And so, I was finally reunited with Sedol.
When I met him again after a few months, he seemed full of energy.
"Life at the forward operating base wasn't too bad."
"Is that so?"
"Well, it had a roof. A house is quite wonderful."
Anita laughed as she told me about her life over the past month.
Life under the protection of the border guards was much better than in the refugee camp.
They were able to rent one of the warehouses, so the villagers had a small but warm living space.
And since it was by the river, they never had to worry about a water source and even enjoyed river fish dishes from time to time.
"Also, the soldiers over there were scary."
"Well, it's the front line, after all. I expect there will be some tension."
"But that actually worked out well."
Most importantly, the security there was very good.
In fact, several groups, in addition to the Othello Village group, had come to the front line seeking protection.
When some trouble occurred between these groups, the soldiers intervened, saying, "Don't argue over trivial matters on the front line."
For the frequent offenders of assault and theft, they imposed corporal punishment according to military regulations, stating, "You have to follow our rules as long as we're protecting you."
Thanks to this, theft and assault were almost completely eliminated. The living environment was better than in the refugee camps where trouble was frequent.
"Irigol, thank you so much for protecting Sedol…"
"Hmph, I don't deserve any thanks. I was just protecting my hometown."
By the way, in the refugee camp, Irigol and his team kept a close watch to protect the people of Othello Village from such troubles.
…If he hadn't issued the evacuation order, Sedol would have died. I really can't thank him enough.
***
There was no sign of the government troops around this area.
The 100,000 men who set out in high spirits achieved victory without firing a single shot.
"Anita, I need to discuss something with you."
"Huh, what's this all of a sudden?"
Most of the soldiers were to return to Josegrad.
However, the people of Othello Village were to continue living in the border guards' forward operating base.
It was still expected that there would be frequent raids by remnants of the government army in the surrounding areas.
Thus, returning to Othello Village seemed destined to lead to looting.
It would be safer to stay at the forward operating base until security stabilized.
"I'm planning on taking Sedol back to Austin."
"Hmm, why is that?"
"Because I have a bad feeling about this."
With the end of the Sabbatian Revolution, the Revolutionary Army's fight is over.
But my battle is not over yet.
In fact, it was just beginning.
"If we stay in the Sabbath as it is, things will surely turn terrible."
I must protect Sedol and the others from Remi Ulyakov, the firebrand of the century.
Remi has successfully taken control of the Sabbath.
Under her leadership, The Sabbath will undergo reforms as the world's first "communist state".
If past history is to be believed, and if I trust Sylph's words…
A society that shares and redistributes assets should be impossible to establish.
The future awaiting the Sabbath is likely to be a repeat of "purges and massacres."
"The Worker's Council ideology cannot sustain a state. There will surely be even worse chaos ahead."
"…And?"
"I intend to return to Austin. I have also received a promise from Remi that she will allow me to return."
That's why I have to take Sedol to Austin.
Sedol was born and raised in Austin. Although he can speak Sabbatian, he is more fluent in Austinian.
For his sake, it would be better for him to live in Austin.
"So, Anita, would you please leave the Sabbath and come with us?"
"Well, I understand what you're saying."
So I bowed my head to Anita and asked her to come to Austin with us.
Sedol is just as fond of Anita as he is of me.
If possible, I would like her to come along too.
"I understand that you don't want to leave Sabbath, but please."
"I was born in Austin, so it's fine."
"Then—"
Anita scratched her cheek with a laugh.
I see, if that's the case it would be easier to ask…
"The problem is, how to live in Austin after moving there. I'm broke right now."
"Ugh."
"The assets I brought from Austin were stolen by thieves. I don't have the courage to move to a foreign country with just myself."
Anita looked apologetic as she declined my request.
"For now, if I go back to Othello, there's a clinic and housing available. There's also work and a place to live."
"Anita…"
"I'd need a place to live and some living expenses for the time being if I were to defect. Right now, I don't have the guts to go back to Austin."
Anita planned to return to Othello Village.
She likely understood how risky it is to cross a country with nothing but the clothes on your back.
"Can't you please reconsider?"
"If the Sabbath really becomes hell, of course I would go with you. But that's just a prediction, isn't it?"
"It will probably really become that way…"
"Well, if you put it that way, I might consider it. But it sounds like a huge gamble."
I don't think she understands how hellish the Sabbath ahead is going to be.
That's understandable. The catastrophic history of the past was written precisely because no one understood the dangers of communist ideology.
"Then… how about this?"
It would be difficult to get Anita to understand the danger right here.
So, I simply bowed my head and said:
"I will give you all my savings and assets in Austin. Please…"
I made my plea.
I had a decent amount of savings.
The reward I received in Marshdale was all deposited into my military account.
I had also left nearly a year's worth of salary from the time I was on the Western Front untouched.
If I give all of that to Anita, I don't think she'll have to worry about food for a while.
"I see, then what about housing?"
"I can manage that too."
All that's left now is to find a place to live when we get back to Austin.
I actually had a plan for that as well.
"If I get the help of my guardian, Captain Aria, I believe it will be possible."
Yes, I would ask for the help of Aria, who holds immense power in the Austin military.
She had promised to take care of housing and other matters as my guardian.
Additionally, Aria's father, Major Renvel, is one of the highest authorities in the Austin military.
Providing a residence for one family should be a simple task for him.
"So that means…"
"Yes?"
"You plan to return to the Austin military?"
If I were to arrange an appointment with Aria…
I would need to return to the military.
"I am still a medical officer in the Austin military. I'm just returning to where I belong."
"So you'll be going back to the battlefield? Sedol will be sad."
"Honestly, I don't want to go back at all."
Unlike before when the Sabbatian border was closed, it is now possible to contact Austin.
My status is likely that of a fallen soldier.
Since it's now possible to return, I must promptly rejoin the military.
"It's okay. I'll be working in the medical department in the rear anyway."
"I see."
"After the war is over, I will return to you and Sedol. Could you please lend me your strength for just a little longer?"
"Alright, alright. After all, I'm already committed. It would leave a bad taste to abandon Sedol now."
As a result of my long and earnest pleas:
Anita finally agreed to go to Austin.
"In return, make sure to take care of the money and housing."
"Yes. I will do my best for Sedol as well."
I responded firmly to Anita's words.
***
That said…
To be honest, finding a place to live in Austin will be quite the challenge.
I would need to travel to the front lines to meet her to enlist Aria's help.
However, I cannot take Sedol or Anita to the front lines.
Therefore, the plan is to stay in the capital, Winn, and arrange accommodation there until we could secure a residence.
The problem was that I didn't know how long I could secure accommodation with just my savings.
Moreover, there was no guarantee that I could access my savings in the capital.
There was a possibility that my account might be frozen due to being listed as a war casualty.
Honestly, it felt like it would be a hit-or-miss situation.
"Hey, Touri. Take a look at this."
"Oh?"
I really didn't want to travel to Austin with such an uncertain plan.
So, while I was working on various plans for when we reached Austin…
Unexpectedly, these issues were resolved quickly.
"They're going to create a Sabbatian special economic zone in Austin?"
"Apparently, Austin has started a refugee acceptance policy."
Amazingly, the Austin government proposed to the Sabbath that it would accept refugees.
This was a godsend for Remi and the others.
"To come up with a large-scale refugee acceptance plan at such a time…"
"Maybe it's because the population dropped drastically during the war?"
"Ah, I see. It's actually more timely now."
After enduring a year of chaos and rampant looting in the Sabbath, refugees were overflowing in various places.
However, the provisional government led by Remi lacked the financial resources to support all these refugees.
As a result, the starving refugees turned to crime and security became increasingly unstable.
Fogman Jr. noticed this and seized this opportunity by announcing the acceptance of refugees as a "charitable endeavor."
His goal was to quickly restore productivity. For Austin, which had lost many citizens in the war, refugees were desperately needed as labor.
Fogman Jr. planned to use them in military factories and food production and made this proposal to the Sabbath.
"It looks like they're going to create a village just from the Sabbatian immigrants."
"Keeping them separate from Austinites should reduce conflicts."
"Indeed."
What was clever about Fogman Jr.'s plan was that he grouped the immigrants together rather than scattering them.
To the people of Austin, the Sabbath was still a hated enemy.
Various troubles would surely arise if they were mixed into ordinary rural areas.
Thus, Fogman Jr. chose to isolate the immigrants within a special economic zone.
Nevertheless, this special economic zone did become the source of many problems…
However, it brought significant benefits to Austin, such as restarting inactive factories and redeveloping devastated lands.
***
Thus, my life in the Sabbath, which lasted for about a year, came to an end.
It's already been a year since Rodri died. It really made me realize how quickly time passes.
Anita applied for immigration to Austin and managed to secure a ticket.
She apparently had to undergo various screenings and sign many documents.
I also tried to approach Irigol, but he declined.
He loves his hometown and the Sabbath.
As for myself, I reported my survival to the Austin military through Remi.
If government approval is granted, I will be allowed to cross the river.
***
Three months passed after that.
Eventually, the permit to cross the Tar River was granted only after summer began.
There were many preparations needed for the acceptance of refugees, which is why it took so long.
We have been helping repair the Eastern Command Headquarters under the command of the Revolutionary Army during these three months.
The peaceful life I had with Sedol and Anita during these three months was a time of healing for me.
Waking up in the morning to find Sedol wrapped up in my bed was truly a dream come true.
Before long, my days became peaceful enough that I could no longer hear the cries of resentment from the child soldiers.
Life under the Revolutionary Army was genuinely not bad.
Unlike the government forces, they were proactive in maintaining public order and provided frequent food rations.
It was clear that Remi genuinely wanted to make the Sabbath a better place.
There was simply a problem with the method and ideology.
***
And so, in the early summer with the sun beating down…
Finally, Anita and I were granted permission to enter Austin.
Under intense scrutiny, we boarded a ship with many other Sabbatian refugees and crossed into Austin territory.
"Alright, come this way. I'll show you to your new accommodations."
The accepted refugees were taken to abandoned villages along the Tar River.
The scars of war were still fresh in this rural area, with fields and houses in disrepair. However, the central square was piled high with timber and food supplies.
Each person was assigned tasks such as repairing houses, clearing land, or working in factories.
"We didn't have time to rebuild the houses, but we have transported the supplies. Please repair the houses yourselves."
"Got it."
"This year, we won't impose taxes on the refugee village. In return, you must work diligently."
Anita was assigned to medical duties and was put in charge of the health of the refugee village.
She and Sedol were allocated a larger house, which was to be renovated into a clinic.
Since rain would be a problem, Anita and I immediately started repairing the house.
We couldn't afford to let Sedol catch a cold.
"Officials, we need more timber and stone. Can we cut some more?"
"Hmm, I thought we provided sufficient materials. What are you going to use them for?"
"Well, for 'Vanya,' of course."
"What is that?"
For some reason, the Sabbatian refugees began constructing the Vanya before repairing their homes.
The men worked diligently to assemble the wooden structure and build a hearth from stone, completing the Vanya.
The puzzled looks from the Austin officials were quite memorable.
***
"Well then, Anita."
"Are you leaving already?"
I set off towards the capital the following afternoon after helping with the repair of Anita's house.
"I am a soldier… I have comrades waiting for me in the military."
"I see."
"I intend to retire and return once the war with Flamel is over. Until then, this is farewell for a while."
The past few months have been very happy times.
I was able to enjoy peaceful times with the adorable Sedol.
"Tou-chan…"
"I'll see you again, Sedol. I will definitely come back here."
But such blissful times must now come to an end.
I am a medic in Austin's military. I am someone who heals wounded comrades and saves lives on the battlefield.
I cannot continue to indulge in this happiness and abandon the lives that need saving.
"One last time, give me a hug."
"Okay."
While embracing the precious child whom I might never see again, I kissed Sedol's forehead, which was still damp from his tears.
"Please be a good boy and wait. Don't cause any trouble for Anita."
"Yeah."
"When I get back, tell me all about your experiences. The happy times, the tough times, everything."
After imprinting Sedol's tearful face firmly in my memory…
I put the small stone he had picked up as a charm into my pocket,
"Well then, I'm off."
And so, I embarked on my journey to the Austin Army, where my comrades awaited.