At this time, there were about 50 bandits in total who had come to plunder the village of Othello.
It turns out that the bandits were actually farmers that lived nearby.
They were also victims of looting, and had lost everything and were in a difficult situation when they came across Remi's ideas.
"Oh, what a great idea."
"Let's support the Workers' Council too."
It is not surprising that people who are struggling to even get enough food for tomorrow would jump at the idea of justifying looting.
They were the ones who had their property stolen from them and felt that there was nothing wrong with taking it back.
They planned to loot the surrounding villages, collect their property, and use that as a gift to come under the umbrella of the "Workers' Council."
But no matter how much money they scraped together, they never would have been welcomed by Remi.
This is because the Workers' Council supporters are ordinary citizens and its campaign promise is "peace."
If Remi were to accept the bandits who were intent on plundering, she would lose the support of the people.
If they encountered Remi, they would be executed immediately.
The poor former farmers were attacked by bandits, became victims of them, and were destined to die.
One could say that they too were victims of the turbulent times.
In those days, bandits like them were rampant all over the country.
The government had become so weak that the military, which was meant to act as a deterrent to looting, was no longer functioning properly.
This was made most evident by the thriving black market.
At that time, Sabbatian rifles could be purchased quite cheaply on the black market.
This was because during the Battle of the North, many deserters stole weapons from warehouses and sold them to make money.
The stolen firearms were circulating everywhere, creating a temporary oversupply.
A deserter who commits such a shameless act will never be able to return to the army.
Many deserters were taken up by the bandits that had sprung up all over the country. They made a living working as mercenaries.
That was the reason why some of the bandits attacking Othello Village were former soldiers.
***
"It's pathetic. A soldier should fight to protect the people…"
"I agree."
I can't say I have no sympathy at all for the bandits.
If faced with the choice between "dying in the streets" or "becoming a bandit," few would choose death.
This is especially true when they can justify themselves by saying it's "for the sake of the country."
"Anyone who takes up arms and acts for selfish gain is absolutely in the wrong."
"Hah, listen to the Aust pig playing the good guy."
But that doesn't mean I can forgive them.
They attacked villages and took many innocent lives.
In that case, they should accept that it is their own fault if they're killed.
"Didn't you know? Austin soldiers are pure and virtuous."
"Spare me the unfunny jokes."
It appears that Irigol also used part of his retirement money to purchase a rifle from the black market.
He didn't have any malicious intent; he just couldn't sleep without a gun nearby.
It's the sad habit of a former soldier.
"Compared to them, most armies are pure and virtuous."
We moved through the sewers while keeping an eye on the situation outside.
"…"
Although we're moving around while hiding, the enemy should roughly know our location.
However, I don't sense any signs of the enemy closing in on us.
It looks like they're just watching us from a distance.
"The enemy isn't moving."
"That seems to be the case."
They must be wary of us too.
I guess they decided it would be safer to just keep watch than to charge in and get killed.
"Irigol, why did you help me?"
"…My sister was shot. I need you to treat her."
"What?"
While hiding in the sewers, I listened to Irigol's story.
I wouldn't say that Irigol and I get along. In fact, our relationship is quite hostile.
I didn't understand why he would risk his life to help me…
Apparently, he has a family member who needs treatment.
"If you save my sister, I'll help you guys escape. How's that?"
"I'd never refuse anyone who asks for treatment."
"I see."
Irigol told me his sister is a young woman who had almost been assaulted by lust-driven bandits.
His older sister, who was about to get married, resisted violently and was shot.
"I leapt at him the moment he pointed his gun at her, but I was too late. I managed to kill the bastard, but…"
"…What's your sister's situation?"
"She's turned pale and her breathing was weak. She'll die if nothing is done. I ran out of the house to find a healer."
"I understand."
I thought it was strange that Irigol would help me. I guess this was the reason.
He's even willing to ask for help from an Austinite for his sister's sake.
"First, come to my house and treat my sister. I'll clear the way."
"Understood."
"Don't screw up and get yourself killed."
Irigol looked around, moving his one eye from side to side.
Sedol has been fussy for a while now, so I hug him to calm him down and ask him to be quiet for a little while longer.
"Over here."
"Yes."
Irigol beckoned, instructing me to follow.
His house is to the west. But over there…
"Don't stick your head out of the sewer, we're going straight through here."
…The enemy is watching us from higher up.
Irigol was about to run straight into the enemy's line of fire.
"There are no enemies within sight, but they may be hiding in the shadows of the houses. Let's proceed carefully."
"No, Irigol. One of the bandits that entered the house up ahead and hasn't come out yet. He's keeping an eye on us from a window on the second floor."
"…What?"
Irigol stopped dead in his tracks upon hearing my report.
Could it be that he has a blind spot because of his missing eye?
I kept watch over my surroundings while I was healing myself, so I was able to see the bandit's movements.
"There's one bandit at the house at 11 o'clock. Two more are keeping an eye on us from the front. If we go straight, these three will interfere," I reported.
"11 o'clock, at the house… Damn, you're right, they're watching us."
"It's a bit of a detour, but we can avoid the enemy's line of fire if we go around to the south. What do you think?"
"Fine, let's do that."
Irigol agreed reluctantly, his face showing a hint of annoyance.
…Guess he didn't like the idea of an Austinite taking the lead.
"With one eye, I don't have the field of view I used to. Let me know if you see anything else."
"Understood. I have received reconnaissance training, so leave it to me."
When you lose vision in one eye, your field of vision becomes much narrower than you might imagine.
Not only does this create blind spots, but you lose all sense of distance.
While Irigol was likely proficient in reconnaissance before his injury, it's unfair to expect the same now.
"What? Aren't you a medic?"
"That's correct, but I was a medic in an assault unit."
Irigol looked at me with a mix of skepticism and surprise.
To be precise, I wasn't a scout, but a medic who received scout training.
"I ran through trenches under fire on the Western Front. Failing to stay vigilant there meant death, so I was trained in reconnaissance as well."
"…There were medics mixed in with the assault force? I really can't understand what the Austin military is thinking."
Irigol said, shaking his head.
Yeah, I honestly don't really know either.
"It looked like you were using a [Shield] earlier. I guess that wasn't my imagination."
"My commander at the time told me that I needed to learn it if I wanted to survive on the front lines."
"It's certainly very useful."
Irigol listened to my story and thought for a moment.
And after some hesitation…
"Okay, you go first. I'll cover you from behind."
"…I'm carrying Sedol on my back."
"Then choose the safe route. I need my hands free to shoot; I can't carry the brat."
He ordered me to take the lead while he covered me.
In fact, this was the correct formation.
He was a former assault soldier, skilled with a gun, and well versed in hand-to-hand combat.
However, his reconnaissance ability has decreased because he'd lost an eye.
He's far superior to me in direct combat, but he won't be able to handle many other tasks.
On the other hand, although I have poor combat abilities, I can perform basic reconnaissance and can use [Shield].
It's actually common sense for soldiers who can use [Shield] to lead the charge.
It will be much more effective to leave the assault and suppression of high-risk areas to him and take charge of reconnaissance myself.
"My [Shield] isn't particularly well-trained. Don't expect too much."
"I never had any expectations from the start. For most soldiers, it's just a consolation."
We discussed the route to Irigol's house, which was about 300 meters away. Using the sewers, we could get reasonably close.
However, the plan is to adjust the route as necessary based on my own reconnaissance.
"Tou-chan…"
"Sedol…"
The responsibility is heavy.
If I fail to spot the enemy, Sedol will be killed as well.
....
"Then, we'll take the southern route. Sedol, please keep your mouth closed for a while again."
"O-Okay."
"It's alright, don't worry."
I felt my emotions gradually cool down when I realized this.
If I were the only one who would die from making a mistake, I wouldn't be so burdened.
"…"
A four-year-old boy is clinging to my back, trembling with fear.
He was the only son of my benefactor and the symbol of peace that had been with me these past few months.
How I can let the bandits have their way and kill such a young child?
A group of three people on an escape mission. One of them is a child, utterly useless in combat.
This is not a game. If you're shot, you die, and even a grazing explosion can put you out of commission; this is a real battlefield.
But it doesn't change what I have to do.
"Hahaha…"
"…What's with you all of the sudden?"
Right now, I don't have any bullets. But if I don't have a weapon, I can just pick one up. That's basic.
Fortunately, there are heaps of guns on the battlefield.
"Irigol, two bandits are emerging from the house to the south. One's carrying a barrel of liquor, the other has a leather pouch."
"Yeah, I see them. Confirmed."
Ah, there are some foolish bandits over there. Are they on their way back after looting?
There they are, walking unarmed and defenseless, carrying around a barrel of liquor.
"In about 10 more meters, they'll pass right by us."
"…"
"When they turn their backs to us, shoot one of them dead. I'll rush in and take down the other one, so please cover me."
"Hey, there's no need to take such a risk. We should hide and make it to my house─"
I gestured for the somewhat panicked Irigol to stay quiet and crouched as I advanced through the sewer.
Even if we make it to Irigol's house while hidden, we'd be finished if we get surrounded and the house is set on fire.
Weapons are absolutely necessary to break through in such a situation.
"Considering what will happen after your sister is treated, we'll need another gun. Even if we barricade ourselves inside the house, it will end up being set on fire."
"Even so, it's reckless for someone your size to charge in."
"Then how about you give me the gun and charge in, Irigol? If you trust me, that's the best plan."
"…"
"I've had shooting training too. I assure you, I won't miss at close range."
"Damn it…"
Seeing my stubborn attitude, Irigol's eyebrows twitched before he thrust the gun he was holding towards me.
"Fine, I'll charge in. But don't you dare miss."
"Of course."
"You're one hell of a kid, acting so calm. Damn it."
Checking the remaining bullets… Only two left. That should be enough.
I'll shoot one of the enemies, and in the ensuing chaos, Irigol will strangle the other.
We'll get two guns this way.
"After I shoot, we'll move quickly. The enemies will surely come running."
"Naturally."
I've already predicted the enemy's movements after that.
The enemies will surely close in once we start ambushing the bandits from the sewer.
"After I fire, the enemy will…"
The enemy won't come straight down the main street.
They'll likely use the back alleys with more cover to get ahead of us.
In that case, after taking their gun, we should move and lie in wait for an ambush in an alley.
"After killing the two bandits, we'll get out of the sewer and hide in the alley at 2 o'clock. We'll ambush the enemies there, then head straight to your house, Irigol."
"Huh? Why the back alley?"
"Because that's where the enemy will go."
Ah, today's a good day.
My field of vision is so wide that it even frightens me. I can predict my enemy's movements with ease.
In my previous life, there were a few days a year when my mind would feel strangely clear like this.
"What are you talking about? Can you read the enemy's movements?"
"No, well, that's just what I feel."
"Seriously?"
In such cases, I can usually hit my target with pinpoint accuracy.
Among my FPS buddies, they were saying things like "I've entered the god zone."
…Well, that doesn't mean everything will go smoothly.
Rather…
"Of all days, it had to be today."
"Huh?"
Ever since long ago, I've had a certain curse.
On days when I'm extremely "sharp" like today,
I really don't know why, but…
"Irigol. If anything were to happen to me, please take care of Sedol."
"…?"
It was always on my best days that I suffered great misfortune.
Right before victory, I'd get disconnected due to network issues.
In an important tournament, an unprecedented bug would instantly kill me.
My parents would suddenly fall ill, taking precedence over any tournaments.
In my previous life, whenever I was in the zone, misfortune would come my way, as if it were a warning from God to not get too cocky.
In other words, this is a level of clarity that I'm not very happy about…
"We'll make contact in five seconds. I'll leave the charge to you."
"Yeah."
Despite this ominous feeling, I aimed at the defenseless enemy as planned.
My hands aren't trembling at all. It's easier to aim at the enemy than ever before.
I'm definitely in the zone right now.
…If possible, I'd like the misfortune to hold off at least until Sedol can escape.