"I'm going to get married once this war is over."
"I see. Congratulations."
Luck is certainly something that exists.
At least, that's what I believe.
"My cute childhood friend in the capital is waiting for me to come back."
"How nice."
I am just a lowly private second class.
A new recruit who has only received basic physical training, and an amateur when it comes to handling a gun.
I am a pitiful man who was drafted into the army without the right to refuse, because my homeland, Austin, is in crisis.
"You should get yourself a girlfriend too. It gives you strong motivation to survive and come back."
"Yeah. Well, I'll try my best."
The place I am being sent to is a fierce battlefield with little chance of survival.
Most of the soldiers here will likely never return.
For someone like me, with no notable skills, the only way I can survive is if the goddess of fortune smiles upon me.
"Oh, Ange. I want to see you soon…"
By the way, it's said that bragging about one's lover on the battlefield is a bad idea.
The reason is that in dramas, soldiers who start bragging about their lovers end up dying.
One of my comrades who had always bragged about his lover was no exception. He was killed in an ambush by the Sabbatian army.
It might be a coincidence, but I vowed not to brag even if I got a girlfriend.
***
"Huh? Are you praying again?"
"Oh, Senior. Hello."
Soldiers place great importance on superstitions.
Even if they are baseless tales, it's better to do them if they increase the chance of survival.
"Hey, think about how you're placing your gun. It's in the way."
"No. Apparently, it's better for luck if you sleep with the gun facing north."
"Don't be stupid."
There are various good luck charms spread amongst the soldiers.
They range from baseless superstitions to actual religious anecdotes.
"Whatever you pray to is up to you, but I'll shoot you if you make any unnecessary movements on the battlefield."
"Understood. I'll be careful."
"Alright."
I tried out all the good luck charms I heard about.
If they really worked, great. At the very least, they helped calm my nerves.
"If you like occult stuff so much, why don't you go and pet that one?"
I'm probably one of the most superstitious soldiers here.
Some ridiculed me for relying on the occult, but I didn't care.
Believing is what saves you. That feeling is important.
"What's this thing you're talking about?"
"You don't know? It's something you might like."
One day, I heard a rumor about a girl from a senior.
The senior had a teasing smile on his face.
"She's called the 'Lucky Carry', the bringer of good fortune. Apparently, your luck improves if you pet her head."
"Eh, what's that rumor about?"
The senior told me the details of the rumor.
***
There is a young, inexperienced female medic working in the medical department.
The girl is as expressionless as a doll, delicate as glass, and cute as a dandelion flower.
"Why is that girl called a symbol of good fortune?"
"She's achieved miraculous survivals several times."
The Lucky Carry has been working as a medic since the Western Front era.
It seems she has miraculously survived three times so far, as if guided by the goddess of fortune.
"The first time was during the Sylph Offensive. She was left behind at the front line, but her platoon managed to retreat to Marshdale with almost no casualties."
"That's amazing."
"The second time was when she was isolated after being left behind in Marshdale. By chance, she was protected by an ace unit and managed to escape."
"Interesting."
"And the third time was recently, when Verdi Company was surrounded. Even though it was a desperate situation, she survived thanks to the command of the heroic Lieutenant Verdi."
"That's real luck. A girl like that is in the medical department?"
"Yeah. Heh, it's a story you might like."
From what he told me, she seems to possess incredible luck.
If it's true, very few people would be as loved by the goddess of fortune.
"That's not all. It's said that those who stroke her end up winning big with cards or getting a girlfriend."
"I'd like to meet her at least once."
"I see. Well, if you get seriously injured and are brought to the medical department, you might meet her."
"I'd prefer not to go that route."
I wanted to meet the girl after hearing that rumor.
If possible, I intended to ask her to let me pat her head.
I really wanted to benefit from her good fortune.
"Well, if you wait, you'll eventually meet her."
"Are you saying I'm going to get seriously injured soon?"
"No, that's not what I meant."
There won't be a chance to go to the medical department unless I got seriously injured.
It would also be odd to specifically take time off to visit an unfamiliar person.
Just as I was about to give up…
"The winter marching training will start soon, right? Our end goal is the medical department in Paschen.
"Oh."
"You might get a chance to meet the Lucky Carry if things go well."
My eyes lit up after hearing those words from my senior.
This year's winter came unusually early.
Due to the abnormal weather, both the Sabbath and Austin are unable to continue combat until the end of winter due to the extreme cold.
To prevent the soldiers' skills from deteriorating over the winter, the headquarters has imposed winter marching training on the infantry.
"I thought training was a hassle, but hearing that makes me look forward to it."
"I see, that's good. Just be careful not to get too excited and catch a fever that makes you drop out."
The senior watched me with a smirk. He had a meaningful look in his eyes.
***
"Now, the winter marching training begins today. Is everyone prepared?"
"Yes."
A few weeks later, the training finally began.
The training will last a total of three days and is conducted in a survival format.
During the march, there are almost no breaks. The limited food will be shared among the unit in the cold climate as we aim for our destination.
In theory, if there were any casualties, signaling flares would call for rescue, but…
"If you fall and die instantly, you won't be saved. Make sure not to get your feet caught in the snow."
"Yes."
I wonder if we really would get rescued.
The surrounding visibility is poor, and the howling wind is freezing.
"Careful, guys! You'll make for a great joke if you die during training!"
"Y-Yes."
After walking for about half a day, I felt as if all the moisture in my body had frozen.
My muscles are tired, but no sweat is coming out, and the cold wave that penetrated my bones made my whole body feel like it was burning.
"It's tough, Senior."
"Hang in there. I heard a young girl in the medical department is making warm soup and waiting for us."
"That sounds great. I'd love to have a beautiful girl pour me some wine."
"The head of the Southern Army's medical department is supposed to be a stunning beauty! Look forward to it and march."
"Alright…"
By the way, the head of the medical department, Lieutenant Reitalyu is indeed beautiful but is also famously unlucky, being feared as the "Grim Reaper of the Battlefield."
If you get involved with her, it wouldn't be surprising if you were hit by stray bullets and died the next day.
Whether or not he knew about this rumor, the Senior shouted loudly:
"The head of the medical department is full of compassion. She won't get mad if you touch her butt."
With this, he inspired us new soldiers.
***
Finally, the last day of training arrived.
Our squad, utterly exhausted, managed to reach the medical department.
"Ugh, so tired…"
"I thought I was going to die, seriously."
Marching with heavy gear on treacherous slopes took more out of us than we expected.
The winter training was far more grueling than anticipated.
"Alright, no dropouts. You all did well."
"Yes…"
There were quite a few soldiers from other squads who had fallen and were taken to the medical department during the training.
It was fortunate that nearly all members of our squad completed the training without injuries.
"Sniffle"
"Hey, you're looking red-faced."
"Ah, I think I caught a cold. Damn it."
Well, there were no injuries, but someone did catch a fever.
"Well, it's good that the medical department is our destination. Get checked out."
"Understood, Senior Allen. Ugh, my head hurts."
Senior Rodri, whom I often talked with, had been feeling unwell during the training.
By the morning of the final day, he had finally come down with a fever.
"Shall I carry you to the examination room, Senior?"
"No need, I can go by myself."
"Don't push yourself, Rodri."
I tried to offer him my shoulder, but he pushed me away.
He grumbled, "What if you catch it too?" and walked off to the examination room by himself.
"Seriously, he's so stubborn. He could at least rely on his comrades when he's sick."
"Indeed."
Senior Rodri seems quite stubborn in nature.
After parting ways with him, we headed to the rest area set up in the medical department's hall.
Several dozen soldiers are already sitting on the ground, enjoying soup with their comrades.
"Just wait here. A beautiful girl will bring the soup soon."
"Platoon Leader, it looks like only men are serving the soup."
"Well, transporting food is heavy work."
Unfortunately, most of the food carriers are men.
Perhaps this was to prevent any mischief.
"Though, it seems the one coming to our table is a girl."
"But she looks very small."
Well, I didn't really care who brought the soup.
I was just looking around to see if the rumored "Lucky Carry" is here…
"Here's your soup."
"Oh!"
"Is something wrong?"
Only then did I realize that the girl who brought the soup was the very Lucky Carry I had heard about.
"Wow."
"…?"
Her expressionless face, delicate figure, and captivating eyes.
Her slightly tilted head had a mysterious aura to it.
"So she really exists…"
Just as Rodri described, the girl in a medical uniform is standing there.
"Hello, nice to meet you, medic. Excuse me, but may I pat your head for a moment?"
"Again? Well, I don't mind."
I got her permission and immediately reached out to touch her head.
The girl, seeming used to this, tilted her head slightly towards me, looking somewhat indifferent.
"Thank you."
"No problem."
As I pet her head, I felt a strange sense of power welling up inside me.
I felt the soft, smooth hair against my chilled palms.
It truly felt like there was some kind of blessing.
"Alright, next is my turn."
"Oh, Platoon Leader. Understood."
While I was emotionally moved by the genuine Lucky Carry, Platoon Leader Allen approached.
He also seemed eager to pet her.
"Ah, Touri. I heard you've been called 'Lucky Carry' recently."
Contrary to my expectations, Platoon Leader Allen grinned and talked to the girl in a very casual manner, like chatting with a comrade.
"Could it be that this nickname has something to do with soldiers asking to pet me?"
"Yeah. Apparently, you're a good luck charm."
"Huh…"
The girl seems at ease with Platoon Leader Allen's casual demeanor.
I guess they know each other well.
"Hey, Reita. Tell her about the rumors of the 'Lucky Carry.'"
"Me? Well, I heard there's a medic who's miraculously survived many times, and if you pet her, you'll be blessed with good fortune."
"I heard that the Lucky Carry is a cute, expressionless girl. Rodri and I burst out laughing when we heard about it."
"…"
"Let me get in on that luck too, hehehe."
Platoon Leader Allen playfully ruffled the girl's hair.
The girl showed a mixture of irritation and a hint of amusement.
"You've been doing well. Seeing Touri who used to tremble with a blue face in the trenches, has grown up so much."
"…"
Even though her hair was tousled, the girl showed no sign of disliking it.
This must be the kind of relationship they have.
I feel it would be inappropriate to intervene, so I'll just watch.
"By the way, what happened to Rodri?"
"Rodri? That idiot caught a fever during the training. He's now in line for treatment."
After being pet for a while, the girl glanced around and mentioned this.
It seemed she also knew Senior Rodri.
"Is he alright?"
"He's just got a fever. He's still the same cocky and foul-mouthed Rodri."
Come to think of it, Senior Rodri had been well-informed about the rumor about this girl.
He doesn't seem to be the type that's interested in the occult.
He must have known the details because they're acquaintances.
"I see…"
The girl let out a small sigh, looking a bit lonely.
Her slightly pursed lips were quite memorable.
"Well then, please drink your soup and be careful on your way back. Make sure you don't get injured and end up back here."
"Alright, see you later, Touri."
The girl said nothing more, gave us a bow, and left.
I give her a light bow in return and focused on finishing the hot soup.
More soldiers who had completed the training were returning to the plaza.
It would be rude to stay too long.
"Wow, she really was here, the Lucky Carry. Platoon Leader Allen, are you acquainted with her?"
"Yes, she was my comrade. She was in the same unit as I was before."
"I see."
"You heard the rumors, right? There was a platoon that escaped the front line with the Lucky Carrier. I was in that platoon."
Hearing this, I understood why Senior Rodri had brought up the rumor about the "Lucky Carry" with such enthusiasm.
He must have found it amusing that his comrade is considered a figure of faith.
"Such a small girl was on the front line?"
"Yes. Despite her appearance, Tori is very determined."
Apparently, Platoon Leader Allen and Senior Rodri laughed heartily when they heard the rumor.
They said: "Touri isn't a mystical being, she's just a fun girl who likes party tricks."
"She may seem unique at first, but she's just an ordinary girl once you get to know her."
"Ordinary, huh?"
"Yes, look over there."
Platoon Leader Allen pointed behind me.
When I turned around…
"Oh!"
"See? Ordinary, right?"
The Lucky Carry stood with puffed cheeks, looking very displeased.
In front of her, Senior Rodri is ogling the Lieutenant Reitalyu with a stupid grin on his face.
"So that means…"
"From the time we were in the same platoon, she was like that. Even the Lucky Carry is a teenage girl."
"Hahaha."
Seeing the girl pulling on Senior Rodri's cheek with a scowl made me smile.
The girl I pet earlier isn't an embodiment of the goddess of fortune…
She is just a girl her age.
"Senior Rodri is quite something too."
"Ah, but you'd better not tease Rodri too much. He's not good with being mocked."
"Understood, Platoon Leader.
With the sight of the close-knit pair in the background, I finished my vegetable soup.
I stared absentmindedly at the hand that had pet the girl and slowly headed back to the base camp with my platoon.
The night after the training is supposed to be a rest day.
I don't like to waste my luck, so I usually avoid gambling.
But tonight, maybe it would be alright to try playing cards.