"You're kidding…"
"Ah, this can't be happening."
It had been about a month since I had become a major.
A shocking piece of news arrived at Headquarters.
"Major Bern won't be returning…?!"
The news was that Major Bern Valou, Chief of Staff of the Austin Army, was retiring.
He had been continuing treatment in the capital, but he hadn't fully recovered.
The message was that he couldn't withstand front-line duties and would spend the rest of his life in Sabbath.
"This is serious."
"What should we do from now on?"
I had already heard about it, Headquarters was in an uproar.
Austin's victories so far have been thanks to his skills.
The reason they continued this hopeless battle of attrition was because of the hope that, "If Bern returns, he will do something about it."
He still had many followers even after the failure of the Flamel expedition.
To them, the news of Bern Valou's retirement must have felt like being forsaken by God.
However, I think his decision was inevitable.
He was on the verge of death when I visited him.
He couldn't walk on his own, had lost major organs, and needed assistance for eating and defecating.
It would be difficult for him to live long even if he spent his days in a safe place.
Forcing himself to the front lines would only hasten his short remaining time.
Thus, Major Bern Valou, a name that would go down in Austin's history, disappeared from the battlefield.
He was escorted to the Sabbath by many followers and would spend his remaining days under Remi's protection.
With the loss of the "monster" Bern Valou, the Austin Army fortified its defenses.
They refrained from attacking and hunkered down in trenches like turtles, focusing on intercepting and forcing the Allies to bleed.
If they couldn't win, they at least tried to achieve a stalemate with Flamel and Aerys.
…Because of that situation, I didn't have much work to do.
Day-to-day command was left entirely to Captain Kennel and Captain Zieve.
All I do is go to the front lines between paperwork and offer friendly encouragement.
I'm still not used to paperwork.
I checked battle reports, listed supplies, and investigated if the ammunition consumption added up.
I was responsible for allocating replacement personnel to the units, recording the personal information of the soldiers, and processing payments for the families of soldiers who died in battle.
It was a behind-the-scenes job of the war that someone had to do.
"Major Touri. You have been asked to submit a proposal for measures to address the high rate of attrition among new recruits by next week."
"…Yes, I understand."
One of my tasks was to come up with solutions to the problems that were pointed out during the briefings.
These were often difficult and wouldn't be problems if they could be easily solved.
"As expected, a higher ratio of new recruits in the units leads to higher attrition rates."
"Yes."
"How about limiting the number of new recruits to four per unit?"
"…Alright, I'll prepare the documents with that policy."
All I have to do is rack my brains to solve the problems that are presented to me every day.
Frankly, the job didn't suit me well.
However, I continued to do my best in my own way with the help of my secretary.
"Another platoon annihilated by the Great Shield'?"
"That's tricky."
In particular, one topic that was frequently discussed was how to deal with the ace.
The ace identified in my area was called the "Great Shield", a soldier who charged with an iron shield.
A monster wielding a shield too heavy for a human to carry, deflecting bullets and invading trenches.
With his "answer" to bullets, he truly deserved to be called an ace.
"Headquarters is requesting the submission of a plan to deal with the Great Shield."
"…I'll consult with Verdi."
When I asked Verdi about how to deal with an ace, he said the general method of defeating them was through artillery.
No matter what kind of soldier you are, you'll die if you're hit directly by artillery fire.
Apparently the usual tactic is to lure enemy aces into an empty trench, surround them and bombard them all at once.
…Come to think of it, Platoon Leader Garback also did something similar.
"Captain Kennel reports that an enemy offensive has commenced in Area B."
"Understood. Please respond."
"Further report, the ace Great Shield has been spotted in the trenches of Area B7."
"Then proceed to lure him as per the plan."
Following my own know-how, I lured the Great Shield into an empty trench and executed a bombardment.
This is a strategy that consumes a lot of resources, but it will pay off if we can defeat the ace.
"The Great Shield has been lured to the target location."
"Then, proceed with the bombardment."
However, artillery magic is quite imprecise, just firing random shots repeatedly.
Whether it hits or not depends on luck.
"Sorry, we let him get away. I've confirmed the withdrawal of the Great Shield."
"…Understood. Please convey my thanks to those at the front lines."
Unfortunately, our artillery fire did not even graze him.
Though we trapped him several times, we ultimately couldn't defeat the Great Shield.
***
[Battle Report By: Captain Kennel]
22nd, 05:03: Enemy Flamer Battalion attacks Area B06-B12, battle beings.
23rd, 15:09: Great Shield confirmed on Area B07.
23rd, 19:46: Enemy secured the first layer of trenches. Moze Platoon and Gulden Platoon confirmed destroyed.
24th, 04:05: Enemy retreats from Areas B06-B09.
24th, 11:24: Enemy retreats from Areas B10-B12, ending their offensive.
[Estimated Damage to Our Army]
Number of soldiers mobilized: Approximately 1,557, approximately 354 injured, approximately 37 dead.
[Estimated Damage to the Flamer Army]
Number of soldiers mobilized: Approximately 3,000, approximately 1,000 injured, approximately 350 dead.
[Assessment]
Although we lost one layer of trenches, we inflicted significant damage on the enemy, leading to a tactical victory.
***
A detailed battle report is sent to me the day after the battle ends.
It contained detailed information on the casualties of both the enemy and our forces.
It is said that about a thousand people, both friend and foe, are dying every day on the Engei Front.
"Approved, approved, approved…"
"Major Touri, your next document."
"Thank you."
After being reprimanded by Captain Kennel, I was able to calmly sign the death notices for the families of the fallen.
If there is time to mourn their deaths, it should be spent on more productive matters.
I took that advice to heart and continued working with a clear mind.
"You should take a break for about two hours once you've finished the death notices, Major Touri."
"Thank you. I'll visit the medical department for a bit."
During breaks from work, I tried to visit the front lines and help out in the medical department as much as possible.
There are things I can do even if I can't be useful as a staff officer.
"Okay. Please be back on time."
"Yes, of course."
Working at Headquarters isn't that difficult once you get used to it.
It's just a matter of routine if you learn how to handle paperwork.
There's no stress of being in life-threatening situations, nor the need to worry about infectious diseases in harsh conditions.
There's no need to change clothes in front of others, so my privacy as a woman is maintained.
"Reitalyu, I'm here to help again."
"Oh, Major. Are you sure you can leave your work?"
"Yes, I'm on a break."
"In that case, I'll make good use of you!"
Using my magic power in the medical department and then working in Headquarters during the recovery period.
Encouraging the soldiers with a smile and boosting their morale.
This is how I settled into my work routine.
…To tell you the truth, I still haven't come to terms with it completely even after Captain Kennel's lecture.
My chest feels like it's being squeezed at random times, and my heart aches when I see a death notice.
Every time I read a battle report, I get the illusion that I'm wandering down an infinite corridor.
I feel like a prisoner walking through a maze with no exit, searching for the goal.
Even so….
I have to do everything I can with all my might.
***
[Battle Report By: Captain Zieve]
27th, 13:00: Enemy Flamer Battalion attacks Area B06-B12, battle begins.
28th, 02:15: Enemy retreats from Areas B13-B15.
28th, 03:30 Enemy retreats from Areas B16-B19, offensive ends.
[Estimated Damage to Our Army]
Number of soldiers mobilized: Approximately 804, approximately 121 injured, approximately 14 dead.
[Estimated damage to the Flamer Army]
Number of soldiers mobilized: Approximately 2,000, approximately 700 injured, approximately 100 dead.
[Assessment]
The trench was successfully defended and declared a victory.
***
…In reality, this defense of Engei lasted for an entire year.
Every day, assaults were launched at various points, leading to gruesome battles.
Day after day, countless casualties occurred as the fight for just a small stretch of land continued.
────It's like a meat grinder.
These words were spoken by Colonel Renvel, who observed the front lines as the Flamel soldiers were repelled.
Austin's defenses were strong.
With magical landmines, multiple layers of barbed wire, and machine guns mowing down the enemy, the defensive lines were formidable.
The Flamer soldiers charged into this defensive position in a courteous line, and became a mass of flesh between the trenches.
Yet, the Flamel army showed no hesitation, sending the next unit to charge in the same manner.
Again, they were stopped by the barbed wire and turned the ground red with their blood.
"More minced meat is coming again."
"Are they trying to feed us human hamburgers?"
Why were the Flamer soldiers charging in such an orderly fashion?
Apparently, it was due to the belief that having comrades nearby would boost their courage.
In reality, they were just sitting ducks.
"Alright, we cooked this batch well too."
"Look, the Flamer soldiers are tripping over their fallen comrades' bodies."
"They're pathetic."
They charged into the defenses without any strategy, throwing their lives away like garbage.
It was like a butcher grinding meat scraps.
That's why Colonel Renvel sneered at their pathetic state and compared them to a meat grinder.
"Hey, look. More meat's coming."
"I'm getting tired of Flamel meat. I've had enough."
"Maybe they're exporting it to us because they're tired of it too."
Every day, the Flamel soldiers piled up bodies in front of our positions.
Some, perhaps not properly trained, ran and screamed without even raising their guns.
We simply shot them from our trenches.
"This assault failed too! These soldiers lacked the attacking spirit, the élan vital!"
The scene was so horrific that anyone with normal nerves would be nauseated.
However, Flamel's Commander-in-Chief, General Forvis, saw no need for reflection and continued issuing orders to charge.
"The key to winning a war is the will to conquer. A strong attacking spirit is crucial to repel Austin."
At the time, the Flamer Army was deeply entrenched in this mindset.
Their commander sincerely believed that a strong will would overcome any obstacle.
General Forvis used the term élan vital to inspire his soldiers, forcing them to charge repeatedly.
He believed that eventually, a soldier with a strong enough will would break through Austin's defenses.
Young Flamer conscripts, hearing this nonsense, were quickly sent to the front lines and met their deaths.
"Now, show your determination! Charge with the pride of Flamel!"
Why did Flamer General Forvis not prepare countermeasures against the heavily fortified trenches?
Was his brain so consumed by idealism that he didn't think about anything else?
In reality, Forvis was well aware of Austin's dire situation and chose this approach deliberately.
The Allied forces still had the capacity to replenish their ranks.
The Flamers alone could have mobilized 100,000 men, and if their allies, Aerys, were included, the number would have been over 200,000.
Austin, however, had almost no reserves left.
If the nearly 40,000 soldiers currently on the front lines die, there will be no way to replenish them.
The worst-case scenario that Forvis envisioned was that Austin would recover its national strength while the war was dragging on, and re-invade together with the Sabbath.
It seemed that with the Sabbath's help, Austin could recover within a few years.
Thus, Forvis fixated on inflicting casualties on Austin even if it meant losing soldiers inefficiently.
If ten of their soldiers died, it would be worth it as long as they took down one Austin soldier.
Even though it was inefficient and would be criticized after the war, Forvis believed they had to finish Austin off before it could recover.
That's why Forvis adopted the term "élan vital" to forcibly encourage his soldiers, sending them to the front lines day after day.
The ratio of soldiers' lives in the Engei Front was 7.5 soldiers from Flamel to 1 from Austin.
This was the average rate of casualties for both countries.
The Allied forces, while bleeding profusely, slowly pressed the nearly-dead Austin forces.
"Oh, brave Flamer comrades, knights overflowing with élan vital. Surely they have gone to heaven after their deaths."
On the Engei Front, Flamer soldiers continued to mourn the deaths of their comrades.
However, General Forvis felt no guilt over the soldiers' deaths.
This is because he considered it an honor for a soldier to die in battle.
He believed that soldiers who died while being ordered to charge had all died satisfied.
Thus, he had no intention of halting the assault operations, saying, "We must not give up here, for the sake of those who have already died."
Forvis continued to conscript from all over Flamel and demanded further reinforcements from Aerys, launching attacks on Austin's positions.
Like a broken machine, demanding new recruits and launching attacks without end.
He was a man who carried out the task of supplying meat to Austin.
…After the war, he was derogatorily referred to as "The Butcher."
***
[Battle Report By: Captain Kennel]
16th, 12:03: Enemy Flamer Battalion attacks Areas B05-B10, battle begins
17th, 19:56: The enemy Flamer Battalion took control of Area B07 trench. The trench was abandoned and the troops retreated.
17th, 21:13: A request for support was made to the Siev Battalion.
18th, 02:15: Thiel Platoon recaptures Area B07 trench. Enemy retreats.
18th, 03:30: Enemies in Areas B05-B10 retreat, ending their offensive.
[Estimated Damage to Our Army]
Number of soldiers mobilized: Approximately 1,405, approximately 326 injured, approximately 39 dead.
[Estimated Damage to the Flamer Army]
Number of soldiers mobilized: Approximately 5,000, approximately 2000 injured, approximately 300 dead.
[Assessment]
The trench was successfully defended and declared a victory.
***
How long must I face this battlefield?
On paper, it looks like a series of decisive victories. The defending Austin forces are successfully repelling the enemy with minimal casualties.
I can't comprehend the Flamer's strategy of piling up corpses in such a mindless, mechanical manner.
The numbers of casualties recorded on paper represents the number of people whose lives were ended.
Many people are dying on the front lines, and their families must be crying out in anguish.
…However, the sense of obligation to hold onto these feelings has been fading day by day.
The piles of death notices began to seem like an indication of the amount of work remaining.
The detailed battle reports sent to me have become mere materials for identifying tactical and deployment issues.
By the time a year had passed, I had become calm enough to analyze the damage situation.
If there are many deaths, I create documents to discuss the problems and create materials for discussion.
I've also become good at calculating supplies, which allows me to rotate supply transport missions more efficiently.
I learned that failure is inevitable in any strategy, so it is important to plan it under the assumption that things may not go well.
The Engei Front is like the former Western Front, with both sides digging trenches and spilling countless amounts of blood on the ground.
How long will this hell continue? Where on earth is the finish line?
"Major Touri, the battle report has arrived."
"I'll review it."
I would have been more troubled if this hell were to continue infinitely.
But in reality, the "goal" was already approaching.
I heard at Headquarters that discussions between the Allied government and the Austin government are already underway.
A ceasefire was expected to be signed within the next few months.
…Either we bleed endlessly in an attempt to annihilate each other or make peace and promise mutual non-aggression.
If we present this choice to the Allies, there is a good chance of negotiating peace.
Just one more push and the war will be over.
I kept telling myself this and continued to inspire the soldiers.
"Although we are suffering casualties, the Allied side is also taking heavy losses."
"It seems to be going well."
Just a little more, just a bit more effort.
I'm sure that with one more push, the war will end.
I said this and continued to send young soldiers to the front lines.
"…Why does Flamel continue the offensive?"
Trench warfare favors the defender, and the Allies must have come to the same conclusion.
Despite this, the Allied forces took no countermeasures and instead foolishly let their soldiers die in vain, which fills me with dread.
I had no idea that they still relied on outdated beliefs, and I couldn't understand the enemy's intentions as they continued to pointlessly pile up the bodies of their own citizens, so it was simply eerie.
***
…I guess I was a bit overconfident.
I must have let my guard down because I knew how strong the trenches were and how terrifying they could be.
There is no way to break through trenches head-on.
There is no method to breach the Austin positions equipped with machine guns.
"Oh, you're being careless, demons of Austin."
It may have also been because of the bait dangling in front of us that peace was just around the corner.
After a year of unchanging battlefield conditions, I must have become complacent.
Even though I knew that the enemy had the prodigious genius, Sylph Nova, who specialized in exploiting such carelessness.
"Now is the time to ravage Austin and restore Sabbath's rightful government."
It was during the transition from winter to spring, characterized by three cold days and four warm days.
It's the time of year when soldiers start shedding their winter gear and taking to the trenches in their underwear, shovel in hand.
In that warm weather, the enemy soldiers launched their assault as usual.
"Here come the Flamer soldiers again today."
"Alright, get into position. Let's welcome them with a hail of bullets."
The enemy had been repeatedly launching meaningless assaults and suffering complete annihilation for the past six months.
That's why I was overconfident that this attack would be the same.
"Hmm? What's this, the enemy today…?"
"They're not charging in a line as usual."
"Did they finally realize how stupid that was?"
However, on this day, it was not Forvis who was leading the assault as usual.
Instead, the one who took command was Sylph Nova, who had boasted in meetings that she would "end the war."
She organized her forces, the Arunoma Volunteer Army, into an assault team and implemented a new tactic.
At the same time as the usual foolish assaults, with similar preliminary bombardments.
"Huh, what's this?"
"What's wrong?"
"There are fewer Flamers here than usual─"
The Austin Army had been caught completely off guard.
Thus began a hellish battle for Austin that would elevate Arunoma to the status of a hero.