As autumn was ending and the air was becoming chilly,
The Touri Guerrilla Company spent their days devoted to training.
"Lieutenant Touri, here you go."
"Thank you."
The Austin Southern Army invading Flamel is said to be continuing their rapid advance.
It's almost unthinkable that they would lose with Bern Valou in command.
It's not just a dream to take the capital by the end of the year at this rate.
If the capital, Pari, falls, the war will end and peace will finally come.
Even though we have trained so hard, it is possible that we may not get a chance to act.
Everything was progressing smoothly.
"…Hmm, is this our first mission?"
If there is one concern, it is the former Sabbatian government forces holed up in the mine led by Sylph Nova.
On the Mining Front, the standoff between the two countries continued as usual.
The stalemate in this front exists precisely because the Sabbatian forces are present.
If the Sabbatian forces with the wind guns were gone, we would be able to easily take the mines.
That's why Sylph Nova cannot leave the mining area.
Hence, Bern decided to split the army into two.
The plan was to capture the capital while Sylph was pinned down in the mines.
The problem is that there is a high likelihood of Sylph setting up some kind of trap in this Mining Front.
I can't imagine that Sylph would sit idly by and watch the war unfold.
She will probably come up with some strategy to turn things around.
For example, she might launch a surprise attack on the supply routes or conduct guerrilla warfare around the mine.
Verdi was very wary of Sylph's movements.
He carefully fortified our defenses to ensure that the Mining Front would never be breached.
He also established an extensive reconnaissance network around the mine to keep a nervous watch on the enemy.
With such vigilance, it must have been difficult for Sylph to act.
Even though Verdi may not have the ability to devise brilliant strategies like Sylph, he is someone who does things thoroughly.
By eliminating weaknesses and solidifying the defenses, Sylph would not easily find any openings.
He was also highly alert to the possibility of surprise attacks on the supply routes.
At any time, the greatest weakness of an invading army is its logistics.
Any army would collapse if its stretched supply lines were hit.
Therefore, the greatest chance of victory for Flamel currently is the "disruption of supply lines."
That's why Verdi established communication points at regular intervals and set up a system to maintain timely contact with supply units.
He also ordered a transport operation by guerrilla companies that had the military power to evacuate supplies even in the event of a surprise attack.
It was for all these reasons…
"Sergeant Gavel, I have been summoned to the General Staff Headquarters. I will be entrusting you with overseeing training."
"Understood."
Our Touri Guerilla Company was officially ordered to carry out a mission… a "supply transport mission."
***
"This is Warrant Officer Gilveli from Austin General Staff. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"I am Lieutenant Touri of the Touri Guerilla Company, part of the Verdi Battalion. Nice to meet you."
Our mission was to transport supplies to a city called Engei within Flamel.
The mission is to advance through Austin's sphere of influence while escorting supplies.
It should be a suitable difficulty for our first actual combat mission.
"We have prepared the schedule for the day. Please use this document to prepare for the operation."
"Thank you, Warrant Officer. May I have the topographical information of the supply route?"
"Of course, we have it ready for you."
The supply transport was meticulously scheduled, and we were given a detailed timeline.
Our operation plan was broken down by the minute.
There were also detailed emergency protocols in place.
"The mission is considered a success if we complete the transport within 14 days and return to the central military base?"
"Yes."
The manual for responding to enemy attacks was quite comprehensive.
If the enemy attacked with a platoon-sized force, we were to engage. If they attacked with a company-sized force, we were to prioritize protecting the supplies and buy time. If they attacked with a battalion-sized force, we were permitted to abandon the supplies and retreat.
The thoroughness of this ensured that mistakes were unlikely.
"It's a great honor to have the renowned Lucky Carry oversee the transport! There's no more auspicious transport unit than this!"
"Hahaha…"
Incidentally, Warrant Officer Gilveli was a young officer with a sparse beard.
He seemed like a refined and amiable person, similar in age to Verdi.
"We look forward to your support, Lieutenant Touri."
"Yes, I'll do my best."
The Warrant Officer was very kind and gave us detailed advice, such as "The standard tactic here is a surprise attack from the south, so form a thick formation on the south side," and "This road is wide but difficult to respond to a surprise attack, so I recommend this route."
His advice didn't feel condescending; rather, it felt like he was taking care of us.
"Thank you so much for providing us with so many documents, Warrant Officer Gilveli."
"No, I'm glad I could be of help!"
For the time being, he will be our point of contact with the General Staff.
I'm relieved he isn't an intimidating person.
***
"Warrant Officer Gilveli is the one in charge of transportation missions. He's a very intelligent man."
"Indeed, he seems very intelligent."
"If that's the plan he came up with, then I think we should just use it."
That night, I explained the details of the mission to Sergeant Gavel.
Sergeant Gavel looked a little happy when he saw the orders for our first mission.
"It's finally time for the Touri Guerrilla Company's first battle."
"Our first battle…"
"It's a good motivator for the new recruits. It's a chance to dispel the myth that there's a propaganda unit."
…Sergeant Gavel didn't believe that our company was just for propaganda purposes.
I kept that thought to myself.
"Yes, let's show our worth."
"Absolutely. And eventually, we'll become an ace unit."
Sergeant Gavel spoke of such things with great enthusiasm.
To be honest, I don't think there's any chance we'll be entrusted with any important missions since we're just a training unit.
"Let's do our best. …I too have some admiration for the title of 'Ace.'"
"Oh, so you think that way too?"
I smiled and nodded in agreement at Sergeant Gavel's words.
All the "Aces" I've seen so far have been amazing.
Platoon Leader Garback, Aria, Mr. Gorski, and Mr. Zafqua.
It's only natural to look at them and feel a sense of admiration.
"Let's become heroes of the new era."
"Yeah."
Everyone aspires to be like them.
That is how brilliant an ace is.
***
However, I don't particularly want to become a hero.
I don't have the desire to be recognized, praised, or be in the spotlight.
I merely admired those amazing people; I have no interest in honor.
In my previous life, I once won a world championship in an FPS tournament and earned the title of world champion.
It's true that on that day, at that moment, I felt a sense of accomplishment that couldn't be replaced by anything else, but…
Even after becoming the world champion, my life did not change at all.
Ultimately, honor is just an extension of self-satisfaction.
So, what is my reason for fighting?
I want to kill my hated enemy.
I want to make them pay for what they did to Lenalee.
I want to survive and live with Sedol.
I want to open a small medical facility in a peaceful Austin and live a modest life.
All of those are pretty simple reasons.
The words I exchanged with Sergeant Gavel earlier were just to match his sentiment.
I am well aware that I am not fit to be an "Ace".
I don't think I can compare myself to those incredible people.
That's why I was smiling warmly at Sergeant Gavel, who spoke of wanting to become an ace.
Thinking how straightforward and admirable he is, and assuming it's someone else's affair.
***
Thus, the Touri Guerrilla Company embarked on its first mission.
We were tasked with transporting nearly five tons of supplies from the mining region to the city of Engei in Flamel.
While the quartermasters transport supplies, the infantry scout and secure the terrain in order to keep up with the pace.
"11 o'clock direction, Point D, terrain secured."
"2 o'clock, point C, no enemy signs."
"Roger that. Continue advancing."
To be honest, I had underestimated the transport mission.
Because I had heard that this was a mission given to less-trained units, I mistakenly thought it would be an easy mission.
…In reality, just moving forward was an extremely nerve-wracking and exhausting task.
Military supplies are precious, so we can't allow them to be taken by enemies or bandits.
We need to send scouts ahead to confirm that there are no enemies before moving forward.
We can't advance unless safety is confirmed.
If reconnaissance is delayed, we have to stop, which disrupts the schedule.
Therefore, we have to meticulously plan in advance where to send scouts, how far to advance while they are scouting, and at what time we need to reach our target points.
There was no way that an amateur like me could handle such a complex task on the spot.
If Warrant Officer Gilveli hadn't prepared the documents for us, we likely would have failed the transport mission.
Planning these transport operations is also covered in military academies.
Indeed, one needs to be very smart to become an officer candidate.
***
"Lieutenant Touri Lowe. Thank you for your hard work."
"Yes, thank you."
After about a week of travel, the mission we successfully completed the mission.
We arrived in Engei 12 hours ahead of schedule without any significant delays in transport.
"The Touri Guerilla Company has the day off today. Please assemble in front of the warehouse at 10 a.m. tomorrow."
"Understood."
Our next mission is to transport supplies from Engei back to the mining area.
These supplies include luxury items, captured goods, and damaged equipment.
Therefore, we need to head to the warehouse again tomorrow.
"Yay! So I can do some sightseeing in Engei for the whole day."
"Let's buy some Flamer liquor and take it home."
"Make sure you carry it yourself. Don't put it on the wagon."
In other words, today is the only day we can do as we please.
Engei is Flamel's largest commercial city, but it is currently under effective control of Austin's military.
Being a logistics hub, it is stocked with a wealth of entertainment goods and food supplies.
Sightseeing in Engei is bound to be enjoyable.
"We'll be stuck with paperwork, though."
"Indeed."
However, only ordinary soldiers will be able to enjoy their day off.
As the commander, I have to document and submit all the food, medicine, etc. consumed during the mission.
There are mountains of documents that need to be submitted, including evaluations of the operation and points for reflection.
I can't just play around like I did when I was a low-ranked soldier.
"I'll ask Maeve to get us some tea cakes at least."
"Sounds good."
Incidentally…
At that time, Engei was a city that Austin had "occupied by force."
Austin's soldiers were requisitioning the goods produced by Engei's citizens and distributing them among the troops.
Thinking of Engei's citizens who were forced to work with their families held hostage, it would be inappropriate to wander the city as a tourist.
I was busy with paperwork and holed up in my tent, but I'm sure I would have been looked at with disdain if I had walked around town.
***
As the saying goes, "You reap what you sow."
Those who commit wrongdoing will eventually face retribution.
At that time, Austin was undoubtedly "evil" to the people of Flamel.
An invasion intended to massacre civilians with the goal of inflicting such devastation that Flamel would never be able to invade Austin again.
The Austin Army, which adopted some of the most vicious strategies in history, was undoubtedly an army that bore the stigma of being "evil."
Arunoma, the protagonist of Flamel, a man who stands up to Austin head-on as a civilian.
Bern, Austin's hero, a villain who pursues his desires while serving the country's interests.
What would be the outcome if a small number of "heroes" faced off against a large number of "villains"?
In reality, it is often the case in this world that the few are trampled by the many.
But Arunoma was the real deal.
He was a man who rewrote reality into a "stage."
So, if a few "heroes" and many "villains" clash on stage, what would happen?
That monumental confrontation was imminent.
And I, who was leisurely performing transport duties, could not help but feel that it was entirely unrelated to me.
I remained blissfully unaware that I would be entangled in the decisive battle that would greatly alter the fates of Austin and Flamel.
From that day on, I was dragged onto the center stage of history.