"Tou-chan, Tou-chan. Look at that!"
"Yes, yes, what is it, Sedol?"
Spring was coming to an end.
I am holding a little boy's hand as we walk through the small village.
"There's something strange walking around!"
"Hmm… is that a wildcat?"
This is Othello, a small village near the Tar River within Sabbatian territory, primarily known for agriculture and brewing.
After the Battle of the North, I was saved by Gomuji and took refuge in this village.
For the past few months, I've been living here peacefully.
"Does it bite?"
"Yes, it might bite, so don't go near it."
"Okay!"
The boy I am currently looking after is Gomuji's son, Sedol.
He is a mischievous, adorable four-year-old boy with cute, round eyes.
It had become a routine for me to take care of him while Gomuji and his wife were away.
The village of Othello is Gomuji's birthplace. His parents were peddlers from Othello and lived a relatively affluent life.
During his childhood, Gomuji accompanied his parents on their peddling trips, helping them with their business.
However, during their stay in Austin, the East-West War broke out, and the Gomuji family was unable to return to the Sabbath.
After the war began, Gomuji led a marginalized life in a rural village in Austin.
He was treated harshly for being a merchant from an enemy nation, and his mother was beaten to death.
His father also contracted severe pneumonia, but was left to die because "there was no obligation to treat a Sabbatian."
For these reasons, Gomuji harbored intense hatred towards Austin.
He even considered using his father's inheritance to commit acts of terrorism.
"Even though you seem to have a lot of money, you look like you're about to die, old man."
"Who the hell are you?"
"If you're going to die anyway, give me that money. You'll be happier if a pretty girl spends it."
At the lowest point of his life, he met Kusha in the night streets.
Kusha was a prostitute from the Eastern country of Chaim, who had been sold by her parents and forced to work in Austin.
"With that money, I could buy my freedom."
"That's none of my business."
"Then, let me tell you about myself first."
Apparently a lot happened after that (Gomuji was embarrassed and refused to talk about the details), but Gomuji fell in love with Kusha and spent a large sum of money to buy her freedom.
Kusha, in turn, also had feelings for Gomuji, and they became husband and wife.
"Hey, Gomuji, let's keep it a secret that you're from the Sabbath and live quietly."
"Yes, let's do that."
Gomuji hid his Sabbatian identity and immigrated to Marshdale as an Austinite.
There, he got a job as a guard and built a happy family with Kusha.
They were also blessed with a healthy baby boy and were at the peak of happiness.
"Huh? I'm being conscripted…?"
The Sylph Offensive brought the fighting all the way to Marshdale.
From there, you know the rest.
After being forcibly conscripted, Gomuji escaped from Garback Platoon and managed to reach Marshdale, despite losing both his legs.
Being injured and discharged from the army, he used his retirement money to buy a horse-drawn carriage in order to start peddling.
The plan was to buy up all the products that could be sold in the capital and then move to a southern city.
However, he hears rumors that the Flamers were preparing to invade.
He was troubled upon hearing this but decided it was true and planned to defect to the Sabbath.
He contacted an illegal organization and planned to smuggle across the Tar River.
Just as he was about to carry out his plan, he found me, barely alive, washed up in front of him.
"If it were any other Austin soldier, I would abandon them without hesitation, but you're different, Senior. I'm not as heartless or dishonorable as those Austinites from that village."
He then turned to a Sabbatian healer who was also seeking asylum with him and spent his entire fortune to heal me.
It seems he continued to look after me even while I was unconscious, and I somehow managed to survive.
He brought me, in a daze, to Othello.
My first impression of him was terrible, but he turned out to be a surprisingly loyal person.
By the way, since carrying Austin equipment would be problematic, my gear was left on the riverbank.
All I could bring back from that place was a scrap of Rodri's clothing that I had been clutching while I was unconscious.
That's how I ended up living in Othello Village.
***
I am currently working as a healer at the clinic of Anita, the healer who fled with us.
I give my wages to the Gomuji family and live as if I were their adopted child.
Incidentally, it was immediately obvious that I was from Austin because I couldn't speak Sabbatian.
I expected to be treated harshly as an enemy national, but…
"You've been through a lot at such a young age."
"You're going to be one of us from now on, right? This is a good village, live here peacefully."
Contrary to my expectations, most of the villagers in Othello treated me with sympathy.
Gomuji said it was probably due to my youthful appearance.
"We would be more than happy to have more healers. We'll be counting on you if we're in trouble."
"I can't take out my hatred towards Austin on a child like you."
Although the Sabbatian soldiers were cruel, most of the Sabbatian's citizens seemed to be pastoral.
And so I spent my days peacefully caring for a young boy in a faraway foreign land.
Despite living such a happy life, I felt something eating away at my heart.
It was probably the compulsion to return to the Austin Army.
According to military regulations, as a soldier, I should return and report my survival to the army if I get separated from my unit.
However, it would be difficult for me to cross the Tar River and return to Austin's forces.
After the Battle of the North, both countries set up security nets along the riverbank. Attempting to cross carelessly would result in being shot.
Trying to cross in the chaos of battle is one thing, but if I set sail on a ship in the current situation, I'd probably be torched to pieces.
Thus, I forgot about my duties as a soldier.
"Tou-chan, hug! Hug!"
"Alright, alright, come here."
I worked as a healer at the town's clinic during weekdays.
On my days off, I lived a peaceful life taking care of Gomuji's son, Sedol, and helping with the housework.
The owner of the clinic, Anita, also treated me well.
"Oh man, that's a relief. I don't have much magical power, so I really appreciate you coming to help."
"No, I'm the one who has learned a lot from you."
It was a very peaceful time.
A sweet and seductive life that made my heart ache.
It was a peaceful life without the fear of losing my life or loved ones, which I had always longed for on the battlefield.
"Your consultations are quite well-received. People say you're thorough."
"That's wonderful to hear."
"Touri, why don't you stop thinking about returning and just live here forever?"
The more peaceful my life became, the more I felt something inside me diminishing.
Austin's predicament is still ongoing.
I'm sure Sergeant Dollman and Cale are working hard in the medical department.
Aria, Verdi, and Major Renvel might also be standing on the battlefield, risking their lives.
Despite that, is it really okay for me to be the only one living this kind of life?
"You've done enough. From now on, just live happily."
"…"
If I return to the army, I'll have to go back to the days of risking my life.
Gomuji said he confirmed Rodri's death.
He said a lump of flesh with his dog tag attached was found hugging me protectively.
…Even after his death, Rodri was still trying to protect me.
He truly loved his comrades.
"Yes, that might be true."
"Right?"
This is the life Rodri protected.
Maybe I should live peacefully and not waste it by putting myself in danger.
Even if I return to the Austin Army alone, it's not like the war situation would change.
Then, wouldn't it be better to cherish this peace I've found?
"As long as that river exists, you can't go back to Austin."
Either way, I don't have a choice right now.
Even if I decided to return to the army, I don't have the funds nor the courage to cross that river.
In that case, I think it would be best for me to work at the clinic and earn money to repay the favor to Gomuji, who spent a large sum of money to help me.
Convincing myself that, I sighed as I chased after Sedol, who was running around.
***
"Sorry for leaving Sedol in your care today, Senior."
"Welcome back, Gomuji. Did you enjoy your date with your wife?"
"Of course, we might have a second child soon."
Gomuji started his peddling business based in this village.
Using the cart he brought from Austin, he disappears for a month or so, and then returns with his stock of goods.
"How is Sedol doing?"
"He's tired from playing and already asleep."
"He's become quite attached to you. Kusha was complaining that 'her son has been taken away from her'"
"Hahaha."
While staying in the village, Gomuji often went out with Kusha.
He couldn't make time while working in Marshdale, so now they go on dates almost daily.
It's good to see them so close.
"Your Sabbatian has improved a lot, Senior."
"Well, I've been working at the clinic for three months now."
"The basic grammar is the same. Once you've memorized the vocabulary, it'll be easy."
I learned Sabbatian from Gomuji and Anita.
Since the grammar is similar, I was able to speak in everyday conversation in no time.
"Soon, I'll be heading out again to procure goods."
"I see."
"I'll leave the house to you again. With you here, there's nothing to worry about."
Gomuji is a friendly, caring man who values honor and family.
It's said that war changes people, but here, he was like a different person—compassionate and considerate.
During the retreat from Marshdale, he must have been cornered and desperate.
It seems that people can show entirely different sides of themselves in different places.
…I wonder if my impressions of my other comrades would have been much different if we had met in a peaceful place.
I'm a little curious how Platoon Commander Garback would act in such a setting.
***
While many villagers accepted me as a foreigner…
"I don't want you touching me. Just give me the medicine and I'll handle the rest myself."
"…"
Some people were still hostile.
"I can't determine which medicine is effective without an examination."
"Shut up. If you come any closer I'll punch you, Aust Pig."
Many of these people had lost their families in the war.
In other words, they are people whose family members were killed by Austin soldiers.
I fully understand their feelings of resentment towards me.
"Shut up, what are you making all that noise about?"
"Anita, you damn witch! Don't let that Aust pig in here; her smell will make me puke!"
"If you've got a problem, leave. I never begged you to come here. If you keep causing trouble, I'll have you thrown in jail for disturbing the peace."
The only healers working at this clinic are Anita and me.
Anita is a valuable healer in this remote area, so she often receives requests to see patients from outside the village.
"You refuse to treat me? That's just typical of a healer who employs an Aust pig!"
"I'm telling you to leave because you're disturbing the other patients!"
People from outside the village often complain that they had no idea an Austinite was providing medical care.
This man spat in my face, his own face flushed red with anger.
"…"
I had steeled myself for this level of verbal abuse. To them, I was an enemy, a villain.
I myself have also killed Sabbatian soldiers.
It's only natural to receive such hostility.
I should just be grateful for the deep acceptance of Othello Village, which allowed me to stay.
…Well, that was my life in the Sabbatian village.
Although I received harsh abuse from a few people, I was generally able to live a peaceful and quiet life.
Despite the verbal abuse, no one resorted to physical violence.
To someone like me, accustomed to corporal punishment, such insults were nothing.
"I hear there are a lot of thieves these days. Be careful, Gomuji."
"Ah, don't worry about me, Senior."
However, after Gomuji set out on his peddling journey again, the thing I had feared finally happened.
***
It happened after I had finished my usual work at the clinic while I was playing with Gomuji's son.
"Why are you doing this all of a sudden?!"
"Ah?"
While watching Sedol playing in the sand, I was suddenly elbowed and slammed to the ground.
The severe ringing in my ears and the intense pain almost made me lose consciousness.
"Don't run, kid."
"Please stop!"
When I stood up unsteadily and looked around, I saw three men kicking the four-year-old Sedol.
I instinctively grabbed one of the men's back, trying to pull him away from Sedol, but instead, I was grabbed by the throat and slammed to the ground again.
The bones in my arm made a nasty cracking noise.
"Who are you guys?!"
"Why should we answer you?"
I had never seen their faces before they suddenly attacked me.
However, from their physique and facial features, I can get a rough idea of their identities.
"We just came to get rid of the pigs."
"The pigs from Austin need to be slaughtered and thrown into the river."
That feeling of resentment towards Austin.
The hatred directed towards me was unmistakable—it's a clear "killing intent" that I've encountered many times on the battlefield.
"…The child you just kicked is Sabbatian."
"If they're taking in Aust pigs like you, they're guilty by association."
The man mocking me had a scar across one eye.
The other men were missing limbs or using canes, but their bodies were muscular and strong.
"You guys are Sabbatian soldiers, aren't you?"
"Yeah. I've lost a lot of dear friends because of you Aust pigs."
These men were likely former Sabbatian soldiers who were now back home after being injured and discharged.
They probably returned home now that the Battle for the North had come to an end.
"Aust soldiers are devils"
"They laughed as they shot the head of a young soldier begging for his life."
"They made a mockery of our comrades' bodies, impaling them."
"If they weren't possessed by a demon, they couldn't have done something so cruel."
I could only partially understand the words spewed out quickly by the ex-soldier, but they conveyed the horrors committed by Austin forces.
His eyes were those of a crazed soldier who had no hesitation about killing me.
"Now it's time for divine retribution. Evil deeds always get punished."
"Reflect on your past actions and die in regret."
This is our first encounter, but it wasn't about logic.
To them, Austinites are evil, enemies, and targets to be killed.
It's just normal for them.
"…"
People gathered around me and looked at me with worried looks, but no one stepped in to intervene.
They were probably afraid of getting involved and facing the same fate.
"I don't mind if you kill me. But it's wrong to harm such a young child—"
"An Aust pig has no right to talk about morals!"
"You have no right to speak of justice!"
Sedol is crying loudly and trembling in my arms.
While I was treating Sedol with [Heal], I begged the soldiers to spare the child.
"Hahaha, have you bastards ever listened to us begging for our lives even once?!"
With a loud laugh, they kicked me in the face.
I'm sorry Gomuji… You asked me to protect the house, but I'm powerless.
There's no way a mere medic can defeat three men.
"Serves you right! Prepare yourself!"
It's heartbreaking to lose the life that was saved by Rodri and Gomuji in this way.
I at least want to help Sedol escape somehow…
"I'll make sure you feel our resentment!"
…This is why war never ends.
I, too, have a strong hatred for Sabbatian soldiers.
Every time I think back to the scenes of massacres in the villages, my blood boils.
However, I don't know the full extent of the atrocities committed by Austin's soldiers in the Sabbath.
The military doesn't publicize its own brutal actions.
From their words, it's clear that Austin must have also done terrible things.
The military's way of fueling fighting spirit is to only widely report the enemy's inhumane actions.
This is why we continue to hate each other.
"I won't let you die easily. I'll make you regret ever being born!!"
They continued to kick my stomach, causing me to vomit blood. The violence showed no sign of stopping.
It's an endless cycle of hatred.
The soldiers' deep and intense hatred, cultivated from years of fighting against the Austin Army, is clear.
So much so that they're trying to settle their grudge in a place outside the battlefield.
"Interesting. Mind if I join in?"
Maybe he was drawn by the deep hatred.
Or perhaps he stepped in to protect me.
A large, striking blond man who had been quietly watching the situation until a moment ago suddenly stepped in.
"Let me join in on this too."
"…What?"
The man was a huge man, perhaps two meters tall, hairy like a bear, and had a quiet voice.
He was shirtless, covered in old scars, and missing his left arm, but he exuded a tremendous presence.
"Hmph."
He glared at me piercingly through his untrimmed blonde hair.
"So you're in this village too!"
"It's an honor to meet you, hero!"
"Stop it. I'm just a villager now."
The moment I met his eyes, I felt my hair stand on end.
I had seen him somewhere before.
That's right. This blond soldier's name was surely…
"…Lightning Spear Demon, Kamikiri."
"Ah?"
Yes. He was the Sabbatian ace whom Platoon Leader Garback had failed to kill on the Western Front.
A spear-wielding soldier who charges forward clad in lightning.
"Why do you know that name?"
"…"
"Are you a former Aust soldier?"
He turned towards me with eyes full of anger and resentment.
The Sabbatian hero slightly curled his lips, glaring at me like a predator.