"Inform the Touri Guerrilla Company of a change of orders. Conduct reconnaissance of the Argalia Valley, 52 kilometers to the southeast."
The morning after we received the shocking news of our defeat.
Verdi instructed us to head towards Argalia, the Southern Army's retreat route, instead of Engei.
"Prioritize speed. You are permitted to use and abandon transport supplies as necessary for the execution of this operation."
Our orders were to scout the retreat route for any presence of the Aerys forces.
At present, we are the only unit in the vicinity of Engei that can move quickly.
They decided that it would be quicker for us to conduct reconnaissance rather than organize a new reconnaissance unit.
"Furthermore, General Staff does not believe the enemy Aerys Army will target the Argalia retreat route. I'm sending you here just to be on the safe side."
"Understood."
Apparently, our reconnaissance mission is merely an insurance policy.
The General Staff predicted that the 20,000-strong Aerys Army would attack Engei.
From Aerys' perspective, targeting the Southern Army would be impractical.
First of all, there are multiple routes that Austin's Southern Army could use to retreat, making their position hard to predict.
Additionally, there's the risk of counterattack if Bern regains consciousness.
Pursuing the Southern Army is effective but risky.
On the other hand, the road to Engei is well maintained, making the advance straightforward without getting lost.
And there are only a few Austin soldiers defending Engei.
The Central Army must also maintain the mining front, so they cannot allocate many troops.
In other words, attacking the Southern Army is a gamble, but invading Engei ensures a favorable battle.
A win would force Austin to retreat either way.
Moreover, claiming to "liberate the citizens" in Engei would sound better.
Targeting the Argalia retreat route offers no additional return and only increases risk.
Based on that, General Staff predicted that the possibility of a surprise attack on the Southern Army's retreat route was low.
"Touri Guerrilla Company will remain stationed in Argalia for nine days and continue the reconnaissance mission. If no enemy is sighted by noon on the ninth day, you may withdraw."
However, Verdi insisted on sending a recon unit to the Argalia retreat route.
In the unlikely event that the enemy targets the Southern Army, they will pass through the Argalia Valley.
Since they cannot cross the mountain range without passing here, it is the perfect reconnaissance point.
Thus, we were dispatched to Argalia.
There is also apparently a small fortress in the Argalia Valley.
The fortress appears to be abandoned, but it can be used as a base for sleeping during reconnaissance missions.
"Is the operation period only nine days?"
"Yes. If no enemy is sighted by the ninth day from today, the ambush on the retreat route will not be feasible. Further reconnaissance is unnecessary."
"I see, I understand."
After explaining the orders, Verdi said, "I wish you the best of luck," and ended the call.
The communication time was only a few minutes, a short briefing time considering the mission's importance.
He must be busy directing Engei's defense operations.
"…Sergeant Gavel."
"Yes?"
Cold sweat ran down my cheek.
This is not the kind of task that should be suddenly entrusted to a unit still in training.
It is a critical mission that could determine Austin's future.
"I intend to keep the Southern Army's defeat from my subordinates for now. It would affect morale."
"Yeah, I agree."
"Inform the soldiers that we have received a special operation and are changing course to the east."
There will be no problem if the enemy targets Engei as predicted.
However, if there are enemies in Argalia, where we are heading… our job will likely be to "hold back Aerys."
In the worst-case scenario, this could lead to total annihilation.
…If I am being honest, there's no guarantee that some soldiers won't desert.
"Quickly, efficiently, and accurately."
Feeling crushed by the heavy responsibility, I began planning the advance to Argalia.
***
"Isn't this plan unreasonable?"
"Let's do our best. Headquarters are stretched thin."
In my discussion with Gavel, a number of issues came to light.
First of all, it is not possible to communicate with Headquarters near Argalia.
Fort Argalia is still within the Flamel's sphere of influence.
Naturally, there is no way that Austin's military communications base would have been set up there.
"Corporal Nauman, is there anything you can do?"
"Sure, Lieutenant. Leave it to me."
"Really?"
"Of course. Despite how I look, I'm quite reliable."
When I consulted with Nauman, he said that we could create a makeshift communication base if we had magical communication devices.
Only Gavel and I were issued communication magic devices in this company, with two each, including spares.
"Assuming we carry one around with us, there are three communication magic items that can be used as bases. The communication range can be extended to 15 kilometers."
"That's not enough to reach Argalia."
"It shortens the distance for the runner; that's good enough."
The distance from here to Argalia is about 52 kilometers to the southeast.
A messenger will need to run more than 30 kilometers daily to communicate.
Even for a fast runner, it would take 4–5 hours.
We need to select someone with strong legs and a good sense of direction.
"Let's also finalize the schedule to reach Argalia."
"If we go straight, we should arrive there in two or three days."
"It won't be that easy. Let's aim to arrive within five days."
The company can advance 20-30 kilometers daily if we push hard.
By that calculation, we should arrive in Argalia roughly two and a half days from now.
However, that's assuming we don't get lost and march without rest.
We are mostly composed of new recruits and lack guides.
We should plan for five days, considering the need to rest at night.
"Can you tell me the details of this special mission? I might have suggestions for using the communication base."
"Well then, I will tell you what I can, Nauman. We will head to Fort Argalia and conduct reconnaissance for nine days."
"Hmm…"
"While stationed there, we will report the results of our reconnaissance to Headquarters twice daily. That is why we need the communications base."
"Yes, I understand."
Upon reaching Argalia, we must immediately conduct reconnaissance and report back the results.
"In that case, let's set up markers around the communication base to prevent getting lost."
"Yes, please do."
"Also, there are these things called guiding stones; if you float them on water, they will always point in a certain direction. We'll use these to set up signposts between our bases."
After discussing for about an hour, we solidified our plan.
Nauman will be responsible for setting up the communication base.
This doesn't solve everything, but it addresses the communication issue.
Next is the issue of food and ammunition.
Originally, our company's mission was to transport supplies, so we weren't given long-term provisions.
Verdi authorized us to replenish food and ammunition from the transport supplies.
Upon checking the supplies, I found…
"Lots of wine from Flamel."
"Puku puku puku puku."
"Stop it, Argie."
One of the boxes contained only bottles of wine.
The neighboring box contained canned goose and duck meat.
The remaining boxes were filled with captured Flamer guns and swords.
"I can't find any food other than canned meat."
"The weapons are in terrible condition."
While canned meat is food, it's too unbalanced for a proper diet.
Military rations are designed to provide various nutrients, but a meat-only diet is too harsh.
"…Shall we reduce the daily rations and provide canned meat instead?"
"Agreed."
This canned meat provided enough food for about two days.
I think it was the first time I'd ever eaten duck meat.
It tasted slightly like chicken seasoned with a fruity sauce.
"What is this, so sweet?"
"This is quite a strange…"
The canned meat from Flamel was well-received by the soldiers.
It was tastier than the rations, so there were no complaints.
"Lieutenant Touri, we only have wine for drinks. Can we get permission to use it?"
"Puku puku… Puku."
"…"
However, the strong flavor of the duck made the soldiers salivate over the wine.
This wine was likely made to pair well with the canned meat.
For the Flamers, enjoying an evening drink with this wine and canned meat was the ultimate luxury.
But allowing wine during an operation is out of the question.
Getting drunk and stalling the march is unacceptable.
"Can we use wine as a drink, not as alcohol?"
"No. Please find and secure a water source such as a river."
Despite several requests from platoon leaders for wine, I firmly refused.
It would be the height of folly to get drunk while Austin's survival is at stake.
"If we find a water source, we'll empty the wine bottles and fill them with boiled water."
"Puku!! Puku pupu… puu!!!"
"Quiet, Argie."
Securing water is crucial. Without it, we'd dehydrate easily.
While Argalia Valley is said to have plenty of water sources, we must be prepared.
If we can't find a water source along the way, we'll have no choice but to discard the wine.
"Lieutenant Touri, about the weapons…"
"Is this what they call a musket? It's a single-shot weapon, and it's not very accurate."
"They're no better than farmers' hunting rifles."
The weapons we were carrying were pretty bad as well.
All of them were inferior to the first-generation Austin rifle.
It's a gun made by Flamel, so maybe it can't be helped.
"The army likely sees these as 'iron,' not 'weapons.' They'll be remade into Austin guns at the rear."
"Probably."
The weapons we carried were mostly scrap metal.
The only things that seem to be usable are muskets and close-range knives.
There were no fancy weapons like grenades, only items reminiscent of weapons from a previous era.
"Well, we should just run away if a battle breaks out."
"There's no way we can win with these."
Sergeant Gavel and I sighed as we inspected the weapons.
The last problem is that we have not received any topographical information up to Argalia.
We don't know anything about Argalia except that it is in the southeast.
"We'll get lost if we don't send out scouts to check the route."
"We're in Flamer territory, so there's probably no one there who knows the area."
"Of course not…"
Since Argalia was not a planned location, no one knew its exact position.
I've contacted Headquarters to request terrain information but have not received a reply yet.
Not knowing the way could be deadly.
It would be disastrous if we scout the wrong area.
"Let's advance southeast for now. We'll have the scouts check the route and wait for a reply from Headquarters."
"That's all we can do."
We began our slow advance, ensuring communication as we moved.
***
"Hey, Lieutenant Touri, where exactly are we headed?"
"I can't tell you yet since it's a special mission."
"Oh, come on."
We were struggling even just to advance.
"Didn't you receive the canned meat? That's your advance payment."
"I'm not a big fan of that stuff."
According to the reply from Headquarters, "There is a big river nearby, and you will reach Argalia Valley if you follow it upstream."
This route seemed to be quite a detour, so it would take about five days to reach Argalia as initially expected.
"Shouldn't we take a break soon? The scouts are exhausted."
"The scouts have indeed been running non-stop."
"Alright, let's take a break! Can we eat the fish we catch in the river?"
"Just make sure to cook it thoroughly so you don't get sick."
The soldiers tried to catch fish or picked fruits to supplement their rations.
Although we still had some rations left, they were trying to save as much as possible.
"Look at me, Lieutenant Touri, I'm good at this, right? I won a fishing competition when I was a kid."
"Wow."
The soldiers from river villages caught fish with their bare hands and shared them with our comrades.
They were like fish in water.
"Here you go, Lieutenant. I've cleaned it, so just add plenty of salt and enjoy."
"Thank you."
They don't know anything.
At this very moment, Austin is on the brink of extinction.
"This special mission isn't so bad if we can have fun in the river like this."
"The water in this river is delicious."
"Hey, make sure to boil the water. Never drink it raw."
I continued to greet the soldiers with my practiced smile so as to not let them know the anxiety building up inside me.
Suddenly, we were given delicious canned meat.
We played in the river with our comrades, catching and eating fish.
These five days might have been enjoyable for the soldiers.
On the fifth day since we received our special mission,
We finally arrived at the Argalia Valley.
"Wow…"
"This is…"
The Argalia Valley was a beautiful place filled with rich nature and the chirping of birds.
In the clear streams, fish swam, and lush green aquatic plants grew thickly.
A stone fortress stood across the river built between the mountains.
The river flowed through the fortress's waterways to the downstream, making it possible to fish within the fortress.
The location surrounded by water functioned as a natural moat, designed to defend against enemies.
A natural fortress towering over the water. That was Fort Argalia.
"But it's falling apart."
"The fortress walls are crumbling."
However, the fortress showed numerous signs of battle and was already in a dilapidated state.
Large holes dotted the fortress walls, overgrown with weeds and moss.
After all, the last time this fortress was used in war was over a hundred years ago.
In the age of swords and spears, this fortress surrounded by water boasted unparalleled defensive strength.
But now, it is a relic of past wars. In gun fights, it didn't matter if it was surrounded by water.
On the contrary, it will make it more difficult to escape and the facilities will deteriorate faster. There are probably more disadvantages than advantages.
That's why this fortress was abandoned and treated as a ruin within Flamel.
"We have arrived at the target location. Thank you everyone for your hard work. We will now enter the second phase of the operation."
"Umm…"
"Scouts, please check the surrounding terrain. The Communications Officer will be running immediately, so please get some rest while you can."
After securing Fort Argalia, I tried to stay calm.
Being careful not to change my expression, I gave instructions to my subordinates.
"Infantrymen and quartermasters, please grab your shovels and prepare to dig trenches. I want you to dig trenches in the places I instruct you to."
"Um, Lieutenant Touri?"
Next to me, Sergeant Gavel was silently glaring at the scenery ahead.
The soldiers behind me were nervously whispering with anxious looks on their faces.
"What on earth is that?"
"You still don't understand?"
My heart hadn't stopped pounding since we arrived at Argalia.
Sweat poured down my entire body; my brain screamed to flee immediately.
The soldiers' complexions were pale, with Sergeant Gavel's face completely blue.
"As you can see, it's the Aerys Army."
Contrary to the predictions of Austin's General Staff…
An army of 20,000 Aerys soldiers had invaded the southern retreat route, heading towards Argalia.
Countless blue Aerys flags were fluttering before our eyes.
The Aerys Army was advancing in formation, raising dust as they crossed the plain beyond the valley.
Right now, we are the only ones in Austin who know of this fact.
"From this moment on, our actions will determine the future of Austin. Everyone, please be prepared to follow orders with resolve."
There was no guaranteed communication between Argalia and Headquarters, and it took about half a day for information to travel.
Austin's General Staff had made a critical error in their crucial decision.