It's about three months into winter.
The training operations have now been completed, and the decisive spring battle is fast approaching.
As the snow began to melt at the front lines, both armies started showing signs of moving toward an all-out war.
Throughout the winter, the Sabbatian Army had dug over ten layers of trenches stretching several kilometers along the banks of the Tar River, creating a fortified position.
Sabbat was seemingly determined to secure the Tar River as a starting point for their advance into Austin.
If they lost this position, they would have to cross the river for their next offensive.
The Tar River spans about 80 meters in width, with a fairly swift current, making it impossible for a person to swim across unaided.
Five years ago, the Sabbath made great sacrifices to secure the Tar River.
At that time, the Sabbatian Army used its military might to mass-produce ships to forcibly seize control of the Tar River through sheer numbers.
The Tar River was littered with the bodies of Sabbatian soldiers, spreading the stench of decay.
For days after that operation, a reddish-black sludge continued to flow downstream in the Tar River.
Seeing such a sight, the soldiers of the time likened it to, "Tar flowing in the river."
…This river has repeatedly become the site of decisive battles with the Sabbath.
It's possible that the origin of the name "Tar River" came from comparing the blood of the fallen to tar.
Today, there are bridges at various points across the Tar River for transporting goods.
Of course, these were built by the Sabbath as a route for transporting supplies.
Now the Sabbath is using these bridges to invade our territory.
If Austin can capture this riverside stronghold, it will be considered a victory for us. It is doubtful whether Sabbath would be able to carry out another operation to secure the river with its current condition.
Lieutenant Colonel Henri believed that destroying the bridges would force the Sabbath to come to the negotiating table.
Currently, there are only two bridges remaining across the Tar River.
One is located behind the enemy's lines, while the other is a smaller bridge about 10 kilometers to the north.
All other confirmed bridges have already been destroyed by the Southern Army.
…These two remaining bridges could be considered vital points for the Sabbatian forces stationed along the riverbank.
If we destroy these bridges, the Sabbatian Army will lose its supply line.
There's nothing to fear from an army without bullets or magic stones.
If we can just destroy the bridges, the enemy will be wiped out regardless of how many troops they have left in Austin's territory.
────But on the other hand, that's the only way Austin can win.
Austin, which has lost its productivity, will be in a difficult position in a prolonged war.
Meanwhile, the Sabbath will overwhelm Austin with its sheer production as long as it has a bridge over the Tar River.
Austin wants to destroy the bridge at all costs while the Sabbatian forces know that the bridge will be our target.
Although the total military strength greatly favors the Sabbath, there is no doubt that Austin had higher morale and the quality of soldiers and officers.
The Austin Army's Chief of Staff was Bern Valou, a name destined to be remembered in history.
Facing them was the prodigious genius Sylph Nova, a genius who emerged within the Sabbath.
This marked the first direct confrontation between these two historical figures, a battle of profound significance that would leave a lasting impact on the war.
The thaw of snow signaled the start of what could be called "total war" in which the fate of both countries rested.
***
"It's not really a strategy. We just don't really have another option."
Bern concentrated the majority of his forces directly in front of the Tar River bridge before the end of winter.
It was essentially a declaration to the enemy: "We're aiming for this bridge."
"No matter how well we hide it, there's no way the enemy will let their guard down around the bridge."
It was probably best to avoid having our operations leaked to the enemy, but in this case, it was Austin's only chance of winning.
Bern believed it would be more worthwhile to refine the core of the operation rather than spending time on a misdirection strategy.
The plan Bern Valou had in mind at the time was: "isolating the enemy's main force within Austin territory, destroying the bridge to cut off their retreat, and annihilating them completely."
Although it was a pipe dream with a very low chance of coming to fruition, it was a strategy supported by the majority of Austin's higher-ups.
The reasoning was that if the enemy's main force escaped, the Sabbath would likely refuse any negotiations for peace after the war.
Austin's post-war plan was to establish a border along the Tar River, negotiate peace, and construct fortified defensive positions along both banks.
If both sides built solid defensive positions along the Tar River, neither could invade the other.
This plan for constructing fortifications served as both a deterrent against the Sabbath and relief for the people.
It would provide public works jobs for those left destitute and create a demand for commerce on the desolate lands near the border.
Due to the depletion of the population caused by the Sabbath's massacres, Austin's food supply was likely to last for about a year.
During that year, we would establish a peace treaty with the Sabbath, distribute food through public projects, and rebuild the country.
To realize such a post-war vision, it was essential to destroy the enemy's main forces.
If the enemy had any spare capacity, they would have no reason to make peace with Austin, who was on the verge of collapse.
In order to bring about peace, they too must be on their last legs.
Fully aware of this, Bern made it his objective not only to destroy the bridge but to eliminate the enemy forces altogether.
***
"…What?"
And so, the long winter came to an end.
From Austin's vantage point, something strange was happening in the Sabbatian camp.
"…There are no enemies?"
Yes, there were hardly any soldiers to be seen in the trenches that the enemy took the time to dig.
There appeared to be a small force stationed near the bridge, but it was clearly smaller than Austin's.
There was hardly any smoke rising from cooking fires in the trenches—just the occasional wisp here and there.
It was almost as if the enemy had withdrawn; the signs of their presence were nearly nonexistent.
"Could it be that the Sabbath's main force retreated?"
"From what I can see, there are hardly any soldiers in the trenches."
The Sabbatian forces needed to defend the bridge in order to advance towards Austin.
Leaving the trenches empty didn't make any sense.
"They must be hiding somewhere."
"What if something happened within the Sabbath making them fall back…"
Such reports from the scouts troubled Austin's higher-ups.
Is this an opportunity or a trap?
If there are truly only a few enemies and there is an opportunity to destroy the bridge, it cannot be overlooked.
It was the opportunity they'd been desperately waiting for.
"We should be wary of the risks, but we must go ahead and do it. If our reconnaissance proves correct, we can end the war."
"You idiot, we should take more time to scout thoroughly—"
"What if the enemy's main force returns while we're hesitating?"
There were very few enemies holed up in the trenches. It was highly likely that they had squeezed out the few soldiers they had and were lining up in battle.
This fortunate turn of events made Austin's General Staff eager to take action, but—
"You idiots, it's obviously a trap."
It was Captain Bern who dismissed the staff officers.
"There's no military action more important to the Sabbath than the war with Austin."
"But what if, by some chance—"
"They're reducing the number of soldiers to bring out that 'Just in case' mentality.'"
As you can imagine, this was a plan devised by the Sabbath—or rather, by Sylph.
The Sabbatian army, which had been repeatedly outsmarted by Bern, came up with a plan this time to set a trap in return.
Sylph suggested that during the winter, they dig a "two-tier trench."
She had the soldiers dig a second, deeper trench further back in the main trench, where they could hide, making it appear as though "there were no soldiers in the trenches."
In order to prevent the food from emitting smoke, the soldiers who were holed up in the second trench were stuck eating cold rations.
As a result, almost no enemy soldiers could be seen in the Sabbatian camp that appeared when the snow melted.
"That sounds exactly like the kind of plan an idiot from the Sabbath would come up with. Are we really going to walk right into it?"
"And why are you so sure it's a trap?"
With ample time and manpower over the winter, the Sabbath had laid out this snare.
Sylph herself thought of the idea as more of an "if it works, great" suggestion. Still, the tactic could not be dismissed.
After all, this trap divided Austin's General Staff, causing several days of discussion.
It's am obvious trap if you put a little thought into it, in the extreme conditions of the battlefield, many people could not resist the temptation to think, "Maybe some kind of miracle had happened."
"Bern, you coward! What kind of hero are you! Austin missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…!!"
"Haa… Such idiots."
In the end, Sylph's trap ended up being a flop due to Bern's strong influence.
Following this decision, many staff officers lamented, saying, "Austin has given up our chance of victory."
I don't want to think about what would have happened if Bern wasn't at the General Staff Headquarters.
Incidentally, after the war, this strategy is quite joked about as "Sylph digging unnecessary holes and forcing soldiers to eat cold rations, greatly lowering morale."
Apparently, these two-tiered trenches were often the site of drunken Sabbatian soldiers on the front lines tripping and injuring themselves.
There's even a rumor that it was all a trap set by Sylph for the Sabbath.
However, if we had fallen into the trap and charged first with Austin's smaller forces, the Sabbath would have secured an overwhelming victory.
***
"Director Reitalyu, thank you for all your help so far."
And so, spring arrived and the front lines became active.
The long-awaited 10,000 reinforcements from the capital arrived at the front line.
"As of today, the Touri Medical Platoon will be under the command of Major Renvel."
"…."
As a result of this, we at the Touri Medical Platoon were returned to our original position under Major Renvel.
Under Major Renvel's leadership, we would reorganize the medical department.
I went around saying goodbye to the people who had helped me over the winter.
"Hey, can you leave either Cale or Arunoma here with me?"
"No."
"It's unfair to keep them all to yourself. I didn't even touch Touri's boyfriend."
"He's not my boyfriend."
Reitalyu maintained her usual cheerful demeanor until the very end.
Her brightness and approachable nature are things I could never replicate.
"Well, good luck in the new medical department! Come and talk to me if you have any trouble, including accepting patients!"
She tightly hugged me as we parted.
It was very voluptuous.
***
"I see. Got it."
In contrast to Reitalyu, my farewell with Sergeant Major Zafqua was rather brief and to the point.
"Make sure you review what you learned here. Especially, don't forget the application of the [Shield]."
"Yes, Sergeant Major."
"In times of crisis, your life may depend on it. I taught you those techniques for that reason."
Despite the brief farewell, I had spent an intense winter training with him.
Although he isn't as harsh as Platoon Leader Garback, his training may have been even stricter.
"The training gun and magazines I've lent you are your farewell gift. Take them with you."
"Eh, but-"
"They only contain rubber bullets, so just say it's for training purposes. It's impossible to act without a gun on the battlefield."
As we parted ways, he handed me a gun.
Guns and ammunition are tightly controlled, and such transfers would usually be impossible, but…
"There aren't many people who can complain about what I do. …And besides, soon enough it'll be legal for medics to carry guns."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Apparently, during Lieutenant Verdis' retreat operation, Major Renvel raised the issue that 'the rear units were unarmed, limiting the choices for retreat.' That man is forceful. I think he'll try to force changes to the military regulations."
"…"
By the way, if Bern is considered a hero of the Southern Army, then Verdi is the hero of the Central Army.
Thanks to Major Renvel, whose war achievements he promoted extensively, Verdis' heroic deeds spread throughout the entire army.
"Luckily, your superior was Lieutenant Verdi, or you'd have died in that death trap. For your own sake, carry a gun, even if it's just training rounds."
"Yes, Sergeant Major."
"If you're going back under Major Renvel, you don't need to worry about losing it. Just make sure to maintain it properly."
Sergeant Major Zafqua is a man of few words, but he was incredibly enthusiastic about interacting with me.
He is originally a caring person, and new soldiers who are eager to train often find themselves well-looked after by him.
It seems that I was also allowed to be part of that group.
"Well then, I wish you good luck."
"Thank you for everything, Sergeant Major Zafqua."
I saluted him in return, slung the gun over my right shoulder, and walked away.
From there, I returned to the Renvel Army where Verdi and Aria were.
Finally, my days as a medic will begin again. The days that would embody hell on earth as the war resumed.
***
Just as he had said, this rifle would indeed become the one thing that decided my life or death.
War and the world do not always move as we expect them to.
It is during desperate situations like now, when Austin has no choice but to make this plan a success, that history turns its fangs on the weak in a malicious manner.
This spring marks the start of a truly turbulent year.
No one was aware that this will be the worst year for both Austin and for the Sabbath.