Chapter 1 – Part 9

Anne was still reeling from the afterglow of Evan’s body heat as she held hands with him, but she had to look at the patients pouring into the field hospital.

Anne, who had forgotten she was covered in blood, looked up when she felt the world around her suddenly quieten.

Unable to cope with the influx of patients, the medics were leaning against the wall, staring blankly ahead.

There was a patient seizing in the distance, but their minds were so exhausted that they were numb to the sight of it.

That’s how relentless the influx of casualties has become lately. Anne could barely move, feeling paralyzed from her shoulders to her fingertips under the weight of her responsibilities.

One of the medics shouted in a voice tinged with evil.

“We can’t… take it anymore.”

With his cry, there was not enough time to save all the patients coming in.

The supply lines are blocked, medical supplies can’t reach them, and there are no staff left to care for them all.

“Don’t be a weakling.”

Kyle’s words stung, but Anne knew.

They couldn’t take it anymore.

It was a death that no one deserved.

Everyone here was divided into two groups: those who were going to die and those who might die soon.

No miracle could be expected, and the people were despairing.

Is there anything more that can be done in this war zone, where even the sound of crying has become a luxury….

‘I have to find the most efficient way to keep this hospital running. ’

A quick search of her past life’s memories reveals… one way.

‘D*mn it, why didn’t I think of that? ’

It was the most evil thing one could do on the battlefield, and yet the most efficient.

Anne turned away from the sad faces of the medics as they examined the wounded and shouted.

“Stop sorting the dead.”

The first to respond to Anne’s voice was Kyle.

The good guy, the one who said it was enough to save people, even if it meant losing his seat to a woman he didn’t know where she came from, looked at her with shaky eyes.

“What are you talking about, Anne?”

“…Do we still have people to handle the burial of the deceased? Let’s stop that now.”

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, everyone looked at her with surprise, some with contempt. The muttering among the medics grew louder.

“What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”

“Anne, In…. a situation like this, we should at least give them a proper burial. If we died, wouldn’t we want that much respect?”

Kyle had a point.

Even if it was a shabby burial, it was the least that could be done for someone who had willingly enlisted and died for the Terran Empire. Not that they didn’t know that.

However, Anne, who thought that even the most invaluable things could not be assessed, raised her voice.

“From now on, we’ll focus on saving the living rather than the dead. So… let’s handle the disposal of bodies as simply as possible, just cremate them. We’ll organize proper funerals for everyone after the war is over.”

Anne looked at the stunned faces of the soldiers and realized how hard her words had been on them.

But it was the role of commanders and higher-ups to keep their men’s morale up, and Anne was only doing what she had to do.

At this, Kyle shook his head and said,

“Anne, the people who bury the bodies are all civilians; there’s nothing they can do here!”

“They have.”

Anne sighed heavily, then thought of the most inhumane way to do it.

“We should consider allowing the donation of blood from brain-dead or terminally ill patients and blood transfusions could be managed by those who transport the bodies. Of course, donating blood could worsen the donor’s condition, but if more people can be saved, it would be worth it.”

“Are you crazy?”

“You’re insane. This is outrageous!”

“…Anne, please. Just because you couldn’t sleep doesn’t justify this.”

As the accusations flew from the medics to Kyle, the patients in the hospital began to lift their heads from their beds in unease.

It was clear that in a place where even the simplest medical knowledge was scarce, blood transfusions were inhumane and unconventional.

Anne spoke bluntly, as if she had expected this reaction.

“Hemolysis. Just observe the separation of red blood cells and plasma. That’s all it takes to save lives. It was frequently used where I came from. In just a month, half of the people dying in this dreadful war could be saved. I’ll provide a proper explanation later.”

Anne sighed and stood up straight.

Why had she only thought of trying this now? If she had tried a little earlier, many lives could have been saved.

There was no concept of blood transfusions here.

The only way to replenish your blood was to eat well and rest well, and even then, this is a war zone, and eating well is hard to come by.

“I need to get approval right away.”

Hans, the medic, said, blocking Anne’s path.

“Lieutenant, no one’s going to be willing to share their blood, even if you are.”

At his defiant tone, Anne nodded in understanding.

“Yes. Maybe they would. Or maybe not.”

“What kind of irresponsible thing are you saying?”

“It’s talk with responsibility! I want to save everyone too. But everyone knows. Those about to die have a sense of their end approaching. Instead of clinging to their wounds, they hold onto cherished letters in their embrace! They want to live, but they all know that they’re dying.”

At that moment, Hans pushed Anne roughly against the wall and shouted.

“What the hell are you…!”

Despite the threat of the muscular man in front of her, Anne didn’t move. She spoke in a low voice, not avoiding Hans’s bloodshot gaze.

“If you wish to tell me that I am unfit to be a military doctor, you may do so.”

“You have no right to control us. How dare you… suggest burning our fallen comrades? And you’re just a lieutenant!”

“Yeah. That d*mn title. That’s what I’m struggling with. Instead of just taking my salary and working, I’m thinking about saving one more person!”

As Anne’s frustrated voice echoed, the murmurs around her quickly subsided.

They could already sense that more people had been healed and saved since she’d arrived.

Shaking her head, Anne continued in a low voice.

“Let’s recruit volunteers and try it just once. If success is seen in that one attempt, then we’ll try with just nine more volunteers. If they show improvement… then we’ll expand to everyone.”

As Anne tried to persuade everyone with a slightly softened tone, a familiar voice was heard from somewhere.

“Are you confident?”

The voice belonged to Commander Evan Davis.

‘I can’t believe you came out here from the hospital bed in the back.’

Worried that her wounds might reopen, Anne rushed to support him and said,

“Who told you to move?”

At that question, Evan gave her a faint smile and whispered in her ear.

“You didn’t come, so I thought you’d forgotten to give me that yummy candy.”

Can… He was teasing her about the kiss.

His words, spoken so quietly that only she could hear them, made Anne’s hold on him slacken.

Undaunted, Evan stood up straight and continued.

“Let’s accept that proposal.”

“Commander!”

“It’s a tribute to the deceased….”

Evan smiled bitterly at the noble word. Despite attempting to simplify funeral procedures several times since becoming a commander, he had faced much resistance.

But if Anne’s suggestion was anything to go by, it would be in the name of manpower.

As it was, things were not looking good for the Terran Empire.

Moreover, these naive individuals seemed unaware that when pushed to the brink, for profit or survival, people could abandon, discard, or even sell their comrades.

But as a commander, he could sow such illusions.

“The Empire will never forget the noble courage and sacrifice of its soldiers. I, Duke Davis and Supreme Commander of the Terran Empire Army, will ensure fair compensation for everyone’s efforts.”

While they didn’t hear specific compensation plans, the soldiers’ eyes became determined.

“Furthermore, consider who you are fighting to protect. Even if you close your eyes to the enemy, enough compensation will be provided to the families of those who sacrificed their lives to protect them.”

“…….”

“Lieutenant Anne Riley. If there’s any way to save them, I’m willing to take that risk.”

Hearing that, Anne nodded and looked around.

To see how the others were reacting to what Evan had said.

Some clutched the small flag of the Terran Empire to their chests; others had tears in their eyes. Most had stopped recoiling and simply looked at the commander.

“I would like to speak with Lieutenant Anne Riley in private to discuss this matter in earnest….”