The blond man walked towards me with a fierce look in his eyes.
Even the soldiers who had been assaulting me earlier were now recoiling at his presence.
"What is an Aust soldier doing here?"
"I was taking care of the child of the household that looks after me."
"…Hmph."
I answered his question honestly.
I felt like he would see through any lie immediately.
"Remember this. I do not like being called the Lightning Spear Demon."
The Sabbatian ace grabbed my face.
"My name is Gorski. I am the former commander of the special assault unit Gold Blast."
He thrust his face right in front of mine and said this frighteningly.
Gorski, the ace of the Sabbath's assault troops.
He was said to be an ace who had overcome numerous trenches on the Eastern Front (this is what the Sabbath called the Western Front).
However, he lost his left arm and retreated to the capital before the Sylph offensive began.
He hoped to return to the front line and was rehabilitating to fight with only his right arm.
But after the Battle of the North was settled, he was informed that he no longer had a role on the front lines, and so he apparently chose to retire.
He had received offers to take command positions but returned to his hometown, wanting to make a living from his love of alcohol.
"My apologies, Mr. Gorski. I apologize for my rudeness."
"Very well."
The moment I saw him, I felt goosebumps.
I instinctively knew that he was an opponent I could never defeat.
If I offended him, I was sure I would be killed.
"Aust soldier girl, I'll ask you again. Why are you here?"
"…I fled for my life, trying to survive."
"What a shameless person."
I tried to answer as calmly as possible to not provoke him.
I didn't know why he intervened, but I had to find a way to keep Sedol from being involved.
At worst, I had to ensure that only I would be killed.
"You abandoned the army, you abandoned your comrades, and you are now surviving pathetically all by yourself."
"I won't deny that…"
"Then it's simple."
Gorski slowly raised his right fist, so big that his fist seemed as big as my own face.
My face would be shattered in one blow if I took his full-strength punch
"But that is my fault. This child is innocent, so please…"
I had made up my mind. I closed my eyes, hid the trembling Sedol behind my back, and pleaded.
I was determined to protect him even if it meant being beaten to death.
"Hey, you three over there. What unit do you belong to?"
"My name is Irigol. Former member of the Krolya Battalion. I've heard of Gorski's renown."
"I see. Then you are retired now?"
"Yeah, my right eye was injured."
However, the large man turned to face the other men, his right fist raised.
"It's understandable if a Sabbatian soldier kills an enemy Aust soldier on the battlefield.
"Sir?"
"But killing a girl who's not even an enemy in a peaceful village is disgraceful, you idiot!"
He punched the closest man, shouting fiercely.
"Irigol, are you a proud Sabbatian soldier or are you a murderer?"
"But she's also a former soldier, isn't she?!"
"Can't you see? She's a medic! She's been using healing magic all this time! What are you trying to do by killing a valuable healer in this countryside, you fool!"
His presence is overwhelming.
There was something compelling about his shout, like that of Platoon Leader Garback.
"I hate Austin too. I don't know how many times I've felt sick at what they've done."
"B-But then…"
"But killing someone out of personal grudge makes you nothing but a murderer."
At first, Mr. Gorski shouted harshly at the soldiers, but gradually his voice became gentler.
"That's even worse than the Aust soldiers you despise."
"…"
"Killing someone in a place that's not a battlefield is unforgivable. You'll never fit in this village if you don't regain that sense.
He continued to persuade them with his words.
"Wake up and return while you still have time. We are truly fortunate to have returned home alive."
***
"…Thank you, Mr. Gorski."
"I didn't do it for you. I did it for the sake of my three comrades, and for the sake of my homeland."
After listening to Mr. Gorski's persuasion, the three soldiers left the enclosure.
Then, Mr. Gorski bowed to Sedol and said, "I apologize for my comrades' rudeness," and gave him some chocolate as an apology.
"Let me make this clear first. I hate you. Talking to an Aust makes me sick."
"Yes."
"But, you were the victim in this recent commotion. I would like to apologize to you as well."
Mr. Gorski then turned to face me and lowered his scarred face to the ground.
"I'm sorry for my comrade's rudeness."
Seeing this honest attitude made me feel indescribable emotions.
In my mind, I had the impression that the Sabbath soldiers were a group of cruel, inhumane beasts.
I never expected to be apologized to in such a dignified manner.
"…Please raise your head, Mr. Gorski. I'm the one who was saved."
"No. By lowering my head, I can demonstrate justice."
But when you think about it, it makes sense.
Both the Sabbatian Army and the Austin Army are groups made up of humans.
"A proud Sabbatian soldier is impartial, selfless, and upright. It's an officer's duty to correct their comrades if they do wrong."
Just as there are cruel and tyrannical people among the Sabbath soldiers, there are also those who are pure and proud.
I shouldn't generalize and hold prejudices against all Sabbatian soldiers just because they're Sabbatian soldiers.
"Girl, how old are you?"
"I'll be 16 soon."
"I see. In that case, this will be my apology to you."
And of course, the Sabbatian soldiers harbor hatred towards Austinites.
Even I wouldn't want to be friendly with the Sabbatian soldiers who killed Rodri and Senior Allen.
And yet, Mr. Gorski, who had once been called an ace on the battlefield, bowed to me.
This shows his character as a person. Even though he is a Sabbatian soldier, he is someone I should show respect towards.
Just as I was thinking that…
"Here, some Vok."
"…"
"Drink."
I was handed a small, heavy bottle of liquor.
It's in Sabbatian, but it's clearly alcohol.
"Uh, Mr. Gorski, I'm well, still a minor."
"You three over there, come here too. I'll share my Vok with you, let's drink."
"…Uh, well—"
As my cheeks twitched at the sudden turn of events, Mr. Gorski called over the three men who had attacked me earlier and handed them bottles of liquor as well.
…Why alcohol?
"In the Sabbath, when soldiers have a dispute, they drink Vok and talk through the night. This way, they usually learn to get along."
"Really?"
I see, that does sound like an effective way to make amends.
The issue is that I'm still underage.
"Well, I think I'm a bit too young for this."
"Hmm? Here, we empty a bottle on our 12th birthday, is it different in Austin?"
…I guess our cultures differ in regard to alcohol as well. It appears this country's drinking age is lower.
"Well, give it a try. At 16, it shouldn't be a problem at all."
"…"
"I'll make sure you and the kid over there get home if you get too drunk. Don't worry, you won't be left behind."
Sedol was hiding behind my back while munching on some chocolate.
Since I had healed his injury earlier, he's engrossed in his sweets now.
"…Just one bottle then."
"Good. Irigol, share a bottle with the girl. And swear in my presence that you will not cause any quarrels in the future."
"Y-Yes! Gorski."
I decided to accept that one bottle toast. As they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I guess I have to follow Sabbatian culture.
And when I think back, I drank a considerable amount of elixir during long shifts.
That medicine contained a fair amount of alcohol. Drinking now shouldn't be a big deal.
"Well then, cheers."
"Yes."
I was also famous for not having my mood altered much by drinking the elixir.
While my colleagues were high and continuing to work in a strange, tense mood, I alone continued to carry out my duties calmly as usual.
I probably have a decent tolerance to alcohol.
"Huh?"
"What's wrong, girl?"
So, one bottle should be fine… I think…
"This girl really drank it all in one go!"
"She's pretty bold."
"…"
***
"Are you okay Touri?"
"Huh?"
When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying in a bed at Gomuji's house.
As I tried to sit up and look around, I was hit by a sharp, stabbing headache.
"My head… it hurts."
"I figured. I'll get you some water, just wait a bit."
My body felt heavy, my head throbbed, and I felt like I was going to vomit.
I let my guard down. I thought a little bit of alcohol would be okay, but…
The chemical taste of that liquor spread through my mouth the moment I drank it, and it all came rushing back.
The Vok that Mr. Gorski handed to me was much stronger than I had imagined.
"I heard the story. It must have been terrible to be attacked by retired soldiers. Thank you for protecting Sedol."
"Sedol… is he safe?"
"Oh, I can't believe there are people who would do such cruel things… But don't worry, I've already given those soldiers who harmed you and Sedol a good thrashing, so you can rest easy."
Kusha was fuming as she brought me some water.
Judging by the situation, I must have gotten drunk and passed out quickly.
And Mr. Gorski carried me to the Gomuji's house when I lost consciousness.
So embarrassing…
"But you shouldn't have a drinking contest with Sabbatians. They drink alcohol like it's juice. There's no way a girl drinking for the first time could compete with them."
"I'm sorry. I was pretty much forced into it."
"Well, I'm just glad you're okay. Drinking strong alcohol without being used to it could be fatal."
I drank the water that Kusha had brought me and finally felt a bit better.
No more drinking with Sabbatians. Yes, I've learned my lesson.
Their attitude towards drinking is too different from Austin's.
"Well, I'm glad you made some friends though."
"Huh? Friends?"
"Don't you remember? When I came, you were crying and talking with the soldiers."
"Huh…?"
Just as I was vowing never to drink again in this country…
Kusha told me something I really didn't want to hear.
"Who was I talking to?"
"You were pulling the hair and beard of a big blonde man while crying and holding a bottle of liquor."
"W-What?"
"And on top of that, you started yelling for more alcohol. The big guy was totally at a loss."
"What?!"
Kusha didn't seem to be joking as she told me this story.
I have absolutely no memory of that happening.
Did I really get so drunk and cause such a scene?
"W-What else did I do?"
"You were glaring at three old men, growling like a cat and clawing at them."
"A-Anything else?"
"Hmm…"
Apparently, I caused quite a commotion during the time I lost my memory.
It seems I'm a crying drunk, and I started crying and venting about my grievances to the three retired soldiers.
"If the Sabbatian Army hadn't rejected our surrender, there would have been peace."
"I still have nightmares of the hellish scenes I saw in the villages along the way."
"I want to see Rodri again."
The three retired soldiers didn't know about the atrocities committed by the Sabbatian Army in the villages and were quite shocked.
In particular, they found it difficult to accept the rejection of unconditional surrender and the "indiscriminate massacres in rural areas," and initially refused to accept such things.
However, when Anita and others who had defected with her testified it was true, they had to accept it.
"I don't understand what my country's thinking"
They were left in a daze, allowing me to pull their hair and beard without resistance.
They hadn't participated in the inland invasion of Austin, and were apparently remnants of an army that been had defeated by the Southern Army led by Bern.
Bern himself had executed gruesome strategies like burning Sabbatian villages and desecrating bodies as a distraction.
Because of this, the idea that "Austinites are devils" had taken root in their minds.
But it was the Sabbath that first committed the massacres against civilians, and if they hadn't rejected our surrender, the war would have ended.
I was so drunk that I ended up letting out all my frustrations.
"My hometown is gone."
"Even my comrades who were like family to me were all killed."
"What more do you want to take from me?"
Apparently, I cried and wailed one-sidedly, snatching bottles of liquor one after another from the four stunned Sabbatian soldiers, including Mr. Gorski.
Eventually, I downed four bottles of Vok and passed out.
…What on earth was I doing?
"Touri, you might be a bit of a violent drunk. It's better not to drink."
"Y-Yes, I think so too."
Drinking four bottles of that strong liquor would definitely cause a hangover.
My head is pounding, and my ears are ringing. I don't think I'll be able to move for a while.
But once I feel better, I must absolutely apologize to Mr. Gorski.
"Ugh…"
"Oh, are you going to puke? If so, do it in the sewer outside."
"O-Okay."
When I walked toward the sewer, I saw Sedol, covered in mud, smiling at me.