Bell awoke in one of the tents used by the Air Assaults, feeling the crisp morning air nip at his cheeks. He rubbed his eyes, chasing away the last traces of sleep, and took a moment to survey his surroundings. His mind immediately drifted to Eldrin, the village chief. Gaining Eldrin's trust was crucial for fostering peaceful coexistence between his forces and the local residents.
The camp was a hive of activity. Villagers, who had been confined indoors due to the relentless assault from the undead the day before, were now emerging from their homes. Stepping out of his tent, Bell found himself in the midst of a bustling campsite. Soldiers moved with a well-rehearsed efficiency that contrasted sharply with the tranquil village, where life was slowly returning to normal, albeit with soldiers patrolling nearby.
Their encampment occupied an open space on the village's northern edge. Just the night before, the Air Assaults had cleared this area of undead, established a secure perimeter, and set up camp. The Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) were parked at the entrance of the small encampment, their presence imposing yet reassuring. The tents here were more akin to temporary houses than mere shelters, a testament to the well-equipped nature of the force, all stored within the JLTVs.
Nearby, on the road leading to the frost tree, stood Lisa. She clutched a thermos, likely filled with something warm to combat the chill. Bell couldn't help but think that it couldn't possibly be colder in this northern continent, though he was aware of the even more frigid ice sheet further north.
The air carried the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of morning chatter, creating a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of recent events. Soldiers and villagers alike navigated the campsite, their breaths visible in the cold air, as they prepared for another day in this unlikely alliance. Bell knew that these moments of peace were precious and fleeting, and he was determined to make the most of them.
"Morning, Bell," Lisa said, taking a sip from her thermos of black coffee. "The temperature is still dropping, and Eldrin is still in his house."
Bell gazed out at the village and replied with a thoughtful hum. "How do the villagers feel about us?"
"To be honest, their perception is neutral," Lisa answered. "They've become more accepting since we've been providing them with food and support. They don't view us with suspicion anymore. However, the children are still afraid of the Sa'El, although the Fel'Ey have been received more warmly."
Bell inquired further, "What about our supplies?"
"I've assigned Lieutenant Moore to procure a military truck for us to transport the wyvern scales. We'll receive 20% of the profits, and the rest will be used for developing the main base," Lisa explained, taking another sip of her coffee.
"Sounds good to me. Is there anything else to report?" Bell asked.
"For now, nothing else," Lisa replied. "However, Lieutenant Moore has been persistent in requesting helicopters since he learned about the substantial funds we obtained from the last assault."
"Authorize the purchase. I'll allocate five million EPs for their needs," Bell decided.
"I'll inform him," Lisa said as she pressed a button on her radio to grant authorization to Moore. This news would likely boost the team's morale, as the absence of an 'air' component had been felt for some time in the Air Assault unit. In reality, Moore had explained that they were a quick-response infantry unit capable of handling various tasks, including those beyond regular infantry capabilities.
When something proved too complex or challenging, the air assaults were called in—a sort of enhanced infantry unit. Given their contributions to restoring peace and order, it seemed only fair to reward them. Besides, Bell was curious to see how these helicopters would make a difference in warfare and monster hunting. Moore had been enthusiastic about the potential impact, and Tomas seemed to support the idea as well.
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"Now what?" Bell pondered aloud.
"Trying to gain Eldrin's trust, of course," Lisa chimed in.
"He's as stubborn as they come. We might need something exceptionally convincing," Bell added.
"What's your plan?" Lisa inquired.
"We need to uncover the mystery of the ice spirit," Bell explained.
Lisa nearly choked on her coffee. "Ice spirit? That's a thing?"
"Sort of. A high spirit is a formidable entity, capable of influencing local climates. If the ice spirit safeguards this village, it could deter any potential threats. An unexpected snowstorm alone might be enough," Bell elaborated.
Lisa was intrigued. "How does Eldrin fit into all of this?"
"If he's as old as I suspect, he might have formed a pact with the ice spirit in the past. That's where we come in. So, what do you think?" Bell sought Lisa's opinion, believing that appealing to Eldrin's reverence for the ice spirit could be their most effective approach.
Considering the potential benefits for all, Bell and Lisa made their way to the village with a proposition: to help Eldrin establish contact with the 'alleged' ice spirit that protected their village. They entertained the idea that this ice spirit might not be a spirit at all but a tremendously powerful creature.
Standing in front of Eldrin's porch, Bell gently knocked on the door. When Eldrin opened it, they could see the weariness in his eyes, marked by dark circles and exhaustion. Bell understood the man's expression; too much had occurred in less than a day, and none of it fell within the realm of his tribal understanding. Moreover, the relentless gunfire and explosions that had only ceased around midnight had undoubtedly taken a toll on him.
[Eldrin Aldranar: Tired, Sleepy | Suspicious Relationship | -85]
As Bell assessed the progress in his relationship with the village chief, he realized they had made significant headway in a single night. A little more positive rapport would be ideal since he needed Eldrin's cooperation, and he hoped the village and its people would come to rely on him as well.
Eldrin, however, remained suspicious as ever, his face reflecting his mistrust. "What. Do. You. Want?" he demanded.
Bell decided to concoct a story to gain Eldrin's sympathy, even if he wasn't entirely sure if his words made sense. "We suspect that the high spirit is injured or wounded, which is why the village was attacked last night," he lied.
Eldrin's response caught them off guard. "Well, no shit, there's a demon corpse next to the wounded ice spirit," he revealed.
"Huh?" Lisa managed to utter a single word, clearly taken aback. This revelation was not what Bell had expected. If that was the case, then their suspicions seemed to align with reality.
"Wait, really?" Bell questioned Eldrin again.
"Yes, a demon, armed with its rifle and wearing a uniform. Do you think I'm lying? This is the truth," Eldrin insisted.
Lisa decided to take Bell aside to discuss the situation privately. Something didn't add up, especially because Tomas hadn't reported any casualties from his hunting team. "Are we really the villains here?"
"I'm confident we're not. I never received any reports of an ice spirit being killed, and Tomas didn't mention any casualties in his team. Lieutenant Moore provided a comprehensive report, and there was no mention of anything resembling an ice spirit. Besides, Tomas would recognize an ice spirit if he saw one," Bell explained, expressing his surprise to Lisa. The possibility of them accidentally shooting an ice spirit seemed highly unlikely. He then turned his attention back to Tomas and asked, "So, where is this dead body you found?"
"It's in a place quite far from here," Eldrin said, seemingly reluctant to visit the location.
Bell turned to Lisa for her opinion. "I don't think distance is an issue for us, is it, Lisa?"
Lisa shook her head. "No, distance shouldn't be a problem for us."
Eldrin provided more details. "It's located on the southern side of the northern plain, in a cave. It's about three days' walk from here."
Bell calculated the distance. "So, roughly 150 kilometers away from here. Is that too far, Lisa?"
"Not at all. We can use the newly purchased Blackhawks," Lisa added confidently.
Bell turned back to Eldrin and reassured him, "See, distance isn't an obstacle. All we want is proof, Eldrin. You can't blame my men for something they didn't do." He understood that demons were scattered across the northern continent, and some may have been driven to desperate actions for survival, but he was certain his team wasn't responsible for killing an ice spirit.
Finally, Eldrin yielded to their demand. "Fine, I'll honor your request."
"That's great," Lisa said with a smile. "Call for a helicopter, and I'll have Eldrin point out the location on the map."