At that time, we were the only unit capable of launching a surprise attack on the Sabbatian Army from behind.
The Gavel Transport Company was simply "on standby because there happened to be a wounded soldier" and were supposed to have already departed for the capital, Winn.
Their position was only about 2–3 kilometers north of the front lines, a place of no strategic significance. It was unimaginable that there would be any ambush in such a location.
From the perspective of the Sabbatian commander, Sylph Nova, she must have wanted to shout, "Why is there a company in such a place!"
"I understand you're upset because your friend was killed, but it's reckless, Touri."
"I'm calm… Although I should be more upset than I really am."
Indeed, at that time, I was angry.
Seeing Lenalee's pitiful state, my heart was filled with murderous intent towards the Sabbatian soldiers.
But more than that…
"…No matter how you look at it, you're not in your right mind. Calm down. Your friend won't come back even if we surprise attack the Sabbatian soldiers here.
"I know that. I didn't make this proposal with the intention of getting revenge."
"Then why?"
"I did it to reduce damage to our allies even a little."
I couldn't help but feel delighted.
"Do I look like I'm making this proposal out of despair and anger?"
"No…"
In this battlefield, with the overwhelmingly advantageous position of being able to ambush the enemy from behind…
"You look genuinely thrilled…"
"Yeah."
I felt the same excitement as when I successfully flank my enemy in an FPS game.
"As a soldier, I'm just incredibly happy to be able to help my allies."
***
"I'll give the order to retreat immediately if I think it's too reckless."
"Yes, I understand."
Thus, I explained the usefulness of the ambush to Sergeant Gavel.
I methodically explained that this was a battle we could win and, more importantly, that it would be in Verdi's best interest.
"Don't worry, even though I look like this, I have a fair amount of experience."
"You're a medic, right?"
"Well, I was often assigned to assault units."
Though, this is my first time giving orders as a commander.
I had only played the role of a commander as an aide to Mr. Gorski before.
"I know their tactics better than anyone here."
"…I trust you."
After much persuasion, I was able to temporarily take over command from Sergeant Gavel.
***
This was the first battle where I led an infantry unit as a commander.
"Sergeant Gavel, are you really going to entrust command to this girl?"
"Are you dissatisfied with something, Quartermaster Maeve?"
"Ah, no. I won't disobey you, Warrant Officer."
My subordinates looked quite uneasy when I received command.
They probably wondered if it was safe to follow someone as young as me.
"Eek."
"Is there a problem?"
However, they didn't have the courage to complain to a warrant officer face to face.
With just one glare, even the disgruntled soldiers turned pale and started listening to what I said.
For now, I should be grateful for this useless rank.
"So there are three squads. I'll give instructions to each of them as Squad A, Squad B, and Squad C."
"U-Understood, Acting Commander Touri."
The Gavel Transport Company was a 100-man company, consisting of 30 quartermasters and 70 guards.
The guards were divided into three squads and, although many were new recruits, they were well-trained.
"Squad A, follow me. Squad B, flank around and spread out to the 3 o'clock position. Squad C, move to the 9 o'clock position and encircle the enemy."
"We're already few in number, and you want us to split up?"
"Yes. In fact, there's no benefit to staying together."
Although it was my first time commanding properly, I gave instructions without any hesitation.
…As smoothly as if I were communicating a strategy to team members in a game.
"…I'll trust the words of the Lucky Carry."
"Thank you. Sergeant Gavel, may I entrust you with the command of Squad C?"
"Understood."
Sergeant Gavel looked at me with appraising eyes.
He probably entrusted me with command because he knew of my past "anecdotes."
Let's do our best to achieve good results and live up to those expectations.
"Then, we will begin the ambush."
"Ah, yeah."
With several dozen allies at my back…
I quietly rushed towards the direction of the Sabbatian Army, where gunfire echoed.
***
As we got closer, we realized the enemy was fewer in number than we thought.
They had built a campfire and were resting in a flat area of the forest surrounding the mine.
Some of the soldiers were sleeping or drinking.
"Squad B is in position."
"Alright, what about Squad C?"
There were about 100 enemies, about half of whom were lying down with bandages wrapped around them.
They were probably wounded soldiers ordered to stay back because they couldn't fight anymore.
They are an easy opponent. Ideally, I'd like to annihilate them without letting a single one escape.
"Squad C should be in position soon."
"Got it. Then please prepare the signal flag."
We approached unnoticed, hiding in the forest and surrounding them with three units.
Encircling them in a triangular formation is a powerful tactic, as it avoids friendly fire and has almost no blind spots.
"Both squads are ready."
"Then please give me the signal."
"Understood."
We want to kill our opponents with certainty.
We placed messengers between the squads and operations were carried out while coordinating with each other using hand flag signals.
Combination between units is more important than anything else in actual combat.
"…Squad B and C have begun firing on signal."
"The enemy is panicking."
I had Squad B and Squad C attack from two directions first.
The enemy soldiers were suddenly caught in a pincer attack in a narrow forest area with poor visibility, and they fell into complete confusion.
From the Sabbath's perspective, it must be baffling why the enemy is here.
"Things are going well. Now, Squad A."
Confirming the confusion among the Sabbatian soldiers, I quietly signaled the soldiers behind me.
We are the most important unit in this battle.
"We will now commence our operation. Charge."
Yes, the assault unit.
There is a limit to the damage that can be inflicted in a long-range firefight.
Given the time, we could wipe them all out, but this is a situation where we don't know when reinforcements will arrive.
To wipe them out quickly and smoothly, an assault is necessary.
"No battle cries. Let's close the distance quietly and smoothly."
This was the three-step ambush tactic I excelled at in my previous life.
An ordinary person can only focus on two moving objects at a time.
The brain can't keep up when it becomes three or more, and attention becomes scattered.
"We're almost within firing range. Aim carefully; they haven't noticed us yet."
We hid among the trees, closing in to about 10–20 meters behind the Sabbatian soldiers.
The initial pincer attack from the first two directions was just a diversion.
The goal was to keep them from noticing my assault unit.
"Now! Fire!"
"Understood!"
After instructing my subordinates to aim carefully…
We fired simultaneously, turning many Sabbath soldiers into lumps of flesh.
"Did any soldiers escape?"
"No, there weren't any as far as I can tell. I think they were all wiped out."
The enemies we fought were wounded soldiers who had withdrawn from the front lines.
They were unable to move or retreat and fell before our guns.
"Are there any pretending to be dead?"
"It seems clear. We've confirmed 91 bodies."
"Please collect the Sabbath rifles as well in case we run out of ammunition."
I gave these orders and took the Sabbatian rifle from a corpse and put it on my back.
I was fortunate to obtain an undamaged Sabbatian rifle, as I found them easier to handle.
I'm also used to them, and their range is slightly longer than the Austin guns.
"Report the reconnaissance situation around us."
"Gunfire was heard 5 kilometers ahead in the 1 o'clock direction. It seems a battle is occurring."
"Understood. Let's head that way then."
The scout pinpointed the enemy's location while we were scavenging the Sabbatian soldiers' supplies.
As expected, the Sabbatian soldiers are attacking the Austin trenches from behind.
"Haven't we achieved enough already? We've annihilated the enemy's rear unit."
"No, not yet."
Sergeant Gavel gently suggested we stop, but…
We haven't done anything yet. In fact, the real battle starts now.
"We need to go to the front lines to pressure the enemy."
Besides, it would be a waste to retreat now.
I have to keep going until I find myself in a desperate situation that makes me break out in a cold sweat.
That's how it's always been until now.
***
"The enemy appears to be engaged in battle."
"Did you find them?"
Heading in the direction indicated by the scout, we saw the Sabbatian soldiers in the midst of a battle with our allies, just as reported.
Once we left the forest we were on flat ground with a good view, making the encirclement tactics we used earlier impossible.
The Sabbatian soldiers were hiding behind tents and sandbags, engaging in a firefight with our allies entrenched in trenches.
"Our allies' position is about to be breached."
"…What are you going to do?"
"Well, let's split into three units again and take up positions."
Leaving those words with Sergeant Gavel, I once again ordered the squads to split up.
In this situation, it would be better to strike the enemy from behind over as wide an area as possible to confuse them.
"There's no need to force an advance. Just threatening the enemy's rear will be enough."
The number of Sabbatian soldiers in front of us was staggering.
Facing such a number with only 100 men is madness.
"Before taking up your positions, please make sure you have a clear retreat route. Please retreat without hesitation if the enemy closes in."
"Understood."
We will be overwhelmed by sheer numbers if we proceed normally.
Therefore, the goal here is for the soldiers to play a 'game of chicken' with their own safety at stake.
"The allies in front of us are in dire straits. Our ultimate goal is to support them and ensure their survival."
"Yes, Warrant Officer."
"Good. Now, commence suppressive fire!"
As I shouted that command, I shot the skull of a Sabbatian soldier from behind.
***
"Enemies, it's a surprise attack!"
The Sabbatian soldiers quickly noticed us and returned fire.
These soldiers had survived the Sabbath revolution, proving their elite status.
Despite their initial confusion, their quick response demonstrated their high level of training.
"Be sure to take cover after firing! Prioritize your survival. Our main objective is not to kill the enemy but to maintain a pincer attack!"
The skill level of the soldiers makes a significant difference in close combat.
It was clear that the Gavel Transport Company, filled with rookies, could not win against the Sabbatian soldiers in a straightforward fight.
The reason we managed to annihilate the enemy earlier was that there were injured soldiers positioned at the rear.
The difference in skill levels would make victory impossible in a direct battle.
"You don't have to aim directly at the enemy. It's enough to shoot in their direction. If we can cause confusion and divide their attention, that's good enough!"
However, even most veteran soldiers can easily die if caught in a pincer attack.
No soldier has eyes in the back of their head.
Even Platoon Leader Garback didn't want to be caught in a pincer attack and had his subordinates be on guard against it.
"Warrant Officer Touri. The enemy is closing in on us."
"I see, then retreat as planned."
Among the enemy, there was a unit that quickly decided to close the distance and eliminate us.
It was likely the right move on their part.
"Coordinate with Squad B and C. They're falling into our trap."
When faced with a pesky insect flying around, it's natural to want to swat it down.
However, this was exactly the development I had been waiting for.
Yes, with our three squads spread out…
"The enemy is charging to the designated point.
"Understood."
We can easily complete the encirclement if they pursue us.
When the enemy closes in, we'll retreat and then threaten their rear from another position.
"Fire the signal flare. Then fire all at once."
"Understood."
This is the basic tactic of team-based FPS games.
You lure them out by using a decoy, then surround and shoot them to death.
As long as the timing is right, it's the most reliable way to defeat the enemy.
"…"
The Sabbath soldier was caught in the trap and fell down, blood splattering everywhere.
They looked at us with expressions of disbelief, screaming in confusion.
"Do not take unnecessary risks. Retreat if the enemy advances. Just reducing the enemy's strength on the front lines is enough to be a success."
"Understood."
…They were once comrades who fought alongside me.
But now, there is no room to reminisce about such things.
Using this tactic, we continuously harassed the enemy from different positions.
By creating confusion in various locations, we can force all enemy soldiers to stay on guard in the rear.
"Isn't it time to retreat? We've done enough."
"…No, let's keep going a bit longer. Things will get worse if we stop now."
I hoped to find Sylph if possible, but she was nowhere to be seen on the battlefield.
She's capable of achieving victory from any unfavorable situation, threading the needle to triumph.
…I guess she isn't on the front lines after all.
"The enemy must be pretty exhausted, huh?"
"Yes, it's incredibly exhausting to constantly fear being shot from behind."
"We haven't even killed that many enemies ourselves."
"I've taken out a fair number."
The Gavel Transport Company spent several hours disrupting the rear and harassing the enemy.
Despite being in a flanking position, we weren't trained enough to launch a full-scale assault against regular troops.
We couldn't afford to be too reckless since the platoon was filled with many rookies.
"Our ammunition and weapons are running low."
"Even with the captured Sabbatian rifles?"
"With those included, we might manage a bit longer."
The escort soldiers only carried enough ammunition for a single battle.
Moreover, they consumed more ammo than anticipated due to their inexperience.
"In that case, let's push on just a bit longer."
"Warrant Officer, the enemy is charging at us again."
"Then retreat."
We would lose our value once our ammunition runs out.
The main objective of the Gavel Transport Company was to maintain the pincer attack.
As I contemplated how to conserve our dwindling supplies…
A lion-like roar echoed across the battlefield.
A dazzling flash of light blazed through, advancing straight towards us.
"…! All units, retreat! Get away from that light!"
A chilling feeling of the terrible presence of death runs through me.
I immediately fired at the light, but the bullet was deflected by a [Shield], veering off course.
"It's too fast. What is that—"
"Fire! Fire!"
I recognized that soldier.
I had seen them once on the Western Front, fighting against Platoon Leader Garback to a standstill.
A warrior as brave as a lion, as gentle as the wind, and as fierce as lightning.
"…Squad C, retreat towards the 7 o'clock direction. Squad B, head towards the 4 o'clock direction."
"R-Right."
"We will retreat straight back. Absolutely do not engage him head-on."
Fear surged throughout my entire body.
We mustn't hold our ground here. It's time to pull back.
My instincts blared warning signals throughout my body.
"What is that?!"
"Have you never heard of him?"
The warrior wielding the lightning-imbued spear…
"The Sabbatian ace from the Western Front, Lightning Spear Demon, Kamikiri."
────Mr. Gorski.
The person who once saved me from freezing to death by putting me in his sleeping bag to warm me up.
A comrade-in-arms with whom I shared many conversations with in Vanya.
With a fearsome expression, he wielded his single arm and lightning spear.
The lightning strikes he unleashed scorched the Austin soldiers nearby, killing them instantly.