***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 1
[Start of Volume]
Breakfast was scheduled for 7:00 a.m. at the inn.
"Mr. Sedol. Which would you prefer, coffee or tea?"
In the dining hall stood a large, old wooden table, surrounded by rows of rusted metal chairs.
The curtains by the window were coated in dust and stained with coffee.
"…I'll go with coffee."
"Alright."
When I sat at the counter, the unfriendly waitress poured coffee into my cup.
I left carrying the drinks to Resty and went to get the plates of food that had been set out.
"Woooow, wonder how long it's been since I've had such a nice meal?"
"I'm glad to see you in such a good mood, Resty."
"I'm so happy to be alive… It's delicious. Seriously delicious."
Resty's eyes sparkled with delight over what was a pretty ordinary breakfast.
I need to make sure to leave a tip to so we don't get treated like paupers and thrown out.
"…Hmm, it certainly is delicious."
"Right?!"
I took a sip of coffee and began eating.
Though it was a run-down inn on the outskirts of town, the salad and fried eggs served on the aged plates were unexpectedly tasty.
"There's really nothing to complain about. They must have a first-rate chef."
"The vegetables are a little wilted, though."
About two days had passed since we took the train from Reese. Resty and I were enjoying a peaceful morning at an inn in Pashen.
The past few days had been turbulent. My life changed completely when I came to Pashen to investigate the Prime Minister's alleged affair.
I had learned that Austin had formed a non-aggression pact with the Sabbath and was plotting an invasion of neighboring countries.
To silence me, I was hunted by Iris and the special police. She cornered me in the mountains and nearly killed me, but…
"…Fine. I'll go along with that little girl's nonsense."
"That helps."
Persuaded by Resty, the niece of Sylph Nova, Iris finally lowered her gun.
Resty revealed that the one who manipulated the Sabbatian Revolution behind the scenes had been Bern Valou.
If that fact were made public, trust between the Sabbath and Austin would surely be shaken.
"However, you'd better produce solid results."
"Of course. I'll do my job."
"Please, stop the war at all costs."
Without the Sabbath's trust, Austin's invasion plan would surely collapse.
Deep down, Iris herself did not want war. That was why she ordered us to find proof of Bern's crimes.
"One more thing, Sedol. I don't have the authority to lift your wanted status."
"Right."
"Please evade our investigation and follow Sylph's trail."
I shared the same desire to stop the war.
There's a good chance that Sylph Nova had evidence of Bern's schemes.
That's why I decided to flee from the police while tracing Sylph's footsteps.
"Resty, this might be asking for a lot—"
"You want help investigating my aunt? Sure, as long as I get good food."
When I began investigating Sylph, I asked Resty Nova for her cooperation.
Fortunately, she agreed without hesitation.
"But first, we need to escape this village."
"…Tomorrow morning, I'll pull the guards from the station. Escape by train."
"Understood."
"I'll give you some travel money, too."
Saying that, Iris handed me several bills from her wallet. It was enough to keep us going for a while.
"You do understand, don't you? What will happen if I go this far and you fail to deliver results?"
"Y-Yeah, I understand."
Spitting those words out, Iris holstered her bent handgun.
Then she briskly brushed the mud from her clothes.
"Hah… today was a disaster. I wonder how many reports I'll have to write."
"Iris…"
"I do hope I don't have to shoot you, Sedol."
With an irritated expression, Iris glared at us before walking off down the dark mountain path with curses under her breath.
***
"I've got a message for you from Anita."
The next morning, I headed for the station just as Iris had instructed.
As we left the abandoned village, I asked the gatekeeper if he knew anything about my mother's whereabouts.
"She says to meet up in Othello."
"Othello Village?"
I was told she had already escaped Reese and was heading for Othello Village.
Since we needed to follow Sylph's trail, crossing into the Sabbath worked in our favor.
"Just get out already. Go wherever you like."
"…Sorry for the trouble."
"Yeah, you sure were a pain."
The gatekeeper clicked his tongue in irritation as he spoke.
Well, he was right. We had certainly caused this village trouble.
All because I had gotten my hands on state secrets.
"If you're going to take refuge here, you should have shaken the cops off first."
"…I'm sorry."
"I don't care if you've killed a hundred people, just don't ever bring police here."
Apparently, crime is okay in this village, but being chased by the police is a no-no.
Maybe this place was even more dangerous than I thought.
After that, we sneaked through inconspicuous back alleys with Resty's guidance.
We weren't spotted by the police and eventually reached the railway station.
"Oh, look, Sedol. There's the woman from yesterday."
"Iris…"
When we stepped onto the platform, our eyes met with Iris, who seemed to be standing watch.
She likely volunteered for guard duty so she could deliberately overlook us.
"Ah, I think she's noticed us, too."
Iris glanced in our direction, snorted softly through her nose, and then gave us a small wave.
"Geez, she's unfriendly right to the very end."
"That was her way of being as friendly as she could."
I managed to escape Reese safely thanks to Iris. I should make sure not to waste her consideration and investigate properly.
After that, we transferred trains and headed for Pashen.
Passing through this town was the shortest route to cross into the Sabbath.
"Okay, Sedol. What do we do from here?"
"That's the problem…"
To leave the country, we'd need a passport, ID, and or a visa.
Until now, I would have been able to be issued a visa for the purpose of reporting…
"We'll get arrested if we apply to leave through official channels."
"Obviously. We're both wanted criminals."
Leaving via legal routes was impossible with our current status. Exit permits and visas take weeks to be issued after application.
"We'll have to resort to illegal means."
"Mm, it'd be safer to rely on smugglers who help us cross the border."
Border security between the Sabbath and Austin wasn't particularly strict. Security isn't thorough since the border is too long.
As a result, there were many illegal crossings, and it had become an issue even in Winn.
"Alright. I'll see if I can make contact with a broker."
"Hmm, do you already have someone in mind, Sedol?"
"More or less."
Fortunately, Iris had given us a decent amount of travel money. It should be fine unless we get ripped off.
"I'll look into ways to cross the border from my side as well."
"You, Resty? How?"
"I thought I'd ask people who crossed the border on their own."
With that, Resty flashed a sly grin. She must have her own plan.
"Do you know anyone like that?"
"No, anyone who crosses a border on their own is probably broke, right? I'll ask around in the slums."
"I see."
Right, there were probably a lot of illegal immigrants in the slums who had defected without the help of brokers.
Getting information from them might be cheaper.
"I'll go gather information in the slums by myself."
"…You're going alone? Isn't that dangerous?"
"It'll be fine. I'm from the slums myself."
Resty was a thin girl. Her clothes were shabby, and she looked like someone others might look down on.
I couldn't help worrying that wandering the slums might lead to trouble.
"Someone wearing nice clothes like you is more likely to be targeted."
"That's not what I mean. I'm worried about you being attacked or hurt."
"I'll be sure to be careful who I talk to."
Resty said confidently, puffing out her chest.
…Well, it's true that she knows far more than I do when it came to surviving in the slums.
"Why are you going this far for this?"
"I mean, it's a chance to clear the stain on the Nova family name."
Resty declared with absolute confidence. If she's so confident, then I'll try having faith in her.
"Okay, then I'll leave it to you. Thank you, Resty."
"Then, let's meet back in this room tonight."
With that, Resty threw on a grimy jacket and deliberately ruffled up her hair.
As we parted, she touched her fingers to her lips, shot me a sideways glance, and said:
"This is a turning point in my life, too. I'll give it my all!"
"Yeah, I'm counting on you."
Watching her brimming with such confidence somehow made me feel a bit uneasy.
***
After parting ways with Resty, I headed toward the main street of Pashen.
Just like before, it was bustling with tourists, overflowing with noise even in the morning.
A baker shouting to draw in customers, a middle-aged man carrying milk crates, a musician handing out flyers while singing.
With the cheerful music ringing behind me, I quietly slipped into an inconspicuous back alley.
"Sorry to bother you while you're prepping. I want to ask you about Crimson Sky."
I knocked on the door of a run-down pub, dropping the name of Crimson Sky. A fat man with a flat face appeared from inside.
"Oh, Sedol. Long time no see."
"Hey."
He was a former member of the illegal organization Crimson Sky, now retired and running this pub. He still kept his old connections and knew the ins and outs of the underworld. I had interviewed him before as well.
"So, what can I do for you?"
"I was hoping you could connect me with someone who deals with illegal border crossings."
"Ah, that kind of story. Yeah, that's been a hot topic lately."
When I slipped him a tip, he served me a glass of lemonade. His calm, gentle manner hardly matched the image of someone who had once worked in an illegal organization.
"I don't mind. Come back around sunset today."
"Sunset today?"
"Yeah, I'll introduce you myself."
Great, looks like I've hit the jackpot.
It was a gamble, but it looks like Crimson Sky apparently handled smuggling as well.
"Thank you."
"Just make sure you eat and drink properly, and spend some money here."
Sipping the slightly lukewarm lemonade, I thanked him again. That secured one solid lead toward escaping into the Sabbath.
"Is the person I'll be meeting a scary person?"
"No, he's a friendly and kind guy. Well, as long as you don't talk down to him."
"Will they get mad if I ask questions?"
"That depends on how much cash you slip them."
They seem like someone motivated by money. That's easier to deal with than someone driven by morals and obligations.
"Ah, but sometimes a really scary person comes to the bar. You won't be able to ask anything if they're around."
"Scary how?"
"Official authority. They come as customers, not for raids, so I can't kick them out."
"I see. Then I'll come back another time."
So, official authorities also come to this pub as customers. I'm glad I asked, considering I'm currently a wanted man.
"See you tonight then."
"Thanks as always."
After chatting with the pub owner, I returned to the inn. I had gotten the information I needed. Wandering around aimlessly now would only increase the risk; it's safer to just stay put.
"Looks like Resty is still out."
It was just before noon, and she hadn't returned yet. She was probably gathering information.
"Alright. Let's think about what I can do before evening."
If things went well, we might be able to make contact with a smuggler tonight. Until then, I wanted to do whatever I could.
"Come to think of it, wasn't Touri in Austin after the war?"
A sudden question crossed my mind. Among the photos tucked into her diary was one taken in postwar Winn.
That meant Touri had returned to Austin after participating in the Sabbatian Revolution. Maybe that's why she had been targeted.
"I should read more of the diary to track down Sylph's movements."
From the perspective of investigating Sylph as well, her diary was a valuable source of information.
I decided to continue reading Touri's diary until the meeting time.
Part 2
[Starts after WN Chapter 120]
"Hmm?"
I continued reading the diary and frowned. The contents were different from what I had imagined.
"Wasn't the reason Touri was killed because she sided with the Sabbatian government forces?"
I had thought Touri was shot as a traitor.
But according to the diary, she had contacted the Austin Army through official channels and was trying to rejoin them.
If that was the case, there was no reason for Touri to be targeted by the Austin military at all.
Iris had said that Touri betrayed Austin during the Battle of the North and defected to the Sabbath.
In reality, she had merely drifted there. I had just assumed she was killed because of that misunderstanding…
"No, hold on. To begin with, when and where did Touri give birth to Iris?"
According to this diary, Touri returned to Austin almost immediately after the revolution.
She shouldn't have had any time to give birth to Iris in the Sabbath.
And even if she had, I couldn't imagine her leaving her child behind, given her personality.
"…Mom said that Touri didn't have a daughter."
Iris, a girl who called Touri her mother and looked just like her.
Her appearance made it hard to believe they're not related, yet judging from the diary, the likelihood that they were actually mother and daughter is low.
If I read a little further, this contradiction might be cleared up, but…
"Ah, damn."
The western sky had already turned red.
Unfortunately, the promised time had arrived.
I reluctantly closed the diary and began getting ready to head out.
The outskirts of Paschen are a dangerous place.
I'd heard theft is common here. I should carry important things like my wallet and diary with me.
"Yeah… not bad."
I spritzed on some perfume to avoid smelling of sweat, packed my valuables into a leather bag, and put on a black fedora.
Appearances are important when meeting criminals. I can't let them look down on me.
"I'll read the rest after the negotiations are finished."
After changing into attire fitting for a magazine reporter from the capital, I locked the room and stepped outside.
***
The streets of Paschen were still bustling with activity even as the sun began to set.
Men and women heading home from work passed by, and the pleasant scent of seafood drifted out from restaurants.
"Hey there, Owner. I'm here like we agreed."
"Welcome, Sedol. …Please, have a seat."
Please have a seat.
When I entered the pub, the owner greeted me alone. No other customer had arrived yet.
"What would you like to order?"
"I'll pass on alcohol. I don't want to be drunk before negotiations."
"How about some seafood pasta as a light meal? It's popular here."
"In that case, I'll go with that."
He smiled and began boiling the pasta.
While the place was a bit pricey, they did serve proper meals.
"Hey, it doesn't look like the person I'm here to meet is here yet."
"Yes, that seems to be the case."
Unfortunately, the negotiation partner hadn't shown up yet.
With no other choice, I ordered the food the owner recommended.
"Owner, is that person coming today?"
"Don't worry, he always comes later at night."
"Oh? You told me to come in the evening, though?"
"Yup, I certainly did."
According to the owner, the person I'm contacting will arrive after dark.
When I asked why he'd called me out so early, he replied:
"I mean, Sedol, then you'd eat a meal here, right?"
"…"
"I never said that he'll arrive in the evening. I just recommended that you come in the evening because you could enjoy some delicious seafood pasta."
He set the fragrant pasta in front of me as he laughed.
I let out a small sigh, sulked, and pulled my fedora down.
I'd been completely played. In short, I was the fool here.
"…I'm going to read for a bit. Let me know when the person arrives."
"Sure thing."
After finishing the pasta, I opened the diary again with a sour expression.
At least the pasta being genuinely delicious was some small consolation.
Part 3
[Starts after WN Chapter 121]
"Sedol, your contact is here."
"Hmm?"
I had been absorbed in reading the diary at the counter when the owner spoke to me. I closed the diary and glanced around.
At some point, the sun had already set, and the counter seats were beginning to fill.
It was time for negotiations.
"Owner, what's his favorite drink?"
"Clear vok with lemon."
"Then please deliver that to our waiting guest."
"Sure thing."
The owner smiled cheerfully, uncorked an expensive-looking bottle of clear vok, and carried it over to a round table near the entrance where a strangely dressed man was sitting.
That must be the smuggler.
"Andre, a complimentary drink from that customer over there."
"Oh? How thoughtful. Thanks, bro."
The man was muscular, with dreadlocks and an old gunshot scar on his shoulder.
After giving a small bow, I took the chair across from him.
"Nice to meet you. Mind if I join you?"
"You need something from me?"
"I'm looking for a new friend."
"Works for me, bud. Anyone who buys me a drink is a friend of mine."
Andre said that and downed the vok in one gulp.
Considering that it wasn't cheap, I would've preferred he savor it a bit.
"So, what is it?"
"Well—"
"Y'know, I'd love to have a long chat with you, but I'm meeting a girl after this."
He set his glass on the table and swayed his head side to side as he looked at me.
It was a gesture almost like a stray cat begging for food.
"…Owner, another glass of clear vok for him."
"Right away."
"Oh, you shouldn't have, pal."
I guess some expenses are necessary when negotiating with guys like this.
I'd have to tread carefully and not let him sense how limited my funds are.
"If you want to cross the Tar River, this is about the price."
"Hmm…"
When I brought up illegal border crossing, the price he quoted was roughly equal to my monthly income.
"Isn't that way above market rate? Don't rip me off."
"Crackdowns have been tight lately. Even the bribes for officials have gone up."
"Andre, we're best friends now. We even bonded over clear vok, didn't we?"
"Yeah, best friends. That's why I promise you a perfect job."
It was probably true that border surveillance had tightened recently. Even so, that was a steep price just to cross a border.
"…Alright. I'll get the money ready. Same place tomorrow?"
"Works for me. I'll be waiting."
Nine times out of ten, I'm getting ripped off.
Still, we're being pursued by the special police.
If necessary, I can pawn my camera and clothes to raise the funds.
I can't waste time being stingy with my expenses.
"Then I'll see you tomorrow, my friend."
"Yeah. Looking forward to it, friend."
After shaking his hand with a smile, I left the pub, letting out a long sigh.
***
"Welcome back, Sedol. How did it go?"
The sun had long since set by the time I got back to the inn.
Resty was already back, relaxing in the room.
"So-so. It's expensive, but I managed to strike a deal with a smuggler."
"Ohhh, impressive as always, Sedol. You work fast."
She was casually sprawled across the bed as she rolling around. Threads were tangled all through her long, messy hair.
"How about you? Any luck on your end?"
"Nope. No good. The poor folks around here have zero ambition."
Those poor people around here have no spirit.
Resty let out a long sigh while lying face-down.
"Most of the people who crossed over from the Sabbath say they swam across. What idiots."
"They swam across that fast-flowing Tar River on their own?"
"A guy I talked to started bawling about how his wife and kids drowned."
"Well… yeah. I'd cry too."
"And then he asked me for money if I felt sorry for him."
Resty's investigation had ended up being a miss. Well, it's not that I'd expected much to begin with.
"Can't be helped. For now, we'll rely on the broker."
"That does sound best. Sorry I couldn't be of help."
Our top priority was to leave Austin as quickly and reliably as possible. Some extra expense was unavoidable.
"Just curious, though, can this broker really be trusted?"
"You can't trust criminals."
There was always the possibility that the man was lying and would simply take the money and disappear.
We should wait until the very end to see if we can trust him or not.
"That's why I want you to come along tomorrow too. If you notice anything suspicious, tell me."
"Got it!"
At the very least, the pub owner himself is trustworthy. In past interviews, the information he'd provided had always been accurate.
"Let's turn in for the night and prepare for tomorrow."
"Okay. Good night, Sedol."
Resty said in a cheerful voice and wrapped herself in the sheets.
I sat down on the bed next to her and took out the diary from my bag.
Maybe because of the tension from the negotiations, I didn't feel tired at all.
I decided to keep reading the diary until I drifted off.
Part 4
[Starts after WN Chapter 123]
"It's morning, Sedol. It's time to check out."
"Oh, already?"
I must have fallen asleep while reading Touri's diary.
When I came to, Resty, already changed, was shaking my bedsheets.
"Those sunglasses don't suit you, Sedol."
"Leave me alone."
After eating and washing my face, I put on sunglasses as a disguise. There was a chance the smugglers wouldn't help us if it got out that I was wanted.
"Resty, what's your relationship with me?"
"We're uncle and niece. We're trying to defect to the Sabbath because of poverty."
"Good."
We'd prepared a cover story that wouldn't arouse suspicion. We were poor people seeking better food and a better life in Sabbath.
"Alright, let's go. You ready?"
"Yup. Aren't you the one who's nervous, Sedol?"
"I'll be fine."
Both our lives were riding on today's negotiations. Steeling myself, I headed for the familiar pub.
***
"Yo, you made it, my friend."
The man was sitting at the counter. He'd already cracked open a bottle of clear vok even though the place had just opened.
"I heard it was two people crossing. Is the other one the young lady behind you?"
"Yes. She's my niece, Resty."
"Mhm…"
Resty and I gave a polite nod and took seats at the counter beside him. The man exhaled alcohol-scented breath and looked us over as if appraising merchandise.
"Are you sure she's your niece? Human trafficking's a crime, pal."
"She's not a slave. She's family."
"Be straight with me, yeah? Exporting slaves costs extra. Border guards are strict about trafficking."
"I told you, she's not a slave."
I guess bringing Resty along had made him suspect I was a slave trader.
Just as I was about to explain, Resty interrupted.
"He really is my uncle."
"Doesn't look like it. You're dressed pretty shabby, kid."
"We're poor. My family can't afford to feed me anymore. Mom told me to go ahead to the Sabbath with my uncle."
"Hah?"
Resty answered with a sorrowful expression. At that moment, I thought I saw a glint in the man's eyes.
"You got other family, kid?"
"My mom and dad, an older brother, and a younger sister. We're always bullied because we're Sabbatian."
"Oh… I see. That must have been rough."
"We promised we'd all live together again once things settled down in the Sabbath."
"That's a real tearjerker. Such a little kid, going through all that."
Resty began spinning an elaborate, completely fabricated story we hadn't discussed beforehand.
While her acting was impressive, piling lie upon lie made me nervous.
"Leave it to me. I'll help you live safely in the Sabbath."
"Thank you."
Luckily, he didn't see through the lie and even put on a clumsy show of sniffing back tears.
It seemed we had cleared up any suspicions that I was a slave trader.
"That's the fee. Check it."
"Right."
I paid the exact amount he'd demanded. He counted the bills with practiced hands, then grinned.
"Yep, all here. Hang tight a moment."
With that, he walked over to another table where someone else was drinking and began negotiating, rubbing his hands together with a smile.
"Sedol, that guy's not trustworthy."
"Eh?"
Resty whispered in my ear so he couldn't hear. I hadn't trusted him either, but…
"Most smugglers are often con artists. If you fail and die out there, the dead don't talk."
"I guess so."
"They only do honest work when they expect repeat business."
Looking a little displeased, Resty sipped the lemonade that had been set in front of her.
"If you're a one-time client, they skip the bribes and pocket everything. If they think more work might come later, doing it right is more profitable. That's why he actually went to negotiate."
As expected, Resty knew these types of people inside and out.
So that was it. I'd been taken lightly as a one-off customer.
Realizing he was going to do a sloppy job, Resty improvised and hinted that more family members might follow later.
"…Resty. You're quicker on the uptake than I thought."
"'Than you thought?' What's that supposed to mean? My grandfather was Brustav Nova, a famed commander of the Sabbath."
Come to think of it, that's right.
Resty was a descendant of the Nova family, whose members had been elite staff officers in the Sabbatian Army.
Even Sylph, mocked as the Most Foolish Commander in History, seemed capable, judging by the diary.
"Now then, let's hope his negotiations pan out."
"Yeah."
In any case, we'd done all we could. All that remained was to illegally cross into Sabbath and track down Sylph's trail.
That was when—
"…"
Suddenly, the voices in the pub came to a complete halt.
The clinking of glasses vanished, leaving only the creak of floorboards under heavy footsteps.
"Huh, what's this?"
"I don't know."
Only Resty and I failed to grasp what was happening. Bewildered by the tense air, we could only glance from table to table.
"Don't turn around, Sedol."
The owner quietly muttered to us.
"Eh?"
The creaking floorboards drew closer from behind.
"I'll handle this over here."
As soon as he finished speaking, someone stopped directly behind Resty and I as we sat at the counter.
"Owner, it's pretty busy today, isn't it?"
"Thanks to you, we're doing great."
A woman's voice. Slightly hoarse, low, and dull.
And yet, I felt a chilling pressure behind it.
"I'll have the usual wine."
"…Where would you like to sit?"
"Hmm… I'd like to sit next to the customer at the counter."
Without waiting for permission, the woman suddenly sat down beside me.
I instinctively held my breath. The woman's attire was reflected in my empty glass.
She was wearing a high-ranking military uniform of the Austin Army.
"Please don't start harassing the customers with your drinking. That one's shy."
"Really? He looked pretty chatty just a moment ago. Were you talking about something you didn't want overheard?"
"Anyone would clam up if you spoke to them."
The woman was wearing the Austin military's medic uniform.
Now I understand why the atmosphere was so tense.
This must be the official authority that frequently conducts raids.
"It's up to the customer where they sit, isn't it?"
"Please don't be so intimidating, unless you want to be banned for disrupting business."
"Of course. I'm just here for a nice chat."
While dealing with the woman beside me, the owner subtly sent me a hand signal, waving toward the exit.
"I just remembered I have an errand to run. Owner, the check, please."
"Coming right up."
"Oh? Leaving already?"
I didn't know whether my face was wanted by the military as well.
It was better not to let her get a good look at me. I paid while avoiding her gaze.
"You're the reason the customers are scared."
"I'm not allowed to drink alone?"
"You're just too intimidating. After all, you're—"
Keeping my head down, I pulled Resty close to hide her and stood up as if fleeing the female soldier.
"The bloodstained 'Lucky Carry' who revels in shooting enemies despite being a medic."
"What?!"
I reflexively turned around the moment I heard the owner say that.
"…Lucky Carry?"
"Oh? You know me?"
Our eyes met, mine and the large woman sitting at the counter.
Long black hair, sharp eyes like a bird of prey. She was as tall as a man, solidly built, and had small, old scars visible.
"No…"
"Huh?"
No, this medic isn't Touri.
Of course.
Of course not. I had watched Touri die with my own eyes.
According to the diary, "Lucky Carry" was Touri's nickname.
"Who are you? What's your name?"
"Oh? Were you afraid without even knowing who I was?"
This woman didn't exude the same kindness or tolerance as Touri.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Argie Roa, also affectionately as the Lucky Carry—"
"No, you're not the Lucky Carry."
I cut her off sharply. The fierce woman's expression twisted in surprise, and behind her, the owner went pale.
"H-Hey, Sedol, don't provoke her."
"Oh? And why do you think that?"
The owner grabbed my hand in a panic, clearly begging me to leave immediately.
But, there's no way I can do that here.
"I know the real Lucky Carry."
"Really? You're saying someone else is using that name?"
"That's right."
"…How unpleasant."
The moment I finished saying that, the woman radiated murderous intent that took my breath away.
Terrifying. This was genuine killing intent only soldiers who had survived countless battlefields possessed.
"Who is it? Who has the audacity to call themselves the Lucky Carry?"
"Touri Lowe."
I couldn't back down. That name belonged to her. No one else had the right to claim it.
I glared back with that resolve.
"…Hmm, I see. Then you're Sedol?"
The murderous intent vanished. She placed a hand on her hip and stared openly at my face.
"It's true she was once called the Lucky Carry. But now, that name suits me."
"Now?"
"Yes, I inherited the name."
She took a sip of her poured wine, then flashed a fearless grin.
"Seven years ago, on the day I shot and killed Touri Lowe—"
"…!"
My fist was already flying before she finished.
Without thinking, I kicked off the floor, aiming straight for Argie's face.
"Reckless."
My punch cut only air.
Argie slipped aside and drove a brutal elbow into my stomach. I groaned from the pain and collapsed to the floor.
"An amateur can't beat a soldier in hand-to-hand combat. Your attacks are way too obvious."
"Y-You… you killed Touri!"
My heart won't stop pounding. This woman is Touri's killer. She's the one who took the life of a girl who'd been far too gentle to belong on the battlefield.
"Sorry about that, shopkeeper. I countered without thinking. Thought I was about to get hit."
"…I told you, Lieutenant Argie. Cause trouble in my place, and you're banned."
"Oh, cut me some slack. That was self-defense. Fine, fine, I'll head out for today."
With that, Argie placed enough bills on the counter for a glass of wine.
Then she leaned down and whispered softly into my ear as I crouched on the floor.
"This place is a bit too noisy to talk about her."
"W-What?"
"I live in a house on Fourth Street. Come visit if you want to talk."
Leaving those words behind, Argie waved without looking back and walked away.
"…The deal's off. Go home."
After that, I was made to leave the pub as well. No matter the reason, violence was strictly forbidden.
"I can't smuggle anyone who's caught the attention of Lieutenant Argie."
"What were you thinking? I told you not to make enemies."
That wasn't all. I had taken a swing at a prominent local figure, Argie Roa, the so-called Lucky Carry.
It's only natural they didn't want anything to do with me.
"Sedol, why did you do that?"
"I'm sorry, Resty."
My shoulders slumped at how our carefully laid plan to sneak in had fallen apart.
Resty stared at me with cold eyes.
"Touri… wasn't she Iris' mother? Why are you getting so worked up?"
"She was important to me, too. She was like an older sister, like family."
"Ah…"
Even so, I just couldn't hold it in. I couldn't forgive the woman who claimed she had killed Touri.
"Argie invited you to her house. Are you going to see her?"
"Yes, I will. I can't forgive that woman."
"All right, all right… But cool down first."
I could tell that she was truly exasperated.
Still, she's right. I really did need to calm down.
"Charging in without a plan is suicide. She's a veteran soldier. You won't stand a chance."
"Then what do you suggest?"
"I'll go back to the pub and gather information on Argie. In the meantime, calm yourself down."
Resty said, slapping me hard on the chest.
"To defeat an enemy, you first need to know them."
"You're right."
"And don't go rushing on ahead. If you do, I'm leaving you behind."
She was right. We knew nothing about the soldier named Argie. Gathering information before going to her house made sense.
"Got it. I'll wait outside. I'm counting on you, Resty."
"Leave it to me!"
"Thank you."
After thanking her, I took a long, deep breath and tried to calm myself.
"…She's right, I need to cool off."
Leaning against a barrel outside the shop, I scrubbed my head roughly.
"Maybe I'll read the diary to distract myself."
Resty should be gone for a while.
Trying to regain my composure, I slowly opened Touri's diary.
Part 5
[Starts after WN Chapter 126]
"I'm done asking around, Sedol."
"Ah, sorry. Thanks, Resty."
I'd been sitting on a barrel, absorbed in the diary for hours. I looked up in surprise when Resty called out to me.
"Well now, Sedol. You look better than you did earlier."
"Sorry about that. I've calmed down a bit."
My thoughts had gradually settled as I read the diary absentmindedly. Taking some time to cool off really did help.
"Anyway, listen to this. About that soldier named Argie…"
"Yeah, let's hear it."
Lucky Carry, Argie Roa.
What Resty had dug up about her combat record was staggering, to put it mildly.
"Honestly? She's a monster. You'd never think she was a medic. She rose through the ranks purely on her achievements on the battlefield. She's the ultimate self-made officer."
"Is she really that amazing?"
"She fought in the Sylph Offensive, the Battle of the North, the Battle of Argalia, and the Battle of Winn. She was credited with ace-class results in all of them."
"That's an impressive resume."
She'd survived countless hopeless battles while racking up ace-level accomplishments.
Her medical knowledge and combat ability were both top-tier. Even veteran infantrymen were said to shrink back in fear of her.
"She's now considered a living legend because of her achievements."
"Why would such an incredible soldier shoot Touri?"
"No idea. Maybe internal power struggles within the military?"
Her fame likely came from fighting nonstop to protect Austin during the war.
Hero or not, to me, she was still an enemy I had to confront.
"…Sedol, shouldn't we just not go?"
Resty said anxiously.
"What makes you say that?"
"She's that terrifying a soldier. There's no way we can win."
"We won't know until we try."
"It could be a trap to arrest us."
"That's possible…"
"Let's ignore her and think of another way to get into the Sabbath."
To just simply disregard the woman and find another route into the Sabbath.
Logically speaking, she was right.
But…
"I'm sorry, I need to hear her reason for killing Touri."
"Sedol…"
My emotions wouldn't allow it. I couldn't stand it unless I heard the reason with my own ears.
"I'm really sorry, Resty."
Resty sighed at my stubborn attitude. Maybe she'd finally had enough of me.
"…Ugh. Jeez, seriously!!!"
"Resty?"
"I don't care if you get yourself killed!!"
She puffed out her cheeks, combing her fingers through her hair as she shouted.
Right when I thought she was about to abandon me:
"I'd be in trouble if you left me behind here by myself!"
"S-Sorry."
"I'll go too. If push comes to shove, I'll abandon you and run away!"
Saying that, she hesitantly took my hand.
***
"Fourth Street… this is it, right? The nameplate says Argie Roa."
It had already turned night by the time she finished gathering information.
Just as we'd been told, we were standing in front of Argie's residence.
"Doesn't feel like there are soldiers around here. Maybe it's not a trap."
"They might be hiding inside the house."
The house on Fourth Street was a refined stone estate. Its white-painted walls were immaculate, with ivy curling here and there.
"…Sedol, you go in first."
"Got it."
While intimidated by the imposing residence, I resolved myself and rang the bell.
Pulling the cord swung an iron weight into the bell, which produced a crisp clang.
"It's Sedol. I'm here to talk."
"Yeah, hold on."
Argie Roa responded quickly. The door opened less than ten seconds after I rang the bell.
"Glad you came. You brought the girl from earlier?"
"That's right."
"Well, come in."
The woman who came out was wearing a white bathrobe. Her hair was still damp, and the scent of perfume tickled my nose.
"Go on, come inside."
"…"
"No need to be on guard. I'm not going to eat you."
I didn't sense any hostility from Argie. If anything, she seemed friendly.
Still, I warily scanned the surroundings.
Contrary to the elegant exterior, the inside was somewhat cluttered. Half-eaten cheese sat on a plate on the table, and empty wine bottles were piled in a corner.
"You want to talk about Touri, don't you?"
"Yeah. Tell me what you know."
"Of course."
Argie, the woman who supposedly killed Touri, was smiling as she invited me into her home.
What was she really thinking? My mind filled with doubts as I followed her inside.
"Oh, by the way. That thing about me shooting Touri Lowe was a lie."
"Huh?"
"I was just messing with you. No need to get so mad."
"…"
"Sedol, please calm down."
I clenched my fist again, only for Resty to grab my hand.
Don't lose your cool here. Stay calm.
"That's a rather tasteless lie."
"Sorry about that."
Argie Roa took an amused sip of her wine as she watched me.
At her urging, I sat down across the table from her.
"Sedol Weber. I'd heard about you from Touri Lowe."
"…I see."
"She spoke of you fondly, you know? Sounded like she doted on you."
Irritation welled inside me as I listened to Argie.
Apparently, this woman had known Touri. If so, she must have known that Touri had been killed right in front of me.
Which made that joke earlier unforgivable, tasteless, and outright vile.
"Why did you call me here, Argie Roa?"
"I just wanted to make sure of something."
I didn't know what kind of achievements she had on the battlefield, but I already disliked Argie.
Making light of Touri's death said a lot about her character.
"Don't move."
Before I realized it, a gun barrel was aimed squarely between my eyebrows. I froze completely while Resty hurriedly stood up.
"W-What are you doing?"
"Answer my question."
The right arm gripping the pistol was so strong that it was hard to believe she was a medic.
Argie's expression had flipped from drunken nonchalance to that of a beast.
"Sedol Weber. You didn't kill Touri, did you?"
"…What?"
I didn't understand the intent of the question. Why would I have any reason to kill Touri?
"Touri had an incredible instinct for gunfire."
"…"
"There's no way that person would be shot and killed so easily."
As our eyes met, what burned in Argie's gaze was hatred.
To her, the only person who could have killed Touri was…
"It must have been the kind of person who could make her let her guard down. Someone she cherished."
"You think I killed Touri?"
"Yeah."
She was still unable to let go of Touri's death. Now I finally understand the meaning behind Argie's actions.
"Answer me. It wasn't you, was it?"
"…No. It wasn't."
"I see."
In other words, Argie had been testing me. She was probing to see if I was the one who killed Touri.
"Hmph, I'll believe you. You wouldn't have tried to punch me if you were the culprit."
"You've got a nasty personality."
Argie had been searching for Touri's killer all this time. If that was the case, maybe she wasn't truly my enemy.
"So, do you know who killed Touri?"
"Sorry, but I have no idea."
"I figured as much. Even the military couldn't identify the culprit."
"You don't even have a lead?"
"No. The perpetrator, objective, and even the motive are unknown."
Argie lowered her gun with a disappointed look after hearing my answer.
It seemed her suspicions about me had been cleared.
"Come to think of it, there was a woman in the special police who claimed to be Touri's daughter."
"Ah? Her daughter?"
"Maybe she knows something."
I wanted to know the truth just as badly as Argie. I decided to tell her about Iris.
"Touri shouldn't have had a daughter."
"I don't know if that's true, but she looked just like Touri."
"…During the Sabbatian Revolution? No, there's no way."
Argie frowned and fell silent.
It seemed she knew nothing about Iris either. In the end, just who was Iris?
"All right, I'll check later. Now then, one last question."
"What is it?"
"What were you trying to do at a pub run by an illegal organization?"
At the very end, Argie Roa asked me that question with a truly terrifying expression.
"You're not affiliated with Crimson Sky, are you?"
"Ah, no. It's not like that."
"If you've got something to hide, you'd better confess now. I owe Touri Lowe, so I'm willing to cover for you to a point."
Argie shot me a sharp glare. That was the part I found hardest to explain, and my eyes darted away despite myself.
"Even if you're Touri's family, I won't overlook crimes. I'm here to uphold the order of the country."
"Well, that's…"
"What is it? Spit it out. What were you planning to do, bringing that young girl with you?"
Argie's pressure only intensified at my hesitation. As expected of a battle-hardened soldier, the fear made my legs go weak.
"It's nothing shady. It's more like we've gotten caught up in something huge."
"Then say it. I'll have no choice but to arrest you if you keep hiding things."
"Um, so…"
It was true that I'd been frequenting a pub run by an illegal organization. I'd be arrested on the spot if I made a shoddy excuse.
"I told you this would happen."
Resty muttered.
"Resty, what should we do?"
"I guess we have no choice but to take a gamble."
When I asked her in a panic, she answered with a careless shrug.
"I think she's more trustworthy than that smuggler."
That advice settled it for me.
"So? Should I arrest you?"
"No, Argie, the truth is…"
I decided to take the plunge. I'd tell her everything that had happened up to that point.
***
"…I hadn't heard any of this."
I told her how I'd been chasing a scandal involving the prime minister and ended up uncovering state secrets.
As a result, I was being pursued by the special police and was on the run.
And how I'd tried to rely on illegal organizations to escape the country.
When I laid it all out for her without holding anything back…
"Prime Minister Fogman Jr. is trying to start another war? That's ridiculous!"
"You hadn't heard either, Argie?"
"Of course not. If I had, I'd have put a bullet between his eyes already."
Hearing that Austin might be preparing for war, Argie flew into a rage.
She slammed her fist onto the table, the loud crash echoing through the room. The wooden tabletop even cracked slightly.
"A mutual non-aggression treaty with the Sabbath and plans to invade neighboring countries… If that's true, it's a grave situation."
"Oh, no! Now that you've heard all this, you might get silenced too, Argie!!!"
After everything was said, Resty added that with a grin.
"Tch…"
I see. My confession had dragged Argie into this mess as well.
"Fine. I've had my own issues with that prime minister anyway. I'll cooperate."
"Great! Thanks in advance!"
Just as Resty said, she really did feel like someone we could trust.
If she'd been close to Touri, then hiding with her should be safe.
"In return, let me see Touri's diary. I need to confirm you're telling the truth."
"Ah, yes. Sure thing."
Relieved that our immediate safety was secured, I nervously handed it over as Argie asked.
"Here it is."
"Oh, this… Come to think of it, I remember Touri carrying a diary like this."
As soon as she took it, the oppressive air from before vanished. Argie narrowed her eyes and stared silently at the cover.
"This photo was tucked inside."
"There's no doubt about it. That's Touri when she was young."
Argie's expression softened when I showed her the photo.
She pinched the photograph with trembling fingers, lowered her head, and let out a sob.
"…Ah, Touri. Why… Why did you have to die?"
Drip, drip, drip.
The sound of tears hitting the floor echoed three times. Argie closed her eyes tightly, tears spilling down her cheeks.
There was no way she was acting.
"Can I read just a little bit of the contents?"
"Yes."
This woman truly cherished Touri. If that was the case, I had no intention of refusing.
"About when did you two meet, Argie? How about we start from an entry around that time?"
"Ah…"
At the point I'd been reading, Touri hadn't met Argie yet.
I asked because I thought it would make more sense to start after they'd met, but Argie made a troubled expression.
"No, I've forgotten the date. Just let me read from where you left off."
"Oh, alright."
She turned down my suggestion.
"Well, that's fine."
"Please."
Her hesitation bothered me slightly, but I let it go.
I nodded to Argie and opened the diary to the next page.
Part 6
[Starts after WN Chapter 131]
"Hmm, this is a diary from the time of the Battle of the Bueri Mine. Medical Director Reitalyu… This really brings back memories."
As she read on, Argie murmured nostalgically.
"It was the battle where gas weapons were first deployed in real combat. It was horrific."
"Did you take part as well, Argie?"
"Yeah, sort of."
She narrowed her eyes and brought the wine glass to her lips.
There was a hint of regret in her eyes.
"I still remember it. Seeing that sickly yellow-green, poisonous smoke drifting on the wind and flowing into the mine."
"…"
"It was a brutal, impersonal massacre. The allied trenches were filled with pale corpses, their faces smeared with vomit."
I knew how terrible gas weapons were from history books.
They were described alongside graphic photographs of victims as one of the worst inventions of this century.
"The soldiers at the front said it was like pest control. It's not a joke you can laugh at."
"Why did they compare it to pest control?"
"Because all the bodies were turned over like insects."
Apparently, inhaling the gas caused pulmonary edema, making it impossible to stay standing.
Victims instinctively leaned against the trench walls in an attempt to sit down to steady their breathing.
Soon, they lost what little strength they had left, slid down, and stared up at the sky before dying.
The scene was said to resemble insects exterminated by noxious fumes.
"It was far too cruel an end for soldiers who had resolved themselves and bravely went to the battlefield."
Naturally, the Allied forces came to fear the gas weapons. They fled in panic into the mine shafts whenever the smoke rose.
"And the gas weapons didn't achieve the results they wanted, did they?"
"No. If anything, the operation would be considered a failure."
If this gas operation had been a great success, the answer would be yes. But that wasn't the case.
It certainly had an immediate effect on the soldiers holed up in the trenches at the mountain's base, but because the gas was heavier than air, the smoke split and spread sideways at the foothills and never reached the enemies higher up the mountain.
As a result, it couldn't be considered effective against the Allied forces entrenched inside the mine.
"Then why did they keep using gas weapons even though they were judged to be a failure?"
"They were cheap. It was deemed to be cost-effective."
"Cost-effective…"
"Yeah, it was cheaper than artillery fire when it came to wiping out enemies in the trenches."
Argie said this and drained her wineglass in one go.
She let out a sultry, alcohol-scented sigh.
"However, just as the diary says, the ones harmed by the gas weren't only the Allied forces. Quite a few Austin soldiers decided to remove their gas masks."
"Why did they remove their masks?"
Apparently, Austin soldiers were being brought in one after another to the medical department at night.
The gas lingered heavily in the soil of the trenches and in the bodies of enemy soldiers, remaining for quite some time.
Breathing it without a mask damaged the lungs even at low concentrations.
"Wearing gas masks makes it difficult to see. Veteran soldiers who knew the importance of reconnaissance were more likely to have removed their masks."
"We didn't recognize the horror of gas yet."
Even the Austin soldiers who used the gas likely didn't understand just how terrifying a weapon it was.
As a result, Austin's medical department overflowed with gas victims.
"The hospital wards back then must have been terrible."
"Yeah, probably."
"Probably? Weren't you in the medical department, Argie?"
"I wasn't a medic at the time. You'll find out the details If you keep reading the diary, but…"
Once again, Argie spoke evasively.
Was there something she found difficult to talk about?
"It's late already. Let's stop here for tonight."
"Ah, sure."
Argie cut the conversation short as if to avoid further probing.
When I checked the clock, it was already past midnight.
It was certainly about time for bed.
"Do you want to read more together tomorrow?"
"No, it's fine. I don't want to read any more."
"You don't?"
"I was really clingy towards Touri back then. It's… embarrassing."
Her cheeks reddened as she lowered her head.
I see, so she has some kind of dark history.
"Tomorrow, I'll be making arrangements for your escape from the country. I know it'll be boring, but please don't leave the house."
"I understand. Thank you very much."
"Well, you're Touri's adopted son, aren't you? Then you're like a son to me as well."
Saying that, Argie stood up and gently patted my head.
Her arms were so muscular that it was hard to believe she was a medic.
"Oh, right. You said you were following Sylph Nova's trail, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"I don't know if it'll help, but I have some something on Sylph as well. You should read it."
With that, Argie rummaged through her study.
Eventually, she pulled out a bundle of yellowed papers from the back of a wooden box and placed it in front of me.
"This is it. A memoir written by a Flamer soldier I obtained through various connections."
"Why do you have material on Sylph Nova, Argie?"
"Because the Sylph faction is a suspect in the shooting of Touri."
"What do you mean…?"
Sylph is involved in the shooting of Touri? Had Touri done something to make Sylph resent her?
"It's a top-secret document. Read it only inside the house."
"Got it."
Still full of questions, I accepted the material from Argie.
It was a postwar memoir written by a Flamer soldier.
In any case, I was grateful to be able to get hold of information about Sylph.
"For now, let's go to bed. I'll show you both to your rooms."
"Okay, sounds good."
I wanted to continue the conversation, but Argie brought it to an end.
Resty was yawning with sleepy eyes, so the timing was probably just right.
***
"Sorry it's so cramped."
Afterwards, we were led to a small room in the attic, where there were two bunk beds and folded sheets.
"This is the room for guests who've had too much to drink."
"No, it's not problem at all."
"You can hide here for a while."
Saying that, Argie pulled me into a hug and vigorously rubbed my head.
"Alright then. Get some good rest, Sedol."
◆ ◆ ◆
[Memoir of a Certain Flamer Man]
It was in the spring of 1919, when the Austin Army invaded Flamer territory.
Countless villages were burned, and the flames of war were finally about to reach our village as well.
"The Austin Army treats civilians who surrender kindly."
The one who told us that was a man who served as village chief in the neighboring Stein Village.
"Our village was occupied by the Austin Army before we even had time to flee. Still, they were courteous. They praised us for deciding to surrender and even entertained us with wine."
We listened to the man's story with a mix of doubt and belief.
After all, reports said that you'd be tortured and killed if you were caught by Austinites.
"I've heard they're barbaric and violent. I can't believe that."
"That's propaganda spread by the Flamer government. They'd be in trouble if people surrendered too easily."
"Is that really true?"
The man had been a village chief and was someone we knew personally; he was someone trustworthy.
Resisting would only get us killed, so I thought it might be worth believing him.
"Then let's surrender too. I'll go speak with the Austin Army."
"I'm counting on you."
I believed the man's explanation and went to offer our surrender to the Austin Army.
I persuaded those around me that this was the way to protect the village.
"Oh, you've made a fine decision. We, of the Austin Army, commend your courage."
When I arrived at the Austin encampment, a man who looked like a commander greeted me with a broad smile.
He was a male officer with short hair, wearing a knit cap.
"If we surrender, will you leave our village alone?"
"Of course. The Austin Army is fighting the Flamer government. Civilians are not our enemy."
"Thank you."
"I feel terrible for frightening you. We'd like to resolve this through discussion as well, but the Flamer government is stubborn."
Never dropping his smile, he bowed to me with an earnest demeanor.
While he seemed like a nice person, a vague unease crept over me as we spoke.
"Don't worry. We will take responsibility for protecting your village's people."
That man, who carried a strangely gentle air, embraced me as he said that.
The wine he offered to quench my thirst had a mellow flavor.
The Austinites were gentlemanly and humble. At that moment, I truly believed surrendering had been the right choice.
***
"I'm sorry to say this, but fighting may break out around your village."
That was what I was told on the night of our surrender.
"We urged nearby villages to surrender as well, but they've shown intent to resist."
"…I see."
"It's likely to become a combat zone. Please evacuate if you don't want to be caught up in it."
The Austin commander explained this to me.
The evacuation site would be a neighboring settlement, whose village chief was apparently ready to receive us.
Evacuation is the only option if you're told your home will become a combat zone.
"I understand. We'd appreciate it if you could avoid involving our village as much as possible."
"Of course. We intend to fight in a way that won't damage buildings."
"Thank you, Commander."
"You should evacuate to Stein Village. I've already made arrangements with their village chief."
I immediately returned home and urged the villagers to evacuate after talking with the commander.
The Austinites are kind. Everything will be fine.
That's what I told them to reassure them.
It would be a lie to say I didn't feel anxious about leaving the village we were used to.
Still, I didn't have the nerve to remain calm amid flying bullets and artillery.
***
We followed the Austin commander's recommendation and headed for Stein Village.
I will never forget that day.
"Welcome to Stein Village."
"We'll be in your care for a while."
We were welcomed by Stein Village's chief.
The arrangements had already been made just as the commander had said.
"From today on, you're part of Stein Village. Go around and introduce yourselves."
"Okay."
Following the chief's instructions, I set out to greet the members of the village.
I left my elderly parents, who were weak in the legs, at the chief's house and set out into the village with my wife and brother.
However, just after we left the chief's home…
"Smoke…"
A yellow-green smoke screen began to well up and flow inward from the village entrance.
At the time, we still didn't understand what was happening.
"Oh, what a beautiful color."
My wife pointed at the strange smoke with a puzzled expression.
Meanwhile, my brother approached the smoke, worriedly thinking there might have been a forest fire.
Up until that moment, none of us felt any sense of danger.
"Kh, hack!"
The yellow-green smoke had a sharp, irritating stench, and inhaling it made you feel nauseous.
As soon as my brother got close to the smoke, he couldn't help but run away after just a few seconds.
"What is this?"
I tried to run too, but the smoke flowed too quickly.
After covering my mouth and taking a few breaths, I was soon unable to stand due to the coughing and nausea.
"Augh, ghk! Ugh!"
"It smells like hell!"
My eyes burned and wouldn't open, and every coughing fit sent a throbbing pain through my head.
My brother had already collapsed while writhing on the ground, and my wife was crouched halfway, coughing nonstop.
The village chief and my parents should have been inside the house, but all that echoed around us were the sounds of coughing, making it difficult to talk.
"L-Let's get away."
"Y-Yes."
Something terrible was happening.
I instinctively grabbed my wife's hand and ran.
It meant abandoning my parents and the village chief.
There was no time to save them. We had to get out of the smoke, or we'd die.
That was the only thought in my mind.
"Let's head for the exit."
Fleeing the smoke, I moved downwind toward the village gate.
At the gate stood the Austin soldiers who were supposed to be guarding it.
"Hey, help us!"
The dangerous smoke was filling the air, and we'd all die if we stayed there.
"Please help me!"
I screamed hoarsely at the Austin soldiers through my coughing.
"Gah!"
At that moment, a gunshot rang out.
A sharp pain tore through my shoulder, and I collapsed to the ground.
"A… ah…"
I'd been shot by an Austin soldier.
The moment I realized that, I turned to look at my wife, whose hand I had been holding.
She was lying next to me, covered in blood.
I couldn't understand what I was seeing.
When I lifted my face, an Austin soldier wearing a grotesque mask was staring down at me.
The Austin military was conducting operational tests for gas weapons.
Any civilians who tried to flee the area were shot on sight.
This was inhumane.
We were experimental animals.
The gas had already enveloped the entire village.
Screams, curses, and despair echoed endlessly throughout the village.
We had been deceived.
Betrayed.
Killed.
Fear and regret nearly drove me insane.
I never should have trusted the Austinites.
"…D-Dear…"
My wife, her face deathly pale, mustered what little strength she had left and reached her hand toward me.
If nothing else, I wanted to remain connected to her in our final moments.
Even as my mind felt like it was burning with frustration and hatred, I reached out my hand to fulfill her wish.
That day, Stein Village became hell.
We were meant to die in the mud as nothing more than experimental animals for Austin.
No matter how bitter my resentment was, my feelings would only rot away in the filth.
"Watch out for the yellow-green gas! Blow it away with your wind gun and retreat quickly!"
"Understood!"
But sometimes, a goddess appears even in hell.
Thunder roared through the village, and the poisonous smoke was blown away.
"My name is Sylph Nova! We are the Sabbatian Government Army!"
I don't care what Sylph Nova did after that. To me, she was undoubtedly a goddess of salvation.
Just as my vision blurred, my strength faded, and I could no longer hold my wife's hand…
"We enter this battle by justice, to free Flamel from Austin!"
Thunder roared, and I looked up in surprise.
The Austin soldiers blocking the exit had been incinerated by a golden spear and lay dead.
"Use wind guns to clear the smoke! Prioritize protecting civilians!"
"There's a collapsed couple here. Rescue them!"
Soon, soldiers in unfamiliar uniforms rushed into the smoke-filled village. Commanding them was a young female officer.
Her blonde hair streamed behind her. With a steel helm pulled low, sharp eyes scanning her surroundings.
"Rescue the civilians!"
Her presence was overwhelming.
Thanks to their surprise assault, the Austin forces surrounding the village scattered in retreat.
"That woman's breathing is bad! Elijah, treat her first!"
"Yes, Sylph-sama!"
"Scouts! Be careful of the gas and identify its source!"
Soon, a Sabbatian medic rushed to my fallen wife's side.
Her complexion steadily improved thanks to her devoted treatment.
"C-Commander, hrkk. The smoke is coming from the village's southern entrance."
"…Oh, so the source is to the south?"
I tried to call out to Sylph Nova to warn her not to inhale the smoke.
To that, she turned towards me and returned an angelic smile.
"Thank you for telling me. You have my gratitude."
That expression was nothing like the phony smile of the Austin commander.
It was the gentle smile of a truly kind person.
"Units Two and Three, detour south but do not enter the village. Gorski, you make a loud show of it and sweep away the smoke. Draw Austin's attention here."
"Understood."
I couldn't believe she was the fool everyone said she was.
At least, the Sylph Nova I saw was an intelligent, rational leader.
***
"Look, Austin's army is fleeing. What a pathetic lot."
The Austin forces must have been small, because they fled the moment they realized they couldn't win.
At least half of the villagers were saved thanks to her.
"I know how to defeat the Austin Army."
At the time, the Flamer Army had suffered defeat after defeat against Austin.
Even a local victory was rare.
Sylph Nova was the only commander who had won against Austin during that period.
Upon hearing of this success, the higher-ups in the Flamer military apparently gave Sylph permission to join the battle.
And so she was requested to take charge at the decisive battlefield, the Bueri Mine defensive front.
◆ ◆ ◆
"…I see. Sylph Nova achieved her first success during the gas incident at Stein Village."
The day after we were taken in by Argie, I continued reading the Flamer soldier's memoir together with Resty.
"The Austin Army really committed some atrocious acts."
"That's the nasty side of the hero Bern Valou. That's probably why Touri disliked him."
At the time, it was said that the Austin Army conducted gas experiments on civilians.
They aimed to weaken the nation's strength by reducing Flamel's population.
However, the Austin government denies these claims, dismissing them as a hoax.
"Resty, do you think these records are genuine?"
"Yes, it matches what I've heard as well."
There was no concrete proof that the Austin Army used gas weapons on civilian villages.
Only survivors like the one who wrote this memoir have testified.
Whether this is propaganda against Austin or something that truly happened remained unclear.
That said, it's a fact that many Flamer villages were completely wiped out during this period.
"More importantly, Sedol, there was crucial information here about Sylph's movements."
"Ah, you mean that Sylph Nova went to Stein Village?"
"Yes, that's it."
I'd noticed that too.
That was likely the section Argie wanted me to read.
Stein Village lies in northwestern Flamel, near the border with Paulrand.
And at the time, Paulrand was a neutral country leaning toward the Sabbath.
"It's highly likely that Sylph entered Flamel via Paulrand. With this, Sylph's movements after the Sabbatian Revolution have become clear."
It was a trace of Sylph's journey not recorded in history books.
She entered Flamer territory via Paulrand and went from Stein Village to the Bueri Mine.
If we investigate that route, we might find some information.
"Hey! Resty, Sedol. Can you hear me?"
"Yes, Argie!"
As we grew excited over this unexpected find, Argie's voice called up from downstairs.
I turned toward the stairwell to face her.
"I'm heading out, so watch the house. Leave escaping from the country to me."
"Sorry for the trouble."
"Don't worry about it."
Argie stood at the front door in her medic uniform.
The uniform itself was spotless, but the red-cross armband was tattered and stained.
"I've got a reliable contact. Just wait here and don't worry."
"Thank you, Argie."
Argie said with a relaxed smile.
It was different from when I'd seen her at the pub yesterday, and I felt a dignified air about her.
"Oh, that's right. There's one more thing I should tell you."
She clapped her hands lightly as if remembering. She pinched the old red-cross armband sewn onto her sleeve and held it up for me to see.
"This armband from the medical department was actually given to me by Touri."
"Huh?"
"She asked me to bring good luck to Austin on her behalf. Ever since then, I've called myself Lucky Carry."
Hearing that, I remembered the photograph of Touri in her medic's uniform.
Right, it had the same design as the armband Touri had worn.
"Sorry, but this is something I can't give up. It's a precious bond between Touri and me."
"Argie…"
Argie was a soldier who survived the war.
On the sleeve of her uniform was the armband she had inherited from Touri.
"That's why only Touri and I are allowed to call ourselves Lucky Carry. That's this old soldier's tiny bit of pride."
Argie said as she proudly stroked the armband. She then grinned.
"I'll carve a path forward for you. After all, I'm someone who brings good luck."
"I'll be in your care."
"You two just read the diary and wait patiently."
How reliable these soldiers who survived the great war were.
I bowed my head to Argie and watched her depart.
"We should do what we can as well."
"Yeah."
And so, I took out Touri's diary once again.
Reading it was the only thing I could do now while I'm stuck in this hideout.
Sitting side by side with Resty, I turned the page again and resumed reading.
Part 7
[Starts after WN Chapter 133]
"The Sabbatian flag… That means…"
"The ones who launched the counterattack at the Bueri Mine were the Sabbatian government forces led by Sylph."
The Battle of the Bueri Mine is where gas weapons were first deployed in real combat.
History books state that the Allied forces went on the offensive using wind guns.
Wind guns were weapons that simply blasted gusts of air and were meant to intercept grenades.
However, under a gas attack, they transformed into deadly poison gas sprayers.
"Did the Austin Army not have countermeasures against wind guns?"
"I'm sure they did."
Austin also had wind guns. Their forces were positioned upwind and had gas masks ready.
That means they likely believed they would have the advantage even if it turned into a contest of pushing gas back and forth.
"Sylph used the gas as a smokescreen and charged in. They didn't expect anyone to rush straight through the gas."
Rather than trading gas attacks, Sylph chose to advance using it as cover.
While it seems reckless at first glance, it made sense.
The battlefield would have been filled not only with gas, but also clouds of dust kicked up by the wind guns.
On top of that, the Austin soldiers' field of vision was narrowed by their gas masks.
They likely felt as though they were fighting in complete darkness.
Meanwhile, the Allied forces positioned on the mountain could clearly see the layout of Austin's trenches from above.
The Sabbatian forces had a far wider field of vision than the Austin Army.
"That said, it's impressive the Sabbatian soldiers managed to charge through the gas without masks."
"Sylph had already learned about gas weapons in Stein Village. She must have prepared something."
Resty let out a breath, as if everything finally made sense.
The history books merely stated, "By using wind guns, the Allied forces suddenly gained the upper hand."
Without reading the diary, it'd be impossible to understand the cleverness of Sylph's strategy.
"Why did she go out of her way to make a show out of raising the Sabbatian flag?"
"That was only natural considering Sylph's position."
Even so, the brutality of the Sabbatian soldiers' actions was hard to accept.
My heart ached when I thought about Touri's feelings.
"She likely wanted to appeal to the people of the Sabbath. Like, 'the former Sabbatian government has not been destroyed.'"
"Appeal…"
"Her actions would lose all meaning if she didn't make that appeal."
But from Sylph's perspective, it was a desperate cry.
We haven't lost; we merely yielded victory.
The Sabbath does not belong to the Workers' Council.
The rightful Sabbatian government still exists.
Is that the message she was shouting?
"As a bonus, it also drove a wedge into the alliance between the Sabbath's Workers' Council and Austin."
"Still, doing something like that—"
"I get what you're trying to say, Sedol."
How much more did Sylph Nova intend to take from Touri?
Thinking about what Touri must have felt made me feel like my own heart would tear apart.
"It's already over. This was a war from 20 years ago."
"…Yeah."
"And now, we're dealing with events that could become the next war."
She continued speaking with a serious expression.
"We're trying to expose Bern Valou's malice and stop the war, aren't we?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"It'll be fine. I'll do my best to help however I can."
Resty encouraged me, trying to lift my spirits.
That's right. What good would it do to get worked up over the last war?
"I'm sorry. I guess I got carried away."
"I understand how you feel, Sedol."
I took several deep breaths in an attempt to calm my heart.
People die in war. That's a given.
"I'm fine now. Let's keep reading."
"Right."
That's exactly why the next war must be stopped.
Together with Resty, I slowly opened the next page of the diary.
Part 8
[Starts after WN Chapter 137]
I realized something after reading the diary up to this point.
"Ah, so that's it. Could it be…?"
The meaning behind what Argie said yesterday: that Sylph was a candidate for the person who killed Touri.
I thought it made sense if Touri held a grudge against Sylph, but there was no reason for Sylph to hold a grudge against Touri.
"To Sylph, Touri might have looked like a spy sent in to manipulate the Sabbatian Revolution."
If you considered that Austin had been manipulating the Sabbatian revolution behind the scenes, then Touri's actions could be seen as suspicious.
It could appear as if she had been secretly coordinating the war situation with Bern Valou.
That's why Gorski said what he did to Touri.1
"What do you think, Resty?"
"Ehh, I don't know. It's a bit far-fetched."
At first, it was probably just a suspicion that seemed crazy.
Yet, as if to back up that suspicion, Touri was protected by the Workers' Council. Then she returned to Austin and shot their ace, Gorski.
"It's possible that Sylph, who was feeling under pressure, misunderstood."
"Hmm…"
If she did misunderstand, Sylph's state of mind must have been anything but calm.
Considering Sylph's personality, I could almost picture her rage.
"Resty, if you were in Sylph's position, would you try to kill Touri?"
"It's not impossible, but doing it years after the war is weird."
Resty replied with an exasperated smile.
"If it were me, I would have finished it much sooner. Also, shooting her to death is a little strange if her motive was revenge."
"Why?"
"Touri was shot in a rural town. Security wouldn't have been that tight."
Yes, I remember now. Touri had been shot in Reese, where I lived.
She left this world right after she waved from the carriage with a smile.
Blood spurted from her throat like it was a bad dream.
"If there had been no guards nearby, a few people could have easily gathered and kidnapped Touri."
"Hmm…"
"If she had a grudge, she'd probably want to kidnap her and vent their frustration. Also, it's suspicious that no witnesses saw the perpetrator."
"So, what does that mean?"
"It was probably an assassination. Touri found out something she shouldn't have and was silenced."
It's certainly strange that even a soldier like Argie didn't get the details of the incident.
It's more natural to assume that Touri's murder was concealed by some authority.
"In that case, this diary could be really dangerous."
"Touri's diary?"
"It might contain the 'something' that led to her assassination."
Hearing that from Resty, I stared at Touri's diary once again.
I had two of Touri's diaries.
First, the one I unearthed in Dokupori Village along the border.
However, the first diary entry didn't contain much information.
In that case…
"…Will we find something if we continue reading through this diary?"
"We might."
The key to solving the mystery was the diary my mother had given me.
The answer must lie in the pages I have yet to read.
"That's an interesting theory."
"Argie?"
Just as I was about to continue reading, I heard Argie's voice.
The female soldier had appeared in the attic. She returned without me even realizing it.
"I don't think Sylph's faction is the culprit either. I think it's more likely that Touri found 'something' and was silenced."
"Do you have any idea what that 'something' might be?"
"No, I don't. If I knew, I'd probably have been silenced too."
She said this with a regretful shrug.
Argie must have come to the same conclusion as Resty.
"And unfortunately, I don't think that diary contains that 'something.'"
"Why do you think so?"
"Because that diary is one Touri deliberately left behind."
Argie entered the attic room and plopped down onto the floor.
She continued with a meaningful expression.
"Actually, there was another diary that Touri couldn't leave for future generations, and she disposed of it."
"A disposed of diary?"
Argie said with a regretful look.
"Most likely, that diary that Touri got rid of of contained that 'something.'"
"No way…"
I felt disappointed after hearing that.
If that was the case, then the diary that contains that "something" no longer existed in this world.
"Touri was very reluctant when she decided to dispose of it."
"How was that diary disposed of?"
"I don't know. No one does except Touri."
If only I could know what it was that caused Touri's death, I could get closer to the truth.
What exactly did she know, and what was she trying to hide?
"By the way, where did you hear this?"
"Oh, let me see… I think—"
Unable to give up, I asked Argie to hopefully catch a thread that the disposed diary might still be found.
"It was in the hometown of Touri's late husband. Apparently, the diary is filled with memories of him."
"…"
"Maybe she also disposed of it in that village?"
That's when I realized something. I had been under the wrong impression.
"Was her late husband named Rodri?"
"Yeah."
"Where was he from?"
"I think it was a village called Dokupori."
I looked at the diary, stained with soil and discolored in my bag.
It was something I had uncovered this summer during a trip to collect relics from the war.
Touri's diary, dug up in the border village of Dokupori.
"Touri was conflicted about how to dispose of it too. She couldn't bring herself to burn it."
"…"
"Maybe she buried it somewhere—"
It didn't make sense to begin with.
Touri's first diary should have been passed to my mother as a relic.
However, all she had was the diary from after the Sabbatian Revolution.
The first diary had been buried in the ground for some reason.
"What's the matter, Sedol Weber?"
"Ah…"
Touri couldn't bring herself to burn the diary containing memories of Rodri.
So, to dispose of it, she buried it in his hometown, Dokupori.
"Sedol? Are you all right?"
"What's wrong? Your face is pale."
The "something" that caused Touri's death.
The secret she wanted to hide from future generations.
"I have it."
I had already read the diary in which that very thing was recorded.
"Sedol? What is it?"
"…Hey, are you okay?"
And that wasn't all. The fact that I had dug up Touri's diary was publicly known.
I had reported it to the authorities on the very day I found it.
In other words, I might also be targeted by the person who killed Touri.
Information that Touri tried to hide.
The diary I dug up this summer.
A record of Touri's survival through the war, a record that changed my life dramatically.
"The diary that contains that record, I have it."
"What?"
I said, taking out the old, dirt-stained diary and placing it in front of Argie.
End of Volume 6