"It's been a while since I've slept on the ground."
For about a week since the war began, all we did was mow down the enemy's banzai charges with machine-gun fire.
The new Austin machine guns had improved cooling systems, allowing for faster firing intervals.
Winn's position had become a gate to hell, nearly impossible to breach through conventional means.
"Enemy soldiers incoming! Enemy soldiers incoming!"
"Looks like an artillery barrage has been launched in Area C to the east."
"Prepare to counterattack!"
The fortifications set up by the Austin Army effectively blocked the enemy's artillery magic.
And countless machine guns created a barrage of bullets, piling up mountains of enemy corpses on the ground.
Any ordinary army would have no choice but to give up and retreat in the face of such a strong defense.
What kind of emotions must have been running through the minds of the Allied soldiers ordered to charge into this hell?
"Long live Flamel!"
"Glory to Aerys!"
Yet, the Allied forces did not let up on their attack.
They couldn't afford to, as it would hinder their preparation for the infiltration tactics.
…Every day, the Allied soldiers would let out cries that were closer to screams as they recklessly charged again and again.
"Another great victory today, but…"
"They'll probably start deploying their infiltration tactics soon."
"Yeah, I think so too."
They've been sacrificing countless lives just to buy time preparing for those tactics.
Their aim is to draw victory atop the growing mountain of sacrifices.
"Touri, how do you plan to prevent the enemy's infiltration tactics?"
"The tactics themselves can't really be prevented."
"Then what will you do?"
"Well they need elite soldiers to execute those tactics, don't they?"
If we can't stop the infiltration tactics, we'll have no choice but to retreat.
But we can threaten the units tasked with executing the tactics—Sylph's forces.
"The frightening thing about Sylph Nova is that you never know what she's going to do. But if we know she's coming with infiltration tactics, then there's nothing to be scared of."
Infiltration tactics are almost guaranteed to achieve some level of success when executed.
And she is a strategist who chooses the tactics with the highest expected value in any given situation.
…Since Sylph has perfected her infiltration tactics, it is unlikely that she could choose a strategy with a higher expected value than that.
"They are elite troops who have undergone thorough training and specialize in attacking trenches. There is probably no one to replace them."
The disadvantage of infiltration tactics is that the forces that carry them out must be elite troops specialized in securing trenches.
It's a strategy where a small, elite force identifies and breaks through trench to support the main forces' assault.
In short, it's not easy to replenish the personnel for infiltration units.
"If we can crush Sylph's forces, their infiltration tactics should be neutralized for a while."
We'll lose if they push through with infiltration tactics.
Then let's crush the elite forces that carry out those tactics and seal them away.
It should buy us time until they can train more elite troops capable of executing the next infiltration tactic.
This is my first battle against Sylph as a "strategist."
I had challenged the century's greatest genius, who had defeated countless wise commanders before me, with a strategy of my own.
The preparations for Bern's last plan were already complete. All that remained was for us to maintain the front line.
From here on, without Bern's support, it's a true head-on battle with Sylph.
***
And what strategy did I choose to defeat Sylph?
"Hey, Touri. Isn't it really dangerous out here?"
"Yes, it's a danger zone."
I had placed myself on the front lines to respond directly to Sylph's moves.
"Why are you in a place like this?"
"This is so that I can respond immediately if Sylph attacks."
I left overall command to Verdi and Major Curley, and as Chief of Staff, I was stationed guarding the salient part of the trench.
The plan is to leave sector defense to Captain Zieve and rear support to Captain Kennel.
By creating a salient, we could fire at the enemy from an angle. By concentrating our firepower, it makes it a very vicious formation.
"But isn't there no way to escape if we get surrounded here?"
"Yes. That's why I asked the one guarding this position, Captain Zieve, to leave a will."
The downside of this formation is that it sticks out, making it a target for concentrated attacks by the enemy.
The enemy wouldn't be able to make a proper charge if they left the salient unchecked.
It's standard practice to strike and destroy a salient before anything else.
In short, this is an extremely offensive formation.
"And you're staying in such a place?"
"After all, my true worth is when I'm on the front lines."
It was exactly because of this danger that I was stationed here.
I had asked Captain Zieve, who was in charge of defending this salient, to write a will in advance.
I placed machine guns in this salient and ordered Zieve Battalion to reinforce the defenses.
Since the salient would absorb the enemy's full firepower, those stationed here had about a fifty-fifty chance of survival.
"Our boss is as crazy as ever."
"But you're coming with me to hell, aren't you, Lieutenant Gavel?"
"Yeah. I made my decision back in Argalia."
Building salients in trench warfare isn't uncommon.
It's a standard tactic for taking out enemies during defensive battles.
Therefore, the formation will not appear unnatural to the enemy.
"What was the point in you intentionally putting us in a place like this?"
"Normally, this position would be the first to be targeted."
"Right."
"But if infiltration tactics are employed, the salient will be the safest place. Infiltration tactics rely on attacking the weakened sections of the trench."
However, from the opposing perspective, this salient was the most heavily fortified position.
Attacking such a stronghold during infiltration tactics would be irrational.
Even if you infiltrate a heavily defended position, you won't be able to disrupt the rear.
"The enemy will choose a weakened section of the trench to infiltrate."
"Yeah, I guess they won't target here."
"By using that logic, we can guide where they'll attempt their infiltration."
The salient I had placed on the front lines would likely be ignored by the enemy.
It's clearly a heavily defended base, so there's little chance of it being breached.
"There were some weak spots in this sector, but I've deliberately left them unreinforced."
"Oh?"
"The enemy will probably target those."
On the flanks of the salient, there were sections with slightly weaker defenses.
This was not done intentionally, but because the nature of trenches being dug in an S-shape creates a curved position that makes reconnaissance difficult.
Such areas tend to have weaker defenses.
"So, what's the plan?"
"We'll let the enemy elite infiltrate."
From the enemy's perspective, these were natural weak points in the trench.
We would let the elite forces break through and create havoc in the rear.
"Right after that, the Touri Regiment will abandon the salient and cut off the elite Allied forces that infiltrated."
We would create salients across various locations, guide the enemy's infiltration forces, and then trap and eliminate them.
This is the secret strategy I had devised to crush their infiltration tactics.
"…In the end, that would just disrupt our rear and mean giving up the salient we worked so hard to build, wouldn't it?"
"That's right. Since we're giving up our position, it can be considered a tactical defeat."
This is not a strategy to "win the war."
Even if the operation was successful, it would be impossible to prevent disruption to the rear, which would force us to abandon the front line.
"But we can destroy the elite forces—those needed to execute infiltration tactics."
"So you're aiming to annihilate the infiltration units even at the cost of casualties."
"It's okay if we lose this time. As long as we can destroy the enemy's elite force, that's fine."
The enemy forces that employed infiltration tactics on the Engei Front and the Mining Front were highly skilled.
Their equipment and commands followed the style of the Sabbatian Army.
In other words, they must be soldiers trained by Sylph Nova who specialize in infiltration tactics.
"By destroying them, we'll effectively cripple, the Witch of the Trenches, Sylph Nova."
A move to "sever" the troops that act as Sylph's limbs.
How would Sylph react if her precious elites were wiped out?
"But, Touri, how do you know the enemy will strike in this area? There's no guarantee they'll come here."
"If they're using infiltration tactics, it would first be somewhere other than the eastern position."
This counter-infiltration strategy was my own idea, not one of Bern's.
To carry out Bern's plan, we needed to create a stalemate in the situation.
To that end, this plan was proposed to the General Staff, posing as Major Curley's idea.
"Why do you think the Allied forces won't attack the eastern position?"
"Because we've stationed the Sabbatian soldiers there."
We had concentrated the Sabbatian forces who came as reinforcements in the eastern sector.
This is because I wanted to narrow down the locations where they could launch their infiltration.
"Sylph's forces consist mainly of Sabbatian soldiers. There's no way she'd use infiltration tactics against the trenches defended by her own Sabbatian comrades when there are plenty of Austin soldiers elsewhere."
"Yeah, that makes sense."
This was the reason why Renvel questioned why we had concentrated the Sabbatian Army in one area.
If the Sabbatian forces were to be scattered throughout, there would be no telling where they would infiltrate.
There is great value in being able to narrow down the enemy's infiltration routes.
"…"
Now, will Sylph fall into the trap I had set?
If she's as clever as I think, she might figure it out by observing our movements.
But even if she does, this plan will likely succeed as long as she fights alongside the Allied forces.
After all, if she realized my plan and pulled back her elite forces, it would invite accusations that, "After sacrificing the lives of the Flamer soldiers, the Sabbatian soldiers are now trying to save their own skins."
The aggressive spirit of élan vital will even erode Sylph's tactics. Therein lay the opportunity for victory.
I had a fair amount of confidence in this strategy.
***
Ten days after the start of the war.
As predicted, Sylph Nova has launched an infiltration tactic against us.
It happened just when we were exhausted from continuous attacks, day and night.
"Regular communication has ceased from S23, S27, and S31."
"…They're here."
Infiltration tactics often result in bases being overtaken without us realizing, so we ensure strict communication intervals.
Thanks to that, we were able to detect the infiltration quickly enough.
"Abandon the defense of this area. We will take down the infiltration unit."
"Don't cling to defending the base. It's okay to give it up. Just make sure to wipe out that unit!"
I gave orders to abandon the defense and block the infiltration unit's escape route.
Supporting our shaken comrades and retreating with minimal casualties is key.
We'll suffer some losses, but it counts as a victory as long as we can eliminate Sylph's elite unit.
"Whatever it takes, finish off that infiltration unit!"
Victory against Sylph.
I'll defeat her and seize peace.
With that firm resolve, I issued commands to everyone.
Perhaps I was a bit overconfident.
My opponent was Sylph Nova, the genius of the century.
We knew she would use infiltration tactics but…
Why did I assume she wouldn't evolve or adapt her strategy?
"…Major Touri! Sergeant Nauman has been shot by our allies!"
"What?"
I was stunned by the report, arriving just moments after giving the orders.
We hadn't engaged the enemy yet, so Gavel Company shouldn't have suffered any casualties.
"Hah, hah… I'm sorry for showing you such an unsightly side of me, Major."
"Sergeant Nauman, what happened?!"
When I arrived, Nauman had been shot multiple times and was critically injured.
Several corpses also lay scattered around the trench walls.
"I heard from an Austin soldier in the neighboring area that he had a report to make, and when I let him in, this is what happened."
"Why would an Austin soldier shoot you?"
"I didn't recognize the soldier's face. It's likely the enemy disguised themselves as Austin soldiers…"
Yes.
On this day, Sylph Nova had ordered her infiltration team to steal and wear Austin uniforms.
"I let my guard down and allowed that soldier to escape… I… have no excuse."
"That's ridiculous! Aren't they afraid of being shot by their own side, Sylph?!"
Disguising oneself as an enemy on the battlefield is a common tactic.
However, when it comes to infiltration tactics, disguising yourself in the enemy military uniform is reckless.
This is because the infiltration force's purpose is only to disrupt the rear, and the main goal is for the follow-up forces to occupy the area.
If they disguise themselves as Austin soldiers, they risk being shot by their own advancing troops.
"Hey, what are you going to do, Touri?!"
"Umm, uh…"
"We can't even tell who's the enemy anymore!"
In the first place, infiltration tactics are powerful enough without resorting to such tricks.
No ordinary commander would risk complicating such an effective strategy.
But if Sylph realized my plan?
"A-Ah…"
No, she must've realized it. There's no way she would adopt such a risky tactic otherwise.
Sylph must have figured it out by our positioning and led us into this, instructing her troops to disguise themselves.
She knew I was targeting her infiltration team.
This is what it means to face a genius in war.
"Hey, get a grip, Touri! What should we do?!"
"…"
A wave of dizziness fell over me.
The screams of my allies echoed through the air, making me feel as if my body was being torn apart.
"Sergeant Nauman… At this rate."
"Puku! Puku!!"
"…! I'll issue orders immediately!"
When I came back to my senses, Argie was already frantically pulling out her suturing tools and starting to treat Nauman.
His body is riddled with bullet wounds, but his blood pressure is still stable.
With her skills, Nauman might still survive.
"Major Touri! What should we do?!"
"This is bad, there are screams all over the place! Our lines are in chaos!"
But that's only if I abandon command and focus entirely on Nauman's surgery.
Looking around, the Austin forces had fallen into complete disarray, with friendly fire breaking out in various spots.
"Touri, hurry up and give us orders!"
"…"
What should I do?
I am the commander responsible for everyone's lives.
I can't afford to focus solely on Nauman.
"Check the frontlines! Watch for any units behaving strangely!"
"Understood…"
But if Sylph is my opponent…
At this point, it's highly likely that we're already in "checkmate."
"Hey, what the hell is that?!"
"What's going on?"
"The state of the front lines…"
I was utterly outmaneuvered.
I thought we could afford to lose one trench if we could take down Sylph's elite team.
But now my plan is being mocked by a perfect counter-strategy.
"Touri, it seems there's a chaotic melee between our forces and the enemy at the front."
"How did that happen?!"
This is Sylph Nova.
This is the Witch of the Trenches.
"It appears that some of our troops are charging towards the Flamer position."
"Who gave that order?!"
Now I understand why Bern Valou lost his temper and went mad.
It's a tactical sharpness that almost makes you want to scream, "Are you kidding me?!"
"They likely captured our communications post and issued false orders in Austinian."
"…!"
A military strategist and staff officer who uses unexpected strategies to settle things with a single blow.
She had no intention of carefully invading the trenches one by one using infiltration tactics.
Today, her goal was to end the war with this single operation from the very start.
"Orders from General Staff Headquarters! Has Major Cruelly issued any instructions?"
"None… Nothing has arrived…"
It's a complete strategic defeat.
Bern Valou, who managed to evade and counter her schemes up until now, is already serving his sentence in hell.
Compared to Sylph, our strategic capabilities are overwhelmingly inferior.
"Touri, what should we do? Should we retreat?"
"…"
If we lose this position, Sylph will break through and advance into the inner city of Winn.
If that happens, the hope for Austin that Bern left behind at the cost of his life will be lost.
Is there any way to counter Sylph's strategy…?
"Gugh… Anna, Papa will survive for sure—"
"P-p-puku! Stop talking!"
I can't think of anything.
If I can't think of a solution, we should retreat.
We should just abandon our defenses here.
There's no doubt that I lost to Sylph today.
But no matter how much damage it may cause, it is essential that we do not allow the trenches to be breached.
Plus, if we retreat to the rear, we'll be able to heal Nauman.
"Urgh, ugh!"
"If you can't come up with a plan, we should withdraw. Make the call, Touri!"
"Lieutenant Gavel…"
If I can't lead effectively, then we should fall back.
It's better to save even one ally than to stubbornly hold a doomed position.
Let's retreat quickly and perform surgery on Nauman in a safer location.
"Yes, then…"
I can save Nauman, a veteran soldier and a devoted family man.
I need to issue the retreat order to everyone here—
"Long live Austin!"
Suddenly, I saw something reflected in the surveillance mirror.
There was an Austin unit charging straight into the enemy trenches on the battlefield.
Their military uniforms were drenched in blood, and they hurled furious shouts as they plunged into the enemy lines.
"…"
All the members of the unit were seriously injured, and their clothes and equipment were in tatters.
Yet, they still hadn't lost their fighting spirit and courageously pressed their attack.
────And strangely enough, that unit wasn't being shot at by the enemy at all.
"Gavel Company, here's my order to everyone."
…Ah.
I realized it.
"Please remove your uniform immediately."
"Huh?!"
As soon as I noticed this, I immediately took off my jacket and was left in just my undershirt.
I ordered the soldiers around me to do the same.
"Sergeant Nauman, I'm sorry. If I don't help with your treatment now, then you'll probably…"
"…Yes. I am… prepared for it."
I didn't meet Nauman's eyes as I quietly apologized.
It seemed he understood, as he let out a painful laugh mixed with blood.
"Major Touri."
"What is it, Sergeant Nauman?"
"Next month, please send some high-quality cosmetics to Anna, from her dad."
"…I understand."
"It's her birthday."
Eventually, Argie's hands stopped moving.
Nauman's bleeding couldn't be stopped, his blood pressure dropped, and the pallor of death overtook him.
"Guh…aaagh──Gahhhhhhhh."
"P-p-puku."
"Thank you, Argie. That's enough."
With those words, I drew my gun from my waist.
I aimed it at Nauman, who was writhing in pain and clutching his stomach.
"Goodbye, Nauman."
"I'm sorry, Anna… I'm sorry I couldn't spend more time with you, I'm sorry—"
I couldn't bear to see him suffer any longer, so I put him to rest.
***
"…Touri."
"Lieutenant Gavel. Can you see the enemy trenches on the Flamer side?"
I asked Lieutenant Gavel after shooting Nauman in the forehead.
"Did you notice that they're only not attacking certain units?"
"What?"
Sylph Nova is not the type of person to treat her subordinates as disposable and leave them to die.
She must have prepared a plan to ensure the safe return of her elite troops.
"I take charge of the soldiers of Nauman Platoon. The sappers will stand by, and the assault soldiers will accompany me."
"H-Hey, are you really…?"
"Yes. I'm going."
And that was Sylph Nova's mistake this time.
It may seem like she had read our plan and surpassed it, but in doing so, she had revealed a weakness.
"What are you going to do, Touri? We'll be overwhelmed by their numbers."
"…Cut open Nauman's body with your army knife and smear his blood and flesh on yourself."
"What?!"
Without waiting for a response, I slit open the deceased Nauman's abdomen.
His still-warm blood coated my right arm.
"I suspect the enemy is distinguishing between real Austin soldiers and infiltrators by the blood. Earlier, a squad of Austin soldiers drenched in blood charged the enemy trenches without taking any fire."
"Are you sure that's the case?!"
"That Austin unit was strange. There's no way they were all bloodied before even engaging with the Flamer forces."
"…"
"I believe those blood-drenched soldiers charging towards the Flamer trenches were actually the infiltrators in disguise."
Yes, Sylph had given the Allied forces a signal to distinguish her disguised units from the real troops.
That signal? An unlikely but clear sign: Austin soldiers already soaked in blood before the battle had even begun.
"The enemy has probably been ordered not to shoot at Austin soldiers drenched in blood."
There were no other obvious characteristics of these bloodied Austin units.
Blood stains are also easily visible from a distance, and unless you know there is a clear intention behind them, it might not raise suspicion on the battlefield.
It's the ideal marker.
────In that case, we should take advantage of that.
"…Nauman. We will protect your country and your family. Please lend us your strength."
Apologizing silently to Nauman, I took his blood and flesh in hand.
I smeared it all over my uniform, covering my shoulders in crimson, and then spoke to the soldiers around me.
"Everybody, get your uniforms stained with blood before his blood dries."
"Hey, you…"
I sacrificed Nauman, and with that, this plan was born.
If things continue like this, Austin will be unable to break through Sylph's infiltration tactics and will be at her mercy.
Nauman's wife and daughter will also fall into the clutches of the enemy.
────I won't let that happen.
"It's not what I had originally planned, but we're going to win."
With those words, I gathered the soldiers who had finished smearing themselves with blood.
I looked outside the trenches, towards the Flamer position.
"Everyone, prepare for battle. I'll take the lead."
…For the first time in a while, it wasn't about defense, but an all-out charge.
The madness of climbing over the trenches and charging across the plains with nothing to protect us.
"…Charge!!!"
"Charge!!!"
I put my foot on the edge of the trench and ran up.
Ahead of us, the lights of gunfire blazed like the northern lights.
────It was just like the Western Front of the past.