episode_0033
by fnovelpiaThe battalion command post is silent. Helena and I hold our breath, waiting for Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem to open his mouth.
What was in Colonel Mayhem’s hand? It was a piece of paper. It was an order from a higher unit, written down by the communications chief.
It suddenly felt funny that our future was being decided on a piece of paper, just that small piece of paper. It had been six years since I had been in this hellish war, but it was still a feeling I had not gotten used to.
“… When will the war end?”
As I muttered, Helena nodded in agreement.
“Okay. When will it end?”
“Will it end within this year? But it doesn’t seem like the situation is too bad.”
“The collapse of the dwarf’s web-like underground passage was a big deal. It caused a great loss of power for them.”
“… That’s cruel.”
“Yes. It’s cruel.”
We kept our mouths shut. The command center was once again silent.
“… … .”
As he reads the order, Colonel Mayhem’s eyes begin to tremble. Finally, he closes his eyes tightly, and his appearance is extremely unsettling.
“Hoo… .”
Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem let out a deep sigh. His face was flushed red and looked as if it would explode at any moment. The officers’ complexions darkened slightly.
“Imperial Army 101st Ground Defense Brigade Orders, No. 27-330.”
Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem opened his mouth heavily. Everyone in the command center’s eyes were focused on his mouth.
He took a deep breath and continued speaking in a trembling voice.
“A large-scale enemy offensive is expected within three days to the Kalea Basin where your forces are located. The size is expected to be roughly two dwarven infantry regiments and one battalion of elven patrols as a reserve.”
“Supplies and ammunition are running low, and why now… .”
“I guess I should withdraw.”
The quartermaster and the operations staff chewed their lips. The situation was not good. Colonel Mayhem continued.
“The Kalea Basin is a key location that must be occupied first to ensure the safety of the supply route to Gelon Ridge, where the 13th Division is located. Therefore, the 858th Engineering Infantry Battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Anton Mayhem is in charge of identifying the points where the enemy is expected to attack, and then establishing a more flexible and aggressive defensive strategy to crush the enemy’s large-scale offensive in advance.”
“What… .”
To crush the enemy’s large-scale offensive in advance. This is… .
“… In the end, it’s telling you to hold on till the end.”
That too, against enemies several times more numerous than ours.
Silence fell over the battalion command post. Everyone looked at the signal chief with dumbfounded expressions, as if wondering if there was something wrong with the order.
The communications chief shook his head slowly. It was a heartbreaking apology, meaning that the orders were not wrong.
Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem read the order in a cold tone.
“We will carry out operations in conjunction with the 771st Artillery Battalion. However, if the size and offensive power of the enemies is greater than expected, we will consider a phased withdrawal.”
“… … .”
“Fight until you win, as long as there are those who can fight. If necessary, I will send the entire brigade to support you. I wish you the best of luck. Commander of the 101st Ground Defense Brigade, Brigadier General Maximilian von Adelheid.”
The order trembled. Without even turning his head, Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem handed the order to the communications chief.
As if he didn’t even want to look at it.
“You all heard me well. We will defend this place at any cost.”
The operations manager stepped forward. He forced a smile, the corners of his mouth twitching. It looked as if he had just heard a ridiculous joke.
“That’s a ridiculous order. Did the Brigade Commander eat something wrong? Feeder. What happened to the Brigade Command’s breakfast menu today?”
“Retort soup, dried cranberries, and roasted venison as a specialty were distributed.”
“Damn. The diet is fine.”
That laughable conversation comes to me with a sad tone. I clench my fists.
“This is a ridiculous order! How is it any different from telling me to go out and die!”
“Our company’s ammunition is about to run out! Battalion Commander!”
The 1st and 3rd Platoon Commanders protested strongly. Their expressions were desperate, as they had suffered the most casualties in the previous battle.
The military supply chief stepped forward and tried to calm them down.
“Everyone, do that. Anything more is considered disobedience.”
“Chief of the Military! You know how ridiculous this is!”
“Even the elf patrol is difficult, and now the dwarves are coming in droves! Didn’t the higher-level units see this and give the order to retreat?”
“What the heck! We are soldiers!!”
Colonel Mayhem shouted. It sounded like a roar, and it sounded like a howl.
The command center suddenly became quiet. The 1st and 3rd company commanders, who were about to disobey orders, looked at Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem.
“We are soldiers! When an order is given, it is a soldier’s duty to follow it!”
“But, Commander!”
“If we retreat, the 13th Division’s lifeline will be cut off! The front line that we barely pushed up will collapse, you damn idiots!”
“If we are eventually annihilated, the supply line will be in danger! There is no need for us to sacrifice ourselves!”
“Don’t overflow! Because we are soldiers!!”
The battalion command post fell silent once more. Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem’s words struck with more cruelty than anything else.
“We are soldiers… .”
The 1st and 3rd company commanders quivered their lips and turned their heads away. Hot tears wiped away the dust that covered their faces.
“And soldiers follow the orders of their superiors.”
“… … .”
“So, yes. We follow orders.”
“Fuck… .”
Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem had already made up his mind to die. Everyone in the command center tent noticed Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem’s determination and closed their eyes.
The noble tears of those who were prepared to die tore through the dry floor of the command post. I silently looked at it from inside the command post tent and closed my eyes.
I couldn’t fathom the heavy responsibility that had fallen on Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem’s shoulders.
* * * * *
It was late at night.
As we were tending to the wounded soldiers at the medical ward with other priests, Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem came to us, looking haggard.
“Everyone. I have something to tell you.”
In the span of a day, he seemed to have aged by years. His thick eyebrows and the corners of his eyes, which had always been strong, had become sagging and lifeless.
“I’ve contacted Brigade Command. You guys, get out of here.”
It was unclear whose decision it was. One thing was certain: no one wanted to remain here.
Two priests, excluding Helena and me, accepted his offer. They both left the medical unit to pack their bags.
Meanwhile, Helena didn’t move. She just stared straight at Colonel Mayhem with a stern expression. I secretly hoped she would leave like the other priests.
“Father Helena. Father Antonelli. Get out of here with them.”
“That can’t be.”
“Priest Helena. Our 858th Engineering Infantry Battalion will probably disappear from the tactical map in about three days.”
“So, I can’t back down any more.”
Helena shook her head with a stern expression. I felt a strange emotion at the sight of her, while at the same time feeling incredibly frustrated.
What is this? Some emotion, a mixture of faith and awe, was directed at her.
It was a kind of faith. I was unconsciously worshipping her noble choice.
Helena’s green eyes, filled with determination, looked at Colonel Mayhem. Colonel Mayhem met her eyes for a moment, then nodded weakly.
“I understand your will, Father. If you change your mind at any time, please let me know. Then, Father Antonelli… .”
“I am… .”
My mouth gaped in vain. I was speechless. The silence stretched on for a long time.
“… … .”
I looked at Helena. I wanted to drag her to the brigade by force. But… .
“… I will stay too. With Priest Helena.”
Because I know that no one like me can dare to break her noble intentions.
I could only nod reluctantly. And, I will probably regret this choice until the day I die.
It would have been better if the country had chosen to step down.
At least I wouldn’t have witnessed your death right before my eyes.
* * * * *
Tata! Tata!
Bullets rained down. I lowered my head in panic.
All around me were corpses, or soldiers groaning with injuries. I quickly healed them.
“Mom! Mom… !”
“Kyaaak! My arm, my arm!!”
The condition of the wounded soldiers was dire. Some soldiers were staring at distant mountains with their eyes wide open, while others panicked and thought their bodies had been cut off.
I was gasping for breath. I had used too much divine power. My vision was getting blurry.
“Helena! Where are you! Helena!”
“Here you go… !”
I ran towards where I heard Helena’s voice. It was a relief more than anything else to still hear her voice.
After treating the wounded, Helena was leaning against the trench wall, panting. I hastily took out the water bottle and handed it to Helena. Her cracked and torn lips were soaked with it.
“Gulp… . Phew… . Thank you.”
“Helena! I told you not to push yourself too hard!”
“Hehehe… . I’m sorry… .”
That face, smiling weakly with a pale complexion.
That face was covered in blood and dirt.
I found it so frustrating and resentful.
“Think of your body too…! What are you going to do when you die!”
“…Father Lucio.”
“Please… . If you die, I… .”
Helena still smiled weakly. I clenched my teeth and grabbed her hand.
“Just take a break. Okay? Please. Please. ”
“… Father Lucio. If we don’t move, what will happen to these people… .”
She pointed to the terrified soldiers. At a loss for words, I bit my lip hard and turned my head away.
Boom!
A loud bang shook the ground again. I barely managed to catch Helena, who stumbled and fell.
My vision is blurry. Helena’s trembling body is so hot. I shook her shoulder.
“Helena! Are you okay?! Helena!”
“Colok! Yes… . I’m okay… .”
“What the hell…! Helena! Let’s go to the battalion command post! Get some rest there!”
“Ah, that won’t work… .”
I ran through the trenches, carrying Helena on my back. Dirt and bullet shells poured down from all directions, continuously blocking my path.
“Just rest here. Okay? Huh?!”
“… Yes. Father Lucio, be careful.”
“… Don’t worry.”
At least I don’t plan on leaving you behind and dying.
Swallowing those words, I left the battalion command post. The sky was pitch black. It looked like it was going to rain.
I hurried back to the front. Worried about Helena, I took up a post not far from the battalion command post and treated the wounded.
“, thank you, priest! ”
“Coolook! If there are any other wounded soldiers, bring them to me!”
The front line was chaotic. I could see several soldiers belonging to the 1st Platoon shaking in fear.
“We’re going to die… . We’re all going to die… .”
It was when I was walking towards them to recite a prayer.
“Enemy shells falling!!”
Bam—!
* * * * *
“… Get ready! I want to die… ! Not yet… !”
I blinked blankly. I could hear endless ringing in my ears.
Where was I and what was I doing just now?
… tata tang! bang! kuang!
“… Huh!”
My mind suddenly snapped. I frowned, pressing the tingling in my skull.
“Father Antonelli! Can you hear me? Come to your senses! Hey!”
The one who was grabbing my head and shaking it was none other than Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem.
When I saw his face, I sighed in relief that he was still alive. Perhaps because we were not far from the battalion command post, it seemed as if Lieutenant Colonel Mayhem had personally woken me up.
“I can hear you. It’s okay, Commander. What happened… What happened?”
“The battalion command post has been hit by artillery fire! The command post’s location has been revealed! We must evacuate immediately!”
“What is that… .”
“Hey! You over there! Get Father Antonelli and evacuate! Quickly! He shouldn’t be returning from a place like this!”
Someone started dragging me away from the collapsed battalion command post. I stared blankly at the sight and muttered.
“At the battalion command post… . Artillery fire fell… .”
“Priest! You must not speak! Please stop the bleeding!”
The soldier who was dragging me shouted. Suddenly, something flashed through my mind.
At the battalion command post, there was Helena.
“Oh, no…!”
“Priest! Don’t move! The wound will open! Priest!”
“No! Helena! Where are you! Answer me! Helena!!”
I shook off the soldier and ran towards the collapsed command post.
The command post, now in ruins, was cold and dreary. The sight of it covered in a thick layer of dust was so frightening.
If Helena is in that gap… .
“No… . No… !”
I dug through the rubble frantically. Dark red blood flowed thickly from my shoulder, but I was so absorbed in digging through the rubble that I forgot the pain.
The soldier from earlier forcibly pulled my body towards him. My weak right arm was torn off from the debris it was holding onto.
“Observer! Enemy fire?!”
“Magic wave detected! Enemy battery heat shield ready! Currently loading high explosives!”
“What the hell! When is our artillery support coming! Signal Chief!”
“Communication Captain, you are dead!”
“Damn it! There must be at least one signalman left! Tell them to deploy the signal magic circle right now! Right now!”
Colonel Mayhem’s screams rang in my ears. I looked at him with empty eyes.
“Colonel Mayhem! By any chance, Helena…!”
“I’m here… !”
It could be an auditory hallucination. I could have misheard, or I could have lost my mind.
Sure enough, I heard Helena’s voice. I looked around frantically.
Where are you? Where are you? Where did you hear that?
Kururung—!
“Smoke observed from enemy positions! 20 seconds until impact—!”
The observer screamed, throwing down his binoculars. In response, Colonel Mayhem shouted.
“What the fuck, if you want to live, get down!!”
“10 seconds until impact—!”
The observer threw himself into the trench in a panic. I hastily pushed away the soldier’s hand as he bent down, and looked around outside the trench.
And then I saw.
She tried to drag the wounded who were crying for help outside the trench into the trench by any means necessary.
“Oh, no…!”
“Priest! It’s dangerous! Get down!”
The soldier’s hands are pulling my body away, and I feel bad. I have to help her, but I can’t. I screamed until my throat burst.
“Helena! Just come in and leave me alone! Damn it! Crawl in here and get down on your stomach! Helena—!”
“5 seconds to impact! 4… 3… !”
Enemy fire was imminent. Helena was almost at the trench.
And then, it started to seem as if time was passing slowly.
“Enemy shells falling—!”
A lump of iron slowly falling from the air. A demon of the battlefield that brings death to countless people.
So, above her head. Behind her, as she leads the wounded back to the trenches.
“Helena! No—!!”
In my already wounded shoulder, a shard of that which killed you was lodged.
Deeper than you can even imagine.
You left me, hurting me till the end.
bang.
do.
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