"In a situation where a straightforward retreat would have result in total annihilation, I merely proposed a strategy that offered a slim chance of victory."
"…"
"Verdi had a very reluctant look on his face, but he adopted my plan. I think that his ability to judge the situation and his leadership skills were a factor in its success. But honestly, I think the biggest factor was luck."
I reported to Sylph about the movements of Verdi Company during the Battle of the North.
…Would this become considered leaking classified information?
"Verdi chose to move supplies without a plan in that situation?"
"Yes."
"What an idiot…"
However, since Sedol is being held hostage, I have to talk.
In any case, as long as it isn't internal information about the Austin Army, there's no problem with me talking about the outline of a strategy that I had proposed.
"…Why did you appear in front of our main army with such a small force of only several hundred people?"
"What do you mean?"
"Something like that would normally be considered a diversion. Even if a diversionary force appeared, it wouldn't be reason enough to lift the encirclement; it's a foolish act that would just get you killed."
"But that wasn't the case, was it?"
This happened about six months ago, but I still remember that day vividly.
…That retreat battle still haunts me to this day, and I have nightmares about it.
"The surrounding area was a heavily forested area, with plenty of places for soldiers to hide. Anyone would be on the lookout for an ambush in that situation."
"…"
"And given the speed of the Sabbatian Army's surprise attack, I determined that it was unlikely they had conducted thorough reconnaissance. Therefore, we showed up with a small number as a bluff."
That battle still makes my blood boil.
Even from her perspective, that retreat must have been an unpleasant ending.
Thanks to all of our desperate efforts as decoys, Verdi Company managed to retreat.
"Did you consider that there were other unit's lying in ambush?"
"…Hmm, so that's what you were thinking before charging at us."
"Yes."
In fact, this strategy was not one I came up with myself, but one that was used by an enemy in a tournament some time ago.
The last survivor of the enemy team pulled off a move that seemed to be in coordination with his friends and escaped from my team.
Although we won in the end, I was impressed because I was beautifully deceived.
"…What's your name?"
"My name is Touri Lowe."
"I see."
It's been about 30 minutes since I started talking with Sylph.
She asked my name after I'd finished explaining most of the details from my side of the Battle of the North.
"Touri, you are an Austin national, so I cannot let you go free. However, since you provided me with this information, I will guarantee that you and the child will have food, clothing, and shelter."
"…Thank you for your kindness."
"Don't say things you don't mean. Since a while ago, I've noticed the resentment in your eyes. Surely you must hate me for directing that operation?"
Sylph said this as she gave a slightly self-deprecating smile.
"I'll admit it, that plan was a failure on my part. Both the Sabbath and Austin ended up suffering unnecessary losses."
"Huh?"
"I was scared. The atrocities our soldiers committed in Austin territory were out of control. The thought of the same thing being done to us was enough to drive me crazy."
With eyes that looked like they were about to cry, she continued:
"I also hate you all too. My father died, and my family is missing because you guys resisted. That's why… I want to kill you right now."
"Right…"
"The reason I'm letting you live is purely out of whim. No, I think it's more of a matter of conscience…"
When Sylph said those words, her face showed an indescribably complex expression.
She looked sad, frustrated, hateful, yet somehow… a little bit happy.
"You all must have seen our Sabbatian soldiers as demons. Likewise, we saw Austin soldiers as nothing but demons."
"…"
"When conflict breaks out, humans are creatures who will fall into boundless cruelty and insanity. We must hold ourselves back; if the devil begins to grow within us, we must control it."
That applies to me as well.
Sylph spoke these words as if she were "sane" despite being caught up in the madness of being a military commander.
"However, most people are unable to do this, and instead act at the mercy of the demons they harbor."
"…"
"When we first broke through Austin's front lines, we should have made peace instead of looting. If we had made Austin a vassal state of the Sabbath Federation and drained its wealth, we would have been much richer. Our soldiers, our country, we lost everything because we succumbed to the devil's temptations."
At that moment, I realized for the first time.
From the arrogant, nervous, and icy-cold eyes of the girl in front of me since earlier…
"It's no wonder the people of the Sabbath are furious that we rejected Austin's surrender. I don't even know what to do anymore…"
────In contrast to the "evil" Bern Valou, I sensed a twisted sense of "good" in her.
***
After being "protected" by Sylph, I was once again put in an iron cage together with Sedol.
However, this time it was a personal cage, about 2-3 tatami mats in size. We were also provided with a mat and blanket.
Isn't this exceptional treatment for a prisoner of war?
"Tou-chan, what's going to happen now?"
"We're staying here. It's just the two of us tonight."
"…Okay."
That day, we ended up being held captive until the evening.
But before being put in the cage…
"Take off your clothes."
"Eh?"
Our clothes were taken away, and we were stripped naked.
Well, maybe that couldn't be helped.
We smell pretty bad because we've been running around in the sewers.
My clothes were also covered in blood and sewage, so they disposed of them.
"I'll pour water over you in small portions. When you're satisfied, wipe yourself with that rag over there."
"Kyaa!"
After being stripped, we were subjected to the typical treatment of prisoners of war: being splashed with water while naked.
While we were in the cage, a female soldier repeatedly poured water over us from a small bucket.
…Sedol seems to be having fun.
"You will be provided with new clothes later, so wrap yourself up in the blanket until then. I'm sorry, but sometimes the guards will be men."
"No, that's fine."
After they finished splashing water on us, we were given a mat and a blanket to place underneath.
Thanks to that, we managed to sleep without lying on the wet floor.
The water wasn't that cold, probably because they had mixed it with hot water.
"Tou-chan, I need to pee."
"Oh, um…"
"…I'll provide a pot. Just wait a moment."
They were quite accommodating to us.
Well, Sedol isn't exactly a prisoner but rather under protection.
It's a form of consideration for him.
"I'm sleepy…"
"Good night, Sedol."
Being able to sleep on a mat wrapped in a blanket makes me feel like we're being treated better than the average Sabbatian soldier who have to sleep in large trenches outside.
***
"Come out."
The next morning, after receiving bread and soup for breakfast, we were taken to Othello.
Since Sedol and I were completely naked and covered in blankets, I thought we would have to go back naked but…
"You'll have to make do with some old clothes."
"T-Thank you very much."
I was able to borrow some women's underwear from a Sabbatian soldier.
Since it's underwear, the fabric area is small, but it's sufficient to wear under the blanket.
"You have permission to return to your home while under supervision. Organize your clothing and possessions and bring them with you."
"What will happen after that?"
"We plan to take you to a refugee camp set up by headquarters. You will be left there if your suspicions of being a spy are cleared."
"Refugee camp…"
Apparently, there are too many bandits around here, so we'll have to temporarily evacuate to a refugee camp.
Although I am currently under surveillance on suspicion of being a spy, the arrangements are in place for me to be released at a later date.
"This is the kindness of Captain Sylph. She is really kind to ordinary citizens."
"…What kind of person is Captain Sylph?"
"She's a moody adolescent with wit that shakes the battlefield who possesses a childlike sense of justice."
The female commander I met yesterday, who's also Rodri's enemy.
However, unlike Bern Valou, I didn't feel any "evil" from her at all.
"She's a genius, which is why she's unfortunate."
"What do you mean?"
"Adults like us are controlled by rigid preconceptions and are unable to choose bold strategies. She is free from such constraints and can continue to choose the best option from an infinite number of options."
"…"
"But every time someone dies, Captain Sylph's heart is worn down. Whether it's a subordinate or an enemy. Despite her ability as a staff officer, she is not suited for the role."
I asked her subordinates what kind of person this girl was.
"She's probably already broken down mentally and gone insane."
"…So you're leaving command to an insane person?"
"Yeah. Unfortunately."
The female soldier who looked after me told me this with a sad look on her face.
"Do you think a good-natured girl can be entrusted with command of an army? It's precisely because she's insane that we leave it to her."
***
"You've come, Touri Lowe."
I was taken straight to Sylph.
Her blue eyes were without light, and there was no vitality in her face.
If this girl were in a peaceful town square instead of a battlefield, what kind of face would she make?
"Yesterday, I didn't have much time because I had to deal with post-battle processing. I'd like to hear more about it today."
"…Alright."
The girl in front of me is wearing herself out. Hearing that and observing her carefully, I noticed many things I didn't notice yesterday.
Her eyes were unfocused. She looks to be in a somewhat dreamy, light-hearted state, as if she was still barely sane.
That face, I'm sure─
'…What's wrong? Your eyes look empty, Shorty.'
"R-Rodri?"
I emitted the same atmosphere when I lost Lakya and was completely exhausted both mentally and physically.
"Don't worry, most of the bandits have been defeated. Your village is safe."
"Thank you very much…"
"If you feel indebted, be prepared to tell me the internal information of the Austin army. Even if it's a military secret, I won't tolerate silence. I will lay bare the internal situation of the Austin army."
Sylph has long since exhausted herself. That's probably why she acted so foolishly in the Battle of the North.
This woman is Rodri's enemy. However, she is also the benefactor who came to help Othello.
....
"Alright, I'll answer what I can."
"Of course."
My hatred towards her will not go away. But at the very least, if I've received a favor, I should do what I can to repay it.
So that I can continue to resent her in the future.
"Well then, let's borrow that house and begin the interrogation─"
"Wait, there's a better place than that."
"Huh?"
Thinking that, I invited her to a certain place.
***
"Let's go to Vanya."
"Uh, why?"
So, that being said.
Sylph and I made our way to Vanya while accompanied by a few guards.
"Captain Sylph, you must be tired from your long journey, right? Why don't you get some rest?"
"Well, I do feel like bathing in Vanya after such a long time."
Fortunately, Vanya seemed unharmed, untouched by the bandits.
Even the bandits refrained from burning the sacred Vanya.
"Tou-chan, I want to be the one who fans the leaves."
"Go ahead, but be careful not to fall."
"Hey, I haven't said I'm going in yet. Don't just start taking off your clothes."
I didn't want to get the underwear I'd borrowed from the soldier dirty, so I quickly adapted into Vanya style.
All that's left to do is fill a jar with water and light the fire in the furnace.
"Vanya? Let me join you guys."
"Good day, Mr. Gorski."
"I told you not to just go ahead and do what you please…"
The golden hero, Gorski, came along as well.
Since Sylph knew him, I thought it was a good opportunity to call him out.
"Why do we have to go into Vanya to interrogate you? Hurry up and get dressed. Let's change the location."
"But Sylph, Vanya has been a sacred place for the Sabbatian people since ancient times, and it's a place where nothing can be hidden. Isn't this the best place for interrogation?"
"Why does an Aust know so much about it?!"
At that time, I was able to regain my sanity by getting plenty of sleep and refreshing myself.
Vanya will be a good breather to alleviate Sylph's current madness.
"It will probably take time to capture all the bandits and assess the damage. How about taking a break, Sylph?"
"Gorski… But showing skin, it's…"
"Don't be embarrassed, Sylph. You're still a kid."
"Who's a kid?! Don't treat me like a child! Rather, why is Touri Lowe able to take off her clothes so casually? Aren't you embarrassed?"
"I'm surprised a Sabbatian would feel embarrassed about Vanya."
"Even Sabbatians hide their bodies unless they're married! Are you a slut?!"
…Huh? There was such a culture?
I see, so that's why Kusha was so confident.
"In that case, I'm married, so it's fine."
"I'm unmarried and a virgin!"
I mean, I'm also a virgin.
"Ugh, alright, I get it!"
After a bit of argument, Sylph hesitated for a moment, but eventually decided to enter.
However…
"So can I join too?"
"No, you can't! Get out!"
Since Sylph is unmarried, she refused to bathe with a man. It became the women's bath.
Though, Sedol stuck with me and was the only male allowed to bathe with us.
"Playing with the fan is fun."
"That's good to hear."
In Vanya, which had become a paradise for women, Sedol was happily running around with a fan in hand.
He playfully tapped my stomach with it, bursting into laughter.
…Meanwhile, Sylph was clutching her head as if in pain.