As mid-autumn arrived, a dry cold wind blew through Winn.
Our leave is over, and the day finally came when the troops are to be called back together.
"For the sake of our homeland, we march once more into the jaws of death."
"Do your duty proudly."
Families of soldiers gathered at the gates of the capital, weeping as they bid farewell.
The soldiers bit their lips as they embraced their families, unsure if they would ever meet again.
"Anna… Papa will definitely come back alive."
"…Uh-huh."
Nauman, too, was hugging his daughter while crying profusely.
His daughter Anna, with twitching cheeks, simply accepted the embrace.
"Isn't Nauman's daughter a bit put off?"
"Children often find their fathers embarrassing during puberty. She's probably reading the mood and enduring it."
Though Anna accepted her father's affection, she seemed to resist it somewhat.
In a way, it's a heartwarming sight.
"The truth is, I don't want to tear that family apart, but…"
"We'd be in trouble without Corporal Nauman."
"…Yes, it's a cruel fate."
After embracing his family multiple times, Nauman joined the ranks with tears streaming down his face.
It's painful to separate families, but we cannot afford to let a talented person like him remain idle.
…I hope the war ends soon.
"Sergeant Gavel, have you said your goodbyes?"
"Yes. My mother is there seeing me off."
"Oh."
Being a military family, Sergeant Gavel's family didn't part with tears.
Sergeant Gavel's mother, dressed in a suit, saluted him quietly as she watched.
"Everyone in my family is in the military. We're used to seeing people off."
"Is that so? …Were your brothers also in the military?"
"Yeah, but they're dead now. They were both killed in the great offensive two years ago."
"…"
"My brothers were very capable, so my mother was deeply affected. It almost drove me to rebel."
He returned the salute to his mother and continued talking.
"She said some terrible things. 'We only have Gavel left, how can we serve the country with just him?' She cried and screamed all night in front of my brothers' coffins."
"That is…"
"Infuriating, right? Then, when I returned with achievements from Argalia, she said, 'Serve the country in place of your good-for-nothing brothers'. She's really something."
Sergeant Gavel lowered his gaze.
He turned away from his mother and faced forward.
"You might think she's a terrible parent, but I don't hate my mother."
"Is that so?"
"We're a military family. She's probably being cold to us to keep us from missing home."
Tears were streaming down Sergeant Gavel's face.
…I averted my gaze, trying not to see.
"My mother spoiled me when I was little. It was only after I got older that she became strict."
"…"
"Thinking about home when you want to run away or cry just makes it worse, right? …That's the kind of person my mother is."
Sergeant Gavel's mother doesn't move an inch even when he looks away.
She remained standing upright and motionless the whole time, waiting for us to depart.
"When I die, what will she say in front of my coffin?"
Sergeant Gavel turned around to look at his mother, but he kept his back to her.
"It's almost time."
"Yes."
Finally, the time for departure arrived.
The soldiers who survived Argalia prepared to head to the front lines once more.
"Lieutenant Touri."
"Yes."
The soldiers have said their goodbyes to their families.
Once again, we set out into the trenches, where the scent of gunpowder and blood awaited us.
To protect our country and families, to keep our promises to our comrades.
"There's one soldier missing."
"Hmm, is she late?"
With the resolve to sacrifice our lives for our homeland.
As the large crowd saw us off, we once again threw ourselves into battle.
"Apparently Argie is drunk and asleep at the bar."
"…Bring her here."
***
Although there were a few troubles, we departed from Winn safely.
We proceeded towards the city of Engei, which serves as a forward operating base within Flamel.
We, the Touri Guerilla Company, will be reorganized there and ready to go on duty again.
"It shines ever so brightly~ Our homeland♪"
With plenty of rest and high morale, the soldiers were marching while singing military songs.
They walked forward with their hands raised and bravely continued their march.
…Perhaps they are masking their fear of returning to the battlefield with the song.
"By the way, Lieutenant Touri."
"What is it, Nauman?"
"Aren't we going to move up in rank?"
Nauman asked me this question on the way to Engei.
"It seems we will be promoted properly. The commissioning ceremony will be held in Engei."
"Oh, I'm really looking forward to it."
I've heard from Sergeant Gavel's mother that we will also be promoted in rank.
Whether the pay will increase is a significant issue for Nauman, who has a family to support.
"Although, we'll be treated like a spectacle just like in Winn."
"Really?"
"Think about the meaning of having the commissioning ceremony in Engei. It's to boost the morale of the soldiers on the front lines."
There are many Austin soldiers stationed in Engei.
To make us visible to them, our commissioning will be prominently conducted on Engei's main street.
"Do we have to attend another formal ceremony?"
"That's about all the contribution we can make."
This too is a form of propaganda.
It would probably be in the national interest to treat us as a symbol rather than as a fighting force.
"Well, the nature of our work will remain as transport duties."
"I see. So our treatment will remain the same even though our ranks will go up?"
The reason we are assigned relatively safe transport missions is likely because of this.
If we were to be sent to the front lines and accidentally get wiped out, it would undeniably lower morale.
"At least our salary will increase. Isn't that good enough?"
"That's true."
I don't mind being made a spectacle as long as it means I can send more money to Sedol.
I hope that child can lead a safe and prosperous life, even if only a little.
"Transport missions are important work too. We'll give it our all to complete our missions."
"Well said, Sergeant Gavel."
And if possible, I wish to survive until after the war ends.
I hope that I can also live a peaceful life with Sedol.
***
A week later.
"The commissioning ceremony will now begin."
When we arrived in Engei, the commissioning ceremony was held as scheduled.
The ceremony, conducted on the main street of Engei, was a grand event with a military band playing music and many officers in attendance.
"Sergeant Gavel, you are hereby promoted to Second Lieutenant as of today."
"Yes, sir."
Renvel, who had now become the Commander in Chief, solemnly announced our new ranks.
He had been promoted to colonel, taking over from Colonel Henri.
Sergeant Gavel has also been promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
"I'm handing command of the Touri Guerrilla Company to Lieutenant Gavel. From today onwards, this company will be renamed the Gavel Guerrilla Company."
"Y-Yes sir!"
Unexpectedly, it was announced that my own Touri Company would now be commanded by Lieutenant Gavel.
…I never expected that I would be the only one to be removed from the company.
"And Second Lieutenant Touri, you will…"
So what will happen to me?
As I was thinking about this, Renvel grinned.
He was wearing a field officer's insignia with many stars pinned to his chest.
"As of today, you are being appointed as a Major in the Infantry Division and assigned to Headquarters. After the ceremony, please pack your belongings and report to Headquarters."
"…Huh?"
I was appointed to the rank of Major, almost the highest officer rank.
Being a major meant being at the core of the military.
It's not in a position to go out to the front lines and do all sorts of things, but one of the highest commanders who can participate in meetings that decide military policy.
It was unprecedented for a volunteer soldier to achieve such a rank in only three years.
However, due to the failure of the Bern Offensive, the shortage of personnel at Headquarters had become quite apparent.
Most of the excellent officers had been lost, and the headquarters was almost run single-handedly by Bern Valou.
With Bern stepping down from the front lines, they needed any "potentially excellent" personnel they could find.
"I highly value your abilities. Work hard to your heart's content."
Do your best."
"I'm… honored."
…It was likely also due to Colonel Henri's death, who had been in charge of curbing Colonel Renvel's nepotism.
Apparently, there was also pressure from Prime Minister Fogman Jr. to promote me.
As a result of these various factors intertwining…
"The Gavel Guerrilla Company will be your command. Make good use of it."
"Thank you."
A young girl like me ended up being assigned to the headquarters as a major.
…Actually, around this time, Renvel had already decided to retire.
Even though he was pushed so hard by Verdi, Renvel was unable to make the decision to protect Argalia.
Only the younger commanders were in favor of defending Argalia, while the older commanders were almost all opposed.
Renvel felt that the time had come for a generational shift.
Both Bern Valou, who had been leading the Southern Army, and Verdi, who was managing the Central Army, were in their twenties.
In other words, those who were achieving results were mostly young commanders.
Times were changing, and combat methods had evolved. The judgment of older commanders with outdated tactical knowledge was becoming increasingly misaligned.
Accepting this fact, Renvel felt he was an old-fashioned commander and decided to retire.
"Verdi will be your direct superior. Nothing will change from before."
"Is that so?"
However, given the current shortage of commanders, retiring immediately wasn't feasible.
Renvel had been promoted to Colonel and appointed as Commander in Chief.
Thus, Renvel said, "I'll take responsibility, so let Verdi do as he pleases," and handed over the real power of the military.
With Bern stepping down from the front lines, Verdi was the one who had achieved the most accomplishments.
While Renvel would continue to assist him, the military would now be operated based on Verdi's decisions.
Having been handed an enormous amount of authority Verdi reportedly spent a whole day bedridden.
***
"Touri, congratulations. …Is it really alright?"
"Yes, thank you."
And I felt the same way, wanting to stay in bed.
Even if it's part of the propaganda, the promotion feels overly excessive.
What is a major who didn't graduate from a military academy?
"You don't seem that happy, though."
"You look like someone who's just pulled an all-nighter."
"To be honest, I'm not very pleased."
Frankly speaking, I don't have confidence in handling such a position.
As a major, a single wrong decision could result in many deaths.
Just imagining it makes me feel nauseous.
"Well, at least you won't be heading to the front lines anymore."
"There's nothing better than a safe job, Lieutenant Touri. …Oops, I mean, Major."
"…"
I felt a stomach ache at the thought of the hardships that lay ahead.
Lieutenant Gavel laughed heartily, pounding his chest with his fist.
"All of your comrades who faced death with you in Argalia are on your side. Don't worry."
"Lieutenant Gavel…"
"If you're ever in trouble, rely on us, the Gavel Guerrilla Company. There's not a single soldier who would disobey your orders."
…Indeed, the current members of the company have been treating me kindly.
Even in Argalia, they trusted and followed an inexperienced commander like me.
They are very reliable comrades.
"Well, I hope you won't be as reckless as before. I've got a lovely wife and daughter waiting at home."
"Hey, Nauman."
"It's a joke, Lieutenant Gavel."
I also have allies.
I must use that as encouragement and do my best in my new rank.
To save Austin.
And to protect the important people living in Austin.
"…Liuetnant Gavel, a report."
"Oh, what is it?"
"The 'puku puku' monster has violated the order to stay put and gone to the town's bar."
"Throw her in the punishment cell."
And so, I bid farewell to the reliable yet noisy company.
I was to head alone to Headquarters as a senior officer.
"Touri's been lenient with her so far, but that won't be the case now. I'll make sure to discipline her thoroughly."
"…I wish you the best."
By the way, after this, Argie was made to abstain from alcohol in the punishment cell and turned into a dried-up husk.
I guess Lieutenant Gavel is the strict type.