About Lieutenant Lenvel:

He is the one who has been entrusted with commanding over tens of kilometers from the central to the northern part of this 100-kilometer-long front line. He is a veteran among veterans who has been commanding the army even before the outbreak of war and is one of the famous generals in Austin. As a mere subordinate, I have not even seen his face, but I have heard that Sergeant Garback reports directly to him, which makes him Garback's superior.

We will be fighting under his command this time, but all orders will still come through Sergeant Garback, so it feels like just another usual battle.

"Sergeant's orders. We are to set up a defensive line at the third defense line."
"Understood."

Basically, trenches are built along the defensive line. The first line of defense is the frontline trench, and the second line of defense is the next trench behind it. If we can repel the enemy's attack at the first defense line, we achieve a complete victory. If the enemy breaches the second defense line, it's more of a stalemate. It is rare that the third line of defense is taken because rangers like us come from the perimeter to provide cover after the enemy offensive has begun.

"As long as the defense team holds their ground, we won't even need to take action."
"Recently, the enemy is charging recklessly in large numbers, so I think they might break through the second defense line."
"It's frustrating when we've already come this far."

The role of a medic like me in constructing this defensive line is not entirely clear. The only benefit of having medical personnel present here is that they can provide immediate treatment to injured soldiers at the front line. If someone gets hurt close to the rear defense line, they can be carried to the field hospital in the back. Then, they will receive better treatment than I could ever provide as a rookie. I can't help feeling that my presence here is pointless, and I am just taking up space.

"Touli, if anything happens to me, your duty is to rescue and treat me even if it means risking your life. If nothing happens, then just stay crouched in the trench all day."
"Yes, Sergeant."

Based on the way Sergeant Garback talks, I wonder why I was even brought here in the first place. If I have to force myself to find a reason for my existence, then it would be to prepare for the worst-case scenario and slightly reduce the chance of Sergeant Garback dying.

"Enemy assault team advancing!"

A few hours later.

After the attack by the magic unit, the enemy began their assault. Judging by what Allen saw through his reconnaissance scope, the size of the assault unit was clearly bigger than that of our army. It seems that they were counting on sheer numbers to win. 

"Ugh. The first defense line has already been breached."
"Tsk."

Within an hour of the start of the assault, we received a report that the front line had been breached. In other words, the soldiers on the front line were either dead or captured.

"Damn it, can't they hold out a little longer? What do they think our suicidal charge was for?"
"... "

Sergeant Garback's expression was grim. Although he knew what was happening, he showed no concern for the defensive unit under his command and even clicked his tongue and complained.

"The second defense line will also be breached soon. Sergeant, get ready."
"What!? Damn it, they're moving too fast for a charge in the rain. Is our defense unit full of slackers?"
"...rather, it seems that the enemy in front of us is highly skilled. They're charging ahead of the other enemies with great force."

Their unit at the front was advancing with tremendous momentum.

Upon hearing Allen's report, Sergeant Garback furrowed his brow. However, his grumpy expression suddenly turned into a grin.

"What does their commander look like?"
"He's a spear user with long golden hair, clad in lightning."
"Ah, that's good. He must be the General."

Garback laughed heartily and took the binoculars from Allen. Then, he confirmed the enemy's face with his own eyes and smiled.

"No mistake, it's the Thunder Spear Devil, Kamikiri."
"Kamikiri...?"
"He's the enemy's ace. What an unlucky bastard to charge into our defense network when I'm lurking here."

Garback's eyes flickered fiercely.

Ace. That's like the "Sergeant Garback" of the enemy, isn't it?

"It's precisely because it's raining that his lightning magic stands out."
"He's quick both in attacking and retreating. We need to hinder his mobility... we'll aim for his legs."
"Leave it to me."
"All right, everyone, aim for his legs. After we lure him in as much as possible, I'll jump out and fight, so provide support. Then we'll take his head."

The Sergeant seems pleased, eager for a triumph or a general's head. His previous displeasure seems like a lie.
Personally, I am dismayed to hear that the enemy unit that is charging at us is described as an "Ace."

"Today's my lucky day!"

The Sergeant, who is delighted by the fact that strong enemies are coming to kill him, is indeed mad.

"Touli, don't take your eyes off me while poking your head out of the trench. If anything happens to me, use recovery magic without hesitation from behind. Allen, stay alert to the surroundings and rush out to the trench to rescue and protect me if I get injured. Marieu, you go charge at Kamikiri to buy us some time in that case."
""Understood.""
"The rest of you, engage the other enemies that may approach the trench. Don't let a single one of them set foot in here."

Under the orders of the squad leader, I peered out of the trench with my face exposed. If I were a scout, I would have been equipped with a periscope for reconnaissance, but I wasn't provided with one. I hope I don't expose myself to enemy fire with just my head above the trench.

"Don't worry, no bullets are gonna come flying behind my back."
"Yes, I'll trust you on that."

Honestly, I'm scared, but if it's the squad leader's command, I have no choice. There's a sad reality that it's better to die as ordered than to be shot for disobedience.

"Squad leader! The enemy is about to charge!"
"All right!"

With Allen's signal, Sergeant Garback swiftly ran up the trench with determination.

"In the pouring rain, what an effort to get yourself killed!"

Following the instructions, I watched over Sergeant Garback's back. He scattered black mud and deflected flying bullets, closing in on the enemy commander using the shortest route.

"────!"

Completely caught off guard, the spear wielder enemy lost his balance while managing to avoid the squad leader's charge. Seizing the opportunity, Sergeant Garback drew his sword and delivered a deep slash to the spear wielder. Amidst the fierce clash, I could see that the spear wielder injured his leg with the support of our squad members. If they pressed on, it seemed that Sergeant Garback could emerge victorious. 

I was watching, but─

Observing, something caught my attention at the edge of my vision.
It was someone launching something with a gun, much further ahead than where Sergeant Garback was engaged in battle. While focusing on the enemies in front, I didn't miss the movement at the edge of my vision. It was an essential skill in FPS games.

Especially when it directly affects my own life.

...Grenadier.

Just now, without a doubt, the grenadier had launched something towards our hidden trench.

"Ah────!!"

My thoughts were engulfed in confusion.
Whatever the enemy had fired would land in the midst of their squad in less than a second. If that happened, we would all be dead────

"What's wrong, Touli? Did you get hit!?"
"...[Shield]!"

Without permission from the captain, I instinctively used a defensive magic spell.
Or rather, there was no time to ask for permission.

"Huh? Hey, Touli────"
"Take cover!"

My actions at that moment could only be described as completely instinctual. Even in retrospect, it seems foolish.
In my desperation to block the grenade, I formed an imperfect [Shield] directly above me, with the strength of a thin glass plate. If it had been a contact-type grenade─the type that explodes upon impact─I would have been charred to a crisp. However, fortunately, the grenade thrown at us didn't explode upon impact but seemed to be a timed explosive.
I was told later that hand-thrown grenades, which are thrown by oneself, often react to impact, while grenades launched by dedicated guns tend to be timed to avoid accidental explosions.

"Grenade!?"
"Get down!"

The grenade that hit the magic [Shield], which only lasted a few seconds, bounced off with an eerie sound and rolled into the trench a short distance away from us.
However, we were still within the blast radius. If things continued like this, we wouldn't escape serious injuries.

"Hurry, [Shield]...!"

Without wasting a moment, I used a defensive magic to shield the rolling grenade and my squad members. The fragile shield could never withstand a blast at such close range, but it was much better than doing nothing.

"Touli-chan, that's dangerous!"

Just after completing the shield spell, I was pushed down by someone. It was probably Salsa-kun, who was next to me. I was slammed onto the floor of the trench, hitting my head as Salsa-kun pinned me down. Immediately after, an ear-shattering explosion and a blinding flash engulfed my vision.

"...Huh?"

Inhaling the scorching hot air, my entire body was engulfed in intense pain accompanied by a tremendous impact. A few seconds later, I realized that both Salsa and I had been engulfed in flames.

"You damn bastards, you won't kill me that easily!!"

Amidst intense ringing in my ears and a throbbing headache, my consciousness was hazy, but I could faintly hear the angry voice of Sergeant Garback in the distance.

"Don't you dare run, you scum! Idiots!!"

I slowly opened my eyes to find myself covered in mud, lying on my back at the edge of a trench.

The cool rain was pouring down, accompanied by a needle-like pain.

"Are you alive, Second-Class Medic Touli?"
"Hey, pull yourself together!"

It seemed that I had been blown several meters away by the explosion, rolling on the ground.  Fortunately, the damp soil cushioned the impact, saving me from a fatal injury... I think.
I felt a searing pain in both of my legs.

"You have severe burns. You won't be able to stand anymore. Hey, are you conscious?"
"Yes, um, what happened to me?"
"Your legs are swollen and red, but there aren't any other significant injuries. You're still alive, so keep your wits about you."

Gradually, the surroundings became clearer. I could taste the mud and mucus in my mouth and involuntarily choked.

"That damn coward escaped!"

As I slowly regained my consciousness, Sergeant Garback, with a face filled with anger, returned to the trench.

It seemed that they couldn't take down the enemy ace.

"Plus, the damage is considerable. You injured grunts, retreat immediately! Fall back!"
"Ah, ugh..."

Following the orders of the sergeant,

"Come on, relax, Touli-chan. You'll be fine. I'll carry you."
"Thank you very much."

Gray-senpai, who was mostly unharmed, carried me.

Finally, I was able to survey the situation around me. There were people staggering with severe burns on their left side and others still lying motionless in the trench. The Garback squad was in a state of utter disarray.

"W-Wait... that person... needs medical treatment..."

Among them, I noticed a person in the trench convulsing face-down, barely clinging to life.

His back was charred, spasming intermittently, and his breathing became more labored.

"If we don't treat him now, he'll..."
"...Ah. It's too late for him, Touli-chan."

Despite that, Gray-senpai began to walk while carrying me.
It's not too late yet. As long as he's still breathing, there's hope. If we administer proper first aid...

"Allen-senpai, please let me see his face."
"...Ah."

And slowly, Allen-senpai turned the face of the soldier lying face-down towards me. He adjusted his body to make it easier for me to see.

"...Salsa-kun?"

That soldier was Salsa-kun. He had shielded me during the explosion, pushing me down and taking the full force of the blast at close range.

"...Half of his face is gone from the grenade fragment. There's no saving him."
"Just let him rest. He did well."

His face had a large crack running from his right eye to the back of his head. As he lifted his face, dark red brain matter dripped onto the ground.

"...S-Salsa..."

Before I could finish calling his name, in a daze.

Salsa-kun's body jerked violently, and he became motionless forever.