Bern Valou has been defeated.
This news came as a shock to many Austin soldiers.
Even though I hate Bern, I had believed that with him commanding, victory was certain.
At that time, I was in a daze for a while after hearing the news of Bern's defeat.
If I was like that, then the shock received by Austin's General Staff must have been tremendous.
What was happening inside Flamel at this time?
What strategies did the Allied forces use to win?
…It could be said that it was a victory that could be described as "a series of coincidences" or "someone's protagonist buff."
Bern's first miscalculation was that Arunoma, who became a symbol for the people, possessed overwhelming charisma.
Arunoma played the role of the ideal "hero" for the people.
The "hero" image portrayed by this first-rate actor drove many civilians to risk their lives on the battlefield.
──Will we just sit back and watch the Austin Army continue to commit atrocities?
──Is it not time to stand up for our homeland, Flamel?
──Follow me, for I am the one who will save Flamel.
Such sweet-sounding words stirred the patriotism of the youth and gathered an astonishing number of volunteers.
This number reached 7,000, including non-combatants.
Suddenly, a military force nearly equivalent to a division suddenly appeared in the rural areas.
Even for Bern, who had anticipated various "what if" scenarios, this was something that was entirely unexpected.
Moreover, they constructed modern Austin-style trench positions and prepared to defend.
The volunteers under Arunoma's command are mainly equipped with hunting rifles and bows.
Although these are not powerful weapons by any means, they pose a significant threat when fighting from trenches.
Trench warfare favors the defenders. Even untrained volunteer soldiers would inflict substantial damage if attacked head-on.
Additionally, they were highly motivated and refused to negotiate with Austin.
Unlike before, the strategy of using civilian collaborators for subversion was entirely ineffective.
On the contrary, some civilian collaborators were even inspired by Arunoma's speeches and began to defect.
A significant obstacle emerged in Bern's previously smooth invasion.
That being said, they were ultimately just a gathering of amateurs.
The Austin soldiers mobilized by Bern numbered 30,000.
There was no way Austin could lose if they fought head-on.
Bern's only concern was how to capture the position with minimal losses.
He did not want to use precious magic stones for bombardment on volunteers.
If possible, he wanted to capture them unscathed, as before.
The enemy are volunteer soldiers, a disorganized collection of ordinary people.
In that case, he just needed to weaken the enemy's morale and cause them to collapse.
Thinking this, Bern Valou ignored the surrounding trenches and began burning the nearby villages.
He intended to lure the volunteers out of the trenches by attacking the surrounding areas.
Burning villages would also reduce the population of Flamel, killing two birds with one stone.
With food supplies from the Sabbath, they still had plenty of time.
Bern planned to take his time and steadily build a mountain of corpses in Flamel.
However, an event occurred that completely undermined Bern's policy.
The news of reinforcements from Aerys was widely reported in the newspapers.
20,000 soldiers were advancing toward Engei, a key transport hub.
Hearing this report, Bern was troubled.
Engei was a crucial supply hub for the invading forces.
If it were captured, their supply lines would be cut, and the Southern Army would be annihilated.
However, with an army of around 20,000 Aerys troops who were unfamiliar with modern warfare, Renvel could possibly handle it on his own.
Moreover, if they had to march back to Engei, it would consume more food on the journey back to the capital.
There was also the possibility that the villages they had subjugated might rebel again.
The capital was within sight, and honestly, he wanted to occupy it as soon as possible.
Additionally, Bern felt a sense of urgency about the volunteer army in front of him.
The charisma of the hero Arunoma was tremendous, and it was clear that his influence would grow over time.
If left unchecked, civilian collaborators would continue to defect.
If they were to turn back now, it would give the impression that the volunteer soldiers had won, which would likely significantly affect the morale of the entire army.
"…We must force Flamel to surrender before Engei falls."
Bern decided to move forward.
Austin would be at a disadvantage if it turned into a long-term war due to the difference in production capability.
All it would take was to capture the capital in a short-term battle.
They would swiftly defeat the militia and surround the capital with great momentum.
Using gas weapons or any other means, they would quickly capture the capital.
If they secured the capital, Pari, they would not have to worry about supplies even if Engei fell.
With this decision, Bern changed his strategy.
***
────Multi-point simultaneous breakthrough.
A strategy that advanced modern warfare by ten years, a specialty of Sylph Nova.
An ideal tactic for defeating entrenched militias in a short period of time.
No matter how numerous they are, the enemy is a volunteer army—a group of amateurs who know nothing about strategy.
Even the battle-hardened Austin Army couldn't handle this strategy, so there's no way they could.
Accepting some losses as inevitable, Bern launched a full-scale attack with an emphasis on speed.
It's a pity.
Bern probably couldn't fully trust Renvel and Verdi in the rear.
If he had the trust that "even if 20,000 reinforcements came to Engei, they would surely be driven back."
Bern would have carried out the planned burning of the surrounding villages and carefully broken through the front lines.
His anxiety that they would lose if they took too long pushed him to rush the situation.
***
And then, there was another fatal coincidence.
It was the movement of the Sabbatian forces led by Sylph Nova.
The former Sabbatian government forces under Sylph's command had dwindled to only a few hundred soldiers.
Having lost the ace, Mr. Gorski, and with many wounded, they were not in a condition to undertake operations.
Thus, Sylph requested reinforcements from the regular Flamer Army, but…
"We cannot entrust the lives of our comrades to the Sabbatians."
"No way!"
The result was rejection.
They were only working together because they had a common interest, but the Alliance could not fully trust the Sabbath.
On the other hand, Sylph fiercely argued with the Alliance.
How would they fight Austin without the Sabbatian Army?
Continuing combat with their current numbers was impossible.
Sylph persistently negotiated.
"Though we cannot permit reinforcements from the regular army, we will allow you to recruit soldiers from the civilian population."
"In other words?"
"It seems volunteer soldiers are rising up within the country. We will permit you to negotiate with them."
Finally, as a compromise, Sylph secured permission to incorporate volunteer soldiers.
Although these volunteers were entirely untrained, having additional manpower was extremely beneficial.
Upon hearing this, Sylph immediately set out on horseback.
She headed for the largest volunteer force in Flamel at the time, the "Arunoma Volunteer Army."
"I see, I understand the situation."
"…Really?"
It was miraculous timing.
In a dire situation, the two heroes met just before Austin took the capital, Pari.
"Arunoma, you are truly lucky. Be grateful for your good fortune that you are speaking to me on this day, at this very moment."
"What on earth are you talking about?"
At this time, Arunoma was filled with righteous indignation and rose to action, but he found that his enemies were many more than he had imagined, causing him to turn pale.
The Austin Army numbered 30,000 against the 7,000 volunteers. Under normal circumstances, they could not win.
However, as a hero and a protagonist, he couldn't back down.
He was desperately racking his brains to find a way to retaliate.
"You have won, Arunoma Diskens."
Before such an Arunoma, she appeared.
The genius girl born to the Sabbath, with sharp, shining eyes that can see as far as the entire battlefield.
The genius Sylph smiled seductively at Arunoma and confidently instructed the battle strategy.
"Will the enemy really move as you say?"
"Yes. If I'm wrong, you can chop off my head and display my body anywhere you like."
"…"
Was it his "hero's intuition?"
Or perhaps Sylph's confident demeanor convinced him.
Arunoma decided to bet on the command of Sylph, who was far younger than himself.
"Okay, I'll believe in you."
"A wise decision."
For Sylph, this was the fulfillment of a long-held wish.
Until now, she had been subjected to unsatisfactory command under unworthy superiors.
Moreover, her orders were often ignored by her subordinates, leading to repeated failures.
But now…
"I, Arunoma Diskens, will take full responsibility. Please save Flamel under your command, Commander Sylph."
"Very well."
She had joined forces with the charismatic hero who commanded his subordinates flawlessly, Arunoma.
Her orders would not be misinterpreted and would be accurately conveyed under Arunoma's name.
This was the ideal army that Sylph Nova had always longed for.
"I will respond to your courageous decision, Arunoma."
"Yes."
"I will deliver the best possible results."
On the day the Austin army launched a full-scale attack against the Flamer Volunteer Army:
Sylph Nova, the "Witch of the Trenches," gave a small smile.
***
Sylph had predicted that Austin's strategy would be a "multi-point simultaneous breakthrough."
This was the most effective tactic against poorly trained soldiers holed up in trenches.
Furthermore, thanks to the reinforcements from Aerys, Sylph was certain that a prolonged battle was out of the question.
"This is a strategy you once used, Bern Valou."
Sylph's strategy was simple.
Feigning retreat from the trenches, she intended to launch a concentrated attack the moment the enemy crossed the trenches.
"It's an exemplary solution to the multi-point breakthrough tactic I came up with. Truly brilliant."
The multi-point breakthrough strategy relies on surprise and immediate attack.
If the enemy retreats and waits in ambush, much of the strategy's effectiveness is lost.
Austin's soldiers were lured into kill zones and were systematically annihilated by outdated bows and arrows and hunting rifles.
"Go, heroes!"
"Everyone, follow me!"
However, Bern, sensing something was wrong, immediately ordered a halt to the advance.
Seeing the ambush, he directed, "If they have vacated the trenches, that's enough. No further pursuit is needed."
His quick decision prevented significant damage to the Austin forces.
Although caught off guard, the situation was still manageable.
The problem was…
"Now is the time to exorcise the demons of Austin!"
Sylph, who had anticipated that Austin would quickly issue the order to retreat and regroup, launched a surprise attack on the advancing Austin Headquarters.
This was a limitation of the communication technology available at that time.
The greater the distance between Headquarters and the front lines, the more delay there was in commands.
To exercise command in real time, Headquarters needed to be located within one kilometer of the front line.
Bern Valou was not one to simply observe in this situation.
To minimize damage, he would appear at the front lines and direct operations.
Thinking along these lines, Sylph guessed the location of Headquarters and had Arunoma launch a surprise attack.
Sylph controlled the battlefield.
Confusing the enemy, creating openings, and striking vital points.
Her trademark tactic was a decisive strike to end the battle with a single blow.
In this assault, Arunoma achieved a major victory by killing Colonel Henri.
Additionally, Bern Valou was hit by an arrow in the shoulder and fell into a state of confusion.
With their headquarters struck, Austin's forces were routed and defeated.
Just 7,000 volunteers managed to defeat Bern Valou, who no one had ever beaten before.
Arunoma's achievement was a great victory, unprecedented in history.
"Do not let your guard down. Fortify the area around the main camp."
…Also, from what I've heard.
On the night of the day that Sylph had achieved her complete victory, she never let her guard down and continued to scout the area.
"Commander, aren't the Austin forces gone by now?"
"Yes, I think so."
Arunoma saw her eyes bloodshot and filled with fear.
When asked what she was wary of, Sylph replied:
"There are still monsters in Austin. Monsters that appear from outside our consciousness, overturn victories, and then vanish."
"…Is there such an enemy?"
She answered, nervously continuing reconnaissance.
It was as if she were a frightened girl who had just heard a scary story.
"They were not here. The monster I spoke of did not appear in this battle."
"…"
"So, they might come out now. They might take advantage of the opportunity while we're getting complacent after our victory."
Arunoma found it puzzling.
Why was the genius girl, who had achieved a great victory commanding volunteers against enemies many times her number, so fearful?
…In the end, the "monster" Sylph spoke of never appeared.
"From now on, we will maintain the trenches, but never let your guard down. Remain vigilant for ambushes."
"Yes."
Even several days after her victory, she never seemed to let her guard down.
This victory by the Flamer volunteers forced Austin into a major decision.
Fortunately, or perhaps as expected,
Bern's decision to retreat was swift, and no significant damage had been inflicted on the Austin troops.
The reason for the defeat was the paralysis of the command structure after Headquarters was attacked.
Austin could regroup once the command structure was restored.
The problem was the possibility that the 20,000 reinforcements from Aerys might pursue the retreating Southern Army.
Reinforcements for Aerys' landed on the coast, the opposite of the mining front.
Initially, Aerys preached about "liberating the citizens" and set the goal of recapturing the commercial city of Engei.
However, if they had changed course, they could have pursued the retreating Southern Army.
And as things stand, it would be more difficult for Austin if the Southern Army were attacked rather than if Engei was recaptured.
There was a significant possibility that Aerys forces would alter their course to attack the Southern Army after hearing the report of their rout.
Would the Aerys reinforcements head for Engei as declared?
Or will they predict the Southern Army's retreat route and launch a surprise attack?
Austin does not have the military strength to defend against both scenarios.
We were faced with two choices: either defend Engei or secure the Southern Army's retreat route.
Choosing incorrectly could mean the downfall of the nation.
Austin's fate was left to the discretion of Major Verdi and Lieutenant Colonel Renvel.