────Enemy movement spotted in the direction of Argalia.
────It is believed that the enemy's objective is a surprise attack on the Southern Army's retreat route.
Looking down from Fort Argalia, downstream of the great river, countless Aerys flags were fluttering in the wind.
This indicated that Austin's General Staff had been outmaneuvered by the Flamer-Aerys Alliance.
"Notifying all platoons. Our company is expected to engage with the enemy Aerys forces tomorrow."
"…"
"Everyone, prepare for battle. Take advantage of the uneven terrain and quickly prepare trenches."
The Southern Army command is currently in a state of chaos, with many troops in disarray and in the process of retreating.
Colonel Henry has been killed, and Bern Valou is in critical condition and unconscious. There is no way the army can stay united under these circumstances.
They would be annihilated if they were to be surprised by Aerys' forces in such a situation.
Austin will be destroyed if we let them through.
***
I did not make my judgment based solely on my usual intuition.
Verdi had said, "Conduct reconnaissance around Argalia for the next nine days."
If no one was seen by then, the Southern Army's retreat route would be safe.
However, even though it's only the fifth day, the enemy has already begun pressing into Argalia.
Even if I were to hurry and convey this information,
It would take two days for the information to be relayed back and forth, and by the time the facts are confirmed, the surprise attack might already be underway.
From the beginning, our reconnaissance mission was a "just in case."
General Staff had already decided that the enemy's main objective was an attack on Engei.
I knew who painted this picture.
The fact that they deliberately chose a surprise attack that was highly difficult.
Bern Valou's defeat by a small force.
From these factors, it can be said that the enemy is a genius comparable to Bern who loves surprise attacks.
The only person I know who fits this description is Sylph Nova.
It can only be her controlling the advancing Aerys forces from behind the scenes.
There was no way that Sylph, a master of surprise attacks, would fail in such an advantageous situation.
That's why we must not leave the Aerys Army alone.
"Trenches… Are we going to fight!? Against that massive army!"
"…It's impossible, there's no way we can win. We have to get away quickly!"
"Shouldn't we ask for instructions from General Staff?"
"Don't panic. I'll explain now."
In the face of an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers, the troops did not hide their unease.
However, I alone continued to pretend to be calm and collected.
A commander must remain composed in critical situations.
I trusted my own expressionless face.
"Rest assured, this situation is exactly as predicted by General Staff. Now, let me explain the outline of our special operation."
"…So this is going according to plan?"
"General Staff had predicted a surprise attack from the Aerys forces from here in the direction of Argalia. Now that we have confirmed the facts, the surprise attack from the enemy Aerys forces has been all but neutralized."
"Really?"
"Messenger, please hurry and relay this information to Headquarters."
I spoke with complete confidence, dispelling the soldiers' anxiety.
I couldn't say things like, "This is an unexpected development, and we are in dire straits."
"Now, our next mission is a delaying action. Let's mess with the advancing Aerys forces who are marching forward so carefreely."
"Mess with?"
"Yes. Let's teach these primitive people who are still organizing cavalry the art of modern warfare."
I was using all my brain power as I addressed my subordinates.
Night will soon fall.
Marching through the valley region at night would be highly risky.
The footing along the river is poor and there is a risk of being attacked by nocturnal animals.
The enemy likely won't advance at night.
The arrival of the enemy is expected to be after noon tomorrow.
"Let's prepare an evening reception and hold a party with lead bullets tomorrow. After entertaining our guests of honor, we'll return home leisurely and boast about our achievements."
"…"
We should be able to set up simple trenches if we work through the night.
Argalia is a valley, so it is not possible to invade with a large army.
The enemy will need to divide their forces and advance in waves.
If we prepare multiple layers of trenches, the Aerys' forces will have a hard time breaking through.
In the first place, the enemy will likely not expect that we are only 150-strong.
They will assume we are waiting with a larger force and will proceed cautiously.
This alone should buy us considerable time.
"Tomorrow's 'party' will determine Austin's future."
"The future, huh?"
"Yes. The time we buy will determine the fate of our families we left behind in our homeland."
At that moment, I envisioned Sedol and smiled.
It was a smile that reflected calm and confidence to dispel the soldiers' fears.
"Everything will be fine, right?"
"Of course, leave it to me."
Realistically, even buying a single day should be sufficient.
Platoon Leader Garback made a show of buying a day with just 54 men, fewer than our own force.
We should be able to buy about a day by making the enemy cautious and depleting their supplies with artillery magic.
After doing that, General Staff should have no complaints.
"I have been through many such crises before…"
"O-Oh…"
"Let's bring fortune to Austin, as befits the name Lucky Carry."
I calmly chose what seemed to be the best course of action.
Let's use everything available to protect Austin.
To prevent the lives of Sedol and the others living in the homeland from being lost.
────My heartbeat accelerated.
Yes, that was the moment I made up my mind.
I felt a surge of heat rising from deep within my body.
────My lips curled.
I feel excited.
It's like I'm sitting in a chair playing a game, rather than on a battlefield where my life is at stake.
Whenever I feel overwhelmed by fear, my "other self" begins to make a fuss.
It seems that "the other me" has finally gotten up.
"Let us create a miracle in Argalia."
In response to my rallying call, the soldiers roared with enthusiasm.
***
The soldiers wore anxious expressions, but none of them attempted to defy the orders.
They are working hard on building trenches without losing their fighting spirit.
…It seems there's no need to worry about deserters for now.
────3 o'clock direction, halfway up the mountain. It's in the enemy's blind spot, and the height makes it easy to defend.
────If we lie in ambush behind the rocks along the river, we can catch the enemies coming down the river from behind.
A ringing sound echoed in my brain.
A mechanical, emotionless male voice spoke in my head.
"Lieutenant Touri, there are traces of a fortress on the sandbank in the lower reaches of the river."
"Good. Can we reinforce it with rocks and mud to make it functional?"
"I'll ask Corporal Nauman to take care of it."
Whenever I find myself in a dire situation, the voice of my second personality, another me, always starts to speak.
…The hallucination of my mad self, having lost my sanity.
"That depression by the riverbank looks good. Should we dig a trench there?"
"I see, it's true that it's a perfect place to dig a trench… but it's so perfect that the enemy might be able to predict it. Also, positioning soldiers there won't significantly expand our defensive range."
"Then how about the southeastern hills if we enter the mountain path?"
"We should definitely set up trenches there. The enemy will pass through those hills when they get around the riverbank. We can ambush them and drive them back."
This voice is excellent at identifying such advantageous positions.
I worked out the strategy in my head, giving instructions on where to dig trenches and where to hide the soldiers.
All the while, with a grotesque smile, I carried out these plans without fully understanding their meaning.
***
Thanks to the efforts of the soldiers, we were able to complete our defensive preparations overnight.
It was so perfect it almost felt eerie.
"Sergeant Gavel. Honestly, how much time do you think we can buy?"
"…You're asking me that?"
I asked as I watched the final trench being completed.
In a low voice, I conversed with my adjutant, Sergeant Gavel.
"…We won't last more than a few hours if we fight normally. It'll be a miracle if we can even last a day."
"I agree."
Such was Sergeant Gavel's opinion.
Certainly, when 150 people fight against 20,000 people, there is no way it can end in victory.
Sheer numbers would inevitably overwhelm us.
"But I once saw someone hold a fortress with just 54 men for a whole day."
"Well… he must have been an incredible person."
"Yes, he was truly an extraordinary individual."
Platoon Leader Garback once held off the advancing Sabbatian Army with just 54 men at Fort Muson.
Thanks to him, the capital was spared from the flames of war and many lives were saved.
"I believe we can hold out for at least a day."
"Maybe… If everything goes perfectly, it might be possible."
"Yes."
Gavel gave a vague smile as he said this.
We might be able to hold out for a day.
…What kind of expression should I show him?
"What's with that face? You look like you're about to cry, Lieutenant Touri."
"Yeah."
Somehow, I realized it.
Even if we manage to hold out for just a day, it won't change the outcome of the battle.
Let's say we risk our lives, make many sacrifices, and delay the invasion of the Aerys Army by a day, just like Platoon Commander Garback did.
The surprise attack will still succeed, and Austin will be in a critical situation.
"No matter how hard we try to buy a day… Austin's defeat won't be overturned."
"…What?"
"It's just a feeling, but that's what I think."
It will take half a day for the information that, "Aerys is targeting the Southern Army's retreat route" to reach Headquarters.
The time lag is so large that even if we gain a day, I don't think there will be enough time to support the Southern Army.
"Then what do we do?"
"If we can delay the Aerys Army for three days, Austin will have a fighting chance."
"Three days…"
The period that Verdi specified for us to continue our reconnaissance mission is three more days.
If Argalia is breached by that date, the Aerys Army will have enough time to launch a surprise attack.
"It's impossible."
"You think so?"
"There's no way it can be done. Holding out for even a single day would be a miracle; three days is unthinkable."
Holding off 20,000 men with just 150 here for three days.
If we could do that, it would indeed be a "miracle" in Austin's military history.
Can we truly achieve such a feat?
"We won't have enough weapons and ammunition if we engage in combat. We only have enough ammunition for one day."
"…That's true."
"I must oppose that strategic goal. It's unrealistic."
In a situation where we lack ammunition and supplies…
How many "miracles" would have to align for such a thing to be possible?
"On the first day, we'll secure both banks centered around the fortress on the sandbank. It will be a tactical victory if we can draw out the enemy's artillery."
"What…?"
"On the second day, we'll engage in guerrilla warfare on both banks and the mountain path. 10 men hidden behind those rocks can hold for two hours. We'll dig trenches in the hills and hold 10 men there for three hours. If we dig trenches on the detour on the mountain path and hide 20 men there, we should be able to buy ourselves five hours."
"…Lieutenant Touri?"
That answer came from the voice in my head.
"Someone" inside me was simply guiding me along the path to a miracle.
"We can do it. As long as the soldiers follow my orders and adhere to the plan."
"Don't be ridiculous. There's no way that's possible."
"No, it's just barely enough."
I recalculated it several times.
If we place soldiers there, how long will it take for the Aerys' soldiers to break through?
If every member of this company fulfills their duty, a miracle can happen in Argalia.
"But how will the soldiers retreat if we deploy them there?"
"Retreat is not being considered"
With this arrangement, the operation will proceed according to a precise schedule.
We can hold the enemy back for exactly 72 hours.
That way the Aerys Army won't be able to ambush the Austin Southern Army in time.
Bern Valou can retreat, and our future will be secured.
Perfect planning, absolutely flawless.
"We can buy time if we sacrifice the lives of the entire company here."
That's this strategy that came to mind.
I envisioned the realization of a "miracle" in this land of Argalia.
"So, what do you think, Sergeant Gavel?"
"…"
The success rate of this operation is realistic.
There is probably a 40-50% chance of success as long as there are no deserters.
Even if we fail, only 150 members of the company would be killed in action, and we would still buy some time.
Considering the risks and returns, it was more of a loss not to execute it.
"Both Maeve and Nauman will struggle in the trenches to the death. After buying us plenty of time, they will die in battle when they run out of ammunition."
"You…"
"On the first day it will be Maeve, and on the second day will be Nauman. And then on the third day, Sergeant Gavel, I want you to lead the final defense of the fortress."
"…"
"For the final day, you will hole up in Fort Argalia, unite the remaining Austin forces, and fight back for about half a day. If we fight back without considering escape, then this is a realistic goal to set."
"Touri, you…"
As I spoke, my voice trembled, and tears and snot flowed down my face.
I continued in a voice only Sergeant Gavel could hear.
"However, there is one soldier who is not expected to die in this battle."
"…"
"Finally, one soldier will be needed to run to the communication base to report the results of the battle."
"..."
"That person is the one who will be in the rear until the very end. Someone who will not participate in the battle, who can run for a long period of time, and who can provide accurate reports."
My strategy is perfect, if I may say so myself.
Using up every life in the company, buying time without waste, and then─
"The role of surviving and running to the communication post… That is something I'm best suited for."
"…"
"Hey, Sergeant Gavel."
I alone will survive.
"Do you have any opinions on my current strategy?"
"Really…"
"Do you have any objections? Am I making any fatal miscalculations?"
I was planning this operation while instructing the soldiers on where to set up their trenches.
A plan to sacrifice my entire company while remaining the only one to survive, all in the name of saving my country.
"I am confident in this strategy. This method has the highest success rate I can think of."
"…"
"I can't think of any other way to save Austin…"
Covered in vomit and tears, I was a complete mess.
Sergeant Gavel simply stared at me with an expressionless gaze.