"Why won't the Austin Army stop fighting?"
Arunoma's achievements in this World War were remarkable.
He defended the capital of Flamer, Pari, solely with volunteer soldiers and liberated cities occupied by Austin.
He is a man undefeated in battle, handsome, possesses a strong sense of justice, and has a track record as a stage actor.
He was praised, revered, and elevated by the masses.
"If you've already driven back the Allied forces, shouldn't that be enough? Why pursue them?"
However, it wasn't as if his command was exceptional, or that he was a skilled strategist.
He simply had the good fortune to ride the wave of victory, aided by Sylph.
"Do you want to kill us that badly? Do you really love killing that much?"
Aside from luck, he also possessed charisma.
Arunoma Diskens boasted overwhelming support from the soldiers, who followed him with high morale.
It could be said that this luck and charisma were Arunoma's weapons.
"Because you're doing things like that, the war will never end!!"
***
Arunoma was actually opposed to the invasion of Austin territory.
His goal was the liberation of his homeland, and he was angered by the idea of crossing borders to invade, feeling it was unjust.
No matter how much he was told that it would eventually help protect Flamel, he stubbornly refused to accept it.
In fact, he began giving speeches across the country advocating for peace claiming such a thing was unjust.
The Flamer government could not ignore the fact that the hero who saved the country had turned against the war.
…Arunoma's opinions were taken into consideration, and surrender proposals to Austin were made multiple times.
However, Prime Minister Fogman Jr. rejected these proposals.
He displayed a provocative attitude, as if to say "bring it on," showing his intention to continue the war.
Seeing this, Arunoma accepted that there was nothing more to be done if Austin was determined to fight.
However, he chose not to participate in the invasion and decided to cooperate only in gathering soldiers within the country.
Thus, Arunoma parted ways with Sylph and became a figurehead for recruiting.
In reality, the Allied command must have found Arunoma somewhat challenging to manage.
Despite lacking any military talent, his popularity was immense. He was an inexplicable figure that continued to bring victories.
Many of his victories were aided by luck, and there was no guarantee he would win the next battle.
They probably preferred him to focus on propaganda rather than fighting on the front lines.
Thus, Arunoma traveled across Flamel, conducting recruitment campaigns and gathering an astonishing number of soldiers.
During the pandemic of the Chaim Flu, gathering 100,000 volunteers was likely due to his fame and singing ability.
Honestly, if Sylph had been serious about crushing Austin, it would have been an easy victory with just this volunteer army and Arunoma, without the help of the Allied forces.
His overwhelming charisma attracted a flood of volunteers, and he was able to gather soldiers faster than expected.
That's why Arunoma arrived at the Winn Front despite being told reinforcements wouldn't arrive for a few more days.
"Attention all troops! Retreat as quickly as possible!"
By the time I had confirmed the situation with my own eyes, the volunteer soldiers led by Arunoma were already in an attack formation.
Although they had only just arrived, they were in high spirits and ready to charge.
…This was Arunoma's style of warfare.
Without strategy or schemes, he was a fierce commander who crushed the enemy solely with overwhelming morale and momentum.
"If this continues, our country will be destroyed—"
Just as I shouted that and issued the order to retreat, a loud battle cry echoed from the Allied forces, and Arunoma began his charge.
…Élan vital.
This is the aesthetic of war deeply instilled in the Flamer soldiers.
A war-crazed ideology unafraid of death, they consider it an honor that their own death leads to victory for those who follow.
With this mindset firmly rooted, the Flamer soldiers' charges are not easily stopped.
Even if they die, it's enough as long as the country of Flamel wins.
They will be celebrated by the country and can go to heaven after death.
In the heat of war, they genuinely believe such things.
Therefore, the momentum of the Flamer soldiers' charge greatly exceeded that of Austin's forces.
They didn't care about dying; they had no awareness of the danger to their lives.
This reckless charge was a perfect target for Austin, who was waiting with their machine guns at the ready, but…
At this very moment, it has become an incredibly terrifying weapon during a counterattack.
"What insane speed!"
"They're just charging in recklessly with no formation or coordination whatsoever!"
"Are they out of their minds?!"
In trench warfare, a unit's advance often means death.
Therefore, the standard strategy was for each unit to coordinate their advance when invading.
A charge that prioritizes speed over their own lives. Every soldier charged forward at nearly full sprint, ready to sacrifice themselves.
…Naturally, the speed was incredible.
"This is bad, some of our units have been caught and wiped out!"
"Our defensive positions are wide open! They'll break through!"
This is Arunoma.
This is the Flamer Army.
We should not have taken the easy route and chosen to pursue.
We should have firmly defended our positions and, even if reinforcements came, repelled them with machine-gun fire.
"The advance is too fast…"
Austin has no chance of victory if the Allied forces join up with Arunoma.
Just as Sylph had predicted, as soon as Arunoma arrived at the Winn Front, he pushed back the Austin soldiers relentlessly.
"Ah, ah!"
There was nothing we could do against such a massive army.
The Austin soldiers who failed to escape were engulfed by the tidal wave of Flamer troops.
…There was no need to read reports; the sheer scale of the damage was clear just from looking.
"We've lost. This battle is over."
Austin would lose once Arunoma joined in. It's just as Sylph said.
The chance to win that she had created by casting aside her shame and reputation shattered so easily.
"There's no chance of winning anymore."
Our Gavel Company somehow managed to escape back into the trench we had previously been in.
However, it appears that most of the friendly forces were either annihilated or surrendered to the Flamer soldiers.
In other words, Austin's defensive positions were now riddled with holes like a piece of cheese.
"All this happened in just a few hours…"
Arunoma's overwhelming speed of recruitment, his decision to engage, and the speed of his charge.
All my struggles to help my comrades and the strategies I had built up since Bern's death were all wiped out with this one blow.
Malice, strategy, tactics—everything was swept away by favorable circumstances.
Truly, with timing that could only be described as blessed by the gods, Arunoma achieved victory the moment he joined the battle.
────This is a talent of the protagonist, something that neither Sylph nor I possessed.
***
"Hear me, soldiers of Austin. I am Arunoma Diskens, the leader of the Flamer Volunteer Army."
In the end…
Even Sylph's self-destruct went in vain, and the Austin forces found themselves retreating in complete defeat.
"Why do you not stop this war? We were ready to accept peace."
When we returned to the original trench, Sylph was staring at Arunoma with a blank expression.
How could he win so easily, so simply?
It seems as though even Sylph is almost envious of his incredible fortune.
"Even earlier, that was the case. It would have been enough to defend your capital. Why did you choose to pursue us?"
Austin's forces are now powerless to resist.
If Arunoma's forces charged, we likely won't be able to stop them.
Even without infiltration tactics, we won't be able to handle even a simple banzai charge.
"I'll say this in advance: I truly despise you all."
In front of us, nearly dead and defeated, Arunoma began his speech in Austinian.
He went out of his way to use a loudspeaker so that his words reached a wide area.
Was he just trying to preach? Or was he trying to break the spirit of Austin's soldiers?
"The looting acts in cities like Engei, the ruthless attacks on civilians, the massacres—it's all utterly despicable, sickening."
We stood there with a knife pressed to our throats waiting only for death.
In such a situation, Arunoma continued his speech as if taunting us.
"My lifelong friend, Helens, was killed by the Austin Army. He and I were sworn brothers. All he wanted was to be reunited with his family, who had been taken from him by the Austin Army."
I thought to myself: this is a death sentence.
Since victory was almost assured, he was pouring out all his grievances upon us.
"How could you do such cruel things?! Do you lack basic human morals? Tell me, why did Helens have to meet such an end!!"
…It is natural for soldiers who participate in war to die.
If you start a war, you need to accept the possibility of a counterattack and even the looting of your cities.
In the first place, it was Flamer and Aerys' soldiers who were committing the atrocities in southern Austin.
"And now, I can finally avenge Helens. Oh, what a wonderful thing this is! To destroy, ravage, and slaughter the demons of Austin and their capital city of Winn."
However, Arunoma, who was relatively new to this war, might not understand that.
He can only clearly see the damage that is occurring right in front of him; he does not see the suffering inflicted upon our country.
"On this day, I give my thanks. Blessed that the day has come where we can give those damn Austinites what they deserve!"
Arunoma's rousing words were met with thunderous cheers from the Flamel soldiers.
He was declaring justice for the Flamer people with pride and calling for the ruin of Austin with fierce condemnation.
"…He's just saying what he wants."
"But we can't argue against his view."
Hearing Arunoma's speech, Lieutenant Gavel bit his lip in frustration.
I feel the same way.
The claims made during war are always one-sided, regardless of the side.
…In most wars, both sides declare their own justice, but only the victor has the power to justify it.
"Our moment of victory is before us. At my signal, let us lay waste to their capital. Raise your voices and uphold the spirit of élan vital!"
We have lost.
We do not have the military power to refute the justice that Arunoma champions.
"Remember the faces of our fallen comrades. Recall the suffering of your devastated families. Picture the sight of your ravaged homeland. At last, we can avenge them."
Faced with such ferocious hostility…
All we could do was tremble in fear.
"…But listen, brave warriors of Flamel."
I huddled against the trench wall with Gavel Company while shaking.
Waiting to be killed, utterly exhausted, and feeling hopeless.
…There is no path left for survival. At least, let my end be brave and glorious.
That's what I had thought.
"We did the same to them."
Arunoma spoke in a firm voice.
He was addressing not only the Austin soldiers but both armies.
He held back from launching an attack, instead continuing his speech.
"…I know. The Flamer-Aerys Alliance committed numerous atrocities within Austin territory. The Austin people felt just as we do now. Thinking of their slain comrades, their lost hometowns, and their ravaged families, they invaded Flamer territory in a rage."
There was a stir.
The Flamel soldiers were confused, unable to keep up with Arunoma's sudden change of tone.
"The anger you all felt just now, they attacked us with that same rage. …How foolish. How pathetic."
We felt the same confusion.
It was a speech that poured cold water on their fighting spirit, which had never been higher.
"We mourn our lost comrades and seek revenge. This tragedy is a repetition of that cycle. If we continue this, the conflict will never end."
I listened to the speech with my mouth open in shock.
Neither I nor the soldiers around me could fully understand the words of Arunoma Diskens, the Flamer commander.
"Don't underestimate us! I, Arunoma, and the Flamer warriors gathered here, are not foolish, ridiculous savages!"
And then, astonishingly…
Arunoma, dressed in splendid attire, appeared between the trenches where the two armies glared at each other completely unarmed.
…It was Arunoma Diskens himself.
"How can we end this cycle of hatred? It is up to those who have driven their enemy to the brink to bring this battle to a halt."
His voice echoed far and wide across the battlefield.
His speech cooled the fires of war within both armies.
"I ask everyone here, both Austin and Flamer soldiers alike. Do you think it's natural to take the lives of your enemies and plunder them?"
Arunoma continued walking unarmed through the space between the trenches.
Yet, perhaps overwhelmed by his presence…
Not a single gunshot rang out from the Austin side towards him.
"Don't be foolish. Didn't your parents teach you not to hurt others? The problem lies in war, which makes killing seem normal."
Step by step.
It was as though Arunoma's fury against the war itself resonated with each step.
"Those of you poisoned by the madness of war, return to your senses. The enemy you are about to shoot have parents, a hometown, dear friends, and a future."
This was the stance Arunoma had held steadfastly.
Regardless of the reasons, he had firmly opposed any policies that would prolong the war.
He hesitated deeply, not only over the slaughter of civilians but even over firing at enemy soldiers.
"Shoot, and you'll be shot. That's why you have no choice but to shoot back. I see, I understand that logic."
This was the mindset of a "civilian" who had not yet been tainted by the madness of war.
Yet, Arunoma has been part of the Flamer Army and has taken part in battles over the past year.
Even his dearest friends had been shot and killed by Austinites.
So it would be strange if he had not become hardened into a soldier.
"Then perhaps it's as simple as not shooting anymore."
No one wants to die. One values their own life over that of others.
Anyone would feel hatred when a comrade is killed. It's natural to want to direct that resentment at the enemy.
Thus, on the battlefield, you kill the enemy. This is the endless cycle of war.
"At the very least, if we offer peace now, there's no reason for Austin to refuse."
────Even Arunoma must know about war.
He too has fought continuously on the front lines, losing many dear friends along the way.
"That's enough. Let's end this fight, Austin."
Arunoma had somehow managed to retain the "reason" I had long abandoned.
"An unconditional peace. No reparations, nothing but an end to this war right here."
That's how he achieved a complete victory.
"You'll accept, won't you?"
He voiced such an impossible request without any regard for his nation's interests.
"Wh-What's with that Flamer guy?"
"Is he insane?"
It was more than mere idealism: it was the fanciful, naive dream of a child.
To someone who has experienced war, these childish words and actions would make them want to dismiss it as foolish.
…And yet.
"Come, take my hand. Let's just end this war."
That sentiment was without a doubt the very "ideal" this world needed most.
***
It was a persuasion that only Arunoma Diskens, who does not belong to the government, could achieve.
A hero from the civilian ranks, he boasted overwhelming popularity among the people and is a man who can prioritize "justice" over the interests of organizations and the nation.
Perhaps if Arunoma had never been born into this world, such a miracle would never have happened.
"…Hey, Touri."
"Sylph?"
"It's your turn. Go on."
With Sylph's help, I climbed up the trench wall.
I walked step by step through the silent trenches, avoiding barbed wire and magical traps.
"…"
In front of me, I saw a man standing silently.
When I calmly looked at his face from the front, I noticed that he was a bit older and had deeper features than the Arunoma I once knew.
However, his eyes remained calm and gentle.
All the soldiers present were watching as I began to walk towards him.
I slowly made my way towards Arunoma, who continued to wait for me in the middle of the trenches.
"…It's been a few months, Little Platoon Leader."
"Yes, it's been a while, Arunoma."
I could see deep hatred and anger in Arunoma's eyes.
…I was the one who shot and killed Helens, whom he mentioned in his speech earlier.
To him, I am the enemy of his best friend.
"How did it feel to shoot Helens? You had quite the twisted smile on your face."
"…I was exhilarated. I was so happy to finally have killed the ace after such a long and difficult battle."
"I see."
I didn't lie; I answered Arunoma's question honestly.
I thought that was my sincerity towards him.
"The truth is, even though I said all that earlier, I still can't help but hate you."
"That's understandable."
"This feeling, this desire for revenge… It is what brings about such tragedy."
He glared at himself in agony, still speaking rationally.
An expression that was a mixture of hatred and reason.
"You're a kind person, Arunoma. Some might even say you're naive."
"Ah, I was told the same thing by my comrades. When I revealed what I was doing, they strongly opposed it."
"That's to be expected."
"But I pushed through. This is my justice."
However, doubt only briefly flickered across his face.
"You probably feel this is just twisted idealism. That it sounds like the nonsense of someone drunk on justice."
"…"
"But if I don't shout out these idealistic words, the war will never end."
Soon, his expression turned resolute and dignified as he spread his arms wide towards me.
"Laugh at me and call me foolish. Despise me as an idealist who can't see reality. If that's what it takes to end the war, I don't care what people think."
"Arunoma…"
"The war is over. Will you accept it, Little Platoon Leader?"
"…Is it really alright?"
Understanding his intentions, I closed my eyes.
Slowly, I stood before him.
"With this, it's a peace agreement. A reconciliation."
At those words—
────The hero of Flamel, Arunoma, and the symbol of Austin, Iris, embraced in the midst of both armies.
"Is it truly over?"
"Of course it is. I will unify the Allied side."
It's over.
Just like that, the war came to an end.
"Is it really alright that it's over?"
"We have to end it."
Even after I had struggled so much to pave the way for peace, only to have it crushed by Major Curley.
Arunoma rushed to the battlefield and instantly achieved what I had wanted.
"Do I really not have to fight anymore? Do I not have to shoot anymore?"
"Little Platoon Leader…"
"Will I no longer have to endure such cruel and tragic battles?"
"Ah."
He was different, truly the protagonist of a story.
He understood what would bring about the happiest conclusion and led everyone as the "man beloved by the gods."
"Do I not have to lose any more of the people precious to me?"
"Leave it to me."
Tears were overflowing before I knew it.
At my whispered words trembling with emotion, Arunoma responded:
"I will change the world into one like that."
So there's no need to cry anymore.
He gently patted my head with his large hand.
***
"Now, let's begin the peace negotiations. The fighting is over."
Thus, the battle ended when Arunoma decided to let the fleeing Austin soldiers go after they failed their pursuit.
Although there was pressure from the Allied Headquarters for Arunoma to launch a counterattack, he firmly refused.
It seems that the Allied soldiers were moved by the speech of the hero Arunoma and also chose to cease fighting.
…That is the talent of a hero, the ability to move people with beautiful words.
Like Remi Ulyakov, he too was an extraordinary figure with incredible charisma.
"…I don't have to fight anymore."
I trudged back to my camp after parting ways with Arunoma.
To the trenches where Lieutenant Gavel and Sylph Nova were waiting.
"Arunoma will surely handle it well. If that's the case, I need to do my part too."
Even if the war was over, hard times are yet to come.
Post-war reconstruction, terms of peace, compensation for bereaved families.
…We must feed our people in this country that has lost everything.
First and foremost, maintaining security is essential.
The military will likely be retained post-war and will be deployed to suppress bandits in various regions.
There are still many battles that need to be fought.
"…"
Suddenly, I noticed a woman in the trench staring at me.
The Witch of the Trenches, standing gracefully amid the filthy mud.
With her splendid officer's uniform and beautiful long hair, she stood out even more beautifully amidst the dirt.
"Sylph."
I have various ties with her.
…I still haven't sorted out my feelings towards her.
Too much has been taken from me to forgive her, and I cannot wipe away my deep feelings of hatred.
"It's over, Sylph."
"Hmph. You look terrible, Touri."
After returning to the trenches where everyone was waiting,
I headed straight for Sylph.
"…It's thanks to you. Thank you."
"Ha, you're thanking me? That makes me sick."
Will Sylph be delivered to the Workers' Council after this?
Or perhaps she might be handed over to Arunoma through negotiations with Flamel.
Regardless, there will no longer be an opportunity for me to speak with her alone.
"Umm, Sylph."
"What is it, Touri?"
So for now, I want to forget about hatred and past grudges between us.
Just for this brief moment, I want to go back to being friends with her.
"Before we part ways, how about we play a game of chess?"
"Chess, huh?"
"I held back last time. Let's have a serious match this time."
"Ah, so you were holding back after all."
I ended up saying something like that.
"I refuse."
At my words, she thrust her hand into her pocket with a malicious expression.
And then…
"What?!"
In the next moment,
Sylph pulled out a handgun and pressed it against her own temple.
"W-W-What are you doing?! Sylph!"
"Honestly. You're a real piece of work, you know that?"
Sylph Nova wore a strange expression as she held the gun.
It was one filled with regret.
And yet, there was also something akin to relief in it.
She had a calm, sad look on her face.
"N-No, stop…!"
"Right until the very end, you really are one lucky girl."
A smile appeared on her face.
Sylph gazed at me with satisfied, gentle eyes.
────Bang.
She fired the handgun at her own head.
"Ah."
The genius's brain exploded, splattering dark red blood everywhere.
Sylph Nova collapsed in the trench.
"Ah, no… Sylph, Sylph!!!"
I rushed over to the fallen Sylph, half-mad with panic.
With my hands soaked in blood, I frantically gathered was what left of her brain.
"Ah, ah…"
But even doing that wouldn't change anything.
The departed Sylph lay still, wearing a satisfied smile on her face.
With my hands stained crimson, all I could do was weep uncontrollably on the spot.