"Citizens of Austin! This is food aid from our great Sabbath Federation!"
"Line up, line up."
Some of the relief supplies from the Sabbath were distributed to the citizens.
And the role of distribution was entrusted to the Sabbatian soldiers as part of a reconciliation policy.
"…Damn it. We can't afford to be choosy."
"Food, we can eat food!"
There is no clearer favor than being given food when you're hungry.
We want the citizens of Winn to recognize that the Sabbatians are on their side.
"I want more, I want to eat more."
"No way. Your stomach might go into shock and you'll die if you eat too much all at once."
"Be careful, don't overeat."
The long-awaited distribution to the citizens was limited to a small amount of soup and bread.
If someone who hasn't eaten for a while suddenly consumes a lot of nutrients, they could suffer from multiple organ failure and die.
While there were complaints about the small amount of food, the majority rejoiced at the fact that there were rations, even if they were small.
"Take some Vok liquor with you as well."
"Oh, alcohol? That's a relief…"
The animosity between the Sabbath and Austin has yet to subside.
In fact, even with the long-awaited food distribution, there were reports of people who refused to "accept charity from the Sabbath" and starved to death.
However, most citizens could not resist the temptation and lined up for the distribution from the Sabbath.
"Whoa! Dad turned bright red and collapsed!"
"Huh? What's up with the Aust? They can't handle their liquor."
Of course, many small problems arose.
For instance, Sabbatians drink undiluted Vok in one gulp, while in Austin it's diluted and sipped slowly.
Not knowing this, citizens were served the undiluted Vok and many suffered from acute alcohol poisoning.
"How do the Aust usually drink alcohol?"
"They won't survive like this."
This incident occurred because the Sabbatian soldiers offered liquor (most likely out of pure goodwill).
…Rumors circulated that the Sabbath had poisoned them, leading to difficulties in damage control.
In fact, the transportation of Vok was of utmost importance to the Sabbath.
But it's not just because the Sabbatians are drunkards.
"Isn't there more liquor than food in the supplies they brought?"
"Well, alcohol is important."
"I don't need anything other than liquor."
No joke, alcohol is an important "drinking water."
Alcohol has disinfecting properties and doesn't spoil easily, thus preserving the water quality.
With the technology of the time, completely sealing beverages was difficult, and transporting water was a battle to maintain water quality.
In such circumstances, distilled liquor like Vok was highly valued in the Sabbath.
Additionally, it provides calories and boosts morale, so it was all good.
…Without a doubt, it was an important military supply.
"Puku puku puku, puku puku."
"Wow, you're a good drinker, Aust. And you're beautiful too. How about tonight?"
"Puku puku puku (If you give me more of this liquor)."
"Stop, Argie! Come back here!"
"Pukuuu—"
The Sabbath Federation has a vast territory, which is likely why a culture valuing Vok for water transport probably developed.
To them, alcohol is like water.
Due to this cultural difference, there were unfortunate incidents where alcoholics were brought into the busy field hospitals during a pandemic…
Other than that, no major troubles occurred between the Sabbatian soldiers and the citizens.
***
"So about half of the Sabbatian soldiers made it to Winn on schedule?"
"I apologize, but we are already at our limit even with this."
"I understand, Marshal Truk. The pandemic is spreading among us as well."
However, even with this, we cannot say that we are fully prepared to confront the Alliance.
After all, the Sabbatian Army has also suffered significant damage from the pandemic.
We created a relay base within Austin territory and somehow managed to establish a supply line from the Sabbath, but…
"Of course, we plan to continue transporting soldiers little by little."
"Thank you very much."
The first group of approximately 15,000 soldiers scheduled to arrive did not make it.
Only approximately 8,000 Sabbatian soldiers reached Winn.
Meanwhile, the number of Austin troops stationed in Winn has decreased to about 20,000.
The reinforcements from the small countries totaled 10,000.
────Combined with women and children, the total number of troops that Austin could mobilize for the defense of Winn was just under 40,000.
This was a scant number to face off against the Allied forces of 300,000.
However, the Alliance is also suffering from the pandemic, so they might be in a similar situation.
Rather, given the long and treacherous supply lines, the burden should be greater on the Alliance.
It was predicted that only about half of the Allied soldiers would be able to advance to Winn as planned.
…Even so, that still means there are 150,000 soldiers.
"It seems the Allied forces have already developed multiple-loading rifles."
"Yes. Their tactics have also adapted to trench warfare."
"The technological advantage is gradually diminishing, and the numerical disparity is becoming critical."
Furthermore, Austin's tactical and technological superiority is already fading.
Three years have already passed since Flamel and Aerys joined the war.
The performance of the Allied rifles was already comparable to that of ours.
They must have researched and imitated our captured OST-3 rifles.
Their range and precision has improved significantly, and their loading capacity is on par with Austin's rifles.
Although we still have a technological advantage due to the machine gun, they will eventually catch up.
Regarding tactics, the Alliance surpasses us with their infiltration tactics.
As long as the tactical genius Sylph Nova is with the Alliance, we will never be able to catch up tactics-wise.
Flamel and Aerys are no longer novices at trench warfare.
"What can we do to defeat such opponents, Chief of Staff Iris?"
"We can only make use of the advantages of the defensive side."
"Is that all?"
A tenfold disparity in troop numbers, diminished technological advantage, and the military genius Sylph Nova leading the enemy.
It goes without saying that we are in an overwhelmingly disadvantageous situation.
In modern warfare, there are no magical strategies for a small force to defeat a large one.
All you can do is grit your teeth, drip blood and resentment, and keep shooting at your enemies from the ground.
"What will happen if they use infiltration tactics and breach our defensive line?"
"At that point, we will have no choice but to perish."
Under normal circumstances, this situation would have arisen during the Sylph Offensive.
Austin would have faced the invading Sabbatian Army outnumbered, helplessly watching our capital being ravaged.
However, there was one man who single-handedly changed Austin's destiny.
"That's why I will ensure it doesn't come to that."
"Oh?"
"Marshal Truk."
A madman born in Austin who wanted to save the country.
A monster who fearlessly committed evil acts, tormenting and killing people for pleasure, and continuing to lead Austin to victory.
And a patriotic hypocrite who dedicated his entire life towards the cause of "his homeland."
"Please enjoy the special seating to watch the once-in-a-lifetime scheme orchestrated by the devil Bern Valou."
Entrusted with the devil Bern's dice, the Lucky Carry tosses them into the bowl.
There's likely no more distasteful show than this as a spectacle.
"I'm looking forward to it, Chief of Staff Iris."
"Yes."
Perhaps Marshal Truk has heard of the seeds of this strategy.
After all, he looks quite pleased despite how desperate the situation is on the Winn Front.
"Let us bring down the hammer on the villain who tormented the Sabbath, the Witch of the Trenches, Sylph Nova."
The Sabbath-Austin Alliance has barricaded itself in the capital, Winn, with only a small number of troops.
In the face of the overwhelming threat of Sylph, Austin and the Sabbath joined forces.
Thus begins the Second Defense of Winn, the final battle of the World War.
Marked by the worst plague in history and engulfed in countless hatred and resentment, the stage for the decisive battle has been set.
The season is early summer. The sun begins to shine brightly, dead flesh is devoured by maggots, and flies swarm in the trenches.
In the trenches, foreign soldiers join forces to evenly fill in the gaps.
"What's the matter, Touri?"
"I'm thinking of going to inspect the front line, Lieutenant Gavel. Could you please escort me?"
"Ah."
I took a look around the trenches before the battle began.
The soldiers' demeanor was no different than those on the Western Front.
Veterans were beating up new recruits, drilling the rules of the trench into them.
Those mentally broken by the fear of being shot sat in corners muttering to themselves.
In the field hospital, medics with dead eyes continued to bandage wounds with weary expressions.
A young child whose father had been killed was carrying ammunition to take revenge.
The vomit of the diseased soldiers had turned into dried stains.
"…"
I was there once.
As a naive medic, I was surrounded by everyone from Garback Platoon.
As a soldier in the trenches, immersed in my role.
────I kept wondering when the war would end.
"Is something wrong?"
"It's nothing."
Most of the people I met back then are no longer alive.
The Platoon Leader, Senior Allen, Rodri.
Lakya, Head Medic Gale, and Aria too.
────Even that Bern Valou has been swallowed by the war and returned to the earth.
"I went out of my way to look for some acquaintances."
But the interior of the trenches had changed so little since then.
Every time I see the tents pitched in the trenches, I find myself peeking in to see if that scary Platoon Leader is lying there.
"If you're looking for someone, should I call them?"
"No, that's alright. It's not that I have anything specific to discuss."
But they are now nowhere to be found.
It is so very lonely, and it feels like I've been left behind.
"…"
Before I knew it, I realized that my soul had been plunged deep in the war.
***
"We are now in close contact.."
"The Allied forces have finally shown up."
Thus, the deployment was completed, and we waited for three days.
At last, the allied forces of Flamel and Aerys approached right in front of Winn.
"They seem to have more troops left than I expected."
"They must have brought along the sick as well."
The Allied forces had overwhelming strength, a large army that surpassed even the Sabbatian Army at its peak.
Since the southern part of Winn is open plains, they did not advance hidden.
They displayed their grandeur, marching proudly in formation, digging trenches as they came.
"The enemy is approaching."
"Don't panic, don't rush out! Lure them in carefully until they're in range."
We awaited them, holed up in our positions.
The trenches and fortifications built around Winn extended to ten layers.
The enemy will soon approach that first line of defense.
"They've dug their trenches carefully."
"They're not amateurs anymore."
When will they go on the offensive?
On what day would they close the distance all at once?
"The enemy's vanguard will soon enter the range of our artillery magic."
"I see."
Amidst the palpable tension, the Allied forces advanced their troops.
Once the trenches reached the effective range of each other's artillery magic, trench warfare would begin.
"The enemy immediately began preparatory bombardment."
"Are they attacking right away? They don't learn, do they?"
From the very first day of engagement, the Allied forces launched their bold assaults.
The Flamel soldiers raised bizarre cries, charging in a line towards the trench where we were hiding.
Even at this point, they did not stop their banzai charge.
"Do they want another meat grinder?"
In Flamel, there is a mindset called the "élan vital," where dying in a charge is considered an honor.
Their basic strategy of trench warfare relies on charging with sheer numbers.
Thus, their actions were faithful to basic tactics, but…
"But Touri, this is…"
"Yes. It must be Sylph Nova's instructions."
…As expected, Winn's line of defense is strong.
The machine guns installed wiped out the advancing soldiers completely, allowing no approach.
On the first day of the battle, we managed to repel the Allied forces without even losing a single layer of trenches.
"They're like a fool who only knows one thing."
"There's nothing you can do if that happens."
However, Austin's General Staff did not see this as a victory.
Because the infiltration forces have yet to show themselves.
"They probably want us to go on the defensive to prepare for infiltration tactics."
The Allied forces' winning strategy is "infiltration tactics."
Once again, Sylph, leading the Volunteer Army, is likely to employ infiltration tactics as their main strategy.
But infiltration tactics take a few days to execute.
This is because they need to dig vertical holes like moles, to the point where they can launch a surprise attack in one swift movement.
"We won't be able to disrupt their infiltration tactics if this kind of offensive continues."
I'm sure that while the banzai charges are happening, the Allied soldiers are secretly digging downwards.
The banzai charge, driven by the spirit of élan vital, achieves its goal if it wins and buys time even if it loses.
Therefore, the Alliance would eventually win if they continued to attack every day.
…Sylph and the Allied forces are exchanging their soldiers' lives for time.
By using the "banzai charge" to buy time and breaking through with infiltration tactics.
A strategy of that takes advantage of the difference in military strength between us and invading forcibly.
…There's nothing we can do if that happens.
It will be the end if Sylph's infiltration tactics allow even one breakthrough in our front line.
From there, they would send in reinforcements to carve into the wound, leading to the fall of Winn.
So if they launch an attack, we have no choice but to abandon our trenches and fall back.
"When will you strike, Sylph Nova?"
Austin's forces have no answer for infiltration tactics.
Even if we could predict the timing of their attack, we would be helpless against their breakthrough.
And if a single point is breached, they would launch an offensive from there, deepening the wound.
Once the infiltration tactics are initiated, we have no choice but to "abandon the trenches and retreat."
It's brutal, efficient, and economical—the textbook answer to trench warfare.
As long as Sylph remains in command using this tactic, Austin has no chance of winning.
"A victory that crushes the enemy by exploiting the difference in forces."
Indeed, this can be said to be "checkmate," just as Sylph said.
Winn will probably fall in a month or so.
If that were to happen, the Allied forces would declare complete victory.
The territory of Austin would be carved out, its citizens enslaved and scattered across foreign lands.
Moreover, Sylph Nova would declare her long-cherished dream of establishing a government under the old Sabbath regime.
"But that's not your strong suit, is it?"
However, if there is one major flaw in this strategy…
It's that such systematic warfare that aims to corner the opponent does not suit Sylph Nova.
Her true strength lies in her risky but effective surprise attack tactics that devastate the enemy in one blow.
Leading such safe operations was her father, Brustav Nova's specialty.
────Continuing to take the safe route, Sylph Nova is no different from an ordinary commander.
"Lieutenant Gavel, are you there?"
"I'm here. Is it my turn?"
"Yes."
The first step of the strategy left by Bern Valou.
A necessary step in preparing to defeat our great enemy.
"Now, let's head to the battlefield."