I will also talk about the internal situation in other countries to the extent that I understand it after the Defense of Engei.
First, a significant tragedy occurred within Flamel itself.
This was after Engei was liberated and Austin's forces were withdrawing from various parts of Flamel.
Since we lost our communication bases and were unable to coordinate, the commanders on the ground had no choice but to withdraw independently.
This became the trigger for the tragedy.
Although some rational commanders, considering post-war negotiations, withdrew from villages peacefully, there were also commanders who, in a frenzy, sought to cause damage to Flamel and burned down surrounding villages before retreating.
Horrific acts were committed there, and scenes reminiscent of the massacres of Austin villages by Sabbatian troops unfolded.
This led to strong resentment that continued to have an impact even after the war.
It would have been dangerous if they had become enraged and invaded Austin.
It's highly likely that Winn would have been taken before Austin could fully recover.
However, the Flamer-Aerys forces prioritized recapturing their own territory over pursuit.
This was likely due to a significant disconnect between the Flamer government and public sentiment.
Originally, Flamel had only joined the war hoping to take advantage of the situation and did not want an all-out war.
They decided to go to war because it was their chance to ride the winning horse and gain territory with minimal damage.
However, Flamel had lost hundreds of thousands of lives, including both military and civilian casualties, by this point.
In particular, the population of young men in the prime of their working lives had declined significantly, and productivity had fallen sharply.
War costs were rising, putting a strain on people's lives, and they could not expect any serious compensation.
Furthermore, Austin had pushed the front lines back into Flamel, destroying the infrastructure in their cities. Rebuilding would require many years.
The Flamer government deeply regretted their decision to participate in the war.
If they continued the war and destroyed Austin, all they would gain was ravaged Austin territory.
And even if Flamel gained territory, they lacked the national power to manage it as a colony.
It was a situation in which any cool-headed politician would want to cut their losses as quickly as possible.
Moreover, the "meat grinder strategy" of General Forvis had caused strong anti-war sentiment to spread within the military.
The soldiers on the front lines had no desire for the war to continue.
As a result, Flamel had a situation where the people were enraged and the government was reluctantly continuing the war.
On the other hand, Austin had no disconnect between government and public sentiment; both were deeply suspicious.
Even if they surrendered to the barbaric Flamel troops, a future of purges and revenge awaited them.
If we're going to be killed anyway, it's better to resist to the end.
This was the mindset in Austin, both the citizens and the government wanted to fight to the end.
…The atrocities committed by Austin's troops during their retreat were also reported to the government.
This led Prime Minister Fogman Jr. to believe that there would be severe retaliation following any surrender.
That's why he decided to fight to the end, not believing the surrender terms proposed by the Allied forces, even if it meant destroying his country.
This staunch stance of Austin puzzled the Alliance.
"Are they still going to fight? They still aren't satisfied even with so many concessions?"
From the perspective of the Alliance, Austin might have appeared to be a war-crazed nation.
After the Austin military showed their resolve to fight until the end, a meeting was held within the Alliance.
The question was whether or not to invade Austin territory.
Should the war continue despite the possibility of significant casualties?
Aerys, which had ample national power, still had more than half of its members favoring invasion.
However, the mainstream opinion within the Flamer government was that "ending the war should be prioritized even if it meant peace."
"Enough is enough; I do not want to see more bloodshed."
"It's time to call it quits. We're at our limit."
Flamer's first experience of "modern warfare" must have been a hell beyond imagination.
The Flamer leadership expressed their weakness and advocated for peace.
It was Sylph Nova who, despite their weak stance, strongly advocated for invasion.
"Are we going to leave a future source of conflict just to seek momentary peace?"
"We will have no choice but to destroy Austin for the sake of our prosperity."
"If Austin recovers, they will bare their fangs again."
"If you don't hit them now when they're exhausted and weak, when will you hit them?"
She argued strongly for the invasion of Austin.
"We can definitely win against Austin right now. In fact, we might only be able to win now."
"Is it really possible to win with certainty?"
"As long as I am here, there is no possibility of losing. There might be some damage, but we will definitely be able to destroy Austin."
…Behind this insistence, her own intentions were deeply entangled.
Sylph Nova strongly desired the western territories of Austin as a reward for her role in the war.
If the Remi Ulyakov's regime is overthrown, Sabbatian citizens will likely flee into Austin territory.
She planned to establish a "Provisional Sabbatian Government" within Austin as a receptacle for them.
Then, she intended to set up a "Legitimate Sabbatian Government," and with the backing of Flamel and Aerys, liberate the people from Remi Ulyakov.
This was the endpoint she envisioned for the war.
"If we can win without a doubt, it's better to cut off the source of conflict in Austin."
"Let's destroy the evil Austinites and bring back peace to the world."
Following Sylph's advice, the Alliance decided to invade Austin.
This decision was partly due to Sylph Nova's considerable achievements and the trust she had earned.
Both Aerys and Flamer feared the strength of the Austin Army.
That's why they didn't want to fight, and didn't want to leave any future troubles behind.
"Then, issue Austin an ultimatum."
"If they refuse, we will invade."
…Let's deal with the terrifying monster that is Austin while it is still weak.
That was the judgment of the Alliance.
***
Thus, Austin's fate was almost sealed.
This was the outcome for Austin, who was swept away by the waves of world events, crushed between vested interests, and who still continued to fight despite everything.
…Bern Valou, who had turned around such hopeless situations so many times, is no longer with us.
He abandoned Austin, moved to the Sabbath, and lived happily with Remi.
And due to Sabbath's underdeveloped medical system, he ended up losing his life.
What a futile, sorrowful, and dreadful end.
But this is the fate of a defeated nation.
The justice they upheld, the loyalty of their soldiers, the future they believed in—all were denied by the victors.
Austin was merely seen as a devil, and only their atrocities would be remembered by posterity.
…Everything we had fought for would be spread as nothing but evil deeds.
────I thought that maybe he could somehow manage it.
I was in despair over Austin's fate.
This time, we had lost. Bern Valou was no longer here.
There were not enough soldiers. There were no weapons. The country of Austin was in the last stage of its life.
Bern must have foreseen this happening even before his death.
That's why he moved to the Sabbath.
A demon born in Austin.
The rare and brilliant military strategist, Bern Valou.
In the end, I was never able to understand the person he was.
Always aloof, hiding what he really is, and toying with those around him with his frivolous behavior and words.
I only had negative impressions of him—irritating, repugnant, and unpleasant.
Yet, if there is one thing I am certain about him.
────Bern Valou was a competitive and tenacious man.
***
Approximately six months have passed since the fall of Engei.
We were defeated in various places and managed to retreat to the capital, Winn.
"Major Touri, I'm glad you returned safely."
"…Yeah, somehow."
Austin's demise is now imminent.
As soon as I returned to the capital, I devised a plan to evacuate Sedol and the others to the Sabbath.
The Sabbath under Remi's control is dangerous, but staying in Austin is even more perilous right now.
Flamer and Aerys will surely invade soon.
What actions will they, consumed by hatred, take in the city?
…I've seen it many times myself.
I need to hurry up and send a letter to Anita and ensure their safety.
"Major Touri, could you please report to General Staff Headquarters in the capital immediately?"
"Me, report?"
"Major Curley wants to see you."
"…Understood."
However, before I could begin those preparations, I was summoned by General Staff Headquarters.
Major Curley, who was a trusted aide of Bern Valou, apparently had matters to discuss with me.
As a soldier, I can't refuse a summons.
I have no choice but to respond to the invitation.
***
"I am Major Touri Lowe. I have come in response to the summons."
"Oh, I'm glad you're safe. Please have a seat."
I remembered the location of from my previous visit when I went to see Bern.
As always, it's a building with a majestic atmosphere that was popular among the aristocracy.
"I am the Chief of Staff, Major Curley. Thank you for coming today."
"Nice to meet you."
Major Curley, who had called me, is a middle-aged male officer.
He is an intelligent-looking man with glasses and sunken cheeks that I often saw at Headquarters.
"This is the first time we've spoken together, Major Touri. I've heard a lot about you from Bern-sama."
"…I see."
"Hmm, it's just as I've heard. …There's definitely a resemblance."
Major Curley looked meaningfully at my face before placing operational documents on the table in front of me.
"Please take a seat. I have a few things for you."
"What is it?"
"…First, this operational document. It was prepared by Bern Valou-sama before his death."
Major Curley spread out the documents on the desk.
"…Bern Valou made this?"
"Yes."
"May I ask why you are showing this document only to me?"
"In his will, it says, 'Major Touri must participate in the defense of Winn.' …You are the key to the strategy."
It seems that my summons is due to Bern's instructions.
Bern had died a few months ago before the Prime Minister decided on the final battle at Winn.
"That man died a few months ago, didn't he?"
"Yes."
Given that operational documents for the defense of Winn were prepared, it meant he had anticipated the current situation.
"He was always so meticulously prepared. It's creepy."
While muttering this, I looked at the operational documents─
"…Huh? Sabbatian troops?"
"Yes."
I noticed that troops from the Sabbath were stationed in the defense network of the capital, Win.
"On his deathbed, Bern-sama persuaded Remi Ulyakov to send reinforcements to Austin."
"…!"
Reinforcements from the Sabbath: 30,000.
This was a victory that Bern Valou gained by risking his life and moving to Sabbath.
"After moving to Sabbath, Bern-sama cooperated with the Ulyakov regime. He helped with suppressing bandits and providing tactical training."
"…"
"He also used his connections to send administrative officials to support the government. Thanks to that, public order in the Sabbath stabilized, and they were able to afford to send in reinforcements."
The reason we could not expect reinforcements from the Sabbath was because they needed military forces to suppress bandits within the country.
However, Remi herself was pro-Austin and would have preferred to send reinforcements if possible.
That's why Bern cooperated in stabilizing the Sabbath's internal situation and then requested reinforcements.
"With 30,000 reinforcements…"
"If we protect Winn, we might be able to bring about a 'peace' rather than a 'surrender.'"
For the Workers' Council, the former Sabbatian government forces are a hated adversary. It is no exaggeration to say that they are a sworn enemy.
They have a military alliance with Austin, so there is a sufficient reason to deploy troops.
It's also better for Remi if Austin continues to exist.
She came to power with the help of Austin. If Austin perished, she would lose her backing.
"That's why Bern-sama went to the trouble of moving to the Sabbath…"
"He said that Austin had no chance of winning without reinforcements from the Sabbath. He mentioned that when he left."
At this point, I finally understood what Bern had been thinking.
He did not want to lose the war. But the situation at home meant that there was no way he could win.
That's why they went far away from the front lines to seek reinforcements from the Sabbath.
"He said this was the only way for Austin to 'win.'"
"…He hadn't given up on victory, had he?"
Bern Valou was a patriot.
His actions were always in the best interest of Austin.
Bern was a pleasure killer who loved killing people, and he became a soldier to satisfy that desire.
And once he became a soldier, he remained a "patriot" throughout his life.
"But it's surprising that the Sabbath provided reinforcements."
"That too is thanks to Bern-sama."
However, the current situation is extremely unfavorable for Austin.
The chances of winning remained slim even with reinforcements from Sabbath.
And while Remi is an exception, many Sabbatians still harbored resentment toward Austin.
With all their grudges, why would they be willing to risk their lives to help Austin?
"The Sabbatian troops… have come to ride the winning horse."
"Winning horse?"
In response to my confusion, Major Curley smirked and answered.
"If we follow the strategy, we are likely to 'win.' That is Bern-sama's final message."
"…Huh?"
"And that is the very reason why the Sabbath has joined the war. By aligning with the winning side, they can demand reparations from the Allied forces. The Sabbath's resources will grow even more."
"Wait. Winning from here?"
"Yes. We have a surefire strategy."
Major Curley's eyes sparkled with excitement as he handed me a letter.
The letter was signed in a familiar handwriting.
…Bern Valou's.
"This is a letter detailing the last wishes of Bern Valou-sama."
"Is it okay for you to show me something like this?"
"Yes. The letter was addressed to you."
When I turned the envelope over after hearing that, I nearly fainted.
Sure enough, my name was written as the addressee.
"Bern-sama said he left a 'surefire strategy' in the letter for Major Touri."
"…What?"
"With Major Touri's help, Austin can be saved."
Bern Valou died, leaving behind a surefire-winning strategy from me.
I was overwhelmed by this sudden and heavy responsibility, but…
"Huh…?"
But that wasn't what truly mattered.
"…What is this?"
"It's Bern-sama's will, which was entrusted to us by the Sabbatian government. It's addressed to you."
"No, that's not what I'm asking."
The issue is the short message written on the envelope.
Seeing the words likely written by Bern himself when he was alive, I felt darkness closing in around me.
"Dear my beloved younger sister, Touri Lowe."