Sergeant Major Zafqua's training ended in the early afternoon. It was only a half-day training, but it was a very fulfilling time.
The training they undergo is solely aimed at maintaining their physical strength and ensuring they keep their combat instincts sharp.
Since they don't know when they might be ambushed, they don't train to the point of exhaustion.
"Ah. There you are, Arunoma."
"Hey, Little Platoon Leader. What's wrong?"
After training, Sergeant Major Zafqua's unit went on to patrol the surrounding area.
Not wanting to bother them, I returned to the field hospital instead.
"How was training?"
"I learned a lot from him. As expected from someone with the title of 'Ace.'"
"I see. But the Platoon Leader is small, so please don't be too reckless."
"I will be careful."
When I returned to the hospital, I found Arunoma and several other medics relaxing in a shared tent.
It looked like we didn't have any patients today, which is a good thing.
"Arunoma, do you have some time right now?"
"Oh, is there something you need?"
"Yes. Would you mind coming with me for a bit?"
"Where to?"
"Let's head to my examination room… It's in a house near the entrance to the city."
"Got it."
As a chief medic, I have my own examination room at the base.
The room is equipped with medical instruments that are suitably sized for my small stature, making it an ideal workspace for me.
"This way, please come in."
"Excuse me."
After welcoming Arunoma into the room and inviting him to sit down…
I quietly locked the door to the examination room with a click.
"W-Wait, Little Platoon Leader? What are you—"
"…"
Ignoring Arunoma's startled reaction as I locked the door, I quietly turned away from him and began to slip out of my uniform.
***
"Touri, I heard you were up to something indecent with Arunoma!!"
"Oh, Director Reitalyu."
About 30 minutes after I had closed myself in the private clinic with Arunoma, a certain person with a wild look in her eyes suddenly swung the clinic door open.
…So much for locking it.
"Eh, Medical Director! No, this isn't—this is something the Platoon Leader—"
"Hah…"
Apparently, she even used a master key to barge into my examination room.
What drives her to do such things?
"Excuse me, Director Reitalyu. Could you please close the door? As you can see, I'm somewhat exposed."
"Wha-aat?! You're really undressed! Is this what they call 'NTR?'"
"It's cold, so could you please close the door quickly?"
I respect Reitalyu for her approachability and skills, but when she gets carried away in these strange moods, I learned to look at her with a cold stare.
…She really is a strange person.
"Wait… Touri, you're covered in wounds. What happened to you?"
"Yes, these wounds were caused during training by Sergeant Major Zafqua. Since I'm already injured, I thought it would be a good chance for Arunoma to practice."
"You should just heal yourself! Those wounds look really painful."
"They're not that bad. I haven't broken any bones."
By the way, the reason I brought Arunoma into the private room was for study purposes.
Healing magic is something that takes practice. A novice needs to perform healing magic often to get better.
Since I had bruises all over my body, I asked Arunoma to come because I thought it would be a good opportunity for him to practice.
At this moment, he was learning about the efficient use of healing magic while I had my shirt off.
"But still, being alone with a man!"
"Arunoma is a gentleman. Besides, he wouldn't find my body attractive."
"…Well, it's an honor to be trusted, but you should still be a little more cautious, Little Platoon Leader."
If I were in a man's body, I could just strip down in the shared tent. But as I am now, showing my underwear feels inappropriate.
So, I used my personal examination room to let Arunoma study.
Also, it's really cold in the shared tent.
"Hey, you're losing focus, Arunoma. These are just minor cuts, so you don't need to use that much magic. Apply the healing magic more thinly and evenly."
"R-Right. Still, it's a bit tricky."
"Touri, your whole body is covered in wounds like that… What if it leaves scars?"
"Scars? Don't worry, there won't be any as long as Arunoma heals it properly."
"Wow, that's a lot of pressure, Little Platoon Leader!"
"Uh, you're putting a lot of responsibility on me, Little Platoon Leader!?"
Arunoma's face stiffened at my comment.
Well, I'll just heal it myself later if Arunoma's treatment is inadequate.
"I don't mind if a few scars remain."
"That's not something you should just brush off… Scars are usually a big deal."
After I said this jokingly, Arunoma gathered his energy and started concentrating on [Heal].
That's good.
"…"
Platoon Leader Garback had a lot of old scars all over his body.
Scars are like medals, proof of how many life-or-death battles you've faced.
While I don't actively seek to create scars, my pristine skin feels like a sign of my inexperience, which sometimes makes me feel a bit insecure.
So, really, I don't mind if a few scars remain.
"If scars do remain, you'll take responsibility, right? …Hey, Arunoma, could you heal me next?"
"Director Reitalyu?!"
While I was lost in thought, Reitalyu suddenly cut her arm with scissors.
…
"Ah, oops. Maybe I cut a bit too much."
"Whoa, your artery! Your artery's been cut!"
"If this keeps up, I'll die! Arunoma, quickly, treat me!"
"Wait, wait, why are you starting to undress? It's your arm, right? You don't need to undress!"
"If I don't, Touri will steal my prey!"
Despite being the head of the medical unit, Reitalyu injured herself to become a practice subject for a new recruit.
It makes her seem like a wonderful person who cares about her subordinates.
"The wound looks deep. I'll treat it. [Heal]."
"Ahh! How could you!"
"Also, since my examination room got dirty, please get the cleaning supplies, Director Reitalyu."
"This girl is trying to boss her superior around!"
"…Just go get them, please."
I really wish she would do something about this silly, reckless behavior of hers.
***
"It's been very peaceful lately. The Southern Army is in good spirits and there haven't been any issues."
"That's good to hear."
It had been about a month since I was reassigned to the Southern Army's medical department.
"I've suggested several times to the head of the medical department to restrain herself a bit…"
"And what did she say?"
"She said that acting cheerfully would put the soldiers at ease."
"Hahaha, no doubt."
A familiar face visited my examination room.
"That's how things have been for me. How have you been, Captain Aria?"
"Ah, fortunately there's no movement on the front lines. We'll just have to wait and see until the snow melts."
Wrapped in a winter coat, she is the formidable mage of our Mage Company.
It was Captain Aria, Major Renvel's daughter.
She is off work today and had come to visit me on the pretext of a health check.
"I've heard rumors that Sergeant Major Zafqua is an incredible user of defensive magic who can even withstand a direct hit from magical artillery."
"He's an incredible person."
"As a mage myself, I'd like to test my strength against him. I wonder if he could really block a shot from our unit."
"Please don't do that, it would be disastrous if someone got injured during training like that."
"Of course. I can't burn an ace to death just because of my curiosity."
"Hahaha," Aria laughed cheerfully.
She seems confident that she can burn Sergeant Major Zafqua to death.
"Touri and the others are set to return under our command come spring. Until then, you guys should make the most of your studies."
"So we're returning in spring?"
"Yes. Paschen is close to the Southern Army's position, but quite a distance from our Renvel Army's garrison. We also need to set up a medical unit nearby."
Aria then gave me a brief explanation of our future plans.
A reinforcement force of 10,000 soldiers will be sent from the capital by spring and will come under the command of Major Renvel.
This will increase the Renvel Army to about 15,000 troops, combining with the Southern Army's remaining 32,000 to form a force of nearly 50,000.
Meanwhile, the estimated total force of the Sabbatian Army is around 100,000. If we defeat this enemy force of 100,000, the Sabbath will have little strength left for continued warfare.
If we achieve victory in this decisive battle and secure peace, it will be considered Austin's victory.
Although the Southern Army has almost half the number of troops, it seems that an incredibly intelligent commander has appeared on the scene.
So far they have been victorious in every battle. It looks like they have a good chance of winning.
"The medical unit from the capital will be set up. I want the Touri Medical Platoon to join them."
"Really?"
"Yes. We've assembled a medical unit comparable to the Southern Army's, including retired medics and those who were heavily involved in frontline medical work in the capital. However, many of them lack combat experience. Touri, I want you to put your experience to good use there."
"Understood."
In other words, we'll only be under Reitaryu's care during the winter.
I'm sure she'll be upset when she hears we're leaving after winter.
Today too, she was very blatantly appealing to Cale and the others.
"Well, that's about it. Would you mind listening to complain for a bit?"
"Complain?"
"Yeah. Well, my father and the commander of the Southern Army, Lieutenant Colonel Henri, don't get along very well. I'm caught in the middle, and it's been a huge pain in the ass."
With that, she took a metal flask from her chest.
When she opened the lid, the scent of alcohol wafted out.
"I feel more relaxed in front of Touri. The officers over there are so fussy about etiquette. They start complaining if I drink alcohol in front of them."
"That sounds tough."
"It's so cold, I need some alcohol to warm myself up… Phew, I wish I could do what I want during my break."
Aria must be under a lot of stress.
Even during her time off, she had to deal with Southern Army officers while walking around.
It's a wonder her stomach hasn't developed a hole from it all.
"Half of them are being sarcastic, and the other half are hitting on me. Well, I'm probably hated by the officers who are trying to climb the ranks. I must look like an easy target."
"…"
"My father's nepotism is well-known. If one of them marries me, they think their promotion is guaranteed. Every single one of them sees my father and not me."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
I don't know if I'm capable of consoling her, but I'll help her let off some steam today.
At least Paschen is much more peaceful than the front lines.
***
"I had a great time today. Sorry for bothering you while you were working."
"No, I am also happy to be able to talk to you again after a long time."
"You really are a cute subordinate."
Before the evening had even arrived, Aria stood up and began to prepare to leave.
Since the Renvel Army's station is far, she had to leave early or it would be dark by the time she got back.
"I feel like I can do my best starting tomorrow… Is it alright if I come visit again?"
"Of course, I'd be happy if you did."
After venting her complaints and shedding tears over memories of her lost lover, her face became considerably brighter.
I'm glad I could help her, even if just a little.
"Well then, see you later, Touri."
I shook hands with her at the entrance to the city and said goodbye.
When I was about to see her off…
"Oh, is that Captain Aria?"
"Huh?"
"I never thought I'd meet you in a place like this. I'm so lucky."
Unexpectedly, a man grabbed Aria's hand as she was about to leave.
The man moved in without hesitation, his white breath blowing toward Aria.
"Hey, who are you?"
"My apologies. I got carried away from joy upon meeting you. I've tried inviting you for tea several times, but your father's eyes are so strict."
"I'm sorry, but I have to decline such invitations. If you have no other business, I will excuse myself now."
"Ah, wait a moment. Just a little, just a little bit longer."
The guy hitting on her is pestering her in a troublesome way.
I see, this is Aria's daily life. No wonder she's so stressed.
As I moved closer to try to separate the man from Aria—
"Can we talk for just five minutes?"
Just as I was about to speak to the man, a cold chill ran through my body.
I was struck with an inexplicable feeling of dread, and my body froze, unable to move even a single step.
"You don't know how to approach women. Women don't like pushy men."
"Well, don't say that. Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself."
The sensation is unlike anything I'd ever felt before.
It's a different kind of fear from when I'm in life-threatening danger… No, it's disgust…
"I'm Captain Bern Valou, a staff officer. Just call me Bern."
"…Bern?"
"Yeah."
This person is hopeless, beyond saving.
I can tell that we will never be able to understand one another.
"We may be of the same rank, but my military service is shorter than yours. Feel free to address me informally."
Before me stood pure "evil."
I just felt that way without any basis.