruits shoot guns on the front lines, while relics of a bygone era like me give orders from the back. That's just twisted."
Major Renvel walked away, still looking somewhat lonely with the axe on his shoulder.
I followed the Major accompanied by his guards.
"The orders from above are to buy as much time as possible. Apparently, they're using this time to prepare various diplomatic strategies."
"That is… are you sure it's okay for you to share that information with me?"
"I don't see why not. You should know what you're risking your life for."our lives."
The Major laughed heartily while patting my head.
"I didn't want to give you any false hope. There's no hope for reinforcements or a desperate plan to turn things around. There's no such thing here in Marshdale."
"…Yes, I had a feeling."
"If we lose this city, it'll be a straight shot to the capital. We're dying to buy time for the important people in the capital to get their act together."
"I see."
"But as soldiers, we can't run away. No matter how foolish the order may be, it's the most disgraceful act for a soldier to take matters into their own hands."
Hearing what he said, I felt like I finally understood the Major's true intentions.
"…Well, that's not something I should be saying after abandoning the Western Front and fleeing."
This man was not fighting a battle of attrition in Marshdale with some ulterior motive.
Major Renvel was simply complying with the government's plea of, "Please buy us some time."
"Medics are the most useful soldiers on the battlefield. You guys can heal many infantrymen, so you're many times more valuable than them."
"…Thank you very much."
"I have high hopes for you, Medic First Class Touri."
I am a soldier.
No matter how foolish the order may seem, I must carry it out without questioning it and sacrifice my life if needed.
"Follow your orders, work hard here, and die, young lady. At the very least, I won't be running away like a stingy fool."
"…"
"It's an honor for a soldier to die protecting civilians. Let's die here in style and add a bloody tribute at the end of this war."
In other words, the reason I was left here was to act as a sacrificial pawn to buy time for our allies to retreat.
Although Mr. Kuma treated me like a child, the Major treated me like a soldier.
"I feel the same, Major."
I am a coward. To be honest, I don't want to die. I want to get out of here as soon as possible.
However, even for someone like me, it would be much more painful to run away and leave behind my comrades who are like my family.
"Even if I die here, I will certainly not bear any grudges against the Major."
"Is that so? Thank you."
"But…"
Just one thing.
There's one thing I don't agree with him on.
"No matter what happens, I will never give up on surviving."
"…"
"After all, I'm still a young girl."
"…Hahaha! I see. That's true. Do your best, Medic First Class Touri!"
I have no intention of easily throwing away the life that has been saved by so many others.
I will save as many of my comrades as possible, fight to the end, and then retreat in high spirits.
That's the path I choose.
***
"Let's get moving. We'll fight back while retreating."
Major Renvel began to retreat, aligning his steps with the withdrawing allies.
It's rare for a commander not to flee first. This is probably because he was an old-fashioned commander.
If anything, it the Major was eager to engage in combat with his axe.
"What good would it do for me to run away when we're already on the verge of losing? I'm bound to be executed after the war anyway."
This is how it is.
In the streets of Marshdale, there had already been countless casualties.
Austin soldiers are fighting back bravely, with enemy corpses piling up in the streets.
But in a gunfight, numbers are justice. No matter how skilled you are with your gun, there's no way you can win outnumbered two-on-one.
In an attempt to gain even the slightest advantage, we're waging guerilla warfare by sniping from high ground or escaping into narrow alleys, but one by one, we're being killed in the line of duty.
"Major, there's a wounded soldier."
"Heal him, you don't need to preserve any of your magic power!"
Unlike Platoon Leader Garback, Major Renvel proactively gave permission for his allies to receive medical treatment.
"It's much better for the young man to survive and fight back than for me, who can't even handle a gun properly!"
This was probably because Major Renvel had very little experience with modern warfare.
He's a commander, and that job doesn't involve sitting in a trench with a gun in his hand.
"In this situation, I have nothing to offer other than swinging an axe around. I'm the one with the lowest priority for treatment!"
And for the Major, I'm sure…
He likely intended to die here in this battle.
Our lives will buy valuable time.
Government officials will try to curry favor with the Sabbath Federation. They're trying to negotiate peace rather than an unconditional surrender.
If the capital was burned by the Sabbath, the number of casualties would be unimaginable.
We're risking our lives to delay the countdown to that tragedy.
"Come on! I am Renvel the War-Axe, bring it on, you foot soldiers!"
He's still in good health despite his age. Rather than flinching at the sight of enemy soldiers, Major Renvel provoked them.
Clad in full armor and swinging around a large axe, he certainly looked like a hero from a bygone era.
"Don't let the Major fall! Fight back with your lives!"
"Father, don't do anything reckless!"
How did his heroic demeanor appear in the eyes of his subordinates?
"The Major is fighting alongside us, risking his life!! Respond to that spirit!"
At the very least, he must have been far more reliable than a superior officer who retreated alone.
"Guh, ahh! My leg, ahhh!"
"It's okay, I can still heal you!"
"Damn it, if only I were a bit younger!"
However, no matter how brave the Major was, an axe is powerless against firearms.
Major Renvel was shot and wounded in the leg.
"…Just stay there and don't move. [Shield]."
The Major collapsed onto the stone pavement, clutching his leg.
Gunfire is ringing out from all sides, and in the background, Sabbatian soldiers point their guns in our direction.
If they took aim at him now, there would be no escaping.
"Hey, you'll be killed if you try to heal him now!"
"Yes, I know, so please be quiet…"
My top priority for treatment at the moment is Major Renvel.
It's unclear how much his survival will help maintain morale among the soldiers.
Although he doesn't have the same absurd strength as Platoon Leader Garback, he plays an excellent role as the moral support for the soldiers in this desperate situation.
"[Heal]! This will stop the bleeding. Please, stand up quickly."
"S-Sorry, how pathetic…"
"It's alright."
Fortunately, the bullets from behind didn't hit the major.
Perhaps it was thanks to the [Shield] I had set up just in case.
I'm grateful to the Platoon Leader and Head Medic Gale for teaching me this spell.
"Huh…?"
Just as I confirmed that Major Renvel was standing up, I tried to rise as well.
I was suddenly hit by a strong wave of dizziness, and I found myself instinctively placing my palm on the ground.
"…"
My legs felt as heavy as lead, and my lower abdomen felt like it was burning.
A throbbing, sharp pain surged through my body.
"Medic First Class Touri!"
"Major, don't worry about me. Please withdraw quickly…"
Cold sweat ran down my forehead.
I slowly looked down and realized I had been shot through the stomach with blood profusely dripping out.
"Major…"
The moment I realized that, I could no longer stand.
I stumbled, feeling as if I had fainted from anemia, and collapsed onto the ground.
Gradually, red liquid spread from my abdomen.
That's right. The reason I've been able to survive on the battlefield up until now is because I've been protected by that invincible Platoon Leader.
Now that he's gone and without his protection, it's only natural that something like this would happen if I left myself vulnerable in such an open space.
"I'm sorry…!"
As I raised my gaze, I saw Major Renvel running away.
It seems he made the decision to abandon me and run away.
"…"
At that moment, I lost all the strength in my body.
I decided to surrender myself to the sound of the enemy soldiers' approaching boots.