The content I am about to discuss includes many stories that I learned after the war.
At that time, without knowing anything, I returned to Austin with the help of Remi.
What happened to the government forces back then?
Why did Sylph choose to make a full retreat after I was captured as a prisoner by the government forces?
I will try to explain as much as I understand about it.
Regarding the Battle of Josegrad, it will surely be written in history textbooks like this:
"The former government forces of the Sabbath misjudged the strength of the Revolutionary Army, invaded Josegrad without securing logistics, and were utterly defeated."
This battle marked the moment when Remi Ulyakov seized power and began to advance a new political system by introducing a parliamentary system.
This marked the establishment of the world's first communist government.
And after that, the Sabbath would follow the path of communist state history as I know it.
Remi was an idealist who didn't hesitate to commit murder for her goals, but she was also an unparalleled charismatic figure.
If only she had survived, she might have been able to instill communism in the Sabbath with her violent centripetal force.
She might have met the conditions to realize the communist state that Sylph talked about: a country made up only of fanatics.
However, unfortunately…
A few years later, Remi succumbed to illness, her aspirations unfulfilled.
And in an attempt to realize her vision of an "equal society", the Sabbath would again be thrown into chaos, but that's a story for another time.
***
The mastermind behind the worst year in Sabbatian history was one man in Austin's General Staff.
Major Bern Valou, a cunning and ruthless patriot, and a self-admitted villain.
Many sacrifices were made due to his scheming, and as a result, the Sabbath was no longer a threat to Austin.
After a year that saw some of the largest massacres in history, it seemed like a satisfactory outcome for Bern…
In fact, even this outcome was far from what he had anticipated.
Sylph Nova noticed something odd while gradually advancing the front lines in Josegrad.
She had been devising a secret strategy to bring a swift end to the Battle of Josegrad.
Sylph must have had doubts at that time.
How could the enemy suddenly become so invulnerable?
Sylph had previously been extracting information about the internal situation in Austin from me.
I talked about Bern Valou during those conversations.
Though, it was only to the extent of "He introduced me to members of the anti-government organization in the Sabbath" or "He's very intelligent, but I think he's a bad person."
At that time, I didn't have much contact with Bern, so there was little I could talk about.
However, with just that scant information, Sylph arrived at a certain possibility.
That was…
"Could the woman that Bern introduced to Touri be the leader of the Workers' Council?"
It was a possibility that Austin and the Workers' Council had been connected from the start.
Of course, it was only a speculation at that point, so Sylph kept it lightly in mind.
But it became a certainty for Sylph the moment the Workers' Council and Austin declared their alliance.
"As I thought, they really were connected."
The clever Sylph realized that Bern Valou was none other than the person who had painted the picture for this revolutionary drama.
And it was almost with near certainty.
"Indeed, it's effective. Even I would… do the same…"
A strategy to support the enemy's anti-government organization to cause internal collapse.
It's a magical strategy that doesn't consume any of their own forces, something that any staff officer dreams of at least once.
The Sabbath was deceived by Bern.
Realizing this, Sylph must have gritted her teeth at the Bern and Austin's General Staff.
There were several other reasons why she could realize Bern Valou's intervention.
First, it was puzzling that the enemy's formation had no gaps the moment it turned into urban warfare.
For Sylph, it must have felt like her chess opponent had suddenly changed.
────There is someone giving advice to the Revolutionary Army.
In that case, the only person connected to the Workers' Council who could play war chess on equal footing with Sylph was Bern Valou.
The communication equipment of that era was poor, but it was possible to communicate with Austin over a few days.
Sylph surmised that Bern had started to remotely command from somewhere along the way.
"But, his intervention is too late."
Bern Valou was famous as the "worst enemy' in the Sabbath.
He was infamously known as the "Devil's Son" who broke through the Southern Front with inhumane tactics.
It's no surprise that there were no gaps under Bern's command.
"But the tide of victory has already turned. Our victory is unshakeable no matter what cunning plans he devises now."
Sylph did not panic.
Even the renowned Bern was too late to intervene.
The government forces had already secured the advantage, and Remi was just buying time.
As long as Sylph didn't make any major mistakes, the victory of the government forces was almost certain.
"You underestimated us, Bern Valou—"
Instead…
The capital would surely be reduced to a sea of flames and a staggering number of civilians would become casualties.
"…"
The government forces would be victorious if they continued fighting like this.
However, there was something that didn't quite sit right.
If Bern Valou's talents were as rumored…
If he was indeed a brilliant commander capable of orchestrating such a flawless formation…
Then he would not simply stay on the defensive in the current situation; he should be employing some form of risky strategy.
There is no chance of victory for the Revolutionary Army as long as the guerrilla warfare continues.
They have no future other than to be slowly and cruelly killed over time.
If they wanted to turn the tables, they should be launching a surprise attack on the government's weak points.
Yet, the Revolutionary Army was hunkering down like a turtle, not aiming for victory.
"No way…"
Sylph shook off the thought that flashed through her mind and continued to direct the offensive.
Over the course of a week, they gradually pushed the front lines, and the Revolutionary Army began to cry out in despair.
Amidst this, the government forces discovered something in a facility that appeared to be an enemy communication outpost they had seized.
It was part of a document stored in the burnt-down enemy communication facility.
When the contents of the document were reported to Sylph, it was said that her face turned pale.
It was a record of communication between Remi Ulyakov and officers of the Austin Army.
The content discussed which of the targeted government officials to let escape and which to kill.
"You've got to be kidding me…"
Competent politicians were to be targeted and killed.
Conversely, greedy and foolish politicians were deliberately allowed to escape and be protected by the Worker's Council.
This meant that even the current situation, where the government forces were deployed in Josegrad, was being manipulated by Bern.
────And Sylph realized the deeper layers of this plot.
She understood Bern's true objective.
"…No way, it can't be!"
It must have sent chills down her spine.
Could a human really come up with such a thing?
No, even if they did, could they actually put it into action?
"Bern Valou. You…"
Up to this point, everything had gone according to this man's expectations.
The government forces launching a winter offensive.
The Revolutionary Army suffering repeated defeats and being driven into a desperate situation in urban warfare.
Yes. While this man was indeed supporting the Workers' Council, it was never his intention to make that revolution succeed.
"You were losing on purpose, you bastard!!"
He hadn't started advising the government forces partway through.
The communication facility contained records of Bern giving detailed advice, from the defense strategies at Fort Rusovets to the layout of the defensive network in front of Josegrad.
The Revolutionary Army's defensive tactics in Josegrad were of exceptional quality.
They were so precise and meticulous that there wasn't a single flaw.
There was no way that a commander capable of such remote control, the same one who used the Tar River for a surprise attack in the Battle of the North, would overlook a strategy involving a surprise attack on sleds across a frozen river.
In other words, Bern deliberately fell into Sylph's trap, luring the government forces into Josegrad.
────To kill as many Sabbatian citizens as possible.
Can you believe it?
He painted this hellscape on a canvas all by himself.
This was a scheme solely focused on causing harm to the people of the Sabbath.
Even if an ordinary person thought of it, they would never actually carry it out.
It's a wickedness so severe that one couldn't complain even if they were condemned to eternal damnation.
"…If his goal is genocide, what's his next move? How will he act?"
Sylph possessed a mind almost equal to Bern's.
Therefore, she could deduce what he was planning from just this information.
"What does Austin want right now? Land? Resources? No, that's not it…!"
The conclusion of this tragedy drawn by the devil Bern.
The endpoint of the demon's strategy that sent shivers down the spine of the genius Sylph.
It was…
"Slaves…"
In this era, defeated nations lost not only their territory but also their people.
It was common practice to take the enemy's citizens as slaves from the colonized lands.
Austin, suffering from manpower shortages due to continuous wars, would surely want to take Sabbatian citizens back as slaves.
Bern Valou was not seeking peace with the Sabbath.
Rather, he was fully intent on continuing the war.
With the Sabbath's national power now completely weakened, his ultimate goal was to continue the war and "win against the Sabbath."
"…That's what will happen if the government forces win."
There's no way that sadistic murderer would ever befriend a worn-out Sabbath.
He wanted to use the charismatic Remi to divide the Sabbath, weaken its national power to the limit, and then crush it with his own hands.
That's why he made Remi declare an alliance, voice her weaknesses, and lure the government forces into an offensive.
"The Revolutionary Army has been pushed to the point where they have to resort to obvious bluffs."
"Are you kidding me?!"
"Just a little more. Many sacrifices will be made, but the victory of the government forces is certain"
"Is this man rotten to the core?"
"Go ahead and crush them! Brutally, kill your fellow countrymen! Victory is right before you!"
"How 'evil' does one have to be to carry out such a ridiculous act—"
The one most swayed by Bern's wicked manipulation was none other than Sylph herself.
"I-I am a complete fool!"
Having seen through everything and realized her own mistakes, Sylph cried out in agony.
The Sabbath was in a position of checkmate like never before.
A victory for the government forces would lead to an invasion by Austin and turn the Sabbath into a colony.
The Sabbath likely would not have the population or resources left to fight back.
But a victory for the Revolutionary Army would result in a hellish regime led by a dreamy-eyed charismatic leader.
Many citizens would be crushed by distorted ideals and become sacrifices.
"Ha, ha…"
How can this situation be overturned?
Sylph thought and pondered.
Josegrad will turn into hell whether they advanced or retreated.
And the conclusion she came to was…
"Hahaha, haha!"
***
"Austin is indeed coming. We should retreat immediately, General Blake."
Retreat. That was the answer.
"No way! You said the other day that Austin wasn't going to come."
"I've changed my mind."
Sylph requested to speak with General Blake privately, and there she advised retreat.
This was the only 'chance' left for the Sabbatian government.
"The Austin soldiers may have obtained winter gear through the Southern Command."
"From the south?"
"Yes. That route is plausible if the enemy has been connected with Austin from the beginning."
"I-I see. Is that so?"
"Yes, trust me."
Continuing the urban warfare would only decrease the population of the Sabbath.
Therefore, the government forces needed to retreat as soon as possible and preserve their people in the Sabbath.
"But to retreat based on such an uncertain assumption…"
"Our government forces will be annihilated if Austin arrives. Given the current resentment of the people, losing would result in something worse than death. For your own safety, General, we must retreat."
Sylph, however, didn't explain everything to General Blake and instead proposed the retreat under the pretext that "Austin is indeed coming."
She had given up on the notion that he had the intellect to understand it all.
"No, I can't do it. To retreat now would dishonor the soldiers who have died."
"…"
Yet, General Blake did not heed Sylph's advice.
After all, they were on the brink of victory.
For him, who had been dreaming of the glory that awaited them after victory, there was no way he could accept a suggestion to retreat under the pretense of losing.
"Then look over there. At the Revolutionary Army's formation."
"Hmm?"
"They wouldn't form such a peculiar formation unless they were really expecting Austin to arrive."
"Um, what are you talking about?"
Sylph tried to persuade with her eloquence but ultimately couldn't convince General Blake.
"Look, at the end of 3rd Street. Don't you see that formation?"
"Hmm?"
General Blake disliked major policy changes.
He couldn't be persuaded to order a full retreat when everything seemed to be going well.
Realizing this, Sylph pointed to the enemy troops visible from the police station window.
"I don't really get it, it looks like a normal formation."
"Oh, my apologies."
"What about this is peculiar—"
"You can't see anything, can you?"
And then, as General Blake carefully peered out the window…
"…I know you're not a bad person. You're just ordinary."
She took careful aim and shot him in the back of the head with her pistol.
***
"The enemy has launched a surprise attack. General Blake was shot through a window. All units, be on high alert.
Thus, the government forces, having lost their commander, were forced to retreat.
"Continuing this operation will be difficult with the loss of General Blake. Begin the retreat."
"U-Understood."
"At this time, command has been passed on to me, Captain Sylph Nova. All personnel, prepare to withdraw."
If General Blake is not convinced and the fighting continues, the Sabbath will end.
So Sylph made up his mind and decided to assassinate General Blake.
"Sylph-sama! Th-This is outrageous!"
"Elijah. Examine the body and tell them the cause of death was from being shot by a sniper."
"I can't believe it, you… you, commanding…"
"Please, Elijah."
She made this request to her trusted friend, Elijah, who came rushing over at the sound of gunfire.
Sylph, with a steady gaze…
"Follow me."
That's what she said.
***
"What are you planning to do now?"
"We will flee the country. There, we will ensure the survival of the Sabbatian Federation government."
Thus, the government forces were driven into total retreat.
The remnants of the government forces gathered by Sylph attempted to escape abroad.
"Let's propose joining forces with the Flamer-Aerys Alliance."
"…Is that wise?"
"I'm sure they'll be happy to have additional manpower. Besides, they should gladly accept the opportunity to study Sabbatian military equipment."
And so, she chose to seek protection from the Flamer-Aerys coalition, currently engaged in combat with Austin.
This was likely the least favorable option for Austin.
"It's frustrating, but for now I'll leave the Sabbath in the hands of those bandits. That's the only option we have."
"Sylph-sama…"
"If the people realize that the dreams of that naive woman are mere fantasies, there will be no hope left for the former government forces. We must survive."
Remi Ulyakov's politics quickly revealed their flaws.
While charismatic, she left practical matters entirely to her comrades.
Anticipating this, Sylph "voluntarily surrendered the capital" to awaken the deceived citizens.
"…What about that Aust medic, Touri?"
"Just open the cell door and leave her. There's no way we can take her along when we head to fight Austin."
This was the truth behind the sudden withdrawal of government forces.
Sylph Nova had narrowly seen through and avoided Bern's malice.
However, this incident had created an insurmountable rift between Sylph and myself.
"Touri… It's not true, right?"
Everything really was just a matter of coincidence.
Who was it that forcibly shifted the front line when the government forces were on the verge of defeat at Josegrad?
Who was it that gave advice that prolonged the war when the front line was stalemated in urban warfare?
"You were here because I saw potential in you, because I scouted you, right?"
Such swirling doubts churned within Sylph.
She left Josegrad without saying a word to herself.
"You're not an agent of Bern Valou, right, Touri?"
Later, she received a report from intelligence that I had been brought to Remi Ulyakov's private quarters and had been having a friendly discussion with her.
"…I see."
To her, I might have been her first friend of the same age.
Sylph had approached me frequently under the pretext of chess.
That's why… this "misunderstanding" must have deeply hurt her.
But when you think about it, this was our natural relationship.
She and I should never have met in the first place.
Sylph Nova is my sworn enemy.
She is responsible for burning my hometown, triggering Gomuji to defect to the Sabbath, and causing the sacrifices of Rodri and Senior Allen. Everything was caused by her schemes."
There was no way we could have been friends.
More than anyone else in this world, Sylph is my sworn enemy.
***
Meanwhile, in Austin.
"I see, I see. That's great. I'll reply to Remi with congratulations and friendly sentiments."
On the day when news of Sylph's retreat reached Bern…
He greeted the communications officer with a warm smile and quickly composed a reply with a big grin, praising Remi's great achievement.
He also made a promise to Remi to continue to maintain friendship for a long time to come.
"Indeed, it was a marvelous maneuver."
"It just happened to go too well, that's all."
"As long as you're here, Bern, Austin will be safe for a hundred years."
The news of Remi's successful revolution was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Austin's General Staff Headquarters.
They were now in a position to receive support from the Sabbath without worry.
Truly, this was an ideal situation from Austin's perspective.
"What's wrong? Not drinking anymore?"
"Haha, I'm so happy that the alcohol is hitting me quickly."
"I see, I see. Don't push yourself too hard. You are a treasure to this nation."
Bern, who led the operation, also received acclaim.
His superior, Colonel Henri, continued to praise his skill without reservation.
As for the great hero of Austin, having achieved such a significant victory…
"…Damn it!"
After returning to his room early from the party, he reportedly kicked a chair in frustration.
End of Arc 6