Chapter 8: The Elves want to Talk
The distance from the bunker on the front line to the wall separating the Republic of Ascaria from the outside world was quite far.
They had to drive ten kilometers to get there. Then after that, they had to stop for a while at the checkpoint.
Though not anything worth checking out. All of this seemed to be done so that the soldiers outside the wall would not immediately enter.
To get supplies, they still had to drive to the main base. Only then could Erend and the others get off their truck.
They start in the morning. But now it was two o'clock in the afternoon.
Erend saluted. "CPL. Erend Drake from the west bunker. We'd like to get the ammunition, weapons, and food supplies."
An officer with a bored face turned to Erend for a moment. Then he exhaled his cigarette smoke.
"Wait here," said the officer. Then he went back.
Erend and the others were waiting in the warehouse. They could see that several boxes had been prepared. Maybe the officer came back to get some documents.
"You want to take supplies today?" A voice made them all turn their heads.
A man in military uniform with a sword hanging from his waist walked up to them.
Erend looked away because he didn't want to look at him.
He is Geralt Colibri. An officer with the rank of Lieutenant was promoted because of his father.
"Yes, sir!" John, one of the soldiers who came with them answered.
Geralt looked at them all disdainfully. Then he saw the presence of Erend who turned his face away.
"I didn't think you two were still alive at this point," said Geralt as he looked at Erend and Billy.
"We're still here, sir," Billy answered with a smile.
But Erend didn't even look at him. It made Geralt feel unnoticed. He walked towards Erend and then drew the sword from his waist.
Erend who saw him walking closer turned around and looked at him flatly.
Geralt jumped suddenly and then thrust his sword. But the sword stopped a few centimeters before it touched Erend's neck.
Even so, Erend didn't budge and kept a straight face. Unlike the other soldiers who stared with wide eyes. Including Billy.
"Heh," Geralt snorted, then drew his sword back. "Cpl. Erend Drake. Can't you hear your superior talking?"
"I hear." Then as if struggling against something heavy in his mouth Erend added. "Sir."
"You," Geralt drew closer to Erend. "Poor and impudent soldier. You're being completely ignorant after the Republic has given shelter and food to your poor family."
"How can I act ignorant, sir? I fight every day to defend the wall while you-"
'BAAAGH!'
A punch landed on Erend's stomach before he could finish his sentence. Erend had taken that hit before. But now the blow didn't feel as painful as before.
"You dare answer back?" Geralt looked at Erend with bulging eyes.
Erend straightened up again. "Sorry, sir."
Billy just watched from the side. He warns his juniors not to do anything and assures them that everything will be fine.
The soldiers outside the walls did not have a real military education. They are only educated in the most basic things in the military world.
The important thing is that they can hold weapons and fight. It was enough to become a soldier for the Republic of Ascaria.
That is what causes their attitude towards their superiors to seem arbitrary.
Erend had no interest in joining the military. He was just doing it so his family could live better life within the walls. Like almost all of those recruits.
Geralt gritted his teeth. Even though he wanted to do it, he couldn't beat up these soldiers because the rules forbid it.
Geralt spat in front of Erend. "Get back to that disgusting bunker of yours."
Then he turned and walked away. Erend was silent and looked at him with a straight face. But in his heart, he wanted to pluck Geralt's head out of his neck and chew it and then spit it out again.
With his current strength, Erend was sure that it was an easy thing.
In the end, Erend could only sigh. And hope that opportunity will come one day.
"You good?" asked Billy who came to him.
"His punch is getting lighter," Erend replied with a small laugh.
Billy just nodded his head. "He is back."
When Erend turned around, the officer had returned with some papers.
Erend filled the documents up then they started loading the supply boxes into the truck.
John asked about what had just happened to Lt. Colibri. But Billy and Erend answered with the same thing. 'It's a normal routine.'
They returned to the bunker and arrived when it was dark. Erend and the others immediately unloaded supplies from the truck.
Everyone welcomed the arrival of the new food, weapons, and ammunition.
They celebrated the arrival of the new supply with happy laughter because that is a very rare thing.
But the celebration did not last long. The portal was wide open while they were having dinner.
The alarm rings loudly. The soldiers immediately ran from their dinner and prepared to fight.
The elf who came out from inside the Portal mounted a Unicorn and was fully armed. But they didn't look like they wanted to fight. The Elves straightened their spears instead of pointing them forward.
An Elf with white hair and the biggest build walked forward along with another Elf who looked older.
The older Elf did some sort of Magic, after he gave the signal that everything was ready, the long white-haired Elf started to speak.
"Good evening, Humans. My name is Aerchon. I didn't come here tonight to fight. Instead, I came to talk."
The soldiers looked at each other in confusion. Erend looked at the Elf man with furrowed eyes as he noticed a resemblance.
"What does this mean?" Billy mumbled in disbelief.
While they were muttering to each other, Lt. Boartusk decided to accept the proposal.
"This could be a trap, Lieutenant," Billy said next to him.
"Yes, I know. But maybe they do want to talk," replied Lt. Boartusk. "If there's even the slightest chance of reducing casualties, I'll take it!"
Billy could not dispute the lieutenant's decision.
"You and Drake come with me," Lt. Boartusk said. "The others, prepare to fire if you see us being attacked."
Erend and Billy came out of the trench along with Lt. Boartusk. They walked over to the group of elves.
Aerchon descended from his Unicorn. "Good evening, Representatives." The elf smiled. As if he really had good intentions.
~~~
Chapter 9: Peace Talk?
Erend looked at the tall Elf suspiciously. He also always keeps an eye on all his subordinates behind him.
His index finger was continuously in front of the trigger. Ready to pull it at any time.
He looked at Billy and Billy looked back at him with the same gesture. The two of them had to remain vigilant.
Lt. Boartusk stepped forward. "What do you want to talk about?"
That Elf could be over a hundred years old. But his smile and flawless complexion made him look like a man in his twenties.
But when they look at the Elf next to him they will see a clear difference. The Elf behind him looked older maybe because of his long white beard that almost reached his belly.
"What is your name, Representative?" asked Aerchon.
"Call me Boartusk."
Aerchon looked at Lt. Boartusk with a strange look. As if wondering if that name is a real name. But soon the smile was back on his face.
Erend also noticed that the movement of the Elf's lips with the sound that came out of his lips looked different.
It must be because there is some kind of Magic that can translate Elf's language into human language, Erend thought. Just like what he experienced when talking to Aurdis.
"Mr. Boartusk. I'll just go ahead because I don't want to waste your time," said Aerchon. "This war has been going on longer than we thought. And so far the casualties on both sides have continued to fall. This is certainly not a good thing for either of us, is it?"
Lt. Boartusk flashed a sarcastic smile that was a mixture of anger and humor. "Let me ask you, Mr. Aerchon. Who attacked first? It's very strange when you talk about victims when you're the first to shed blood."
Aerchon lost his smile. "That's why we offer peace."
Erend gritted his teeth. This elf didn't even look guilty. He spoke as if his people were the truest. And offering peace is a kind of compassion from them.
Lt. Boartusk felt the same way. "You don't even want to apologize?"
Aerchon just kept quiet and looked at Lt. Boartusk. After a while he finally said. "Our offer of a peace truce is a good thing. Listen, Representative."
Lt. Boartusk stared back with his piercing eyes. Erend knew he was trying his best not to stick the muzzle of his rifle against Aerchon's forehead. Because Erend felt the same way.
"The army that attacked you is not the strongest. I still have an army that is much stronger and more numerous than them. If-"
"You mean the Elf riding the horned horse?" cut Lt. Boartusk. "They're still scattered around here. We don't have time to burn the trash."
Erend and Billy saw the Elves behind Aerchon begin to lower their spears towards them. At that moment Erend and Billy raised their rifles and pointed them at them.
Lt. Boartusk didn't look scared. He even smirked.
"Please continue. Dear Mr. Aerchon," he said sarcastically.
Aerchon raised one hand. Then the Elves behind him lowered their hands. Erend could still see their sharp glares filled with anger. Erend returned the gaze without the slightest fear.
"Let's forget about this dispute for a moment-"
"Heh!" Billy snorted. He immediately got a glare from Aerchon. The Elf seemed to be trying really hard to contain himself.
"Let's forget about this dispute for a moment," Aerchon repeated. "Look at your soldiers. If we send our troops in large numbers, they will die immediately."
Lt. Boartusk seemed to start to doubt when he thought about his men.
"Put down your weapons," the lieutenant ordered.
Erend and Billy lowered their weapons.
"Why haven't you sent your strongest army all this time?" asked Lt. Boartusk.
"We have our reasons," replied Aerchon. "But we do have another, stronger army. If you're willing to take the risk, then I'll order them to attack. Behind me are a few of that army."
Lt. Boartusk certainly didn't want to take the risk even though what Aerchon said sounded unbelievable.
"All right. What do you offer?" the lieutenant asked.
Aerchon smiled with satisfaction after hearing that. And said. "We invite you, Representatives, to visit our world."
Billy and Erend exchanged glances. It sounds so obvious like a trap. But Aerchon said it like they had no choice.
'If you don't want to come with us, then I'll send an army to kill your comrades.' His words implied that.
Lt. Boartusk let out a long breath. Then he turned to Erend and Billy. "All right. I'll come with you," the lieutenant said.
"You three should come together," Aerchon replied.
"Yeah, sure," said Lt. Boartusk. "Right now?"
"I wi give you time to get ready. So tomorrow when the first morning light comes I will send my soldiers' to escort you," said Aerchon. "And don't worry. As long as you are in our world, no attacks will occur."
Lt. Boartusk nodded curtly. "Sure."
After that Aerchon's party re-entered the Portal behind them.
Lt. Boartusk returns to the trenches with Erend and Billy.
They said that tonight's attack was over and the soldiers could return to the bunker.
Lt. Boartusk told the soldiers what they were talking about with the Elf. Some gave almost the same response, thinking that it was a trap.
But Lt. Boartusk convinced them to stay calm as they had no choice. For tonight, they started getting ready and went to bed early.
~~~
When the next day came, Lt. Boartusk along with Erend and Billy were already standing outside the bunker facing the direction where the Portal usually appeared.
The sun was still not fully up and the sky was still dim in the east. But the three of them were ready while carrying their backpacks and weapons.
The portal is open. From there came out five Elves riding Unicorns.
The three of them knew that it was a sign so they walked toward the Elves.
The Elves descended from the Unicorn and led the three into the Portal.
With a thumping feeling, the human soldier entered the Portal into an unknown world.
~~~
Gifts
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received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
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