These side stories come from the special edition version of the volume 5 LN.
________________________________________
"Bern, did you turn down another engagement proposal?"
"Yes. I apologize, Colonel Henri."
Major Bern Valou, a staff officer who's popular with women.
At the age of 20, he was seen as a promising young officer expected to become Colonel Henri's right-hand man.
He never put on airs, was easygoing, and always smiled during conversation.
Combined with his handsome face and sharp mind, the marriage proposals never stopped coming his way.
"Just when do you think a woman worthy of your approval will appear?"
"Someone like that isn't so easy to find."
Military engagements carried strong factional implications. Because of that, proposals were rarely turned down.
"Can't you compromise a little?"
"I just don't think there's any need to rush into choosing a partner."
He rejected every arranged meeting and let them all fall through.
According to him, he wasn't really interested in getting married.
"I'd rather not waste time that could be spent on my duties."
"Hmm…"
Bern Valou was content with his job as a staff officer and had no desire to get married.
Even attending matchmaking meetings had merely been part of his "job."
"That said, more people are choosing to marry out of love these days, aren't they?"
To at least have the freedom to choose their partner. It was a modest wish amid a harsh and painful war.
"You don't think I'd betray you now, Colonel Henri?"
"No."
Bern was already famous as a hero who saved the nation.
He was also recognized by those around him as Henri's trusted aide.
"Then please allow me to take my time choosing."
"I pray you'll someday meet a woman who makes your heart race."
"Me too, Colonel Henri."
Soldiers are still human, and desires inevitably build up.
No matter how strict one is, releasing those urges is necessary. Even so, Bern rarely made use of such facilities.
His only indulgence was brewing dandelion tea for himself during breaks from work. Bern Valou lived earnestly for his duties as a serious, hard-working man.
That was the common assessment of his character.
And yet, precisely because he was such a workaholic…
"Bern. This is awkward to say, but a formal complaint has been filed against you. It's from Major Verdi of the Central Army."
"From Major Verdi?"
When Henri first received the report, he assumed it must be a mistake.
Bern Valou, the man who refused marriage and devoted himself solely to work.
Of all people, he…
"What could he possibly be complaining about?"
"He claims you made inappropriate sexual advances toward a female soldier."
"Ah… so it's about that."
Bern had allegedly committed sexual harassment against a young female soldier under Major Verdi's command.
And it was done in front of a large crowd, to the point where it was impossible to deny.
"On June 30th, you reportedly grabbed the shoulder of Medical Warrant Officer Touri Lowe of the Central Army Medical Department, pulled her close, and made a forceful advance on her."
"Yes."
Major Verdi was Lieutenant Colonel Revel's nephew. He was a young commander who rose to fame after performing a "miraculous retreat."
Given his influence, Henri couldn't just ignore the complaint.
"After she rejected you, you persisted, followed her, and touched her body in public. Is this account accurate?"
"Yes, that's mostly true."
Henri felt dizzy after hearing Bern reply.
While it was good that Bern showed interest in women, his approach was unbearably crude.
"Do you have no idea how to properly approach a woman?"
"Was it really that bad?"
Bern was sharp enough that Henri had expected him to pursue women rationally.
And if that was all, there would have been hope.
"Also, Bern, about the soldier who filed the complaint."
"What's wrong?"
"She's barely more than a child!"
Looking at her photograph, she appeared so young that she could pass for early teens.
Yes, the person Bern had harassed was effectively a child.
"Her name's Touri. Isn't she cute?"
At that moment, Henri finally understood why Bern had shown no interest in women.
It wasn't that he was virtuous. He simply wasn't interested in adult women.
"Bern, the age difference is—"
"She's only four years younger than me."
"What? Four years?"
Since Bern was an exceptionally capable man, Henri could overlook things to a certain degree.
Still, he had been ready to at least warn him not to approach minors.
"So she isn't underage?"
"She's a medical warrant officer. She already has some military experience.
"I see, that's true. I judged too quickly based on appearance."
Touri Lowe, medical warrant officer, was indeed over 15.
A 17-year-old volunteer from Noel Village. The four-year gap could be explained away easily enough.
She had served since the Western Front, having earned merit in the retreat from Marshdale and the Battle of the North.
Having survived countless hopeless engagements, she was known within the medical department as the Lucky Carry.
"Still… do you have a preference for young girls?"
"No. Her looks aren't my type at all."
"Then why pursue her?"
"Because I want her."
Bern Valou smiled broadly, a cruel smile on his face.
"I've had Touri's files from the Sabbatian Revolution sent to me. Care to see them?"
"Very well."
"Any staff officer would start drooling the moment they read this."
His eyes gleamed as he handed over Touri's reports, written in Sabbatian.
Touri Lowe had fought as part of the government forces during the Sabbatian Revolution due to her family being taken hostage to force her compliance.
She led the charge at the Battle of Josegrad, broke through artillery positions, and drew allies into the city.
Her performance was comparable to that of an ace. She was feared over there and called the Gun Princess of the Battlefield.
"She's exactly the kind of ace modern Austin lacks."
"I see. A survivor of the Garback Platoon. Someone who watched the back of a true ace."
After reviewing the documents, Henri could only let out a deep sigh.
Indeed, Touri Lowe's achievements on paper were impressive.
"You could call it instinct. She understands what needs to be done at any given moment. She has the qualities of a commander."
"That does seem to be the case."
Bern Valou praised Touri with the innocence of a young boy showing off his new toy.
"Major Verdi is trying to lock her away in the medical department."
Bern said, pursing his lips in dissatisfaction.
"Imagine how useful she'd be if I had her under my command and let her lead a battalion."
"I feel like you're expecting too much from a medic."
"I've met Touri Lowe and talked with her in person. She's the real deal."
"Hmm, for you to say that so confidently…"
Bern sulked, looking like a boy who'd had his toy taken away. He clearly liked Touri Lowe quite a lot.
"That's why you went to scout her."
"Yes. I wanted her to show her talents under my command."
"…And the result?"
"My love didn't come to fruition. I was rejected."
Hearing this, Henri understood everything.
This man hadn't approached Touri Lowe with vulgar intentions. He had been scheming to recruit her as a capable infantry soldier.
"It's funny, though. She says she hates fighting."
"That's not exactly unusual for a medic, is it?"
"According to the records, she looks like a full-blown battle junkie."
At that, Henri returned to the documents.
Despite her appearance, Touri always fought while smiling.
She darted across the battlefield with agility, firing bullets with utmost precision.
Because of her combat history, she wasn't called "Lucky Carry" in the Sabbath, but instead bore the nickname "Gun Princess of the Battlefield."
"Well, either way, you were firmly rejected."
She might indeed be an outstanding soldier, but if that was the outcome of your scouting attempt, it made sense.
"Winning a woman's heart is harder than winning a war."
"That just means you're a skilled tactician but an immature man."
"Is that how it is?"
Teased by Henri, Bern puffed out his lips in a sulk.
He really was still young, being only 21 years old.
"Wasn't grabbing her right from the start a bad move?"
"I did my research. She apparently likes frivolous men."
"No woman likes frivolous men. That was probably a joke."
"You're saying I took the joke seriously, got handsy, and she now hates me for it?"
"That's right."
Bern Valou slumped his shoulders. Seeing this normally unsettling man cycle through expressions so quickly was unusual.
"So? What will you do now?"
"If possible, I'd like to try approaching her again."
"It's a bad idea to immediately approach a girl who's rejected you. It's best to wait a bit."
Bern clearly hadn't given up on recruiting Touri.
Henri warned him so that the hero who saved the country wouldn't turn into a stalker.
"Besides, the war will end soon. There's no need to scout her."
"Colonel Henri, I'm the type of person who doesn't like to let up until the matter is settled.
As Henri said, the Austin Army was in a dominant position. With the alliance formed with their former enemy, the Sabbath, the war was practically settled.
Even if Touri Lowe was an ace, whether she'd truly be needed was debatable.
"Our chances of winning would definitely increase if she were my subordinate."
"That thoroughness of yours is admirable."
Bern spoke with absolute certainty. It was as if he knew Touri Lowe's abilities would be needed someday.
"You're aware of what type of person Lieutenant Colonel Renvel is, aren't you?"
"He's an old-fashioned man."
That was what Bern was worried about.
Renvel the War Axe, once known as the strongest frontline commander.
His bravery and boldness were unmatched. The problem started after he gained power and was transferred to the rear.
"The poison gas operation that the Renvel faction is pushing is too risky."
"Their assessment is that the Allied forces are unlikely to exploit weaknesses in gas warfare."
"You shouldn't make a strategy that relies on the opponent's stupidity."
Renvel was the type of person who wanted credit and fame and insisted on doing things himself. Even when Bern led operations, Renvel frequently interfered.
"We've gained too many achievements. He's getting impatient.
"And that's why he's pushing the gas operation?"
"He wants a big accomplishment before the war ends."
"If it's a power struggle, I wish he'd save it for after the war."
Under Bern's command, the Sylph Offensive was repelled, the Sabbatian Army was driven back to the border in the Battle of the North, and even now the Allied forces were being beaten back.
No wonder Renvel was desperate.
"Let him have his achievement, Bern. He'll be satisfied once he gets his glory."
"The plan is too sloppy. I've got a bad feeling about this."
"If that happens, we'll just fight harder."
"Well, I guess so."
Colonel Henri could see through Lieutenant Colonel Renvel's impatience.
That was why he handed over leadership of the Bueri Mine to him. It was to let him earn his credit.
"Whether he can make use of that opportunity is up to him."
"I sure hope he does."
Bern Valou said with a resigned tone.
***
As expected, the outcome was disastrous.
"The Austin Central Army was forced to retreat under a counteroffensive by the Allied forces."
"…I see."
A few days after the gas offensive began, such a report reached Bern Valou in his private room.
"Major Verdi has been seriously wounded. Continuing the operation will be difficult."
"So, what happened?"
"The enemy brought out wind guns and blew the gas right back at them."
"Of course they did. Didn't they prepare any countermeasures?"
Major Verdi failed to counter the gas-based assault tactics, the defensive line was broken, and the enemy wreaked havoc inside the positions, causing heavy damage.
"…There must've been serious casualties, weren't there?"
"Surprisingly, the unit's losses are said to be around 10%."
This Allied force's surprise attack resulted in thousands of casualties for Austin. That number could hardly be called small for the Austin Army.
"They broke through the defensive line, and they still kept losses to 10%? Major Verdi really is good at retreating."
If a breakthrough had been allowed, it wouldn't have been strange for the Central Army to be nearly destroyed.
With no request for reinforcements from the Southern Army, retreating on their own while keeping losses to 10% is quite impressive.
"With that level of losses, the damage inflicted by the gas weapons was probably greater. You could almost call it a tactical victory."
Major Verdi seemed to excel at judging when to retreat.
Even during the Battle of the North, he had successfully retreated while securing supplies.
Perhaps he is actually a commander who specializes in that area.
"In addition, we've received word of the heroic deeds by a certain unit."
"…The heroic deeds of a certain unit?"
"During the ambush, there happened to be a transport company that was departing toward Winn."
As Bern pondered how to assess Major Verdi, the messenger soldier continued with a conflicted expression.
"It seems that the transport company was commanded by a young female soldier, who covered the retreat."
"Tell me more."
Her name was Touri Lowe. The ace-class girl Bern had failed to win over.
"That girl…"
Bern Valou's eye for talent had not been wrong after all.
***
According to the report, Touri seized command of the transport company and threatened the rear of the ambushing force.
"Found you."
After hearing the report, Bern immediately headed for where she was stationed.
Touri, the medical warrant officer who had told him she never wanted to return to the battlefield again.
"Could you please wait a moment, Medical Warrant Officer Touri?"
She had been cheerfully smiling while gunning down ace-class enemies on the battlefield.
As expected, she had been hiding her true nature and contenting herself with the role of a medic.
"You there, Sergeant. Let me speak with that woman."
"Huh? What?"
Before long, Bern spotted Touri being led by the hand by a male soldier.
Her eyes were vacant. Her was face worn out with exhaustion.
"This is an order from your superior. Come here."
Even so, he had to speak with Touri. She was the seed of Verdi's so called miracle.
Bern was certain that her powers would be of great help to Austin in the future.
"What do you want from me, Major Bern?"
Touri offered no resistance as she was led into the tent by Bern.
She only asked in a faint voice.
"Did you enjoy it?"
"…Enjoy what?"
"Killing so many Sabbatian soldiers and even taking down an ace. You must have been
very satisfied, weren't you?"
"There's no way that's the case."
Bern Valou peered into the eyes of the girl named Touri.
He had to know. He just had to understand.
What she was thinking, and why she refused the invitation to the front lines.
"…There's no way killing people can be enjoyable."
"But I received reports that you were laughing on the battlefield."
"I guess I end up laughing when I lose control of my emotions."
Touri said in a trembling voice. There was a hint of fear in her eyes.
Yes, the answer was obvious if he had just thought about it for even a moment.
"Enough with the excuses."
Touri Lowe wanted to remain a good person.
Having lived her life as a medic, she couldn't justify murder.
She was hiding her true feelings, guided by her own moral code.
"It was fun… Right?"
"…What are you implying?"
Once he understood that much, the rest was simple. If he struck there, she would fall.
Bern suppressed his excitement and put on an angry face.
"Is it really so hard for you to admit you're a bad person?"
Touri Lowe, like a proper medic, had reservations about killing people.
That was why she couldn't allow herself to desire a position where she could kill freely.
"Look, I'll admit it. I'm a villain. I love tricking people and I'm good at killing enemies.
That's why I took on the role of a strategist.
"…"
"Even so, I still treasure my hometown."
Bern carefully chose his words as he guided the discussion.
He pushed Touri to release her true feelings and decide to fight.
The devil was tempting a lost soul.
"Even if I'm cursed as a demon or deemed disgusting by others, I stood up because I
had the talent to save my country."
"That's…"
"I may have killed a lot of people as a result, but I think I've been of some use to Austin."
Touri Lowe's face contorted in horror. It is the fear of facing her own abnormality head-on.
"Yeah, I'm a villain, sure. But I've contributed far more to this country than you ever will!"
"…!"
"That's great, I'm jealous. You get to be a good kid all by yourself!"
Her ability as a commander was no longer in doubt.
In the Battle of the North, in the Sabbatian Revolution, and in the recent fight, she had proven her skill time and again.
"Admit it, Touri Lowe."
"I…"
"You're a monster who simply loves killing people. You're a pervert who gets excited
about shooting enemies."
"That's not true. I—"
"And that's why you're an excellent commander."
Bern noticed Touri's special characteristics.
She can choose her actions from a bird's-eye view while standing on the front lines of the battlefield.
She's able to grasp the situation around her and execute appropriate strategies without hesitation.
"Don't deny it. Everyone in the unit saw the excited smile on your face after you shot
someone."
"…No, that's not—"
"What's not? Tell me. Look me in the eye and tell me clearly."
She viewed war like a game. Like Bern, she possessed a sensibility that allowed her to enjoy killing.
"I…"
Tears faintly welled up in the girl's eyes.
Confusion, agitation, and self-loathing. A multitude of emotions swirled within Touri's gaze.
"If you admit you have a rotten nature, come join my unit, Touri Lowe. I have the authority to prepare you for the position of battalion commander and the rank of Captain. I want you to fulfill responsibilities that match your abilities."
"…"
"Don't say something as selfish as 'I don't want to kill people'… Are you planning to
make the same mistake again?"
If she acknowledged her nature, Touri would surely feel relieved.
She would become an excellent commander who could make full use of her traits.
She would wield her talents brilliantly as his subordinate.
"You're incredible, Major Bern Valou."
Bern thought he had gotten her.
He smirked inwardly, convinced he had guided the argument perfectly.
"What are you talking about?"
"Please do not compare me to you."
For just that instant, Bern let his guard down.
Seeing Touri Lowe hesitate, he may have grown careless.
"I can somewhat see through people's lies and deceptions."
"Huh?"
"I just realized it. You're pretending to be angry, aren't you?"
Touri Lowe did not miss that momentary lapse in his composure.
Before she knew it, she was glaring at Bern with hostility and hatred.
"You got angry because you calculated that if you persuaded me like that, you would be
able to get me to join you. What you just said is not what you really think."
"…"
"You don't care one bit about your comrades dying. You only feel like you have one less
toy to play with."
Bern clicked his tongue inwardly.
At the same time, he couldn't help but be impressed by Touri's sharp intuition.
"Is it that you wanted a new toy so badly, Major Bern Valou?"
"…Did you figure it out?"
Her voice was ice-cold. The look she gave him sent a chill straight down his spine.
And yet, seeing Touri Lowe like that, he found it amusing.
"Ah! I've gotten worse at lying, haven't I?"
Bern should have understood Touri Lowe's peculiarity already.
Her ability to grasp situations accurately from a detached, overarching perspective.
"I'm sorry for lying, but I just can't help but want to revel in killing more people."
Which meant he should have anticipated this.
That even this very moment could be seen through from above.
"Then come work for me. I'll invite you to a hell where we can both enjoy ourselves."
At this point, all Bern Valou could do was laugh.
The piece he wanted had turned out to be an even sharper knife than he'd expected.
"I refuse. I would rather die."
The prey Bern had just barely failed to catch stared him down with eyes as cold as ice.
"Haah…"
Touri Lowe turned her back on him and walked away.
It was an unmistakable rejection.
"Yeah… It's probably impossible now."
After seeing her just now, even Bern had to accept it.
Touri Lowe would never bend to Bern Valou again.
A heavy sense of loss gouged into his chest.
The big catch had seemed within reach, only to slip away at the last moment.
It felt almost like heartbreak. Bern smirked at the thought of such a ridiculous joke.
But what was done was done.
Bern didn't have the time to keep chasing a target he had already lost.
"…Guess I'll start preparing to withdraw."
The operation to seize the Bueri Mine front had failed.
Bern himself would soon have to abandon the position.
Letting out a small sigh, he returned to his tent.
***
That evening…
"Major Bern, please don't be so discouraged."
"Haa…"
Bern received words of consolation from his adjutant.
"I think it was probably just a matter of bad compatibility. If you'd like, I can introduce you to someone suitable for you."