The blood that clung to me was still warm.
They say real combat is far more exhausting than training.
That's because tension and excitement make your breathing ragged, and your heartbeat faster.
The smell of smoke and gunpowder also stings your nose, making it feel like the air is thin.
"Hah… ahh…"
"Don't be scared, rookie! The enemy will see through your disguise!"
"If you're scared, follow behind me. I'll put up a [Shield]."
Lieutenant Gavel was shouting words of encouragement to the rookie who was about to collapse.
I took the lead, raised my [Shield], dodged the barbed wire and magical traps, and charged toward the enemy.
At the very least, I wanted to look like a dependable figure from behind.
With my army knife in one hand, I slashed upwards with every gunshot and headed straight for the trench.
"If you're scared, shout out. Let out a murderous roar with all your might!"
"Oh, I just have to shout!?"
"…You'll not only rouse yourself but also signal others. That angry 'shout' could also be a signal."
"Uoooooooaaaahhhhh!"
"Long live Austin!!!"
This is the vanguard.
This is the view that Platoon Leader Garback once saw.
Right now, there are no allies in my line of sight.
Only countless gun barrels rising from the ground ahead of me as I charge forward trusting in my fragile [Shield] magic.
"…As I thought, they're not shooting."
I had already prepared myself to be shot and killed.
But not a single bullet flew at us, drenched as we were in Nauman's blood.
As I had predicted, this blood seemed to be the signal used to identify us as allies.
"We're charging in. Once you leap in, begin firing and seize the trench."
"All right! Everyone, charge in!!"
My [Shield] is not at the same level as Platoon Leader Garback's.
I would have died if the enemy had continued to shoot at me.
…It feels strange to think that I'm running on the front lines of the trenches like this.
"Victory is within reach! Save our homeland!"
I led the charge of our forces and rushed straight toward the enemy's trench positions.
The Allied soldiers didn't even glance at us, their murderous intent fixated entirely on Austin's position.
────They've completely mistaken us for their allies.
"Permission to fire!"
From here on, it's a race against time.
I leaped in, gun in hand.
And I shot the officer defending the base right through the head.
***
"Capture of the base is complete. All platoons, please report any damage!"
"One severely injured; requesting permission for emergency treatment!"
"Third Platoon, Corporal Ryland and Private Kerrigan have been killed in action!"
It didn't take long for the trenches to be seized.
Thanks to the surprise attack, we were able to take control of the base smoothly.
Although, we suffered a few casualties.
There are no signs that anyone escaped or managed to communicate with others.
It all happened in about a minute.
"Sorry Touri, I've injured my arm."
"Lieutenant Gavel, come here. I'll treat you right away."
And so, we quietly secured the enemy's base.
Our allies should soon secure the surrounding area as well.
────With this, we've established an entryway to draw our friendly forces into the Allied side's territory.
"Touri, the rear…"
"Yes, it doesn't look good."
When I turned around, I saw numerous Flamer soldiers were finally beginning their charge.
The follow-up to the infiltration tactics had finally taken action.
"Now what should we do?"
"It's already been decided."
The enemy is in the middle of an offensive. Reports of battle should be flooding in like an avalanche.
Even if part of their base gets captured and regular reports stop, they likely won't notice right away.
With their soldiers pulled into the offensive, the defenses in the rear should be thin.
"We'll take advantage of their carelessness and attack from behind."
"Roger that."
…I don't expect that this small force of ours will be able to inflict heavy damage on the Allied side.
The significance of this attack is largely to support the retreat of our allies.
The overall command of Austin's forces is with Verdi.
If it's him, he'll likely issue the retreat order soon.
"Once reinforcements gather behind us, we start the assault. We'll expose the inside of the Allied forces."
"Understood."
"You'll also be bleeding, Sylph Nova."
We need to make the enemy scramble back in haste.
In that case, we'll use our small force to disrupt the enemy's rear.
If we're forced to bleed, then the Allied side will bleed just as much.
"…Touri, reinforcements have already arrived from Kennel Battalion. They've sent us three companies."
"Perfect, then we can head out immediately. He has a good nose for this; I'm glad we left the rear to him."
Unlike the Allied forces, who are trying to break through Austin's defensive line, we've already slipped into the heart of the enemy.
Let's show them which side can wreak more havoc.
***
The battle lasted approximately 90 minutes.
The Iris Regiment had a force of approximately 3,000 troops and infiltrated the enemy camp, wreaking havoc to our heart's content.
However, to conclude:
This battle could not be called a victory for Austin.
In the end, we were unable to counter the infiltration tactics initiated by Sylph.
Considering the number of casualties and the lost ground, it is difficult to call it a win.
The Austin Army avoided annihilation only by abandoning several trench positions.
In this battle alone, we suffered losses amounting to 6,000, approximately 20% of all Austin forces.
On top of that, the infiltration unit loyal to Sylph managed to escape right under our noses.
…It was truly a disastrous outcome.
"Burn! Set it ablaze!"
However, we were able to burn down a few Allied rear facilities.
We thoroughly targeted weakly defended locations, such as medical bases and supply depots.
Since the enemy had concentrated their forces on the offensive, the defense units were few and easy to overrun.
"I believe we inflicted about 1,000 casualties."
"…That's good."
We also managed to discover the location of what appeared to be the enemy's command post.
Naturally, we didn't attempt to storm it due to the overwhelming disparity in force.
But discovering the enemy's command post location is still a significant achievement.
"Please record all the information about the enemy's position."
"Right. Wounded personnel should fall back to record. Those who can still move, attack the exposed positions."
We drew the enemy's attention, systematically destroying their positions and causing havoc.
The Allied forces surrounded us in an attempt to crush us, but we retaliated and fought them off.
"The enemy soldiers are gathering around us."
"They're getting serious about taking us down."
Sylph is likely directing the infiltration tactics.
Their response to our attack on the rear positions was poorly coordinated and sluggish.
…If the opponent isn't Sylph, it's like this.
"Report: a portion of the enemy is retreating."
"Oh, that's great."
Eventually, the enemy could no longer ignore our actions.
We succeeded in forcing some of the Flamer soldiers who had been on the offensive to fall back.
"Touri, isn't it about time?"
"Yes. Let's retreat before we get surrounded."
Knowing when to quit is what I'm best at.
We threatened the enemy's positions until the last moment and withdrew with precision before our escape route was cut off.
I can gauge the density of enemy forces from their defensive strength, and a gnawing feeling of urgency signals when it's time to retreat.
"Iris-sama, this way."
"Captain Zieve!"
Thanks to Captain Zieve securing our retreat and Captain Kennel skillfully holding off the advance, we managed to escape enemy territory.
Both of them truly are highly capable commanders, as verified by Verdi.
With them backing us up, I was able to act freely.
***
Later that day, at dusk.
"As always, you perform best on the front lines."
Upon returning to Headquarters Verdi and Major Curley greeted us with concerned faces.
Renvel was also sitting at the edge of the room with his arms crossed.
"Chief of Staff Iris Valou. Please explain your independent assault in this operation."
"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel Verdi. I believed that to withstand the enemy's fierce assault, we had to disrupt their rear and support our allies' retreat."
"I accept that reasoning. Indeed, it was thanks to that that we were saved from annihilation."
My unauthorized counterattack was, of course, brought up in a military council.
I'm merely a staff officer, and full command lies with Lieutenant Colonel Verdi.
Thus, technically, it was insubordination.
"I'll file a battle report later."
"Very well. That concludes the hearing for Chief of Staff Iris Valou."
With his usual ambiguous smile, Verdi closed the discussion.
Then,
"Now, on to the next topic. Major Curley's plan to crush the infiltration tactics ended in failure."
"Yes, I have no excuse."
The main issue at hand… How will we deal with Sylph's infiltration tactics?
"Major Curley, it's about time, don't you think? I don't know how valuable this 'strategy left by Bern Valou' is supposed to be, but I can't cooperate without knowing the details."
"…"
"Please, end the secrecy and share your intentions with us."
The glasses on Verdi's face glinted sharply.
That's right. Major Curley had not yet revealed the specifics of Bern's secret strategy.
"…As I've mentioned before, it's still not the time to discuss it."
"In the recent battle, without the efforts of Touri… Chief of Staff Iris Valou, we would have lost outright. At this point, I cannot accept keeping the strategy hidden any longer."
Bern Valou's strategy will lose its effectiveness if too many people know about it.
You can't keep people from talking, so Major Curley insisted that the details of the plan be kept secret even from his allies.
"I've reached the limit of my patience. Please, Major Curley, tell us what you know."
"…Very well."
However, in the recent battle, the infiltration tactic counter that I had devised ended in failure.
Because of that, distrust was growing among Verdi and other staff officers.
They questioned whether Bern Valou's so-called strategy could be relied upon.
"However, I ask that you not tell anyone else about it."
"Of course, confidentiality will be maintained."
"You must not even show it on your face. Do not let your subordinates suspect anything."
Under Major Curley's severe gaze, we kept silent.
With a solemn look on his face, he explained the details of Bern's final strategy at the General Staff Headquarters.
***
"That's absurd."
Verdi's first response was an exasperated murmur upon hearing the strategy.
"Is that what we've believed in while fighting?"
"That's a lie… There's no way Bern-sama would leave behind such a strategy."
The contents of the letter left the General Staff heartbroken.
Of course, I felt the same way. Or rather, I was shocked at first.
"This war will resolve itself if we simply endure it."
That was Bern Valou's strategy, left in a letter addressed to Major Curley.
"The Allied side's weakness lies in its disunity. The Flamel-Aerys Alliance won't last forever."
If Austin were to surrender, it would likely face harsh territorial losses to both Flamel and Aerys.
However, if we hold out, there's a chance of victory through an internal schism.
"Flamel, angered by the devastation of its homeland, has mobilized large numbers of citizens and is fully committed to the war. Meanwhile, Aerys remains largely uninvolved, treating it as a distant affair."
Aerys and Flamer have significantly different attitudes towards war.
It is such a "non-issue" that even if Flamel were to be destroyed, they might try to adopt a diplomatic approach such as, "Let's become friends with Austin this time."
"Aerys is the only one who is safe. This is where a significant rift with Flamel lies."
Aerys, as an island nation, can only be invaded via ship.
And as Aerys is surrounded by ocean, its naval forces boast one of the world's most formidable fleets.
Therefore, even if Austin were to defeat Flamel, attacking Aerys afterward would be unfeasible.
No matter how infuriated we might be, Austin would have no choice but to make peace with Aerys after the war.
"On the other hand, the alliance between Austin and the Sabbath is strong. Or rather, the Sabbath has no choice but to cooperate in order to protect their homeland."
Austin and the Sabbath now essentially share the same fate.
As long as Sylph Nova is on the side of the Alliance, the Sabbath's Workers' Council is the Alliance's enemy.
Thus, these two countries have no choice but to fight together.
"But still, it's unreasonable to fight solely based on a belief in division among our enemies, isn't it?"
If we continue the war, an internal struggle may eventually arise. But when will that happen?
Even if that is true, without sufficient morale among our soldiers, we will not be able to hold our own against the Flamel-Aerys Alliance.
So,
"Use my sister Iris as a figurehead and spread word of my 'final strategy.' Deceive everyone that Austin has a strong chance of victory."
Using me as a symbol, he used easy-to-understand words like "Bern's final strategy" and instructed them to continue fighting.
"The plan is already in place. If you hold out a little longer, a 'bomb' will go off, and the Alliance will collapse."
And at the end of the letter to Major Curley, Bern wrote:
"Trust me, Curley."
Apparently, that's how he ended it.
***
Bern's legacy is far too uncertain.
The members of the General Staff turned pale and fell silent upon hearing the details of Bern's final strategy.
Many of the staff officers had held great hope in "Bern's final strategy."
However, it turned out to be nothing more than a bluff meant to maintain morale.
"To be honest, I'm disappointed."
Verdi said this through gritted teeth, cursing the late Bern Valou.
"I had hoped, if it were Bern Valou, that he might…"
Trusting in his will, they had frozen the front lines, waiting for both nations to turn on each other.
But when would that even happen? How much blood would Austin have to shed until then?
"…To wait for a mutual slaughter that may never come—this is far too poor a strategy."
Bern had always been fiercely competitive.
And that was why he sought to continue the war out of selfish desire, wagering the fate of the country of Austin.
When the General Staff learned this truth, their disappointed eyes pierced through me, his younger sister.
***
From there, the grinding days of life being worn away began once more.
The Allied forces showed no signs of halting their offensive, launching another all-out assault.
It is estimated that at this point, the death toll on the Allied side exceeded 10,000.
To the commanders of the Flamer Army, it was just 10,000 out of 300,000.
A small, insignificant number of soldiers.
However, these are the lives of young soldiers who each had their own life, their own way of living, and their own dreams.
And now, they were being crushed like trash in order to destroy Austin.
It was sheer madness.
"Well, Bern Valou, this is the scenario you wished for."
The depressed mood of the General Staff was palpable.
They never imagined that Bern's strategy, which they thought was our only hope, would turn out to be so ridiculous.
Yet, the war was proceeding just as Bern had planned.
As long as the enemy continued to advance slowly through infiltration tactics, we could hold out for some time.
Sylph likely wanted a swift victory and had hoped the previous battle would end the war.
Without making any special adjustments, the Alliance can win by simply repeating infiltration tactics over time.
Even if their elite forces were taken out, they could always retrain and replenish their ranks.
Aware of the risk of being exposed, Sylph had gambled by disguising their soldiers as Austin troops, in a bid to end the war quickly.
"Now what will you do, Sylph?"
The longer the war dragged on, the more corpses would pile up.
Would they come again with standard infiltration tactics?
Or would they gamble on another reckless strategy to destroy Austin?
"Ponder it carefully, Sylph Nova."
Disguising themselves was a one-off trick.
We established passwords and ensured neighboring units became more familiar with each other to prevent such tactics from ever working again.
Next time, they would surely come through regular infiltration.
If we can catch and kill their infiltrating units, we can neutralize their strategy.
────And then, the stalemate on the Winn Front would be established.
***
Even after that, we remained on the front lines, continuing our defense duties.
Each day, we slaughtered the Flamer soldiers who recklessly charged at us, mowing them down with machine guns.
By now, the decline in manpower was becoming apparent.
Our numbers were dwindling by the day, and wounded soldiers who could no longer walk were being forced to fight by leaning up against the trench walls.
As the commander, I also participated in the shooting and fought in the battle.
"Do you have any Vok?"
"Huh? Iris-sama, you're going to drink?"
"…It's just a little charm."
My heart nearly broke seeing the blood of both friend and foe splattering everywhere every day.
Before I knew it, I had grabbed a bottle of Vok from the storage and was drinking it straight.
The harsh alcohol burned my throat, a wave of dizziness hit my stomach, and a sense of exhilaration slowly cleared my mind.
"Phew…"
The blood that had disgusted me so much just a moment ago now seemed like a thick sauce, no different from a savory drink paired with strong liquor.
I felt like I finally understood part of the reason why Mr. Gorski and Platoon Leader Garback liked strong alcohol so much.
***
In the previous battle, Sylph had read our intentions perfectly.
She took advantage of this and tried to end the war once and for all.
However, the result ended in failure.
Although the Allied forces were successful in infiltrating and taking control of the trenches, they were hindered from the rear and were unable to conclude the battle.
For Sylph Nova, it must have been a desperate gamble.
Her dream is to restore the former Sabbatian regime and to overthrow the rule of the Workers' Council.
To do this, it's necessary to make the Austin-Sabbath Alliance surrender early.
Sylph can't afford to drag this out.
That's because the former Sabbatian government forces are in an incredibly precarious position.
It is a shabby government that can only be established with the backing of both Flamel and Aerys.
That's why she wanted to avoid diminishing the national strength of both countries as much as possible, and she also didn't want to worsen the relationship between the current Sabbath and the Alliance.
At this point, Austin's primary defensive force is the Sabbatian Army.
In other words, the Alliance isn't fighting Austin, but the Sabbath Federation itself.
The longer the war lasts, the deeper the mutual resentment will grow.
Sylph likely doesn't want to prolong the war either.
"Sylph, are you aware of the devil's malice?"
────The time for resolution is drawing near.