Thus, I ended up serving as a subordinate of Sylph Nova at the Eastern Headquarters.
Initially, there was an outpouring of discontent within the Sabbatian Army over the fact that an "Aust would be assigned" to their ranks.
However, Sylph Company was the unit with the highest military achievements within the headquarters at the time, and its commander, Sylph Nova, had a very strong voice and apparently used force to get the headquarters to accept my placement.
Due to my background, my position is somewhat precarious. Fortunately, I wasn't met with too much hostility in Gorski Platoon.
I think this was because my platoon leader, Mr. Gorski, was able to skillfully manage the relationships within the unit.
However, my working conditions were a little unusual. I lived at the campsite and was only called up when there was actual combat.
This arrangement was due to the strong opposition to "allowing an enemy national live within the headquarters," and my own desire to spend time with Sedol at the campsite. Sylph compromised, allowing this arrangement.
Thanks to that, I was able to continue living in the camp even after joining the military.
"Tou-chan, look at this."
"Yes, yes, Sedol."
We've entered our second month of living in the camp, autumn was beginning to set in.
Finally, the fighting within the Sabbath was beginning to intensify.
"Well, this is me, this is Tou-chan, and this is Ani."
"Are these mud dolls?"
"The three of us are having a picnic."
I was called by Sylph and sent out to fight whenever bandits were found.
However, in most cases there was no fighting and the enemy either surrendered or fled.
In the end, the only time there was a fierce battle was the first time I was called.
"You did a great job."
"Yeah!"
The thieves who were caught were required to work in a factory as part of their punishment.
However, the working conditions at the factory are apparently extremely poor, with many workers freezing to death in the winter.
It was heartbreaking to think about the fate of the villagers who lost everything and turned to banditry.
"Tou-chan, hug. Hug!"
"Yes, yes."
It's been about six months since I came to the Sabbath, and winter will soon be upon us.
The security in various areas hadn't improved, and bandits were still rampant across the Sabbath.
All I could hope for was a quick and peaceful resolution of the civil war so that I could live peacefully with Sedol.
***
"The Workers' Council's influence is greater than we thought."
While I was having fun with Sedol at the camp, some news arrived, causing the Sabbatian military's higher-ups to worry about the current situation.
They initially thought the rebellion was just a riot by the populace that could be subdued by force…
"Southern Command has surrendered to the Workers' Council. The country will truly be overthrown at this rate."
At the beginning of autumn, news spread that Southern Command, one of the four commands in the Sabbath military, had surrendered.
With control over the capital and southern forces, the "Workers' Council" became the most powerful force within the Sabbath.
"The people in the capital are fanatically supporting the Workers' Council and are hostile towards our government.
"…How did it come to this?"
The high-ranking officials of the Sabbatian Federal Government were the ones most alarmed by this situation.
Several high-ranking government officials who had fled were being sheltered at Eastern Command, where Sylph was stationed.
They were becoming increasingly restless as their hold on power seemed more and more uncertain.
"There's a letter from the Workers' Council?"
"Yes, it's addressed to General Blake."
Meanwhile, General Blake, the head of Eastern Command, received a letter from the Workers' Council.
The letter urged him to cooperate in rebuilding the Sabbath, promising not to take their lives if they handed over the government officials and surrendered.
"How arrogant, these upstart civilians are getting too full of themselves."
"We cannot let these terrorists take the great Sabbath Federation."
General Blake was outraged and promptly tore up the letter.
He genuinely loved his country and was not cowardly enough to yield to terrorists.
"We'll crush them and retake the capital ourselves."
"Once the people see the true power of real soldiers, they'll wake up from their delusions."
He conveyed the contents of the letter to the government officials, setting the goal of recapturing the capital.
He also secured a promise from the officials that he would be promoted to the highest military rank of Marshal upon reclaiming the capital.
"I will become a hero for our great nation."
General Blake's bold words brought smiles to the faces of the officials.
***
However, while it is easy to say they will "retake the capital," things do not always go so smoothly.
Expeditions require a large amount of food, magic stones, fuel, and ammunition.
It is difficult to secure enough supplies for the expedition while also distributing food to the people in the camp.
"If we don't crush the Worker's Council soon, we'll lose more and more public support."
"Why don't we take the supplies we have now and stop by villages during the expedition to collect more?"
While the decision to advance on the capital was made, they lacked the necessary supplies.
They would have to wait until spring to gather enough resources even with full-scale production efforts involving the bandits and civilians.
If they wanted to march immediately, the only option was to loot supplies along the way.
However, this would undoubtedly leave a significant legacy of resentment.
"Let Austin supply us."
In that meeting, Sylph suggested this idea.
"We'll use a ceasefire as a bargaining chip to demand supplies."
"Are you suggesting we leave things unsettled with Austin?"
"In the first place, we can't decide something like that on our own."
Sylph's opinion was met with a barrage of criticism from those around her.
She had proposed a ceasefire with Austin.
Hatred towards Austin is strong in the Sabbatian Army. Making such a proposal put Sylph in a precarious position.
However…
"Eastern Command is responsible for protecting the border with Austin. Do you think there is anything to gain from starting another war with Austin in this current situation?"
"But deciding on such a national strategy is the government's responsibility."
"Since we can't contact the General Staff Headquarters in the capital, we should ask the opinion of the high-ranking government officials who are currently here. After all, once we take control of the capital, they will be the ones to seize political power."
Sylph's plan was frighteningly practical in the current situation.
The surrounding area was swarming with bandits, and most of the villages were either destroyed or deserted.
If Eastern Command were to receive supplies at this time, it could only realistically come from the foreign country of Austin.
"Given the current situation, the Sabbath may not be able to sustain war for a while. We might even prefer to request a ceasefire from them. What's more frightening is the prospect of Austin swiftly reconciling with Flamer and Aerys and invading here.
"Hmm."
"Besides, Austin probably isn't fully aware of our critical situation yet. We might be able to secure some reparations now."
"Now that you mention it, that's certainly true."
"But to bow down to Austin…"
"No, if we manage to get reparations, it would practically be a victory."
In the end, General Blake decided to adopt Sylph's plan.
They decided to demand supplies from Austin under the condition of a ceasefire.
"They're in a tough spot too. All we're asking for is a few months' worth of rations and… Austin rifles. No, they'll probably refuse the guns. They surely don't have any to spare."
"Perhaps we should stick to requesting food and magic stones from our side."
"True, we'll crack down on the black market for rifles. We might be able to manage with resources like these, which even Austin might accept."
The headquarters calculated how many resources the current Eastern Command soldiers would need to function for six months.
If this request is granted, then with the resources they have on hand, they will have enough to march to the capital.
The government's minister of foreign affairs who happened to be in the country, was chosen to act as negotiator.
"It's fortunate we still have a professional diplomat."
"Please, sir."
"Yes, leave it to me."
The minister of foreign affairs confidently sets off with the letter to Austin's prime minister.
Thus, in secret, General Blake of Eastern Command began ceasefire negotiations with Austin.
***
However, in conclusion…
Austin unilaterally rejected these ceasefire negotiations.
"They are still eager for war. They have declared that once they are done with their current opponent, they will come and ravage the Sabbath's borders again."
"What a barbaric bunch."
Even Sylph herself was greatly surprised upon hearing this news.
She hadn't expected Austin, to refuse a ceasefire under its current circumstances.
"Your guess was wrong, Captain Sylph."
"Unbelievable… Why? Are the Aust people even more stupid than I thought?"
"Their prime minister is very young; perhaps they're acting on emotion. Like rabid dogs."
At that moment, fleeting memories of the Sabbath's past atrocities flashed through Sylph's mind.
The fact that Sabbath had unilaterally rejected Austin's unconditional surrender.
Perhaps the Sabbath has already completely lost its credibility in diplomacy.
So, they were probably refused because they were expected to be deceived.
Otherwise, there was no apparent reason for Austin to reject a ceasefire──
"Hey, diplomat, what's with these ceasefire conditions?"
"It's the bare minimum we're willing to compromise on."
"Declaring Austin's government's defeat in war, reparations for the next 20 years, and military occupation rights in the Tar River. Is this the condition you put forward?"
"Yes, this is the absolute minimum."
"Are you kidding me?!"
As Sylph continued to read the document with these thoughts in mind, she discovered that the Sabbath's demands were quite shocking.
***
"Please accept this as a gesture of goodwill from us."
The diplomat reportedly made this statement while meeting with Prime Minister Fogman Jr. in Austin.
"The damage we suffered in the previous war was more than doubled. However, we don't believe your country can fully compensate for all of that now, so we have prepared this document with the amount stated."
"And?"
"If your country accepts the conditions and declare your defeat, the Sabbath Federation vows it will respect your country and not threaten it."
"Absurd."
When Fogman Jr. saw the contents of the document, he immediately threw it back at the diplomat.
As if saying it was a waste of time, he sighed.
"How foolish. Are you still intending to continue the war, prime minister of Austin?"
"You're the one bringing this document, and you have the nerve to say that, you senile old man."
"Watch your mouth. You're speaking to an envoy who has come all this way for ceasefire negotiations."
"Ceasefire negotiations? Did a fool like you come to put on this farce?"
Fogman Jr. himself was actually eager for a ceasefire.
To speak frankly, he wanted to reduce the troops stationed along the Tar River and send them to the front lines against Flamel.
So, as Sylph predicted, Fogman Jr. was willing to accept some reparations for a ceasefire.
However, resources were scarce in Austin as well. There was no way they could accept the conditions presented by the diplomat.
"We're done here, self-proclaimed diplomat. Hurry and show him out."
"Understood, Mr. Fogman."
"W-Wait! Are you sure it's okay to make us your enemies here─"
"If we accept these conditions, our country will perish. Next time have someone smarter draft the document."
However, the document he brought was filled with outrageous demands akin to unconditional surrender.
Fogman rejected his request and promptly drove him out of the capital.
***
"I told you that the conditions were that we only needed enough supplies to go on one expedition! Why are you making such demands?!"
"Captain Sylph, you are still young and probably don't understand, but if we were to agree to such terms for a ceasefire, the people wouldn't accept it. This is exactly the bare minimum that the people demand─"
"What the people want most right now is a ceasefire! Why do you think riots are happening?!"
One could say it was a misjudgment in choosing the person. This diplomat conducted negotiations under the assumption that the Sabbath was in a superior position.
As the minister of foreign affairs, he had the authority to adjust the ceasefire conditions, and he arbitrarily revised the "demands" proposed by the headquarters.
Thus, the Sabbath tried to bluff that they could resume the offensive at any time and attempted to force through such unreasonable conditions.
"Obviously they'd reject such a request!"
"No, think about Austin's current situation. They should naturally accept this much; their prime minister lacks the intelligence."
If it really had been the case that the Sabbath could attack at any time, then perhaps it would have passed.
Unfortunately, Austin had a connection with Remi, so they had a fairly accurate understanding of the current situation in the Sabbath.
After successive internal conflicts, the Sabbath's forces were barely capable of defense, let alone launching an offensive.
Therefore, Fogman Jr. confidently rejected his offer.
"Lower your demands and go again. We won't be able to launch an expedition once winter sets in."
"I can't do that. It would result in the Sabbath being treated with contempt, and that's the minimum we can do."
Sylph and the diplomat argued fiercely many times, each stubbornly sticking to their own assertions.
The diplomat had his own pride as a diplomat and disregarded the younger Sylph's proposal, refusing to yield.
"What are we supposed to do then? We can't launch an expedition without resources."
"That's under the jurisdiction of the military."
In the end, these ceasefire negotiations did not come to fruition.
And the failure of these ceasefire negotiations would soon choke the life out of the Sabbath Federation.
History might have been very different if only the diplomat at that time had been a bit more intelligent.
"We'll have to wait until resources are ready."
With the situation now facing them, Sylph had no choice but to suggest they wait until winter is over before going to the capital.
During the winter, they could impose labor on the citizens at the campsite to stockpile resources.
They could operate the factory attached to headquarters at full capacity, stockpiling preserved food and ammunition, and launch a spring offensive.
"Won't the enemy's strength only grow stronger if we wait that long?"
"What if Austin defeats Flamel and launches a counterattack?"
"Yes, that's true!"
However, government officials were against spending the winter there, as they were worried about the property they had left behind and wanted to return to the capital as soon as possible.
Rather than being grateful for hiding them, they instead held grievances towards the military, even saying, "It's because of the military's incompetence that we're forced to live like this and unable to suppress the rebellion."
"The situation would have been better If you had properly negotiated a ceasefire."
"Hmph, you don't understand a thing. To agree to a ceasefire under those conditions would be a great loss for the Sabbath. I never thought the daughter of the hero Brustav would be such a fool."
"Just a child who knows nothing about diplomacy."
It's said that the government officials at that time had never been involved with the military and didn't understand even 10% of what Sylph was saying.
Therefore, no matter how much Sylph pleaded about the current dire situation, it was only seen as a fault of the military.
"Launch an offensive right away. You have permission to collect supplies from the villages along the way.
"The country will truly perish if we do something like that!"
And so, they gave the military permission to loot their own country.
Originally, the strategy of looting during an expedition is something employed when invading enemy territory.
It is insane to loot your own citizens while trying to quell a civil war.
"It's to suppress the bandits that are running rampant in the capital. The people will understand."
"The public's sentiment is already leaning towards the Worker's Council! There's no way they'll accept this!"
Sylph's face turned red as she lashed out at the government officials.
This was a strategy that should absolutely never be adopted, both from the perspective of national interest and from an ethical standpoint.
"In the first place, there has been so much looting everywhere that there are no savings left─"
"Ah, don't interrupt like a child. Annoying, annoying."
"You should just take command on the front lines."
However, the one who held the most authority in the headquarters is General Blake.
He was lured by sweet words promising him a promotion to marshal and couldn't oppose the government officials.
"…Understood. I will begin preparations for the expedition."
"Yes, I expect nothing less from you, General Blake."
"Wait!"
And so, Eastern Command was forced into a hellish expedition, aiming for the capital while looting every step of the way.
Without any consideration for how the people would feel as their savings were taken away before winter approached.
"Ah…"
Thus began the worst massacre in the Sabbath's history, the capture of the capital, Josegrad, in the midst of a brutal winter campaign.
The winter march, and furthermore, the expedition that looted its own people, indicated that the former government was reaching its final stages.
And the key to the outcome of this fruitless war was held by, or rather forced upon…
"No one will be happy even if we win… we'll only earn the people's resentment."
The 17-year-old hero, Sylph Nova.
End of Arc 5