In a sunny forest.
The soldiers of Gavel Transport Company, their shiny new guns strapped to their backs, ran toward the sound of gunfire, not even trying to hide their anxiety.
"Commander Gavel, headquarters is not responding no matter how many times we try to communicate."
"…Understood. Everyone, prepare for combat. Scouts, proceed ahead and report the situation."
The sounds of gunfire and screams grew louder as we approached headquarters.
Judging that the enemy was close, Sergeant Gavel halted his troops and let the scouts go ahead.
"Quite cautious, aren't we?"
"There's fighting in the forest about 1 kilometer ahead. Our Austin Headquarters appears to be abandoned."
"I get it… Has the enemy broken through our front lines? What's going on?"
We continued to move forward, little by little.
The Gavel Transport Company was about a hundred strong, not a number capable of serious combat.
Sergeant Gavel continued to give instructions to his subordinates with fear and urgency on his face.
"Report: We've confirmed that the trenches at the front lines have been seized and breached."
"…What? I didn't think they had the capability to break through our trenches."
"Well…"
After about 30 minutes, one of the scouts returned with an update on the front lines.
How did the enemy manage to break through the front line, which was covered in gas?
The method was:
"Strangely, several straight, yellow-green smoke streams were coming from the mines into the trenches."
"…Right, a wind gun!"
The wind guns, a standard issue weapon for infantry.
Chemical weapons have more weaknesses than we thought.
Firstly, gas attacks cannot be used unless the wind is favorable.
Thus, the attack location is easily anticipated.
Furthermore, gas attacks are slower than attacking with firearms.
With the conspicuous yellow-green smoke, it's impossible to miss the attack.
So, it's easy to evacuate to higher ground when the gas attack begins.
In fact, the Flamer soldiers panicked and retreated to the top of the mountain, so there were very few casualties.
Austin's biggest mistake was using gas on the enemies camped out on the mountain.
And that's not the only problem.
Unlike in my previous life, there was a fatal weakness in gas attacks in this world.
It was a magical tool known as the "Wind Gun," a weapon used to shoot down grenades.
A wind gun does not have any lethal power. It's classified as a defensive weapon that simply blows a gust of wind.
However, under a gas attack, this equipment demonstrated tremendous power.
It could reverse the flow of highly lethal poison gas back towards the enemy.
It was truly a clear-cut answer to gas attacks.
Of course, Austin wasn't completely unprepared for the possibility of encountering wind guns.
Although this weapon has not yet been developed by Flamer or Aerys, they were anticipating the possibility of it being smuggled in by bandits from Austin or the Sabbath.
Indeed, Verdi remained calm even when facing a counterattack with wind guns and instructed, "shoot back gas in the same way as the enemy."
We also have a wind gun. What's more, we are upwind.
Gas masks were also provided to our troops, so we would have an advantage even in a firefight.
So while Verdi was surprised that the enemy had wind guns, he didn't perceive it as a significant threat.
The problem was that it was exactly as Sylph Nova had anticipated.
"Major Verdi, the enemy has used the smoke to launch an assault and has seized the trenches!"
"What?!"
Sylph's intention in countering with gas was merely to obscure vision and divert attention.
Her real plan was to launch an assault under the cover of smoke.
"There are explosions everywhere!"
"Grenades! Grenades are being thrown!"
Wearing gas masks severely impairs visibility.
Furthermore, the use of wind guns to shoot back the gas kicked up dust, making visibility even worse.
In such conditions, it was impossible to effectively handle grenades falling from above.
"Now! Thanks to the wind guns, the gas concentration is thinning. Kill the enemies in the trenches and seize their masks!"
"Understood."
"The enemy's visibility is poor. There's no better time to charge than now!"
The Sabbatian soldiers stationed on higher ground had identified the locations of the Austin trenches.
Meanwhile, Austin's poor visibility means they are unable to accurately determine the location of Sylph's unit.
As a result, Austin soldiers on the front lines suffered significant damage from the grenades.
"Overrun them! Victory is within our grasp!"
Sylph seized masks from the corpses of Austin soldiers and broke through the trenches.
Unfortunately, Verdi, fearing secondary damage from the gas, had ordered, "Execute the gas operation with as few troops as possible."
With such a small force, they couldn't stop the Sabbatian forces' assault and allowed them to break through to the rear headquarters.
***
It was an incredibly effective and lightning-fast assault.
Verdi apparently did not foresee such a scenario and did not even realize they had been ambushed until the nearby gunfire erupted.
The sharpness of this strategy was undoubtedly due to her… Sylph Nova's command.
"Sergeant Gavel, I have confirmed the state of the headquarters… It's devastated. There's not a single person left."
"…What about Major Verdi?!"
"I don't know."
By the time we arrived at the headquarters, many of our comrades' bodies were scattered around.
This meant that Central Command had been routed by the enemy.
"Are there any signs of the enemy around Major Verdi's tent?"
"As far as I can see, I can't confirm that."
"In that case, I'll just go and check on the Major's tent…. Information on whether he's dead or alive is more important than anything!"
Sergeant Gavel was frantic and ran into Verdi's tent without paying any attention to his surroundings after seeing the destroyed headquarters.
We followed him and entered the tent as well.
The tent where Verdi and I once had tea was now covered in bloodstains and the smell of iron.
"Major Verdi! Is Major Verdi here?"
"…Not here."
There was no sign of Verdi's body inside the tent.
"Perhaps he fled?"
"I see. That's fine then."
The desk has been overturned and documents are scattered everywhere, but Verdi is nowhere to be seen.
All that was there was a single flag set up haphazardly inside the tent.
"Is this the Sabbatian flag?"
"So there are Sabbatians among the enemies?"
"Geez, what a terrible thing to do."
It was at this point we realized that the enemy was not from Flamel but from the Sabbath.
This was evident because similar Sabbatian flags were planted all over the headquarters.
Planting one's national flag on the battlefield was once a common sight on the battlefield.
This was because it was the most recognizable symbol for claiming this place as their country's territory.
However, with the advent of firearms and trench warfare, planting flags became less common.
It was considered a waste of resources as reclaimed territory was often retaken quickly.
But this display had significant meaning for Sylph and her forces who had lost their base.
She needed to show the people that "the old government forces of the Sabbath have not perished."
Additionally, the deterioration of the relationship between the current Sabbath and Austin was also a significant benefit to Sylph.
Thus, Sylph went to the trouble of planting the flag at the headquarters to proudly display the presence of the Sabbatian army to the world.
It was one of her ways of "struggling."
"…Enough. We have no business here. Let's retreat."
"Where are we retreating to?"
"The Southern Army Headquarters. If Major Verdi has fled, he'll probably go there."
However, the former Sabbatian soldiers were not satisfied with just planting flags on the ground.
They must have become accustomed to atrocities from their experiences at Josegrad and the capital invasion.
They had deliberately desecrated the bodies of the Austin soldiers, piercing their throats and thrusting flags into their faces.
With agonized expressions. Streaming blood tears.
The soldiers used as "stands" for the flags had quietly passed away.
The brutality made Sergeant Gavel turn his face away in disgust.
"Hey, Medical Sergeant Touri. Are you listening?"
"…"
"Let's retreat. There's no reason for us to be here anymore."
I suddenly remembered the exchange I had with her this morning.
Lenalee was a very observant girl.
Seeing me busy after the offensive began, she had kindly offered to deliver documents to Verdi on my behalf.
"…"
"Hey?"
So, it should have been me in that situation.
What if, instead of taking advantage of Lenalee's kindness because I was busy, I had gone to Verdi myself to submit the documents?
"Eh…?"
"Hey, come on."
Oh. I didn't want to believe it.
I looked at the body over and over again, hoping it wasn't true.
I saw the face of the girl with the flag planted in it.
"Why is Lenalee here…?"
There lay my very precious sister-in-law.
Her eyes were wide open. Her pupils were grotesquely dilated.
She was found dead, the Sabbatian flag coming out of her mouth, impaled.
"This girl, could it be the one who bothered us the other day…"
"…"
"…Hey, Maeve, carry Touri on your shoulders. She probably won't be of any use for a while."
The dizziness overwhelmed me, robbing me of all sensations from my body.
Nausea surged so strongly that standing became difficult.
"Touri is probably acquainted with this poor comrade."
"Tch, can't be helped. I'll take care of it. I'll make sure to carry her properly."
As I was stunned by the shock, someone picked me up.
I was carried out of the tent without even being able to take the flag out of Lenalee.
"Alright, everyone's here. We will now retreat towards the Southern Army Headquarters."
"Understood."
"Don't engage in unnecessary fighting. Scouts, stay on close alert."
Was this my fault?
Was it my fault that Lenalee had to suffer like that?
"Ah, ha…"
For a while, I kept crying and drooling with my mouth wide open.
The large man carrying me must have felt the cold droplets on his shoulder, but he didn't say a word.
"Alright, let's move out. Everyone, act calmly."
I cursed my own pathetic state as I was carried on his shoulders.
This is a battlefield. Even though we are about to make a desperate retreat, I'm the only one being carried.
I was unable to protect my precious sister-in-law and continued to cause trouble to everyone.
"There are sounds of combat at 10 o'clock. Should we detour, Commander?"
"Ah, a detour."
Why did the Sabbatian soldiers do such a thing?
Why did Lenalee have to be killed?
These questions swirled in my mind, and I couldn't think about anything else.
"Avoid combat as much as possible. Our mission now is to join up with the main Austin forces safely."
"Understood."
─────No, that's not right.
At that moment, a cold, ruthless voice echoed in my head.
My mind suddenly became clear, and I felt as though something had clicked into place.
"…I apologize for the trouble. I'm fine now, so please put me down."
"Huh?"
Even though the tears continued to flow, I abruptly regained my composure.
A sensation like ice spread through my insides, calming me down.
…No, that's not quite right. According to Mr. Gorski's theory, I might just be "insane."
"Sergeant Gavel. There was reportedly fighting noise at the 10 o'clock direction."
"…Hey. Are you okay now?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
My previously shaky breathing transformed into calm exhalations.
My thought processes which was as clear as if I had just woken up returned to me, and I was able to look around the battlefield with ease.
It was as if I were playing a game in a tournament.
"I have a proposal regarding our course of action, Sergeant Gavel."
"…Huh?"
"How about we head towards the enemy and join the battle?"
With thoughts as clear as a gentle breeze, I made this suggestion to Sergeant Gavel.
My inner "intuition" and the "sense" guiding me both said that this was the right course of action.
"Hey, we only have 100 men! We don't even know the enemy's numbers, and you're suggesting combat without permission—"
"But isn't it a waste? We've managed to get the drop on them…"
In the current situation, there is no reason not to join the fight.
We are in a position to ambush the enemy from behind just by moving straight ahead.
"The enemy likely used wind guns to launch a surprise attack on Headquarters, correct?"
"Well, given the situation, that's highly probable."
"If that's the case, do you think the enemy will return the way they came through the gas-filled path?"
Furthermore, leaving the enemy alone wasn't strategically sound.
This is because it is likely that the enemy will take advantage of the fact that they have infiltrated Austin's position and launch even more vicious attacks.
"They are probably still aiming to attack our positions. They will want to secure their own escape route."
At this point, I was convinced that the enemy was "Sylph Nova."
For her, even if there is risk, it was worth considering even unconventional strategies if the potential rewards were high.
Such an extraordinary commander, who combines wild strategies with meticulous planning.
Other than Sylph, I don't know of any other commanders like that.
"With the headquarters destroyed, orders can't reach the front lines. The soldiers on the front lines can't escape. The enemy will annihilate as many positions as they please as if they were enjoying a buffet."
"…"
"We are the only ones who can save them. …Isn't it our mission to threaten their rear and assist our comrades?"
There would be catastrophic damage if we left Sylph alone.
She's an undeniable genius and Austin's nemesis.
"Please make a decision, Sergeant Gavel. Will you be so selfish as to prioritize your own safety and watch many of our comrades die?"
"But…"
"As someone who aspires to be like Major Verdi, will you really choose such a course of action?"
My voice trembled as I made this proposal to Sergeant Gavel.
However, it was not out of fear.
After all, I was irrationally convinced that this plan would "work."
"It's too dangerous. Where's the guarantee that it will work out?"
"Whether it works or not depends on your command. Make your decision."
Ah, the tears are flowing and won't stop.
Seeing Lenalee's cruel end makes me want to scream and cry out immediately.
Yet, my mouth corners slowly curled upwards.
"It's impossible! I'm sorry, but I only command a transport unit, not an actual combat─"
"Then I have another proposal. It is currently 11:14 a.m.. I am still a medical warrant officer…"
"You…"
"Certainly, there are many concerns given the Sergeant's limited combat experience."
Sergeant Gavel still seems unsure.
He doesn't look confident in commanding in actual combat.
"Please entrust me with the command."
"Touri, you!"
"Let me show you why I'm called the 'Lucky Carry.'"
It is not uncommon for a veteran soldier to take command over of an officer who has just graduated from military academy.
I smiled as I said this to reassure the pale-faced Sergeant Gavel.