Chapter 230: Cheat Death (Part 1)

General John Rigen's perspective

(Real Rank: Sergeant)

US Marine Corps

2:01 PM, December 16th, 1173

Botarad forest - Border between Veta and Keris

After deciding to stay with the purpose to save my wife and my subordinates, I fought back the enemies and fled. Alongside the random Alrotz military backpack I grabbed and rifles in my hands, I slayed 'em all. However, things were not so lucky.

I accidentally grabbed Sarah's Alrotz bag, I fought and fled at the same time. Until... my rifles ran out of ammo, my small weapons like grenades, flashbangs, and even CNW grenades as well.

Having no ammo left, I had to sneak, trying to flee from the Attenta hostiles. A big unfortunate, their number was too many and they kept chasing me down since I was a General in the battle.

In the last moments, I returned to the castle with the purpose to grab some ammunition. Turned out, the ammo crate had exploded in there due to an explosion caused by the attack in the castle. I was caught.

Not so long later, I was captured and detained inside the castle. Not just only me but also many WCA soldiers and some Marines were captured as well, being tortured in my own house.

A long time after torturing the soldiers and Marines without achieving any big progress, they decided to kill them and kept me alive. Well... I was dragged out from the castle to follow their Army, marching from Veta to the Capital.

Instead of moving with the entire army of 200.000 troops, the group that captured me, moved in another route. They did not follow their own army, but jailed me in the middle of the forest named Botarad - the border between Veta - Keris Capital region.

Currently, I'm being hung on a pillar in a standing pose, my hands are strictly tied from behind. My feet, are tied too, they don't beat me or anything, just simply want to test my limit.

They keep me dry in the sunlit, they don't want me to defecate or urinate... not even eat or drink. Hmmm... actually, I'm just a human being so standing against this torture is rough for me, when I have to be honest with myself.

I try to open my eyes, but the scenery before me is very... bright and hot. Two hours earlier, that time was noon so it was not too serious to me.

However... this time is maybe... 1 or 2 PM. They put me in the corner where the sun is shining harshly... although the winter this year is not too cold but I'm breathing out some cold breaths right now, very tired.

Luckily they stripped me but left me a rag for wrapping around my crotch. These guys, can now be seen eating in their newly placed mini camp. My belongings are stuffed in there, and they're curious about their uses.

All of sudden, I see a hostile who was guarding me suddenly go out from the small tent. Instead of coming out with his spits, he comes out with a plate of cookies, slowly approaching me.

"Hey, big boy!". "Ya are lucky, our ally is so good with you". - He said while approaching me from afar

After approaching me, he puts the plate on the ground, nearby the trail of a bunch of ants are going. Strangely that this time they decided to give me some cookies... must be their trick to fool me, I guess.

"Pissed yet?". - That enemy man grabbed a cookie from the plate while asking me

I'd say that I'm very exhausted right now, because of having no water or food. Answering this guy will be difficult for me. Hmmm... all of sudden, not just this guard went out but his Commander and other soldiers can be seen going out of the tent as well.

"He said anything yet?". - The enemy group's Commander, he kept walking around the tent's entrance, asking the guard while holding his closed longsword tightly

"Not yet, Sir...". "If he does, I bet he cannot do it right now". "Giggles...". "Hear me, big boy...". "We're going to serve you well, remember to give us some information... alright?". -

He said to me but I didn't reply anything. Instead, the Commander approaches the guard and throws to him his leather water bag. Hmmm... I sense that these hostiles are having intentions with me, trying to use me as much as possible to dig the intel.

"Remember to treat him well, we need him alive". "Our ally needs him... hmmm...". - Saying to the guard, the Commander glanced at me for a few seconds as if he was questioning himself

"Who... is your... ally...?". - Trying my best, I managed to say out my words despite the soreness and the dryness of my throat

To think about the reason why they left me alive is very odd, I'm very curious. Because, from the start, they don't intend to harm me. Instead... they want to keep me alive, for an unclear reason that I don't know.

Hearing my question, the soldiers standing around the Commander can be seen whispering to him or something. And I see him reply with his head shaking, as if he also doesn't know why he has to keep me alive.

The enemy Commander shortly waves his hand to the guard, as if to ask him. Seeing his expression, and his finger keeps pointing to me, the guard nods and approaches me, giving me the cookie.

"Here!". "We also want to know why we're ordered to do that, big boy...". "Chew it, c'mon". "Shit... damn...". - This man tried to stuff the cookie in my mouth, but I was too exhausted so I couldn't eat it

"Here, drink... drink, c'mon!". "Shit". "Alright, here you go". - Seeing that was hard to force me to drink, he poured the water into my mouth while widening it by using his force

"Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough!". "Urrrrrgggghh...". - However, I couldn't drink at all so I splashed the water out, even coughing a lot

"Shit...". "This man must be at hit final limitation...".

"We'll bring the healer here later". "Continue with him". - The Commander wasn't too satisfied with the result. He stopped his movement, glancing at me a few times and looked away with his hands still holding his longsword tightly

The enemy guard nods to his Commander, he shortly approaches me. I stare at him, questioning him by using my eyes, asking him "I want to know who is your ally".

"You want to know...?". - That guy asked me

"Nod...". - I nodded lightly, despite I was painful

"Do you know Stella?".

All of sudden, the interrogation was disrupted by some odd flapping sounds coming out from the sky. Although... those flapping sounds heard so familiar to me, as if they came from some kind of engine.

"What's that sound?!". - The Commander asked the soldiers while looking up at the sky with his confusion

"Don't know, Sir...". "Wait... what the fuck is that?!!!". - One soldier suddenly pointed his finger to the left side

I try to look in that direction. Somehow I see a metal object which looks like a military air vehicle... a green UH - 1 Iroquols Helicopter. From my view, that chopper is flying toward me... later it floats in the sky, in front of enemy Attenta soldiers.

"What's that thing?!!!". - Some soldiers yelled, even an archer pointed his bow and arrows at the chopper

"Is that a monster?! A giant dragonfly?!". "Shit! Shit!". - A soldier was too terrified so he ran inside the tent

"Soldiers, it's just an object forged in iron". "It's not a creature! But a flying object!". "No need to be scared of!". - The enemy Commander yelled at the soldiers, asking them not to be scared. However, this guy was doing backward, he kept stepping backward, toward the tent

"Do you see people in there?!!!". "Shit! They're that monster's tampers!".

"Do not run! Call out our made! Imme-". - The hostile Commander was now at the tent's entrance, he kept yelling at the soldiers

"Gunshots!!!! Gunshots!!!! Gunshots!!!! Gunshots!!!! Gunshots!!!! Gunshots!!!!". - All of sudden, many loud sounds like gunshots sounded from the UH - 1 Helicopter. Not yet, I even saw a dense yellow light of sparkling things like bullets tearing up the tent's position

"Gunshots!!!! Gunshots!!!! Gunshots!!!! Gunshots!!!!". "Gunshots!!!! Gunshots!!!! Gunshots!!!! Gunshots!!!!!". - The enemies around me had fled the camp, those who were in the tent, now were being slayed by the machine gun on the chopper

After tearing the enemy camp completely, the green helicopter lands on the left side of the ground. Not so long later, 5 people who wear in green like soldiers head out from the UH - 1 Helicopter. They divide their close position, mostly moving till they're away from each other about 5 meters (16 feet), in a horizontal line.

"All Rangers, no Deranic". "Move in and search for the enemy, retrieve the hero's belongings, over". - The farthest soldier who seemed to be the group's Commander, ordered others to head inside the tent

"Roger". "Ranger 3 and Ranger 2, moving in". - Shortly, two soldiers approached the tent, they were forming plans before breaching the place

"John!!!". "John!!!". - All of sudden, three more people ran out from the chopper

They're my wife - Shera and two of my subordinates - Hatano and Sarah. My wife is leading the way, she runs to me and is now worried when she approached me completely. Hmmm... she's pulling out a kitchen knife, as if is attempting to cut the ropes which are tying my hands and my feet.

"It's no use". "Help me". - Shera was worried when her knife was not sharp enough to cut the ropes

All of sudden, the woman soldier who seems to be the group's Commander, heads toward me. Swiftly, she pulls out her personal knife which looks like a KA-BAR knife to cut the ropes very easily.

"John!!!!". - Shera hugged me tighter than ever, my wife was still worried about me since she saw I was quite battered after getting tortured

"Rivia, we need help". - Sarah said to the woman soldier who cut the ropes

"Ranger 2 and 3, what's your status, over?". - Rivia tapped on a small object on her collar which looked like a walkie talkie to communicate with her soldiers

"No enemies survived". "Hero's belongings retrieved, ready for evac, over".

"Alright...". "Retreat, retreat". - Rivia ordered her soldiers to head back to the chopper, this woman herself also carried me on her back

"Move move move".

All of us head back to the UH - 1 Helicopter, the flapping sounds are too loud so I can only hear things after getting out in there. I look around inside the chopper... two men sitting on the far side can be seen as pilots, I think.

I also see a huge soldier who doesn't look like a human at all, he has brown furs all over his body... and he's very bulk. He's sitting on the left side of the chopper, whose door has a machine gun that looks like an MG42 mounted on it.

"Hop in, hop in". - Two soldiers who were raiding the enemy tent, now had returned with an Alrotz military backpack in their hands. Hmmm... they put the backpack nearby me

"John... you okay?". - I was too distracted by new things around me so I didn't notice that my wife and my subordinates were nearby me, and worried about me

"Nod...". - Actually, my body is very exhausted and my throat is very dried and sore... however, I don't want everyone to be concerned

"Lemme see him". - All of sudden, Rivia appeared from behind the others, they slowly stayed away

This woman soldier grabs my hands and stares into my eyes, as if to check on me. Shortly after checking on me, she glances at my wife and two of my subordinates.

"Don't worry, he's not too serious". "But he's very dehydrated... and even starved". "Here, feed him with this... nice and slow". - Rivia took out a pack of ration in the chopper and gave it to my wife, she shortly moved away from us

"All Rangers, mission accomplished". "We'll move these heroes to Zaira i-".

"Wait wait wait, we don't have that kind of deal". "You said that was an invitation, not a summon order or anything". - Sarah protested Rivia

"Who... are... they...?". - I managed to ask my subordinates

"Don't worry, John". "They look strange but they're not hostile, they saved us and you". "Hmmm... I hope you can eat this thing, John". - Shera asked me while opening that ration pack, turned out they were cookies

Hatano later gives me her metal water can. Shera puts my mouth on the can, trying to fill the water inside my stomach slowly to not let me cough out after drinking. Ahhhh... I've felt much better after drinking. My wife can be seen breaking the cookies into pieces to make them easier for me to eat.

"Nod". - I nodded to my wife, telling her that I was ready to eat the smashed cookies

"Chews... chews... chews...". "Swallows... swallows...". - Although my mouth was still very dry, but at least it was better than before

"Eat more, John...". - Shera gave me more smashed cookies, and I easily ate them thanks to my wife

"Drinks... drinks... drinks...". - Although my body is still paralyzed, but I think I'll be able to be acting normally after getting fed and having enough water to supply me

"Chews... chews...". "Swallows... swallows...".

All of sudden, Rivia approaches us once again. This time, Sarah can be seen crouching behind her, and both of them show me they're struggling in making decisions for no reason.

"She told me, you're the leader of the group, hero". "Well... we're ordered to send come to Zaira with the three of you". "However... that's just an invitation, not an order from Her Majesty...". "We'll be staying beside you until you change your mind and want to go to Zaira". "Now... where to, hero?".

"What?".

"I know you don't understand the current situation". "I'll brief it for you when we're on the go". "However... now where to head to?".

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"Uhhhh...".

"Can we go back to the Capital city, John...?".

"You don't see how many of them are marching there, Princess?". "If we head there, we'll surely be doomed". - Sarah talked to my wife

"Wait... wait for me a bit". - I spoke up

"Capital city... I want to meet Hoster, hurry...".

"Commander?".

If I remember well, the enemy guard before dying asked me "Do you know Stella?". Hmmm... if I was right, then Queen Stella must be a spy of Attenta Kingdom. That may be the explanation why the enemies left me alive, then... the Palace must be unusual by now.

"Alright... we'll head there". - Rivia was done talking to me, she turned around and moved to the pilots' position

"Ummm... we tight it like this, right?". - My wife asked Sarah how to tight the seat belt

"You're right, Princess". "Yeah... just like that". - Sarah instructed my wife, later Shera tightened the belt

Sarah and Hatano later, also tighten the seat belt and sit on the left side, nearby me. While waiting for the UH - 1 Helicopter to takeoff, I look at the soldiers inside the chopper closely. Hmmm... except for the huge-looking soldier who holds the machine gun, everyone else looks the same.

"Drinks... drinks... drinks...". "Chews... chews... chews...". - However, I couldn't focus all the time, 'cause my wife would always feed me and give me water

"Uhhh... it's out". "Where... where is it?". "Hmmm...". - Noticing the pack of cookies had run out, my wife looked around the chopper to find another pack for me

"There...". - I pointed my finger on the high right side of the chopper's inside room, there was a metal mini box hung in there

Shera leans her hand on the metal box and manages to open it out. There are some ration packs in there, and my wife grabs two and closes the metal box. Hmmmm... I sense that the chopper is about to fly or something, I think so.

"Uhhhhh...". - Shera was a bit shaken when the chopper was floating up in the sky

"Hold it tight, people". "We're heading to the Palace of Warsaw's Capital city - Keris". - Rivia reminded us, she shortly got to my position

The flapping sounds of the chopper's blade keep sounding loudly till the helicopter floats in the sky. Not so long later, the chopper steadily flies to the north, heading to Keris.

When the chopper was rotating to head to the Capital city, I focused on looking at the soldiers closely. As I can see, except for the huge soldier who has an inhuman appearance, everyone else is all black... they only have pointy ears, that's all I can...

Wait a minute... pointy ears...? These soldiers are black elves? From where...?

"Keep eating, John". - Shera suddenly gave me more smashed cookies to eat

"Chews... chews... chews...". "Swallows... swallows...". - All of sudden, I realized that Rivia was staring at me when I was swallowing the cookies

"What?".

"Nothing...". "I'll leave you to have some privacy with 'em". "Talk to me when you have a need, Hero". - Instead, she looked away

"Commander, how long will it take to go to Keris?". - All of sudden, the big soldier asked Rivia

"ETA 10 minutes, Gubi".

"Don't you scared we'll be exposed, Sir?". - The right side pilot asked her

"Our DH - 1 has the "stealth feature", don't worry". "However... it still makes sounds while heading so... we should drop them somewhere fewer people in the Palace". "Got it?".

"On the way". - That pilot returned to drive the chopper

"How long can it fly, Sir?". - Rivia later asked the pilot who seemed to be the pilot leader

"Only 2 hours left for the fuel". "Don't worry, we have resources to refill it twice".

"Shera, who are these people?".

"Somehow I feel that I used to see 'em before but cannot remember well". "Ummm... she, over there". - Before continuing to feed me, Shera pointed her finger at Rivia

"She claimed that her people came from a Kingdom named United States of Demon Kingdom". "And they came here to get us to their country safety, that's all I know to tell you, John".

"They didn't harm you, right?".

"They didn't, Commander". - Sarah replied to me

"They look familiar, but I also forgot when did we see them too". "As I can understand, their mission is to find the three of us and escort us to Zaira safety". - Honestly, the woman named Rivia looked so familiar, but I couldn't remember when did I see her. Weapons and the soldiers looking, even the UH - 1 Helicopter were also familiar

However... I cannot remember well when did I see those things.

"Why to that village?". - I'd be not surprised if they claimed to be the operatives that King Ralla of Jung Kingdom sent to save me. However... from the way my wife and Sarah said to me, they did not look to have any relation with the King at all, so suspicious

"I have no idea".

"Princess, please lend me the backpack". - Sarah asked my wife to give her the Alrotz military backpack that was placed on the left side

Actually... when I got splitted up with my group due to the enemy chase, I randomly picked an Alrotz bag in the evac carriage. Turned out that backpack was Sarah's.

My wife gives Sarah the military backpack, and she receives it swiftly as if to check on things. I hope... nothing will be lost because the enemies put her belongings in the tent quite a lot before they were slain.

"Ohhh... thank God". - After a short time checking on her military backpack, Sarah hugged it because nothing was lost

"Drinks... drinks... drinks...". "Chews... chews... chews...". "Swallows... swallows...". - My wife fed me once again, I ate while thinking about these strange soldiers

"All of you... forgot them... that quick...?". - All of sudden, Hatano asked us

"What?".

"It occurred when Hoster was in his first days ruling the realm, a year ago...". "They attacked the entire continent... 15 Capital regions of 15 Kingdoms, including us". "Their Special Forces attacked the Palace once... and we cleared 'em". "Only that woman survived... that's her".

"I remember it, sis". "Not much... but I remember it".

"I have a little of recollection, Hatano". "It's strange when we cannot remember 'em". - My wife spoke to her Hatano, now she sometimes glanced at Rivia as if to make sure she wouldn't harm us

"I don't... nothing, nothing...". - It was strange when my subordinates and my wife could remember them, but I couldn't... why?

However, it doesn't matter to me right now. All I need currently is to know about their true purpose for rescuing my relatives and me. If I can, I also want to have the recollection of the invasion in the Capital city a year ago. Even if that recollection is just a little bit.

"Chews! Chews! Chews! Chews! Chews!". "Swallows! Swallows!". "Chews! Chews! Swallows! Swallows!". "Drinks! Drinks! Drinks!". - Now I was a bit rushed for eating and drinking, right?

"Call Rivia, I want... to talk to her". "Sarah, do it".

"Nod". - Sarah nodded to me, she shortly waved her hand, asking Rivia to come

In a blink of an eye, Rivia approaches us in her crouching pose. Approaching us, this black elf woman stares at me with her sharp eyes, as if she's willing to talk.

"What do you want to know, Hero?".

"Who are you...?". "And who are these people?".

"I thought you remembered me... nevermind". - This woman was a bit frustrated or something, but she kept her emotions away

"I'm Second Lieutenant Rivia, from the United States of Demon Kingdom from the far north". "I'm a border Knight in the Snow border of the Kingdom, but was summoned to join this rescue mission". "My team - Ranger, is sent here to rescue the three of you, in order to bring y'all to our Kingdom".

"Why?".

"It's a long story, I'll have to explain to all of you in the beginning or you won't get it".

Hearing Rivia, the four of us slowly get silent. Honestly, now I want to know about the story she's going to tell us.

"Alright... in April, 72... I mean 1172". "The three heroes had been summoned by the Goddess - Katia". "They're the three of you". - Rivia shortly pointed to me, Sarah and Hatano

"Wait, John... you're the hero we were looking for in the ceremony?".

"Shera Shera... uhhhh". "Stay silent, and listen, alright?". - Yeah, I remembered this. Actually, the three of us were the heroes that fucking Goddess summoned to this world after getting trapped in the Sword Mountain

"Nod". - My wife shortly returned to hear Rivia's story

"However, no one knows about your existence since the summoned occurred secretly". "A month later, in May 72, Warsaw Kingdom was appointed to be the host, to hold a summoning ceremony".

"However... the ceremony only works when the hero hasn't been summoned". "Otherwise, it'd make a disaster for the Kingdom who holds the ceremony, slowly will affect the world's stabilization". "That time, we hadn't known anything, but it's strange... when Warsaw handed the ceremony to Ruhe Kingdom". - Yeah... I returned from the future so I stopped the ceremony in time

"As a result, Ruhe Kingdom was annihilated after holding the ceremony". "But the Kings of your continent covered up the tragedy". "Meanwhile, the monster's number increased oddly in the Snow border, which was the result... of that ceremony".

"After investigating and having a dream about meeting up with the Goddess, Her Majesty did her best to warn all of you". "And... you humans neglected her warning but kept... summoning, following your stupid beliefs...". "Sorry". - Rivia was a little ego while telling this story or something

"I meant she met the Goddess in her dream, and knew that the three of you were summoned here". "However, she tried to warn the humans but all of you did nothing".

"So in the late May, 72". "We attacked 15 Capitals of 15 Human Kingdoms in the continent as a warning". "Somehow we faced each other... but I managed to survive, out of that Palace". - Then we must've faced her in the past, but I couldn't remember it till this time

"After the incident, the ceremony was stopped completely". "So from that time, we did not have any hate against each other...".

"But recently...". "Her Majesty met the Goddess in her dream once again". "The Goddess showed Her Majesty the faces of the three of you". "She ordered her, to get the three of you to our Demon Kingdom". "That's why we're here to escort all of you".

"Why do we have to come?".

"The Goddess didn't say why". "However... from now on, we will be in Zaira village all the time to wait for the three of you". "When you want to get to our Kingdom to meet Her Majesty, we'll escort y'all there". "Four years left... that's what the Goddess spoke to Her Majesty before vanishing from her dream".

"What do you mean by "four years left", Rivia?". - Sarah asked Rivia

"Shakes head". - She didn't understand why as well

"What are the "monsters" in the Snow border?". - My wife asked Rivia

"You humans always call us "demons" and "monsters", however we consider those who came from the sky to be the true monsters".

"Huh?".

"You're a Princess of Warsaw, right?".

"Nod".

"Then you must know why the farthest to the north of your country has a dense line of snow, cannot pass".

"Yeah, it's from Spera". "But what do you mean?".

"500 years ago, our demons were about to wipe out the entire humans". "But two heroes from another world came and defeated the late Her Majesty - that time's current Demon Lord".

"A Peace Agreement had been made, "No Man Zones" were set in all continents". "Warring is banned, only trading and traveling are allowed...". "However... we were banned to have relationships with most of the continents, only Ashura continent and Dwarf continent allowed us to come".

"Because of that reason, Her Majesty had formed the Snow border, in order to cut off the contact with continents we don't have relationships with". "However... Her Majesty did not randomly choose that side to form the Snow border, there was... a secret behind it".

"Before the border was made, that side always had monsters coming down from the sky". "They're dropped down by the Goddess... she wants to wipe out this world because... its peaceful makes her feel bored to keep it alive". "Those sky monsters would slay anything in their sight, even if you're demons, humans, elves or any other races".

"By forming the Snow border, the areas which always create monsters... decreased significantly". "Now only remains a small area in the south of our country". "However... their number keeps getting larger after the previous ceremony".

"Hmmm... I see". "Nod". - My wife nodded to Rivia, although her face showed that she hadn't understood all the things that dark elf said. However... my wife would surely find the answer herself

"Ok... so y'all came here just to get us to Zaira?". "Hmmm...". - Sarah asked herself, later showing us her questioning face

"Hmmm... but why that village?".

"We started from the South of our Kingdom to Jewels Kingdom". "From there, we headed to Jung to make an agreement with the King, then returned here to save y'all".

"That village has a teleport machine". "When the three of you heroes are ready, all of you will get there by using the machine". "About us, we'll be following you". "Our chopper will keep two pilots, to fly it back to our Kingdom to accomplish the mission".

"We have... 4 years to ready?". - I asked Rivia

"I don't understand what it means "4 years" by the Goddess...". "But it seems like if you don't come to us after those "4 years", bad things will come...". "But we're told to treat you well, so... take your time, heroes".

Then there's no need for us to be rushed. Because we'll soon flee to Zaira village to live there till the end of our lives... hmmm. But wait a minute... then the plan to rush to the Palace to speak up with His Majesty turned out was just a needless plan.

"Sigh...". - Well, I accidentally chose to come so I must get there... at least I think it's useful for both Warsaw and I

"Ummm... teleport machine?". - Shera didn't know about this

"Shera". "Ummm... to say in basic, you get in that machine... and it switches you from this place to another place".

"That's even possible?!". - My wife was a bit shocked, but she soon calmed down

"Ummm... I forgot this, John". - Done talking to Rivia, my wife returned to feed me

"Ummm... Lieutenant?".

"You can call me Rivia instead, Hero Sarah".

"I just want to call you Rivia".

"Nod".

"Ok... so uhh...".

"Wait wait wait...". - I spoke up, because I was having some purpose to use these DKA (Demon Kingdom Army) Ranger operatives

"Yes?". - Rivia replied

"We promise that we'll meet your Demon Lord when all of us are ready for it". "However... now I need you to help me... as a win-win deal".

"Nod".

"After leaving the Palace, I want all of you to assist me to search for a woman". "Named Reimi Frieden... can you?".

"As long as our ammunition and fuel are enough, Sir".

"Good...". "Sarah, Advisor". - Later I asked Sarah to give me my Advisor, and she handed me the device

"Here". "Shit...". - His battery was still low. But to me this was good enough

"This... I see...Hero Sarah's SA showed us you were here".

"There's another dot, there". - I surfed the screen, showing her the orange dot where Reimi was last reported missing

"Alright, we'll search for her". "But our chopper only has 2 hours left, needs to land somewhere to refuel".

"Nod". - It's good when I can use these people for my own purpose, good...

"Ednammoc, Calap i hgis". (Commander, Palace in sight). - All of sudden, one pilot said something in a strange language

"What did he say?". - Shera asked him while feeding me

"Palace is in sight, ready to drop y'all in there".

"SF (Stealth feature) on yet?". - Rivia turned around, asking the pilot leader

"Nod".

"Now we need to find a good spot to drop you here". "Later we'll move away, go nearby here, I think so". "May be returning here when night comes, Heroes".

"Tell them to move to the Palace's backyard". "No one guards that place at all". - However, this idea might be wrong because this time is the wartime of this Kingdom

"Roger". "Drop in backyard". - Rivia said to the pilots

"I'll go down, my subordinates will follow you...". "My wife too, take care of them".

"No, John". "I'll go with you". - Shera suddenly grabbed my hand tightly, as if she never wanted to leave me out

"We'll come with you too, Commander". "Can we?". - Sarah asked Rivia

"Your choice".

"We don't have much time, Commander". "The stealth effect ends in 1 minute". - The DKA Ranger operative who sat with the machine gun on the left side - Gubi, asked us to decide hurry

"Stay with 'em, Sarah, Hatano". "I'll contact you when I come out, alright?".

"But!".

"No buts!!!". - Sometimes I need to be mad at them to make them listen to me

"You too, Shera". "Do not follow me, it's dangerous". - Alright, if I say it right... then the Palace must be very unusual and suspicious right at this time

It's strange when Hoster always excused he did not have enough time to gather the Capital troops. Worse, was when he kept sending letters to me, asking me to meet him. Hmmm... if I say it right... then Hoster must be in danger or something. Then... Queen Stella must be the one behind the invasion's perfect setup and other things else.

"Slanser, drop the rope". - Rivia ordered the Ranger operative who sat on the right side of the chopper

Swiftly, he drops a stashed line of rope down on the green ground. I look out of the UH - 1 Helicopter and see its outside scenery is truly the Palace's backyard scenery.

"Do we still have ammo?". - Before going, I asked Sarah

"Umm... I have 3 mags left, Commander". "Ummm... that's all I have, we'll refill our ammo when we retake Veta, don't you think so?". - Sarah gave me the magazines for my rifle, but somehow she kept closing her eyes every time she glanced at me

"Shit!". - I was a bit mad when I saw myself only had a rag to cover my crotch

"Wait wait wait wait". - Because of that, I rushed to wear my torn-out jungle Marine uniform, even tightened the belt and other things

"30 seconds". - Gubi told me the remaining time of the chopper's stealth mode

"Fuck fuck fuck fuck". - I managed to wear my clothes a bit properly

However, I'm too rushed so I randomly grab my M4A1, 3 magazines and a short sword. Later I move to the chopper's door and throw those weapons on the ground. Sarah throws Advisor at me and I manage to catch him, also drop him down... what's else for me to do?

"It's enough, go go go!". - Rivia suddenly asked me to go

I don't know what did I miss but now I don't care about it anymore. I grab the rope, swiftly rappelling down to the ground safely, hmmm... good.

Seems like the backyard never had anyone guard it at all... this place is always neglected. I immediately grab my rifle and strap it to my shoulder, even putting the magazines in the only ammo pouch on my belt.

About the short sword, I don't have the holster to hold it so I stuff its scabbard on the left gap side between the belt and my military pants. I pick up Advisor the last, and strap the device to my right hand.

"Wait wait wait wait wait!". - All of sudden, everyone in the chopper suddenly louded their mouths for no reason

"How to! How to!". - Turned out, I looked up and saw my wife hanging on the rope, as if she was trying to get down to follow me

"What the?!". - My wife was still holding the rope, I immediately widened my hands and approached her slowly, purposing to catch her if she falls

"Get down!".

"Urrrrrgggghhhhhhh!!!". - Shera heard my yell, and she landed on me. Both of us fell on the ground, no scratches

"You okay?!!!". - Others in the chopper asked us

They see that both of us are still alright. The chopper's appearance later shows up brighter instead of the blurred object previously. This thing flies in the sky, immediately flees before getting caught.

Both of us shortly get up and stare at each other. Although I was a bit mad at my wife, but I forgave her. I grab my rifle and point it at the road ahead while glancing at Shera.

"Hmmm... I'm a bit mad". "But... uhh...". "Follow me".

"Nod". - Shera moved with me, later both of us passed the yard, slowly heading to the hallway nearby us

"Johnny, got movement on the right side pillar". "Two dots". - Advisor suddenly alerted me

"Stay behind me, Shera".

I lead the way with my rifle pointing to the hallway ahead, and it looks empty. However... I spot two figures standing behind a right side pillar by the end of the hallway. Looking at them for a while, I assume that they're hiding from something.

Moving with my cautiousness, I approach them from behind silently, but deadly. All of sudden, one of them looks back as if to check, I rush to a pillar and manage to pull my wife in there with me.

"Ummm... John... he spotted me". "Should we...?". - My wife whispered to me, her hand was now holding a pistol, shaking nervously

Hearing her alert, I hold my M4A1 tightly and head out of the pillar, pointing the rifle at the target. Turns out... both of them are Hoster and Sherry. For some reason... they're wearing battered clothes, look like peasants.

"Brother?". - Shera spoke up in her confusion

"John... John...". - Hoster grabbed Sherry's hand while rushing to me, both of them later stopped as they approached us completely

"Your Majesty?". - What the hell? Why both of them were standing out here with suspicious appearances?

"It's good when you're here, my brother-in-law!". - Hoster suddenly squeezed my shoulders tightly, as if he was both furious and happy to see my existence in this place

"Hear me carefully". "At all costs, do not get in the courtroom".