***READ THIS AFTER THE MAIN STORY AND EPILOGUES***
[These are the translated portions of light novel exclusive content. This takes place 20 years after the war ends. The light novel is framed as someone discovering Touri's diary and reading it. There are major spoilers in the first few volumes of the light novel for events that occur in future arcs.]
Part 6
[Starts after WN Chapter 95]
"…I see. Touri let me see my parents before they were cremated."
The nightmare that tormented me as a child, the sight of my parents burning.
A hellish scene where their bodies were engulfed in flames, radiating an oily heat as they charred to black.
As I read the diary, the trauma from back then flashed back so vividly that I nearly threw up.
"Ah… this is the worst. The one scene in life I never wanted to remember."
She must have struggled with whether it was right or not to show such a cruel sight to a young child.
In truth, I sealed away the memory entirely because I couldn't bear it back then.
"But… I feel like I can face it now because of that."
Now, I finally have the composure to accept my parents' deaths, and I realized something anew.
If Touri had hidden their deaths and told me that they'd come back someday, I probably would have had a hard time trusting anyone again when I eventually learned the truth.
"This must have been tough for Touri as well…"
I felt grateful that Touri had made the decision to let me be there at the moment of my parents' cremation. It's because I have that memory that I feel I can overcome their passing now.
"Alright."
That said, my heart was already filled to its limit.
I closed Touri's diary and flopped onto the bed.
Now, after ten years, I have just come to terms with the death of my parents. I still haven't fully digested it.
I decided to close my eyes for just a moment and rest.
"…"
The images of my father's and mother's dead faces come to mind.
Even though it was a memory from when I was still a child, that one memory was eerily clear.
At the same time, I also remembered the demon-like soldier who carried my parents' bodies.
"Her name was apparently Elijah…"
Whenever I think of her, I feel an intense hatred and anger toward her for carrying my parents away.
And yet, Elijah had likely taken the blame for my and Touri's sake. I suppose I should be grateful for that.
"Still, this woman seems like a Sylph sympathizer."
From the way this medic named Elijah spoke and acted, I can clearly see that she deeply trusted Sylph.
From the way this medic named Elijah spoke and acted, I can clearly see that she deeply trusted Sylph.
It would not be an exaggeration to outright call her a sympathizer.
"I wonder if Sylph Nova looked competent to people back then."
From what I know of history, the idea that Sylph was competent is like a ridiculous joke to me.
Maybe her confident demeanor made her appear capable to others.
"And now I understand why Touri is being targeted by the Austin government."
Iris had called Touri an "enemy of Austin."
I'd wondered what she meant, but now it all makes sense.
With me held hostage, she had no choice but to cooperate with the Sabbatian Army.
…From Austin's perspective, Touri is a traitor.
"I'm back!"
"Hmm?"
A loud girl's voice called from outside the house.
When I looked out the window, the sky had already set. The time I'd promised to meet Resty had already arrived before I knew it.
"I'm glad you're back, Resty. How did it go?"
When I opened the door, the thin girl was standing there unsteadily.
With flushed cheeks, her shining eyes stared intently at the bread sitting on the table.
"Uh, um… I found the woman in the photograph."
"Alright. Good job."
I welcomed her inside and had her sit at the table.
I poured her some dandelion tea, handed her bread, and listened as she slowly began her report.
"I was sitting near the station when the woman from the photo came by with a lot of police officers. They were going around asking questions."
"I see…"
"I overheard them say they were looking for two people named Touri and for Sedol. They kept questioning people along the main street for a while. They headed toward the backstreets in the afternoon."
A petite woman looking for Touri and me. There's no way it isn't Iris.
Anita's Clinic is located on the backstreets. Iris and her group are surely headed there.
"What happened after that?"
"I don't know. Since there aren't many people in the backstreets, I thought they would notice me if I followed them…"
"That was a smart decision."
I would have liked to know what she's doing in the backstreets, but I wouldn't have wanted Resty to have risked being spotted following them.
She's a clever child for her age.
"I stayed near the station the whole time, but I didn't see them after noon."
"Hmm."
There are no trains in the evening. Iris must still be nearby.
Most likely, she'd spent the entire day investigating Anita's Clinic.
"Thank you. You did a good job. If it's okay, can I ask you to do it again tomorrow?"
"Really? Of course!"
Her scouting had been useful. I might as well ask her for help again.
It's especially good to know that Iris was accompanied by several police officers. I now know I need to be careful of the police as well.
"Well then, I'll head back to the back of the mountain. See you tomorrow!"
Resty bowed and started heading out of the house.
"Ah, wait a moment."
Come to think of it, she was living up in the back of the mountain every day.
"Even in autumn, camping outside must be hard. If you'd like, why don't you use one of the empty beds here in the clinic?"
"Uh, um…"
I suggested she stay the night here instead since I didn't feel right about letting such a small girl sleep outdoors.
"I appreciate the thought, but… I'd just be a bother. I'll be fine, I do have a proper home."
"I see."
Resty only smiled with a troubled expression and declined.
When I thought about it, a girl her age probably wouldn't casually spend the night at a man's house.
Maybe I was being inconsiderate.
"If anything bothers you, you can come to me. Well then, see you tomorrow."
"Yes! See you tomorrow, and thank you very much!"
I stepped out to the entryway and saw Resty off as she headed toward the mountain behind the house.
"Achoo!"
Listening to her sneeze echo along the mountain path, I picked up the diary again and opened it.
Part 7
[Starts after WN Chapter 100]
"This isn't what I'd heard."
The more I read of Touri's diary, the larger the gap became between the Sylph Nova I know and the one written in these pages.
"It should have been Sylph who insisted on invading the capital. At least, that's how it goes."
During the Sabbatian Revolution, the government army's invasion of Josegrad was one of the most infamous events of the war.
Countless civilians were caught in the clash between the Workers' Council and the government forces. The blood spilled stained the capital crimson.
That spring, when the snow melted along the main street, countless discolored corpses emerged from beneath it.
I thought the photographs from that time looked almost like religious paintings when I saw them.
Yet, this tragedy is said to have been the result of Sylph Nova forcing the invasion.
Despite opposition from those around her, she became impatient for glory and launched the attack on the capital.
"Has history been falsified?"
According to Touri's diary, Sylph opposed the offensive. Clearly, this is not the same person recorded in history.
"…"
The sun had already set as I was lost in reading.
"Let's get my thoughts in order."
Mom hasn't returned yet, likely because she's still busy with treatment.
As my head was starting to tangle up, I set the diary down for the moment.
I reached into my pocket to take out a handkerchief and wipe my sweat.
"Huh?"
However, my hand grabbed at air. The handkerchief I'd kept in my pocket was gone.
"…Damn, did I leave it somewhere?"
I was rather fond of that handkerchief. Thinking back to where I last used that handkerchief…
"Oh, that's right. I took it out when I was washing up."
And then I realized I must have left it at the well in the back of the mountain.
***
"Damn, it's dark. I can't see a thing."
Lantern in hand, I walked along the mountain path.
Unlike during the day when the sun was out, I could barely see my surroundings.
So this is how dark a village without electricity can be.
I nearly fell over several times, but I walked towards the well by relying on my memories from the day.
"Oh, great. Here it is."
It took me twice as long as it did during the day to reach the well.
I shone the lantern around, and the handkerchief was still lying where I'd left it.
"Huh?"
I suddenly felt something strange. There was also the rustle of something moving through the grass.
Maybe it's a stray dog… or someone else is nearby.
Did Iris find me?
I hid myself and scanned the surroundings.
"…You?"
When I shone the lantern toward the sound, I found Resty collapsed on the ground.
She was breathing heavily, clearly in distress.
"H-Hey, what's wrong?"
When I approached and touched her, her body was burning with fever.
"Cough… cough…"
"Did you catch a cold?"
Now that I think about it, her cheeks were red earlier today, and she'd been coughing.
How could I, the son of a healer, have failed to notice her condition?
"I'll carry you home. You'll sleep in a bed under a roof tonight."
"I-I'm f-fine…"
Resty's voice was hoarse and faint, yet even now she refused to go to my house.
"If you get involved with me, you'll… be hated too…"
"I don't care about that. What's wrong with letting a sick person stay in a clinic? No one's going to complain about that."
"No, that's not it. I… really—"
"While I don't know how much this village shuns you…"
Anxiety is palpable in Resty's eyes. Still, there's no way I can leave her lying on the side of the road with such a high fever.
"My mother will surely yell at me if I leave you like this."
With that, I brought Resty back to the clinic without giving her a chance to protest.
I gave her some hot water to drink and laid her down in a patient's bed.
"U-Uh…"
"You just rest. I'll ask my mother to examine you later."
Once I had put her into bed, Resty quickly fell asleep.
…Why does she go so far to avoid people?
I wet the handkerchief I'd just gotten back and placed it on Resty's forehead.
"Mom will probably be back soon."
Waiting for her to return, I sat down and began reading the diary.
Part 8
[Starts after WN Chapter 106]
"Did Touri take part in the Battle of Josegrad?"
After reading that far, I was convinced of many things.
I realized why Touri had vanished, and her whereabouts were unknown.
"…Well, of course the police would be after her."
For an Austinite to have served in the Sabbatian government army can only be called a betrayal.
And what's more, she served as a subordinate under Sylph Nova.
If Touri is still alive, it makes sense that she's a target to be eliminated.
"Still, Sylph Nova doesn't seem like the villain I'd always heard she was."
The Sylph written about in the diary doesn't match the image of her left in history.
At least through Touri's eyes, she was a capable commander who cared for the people.
According to the diary, Sylph Nova participated in the Battle of Josegrad as a commander of the government army.
She supposedly encouraged looting, committed unbelievable mistakes one after another, and continued the suffering of civilians…
"Had Sylph been made into a scapegoat for this General Blake?"
Judging from the diary, Sylph's words and actions were the opposite. She furiously opposed the invasion.
If anything, it was her commanding officer, General Blake, who acted outrageously. Could it be that he shifted the blame onto Sylph?
"This is bad. There'll be no end to it if I start indulging in 'what-ifs.'"
Sylph Nova, known as a fool, might actually have been a capable commander. As a historical novel, it would be an incredibly interesting story.
But at the very least, it's true that Sylph was complicit in the massacre.
"Josegrad… It's been splendidly rebuilt now, but…"
Even back then, the capital Josegrad was the most developed city in the Sabbath.
From ancient times, people had gathered along the banks of the Volga River, a wide, gently flowing freshwater river, and built a great city
Because of that origin, waterways ran throughout the capital, Josegrad. In winter, the waterways would freeze over, and many locals enjoyed skating on them.
"…Sabbatian food never really suited my taste."
When it comes to Sabbatian dishes, river fish are the specialty.
The trout marinated in olive oil sold at the food stalls in Paschen came from the Sabbath.
Since authentic Sabbatian cuisine is meant to be paired with alcohol, the amount of oil and salt makes the food heavy.
It's so greasy it makes me feel sick.
Knock, knock.
"Hmm?"
As I was reading the diary and thinking about the Sabbath, I heard a knock at the door.
Is Mom back?
"…Excuse me. Is Anita here?"
Just as I was about to unlock the front door, a girl's voice came from outside.
A soft voice I felt I had heard somewhere before.
"This is Touri. I came to visit since I heard that Sedol is back."
…In that moment, my body instinctively opened the door.
Standing in front of the door was "her," wearing Austin's military uniform and with a gentle smile on her face.
"…Oh my. And who might you be?"
"…"
It was the very same figure I had seen in the photographs.
Suddenly and without warning, Touri Lowe herself had come to visit.
"I-I am Sedol Weber."
"Ah, of course!"
She broke into a beaming smile the moment I told her my name.
"It really is Sedol! You've grown so big!"
"Y-Yes…"
Her unclouded, delighted face was just as I remembered.
The shock of it left my mind completely blank.
"Hah, hah…"
"…? What's wrong, Sedol?"
My heart started beating fast. Excitement, panic, anger, and tears all washed over me at once.
Her arm slipped around my waist, drawing me into a hug. I couldn't utter a single word.
"Maybe you forgot me?"
"…!"
With warm sunlight filtering through the trees, she stepped down from the carriage, turned to me, and smiled.
"Even though we played together so much…"
The moment I saw her, I went to her without hesitation. She's the one I'd wanted to see, the one I'd been waiting for.
"Don't you remember me?"
And then, it came back. That nostalgic memory. A memory I had forgotten, the one I had forced myself to forget.
"Ah… ah…"
Cold sweat broke out all over my body.
Nausea welled up from my stomach, and a sudden headache pounded in my head.
"You… You're Touri, aren't you?"
"Yes. I'm Touri."
"It seems I had forgotten, somehow."
I desperately tried to hide my trembling hands. I didn't want her to notice my agitation.
I managed a smile and led her to the desk.
"…My mother gave me your diary, and I've been reading it. I'm sorry for reading it without your permission."
"That's fine. If it's you, Sedol, you can read it as you like."
"If it's not too much trouble, could you tell me about when I was a child?"
"Yes, of course."
I steadied my breathing and let my eyes and took a good look around me.
The mountain behind the house, the roof, and the path can be seen from the window.
"Because I want you to remember me."
I'm already surrounded.
The house was encircled by men who looked very much like police officers.
"I want to remember you too, Touri."
"Really?"
No. This woman isn't Touri.
She's trying to imitate her attitude and demeanor back then, but…
"I'll help you too, Sedol."
This woman is Iris, the attacker who tried to kill me.
The one I pushed into the river, who must still be boiling with rage.
"Then… shall we keep reading? If you don't mind, can you tell me some behind-the-scenes stories about the diary?"
"I don't mind."
Is she pretending to be Touri to get information out of me?
Why doesn't she just shoot me right here? What is she after—
"Just listen to me without changing your expression, Sedol."
"Wha?!"
She sat down next to me at the table and whispered in my ear.
"As you've guessed, I'm Iris. You've been ordered to be executed. My allies have surrounded this house."
"…Mm."
"Don't look outside. They'll start firing if they realize you've noticed."
She spoke quickly, then gently wrapped her arms around me.
What on earth is this?
"I'm here under the pretext of extracting information from you before I kill you. Please play with along me here."
"And you are after… what exactly?"
"Well, let's just say I've forgotten a few things myself."
She said that with a mischievous smile, then added:
"…It'll take a little time to prepare for escape. For now, let's just read the diary as usual."
"Is that really all right?"
"Sedol, dash straight for the back door when I give the signal."
Iris flicked her eyes around the room and opened the diary.
Part 9
[Starts after WN Chapter 113]
"Josegrad… It brings back memories."
Iris muttered, her eyes staring into the distance.
The infamous Battle of Josegrad was one of the worst tragedies in Sabbatian history.
I didn't know the soldiers were struggling with their own conflict while so many people were being massacred.
"Have you also been to Josegrad, Iris?"
"Yes… Technically speaking."
As she continued reading the diary, her expression grew complicated.
The fact that Touri had once served under Sylph Nova must have been a shocking revelation.
"I'd love to know more, but let's stop here for now."
"Iris?"
"We're good to go. Sedol, are you ready?"
She let out a quiet breath while glancing around restlessly.
Then, she drew a pistol from her coat without warning.
"Run!!"
She fired at the lantern lighting the clinic, plunging the room into darkness.
"You'd better explain this later, Iris!"
"I will!"
Gunshots echoed from every direction the moment the lights went out.
The clinic's windows shattered, and the angry shouts of men rang out.
"The police are chasing us hard, aren't they!?"
"We'll be fine. They've split into pursuit and encirclement teams. There aren't that many chasing us."
"What do we do if we get surrounded?"
"I have trusted subordinates ahead. They won't raise a hand against us."
She pointed toward a figure in the shadow of the hillside. The man glanced our way, then gave a small salute before letting us pass.
"What now, Iris?!"
"Go link up with Anita and escape the village with her."
Right now, Mom should be in the village tending to the sick.
"It doesn't look like we'll be able to escape our pursuers!"
"Leave that to me. I'll hold them off."
Iris aimed her gun at the pursuing police officers and fired several shots.
She really did seem to be helping me escape.
"Iris, why are you doing this for me? Who are you really?"
"Well… in a way I'm the same as you."
She said it with a quiet smile.
What does she mean by same as me?
"My memories are a mess as well. I can't remember things from the past."
"…What?"
She said, hugging me with a sad look on her face.
"The truth is, I still can't remember much. My memories of the past are still distant and hazy."
"Iris?"
"Strangely enough, I remembered something the moment you threw me into the river."
Iris softly chuckled.
"Come to think of it, a certain mischievous little kid once pushed me into a river a while ago."
"…"
Wait, what does that even mean?
What on earth is Iris saying?
"Maybe… The both of us have had our memories sealed away."
"There's no way that's the case."
"And so, maybe… the reason I felt compelled to save you was because of that as well."
"So, I'm sure. That's probably why I wanted to help you."
Had Iris lost her memories?
Or have they been distorted?
If that's the case, then she's the one I have been searching for all along.
"Most likely, I'm Touri Noel."
Touri herself?
I looked at Iris' face again.
All I saw there was a petite girl wearing a gentle smile.
…And yet, it felt so familiar.
I grew up looking up to this woman.
By now, I had grown tall enough to look down on her.
"Well then, off you go, Sedol."
Had I been waiting all this time for the day I could see her again?
"Take care of yourself."
With those words, Iris once more raised her gun toward the police officer.
The dry sound of gunfire echoed through the back of the mountain.
I've remembered now.
"…"
"What's the matter, Sedol? They'll catch up if you stop now."
All the dots finally connected.
"Touri, you took part in the Battle of Josegrad, right?"
"Looks like it. Somehow, I feel like I remember that."
"And that's why the Austin government is after you?"
The Austin government had declared an alliance with the Workers' Council.
If word got out that she had sided with the Sabbatian government, it could become a diplomatic issue.
"That's why you couldn't come back to Austin. It's also why you vanished."
"That may be the case."
Mom knew why Touri couldn't return. She had just dodged the question.
"But still, Touri. You did come back."
"Oh? Did I?"
"It must've been about ten years ago. Under another name, you came back as someone else."
After joining the Sabbatian Army, Touri must have been marked as a criminal and wouldn't have been able to return.
I'm sure she must have tried everything she could to find a way back.
Ten years after the war ended, she managed to return under an alias.
"Oh, here it comes. It's Touri's carriage."
"Finally!"
My heart raced when I heard I could see her again.
That day, I stood at the village entrance first thing in the morning, brimming with anticipation.
"At last, I've reached a peaceful everyday life."
I heard her voice from inside the carriage.
It was a cheerful, upbeat voice.
"Ah…"
Then, my eyes met hers through the carriage window.
It had been a long time since I last saw her. Her hair had grown a little longer.
Her height was the same as ever, but her face carried a mature warmth.
"Tour—"
I shouted with all my might. I raised my voice to get her to notice me even a second sooner.
She looked a little surprised when she heard me.
Then, she waved her hand with a smile.
"Hey, Iris. Can you stop with such cruel lies?"
I remembered. I remembered it all.
Why had I forgotten about Touri?
"Sedol?"
"Please… Just stop it already."
I don't even want to remember what happened after that.
It was so painful that I sealed it away in the depths of my memory.
Yes. That day, Touri came back riding in the carriage.
The very moment I started running toward her…
A gunshot rang out from the shade of the trees.
Blood scattered, and she fell into the mire of red and black.
"…My memory was hazy because I couldn't accept Touri's death."
In that instant, the world stopped.
Her slender throat was blown apart, together with red mist.
With a harrowing gurgling sound, the light faded from Touri's eyes.
So this is what it means to die.
Staring into space while spurting arterial blood. She convulsed in small spasms, then gradually stopped moving altogether.
Restless onlookers began to gather in a murmur as they surrounded Touri.
At the center, Mom shook her head with a pained expression.
She will never come back again.
The moment I realized that, I lost consciousness.
"Ten years ago, Touri was killed right before my eyes!"
Yes, Touri was shot dead in front of me back then.
Cold sweat poured all over my body the moment I remembered it.
The trauma, the cries of anguish, and the hatred all came flooding back at once.
"P-Please calm down, Sedol. I am—"
"No, Iris! That person never referred to herself like that!"
(TN: Iris uses a different form of myself/I than Touri, which Sedol picks up on.)
That she would wear Touri's face, her appearance, and yet tell such a lie is unforgivable.
I can't forgive the fact that she told such a lie, with Touri's face and appearance in mind.
Back then, Touri's hair had already grown out, and her face had looked more mature.
Even if she had somehow survived, there's no way she'd look the same as she did during her days in the army.
That's why she's not the same person. This woman can't be Touri.
"Hahh…"
Hearing my shout, Iris' expression turned sour.
The gentle, soft smile she had worn until now was tossed aside.
"Alright then, I suppose that's enough acting."
The pistol she had been aiming at the police office now pointed at me.
"Next is negotiation. Tell me where the healer Anita is."
"…Now I get it, Iris. You let my mother escape, didn't you?"
As I thought, Iris is not Touri.
She would never have chosen such a cruel method.
"Were you just pretending to let me escape to get me to lead you to mother?"
"Well, I was half-joking. It would have been a bonus if you believed it."
She must have realized that her lie got exposed. Iris' gentle smile faded and her face returned to its default cold expression.
"I tried pretending I lost my memory just like you have. How was my acting?"
"If you can't fool a moron like me, you're a terrible actor."
"How harsh."
Mom must not have been able to come back because she'd been attacked by Iris.
However, she must have been able to escape pursuit. Iris was planning on having me bring her to her.
"Still, you were quite shaken by the words of a terrible actor."
Saying that, she slowly raised her hand. Several unfamiliar men in police uniforms appeared from the shade of the trees as if on signal.
"I ask again. Where is Anita? Did she tell you that?"
"You wouldn't believe me even if I said no, right?"
"I guess."
Iris' lips twisted into a hideous smile. It was as if she loved killing people.
"We're working to eliminate Anita and the vagrants close to her."
I've been checkmated. I never imagined my pursuers would be this fast.
Reese is a large city, and I doubt they explored it all in just one day.
She must have read that we weren't in the city and immediately came to the settlement.
"I'll give you ten seconds. If you don't answer in ten seconds, I'll shoot."
rope.
Both Iris and I were baffled by her suddenly picking up the rope and yelling about it.
The rope that Resty was holding was certainly an old one.
"What's with this beggar?"
"T-The rope…"
"What about it? I'll kill you too if you get in the way."
"But this rope, if you pull on it…"
Did she not understand the situation? Or was a rope lying around that unusual for her?
Her strange behavior left even Iris and the police officers staring at her in exasperation.
"Uh, what do we do with this brat?"
"Kill her if she keeps making a fuss. I was even going to let her go…"
"I'll give this rope a pull~"
And at last, Iris gave the ok to have Resty killed.
…And that was the moment it happened.
"Gahhh!!!"
"Huh?!"
Dirt and sand poured down from above Iris' head, burying her along with the silly scream.
"This way, hurry."
"Wha—"
Before I knew it, Resty had grabbed my hand and was pulling me along.
We ran off while leaving Iris and the others coughing in the cloud of dust.
"I'll help you escape. Consider it payment for food and lodging."
…It seems this girl is actually trying to save me.
Even though by doing this, Resty herself will end up being targeted.
"Are you crazy?! If you get involved with them, you'll get killed too—"
"It's a life that could end at any time anyway."
In the darkness, Resty said that with a smile.
Dammit, I ended up getting this girl involved.
"…You've made a fool out of me."
Soon, Iris' cold voice could be heard from deep in the forest behind us. It was a voice laced with rage and on the verge of exploding.
"After them!! You have permission to shoot on sight!"
"Understood!"
The police officers rushed out following her command.
***
In the pitch-black night, the chase began.
"Resty, where are you planning to run?"
"It's fine. Just follow me."
Still, Resty was unusually calm. As she ran, she turned to me and smiled.
"This mountain behind that house is my home, you know?"
At that moment, Resty didn't look like someone being cornered. Rather, it was as if she were actually enjoying being chased.
"…Those guys split their squad in two to chase us. They're probably trying to surround us on both sides."
"I can't see anything, but you can tell, Resty?"
"I have good hearing despite how I look."
Resty said as she quietly narrowed her eyes.
She wore the eyes of a hunter stalking their prey.
"Ah, they're going down that path? How careless of them."
Resty swiftly twisted her body while running.
With her knife, she cut down a rope that was tied to a nearby tree.
In an instant, the dirt and sand that had been suspended above came raining down on the pursuers.
"More dirt?!"
"Damn it, can they see us from over there?!"
Seeing the police officers buried under the soil, Resty let out a mischievous chuckle.
…This petite, skinny girl is shockingly dependable.
Still, there was something that bothered me a little.
"Amazing, Resty. When did you set up traps in the back of the mountain?"
"When?"
How did Resty manage to set up these traps in such a short amount of time?
Even including the time she had been reading with Iris, there had only been a few dozen minutes to spare at most.
"No, this was something I had set up from the beginning."
"From the beginning…? Why?"
"I was constantly being almost killed by the villagers. I needed countermeasures for that."
"You were constantly being almost killed?!"
I was left stunned at her nonchalant response.
I had thought Resty was only being ostracized by the village.
Just what in the world did she do to be hated so much that she needed to prepare traps just to avoid being killed?
"Ah, don't step on that board there. Jump over it, okay? Juuuump."
"Eh? What's with this board?"
"It's a death trap."
It was a game of chicken between me and the police officers chasing us.
Angry screams echoed throughout the back of the mountain.
But, almost all of them were—
"Blades are set inside at the end of the board. Step down on it, and they'll pierce into your guts."
The screams of the pitiful police officers who had fallen into traps.
"What kind of dangerous things have you been setting up next to our clinic?!"
"No, I really am sorry. Well, who knows what they'd do to me if I don't do this."
I had thought this girl was just a pitiful beggar, but that was completely wrong.
She's a dangerous person who littered the mountain with instant-death traps.
"Gyaaah! What the hell, there's an iron stake at my foot!!"
"Damn, my stomach! A spike stabbed right into my stomach!"
Things were moving smoothly for me with Resty leading the way, but the police officers were having a rough time.
Would I have ended up like them if I had been tricked by Iris and entered the back of the mountain?
"The place I sleep is safer than the clinic. You know, since it's filled with traps."
"S-So that's why you were reluctant to stay at the clinic."
The sounds of traps being triggered echoed from all over the mountain.
And each time, the footsteps of the pursuers grew fainter.
"Stop right there!"
"Oh my, looks like there's someone stubborn here."
"Iris…"
The small, petite officer was the one who alone kept up with us without being shaken off. With a demon-like expression on her face, she was relentlessly pursuing us.
"Don't run, you coward!"
"Yeah, right. You'll kill me if you catch me!
With an annoyed look, Resty kicked at a long wooden plank set along the path.
In the next instant, stones that had been set on the other end were fired off at high speed.
"Didn't think I'd end up using even the catapult."
"Wha?!"
The launched stones shot through the gaps between the trees and flew straight at Iris. Each stone was small, but a direct hit would pack considerable force.
"No one can break through this mountain of traps. The summit of this back of the mountain is my castle. It's the safest place in the whole world!"
Resty declared proudly to Iris, who was showered by the rain of stones. She must have been very proud of all these traps.
…However, Resty's face soon froze.
"So annoying!!"
Iris' eyes gleamed ominously in the darkness of the night.
Planting her foot firmly, she twisted her small frame with precision and deflected the dirt and dodged the flying stones.
"Haaah!!"
Furthermore, Iris knocked away the large boulder that had been falling toward her face with the pistol she was holding.
Then she shook the dust off her military uniform.
"Did you really think you could stop me with pebbles!?"
"Wh–Whaaat!? H-Hey, if a trap hits you, then take damage properly, okay?!"
Perhaps because she was shaken, Resty's speech became a little strange.
Iris pressed forward with agile movements, weaving her way through the mountain trees.
Her eyes shone with killing intent as she raced through the forest. It was like something out of a horror story.
"You—! You, you, you!!"
"Too naïve!!"
The composure vanished from Resty's face as she desperately kept trying to lure Iris into traps.
However, Iris simply slipped past them as if she could even see into the future.
It was just like the movements I had read about in that diary, of her.
"Sorry, but I have a constitution that allows me to intuitively sense traps."
"This is totally cheating!!"
And there was a limit to how long we could keep running.
That limit came about ten minutes after Resty and I had started running.
"…Oh? Is the game of tag already over?"
Iris had at last evaded every single trap, even surpassing the final defensive line Resty had set up.
"What a filthy, shabby dwelling. How fitting for a beggar."
"I do try my best to keep it tidy, though…"
Resty's lived at the peak of the back of the mountain beyond the layers of traps.
Lit by torches, there was an old tent, a mud-stained sleeping bag, and scattered drums and bottles.
"Now then, Sedol. You've caused me a lot of trouble."
"…Ah, uh, Iris. I've gotta say, you're pretty light on your feet."
"I am in a position of leading subordinates. I'm not so untrained as to be caught by an amateur's trap."
As Iris said this, veins bulged visibly across her forehead. It was clear that she was furious despite her polite language.
"For what it's worth, those were traps of made with military experience behind them."
"Hmm? You're a former soldier? Which army did you serve?"
"…The Sabbatian Army. I have no combat experience, though."
"Oh, this must be fate then."
Hearing that, Iris turned a belligerent gaze on Resty.
"I was an orphan taken in by the Workers' Council. I suppose that makes us mortal enemies."
Hearing that Iris has ties with the Workers' Council made a few things click into place.
The Sabbatian Army was the faction that lost in the Sabbatian Revolution.
During the Battle of Josegrad, it's said that Sylph fled after hearing news of the alliance with Austin…
On the other hand, the Workers' Council emerged victorious in the Sabbatian Revolution, and became the predecessor of the present Sabbatian government.
It was thanks in large part to Austin that they won, so they maintained good relations even after the war.
"I see. Then the claim that Iris is investigating the secrets of Bern Valou… could it be that—"
"I only wish to reveal the truth about the Sabbatian Revolution."
The Sabbatian Revolution resulted in a staggering amount of bloodshed.
If it had all been the result of incitement orchestrated by Austin…
Then the responsibility for that sacrifice would lie with Austin itself.
It's only natural she'd want to know if she came from the Workers' Council.
"It has been confirmed that Touri Noel was involved in the Sabbatian Revolution. If she were still alive, I had intended to ask her directly."
"She isn't. She is already dead."
"That seems to be the case… However, the diary is good enough as a source of information."
The devil wearing Touri's face grinned from ear to ear. After finishing what it had to say:
"I'll put that diary to good use. Goodbye, Sedol—"
"Hehe, kufufufu."
At the very moment she was about to pull the trigger, Resty let out a strangely cheerful laugh.
"…What's so funny?"
"No, it's just… Ah, so that's how it is."
Even though she was about to be killed, Resty didn't stop laughing.
It was the polar opposite of the "feral" smile that Iris would wear.
"You want to know the truth about the Sabbatian Revolution? How about I tell you that I know a little bit about it?"
The smile on Resty's face was one of pure amusement. It was nothing less than mockery toward Iris.
"The truth? Sorry, but I can't imagine a beggar would know such secrets."
"Any surviving members of the Sabbatian Army would know."
Resty still didn't stop her amused laughter.
She showed no sign of fear even with the gun barrel aimed at her. Maybe Resty just didn't consider death to be something to be afraid of.
"History only preserves the information convenient for the victors. The only way to know the other side of things is to listen to the oral accounts of the losers. Am I wrong?"
She was simply overjoyed at being able to tease Iris. There was even something devilish about Resty's attitude.
"Hah, that's interesting. If you're just trying to buy some time…"
"Buy time? What are you talking about?"
Iris and Resty. The two girls in front of me were grinning fearlessly as they glared at each other.
I have no idea what they're thinking.
"Did you know that Sylph Nova laughed when she heard about Austin's alliance with the Workers' Council?"
Is Resty just trying to buy time, or does she actually know something?
"Sylph laughed? The Sabbatian Army fled Josegrad in fear of that alliance."
"No, that's not it. Can't you see?"
At that moment, I suddenly remembered the diary that I had brought with me tucked away inside my coat.
That's right. It should contain records of Sylph Nova from that very time.
"Iris. If you're curious about this, why don't we read further in the diary?"
"Come to think of it, we were getting to that part."
The climax of the Sabbatian Revolution was the alliance declaration between the Workers' Council and the Austin Army.
Startled by this declaration, the Sabbatian Army panicked and fled Josegrad.
"I won't lower my aim. You read it aloud, Sedol Weber."
"…Alright.
Then why did Sylph Nova laugh?
Is Resty really telling the truth?
"…"
And so, I began to read aloud from Touri's diary before the two of them.
Part 10
[Starts after WN Chapter 115. Volume 5 ends at this chapter instead of 119.]
"It's true. Sylph Nova was surprised by Austin's involvement. She saw through the bluff."
"…"
"And that's not all. The Remi who Touri met really was Remi Ulyakov."
Cold sweat broke out on my forehead, and I noticed Iris swallowing hard.
The information written in Touri's diary is exactly what Iris wanted to know.
"Touri Noel met Remi Ulyakov? The girl Bern took in was the real Remi Ulyakov?"
"C-Calm down, Iris."
"That's undeniable proof that the Sabbatian Revolution was orchestrated by Bern Valou!"
Iris' face flushed red with rage.
The collusion between Remi Ulyakov and Bern Valou could now be seen as fact.
"Anyone who was in the Sabbatian Army of that time already knew. The Workers' Council was deceived by Bern. They were tricked into starting a revolution.'"
"Then the Workers' Council's success in carrying out that revolution was…"
"Obviously, it was dependent on Austin's support."
That was the truth buried beneath history.
Bern Valou, Austin's Chief of Staff, had split the Sabbath in two for the sake of national interest, sacrificing countless citizens in the process.
"This! With this information, I can…!"
Iris' rage could no longer be described as something as mild as anger.
She looked as though she were staring straight at her parents' murderer.
"Iris, what are you planning to do now that you know this?"
"…That's obvious. I'll stop the war."
What exactly did she intend to do? Now that she'd heard of Bern's schemes, what course would she take?
When I asked, Iris gave me that serious look and answered:
"Sedol, the information you uncovered is the answer. Right now, Austin and Sabbath have struck a secret pact and are planning an invasion of other nations."
"…"
"Prime Minister Fogman is trying to start another world war. It's absolutely unacceptable."
"Another war…"
"But as a public servant, I have no power to stop it."
Iris said this with a self-deprecating laugh. There was even a hint of regret in her voice.
"The non-aggression treaty between the Sabbath and Austin has already been signed. By now, both countries are surely moving forward with their invasion plans."
…Indeed, Rove, the murdered store owner, had said the same thing.
That the age of war is coming back. War will begin again.
"But what if it were revealed that Bern was the one who pulled the strings behind the Sabbatian Revolution?"
"Hmm…"
Iris let out a sly chuckle as she continued.
"The darkest tragedy in Sabbatian history, the Sabbat Revolution. The mastermind was Austin's Chief of Staff…"
"It would cause chaos if that were ever made public."
"Exactly. The war can be avoided if the secret pact between the Sabbath and Austin is shaken."
Ah, I see. Iris' goal is to have the pact between Austin and Sabbat torn apart. Perhaps war can be averted if Touri's diary can serve as evidence to expose the truth.
"I lived in the Sabbath during the aftermath of the revolution. I'd rather not experience that hell again."
"I can believe that."
"I've been investigating the truth so I could stop this war. I had intended to sell the story to a publisher with enough backbone to print it."
Iris twisted her lips into a frown. Then, she glared sharply at me.
"There's no longer any reason to kill you if the secret pact is broken, Sedol. And as a journalist, you could even be of use to me. That's why I intended to keep you under protection."
"Oh, so that's what it was."
"Well, a certain fool brushed me off and threw me into the cold, dark depths of the river. I might have even died if I'd hit my head the wrong way."
"…Ugh"
Iris glared at me with murderous intent, her expression chilling me to the bone.
I see. That's the reason this girl was acting this way…
"Do you have anything to say?"
"I'm really sorry."
I guess Iris never really intended to kill me. That realization made me feel a little sorry.
"But if Touri were still alive, you would have killed her, wouldn't you?"
"Yes, of course."
"Even though she's your mother?"
"That's just what I've been told. I heard that she died in the turmoil of the revolution after giving birth to me."
"But in reality, Touri continued her work in Austin even after the war."
"She probably abandoned me and fled back to Austin. And those around me just told me that she died out of consideration."
Ah, I see. That explains why Iris was so shaken when she heard that Touri is alive.
Though, it's hard to imagine Touri abandoning her own child to escape. Perhaps there were some unavoidable circumstances.
For example, the chaos of the revolution led to an "unwanted pregnancy."
"Now then, Sedol. What will you do now?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I could just shoot you here. In fact, I'm rather seriously considering it."
As Iris said this, a sadistic smile appeared on her face.
"Fortunately, there's no one around to see. It doesn't feel like your comrades are catching up anytime soon."
"…"
"Crawl on the ground, repent from the bottom of your heart for defying me, and beg for mercy. I might just let you live if your pitiful display amuses me enough."
"…Ah, um—"
"Oh? You don't want mercy? Then I guess this is goodbye."
"W-Wait, hold on! I get it, I was wrong! I'll do anything!"
Iris' eyes were serious.
She looked ready to kill unless some whim of hers made her decide to spare me.
"Look, I'm down on the ground already. Want me to lick your boots too?"
"Who knows? I'm grateful to you, Sedol, for letting me uncover the truth of the Sabbatian Revolution."
"Fine, fine! I was wrong! If it'll save me, I'll do whatever you want—"
With her gun still aimed at me, I dropped to the floor and pressed my palms together in prayer.
I might be able to survive if I can just avoid offending her.
Who cares about pride? I'm sure my father would do whatever it takes to survive.
"Umm, sorry to interrupt when things are getting exciting."
"Oh, right. You were here too. If you want to live, then—"
"Your gun. The barrel's bent. Do you really think you can fire it?"
Just after I prepared myself to take off my clothes and lick her shoes, Resty, who was watching this farce, said in an exasperated voice.
"She's bluffing, Sedol. This officer keeps saying she'll shoot, but she hasn't even put her finger on the trigger."
"…"
"Actually, aren't you the one stalling for time? You're probably waiting for your comrades to catch up."
At that, I stared closely at the gun aimed at me.
…Sure enough, the barrel was bent at a strange angle.
"That's what happens when you bash rocks with a gun. Try shooting, and it'll misfire and blow up in your own hands. That's why she hasn't fired."
"…You really have an eye for it."
I see, that's why Resty seemed strangely relaxed. She'd realized that Iris' gun was useless from the start.
"Even without relying on a gun, I can subdue the two of you barehanded. I may not look it, but I'm pretty strong."
"Hmm, that's interesting… How about we put that to the test?"
After tossing aside her gun, Iris squared off against Resty. They both smiled ferociously at each other.
"A scrawny girl and a spineless coward. It won't even take a minute to beat the both of you down."
"Oh, my. You haven't forgotten that this happens to be my home turf, have you?"
It's like watching a dragon and a tiger face each other.
On the surface, Iris and Resty's clash looked like nothing more than two girls having a childish fight…
"…It's strange. Just looking at you makes my blood boil for some reason."
"What a coincidence. I feel the exact same way."
For a quarrel between girls, both sides were far too intense.
"Alright, Sedol. Let's take her two-on-one. Don't worry, I'll handle the timing of the trap…"
"…You understand what it would mean to fight me right here, don't you, Sedol?"
"Eh?"
At that moment, as they were glaring at each other, their gazes suddenly landed on me. Their cold, intimidating eyes fixed on me with equal intensity.
"Why are you spacing out, Sedol? Who do you think you're fighting for?"
"I'm sure you understand, Sedol. You're going to sit there and stay out of this."
The sudden decision brought my thoughts to a halt.
W-What should I do?
"Sedol?"
"Y-Yes!"
No, wait. Just calm down. I should side with Resty, the one who risked her life to protect me.
And, my chances of survival are slim if I choose Iris.
"I-I get it, Resty. We'll attack from both sides!"
"Hee-eeh…"
"Ah, no, wait, I didn't mean—"
Iris' eyes flared with murderous fire the moment I tried taking Resty's side.
Those frigid eyes pierced my very core. I froze under that pressure, unable to move.
"Why aren't you moving, Sedol? Don't tell me…"
"No, that's not it, Resty! I was just a little overwhelmed."
"Ah?"
This time, it was Resty who glared at me with sharp eyes.
Unlike Iris' icy glare, her eyes blazed with furious, roaring fire.
This is actually terrifying. I'm scared, someone help me.
"Be a good boy, Sedol. If you stay still, I'll be generous and let you live."
"Ah, wait, Iris. But—"
"Hurry and get up. We'll sync up and attack at the same time. Got it?"
"A-Alright, I get it, Resty."
"I'll forgive you for now. As a reward for uncovering the 'truth' of the Sabbatian Revolution, I'll even keep you at my house."
"Eh? Huh?"
What the hell is this? That's scary.
In fact, it's far more frightening than having a gun pointed at me—
"What nonsense are you spouting, you muscle-brained cop? The truth of the Sabbatian Revolution I wanted to convey isn't that."
"Huh?"
As I stood there paralyzed with fear, Resty began to speak with a sigh.
"The truth of the Sabbatian Revolution isn't just that? What do you mean?"
"Something so trivial won't shake the secret pact between the Sabbath and Austin. Plenty of Workers' Council supporters are already aware of Bern's collusion."
"…Still, it could divide public opinion—"
"Bern Valou's darkness runs far deeper than that."
Iris looked visibly unsettled at those ominous words.
"Isn't it written in the diary? Sylph Nova saw through the Workers' Council's bluff."
"Ah, that's true."
"Then why did the government forces withdraw from Josegrad?"
Iris didn't have an answer for that.
Indeed, it's still a mystery.
The government forces had gradually been pushing the Workers' Council out, yet for some reason, they abruptly retreated.
Touri's diary did not include any detailed explanation of the reason.
It only noted that Sylph and the others had withdrawn for some unknown cause and that Touri ended up under the Workers' Council's protection.
"…Maybe this General Blake got scared and ran away."
"Wrong. The claim that the army ran away out of fear of the alliance is nothing but fabricated history."
Resty's smug grin remained unchanged.
"Rather, Sylph Nova had realized what lay beyond that bluff."
With that, she began to talk about an even deeper darkness.
Sylph had received information from a prisoner that Bern Valou had connections with members of the Sabbath's anti-government faction.
From that tiny piece alone, she speculated:
"Aren't those rebels the leaders of the Workers' Council?"
She had grasped the possibility that Austin and the Workers' Council had been connected from the very beginning.
At the time, Sylph tucked it away in the back of her mind as just a guess.
However, the instant the Workers' Council and Austin formally declared their alliance, her suspicion became certainty.
"Then they were connected after all! Such a strategy would be effective. I would do the same…!"
[Same as From Chapter 119]
Sylph Nova became convinced that Bern Valou was the one who had built the groundwork for the revolution.
Supporting the enemy's insurgents and ensuring they would collapse from within.
A strategy any staff officer might dream of at least once. It's a move that doesn't expend any of their own forces.
Pulling it off so flawlessly was a testament to Bern's skill as a staff officer.
There was also another reason Sylph realized Bern must have been involved.
The enemy's formation suddenly became airtight the moment the fighting shifted into urban warfare.
From Sylph's perspective, it must have felt like her chess opponent had suddenly changed.
There is someone giving advice to the Revolutionary Army.
In that case, the only person connected to the Workers' Council who could play war chess on equal footing with Sylph was Bern Valou.
The communication equipment of that era was poor, but it was possible to communicate with Austin over a few days.
Sylph surmised that Bern had started to remotely command from somewhere along the way.
"But, his intervention is too late."
Bern Valou was famous as the "worst enemy' in the Sabbath.
He was infamously known as the "Devil's Son" who broke through the Southern Front with inhumane tactics.
It's no surprise that there were no gaps under Bern's command.
"But the tide of victory has already turned. Our victory is unshakeable, no matter what cunning plans he devises now."
Sylph did not panic.
Even the renowned Bern was too late to intervene.
The government forces had already secured the advantage, and Remi was just buying time.
As long as Sylph didn't make any major mistakes, the victory of the government forces was almost certain.
"You underestimated us, Bern Valou—"
Instead…
The capital would surely be reduced to a sea of flames, and a staggering number of civilians would become casualties.
"…"
The government forces would be victorious if they continued fighting like this.
However, there was something that didn't quite sit right.
If Bern Valou's talents were as rumored…
If he was indeed a brilliant commander capable of orchestrating such a flawless formation…
Then he would not simply stay on the defensive in the current situation; he should be employing some form of risky strategy.
There is no chance of victory for the Revolutionary Army as long as the guerrilla warfare continues.
They have no future other than to be slowly and cruelly killed over time.
If they wanted to turn the tables, they should be launching a surprise attack on the government's weak points.
Yet, the Revolutionary Army was hunkering down like a turtle, not aiming for victory.
"No way…"
Sylph shook off the thought that flashed through her mind and continued to direct the offensive.
Over the course of a week, they gradually pushed the front lines, and the Revolutionary Army began to cry out in despair.
Amidst this, the government forces discovered something in a facility that appeared to be an enemy communication outpost they had seized.
It was part of a document stored in the burnt-down enemy communication facility.
When the contents of the document were reported to Sylph, it was said that her face turned pale.
It was a record of communication between Remi Ulyakov and officers of the Austin Army.
The content discussed which of the targeted government officials to let escape and which to kill.
"You've got to be kidding me…"
Competent politicians were to be targeted and killed.
Conversely, greedy and foolish politicians were deliberately allowed to escape and be protected by the Workers' Council.
This meant that even the current situation, where the government forces were deployed in Josegrad, was being manipulated by Bern.
And Sylph realized the deeper layers of this plot.
She understood Bern's true objective.
"…No way, it can't be!"
It must have sent chills down her spine.
Could a human really come up with such a thing?
No, even if they did, could they actually put it into action?
"Bern Valou. You…"
Up to this point, everything had gone according to this man's expectations.
The government forces are launching a winter offensive.
The Revolutionary Army was suffering repeated defeats and being driven into a desperate situation in urban warfare.
Yes. While this man was indeed supporting the Workers' Council, it was never his intention to make that revolution succeed.
"You were losing on purpose, you bastard!!"
He hadn't started advising the government forces partway through.
The communication facility contained records of Bern giving detailed advice, from the defense strategies at Fort Rusovets to the layout of the defensive network in front of Josegrad.
The Revolutionary Army's defensive tactics in Josegrad were of exceptional quality.
They were so precise and meticulous that there wasn't a single flaw.
There was no way that a commander capable of such remote control, the same one who used the Tar River for a surprise attack in the Battle of the North, would overlook a strategy involving a surprise attack on sleds across a frozen river.
In other words, Bern deliberately fell into Sylph's trap, luring the government forces into Josegrad.
To kill as many Sabbatian citizens as possible.
Can you believe it?
He painted this hellscape on a canvas all by himself.
This was a scheme solely focused on causing harm to the people of the Sabbath.
Even if an ordinary person thought of it, they would never actually carry it out.
It's a wickedness so severe that one couldn't complain even if they were condemned to eternal damnation.
"…If his goal is genocide, what's his next move? How will he act?"
Sylph possessed a mind almost equal to Bern's.
Therefore, she could deduce what he was planning from just this information.
"What does Austin want right now? Land? Resources? No, that's not it…!"
The conclusion of this tragedy was drawn by the devil Bern.
The endpoint of the demon's strategy that sent shivers down the spine of the genius Sylph.
It was…
"Slaves…"
In this era, defeated nations lost not only their territory but also their people.
It was common practice to take the enemy's citizens as slaves from the colonized lands.
Austin, suffering from manpower shortages due to continuous wars, would surely want to take Sabbatian citizens back as slaves.
Bern Valou was not seeking peace with the Sabbath.
Rather, he was fully intent on continuing the war.
With the Sabbath's national power now completely weakened, his ultimate goal was to continue the war and "win against the Sabbath."
"…That's what will happen if the government forces win."
There's no way that a sadistic murderer would ever befriend a worn-out Sabbath.
He wanted to use the charismatic Remi to divide the Sabbath, weaken its national power to the limit, and then crush it with his own hands.
That's why he made Remi declare an alliance, voice her weaknesses, and lure the government forces into an offensive.
"The Revolutionary Army has been pushed to the point where they have to resort to obvious bluffs."
"Are you kidding me?!"
"Just a little more. Many sacrifices will be made, but the victory of the government forces is certain."
"Is this man rotten to the core?"
"Go ahead and crush them! Brutally, kill your fellow countrymen! Victory is right before you!"
"How 'evil' does one have to be to carry out such a ridiculous act—"
The one most swayed by Bern's wicked manipulation was none other than Sylph herself.
"I-I am a complete fool!"
Having seen through everything and realized her own mistakes, Sylph cried out in agony.
The Sabbath was in a position of checkmate like never before.
A victory for the government forces would lead to an invasion by Austin and turn the Sabbath into a colony.
The Sabbath likely would not have had the population or resources left to fight back.
But a victory for the Revolutionary Army would result in a hellish regime led by a dreamy-eyed charismatic leader.
Many citizens would be crushed by distorted ideals and become sacrifices.
"Ha, ha…"
How can this situation be overturned?
Sylph thought and pondered.
Josegrad will turn into hell whether they advance or retreat.
And the conclusion she came to was…
"Hahaha, haha!"
***
"…Is such a thing even be possible?"
"It's possible."
Bern Valou's plan was not merely to support the Workers' Council and topple the Sabbath. His goal was to let the Workers' Council lose and take control of the weakened Sabbath.
"The balance of war favored the government forces. Given time, their victory was assured."
"…Yes, that's also written in the diary."
"However, Josegrad suffered devastating damage. Do you really think the shattered remains of that city could have been governed by the useless politicians left behind?"
Such a scheme is beyond cruelty. What did he take human lives for?
"Sylph Nova saw through Bern's malicious intentions at the last moment. She chose the best course of action for the Sabbath."
"…Which was to allow the Workers' Council to take power, with Sabbath's strength still intact."
"That's right."
The retreat of the government army had not been a defeat. Rather, it was the perfect counter to Bern Valou's malice.
"And after surrendering the capital, her plan was to actually let Remi Ulyakov rule."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you really believe some girl from outside the capital could lead properly with just ideals?"
Sylph Nova still had reason to hope. Her aim was simple: to wait until public opinion turned against the Workers' Council.
"Remi Ulyakov had no political ability at all. She handed practical work to her comrades, and even then, she made a lot of mistakes."
"Well… I guess so."
"Sylph Nova predicted that the government under the Workers' Council would quickly collapse on its own."
At that time, the Workers' Council had only just seized power. There was not a single capable politician among them.
"The Sabbatian government's key officials were sent abroad to establish a government-in-exile. There, she waited for public sentiment to return."
"That must be why she withdrew."
Brilliant. The more I hear, the clearer it becomes that Sylph Nova was a genius. She had confronted the monster from Austin, Bern Valou, and managed to strike back by herself.
"Well then, Iris. What you should be making public isn't the fact that Bern and Remi were colluding."
"…"
"It's Bern Valou's malice itself that must be exposed to the world. …The pact won't be broken unless you do that."
Iris bit her lip in response.
"That… That can't possibly be true…"
"But if it's Bern Valou, do you really think he couldn't do it? I'm sure you know the answer to that."
Iris' voice trembled. All she wanted to do was to uncover the hidden underside of history.
She had not expected to come face to face with such revolting malice.
…The truth about Sylph Nova, remembered as history's greatest fool.
The malice of Bern Valou that had disappeared into the darkness of history.
"Let me be clear. It's no secret that Remi and Bern were working together. If you know even a little about the circumstances behind it, it's safe to say it's common sense."
"…The still public doesn't know."
"That's right. Almost no one has seen through to Bern's malice. If you intend to drag history's darkness into the light, shouldn't it be that?"
There was a hint of joy in Resty's voice as she spoke.
What was so amusing about it? What could she find so delightful in such a revelation?
"Unfortunately, though… it seems that diary doesn't contain any account of Bern's schemes."
"…"
"Now then, what will you do, officer? Where do you think the 'evidence' you need to expose Bern's darkness is?"
Iris' face was already pale. Faced with a gun pointed at her, Resty had managed to corner her with words alone.
"What's this? You still don't get it? Of course the documents inside Austin would have been destroyed by Bern Valou. Even so, the Sabbatian government's 'communication records' probably still exist."
"Those would have been destroyed ages ago! The Workers' Council would have no reason to leave evidence of collusion with Austin!"
"I already told you, didn't I? Sylph Nova acquired those communication records."
"Ah!"
"There's no way she wouldn't have kept communication records that would serve as evidence of the legitimacy of the Sabbatian government forces."
That's certainly true. Assuming Resty's story is true, it's highly likely that Sylph Nova kept the records of communications with Austin.
If she intended to reclaim authority one day, such evidence was indispensable.
"To follow in Sylph Nova's footsteps and recover those records. That is the only way to achieve your goal."
"…But, I don't have the time or the authority to do that."
"You're lucky. There's someone available there who's familiar with your situation, has connections to Touri, who had close ties with Sylph Nova, and is also a newspaper reporter. He's the perfect man for the task."
I was caught off guard when Resty suddenly brought up the topic, and I stiffened in surprise.
"Moreover, I heard that Sedol is a reporter skilled enough to obtain state secrets."
"Hmm…."
"I'll ask you again. Do you still want to kill us?"
She's telling me to track down those communications records?!
That state secret I came across was by pure chance. I'm nowhere near the reporter she thinks I am!
"…I have one question for you."
"What is it?"
"How can a mere beggar like you possibly know such information?"
"Me? I'm nothing but a loser. I told you before, you have to listen to the tales of the defeated if you want to know the hidden side of history."
Yet with nothing but words, Resty had already seized the upper hand.
This frail girl was overwhelming Iris, who's supposed to be a well-trained police officer.
"Answer me seriously. Who are you, beggar?"
"Heh… you really haven't done your research, have you? Ask any villager around here, and they'll tell you right away."
"Just hurry up and answer!"
When asked about her true identity, a dark madness appears in the eyes of the thin girl.
"My name is Resty Nova."
It's a name steeped in disgrace. A name that bore the stigma of the World War. The name of the most foolish commander in history.
A family despised not only in the Sabbath, but everywhere in the world.
"In this village which accepts even criminals, I alone am hated."
"Wha…"
"The sole surviving relative of the child of the devil."
As she spoke, she smiled with a clouded, murky gaze.
"I am the niece of the most Foolish Commander in History, the Witch of the Trenches, Sylph Nova."
End of Volume 5