After greeting the old commander, I had the opportunity to observe the training of the Paulrand soldiers.
Paulrand is famous for its cavalry. I was worried that they might be neglecting firearms training, but…
"…Impressive."
"I handpicked those who are accustomed to firearms and brought them."
The soldiers who came as reinforcements had properly undergone modern warfare training.
They didn't show any reluctance in handling firearms; rather, they were actively learning.
"They are riflemen who were undervalued in the homeland. The cavalry still takes center stage in Paulrand."
"I see."
"They're motivated because they can make use of their skills and earn honor. This is my first time engaging in a war focused on firearms, and I feel excited."
In Paulrand, being a soldier is considered a "brave profession," and cavalry charges are seen as the highlight of warfare.
However, firearms were perceived as a coward's weapon, so the riflemen of Paulrand were treated as somewhat plain.
But now, the cavalry is outdated, and it's the riflemen who are taking center stage.
Upon hearing this, many volunteers came from the rifle units, eager to learn the latest tactics.
"…I look forward to working with you in the upcoming battle."
"You can leave it to me."
Commander Calvario also appeared excited about the prospect of "gunfights."
He was delighted to demonstrate his bravery in what was to be the Paulrand army's first experience of modern warfare.
"Glory to the future of the Paulrand soldiers!"
"May honor be with your troops as well."
I didn't deny Calvario's words.
"…"
There is no glory in trench warfare. Only grim, harsh, and painful days lie ahead.
But there's no need to tell them that in advance. Words alone wouldn't be able to convey it.
Soon enough, they'll understand it all too well.
***
"The reinforcements from the Duchy of Daria have arrived."
"Understood. I'll go greet them."
In this way, reinforcements from various regions have begun to gather in Austin.
The combined forces from surrounding countries, including Paulrand, amount to 15,000 troops.
In addition, 30,000 reinforcements are expected to arrive from the Sabbath.
The Austin government was extremely busy handling the reception of these reinforcements.
"The Sabbatian advance force is said to be a force of 10,000. How are the campgrounds?"
"We're providing the plains near a water source."
"How are the preparations for the reception going?"
"We plan to hold a party in a park within Winn. After that, they will head to the campgrounds."
The reinforcements that gathered here were all brave and felt reliable.
Among them, the greatest fighting force will undoubtedly be the reinforcements from the Sabbath.
The Sabbatian forces were to be led by the renowned General Truk, a famous commander who gave Sylph trouble with his solid defenses.
He was an exceptionally skilled defensive commander, perfectly suited for the Defense of Winn.
However, the arrival of the Sabbatian reinforcements had been delayed somewhat due to a dispute in their own country.
Had the ceasefire not been established, they wouldn't have made it in time for the decisive battle.
It was worth the risk of personally getting involved.
"What is the dispute? Did they clash with the faction opposing the reinforcements?"
"No. I haven't heard the details, but… there's likely more to it than that."
If reinforcements arrive from the Sabbath in time, there will be no problem even if it comes to a decisive battle.
As originally planned, we would use the malice Bern had left behind to strike back at the Allied forces.
…That's what I was carefreely thinking.
"I heard there's an epidemic is spreading in the Sabbath."
"An epidemic?"
"Yes. That's apparently why their departure was delayed."
However, things rarely go as planned.
That year, Austin was hit by one of its worst natural disasters in history at a critical time.
…Bern's strategy was one with a fair chance of success.
In fact, I was certain it would succeed.
That is, until that disaster wreaked havoc across Austin.
***
Perhaps this was the wrath of God.
A divine punishment for us, who were blinded by war and had spilled so much blood.
No matter how effective the methods of killing we devised, they were all shattered on God's whims.
"I've heard it causes a very nasty pneumonia."
In the year that the World War came to an end, a certain epidemic began to spread.
It was the deadliest infectious disease in human history.
The nightmare disease that had devastated countless countries—the "Chaim Flu"—was becoming a pandemic.
The epidemic is said to be a virus that originated in the eastern country of Chaim.
Because a scholar from Chaim announced the existence of this disease, it became known as the Chaim Flu.
However, considering the social situation at the time, it was unthinkable for Austin or the Sabbath to declare, "An epidemic is spreading in our country."
Doing so would expose their weaknesses and only put them at a disadvantage in negotiations.
Thus, they concealed the spread of the virus, and it was Chaim, who had nothing to do with the war, who ended up making it public.
To this day, the exact origin of the virus is unknown.
It is believed that the Chaim Flu was a mutation of the winter cold virus that had been circulating every year.
With its extremely high infectivity, it would have been impossible to stop the pandemic under the sanitary conditions of that time.
It was a nightmare that can only be described as a "calamity."
…However, at the time, I had no idea that such a terrible infectious disease was spreading.
When I heard that there was an epidemic going around in the Sabbath, I nonchalantly thought, "There was a cold going around during the Battle of Josegrad too."
The epidemic that broke out at the Sabbath soon reached Austin.
This was because Austin and the Sabbath were actively trading with each other.
In particular, the Workers' Congress government was exporting food and ammunition to Austin as a state policy.
Given that we were dependent on the Sabbath for food supplies, it was inevitable that the virus would spread.
"A bad cold has started spreading in Austin as well."
As you might expect, colds began to spread at Winn at the same time as rumors of the plague began to spread.
However, for better or worse, Winn's population had declined so much that its medical system did not collapse during the initial outbreak.
"Isolate the infected in quarantine zones."
"Those who resist can be shot on sight."
The Austin Military Medical Department… Director Reitalyu immediately advocated for a quarantine policy.
Under the medical department's leadership, quarantine zones were established within Winn to control the infection.
However, the isolation policy at the time simply involved leaving patients in buildings where there was drinking water.
Many patients died alone in those facilities, covered in blood and sputum, left unattended for a long time.
Several people hid their infections and sheltered their families at home, unwilling to throw them into such dire conditions.
As a result, the epidemic went unchecked and the epidemic continued to spread.
"…This is bad."
Thus, while fighting the epidemic, the government was moving forward with peace negotiations.
Unfortunately, the Alliance presented terms that included the, "Establishment of the True Sabbatian Government," and both sides refused to concede, leading to a breakdown in negotiations.
Whether it was because Sylph persuaded those around her or not, the Workers' Congress government was not accepted by the Alliance.
…In other words, we had to fight to seize victory.
"We are short on troops. We can't establish a defensive network with this."
"Can we ask the Sabbath Federation to send more reinforcements?"
This created a conflict structure between Austin, Austin's surrounding countries, and the Workers' Congress government versus the former Sabbatian government and the Flamer-Aerys alliance.
Austin's total combat strength was 75,000. The Allied force's strength was estimated at 300,000.
However, at this time, about 10% of the Austin soldiers were incapacitated by illness, and the 30,000 Sabbatian troops had not even arrived yet.
The disparity in military strength was only widening, and the Austin government was likely in a state of panic.
As the ceasefire period ended, the Allied forces resumed their invasion.
It was estimated that they would reach Winn in about a month.
With the Austin military ravaged by disease, there was no chance of victory.
While small neighboring countries like Paulrand were stationed, their military strength was minuscule.
We had to quickly join forces with the Sabbatian forces and prepare a defense.
"…Uh, ugh."
"Iris-sama?!"
At such an important time.
Just when we were on the verge of a decisive battle, needing to rally the entire army…
"Iris-sama has collapsed!"
"Take her to the medical department!"
"We cannot let her die!"
From where I contracted the virus, I did not know.
─────I too was afflicted by the Chaim Flu and collapsed.
***
"Cough, cough."
I couldn't stop coughing no matter what I did.
Even just lying down caused phlegm to rise up, and I coughed violently as if I were choking.
"Hah, hah…."
I was immediately taken to the medical department, examined by Reitalyu, and admitted to the officers' hospital.
I was treated as a VIP and placed in a private room, spending my days unable to sleep on the bed.
My breathing sounded so rough that it felt unrecognizable to me.
It was hard to breathe, as if were underwater, and every cough made me feel like I was suffocating.
But when I tried to take a breath, blood-tinged phlegm rose up, causing me to cough again.
I wanted to breathe, but my coughing kept me from taking in air easily.
My trachea felt like it was tearing, with bright red blood mixed in with the phlegm, leaving a metallic taste in the back of my throat.
"Iris-sama, I've brought your meal."
"…Hah, hah."
I spent day and night sitting up in bed gasping for breath.
This is called orthopnea, where in cases of severe pneumonia, it is easier to breathe when sitting.
Sitting allows the heart to pump blood more easily and prevents phlegm from blocking the airways.
…Sitting all day means I couldn't lie down.
No matter how sleepy I was or how much I wanted to give in to my consciousness, I continued to spit up phlegm in the empty room.
I knew that as soon as I lay down, the coughing would become relentless and I wouldn't be able to breathe.
Last night, I accidentally lay down, and the bed sheets became soaked with blood-tinged phlegm.
I couldn't afford to make the same mistake again.
Thus, I sat expressionlessly, gripped by the fear of suffocation.
"Hmm, the sounds from your chest are a bit better."
"Cough, cough."
About a week after I was afflicted by the illness, my pneumonia finally started to improve, and breathing became easier.
"Touri… No, Iris-sama. Your temperature is normal, and the sounds from your chest are fine. You should be okay now~"
"Please just call me Touri, Reitalyu."
Fortunately, I was able to recover from the Chaim Flu on my own.
According to Reitalyu, although it was quite severe, I'm young and had the stamina to pull through.
I'm glad I had been training my lung capacity with running.
"You can return to duty starting tomorrow."
"Thank you."
When a healer enters the recovery phase, they can force themselves to recover by repeatedly using [Heal].
That's why medics tend to return to work quickly.
"…Well then, take care of yourself."
"Yes."
I shook hands with Reitalyu and was discharged without issue.
***
And so, I showed up at the General Staff Headquarters for the first time in a week.
I never imagined I would be away for a week during such an important time.
Reflecting on it, I resolved to be more careful with my health and visited Major Curley's room.
"It's been a while. Iris Valou has returned."
"Oh, Iris-sama."
Major Curley, looking gaunt and pale, greeted me with lifeless eyes.
…It seems many staff officers have also taken time off. It must have been hellish with the workload.
Just as I was about to apologize for the inconvenience…
"We are now in a very serious situation."
"…Did something happen?"
"Yes."
He maintained his pale expression.
With a look of resignation, he pulled out a letter.
"…It seems that Bern-sama's plan is unlikely to be executed."
Upon reading the letter he handed me, addressed, "Dear Chief of Staff of the Austin Army…"
"The Sabbatian forces are suffering from an epidemic that has made it difficult for them to advance."
An epidemic has broken out among the Sabbatian advance forces, resulting in numerous casualties.
Moreover, in the Sabbath's capital, Josegrad, hospitals are overwhelmed with the number of patients.
"There's a possibility that they won't be able to send reinforcements and may have to retreat…"
"…"
Infected by an unknown epidemic, the Sabbatian reinforcements will not be able to provide timely assistance to Austin.
At the very least, the advanced troops would not make it in time for the planned date of the decisive battle.
"No matter how excellent Bern-sama's plan may be, if we don't have enough manpower, it won't turn into a war."
"…"
And what if the Sabbatian reinforcements don't make it in time?
"At this rate, defeat is inevitable."
It means Austin's chances of victory had completely vanished.
Thus, the thin thread to turn things around that Bern had woven and we had tied together snapped.