"Rumor has it that you're going to be demoted."
"That's right."
Looking back, it was from this day on that I seriously started to get involved with this man.
Bern Valou is a psychopath who considers himself to be a dark hero.
The worst pleasure killer of this century, born in Austin.
"Major Verdi is cruel too, isn't he? Surviving the civil war in the Sabbath and barely returning with your life, only to be treated like this."
"No, I don't mind."
"There's no need to be so formal. Anyone would be unhappy about it."
"I'm really not bothered."
He walked towards me while I was busy with my hospital duties, saying, "Yes, yes, I understand."
There are some items that must be kept clean, so it would be a problem if people just walked around aimlessly…
"Don't worry. I alone know of your brilliance."
"…"
"Medical Warrant Officer Touri. It's been a while since we last met, but you've become very charming."
He then put his arm around my shoulders and whispered in my ear.
A shiver of disgust ran down my spine and my skin crawled with goosebumps, but I endured it because he's my superior.
"Umm, Major Bern. What is it that you want to tell me?"
"I just want to help you soar."
"I see."
Bern leaned in closer, wrapping his arm around my tense shoulders.
A strange citrusy perfume faintly wafted from him.
"…Oh."
"What's the matter, Warrant Officer Touri?"
It was only then that I realized I was being sexually harassed.
Bern is not the only one who commits this type of sexual harassment against female soldiers.
"So, Major Bern, are you saying you want to help me?"
"Yes."
I think the reason I haven't been sexually harassed until now is because I look younger than my age.
But I turned 17 this year. It's complicated, but the day has finally come when I can be considered an adult woman.
Handling this kind of flirting well is part of becoming a fully-fledged medic.
"Then, Major Bern, could you spray disinfectant around here?"
"Uh…"
I smiled at Bern Valou with a practiced smile.
I handed the disinfectant I had brought with me to him, who was leaning over to me.
"Please spray around there too."
"O-Okay."
He obediently sprayed disinfectant as I instructed.
A patient had just died of sepsis there, so the bed needed to be cleaned to prevent infection.
There were many tasks to do, such as changing sheets, replenishing supplies, and disposing of medical waste.
"Next, put on gloves and fold the sheets. Try not to touch the spots with pus, as they're sources of infection."
"Oh, yes."
Austin's hero helped out with the cleaning in an efficient and timely manner.
As expected of a major, he works fast. I used him without hesitation.
"Let's change the sheets. Hold that end."
"…Alright."
These chores are my job as a low-ranking member. The rank of medical warrant officer doesn't matter.
In the medical department, someone who has the skill and knowledge to treat people is more respected than someone who has achieved a high rank by killing people.
"Umm, how long is this going to last?"
"There are still many things to do. The medical department is busy."
"Can we cut it short and have you listen to what I have to say?"
As I continued working without paying attention to Bern, he finally stopped me.
I thought I could avoid it, but it didn't work out.
"…Hey. Are you really not worried about being demoted?"
"Yes, I'm actually grateful."
"Why? Did Verdi talk you into it?"
It wasn't to thank him for his help, but I faced Bern Varow to talk.
…Just our eyes meeting made me feel disgusted, but I suppressed it so he wouldn't notice.
"I have no desire to be in that kind of position. I don't have the capacity or the skills to be in a leadership position."
"You're lying. Don't you secretly want to fight hard as a frontline commander?"
"No way."
I don't know what information Bern had obtained that led him to approach me.
But my response must have been unexpected considering how surprised he looks.
Did he think I was eager to be on the front lines?
"Sorry, but I think there's a slight discrepancy in the information we have… You're not really interested in what's going on the front lines?"
"If it is an official transfer request, please give it to my superior, Major Verdi. I believe you do not have any authority over personnel decisions regarding me."
"No, no, this isn't an order, but a suggestion. If you're up for it, I'll help you."
"Then, I must respectfully decline."
"…"
I looked Bern Valou in the eye and told him clearly.
I have no desire to serve on the front lines. I must survive and return to Sedol.
"This is quite different from what I heard. Being personally scouted by a major like me, only to be treated so coldly."
"Is that the attitude of someone who came to scout? There are a lot of women who don't like being touched like that."
"Oh, I was just trying to accommodate you because there's a rumor that you like playboys. Is that rumor false?"
"Well, that rumor isn't entirely false."
I see. So that's why he started touching me in a strangely familiar way.
…I wonder how much research this person did before coming here.
"Well, tell me if you change your mind.
"I don't think that will happen."
I just respect Senior Gray. I have no interest in people who are just frivolous.
I glared at Bern with a strong rejection.
I remember well the look of reluctance on Bern's face at that moment.
────I hate seeing people die.
I've experienced so many deaths up until now that I've become a little numb to it.
I hated seeing the bodies of both friends and enemies lying around carelessly on the Western Front.
It was heartbreaking to abandon the seriously injured people in Marshdale who were still breathing.
Just remembering Rodri losing his warmth right before my eyes makes me want to cry.
"I never want to be on the front lines again."
Being an infantryman, constantly facing life and death, was too much for me.
I wasn't suited for the front lines.
"I see."
Bern Varow responded with a bored look on his face
"The Gun Princess of the Battlefield, who shoots the enemy with more fun than anyone else. …I heard that's what they called you in the Sabbath."
"…What?"
"I'd appreciate it if you were a little more honest."
He said that and walked away.
***
"I hear you were scouted by the Southern Army's hero."
"You're well-informed, Mr. Dollman."
Thinking about what Bern was planning at that time is a waste of time.
The bottom line is, he thinks about everything.
He's not the type to hide his intentions behind his words. Instead, he prepares multiple meanings according to his objectives and makes the best choice on the spot.
When he invited me, he wasn't just exploiting my dissatisfaction with my demotion. He had several bargaining chips ready, such as: "If I seduce and take control of her, she'll become obedient," "If she's a battle fanatic, I can prepare an even harsher battlefield," or "I'll help rebuild the orphanage," and used them to recruit me.
My strong rejection made him give up quickly.
"I don't know him well, but he's a creepy guy. You don't often see someone with such cold eyes."
"Cold eyes, huh?"
"Yes. Since ancient times, skilled advisors have had cold eyes."
Having caught the attention of such a villain like Bern, my fate was probably sealed from the start.
That day, he seemed to give up and leave…
But he only gave up on "persuading me." He never gave up on recruiting me.
If only I had stayed trembling behind Aria's back on the day I first met Bern Valou without saying anything unnecessary.
It is often said that "a closed mouth catches no flies."
"You shouldn't let your guard down too much. Especially with someone like that."
"I'll be careful."
"Well, it might simply be that he has a penchant for young girls… Oh, sorry. That was rude."
"I'm aware, so please don't worry."
Moreover, everyone in the medical department saw Bern flirting with me.
People thought he was into young girls for a while, but he didn't seem to care at all.
***
"Did Major Bern come to see you, Touri?"
"Yes. Major Verdi, do you know anything about this?"
I reported the suspicious person to Verdi.
"Hmm, sorry. I have no idea what he's thinking."
"I see."
"I heard rumors that he's been flirting with a young female soldier, but it was you, Touri?"
Verdi was puzzled by Bern Valou's odd behavior.
He genuinely didn't understand why Bern would come to flirt with someone he had no prior acquaintance with.
"What else did Bern say?"
"He said he wanted to help me excel and asked if I would like to transfer to an infantry unit."
"Eh? Is that guy out of his mind?"
However, the opponent is Bern Valou. A hero of Austin and a key player in their victories.
I can't afford to deal with him carelessly, so it's best to leave it to Verdi.
"I don't want to be on the front lines if I can help it. It's embarrassing, but I get so scared that my legs stop working."
"Don't worry, I'll put a stop to it if the time comes."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Verdi must have understood what I was trying to say.
I feel guilty for troubling him with such a trivial matter.
"If you ever have any problems, please don't hesitate to ask me."
"Thank you very much, Major Verdi."
When I thanked him apologetically, Verdi waved his hand as if to say he didn't mind.
He's very dependable.
***
I saluted Major Verdi and exited his tent.
The time was approaching evening, which meant it was about to get busy.
The shift change for the defense troops was about to happen, so a flood of wounded soldiers from the front lines would be arriving soon.
"Ah, Medical Warrant Officer Touri. Fancy meeting you here."
"…Oh."
As I was jogging towards the medical department hoping to get there before it got busy, A man with a strong-willed face that still had a hint of youthfulness about him greeted me with a salute.
"Thank you for your hard work, Sergeant Gavel."
"Ah, yes. Were you just talking to Major Verdi?"
It was Sergeant Gavel, a commander I had fought alongside in the transport unit recently.
"You don't need to be polite with me. I'm being demoted to medical sergeant next month."
"What? Why?"
I informed him of my demotion first.
Starting next month, he would outrank me again. It was important to inform him to avoid any friction.
"Lieutenant Colonel Renvel thought I had died in the line of duty and gave me an unnecessary rank. It's odd for someone who hasn't graduated from the military academy to be an officer, don't you think?"
"I see."
"Now that I've survived, it's only natural to return to my original rank to align with the facts."
"Oh, is that so?"
Upon explaining the situation of my demotion, Sergeant Gavel seemed to understand.
I'm not used to having an elite military academy graduate use honorific language with me, so it was just right.
"It must be Major Verdi's consideration. A rank that does not match one's abilities will only do harm."
"I suppose so."
Sergeant Gavel looked a bit puzzled, but it's true that giving authority to someone unqualified can lead to disastrous outcomes.
A good example would be General Blake of the Sabbatian government army. His reckless demands caused a terrible experience for the soldiers.
…Though Sylph says he's not a bad person.
"Okay then, can I just talk as usual?"
"That's fine. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Oh, there's something I wanted to ask you."
Sergeant Gavel immediately dropped the formal tone and adopted a questioning attitude.
He looks somewhat displeased. Had I done something wrong?
"Well, I heard from Major Verdi that you're quite capable."
"What exactly did he say?"
"I heard that you were the one who proposed the retreat plan during the Battle of the North. Major Verdi just adopted your suggestion."
"Oh, that."
"…Major Verdi praised it wholeheartedly, saying it was a truly brilliant strategy. It's hard to believe it came from a medic."
Sergeant Gavel praised me in a straightforward tone.
…Despite the praise, he looks dissatisfied.
"It appears Major Verdi is rather fond of you. I'm surprised your request for a meeting was approved so easily."
"…Yes, he granted me an appointment promptly when I requested it."
"He's not someone an ordinary medic should be meeting. He's one of the highest authorities in the Austin military."
"I apologize."
"There's no need to apologize. Just be more aware of how fortunate you are."
Sergeant Gavel advised me not to meet Verdi as casually as I had done before.
Indeed, Verdi has been very busy lately. He looked quite haggard, so it might not have been appropriate to consult him for minor issues.
"Yes, thank you for your advice. I will be more careful from now on, Sergeant Gavel."
"If you understand, that's fine. But that's not the main point."
I accepted his advice and resolved to be more mindful.
It would probably be better to consult Verdi via written reports rather than face-to-face meetings.
However, Sergeant Gavel had another reason for talking to me.
"Recently, my transport unit was attacked. You were there during the battle."
"Yes."
"I want to hear the reasoning behind the strategy you proposed back then. I'll document it, so give an honest report."
The main issue was to ask about the basis for my strategy suggestion during the attack.
I see. As the commander, Sergeant Gavel has a duty to report the details of the operation to his superiors.
It was only natural for him to inquire about the strategy from the person who proposed it.
"…As I mentioned, I assumed they were stragglers based on the appearance of the confirmed enemy. Our convoy included weapons and ammunition, so I believed our transport unit's forces could handle the defense in a prepared position."
"That's only in hindsight. What would we have done if the enemy's strength had been greater than anticipated?"
"Well… You're right. It was a risky move, and I reflect on that."
────I had a gut feeling that it wouldn't turn out that way.
But mentioning such an uncertain basis would surely get me scolded.
Let's just apologize sincerely.
"Well, that's fine. There is no such thing as a risk-free battle. I'll record what you just said in the report as is. Is that okay?"
"No, that's perfectly fine."
"Thank you for your cooperation."
Sergeant Gavel took notes while listening to my words.
…I wonder if I'll get in trouble for this.
"Don't worry, you won't be criticized. The merits and criticisms of a battle fall on the unit's commander."
"Y-Yes."
"Even if your risky proposal turns out to be a failure, it's still my responsibly for adopting it. I only took the time today to add some supplementary information to the report."
Noticing my slightly anxious expression, Sergeant Gavel reassured me with a snort.
"However, you might get praised for the strategy."
"Why is that?"
"Major Verdi often praises you in front of me. He says he has survived many times by trusting in you, calling you the 'Lucky Carry' who brings fortune."
"That strange nickname is still around?"
"If anything, it became a legend after you were presumed dead. They say you were a noble girl who sacrificed herself for the country."
…Well, it certainly does sound like a story that could easily be turned into propaganda.
If that's the case, I should avoid getting too close to the infantry lines.
Last year, I was often treated like a revered statue, with people praying to or touching me.
"A legend…"
"Yeah. Talking about things like that really boosts morale."
Some strange religion might pop up if word spreads that I survived.
People might believe in the "Lucky Carry" who brings fortune.
"Umm, I'd appreciate it if you could avoid spreading news of my survival if possible."
"It's already become a rumor in some circles."
I asked Sergeant Gavel to help stop the rumor from spreading.
It would be troublesome if my work got interrupted.
"By the way, Touri, the main thing I wanted to ask you is this."
"…Yes, what is it?"
But Sergeant Gavel appeared uninterested in my good fortune.
He just wanted to get to the main point.
"Do you have any tips on how to assess the battlefield situation?"
"T-Tips? I think it's somewhat intuitive for me."
"What do you mean by intuitive?"
"Even if you ask…"
He wanted to know the basis for my strategic suggestions.
I remember that at that time, I suggested intercepting because I intuitively thought it would work.
"Sorry, I can't explain it well."
"I see. Hmph."
I'd love to explain if I could.
People would probably question my sanity if I were to say that I was listening to a voice within me.
According to Mr. Gorski, it's my second personality adapted to the battlefield… I better keep that to myself.
"Why ask me such a thing? Surely there are many more capable people in the military who could teach you rather than someone uneducated in such things like me."
"…Yes, you're right. You're just a normal person who didn't even graduate from a military academy."
"Exactly."
I have never taken any courses or received any training in operational planning.
Sergeant Gavel should seek such skills from more experienced commanders.
When I suggested this, he frowned.
"I don't like that an ordinary recruit like you has more trust from Major Verdi than I do."
"Eh…?"
"It's unfair. Please teach me that intuition of yours."
He admitted honestly.
"…Um, it's like a feeling that it's not safe to proceed further."
"I don't get it."
Since there was nothing I could do after hearing that, I decided to give a lecture on how to use intuition.
…As I explained, it sounded more like some dubious cult belief.
"It's like your whole body feels on edge. You push to the brink but stop before it's too late."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Neither do I."
It might be partly due to my inability to explain it logically, but I also think it may simply be because my presentation skills are poor.
I've never been good at speaking in front of people.
"…Enough"
"I'm sorry I couldn't be of much help."
In the end, I spent about 30 minutes explaining it to him, but Sergeant Gavel still looked puzzled.
I decided to practice not only smiling but also my communication skills.
"I will one day become Major Verdi's right-hand man. I won't lose to you."
"Alright…"
"I'm not going to hand Major Verdi over to you."
Sergeant Gavel declared war on me and then left.
I've heard that there are many people like Mr. Gorski in the military… I wonder if it's like that.