"…Give me a little time."
"I understand. I will talk with you later."
"Ah."
After listening to my plan, Sergeant Gavel walked away without even looking at my face.
I was left alone on the riverbank, sitting with my knees hugged to my chest.
"Please assemble in front of Fort Argalia once the trenches are completed."
"Understood, Lieutenant."
After composing myself, I called out to the soldiers.
The red sun was rising in the sky, illuminating the surrounding landscape.
Fort Argalia was an old structure made of red bricks and stones.
It has deteriorated over the years, with parts chipping away and crumbling.
Grass and trees thrived around the river, and the surrounding mountain range was high, rugged, and beautiful.
If it were not wartime, Fort Argalia would boast a charm that could make it a good tourist spot.
After the trenches were dug,
"From now on, you will all fight as heroes to save Austin."
Amidst the peaceful sounds of the river's murmuring and the chirping of birds…
I gathered the mud-streaked soldiers on the riverbank and gave a speech.
"Our efforts will lead to the future. As soldiers and military personnel, I am very happy to stand here with you."
I sent a messenger last night, but there was no response from Headquarters.
They were likely not prepared to respond to the surprise attack on the Southern Army's retreat route.
They may even be considering the possibility that our report may be false.
…If there is no reply from General Staff Headquarters, we cannot expect any reinforcements.
Only we, who know that the enemy's surprise attack is real, can protect Austin.
"Lieutenant Touri."
"Yes?"
Even though the morning sun had started to rise, there was still no movement from the enemy.
Since smoke from cooking was rising, there should still be time.
The decisive battle will probably be in the early afternoon.
"We only need to buy a little more time, right?"
"…Yes, I need you to buy a little more time."
"Specifically, how long do we have to hold out before we can withdraw?"
"Each platoon has a set target combat time. I will explain this to each platoon leader."
I am about to order them to die.
The soldiers in front of me are new recruits who have just joined the military.
They have no experience of bloody combat, nor the resolve to sacrifice their lives.
Is it really right to deceive such people and send them to their deaths?
"Understood."
"…Thank you for your understanding."
I want to confess everything.
That everyone here will probably not return alive.
That I alone will run away and report to Headquarters.
"…"
But if I do that, the soldiers will run away.
I must deceive them.
They must not know that they will never return to their hometowns, that their bodies will be buried in this distant foreign land of Argalia.
It must not be known.
"Well then, everyone, feel free to take one bottle of Flamer wine. Please enjoy it in moderation as a pre-battle cheer."
"Oh! Is it really okay to have this before the battle, Lieutenant?"
"This time is special. Each platoon leader will be briefed, so please gather in the tent. After that, the wine will be distributed."
"Puku puku puk!"
While pretending to maintain a calm demeanor…
I gave a twisted smile in front of the soldiers who cheered as they were given wine.
***
How much should I tell each platoon leader?
…Is it okay to tell all the platoon leaders everything?
Their mission in this operation is to hold off the enemy until death.
The mission will collapse if the platoon leaders do not understand this purpose and make their own judgment to retreat.
However, there is also a platoon leader who has a habit of deserting in the face of the enemy.
Won't he and his unit abandon their positions and run away if I tell him the truth?
The formation will be breached if even one unit abandons its position, and the enemy could invade immediately.
Should I intentionally not convey the true intent of the mission and force them into a situation where they cannot retreat, forcing them to hang on until they die?
"…"
Deceiving the soldiers who trust me.
Sending them to their death without even explaining the meaning of their sacrifice.
Only I will report the battle results and receive the commendations.
This should not be forgiven.
This must not be forgiven.
Yet, I cannot think of another way to save Austin.
Is there a plan where I alone would be punished?
Is there any plan where I would receive the punishment for this unforgivable wrongdoing?
Isn't there a strategy in which only I would die, instead of countless other soldiers?
In the first place, why do I have to be the one to report on the operation?
I am certain that I will survive until the third day.
As I am a healer with the [Heal] ability, it would be inefficient for me to die early in the battle.
Moreover, the decline in morale if the company commander dies cannot be underestimated.
I should indeed survive and fight until the third day.
However, wouldn't it be fine if someone else took on the role of reporting after retreating on the third day?
Take Sergeant Gavel for example. How about taking over command of his reinforcement platoon and dying in his place?
Meanwhile, Sergeant Gavel could run to the communication base to report the battle results.
He said he wanted to become a hero.
If Sergeant Gavel returns after reporting the battle results, he will surely become a hero.
If that's what he wants, I'll hand over overall command to him and fight to the death─
────Stop being so naive.
I would rather die in battle and have peace of mind.
I felt that if I died in battle, I would be forgiven for pushing everyone to their deaths.
However, this is nothing more than self-indulgent, self-harming behavior.
It is in the national interest of the country for me to survive and act as the messenger.
…Users of healing magic are very rare.
Moreover, someone as unhinged as me is probably better as a commander than he is.
For the benefit of Austin, I should be the one to survive.
"Hey, Lieutenant Touri."
"…What is it, Sergeant Gavel?"
"I have something to discuss. Can you please meet with me for a moment?"
────Ah, I feel nauseous.
What a vile, cruel, heartless creature I am.
It's no wonder Bern Valou treats me like a friend.
"Let's have a strategy meeting."
As I was mocking myself like that…
Sergeant Gavel whispered this to me.
***
"What is it, Sergeant Gavel?"
"I have a proposal."
He maintained a serious expression.
He led me into the tent and urged me to sit in a chair.
"What's the proposal?"
"I don't agree with your plan that I heard this morning. Please hand over command to me."
Sergeant Gavel, sitting across from me, spoke these words as soon as he opened his mouth.
I was so stunned that I opened my mouth in astonishment.
"I am more suitable as a commander than you."
"…What do you mean?"
"It means exactly what it says. I will take over command from now on."
Sergeant Gavel does not appear to be joking or making light of this situation.
It seems like he's serious about taking over command.
"Are you saying you disagree with the strategy I've proposed?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"Then, let me hear your opinion."
…Upon reflection, it was quite obvious.
How many people would follow orders knowing they are destined to die?
Sergeant Gavel is only 15 years old. There's no way he's ready to die yet.
"You know, you're ordering us to die while you plan to survive. It's impossible to accept."
"But…"
"There's no way the soldiers will be convinced by something like that. I can assure you, your plan will end in desertion and fail. I'm not stupid enough to risk my life on a plan that I know will fail."
"…"
Sergeant Gavel's criticism hit a sore spot.
Certainly, the success of this plan relies on everyone fighting to the death in accordance with their duties.
It would not be wrong to say that everything would collapse if deserters began to appear.
"Then, do you have a better plan, Sergeant Gavel?"
"Yeah."
If he has a brilliant alternative, I would support it.
To be honest, if there are other options, I would rather use them.
I have no qualms about handing over command to him.
"Make it so that the plan you just mentioned was one I came up with."
When I listened to him, thinking it over…
"You were planning to withdraw after one day, but I said, 'That's not enough.'"
"…What are you saying?"
"It would be a disgrace for the person who came up with this plan to survive alone, wouldn't it?"
I looked up in surprise, and he laughed heartily, just like Renvel.
"I came up with the plan to fight until we're killed. That way, I'm sure the soldiers will be more willing to join us."
"…"
"I apologize to you as the planner of the strategy, but this will increase the chances of success. I'll leave the actual command to you. How's that?"
There was a faint trace of fear in his eyes.
Yet Sergeant Gavel maintained his bold attitude.
"How to make the soldiers resolve themselves to lose their lives. That's the key to this operation."
"But…"
"I'll handle that part. And then, will you let me take the credit and become a hero, Lieutenant Touri?"
He asked directly, looking straight into my eyes.
"…Even if you become a hero, you will still die."
"Yeah, but I'll have protected my country. I'm sure my parents will be proud."
"Why would you agree to this wicked strategy that I came up with?"
"I sounded like the best plan to protect Austin to me."
It certainly makes sense.
It would likely reduce the number of deserters if the planner is determined to die themselves.
"And you will survive, Lieutenant Touri."
"…"
"It would be better for Austin if you survived rather than me. Even an idiot like me understands that."
Sergeant Gavel continued in a light tone.
I listened quietly, with my lips pressed into a thin line.
"What do you think? My plan is better than yours, right?"
"…"
"Why don't you say something?"
He has made up his mind.
Because the only plan I could think of was to sacrifice everyone here to save Austin.
Sergeant Gavel decided to accept it and die bearing it all on his shoulders.
"So, is that okay with you?"
"Yeah."
The success rate of the operation will improve if he does this.
That would surely be in Austin's national interest.
"Don't look at me like that, Lieutenant Touri. This is my chance to fulfill my lifelong dream and become a hero."
"…"
"And, well, you know what?"
I have no reason to oppose Sergeant Gavel's proposal.
But why is he so—
"Guess I'll just come out and say it. I thought that dying for the girl I love wouldn't be so bad."
"…"
"I didn't say anything because I heard you had no intention of dating anyone."
Sergeant Gavel's words froze my heart.
"Don't make that face… I'm sorry."
"No… That is, well…"
"I'm not expecting a response, just ignore it."
Did Sergeant Gavel have feelings for me?
Had there been any signs of that before?
At least, I hadn't noticed it at all.
"Well, it's fine as long as you understand why I'm risking my life."
"…"
"Alright then, that's it. Tell me the details of the plan you have in mind."
If that's the case, then I─
Does this mean I'm taking advantage of his feelings towards me and using him?
"I'll show you something incredibly cool, Touri."
And what kind of face should I show to him, smiling so freely?