"I never thought I'd see you again…"
Verdi stared at me with an emotionless expression.
He then bit his lip, and with a pained expression, a single tear fell from his eye.
Sergeant Gavel's eyes widened at Verdi's attitude.
"It's been a while, Verdi. I heard you've been promoted to Major."
"Yeah, I've just become more and more important."
Verdi looked very haggard when I met him after a year.
His cheeks are sunken, and he has dark circles under his eyes.
He must have been through a lot of hardship.
"Touri, You look like you've grown a little bit."
"Is that true, Verdi?"
"Your height doesn't seem to have changed, but your presence has matured."
"…Has my height really not changed?"
He chuckled at my response, finally wiping away his tears and returning to his usual calm expression.
He then invited me to enter the tent. I guess I was recognized as the person in question.
"Sergeant Gavel, please wait outside for a moment. I want to speak with her alone."
"Y-Yes. Understood."
After bowing to Sergeant Gavel, I stepped into the tent.
***
Verdi's tent was about 7 to 8 tatami mats in size and was furnished with a desk and bed.
As expected of a Major.
However, the tent had support beams that made it feel somewhat smaller than it actually was.
"First of all, let's celebrate your survival, Touri. I never thought you'd still be alive."
"I didn't think I would survive either."
Verdi quickly poured me some tea.
I gave my thanks and took a sip, and a sweet, delicious taste spread across my mouth.
"I was able to confirm the remains of Allen and the others, but only you and Private Rodri were missing. Could it be that he is also…"
"No. Rodri has passed away."
"I see."
Senior Allen's body had been confirmed.
I had hoped he might still be alive, but… it's still sad.
"Then how is it that you're alive? And where have you been and what have you been doing up until now?"
"Yes, I will explain."
Verdi asked me with a serious look on his face.
It looks like my information hasn't reached him.
"I was at the Sabbath until recently."
"The Sabbath?!"
"Yes. After the Battle of the North, I threw myself into the river and washed up in the Sabbath."
"So Touri, did you happen to be in last year's…"
Remi said she had informed the Austin military of my survival.
Could there have been a mix-up?
"Yes, I participated in the Sabbatian Revolution last year."
"…Please tell me more about it."
Let's start from the beginning and explain everything.
***
I explained in detail the events of last year.
My life was saved by Gomuji and I spent about six months in Othello Village.
After Othello was attacked, I was protected by the remnants of the Sabbatian government forces and lived in a refugee camp.
In the winter, I participated in the Battle of Josegrad as a soldier on the government side.
"I see… You've been through quite an ordeal."
Verdi listened to my report, nodding along.
He frowned a little when he heard that I had joined the Sabbatian Army, but he didn't say anything and listened to me until the end.
"I understand. So that's why you couldn't return to Austin until the alliance was established."
"Yes. As soon as it became possible for me to return home, I immediately contacted the Austin government through the Worker's Council."
"…It was probably planned that the government would contact us after verifying your military records. Since you arrived at the front lines without going through Winn, the information likely got stuck."
"Oh, I see. It was my mistake. I'm sorry."
"It's alright; it couldn't be helped."
Come to think of it, the officials told me to go to Winn first.
If I had done as they said, I'm sure Verdi would have been contacted, and I would have been safely sent to the front lines.
"Well then, let's proceed. Touri, I'll approve your return to the military. Please help out with the medical department for a while."
"Yes, understood. Major Verdi."
"I'll have Sergeant Gavel guide you to the medical department. …Please wait a moment while I prepare some documents."
"Understood."
Thus, my return to the Austin military was approved.
I would be assigned to the medical department, most likely back under Sergeant Dollman.
"Things are about to get busy. Your return will surely be welcomed."
"…Does that mean many enemies will be attacking soon?"
"No, Austin is planning a major offensive soon."
Verdi told me this while preparing the documents.
…A large-scale offensive? Isn't that a military secret?
"Is it alright for me to hear this?"
"Yes, it's been announced to the entire military. The specific date is confidential, but we're planning an imminent offensive on the enemy's mining regions."
"…Isn't it risky to spread such operational details?"
"We deliberately leaked this information. Further details are classified, so please understand."
"Oh, I see. Understood."
So it's a form of information warfare. It'd be best not to inquire further.
"By the way, the mining regions? That's not within Austin territory, is it?"
"No, it's enemy territory. Fortunately, Austin has regained most of its lost territory and is currently invading enemy lands."
"Really?"
Austin's in a favorable position according to Verdi.
Even though our forces are supposed to be smaller, how are we gaining the upper hand?
Did that monster Bern do something again?
"Well, it's probably simply a difference in technical superiority."
"Technological superiority?"
"Yes, even when it comes to rifles. Our guns have no comparison with the enemy in terms of ammunition capacity, range, and precision. Apparently, a new OST-4 rifle will be undergoing test operation soon."
"I see."
"Also, new weapons that you might not know about are continually being deployed. We hold a significant technological advantage over the enemy."
The firearm technology of Flamel-Aerys Alliance is only slightly ahead of what Austin had at the start of the East-West War.
On the other hand, we have a decade of experience competing with the Sabbath in technology.
There is no way that gap in technological ability can be closed in just a year or so.
"So, does that mean we have the advantage for the time being?"
"Yes, probably."
I felt a little relieved when I heard that.
There's a lower chance of being caught up in a life-threatening situation.
"Well then, the documents are ready. Please give these to Medical Sergeant Dollman in the medical department."
"Understood."
"The war should end within a year or so. Please lend us your strength for a little while longer."
"Yes. I will give it my all."
Verdi also thinks that the war will not last too long.
In fact, about six months ago, a decisive battle took place, the "Defense of Winn," and ended with Austin's victory.
That victory delivered a heavy blow to the Flamer Army, and the outcome of the war is almost decided.
The current situation is like a victory lap. It's the final push to end the war under the best possible conditions.
Hearing this, I was happy that I might be able to meet Sedol again sooner than I thought.
"Will I be able to leave the military once peace is established?"
"Peace, huh? You can leave the military once the war is over, but… I think it would be more advantageous for you to stay."
"Well, I'm not good with conflicts."
"Hmm, I guess there's no other way then."
I will return to you as a simple healer once this war is over.
While helping out in Anita's clinic, I will spend the rest of my life as a civilian in the Sabbatian Special Economic Zone.
If I have the means, I would like to start activities to support war orphans.
As I envisioned such a happy future…
"It's likely that the end of the war won't come through peace negotiations. We will likely end the war by occupying Flamer's capital."
"Really? Is the Alliance that stubborn?"
"Rather than saying the alliance side is stubborn…"
Verdi had a subtle look on his face as if he was correcting a student's mistake.
"We are adamant that we have no intention of accepting peace. For the past few months, we have been receiving ceasefire requests from them almost every day."
After saying that, Verdi gave me a troubled smile.
***
"What does that mean?"
"It means exactly what it says."
At that moment, I was greatly misunderstanding the situation.
What is Austin thinking?
Where do they intend to take the resolution of this war?
"…Are you planning to take control of the entire country of Flamel?"
"Attacking an entire country would be inefficient. We will only take the major cities."
The people of this world are still unaware of global wars.
They probably never imagined that post-war grievances and reparations would become the seeds for new conflicts.
That's why they can only choose what's "optimal" at each moment.
"Civilians will suffer tremendous harm if you do that. Austin's bad reputation will spread across the world…"
"The Alliance started this. Therefore, the blame will be directed at the enemy."
As a result of discussions among Austin's top government officials and military leaders, the adopted "endgame" was to continue attacking until the country of Flamel was destroyed.
Even though Austin's victory was already certain, they continued their invasion without caring about the damage to civilians.
No. On the contrary, we were trying to continue the war by "targeting civilians."
"It's okay. Justice is on our side."
…However, this might have been somewhat inevitable.
At that time, Austin had been oppressed by neighboring countries.
Austin, which could no longer trust its neighbors, believed that diplomacy could only be established on the foundation of national power rather than mere words.
"We are in a position to openly annihilate the enemy's people."
The conclusion drawn by the Austin government and military was victory through massacre.
***
"W-Why won't we conduct peace negotiations?"
The kind Verdi I knew was now discussing things as if they were obvious.
He asserted that continuing the massacre of civilians was the right thing to do.
"If we make peace now, the soldiers of Austin will be protected, and the civilians of Flamel will be spared from death."
"…Touri's kindness would be a great virtue in normal times."
Hearing this, I felt dizzy and nearly collapsed.
The war could end. If Austin's leaders or military decided to, it could end at any time.
But right now, this battle was being continued because "Austin wanted to."
"You asked earlier why we're able to fight so effectively."
"Y-Yes."
"It's because we have a significant technological advantage."
Austin had no intention of stopping the war.
Until the day Flamel was completely destroyed, they would continue to wield their weapons.
The reason for this conclusion was:
"What do you think would happen if we declared a ceasefire and gave the enemy time to research our technology?"
"Ah…"
It was because there was no other way for Austin to survive.
"We are far inferior to Flamel in terms of military strength. Our production capacity and resources are also at a huge disadvantage."
"…"
"We will be throwing away the only advantage we have if we stop the war now."
This was the only time Austin could gain the upper hand against Flamel.
Flamel is a great power with a large population and fertile land.
Austin has no chance of winning if the war drags on.
"If we sign a treaty to ensure neither side will invade each other again…"
"Will they really keep their promise? Even if their technology catches up and they equip themselves to defeat us, will they still adhere to a non-aggression pact?"
"…"
The government leaders could not trust the ceasefire terms proposed by the alliance.
To them, any proposal from the Flamer-Aerys Alliance to stop fighting or establish a non-aggression treaty after being in a disadvantaged position sounded like nonsense.
So how can Austin survive?
"Flamel's population needs to be reduced. They need to become such a miserable and poor country that they can't beat us even if their technology catches up."
Thus, Austin continued the war.
While still technologically superior, they aimed to turn Flamel into a colony, extracting resources to rebuild Austin's homeland.
This was the conclusion reached by the current Austin government.
"You will earn the hatred of the people of Flamel."
"Yes, we will."
"It will surely become the seeds of a new war."
"That will likely happen."
It was, in fact, an extremely rational way of thinking.
"Therefore, the ideal outcome of this operation would be to eliminate every last Flamer citizen."
But it is an exceedingly foolish conclusion.
***
At the time of the outbreak of war with the Flamer-Aerys Alliance, the enemy's total forces were said to number around 200,000.
This force was more than five times the remaining Austin military's strength, and the Alliance was confident of victory.
However, when the war began, Austin's forces quickly gained the upper hand.
The Alliance had only been successful before the main Austin forces arrived.
Once the battle-hardened Austin troops reached the battlefield, their technological superiority and training overwhelmed the enemy.
"Touri, just keep focusing on saving the injured soldiers in front of you without thinking about anything else."
"…Yes, understood."
"We will handle the dirty work… Don't worry, I definitely won't put you in such a dire situation again."
Verdi said this to me when he saw my pale face.
He knew about the time when my hometown, Noel, was burned, and I had lost control.
Verdi was showing concern because he knew I was still affected by it.
"…I'm really happy to have reunited with you, Touri."
"Yes, I'm also honored to meet you again, Verdi."
"Thank you… Sergeant Gavel, please come in."
Somehow, I managed to swallow all kinds of various words.
I saluted Verdi, trying not to think about the Flamer people who were about to be massacred.
"Sergeant Gavel, entering."
"Very well. Please escort Medical Warrant Officer Touri to the medical department now."
"Yes, understood."
… I came to this war to fight.
I am standing here to kill people.
Nothing will happen even if one person makes a fuss about stopping the war.
"I will send a message to you later. There are various procedures that need to be completed before you can return to the military, so please prepare the necessary paperwork as soon as possible, Warrant Officer Touri."
"Yes."
As expected, this war will leave behind a lasting legacy of resentment. Future generations will criticize why such a massacre occurred.
However, at that time, Austin's culture was too immature to settle disputes through negotiation.
This is a civilization at a level where if a neighboring country is weak, it is "normal" to launch an aggressive war in order to enrich one's own country, and settlement through negotiation is not possible.
So, perhaps it was a mistake on my part and the Austin government's approach was correct.
"Well then, Warrant Officer Touri, that will be all."
"Understood."
So now we have no choice but to kill civilians.
Civilians are human. Humans become soldiers.
Thus, the idea was to kill them before they could become soldiers.
"…By the way, Medical Warrant Officer?"
"When your death was confirmed, my uncle said, 'Let's have a good rank engraved on her tombstone,' so an absurd promotion was given…"
"…"
I heard that the gravestones of soldiers who were sergeants and above were a little more luxurious.
Lieutenant Colonel Renvel, who cared about me, kindly promoted me to the rank of warrant officer.
"…I plan to adjust the rank later to something appropriate."
"I see…"
There is no culture of being promoted two ranks in this world, but achievements are recognized even posthumously.
My achievements, such as: "proposing retreat plans near Noel Village," "suggesting the retreat route during the Battle of the North," and "volunteering for a decoy unit with no regard for my life," were greatly embellished, resulting in my current rank.
"There is a gravestone for you in Dokupori Village on the outskirts of the city. There is also a grave for Sergeant Rodri next to it, so why don't you go and pay your respects there sometime?"
"…Yes, thank you."
Later, when I went to visit my grave, it had a somewhat sparkling design.
Verdi is for sure not seeing the pearly gates.