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Chapter 16
“Good work, Touri, you can take a break.”
“Yes, thank you.”
After reporting that I’d finished my work at the emergency medical tent, I was given about an hour of break time.
During that time, I managed to have a decent meal and take a short nap.
“Touri, I’ll leave bed number 13 to you!”
“Yes.”
However, that was the only time I was able to rest. From that evening onwards, I was busy tending to the sick patients whose conditions were deteriorating.
Unlike patients in the emergency tent, patients in hospital beds will die if not treated properly.
Alarms were ringing all around the beds, warning of patient danger, and I was sent running around from place to place at the direction of my supervisor.
“Bed 18 is a lost cause. Just stay by them. Focus treatment on those who can still be saved!”
“Chief, bed 15 is also in critical condition.”
“That one’s still got a chance. Increase fluids and monitor for signs of heart failure.”
To my horror, I realized how privileged I had been.
I heard that the ward supervisor and the seniors hadn’t slept for a week.
“C-Chief. Bed 4’s blood pressure is dropping.”
“Isn’t that sepsis? What about antibiotics?”
“We only have stock that we plan to use for other patients.”
“…Then just be with them in their final moments.”
The night in the ward was pure hell.
With far too many patients, medical resources couldn’t keep up at all.
When there are no medical options available, we have to choose between saving or forsaking the life of an unconscious patient.
“Patient in bed 18 has passed away.”
“Carry them out. Bring in one of the severely wounded we left waiting outside.”
“Yes.”
If I were unlucky, I might have been the one lying on that bed.
And if I lost my life here, I’d likely be carried out mechanically from the bed under the Chief’s orders and discarded in a grave.
Both the front lines and field hospital are truly hell on earth.
***
The next morning, 5 a.m:
“Alright, you lot. Today’s the day we finally go on the offensive.”
After pulling an all-nighter of non-stop work, I was summoned first thing by my platoon leader, only to be met with those very words.
“Are we going to launch another offensive with our current forces?”
“Our estimates show the enemy has suffered far more losses. If we strike now, we can reclaim the territory all at once.”
“Understood…”
In trench warfare, generally, the attacking side ends up taking heavier casualties.
We suffered heavy losses from the enemy’s successive offensives, but it appears the enemy’s casualties are even greater.
“In crisis comes opportunity. Our mages will begin bombardment shortly. Everyone, prepare to charge.”
“Yes, Platoon Leader.”
This war is an endless loop of the same thing.
When the enemy recklessly pushes forward, we counter by taking advantage of their weakened forces.
Then, the border between our country of Austin and the enemy Sabbath Federation shifts by tens of meters.
And yet so many of our soldiers’ lives are being wasted just for that shift along the boundary.
“I’ll exact divine punishment on those fools who got carried away and pushed too far.”
“Woohooo!!”
Rodri became extremely excited after hearing Platoon Leader Garback’s words.
Come to think of it, this is Rodri’s first time taking part in an offensive since joining this platoon.
“Allen Squad, move ahead! Verdi Squad, just follow behind me without overthinking it. Touri, stay right behind me as usual. Verdi Squad, take up a defensive formation on either side of Touri and me.”
“Roger that.”
The Garback Platoon’s formation is the usual one.
The more highly trained squad was sent ahead to clear the way for Platoon Leader Garback’s charge.
Another squad will secure Garback on either side, increasing control over the front.
“Verdi, you’re at the back. Keep Touri’s back covered.”
“Yes, sir.”
In this formation, rookies like myself and Corporal Verdi are placed in the back to be shielded by the others.
I suppose those stationed behind the Platoon Leader are treated as trainees.
“Looks like I’m next to you today, Touri. Let’s do this.”
“I’m counting on you, Senior Gray.”
Standing by my side was Senior Gray, who is also a member of Verdi Squad.
Verdi Squad was originally led by a veteran assault soldier named Murrue.
With the addition of Corporal Verdi, who is of higher rank, the chain of command was overwritten, and Murrue Squad became Verdi Squad.
However,
“Corporal, mind if I take command today?“
“Yes, I’m counting on you, Murrue.”
When it comes to command ability in actual combat, Senior Murrue is overwhelmingly superior. Even though the Corporal graduated from a military academy, there is a huge difference in their levels of experience.
Therefore, Corporal Verdi will be entrusting command of today’s assault to Senior Murrue.
“Corporal, I won’t tell you anything difficult. Just run and keep close behind Medic Touri.”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t worry. There’s hardly anyone who’ll come shooting at you from behind, so don’t be afraid and keep moving.”
Well, that was the end of the briefing before the attack…
“I’m in Allen’s squad, why am I in the back…”
“With your level of training, you’d just disrupt the formation.”
Rodri was excited, thinking he could take the lead, but Senior Allen told him to move to the back while grumbling.
That’s right. Like myself and Corporal Verdi, he is also a rookie, so he’s positioned behind Platoon Leader Garback.
“Learn well and grow stronger. Then, you can join the advance force.”
“How am I supposed to kill anyone from back here…”
As always, his murderous intent is amazing. In peacetime, he’s someone I definitely wouldn’t want to have anything to do with.
“Are you dissatisfied with your superior’s orders again, Rodri?”
“N-No.”
Muttering complaints under his breath, Rodri quickly fell silent and backed down while turning pale after one sharp look from the squad leader.
Looks like yesterday’s lesson really sank in. Even he’s afraid of Platoon Leader Garback.
“…”
Prompted by the Platoon Leader, Rodri reluctantly took up his position behind me.
When I caught a glimpse of his face, he had puffed out cheeks and looked dissatisfied.
He seems pretty immature at heart, I wonder how old he is? Maybe around the same age as me?
***
After several hours of heavy bombardment,
“It’s time! Begin the assault!”
With a shout from the Platoon Leader, Garback Platoon set out.
To our left and right, troops were similarly crawling out of their trenches and charging in.
“Uoooooooohhh!!”
We ran behind Platoon Leader Garback with a roar.
If we can jump into the enemy trench and take control of their base, victory will be ours.
“Gahahahahaha!!”
But between the trenches, a terrifying amount of gunfire soared past us.
Only someone like Platoon Leader Garback could make it through this bullet-storm unscathed.
Allen Squad leading the charge looked like they were already taking heavy losses.
Ah, one person was shot in the head. Senior Allen has been shot in the right shoulder.
“Take them down! Show them the price of crossing us!”
After the Allen Squad pushed forward, Platoon Leader Garback stormed into the trench, completely unfazed by the loss of a comrade, stirring up his usual storm of bloodshed.
In just a few seconds, he’d already secured the first position.
“I’m heading to secure the flanking positions! Touri, patch Allen up while you can!”
“Yes.”
Leaving those words behind, the Platoon Leader dashed off along the trench line.
The bullet wound hit a nerve cluster in Senior Allen’s right shoulder… He’ll need to be treated in the rear if he’s going to move that arm again.
For now, let’s just stop the bleeding.
“That’s all for me. Sorry, Murrue. I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Roger that.”
Senior Allen retired here.
Those who are wounded and unable to move are left in the secured trenches and moved forward, as it is safer.
There are now only seven members left in the platoon.
“All right, we’ve secured the northern flank. Let’s move on to seize control of the southern side, you guys!”
“Yes!”
While I was giving Senior Allen the bare minimum treatment, the Platoon Leader ran past at blazing speed.
Come to think of it, I could barely keep up with Platoon Leader Garback during our first assault, but now I can keep up with him just fine.
I doubt my stamina could have improved this much in a few weeks, so maybe I’ve just learned how to pace myself more efficiently.
“This… This is insane!”
“What are you doing, Corporal? Run! We’re going to get left behind.”
“Isn’t that strange?! Why is that guy taking the lead when his allies haven’t even caught up yet? He’s way too far ahead!”
“…”
In the distance, I could hear Corporal Verdi’s voice, which was almost a cry of frustration.
I guess this charge does seem reckless, though. Leaving allies far behind and surging charging alone is just asking for trouble.
“Instead of wasting time shouting, let’s run, Corporal!”
“This kind of charge isn’t written in the textbooks! In fact, it’s an example of an ‘incorrect charge’ that should never be done!”
“Corporal, let me tell you something useful. Those textbooks are nothing but nonsense written by cowards sitting safely in the rear!”
Private First Class Murrue, who had taken over as commander of the advance group from Senior Allen, answered Corporal Verdi in a teasing manner.
Ah, this feels a lot like classic military banter. Probably not the most appropriate, given the life-or-death situation, but still…
“So, I’ve been grateful and memorized tissue paper!”
“Corporal, don’t underestimate tissue paper. Even ass-wiping paper is a valuable commodity on the battlefield.”
“Oh really! In that case, I wish they had handed out the textbook written by our brave Platoon Leader! It would have resulted in terrible casualties, though!”
“Hahaha! Hey Corporal, our platoon leader doesn’t have the patience to write a textbook!”
Corporal Verdi and Squad Leader Murrue followed Platoon Leader Garback while bantering.
It is said a moderate amount of tension and relaxation produces the best performance during combat.
That’s why, even if it’s a bit inappropriate, they’re lightening the mood with these jokes.
So I think it’s ok to make light-hearted jokes even if it might be inappropriate.
“If we were to follow Sergeant Garback into the charge, we wouldn’t have enough lives. I request that we immediately revise our formation.”
“But actually, our Garback Platoon has a low death rate, Corporal. So low that we’re allowed to deploy a medic.”
“That’s so absurd…”
Verdi looked exasperated by Platoon Leader Garback’s recklessness.
That’s right, this platoon’s death rate is relatively low thanks to Platoon Leader Garback.
The key word here is “relatively.”
“Hah, hah…”
“Hey, are you okay?”
Despite his complaints, Corporal Verdi was keeping pace with the charge.
He seems to have plenty of stamina, having trained hard at the military academy.
“…Hey, Rodri. If you’re struggling, how about you stay in this trench?”
“I… I can still run, so leave me be, you… flat-chested…”
“Alright…”
Among all of us in the platoon, Rodri’s the one in most trouble.
Perhaps due to a lack of physical strength, he’s already breathing heavily.
“I haven’t… killed… anyone yet…”
His breathing is so heavy, is he really okay?
Despite his bloodlust, he clearly doesn’t have the stamina to back it up.
“Alright, I’m back! Time to storm the second trench!”
“Yes, sir!”
Just then, the Platoon Leader returned, already done with securing the adjacent position.
Rodri answered energetically but was clearly pushing himself.
Instead of being stubborn, he should’ve begged Platoon Leader Garback to let him stay back.
After all the effort I put into treating him yesterday, it would be tragic if he got killed today.
***
And so, the Platoon Leader effortlessly secured the second trench as well.
The enemy resistance was fiercer than expected, and some injuries had started to appear within the platoon.
“Touri, how much magic power do you have left?”
“I’ve been conserving it since last night in preparation for the operation. I can cast [Heal] twice, and if I drink elixir I can do it three times.”
“Hmm. Then use just one.”
Fortunately, today’s casualties included only one person who died early on.
Corporal Verdi had been shot earlier, nearly fatally wounded, but he survived thanks to my frontline treatment.
When I explained to him that he would die if he didn’t receive treatment immediately, he reluctantly gave permission, which was quite unusual.
“Platoon Leader, the rear forces are nowhere near catching up. Shouldn’t we call it?”
“Are you stupid? The real challenge starts from the third one. The enemy’s reinforcements are dwindling, if we don’t break through now, when will we?”
With Corporal Verdi, who sustained critical injuries, and an infantryman with a leg wound dropping out, Garback Platoon was down to five.
And it’s expected that enemy resistance will become fiercer in the third line of defense.
So we’d ideally secure this position, end the battle here, and claim a tactical victory, but…
“We’ll charge as soon as the rear catches up.”
The Platoon Leader clearly has no intention of backing down now.
“Looks like you can still run, Touri. Hmph, you’ve grown into an ant.”
“It’s an honor, Platoon Leader…”
Ah, I see. He plans to press forward because my stamina has held up today.
Until now, he had been halting the advance to match my stamina.
“Our allies on both sides have advanced.”
“Oh, today looks promising after all.”
Maybe I should pretend to be exhausted right now.
No, if I did that, he’d assume I’d slacked off on training and give me another “lecture.”
“Alright, let’s charge in. Today, we’ll break through the Sabbath’s defense line!”
This will be the first time I’m stepping into the enemy’s fully fortified defensive line.
Instead of a trench that had been softened up with magic, we headed towards the third line of defense where a determined and undamaged force was waiting.
“Let’s go!!!”
…The ferocity of their resistance far exceeded my expectations.
And I had yet to realize that this charge would mark an unforgettable turning point in my life.
There’s an added scene in the manga with Verdi after he is shot in this scene. He kinda just gets off-screened here.
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