Chapter 74
Previous Chapter | Home | Next Chapter
Chapter 74
As Aria's desperate surprise attack destroyed the bridge…
At that time, the Sabbatian Army still hadn't realized that Flamel had invaded Austin.
Strictly speaking, they had caught wind of the information that: "Flamel had invaded Austin's territory, and the enemy was in dire straits," but they hadn't verified this fact yet and put it on hold as a potential trap.
It wasn't until a few days after this surprise attack that they learned the truth of the matter.
Bern Valou achieved victory before the Sabbatian Army could realize our plight.
He did a good job with the limited resources and time he had.
However, he made his first mistake in this strategy.
He left the military supplies, Austin's lifeline, exposed and defenseless in front of the enemy guerrillas.
Well, it was less of a mistake and more that he couldn't manage it due to resource constraints (according to him).
He probably thought it was something that wouldn't happen in such a situation.
Even if Sylph's surprise attack was successful, it would not overturn the Sabbath's "losing battle." If it failed, there was no telling how much she would be condemned by her allies.
A normal staff officer would undoubtedly have hesitated to make this move.
In fact, after this, Austin easily succeeded in destroying the northern bridge as well, completely cutting off the Sabbath's retreat.
When the Sabbatian soldiers saw their last hope—the northern bridge—falling, they despaired and began jumping into the river.
Sylph's move to abandon the northern bridge was undeniably a betrayal to the entire Sabbatian Amy.
However…
While the surprise attack launched by abandoning the bridge was not the best move, it was not a bad strategy either.
Rather, considering the condition of "Flamel not participating in the war," it might have been the only means to protect their homeland, the Sabbath.
"Hey, let's set explosive traps on the bridge when we retreat."
"…Why?"
"If the bridge is still standing, our allies will try to come to the northern bridge."
"And what's wrong with that?"
"The trenches leading up to the northern bridge are secured by Austin; there will surely be significant casualties. Rather than our allies retreat across such a narrow bridge, it's better to have them scatter and hide, which increases their chances of survival."
The bridge is not the only means to cross the river.
If they could evade the enemy, they could retreat to a place with calmer currents over the next few days and return to the Sabbath.
To evade Austin's pursuit, a surprise attack on the enemy's rear and plundering resources would be effective.
"Rather, the enemy will use it as a foothold for their advance if we leave the bridge standing."
Moreover, she understood well the impact of the atrocities committed by the Sabbatian Amy in Austin's territory.
She hadn't been a soldier for long.
Therefore, she couldn't understand the atrocities committed by her fellow soldiers, and at the same time, she was terrified that Austin would retaliate in kind.
Now that the defeat of the Sabbath was imminent, she feared the massacre of Sabbatian civilians by Austin soldiers.
It was expected that the Austin Army, with their homeland burnt, would face severe food shortages.
Given that Austin had suffered severe food shortages after their land was burned, it was expected they would retaliate by raiding villages if they attacked the Sabbath.
"We soldiers have the duty to die, but the civilians do not."
Having rarely been on the front lines, she valued the lives of the citizens more than her comrades.
Sylph Nova believed that if the Sabbath's main force was destroyed while leaving the bridge standing, Austin's soldiers would pour in and commit atrocities against the civilians.
She intentionally wanted the bridge to be destroyed to buy time and prevent Austin's invasion.
"Once we've shaken off Austin's pursuit, we can leisurely build a small boat somewhere and cross the river."
In reality, we didn't have the luxury to invade the Sabbath since Flamel was invading us.
In the first place, our objective against the Sabbath was peace.
Considering the remaining supplies, it would have been impossible to continue the war within the Sabbath even if Flamel hadn't invaded.
However, Sylph feared that Austin would seek revenge within the Sabbatian territory.
It was true that Austin's soldiers harbored deep resentment toward the Sabbath.
That's why, when considering what might have happened if Austin hadn't destroyed the bridge, she was so thorough that she even set up explosive traps while leaving her position.
She didn't care about the despair of the retreating Sabbatian soldiers who had lost their escape route.
She dismissed it as "those who ignored my warnings and allowed the waterway to be attacked are at fault."
In other words, Sylph decided that it was in the national interest to destroy the bridge and reduce Austin's ability to continue the war.
The northern bridge commander, Kitabashi, accepted Sylph's plan and put it into action.
Ultimately, this move was a foolish strategy that only increased the damage on both sides.
However, if Austin had been planning to invade the Sabbath as she predicted… It might have been the best move to protect her homeland and its people.
***
Near the northern bridge guarded by Sylph, a unit commanded by Major Renvel was stationed.
The Austin Army positioned Lieutenant Colonel Henri to secure the southern part of the enemy formation, while Major Renvel secured the northern part.
…In other words, the target of Sylph's desperate attack at this time was—
The base that served as a medical department and a military resource warehouse where I was stationed.
It was the newly established Renvel Army Medical Department, led by Medical Sergeant Dollman.
***
The report came as a bolt from the blue.
"The enemy is attacking this base."
On this day, when Austin launched a major offensive,
Senior Allen, who had been on patrol just before noon, rushed over to Sergeant Dollman in a panic.
"The enemy's attacking here?!"
"Please begin preparations for retreat immediately; this is an order from Lieutenant Verdi."
"What the hell…"
In fact, we hadn't been told that our allies were engaged in a decisive battle, and we were just going about our usual work, struggling with the injured soldiers in front of us.
We were informed of the details of the battle situation later that evening, but real-time information was hard to come by.
For us, it was a completely sudden development where we were just going about our usual work, and then suddenly enemy soldiers showed up.
"How large is the enemy force?"
"It's estimated to be several divisions."
"…What does command say?"
"Communications have been jammed. We can't make contact. The communication outpost has probably been destroyed…"
"Tch, such unreliable allies."
The members of the medical department were greatly disturbed by this surprise report.
Almost all the medical personnel in the Renvel Army are new recruits who had been emergency conscripted.
They had enlisted hearing it was a safe job in the rear, so it's understandable they'd be distressed when suddenly facing a situation where they might be killed.
"Lieutenant Verdi is already on the move. We will be beginning the evacuation shortly. Please pack your belongings."
"Got it! Stop treating the wounded, everyone assemble! Wounded soldiers who can walk, line up outside!"
However, as expected of Sergeant Dollman, he gave orders without showing any signs of being shaken.
My platoon members, including myself, Cale, and Elma, immediately began packing our things.
"Medics, only bring antibiotics and elixir! Don't carry anything extra; you'll be killed if the enemy catches up!"
"Touri Medical Platoon, assemble as soon as you're ready! We'll conduct roll call."
"It's a race against time. Anyone slow will be left behind! If you don't want to die, get ready quickly!"
Indeed, with even a little experience, people's actions change significantly.
While there were many new medics still in chaos, the members of my platoon quickly finished assembling.
"Roll call complete. Everyone is here, Little Boss."
"Thank you, Cale. Sergeant Dollman and the Touri Medical Platoon will assist with transporting the medical supplies."
"Alright, I'll leave it to you."
It's natural that new recruits can't always make the best decisions.
In cases like this, it's up to those of us with a little more experience to reduce their burden.
"Everyone, listen up! I'm Verdi, the commanding officer of this base!"
"Lieutenant, you've come."
As I was about to head out to gather medical supplies, Verdi burst into the field hospital tent.
He looked pale, surveying the surroundings.
"I would like the medical department to help transport the military supplies at this base. It will be difficult for the supply troops to carry them alone."
"Huh…?"
He issued such an order.
"You're telling us weaklings to carry the supplies and run?"
"We don't have time, quickly head to the warehouse and take the supplies. The supply troops have already started transporting them and retreating south."
Verdi's words puzzled both myself and Sergeant Dollman.
The medical supplies were in the hospital, but the warehouse contained food and ammunition.
No matter how you look at it, it's not something the medics should be carrying.
"What supplies are you talking about?"
"Rifles, ammunition, and magic stones."
"Forget about that, Lieutenant! How are we supposed to carry all that and retreat? What's more important, the lives of the soldiers or scrap metal?"
"The scrap metal, of course."
But at this moment, the mild-mannered Verdi had an unusually fierce expression.
"This is an order from your superior. Gather the medical supplies and head to the warehouse."
With a commanding tone, he ordered us to act like a supply unit and start retreating.
"…Hey, Lieutenant! Get a grip and be realistic here!
Sergeant Dollman grabbed Verdi by the collar and glared at him menacingly.
Normally, when retreating after a surprise attack, you abandon the supplies.
Survival comes first—dead soldiers stay dead, but lost rifles and ammunition can be replaced.
"I'm in my right mind. I repeat, Medical Sergeant Dollman, follow my orders."
"…"
"This is my decision. The bullets lying in the warehouse of this base right now are more valuable than your lives."
However, Verdi was adamant and refused to give in.
"Dollman, you understand, don't you… If we don't get this scrap metal transported, Austin has no future."
***
Our medical base was stocked with precious resources.
About 40% of Austin's entire stockpile of firearms, ammunition, explosives, food, and medical supplies were stored in the warehouse attached to the Renvel Army's medical department.
"If we lose these bullets, we won't be able to eliminate the retreating enemy. It would mean unleashing a powerful armed force into Austin territory."
Now, Austin-made firearms were scarce.
Over 70% of the military factories in the territory had been destroyed, leaving only the factories in the southern region that had not been attacked by the Sabbath.
Losing 40% of the current military stockpiles of ammunition with such limited production capability would be a huge blow.
Although neither Sergeant Dollman nor Verdi mentioned it aloud, we would soon have to face off against Flamel.
Truly, these bullets were the lifeline for the citizens near the Flamer border, who are worth more than our own lives.
"But there's no way we can escape with—"
"Please trust us. My Verdi Company will remain here and assist you in your retreat."
Of course, Verdi did not think that retreating without a plan and carrying such a heavy load would go smoothly.
"We will risk our lives to allow you to retreat safely."
He had been prepared to sacrifice his life to delay the enemy.
"The target will be the Southern Army's headquarters. It's about eight kilometers southeast."
"What about Major Renvel's central base? It's closer."
"They have already deployed. There are no troops left there. That place is empty."
Normally, Renvel's forces would block the enemy before they could advance this far, providing solid protection for the medical department, but…
Today, Austin's friendly forces were on the move to support Aria's suicide attack and block the enemy's main escape route.
So, at the moment, Verdi and his unit were the only ones who could protect us.
"You'd better buy us some time, Lieutenant."
"Yes, I will do everything in my power to."
"…I guess we'll trust in our heroes."
My heart began to race.
I could tell by the look in his eyes that Verdi intended to die here.
He planned to sacrifice himself alongside his company to let the non-combatants escape.
"Now, there's no time to waste. All medics, follow Sergeant Dollman's instructions and begin action!"
"It's time to get fired up, rookies! With our best efforts, we'll save our country!"
In other words…
Even Senior Allen and Rodri, who have fought together with me all this time, are going to lose their lives here.
…It means that the only family I have left will also die.
***
"…Lieutenant Verdi, I have a suggestion."
"What is it, Chief Medic Touri?"
That's something I absolutely can not accept.
I can't bear the thought of leaving Rodri and Senior Allen here and running away.
"I suggest that we retreat to Paschen, the base of the Southern Army's medical department. It's about 15 kilometers away, but the actual travel time would likely be shorter than reaching the Southern Army Headquarters."
"Why?"
"To reach the Southern Army Headquarters in the shortest distance, we'd have to cross several forests. It would be difficult for medics and nurses who haven't undergone physical training to navigate unfamiliar rough terrain while carrying heavy supplies."
"Hmm…"
"However, we can use somewhat established roads if our target is Paschen. We can also make effective use of carts, which will make our retreat smoother."
"I see… That makes sense."
This might be selfish.
Transporting resources to the rear while the infantry holds the line—such a strategy is fairly standard.
"And if we retreat to Paschen, there is a trench about five kilometers from Paschen that was set up by Sergeant Major Zafqua's unit. It was made for training, but it is built just like a real trench."
"Is that true?"
"It's true. I participated in their training, so I know the location of the trench."
But if there was even a small chance of survival…
I wanted to put everything I had into seizing that tiny possibility.
"That trench is a little far away…"
"There is also a communications outpost near the trench. Among the communications posts I know of, it's the closest."
"I see. Being able to request reinforcements would be a huge help. We'll be able to buy more time if we can reach the trench before the enemy. Let's go with your suggestion."
"Thank you."
The enemy will soon advance here.
Now, it's a race against time. Austin's vital resources and medics are retreating. It's a fight for everyone's survival.
Surely, this is what I excelled in the most.
"Well then, Verdi…"
"What is it?"
The Sabbatian soldiers who had guarded the northern bridge's trench were said to number about 30,000.
In contrast, our Verdi Company numbered several hundred people, including non-combatants.
We were overwhelmingly outnumbered, to the point where it didn't even qualify as a battle.
Austin's advance speed was also significantly inferior.
The speed difference between the trained Sabbatian soldiers and the medics, who were carrying heavier loads than usual and traveling on unfamiliar, rough terrain, was several times greater.
Even if Verdi's unit stayed behind and put up a heroic fight, I didn't think we would have been able to escape.
Given the Sabbath's military capabilities, it would have been easy for them to hold back Verdi and surround us with a separate force.
Had we retreated normally, it's likely we would have been wiped out even if we had discarded all our supplies.
So, in order for everyone to survive…
"…Would you allow me to lead the way?"
I had asked Verdi to choose an unconventional retreat operation.
Previous Chapter | Home | Next Chapter