From here on, I will share some information that came to light after the war.
This is about the circumstances of the Aerys Army during the Battle of Argalia.
First, regarding the Arunoma Volunteer Army that defeated Austin's Southern Army.
At that time, Sylph asked Aerys and Flamel to pursue them.
Sylph was leading a group of civilian soldiers who lacked both stamina and training, making it difficult for them to pursue effectively.
"This is a great opportunity to strike Austin's main force. I'm counting on you."
However, the regular Flamer Army was stationed in the capital, Pari.
If they couldn't handle it, they could ask them to pursue instead.
Sylph thought this way and requested the pursuit, intending to hand over the credit for the victory, but…
"I'm sorry, but we cannot comply with that request."
"What?! Why, at such a rare opportunity!"
The regular Flamer Army refused Sylph's request to pursue them.
The reason is:
"There's no way a mere militia can defeat Austin's main army."
"They're probably pretending to retreat in order to weaken the capital's defenses."
Bern Valou is a ruthless villain who is undefeated in battle.
His notoriety made Flamer's General Staff suspicious.
"No! We definitely won. There's no chance of it being an act!"
"I'm sorry, but we can't believe it."
The regular Flamer Army, fearing that their capital would be taken, were unable to mobilize.
This response must have made Sylph grind her teeth in frustration.
Meanwhile, the Aerys Army said:
"We understand the situation. We congratulate you for your achievements, Sylph Nova."
"…Thank you."
"We will send a pursuit force immediately. You should get some rest."
They agreed to pursue the retreating Southern Army at Sylph's request.
Being a foreign force in the war, Aerys had the advantage of being more agile.
They sent 20,000 reinforcements that were originally scheduled to advance to Engei to Argalia.
Upon hearing this, Sylph must have breathed a sigh of relief.
***
The outcome of the battle in Argalia is as I have already explained.
The trenches proved to be far stronger than the Aerys Army had anticipated.
The valley terrain also prevented them from utilizing their numerical advantage effectively, which was another factor in their struggle.
The Aerys Army was repelled without being able to demonstrate their true potential.
The deciding factor appears to have been the night raid we carried out on the second day.
They lost their artillery mages and the supplies, including food and magic stones, which had been transported from afar.
This loss was critical. By this point, they had run out of the food needed to complete the pursuit of the Southern Army.
Despite this, the commander of the Aerys Army did not give up and decided to continue the operation by rationing food.
As a result, a negative atmosphere began to spread among the Aerys soldiers.
For the past two days, they had been forced into dangerous situations without any plan and without tangible results.
To top it all off, they were given less food and were forced to participate in attacks throughout the night.
What would the soldiers of the Aerys Army think in such a situation?
I can't keep dealing with this.
We came to fight, not to be targets for bullets.
The difference in gun performance was so significant that it wasn't a proper fight.
If they were struggling against just 150 men, there was no way they could pursue Austin's Southern Army of 30,000.
By the second night, morale had plummeted to an intolerable level.
The troops in the rear were suspicious, asking, "What are we even trying to do?" and the troops on the front lines were reluctant to charge, fearing they would be riddled with holes.
Eventually, deserters began to appear, and the commander of the Aerys Army was forced to make the decision to retreat.
It was already uncertain whether they could catch up with the Southern Army's retreat in time.
Continuing the operation would deplete their supplies and only increase the number of deserters.
To begin with, this is not an operation led by the Aerys Army.
It was more like a formality, merely responding to Sylph's request.
They no longer had the motivation to continue the fight.
Thus, the Aerys Army retreated from Argalia on the second night.
The reported casualties for the Aerys Army were as follows:
221 dead, 547 wounded, 332 deserters, and in addition, 80% of the magic stones and 40% of the food burnt.
In contrast, the casualties for us were:
76 dead, 21 wounded, and only one day's worth of ammunition expended.
It was a great victory, unprecedented in history.
This miracle was made possible by the brave comrades who risked their lives in battle.
…I am proud to have fought alongside them.
***
After Lieutenant Albert's inspection of the battlefield was completed, we offered our prayers at the graves of our fallen comrades we had erected in Argalia and then headed home.
"The 76 lives lost in Argalia have become the foundation of our homeland. It is thanks to their courage that we are able to watch the sunrise today."
"…Thank you."
"Salute to our brave comrades!"
Their bodies were cremated and buried on a hilltop with a scenic view.
"I will make sure to bring back their wills and dog tags. May they rest in peace after death."
After saluting the heroes who fell in Argalia, we were escorted back to Engei by Lieutenant Albert.
Upon arriving in Engei,
"…I'm glad you came back, Touri."
"Yes."
I first went to visit Verdi to report on the results of the operation.
Reporting to the superior after returning is the duty of a commander.
"I've read the report. You did exceptionally well."
"I'm honored."
"Truly wonderful. There is nothing to complain about."
Verdi met with me on the very day I made the appointment.
He said he was eager to talk.
"This is probably the victory with the biggest difference in military strength in this war."
"Yes."
"Uncle was pleased as well. It is a historic achievement."
"Thank you."
When I saw Verdi after a long time, he looked gaunt and worn out.
His cheeks were sunken and his skin was sickly pale.
I was a little shocked.
"Your company's results have yet to be made public. It will surely cause a commotion."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed. …It's unheard of for the results of a battle to be so great that they would hide the information."
Verdi looked at me with an expression of disbelief.
…Does this mean that it couldn't be made public until the authenticity had been confirmed?
"That report is accurate, correct?"
"Yes. …It is the achievement of my brave subordinates. There are no fabrications."
"…I see."
After hearing the report, Verdi let out a deep sigh.
He then slowly brought his finger close to my forehead and—
"Ouch."
He flicked my forehead.
"…?"
"Hah…"
As I was surprised and holding my forehead, Verdi was also rubbing his finger as if it hurt.
…An awkward atmosphere settled in.
"Major Verdi. Have I done anything to displease you?"
"Not at all. Your achievements are very impressive. There should be no reason to complain."
"Then—"
"You and all the other surviving members of the Touri Guerilla Company will have your names engraved in history. As your superior officer, I am nothing but proud."
Even after flicking my forehead, Verdi continued to praise me unreservedly.
When I wondered why, he said:
"That was not an action as a superior officer, but as a comrade, Touri."
"Verdi?"
"…Why didn't you retreat when you confirmed the presence of the Aerys Army? I had already granted permission for withdrawal, didn't I?"
Verdi glared at me with fierce eyes.
"When the enemy was confirmed in Argalia, I intended to change the deployment in the rear. I didn't plan on having you buy time."
"Is that so?"
"Your orders were only to conduct reconnaissance. I gave you permission to retreat. What are you thinking, barricading yourself in the fort and fighting back against 20,000 men?"
Verdi slowly raised his voice while sitting down.
His intense expression left me speechless.
"But in hindsight, I failed to persuade Uncle and was unable to mobilize the troops."
"…"
"If Touri had not fought so bravely, we would have lost. You ended up having to clean up the mess made by General Staff."
"Verdi…"
"I have no right to criticize you. I understand that."
He pursed his lips in self-deprecation and then, then said in a sulky tone,
"But, Touri. I have many subordinates and colleagues, but you are the only one I can call my comrade."
"…"
"Please don't do reckless things. Please don't leave me alone. …We are comrades who slept in the same trenches and looked up at the same night sky."
Verdi spoke with tears in his eyes.
"Oh, what is this contradictory feeling? I am so grateful to you, Touri."
"No, well…"
"…It will become too embarrassing if we go any further. I'm sorry saying such troublesome things, Lieutenant Touri."
He turned his face away and rubbed his eyes.
On the desk was a vase with dandelions.
"Now, let me say again. Lieutenant Touri, your achievements in this operation are immeasurable."
"I'm honored."
"Your company will be given a break for a while. During that time, we plan to replenish the unit and give awards."
"Thank you."
Verdi became serious and saluted me.
From here on, this was probably a matter of "superior and subordinate."
"In addition to that, I will be asking you to return to Winn."
"To Winn?"
"The pretense is that you are being given permission to go home on leave, but it's essentially official duties. We're asking you to cooperate with propaganda, such as triumphant returns and parades."
"I see…"
"There's no point in you being on the front lines with your company is half-destroyed"
Perhaps sensing my true feelings, Verdi gave a wry smile.
Honestly, I'm not fond of formalities…
But it's also true that there's nothing to do until the unit is reorganized.
I was originally the commander of the propaganda unit, so I suppose it's about time I be used for that purpose.
"I would like to express my respect for your efforts and achievements. Thank you for your hard work in this operation, Lieutenant Touri."
"Thank you."
After bowing respectfully and just before leaving Verdi's room…
"…Ah, that's right, Major Verdi. There's one last thing I'd like to ask of you."
"Oh? What is it?"
I made the request to Verdi that I had just remembered.
"Actually─"
***
"Heh, a triumphant return to Winn during the leave? Not bad."
"Sergeant Gavel, you're from Winn, right?"
"Yeah. I graduated from the Winn Military Academy."
Thus, we were set to make a triumphal return to Winn.
Additionally, we received special bonuses and about a month of leave.
…I would have liked to go on another date with Rodri If he were still alive.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the look on my mother's face. I don't think she had any expectations of me."
"Really?"
"In my case, my cousins and siblings are just too talented… But with this achievement, I should have shown them."
Sergeant Gavel puffed up his nose with glee upon hearing of our triumphant return.
For him, it was like a wish came true.
"…And Corporal Nauman."
"What is it, Lieutenant Touri?"
After smiling back at the delighted Sergeant Gavel, I turned to Nauman.
And with a serious face…
"If you wish, you can return to your hometown during this leave."
"…"
I conveyed this to him.
This was something I had requested from Verdi.
Returning to one's hometown during leave is a soldier's rightful privilege.
I knew how Nauman felt, so I made a special request.
…Even if it meant learning a cruel truth.
"Well, that's a dream come true."
"Yes."
"…I see, so I can go back to my family."
Nauman fell into deep thought as he listened to my words.
Thoughts and confusion were clearly visible on his face.
"I don't know when the next leave be if you miss this opportunity. I thought it might be good for you."
"Yes, that's true."
"…Was it unnecessary meddling?"
"No, not at all."
I thought he would be pleased by this.
However, Nauman only gave a strained smile when he heard my suggestion.
"Ah, what shall I do?"
"…"
Nauman seemed to contemplate for a few seconds.
Eventually, as if he had made up his mind, he raised his head.
"No, I'll forgo the trip home."
He said firmly.
"Is that alright?"
"Yes. I'll find out about my family's well-being after the war."
"There's no guarantee you'll be alive by then, Nauman."
"If that happens, I'll just end up regretting it and die alone."
Even though Sergeant Gavel tried to persuade him, Nauman just pulled his military cap down and gave a wry smile.
He's determined not to return to his hometown.
"If you're going to regret it, it would be better if you went home…"
"Lieutenant Touri. If I don't check, there's a chance that my wife and daughter are still alive."
"…"
"It's pathetic, but I don't have the confidence to keep fighting knowing that my wife and daughter are dead. I can put my life on the line because I have my family behind me."
"I see."
"To serve my country, it's better for me not to know anything."
With those words, I couldn't say anything more.
As long as he doesn't confirm his family's fate, there remains hope that "they might be alive."
This illusory "hope" is what drives Nauman to fight.
"Lieutenant Touri. I'd like your advice on choosing a present for Anna next year too."
"…Sure, if you don't mind me."
"This time. I'll make sure to choose something that will make her want to write a reply."
He chose to turn a blind eye to the truth so as not to lose sight of his reason for fighting.
That, too, can be considered a form of courage.
"Let's have a great time together at Winn, Lieutenant."
To the smiling Nauman, I could only return a polite smile.
***
"We will depart for Winn in one week."
"Understood."
"We will be escorted by Lieutenant Albert's unit on the journey to Win."
"Well then, I'll have to go say hello."
The following day, we were informed of the schedule for heading to Winn.
It looks like we will again be escorted by Lieutenant Albert's unit.
"…Hey, Touri. For such a glorious return, they've got pretty a large load, don't they?"
"Yes, it's quite a lot."
So we went back to greet Albert Company again.
Sergeant Gavel pointed out the large load they had prepared.
"Oh, welcome, young heroes. These are the supplies we are transporting."
"Hey Touri, could it be…"
"Yes. We are accompanying Lieutenant Albert on his transport mission."
That's right, Albert Company isn't going to Winn just for us.
They have a mission to transport supplies to Winn, and we are merely accompanying them.
"By the way, we'll also be assisting with reconnaissance and patrol."
"So it's not a leave, it's just an escort mission."
"You could say that."
He who does not work, shall not eat.
We were also expected to help with their mission.
So, I guess it's fair to call it a mission.
"Couldn't they have at least gotten rid of our work?"
"They don't have enough manpower because they're also transporting civilians as well."
"Civilians?"
"They're Austinites who were captured and brought to Engei."
The mission this time involved not only transporting supplies but also "people."
Since we will be moving with two companies, we will also handle the labor-intensive "civilian transport."
Our mission is to deliver the Austin citizens who had been abducted as slaves to Winn.
"Transporting people is difficult, and transporting injured soldiers takes priority. Opportunities for civilians to return to their country are precious."
"I see."
"I also spent time as a refugee in the Sabbath, so I understand the hardship of having to delay transportation."
We had to wait more than six months to return to Austin from the Sabbatian refugee camp.
Although I had a happy time living with Sedol, I was also worried that I had been forgotten.
"Let's definitely support them."
"Understood. It's the duty of a soldier after all."
"Thank you."
***
That's why, this was truly a coincidence.
"…"
After greeting Albert Company, we visited the camp of the abducted civilians.
They were living in a housing unit in Engei and appeared to be living off rations provided by the military.
When we told them that we would be departing in a week, they erupted in joy.
"Hey, this can't be true."
Among the cheering abductees…
Only Nauman stood there, stunned.
"Could it be… Papa?"
"───!"
In the direction of his gaze was a young girl.
She is a cute girl about my age with brown hair and big, bright eyes.
"This can't be. Oh, is it really? No, but…"
"Papa! Oh, Papa's here!"
"Anna, is that really you? You've grown so…"
The girl was sweeping the entrance to the housing unit.
She bore a strong resemblance to the girl in the photograph that Nauman had.
"You've grown so big… You're alive and well…"
"Wow, this is a surprise!"
Nauman, unsteady on his feet, walked over to the dazed girl.
Then, overwhelmed with tears, he embraced her.
"How, how is Anna here?"
"I was captured by the enemy along with Mama. But along the way, we were rescued by soldiers."
"I see… So, where is Mama?"
"She's probably in the room doing the laundry."
"Really…"
The girl was hugged by Nauman, who continued to embrace her.
Nauman, with his shoulders trembling, clung to his daughter, refusing to let go.
"Is this really happening…"
He kept holding her, as if to confirm her warmth.
"I was so scared when I was captured by the enemy. Next time, I want Papa to come and rescue me."
"Ah, yes, I'm sorry."
"Really, Papa, what were you doing?"
"I'm sorry. I was scared, and I'm sorry I was late."
Eventually, his voice became hoarse.
He embraced his daughter, pulling her close so she wouldn't see his tear-streaked face.
"Papa did his best, even if it didn't seem like it."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I really did my best…"
The veteran soldier's large tears dripped onto the ground.
"I was surrounded by enemies to the point where I thought it was all over. There were so many times that I thought I might die."
"I see… That must have been tough."
"But when I was about to die, Anna's face always came to mind. I couldn't die yet, so I found the strength to keep going…"
I gave a look to Sergeant Gavel and decided to leave the scene.
I felt that it was inappropriate to continue watching such a tender moment.
"I-I actually had given up. I had already resigned myself to the fact that I was going to die. But no matter what, I just couldn't accept it!"
"Papa?"
"I-I'm glad. Really glad. I didn't think I'd ever see you again. Because, deep down in my heart…"
A guttural, childlike cry echoed through the housing unit in Engei.
The man's sobs of joy continued for a long time.
…Looking back, this battle, known as the "Miracle of Argalia," was a series of fortuitous events.
Through various sacrifices and a series of unexpected strokes of good fortune, we achieved miraculous results.
Perhaps there was still a last fragment of such extraordinary luck remaining.
"I'm so glad you're alive, Anna!"
"…Geez."
"All the effort I've put in until now was worth it!"
Nauman, who received the final gift from the goddess of fortune.
He safely reunited with his wife and reportedly cried throughout the night.
End of Arc 8