After pretending to be dead to evade the enemy patrols.
"..."
For a while, we managed to continue down the alley without being detected by the enemy.
Occasionally we sensed the presence of the enemy; in such cases I guided Gomuji and changed course.
"Hey Senior, if it's here…"
"Yeah, I think we can get through now."
We made a wide detour around the main street, and as the path started to narrow, we successfully slipped through Marshdale's main street when there were barely any enemy soldiers around.
From here, it seemed likely that we could continue through the narrow alleys until we reached the far end.
"We're retreating toward the capital via the east gate, right?"
"Yes, just a little further."
This has greatly increased our chances of survival.
If we could pass through the city center—especially that main street occupied by the enemy—the number of enemy patrols would likely decrease significantly.
From here on, the Sabbath should be in the process of securing the city. It's unlikely that there will be swarms of enemies roaming around.
If we could just find a friendly position that isn't engaged in combat, it wouldn't be a dream to be able to get their protection.
"…H-Hey, someone's shooting up ahead, isn't there?"
"Yes, let's go around."
With each step forward the sounds of heavy gunfire resound closer and closer. This wasn't exactly bad news.
Since it meant that we're getting closer to where our allies are.
"What's it like up ahead, Senior?"
"Shh! There's an enemy soldier in sight. Let's hide."
"Oh, wow. Senior, you're really sharp. I had no idea."
On the other hand, the enemy soldiers roaming around here are on high alert and ready to kill.
We need to be more careful now than ever when dealing with this. Playing dead here won't work.
"With Senior here, it'll be a piece of cake. It's an honor to fight with you, Medic First Class Touri!"
"…Did you do anything, though?"
On the other hand, Gomuji seemed relaxed, as if we had already successfully retreated.
I don't want him to let his guard down just yet… Though truthfully, having crossed the main street, I was beginning to feel more at ease myself.
Maybe he had sensed my slight lapse in tension.
"If we make it out alive, you can come over to my place and fuck my son, Senior!"
"…You have a son that old?"
"He turns three this year. Isn't that a good match for you?"
"…"
If we continue on like this, there's a good chance we'll be able to retreat.
Now the last hurdle remains… to break through the front line, where enemy and allies are firing at each other nonstop, and join up with our allies. We'll have achieved our objective if we can just do that.
"Wait."
"O-Okay."
I stopped as I sensed someone ahead in the alley and heard intense gunfire.
Listening closely, I could tell there were enemies fighting right in front of us.
"…It's the enemy."
We've successfully flanked the enemy's position. In a game, this would be the perfect moment to charge in without hesitation, but…
But that assumes both the enemy and our side have equal numbers.
If a medic with shaky aim and a rookie soldier tried to ambush from behind, we'd probably just get shot down.
It would be better to escape to Austin's side from an area where there's no fighting, even if it means making a large detour.
"It's not realistic to break through there. Let's make a detour."
"Alright, let's head back to the fork."
We can't waste the good luck that's brought us this far.
Now, in my own way, I am a commander.
The life of another person is now in my hands.
I must make the best possible move without making any wrong decisions that will lead to checkmate.
"…Oh?"
When we turned back down the alley toward the fork, there were no enemies ahead.
Strangely, neither enemies nor allies had taken up positions, and a narrow path stretched straight ahead.
A deserted, one-way path. Leading directly to the east gate—a safe escape route.
If we continued along this path, we could definitely retreat to the Austin defense line.
"Whoa! Wow, how lucky. We actually survived, Senior!"
"…"
"Sorry for calling you a brat. You're the best, Senior!"
Something's strange.
Was this path undiscovered by both friend or foe?
Otherwise, it's hard to explain why no one was stationed there.
"This is…"
The enemy must have been so busy firing at each other on the main streets that they neglected to explore these alleys.
What an incredible stroke of luck.
I never thought that the most important part of this retreat, "breaking through the defense line," would be accomplished so easily.
"Alright, please take the lead again, First-Class Medic Touri. You've got a real knack for sensing the enemy, Senior."
"…"
"Well, I think it'll be okay. But where could the enemy be hiding on this narrow path?"
Just how much is God favoring us?
"Let's hurry up and get out of here."
Gomuji said, winking while nudging me forward.
It looked like he intended for me to go ahead here too.
"Alright, then—"
Until the very end, Gomuji never exposed himself to danger, always staying behind me.
Well, that's according to my instructions, so it's fine.
He's a dubious guy, but this is the end of my relationship with him.
Let's report what he's been up to this time to Platoon Leader Garback and ask for him to receive a thorough education.
Honestly, I don't like Gomuji, but he was still someone whose life I'd taken responsibility for.
When the Platoon Leader gives me permission to treat him, let's make sure to heal him properly.
I took a step forward-thinking such frivolous things.
"────!!"
"Senior?"
A chill suddenly enveloped my entire body.
At the same time, I realized my intuition was screaming, "Do not proceed any further."
There are no enemies ahead and the only way to survive is to retreat to our allies.
Yet, someone inside me was screaming.
"…We can't go any further, Gomuji. We're pulling back."
"What?"
"We'll take the same path we came from and approach the enemies' rear. Then, after verifying their position, we'll run through the hail of bullets."
"What the hell are you saying?"
I know this feeling all too well.
Even if it looks safe at first glance, only destruction awaits ahead.
A trap laid out by merciless players set up to kill me.
"Are you crazy? Why don't we just go straight through here?"
"It's a gut feeling. I have a feeling we shouldn't go down this path."
"Are you an idiot?"
Gomuji turned back toward me with a look of utter exasperation on his face.
Yes, I know what I'm saying is strange.
However, there has never been a time in game where this feeling was wrong.
Whenever I feel this thick, suffocating dread, it's a sign of miserable defeat waiting up ahead, as if my heart is being squeezed.
"Stop saying nonsense and just get a move on. We don't have time to play around."
"Have you forgotten what we agreed on at the beginning?"
I know I can't explain this feeling to anyone else in a way that makes sense.
That's why, at the beginning of every game, I always tell them the same thing.
"You said you would retreat if I told you to. Wasn't that it?"
Most players won't pull back if they think they're in a winning position.
Even if the path ahead leads to ruin, they're tempted by the delicious bait in front of them and end up diving right in.
That's why I, as the world champion, make this declaration before the game starts—otherwise, most of my teammates won't listen when I call for a retreat.
"Oh, I get it now. You're just chickening out at the last minute."
But here in this world, I'm not the champion. I'm just another medic, an ordinary girl.
As expected, Gomuji muttered, "How stupid," and started walking down the path.
"Fine, fine, then I'll go ahead and check it out first."
"No, I can't permit that. You'll be joining me in flanking the enemy. Even a rookie like you can make a big difference in breaking through their defense line if you're there—"
"You idiot! What happened to not fighting the enemy?"
With anger simmering in his voice, he kept walking forward, ignoring me as I tried to hold him back.
Beyond that was the vision of death I felt earlier.
"…Wait!"
It's no use. He has crossed over the point where I could help him.
And in that moment, I finally recognized the strange sense of discomfort I'd been feeling all this time.
Looking closer, I could see that parts of the stone alleyway were scorched—
"Watch out, Gomuji!"
"Eh?"
The instant I shouted, a magic circle appeared in the path he was walking on, and flames erupted.
Gomuji's face contorted in fear.
"Ah─"
It was a trap—an embedded magic circle, most likely set by our own side, Austin.
At first glance, it seems like a side path that allows our enemies to flank behind the defense line, but it's actually a trap set by our allies.
"It's hot, hot! Gahhhh!"
With his lower body engulfed in flames, he collapsed to the ground while writhing in pain.
If he kept moving, he would trigger the other magic traps set nearby and end up completely charred.
"Gomuji, give me your hand!"
"Ahhh!!"
I quickly took a step forward and reached out to him.
"Ouch, ouch!!"
"Don't thrash around!"
Breathing hard, his face twisted with desperation as he grabbed my hand.
There is a big difference in weight, but I've been doing physical training for the past six months.
"Nghhh!"
I pulled him with all my strength I could muster.
A fully equipped soldier weighs over 100 kilograms.
No matter how much I trained, pulling him out that easily shouldn't have been possible.
"Huh?!"
For some reason, Gomuji was lighter than expected, and I was able to pull him out of there easier than I'd thought.
He flew towards me with a lot of momentum, and I ended up with minor burns myself.
"Hah… hah…"
"Ah, are you okay, Gomuji…?"
The alley must have been slick with water, which helped him slip right out.
Just how lucky is this guy?
"My legs, my legs…"
Normally, anyone would have died in that situation. But he managed to survive, thanks to that muddy ground—
────But there, in the path he'd slid down, was a thick, dark smear of blood.
"…"
"I can't feel my legs… What happened to me…?"
Ah, of course. That kind of trap existed, too.
A brutal magic trap designed to cripple soldiers in one blow, blasting their legs right off.
"What happened to my legs…?"
Both of Gomuji's legs were blown off, blood still pouring from the stumps.
That was why he felt lighter, making it easier for me to pull him out.
I don't have my backpack on me right now.
There were no burners to cauterize his legs, no bandages to stop the bleeding, nothing.
There was only one way I could save him.
"It hurts, it hurts! Please, help me, please, Senior!"
I could only use the last bit of my magic power to stop the bleeding with [Heal].
My final resort, a healing spell; The one last "trump card" I had left.
────But, is it really worth healing him after he ignored my orders and went ahead, losing both his legs?
────First of all, even if I heal Gomuji, would it be possible to break through the enemy front lines while carrying him?
"I don't want to die… why are you just standing there? Are you really going to leave me here? Damn it…"
"…"
"I'm sorry, it was my fault. I'll do anything. Help me, please heal me…"
Still bleeding out from his leg wounds, he crawled towards me, desperation in his eyes.
With blood still leaking from the remains of his legs, he crawled pleading at my feet.
"My kid was just born… I can't die in a place like this; I have to make it back somehow."
"…"
"Damn it, I didn't sign up to die here! I wasn't supposed to be conscripted! I was just supposed to do patrol work! My life isn't for risking on some battlefield; it's for my wife and child!"
"Ah, well…"
"In the first place, I wouldn't be in this mess if you guys on the front lines just fought properly! If I die, I'll haunt you for the rest of your life! That's your duty, isn't it? You worthless soldier!"
Even though he was probably almost out of strength, Gomuji's eyes were bloodshot as he grabbed the hem of my dress and vented his frustration.
I have no idea what to say to him.
Honestly, I have neither a reason nor an obligation to treat him.
"My wife is waiting for me to come home! I still have to support my son!"
"…"
"This is your war, not ours! You losers, retreating all the way to Marshdale like cowards!"
Right now, I am the only person in this world who can save him.
And somewhere out there, there's a family still holding out hope that he'll return alive.
"You damn idiots! Don't make the civilians clean up your mess after you lose!"
No matter how much he curses at me, I have no choice but to abandon him here.
As I stood frozen, looking down at him, the charred man mustered all his strength and let out a desperate scream.