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Otherworldly Trials [LITRPG Adventure]
Vol 3 Ch 23: Soldier Send-off

Vol 3 Ch 23: Soldier Send-off

Mikella’s eyes widened to see all the soldiers standing and saluting them the moment they left the house. Each one looked straight as a rod, their faces steeled in hard expressions. The one that really surprised her was the leader, Piker, who walked up in front of them and shouted.

“Zeke Parlow, Mikella Ashton,” Piker shouted, to the soldiers and to them, with a serious expression. “For your service to this town, and for aiding our soldiers and the people of Eve Glade, we thank you. Know this–your actions shall be recorded for years to come, to teach us the value of hard work and cooperation, to aid in your fellow man even if they were not your original countrymen. We wish that all the future generations of this town will recognize your feats and follow your examples of what true warriors are. We salute you.”

“We salute you!”

The rest of the soldiers followed suit, shouting in unison. Mikella was taken aback in more ways than one. Her heart raced as a new flood of emotions flowed through her body.

Zeke was just as dumb-strucked, his facial expression unable to keep up from being happy, confused, or worried that something was gonna happen.

“T-This is…” Mikella stuttered, still trying to absorb everything that had been going on. “W-What’s going on? It’s not like we’re gonna, uhh, leave forever or anything…”

At least she hoped so. The reason she felt so dumbstruck is this is the sort of send off one does to celebrate a soldier's death, or following their retirement. Is this their equivalent of sending someone off to their deaths? That didn’t sound good at all.

At that moment, the soldiers behind Piker chuckled and laughed, relaxing and releasing their tensed shoulders and postures. Mikella felt like she was slapped with a fish, and she was equally enraged at the thought. Thankfully, Piker came up to the two, smiling at them in good nature.

“We know,” Piker nodded to her. “But I felt it was proper to show you two just how much you had helped us in such a short time. Of course, we all know how much you gained from this, but everyone will remember how much you helped us gain in return. Especially giving us all the chance to become Journeymen, a stage that was once just a far away dream for some of us.”

He looked back at his fellow comrades, probably at the ones who had the least likelihood of a chance to reach Journeymen. However, thanks to Zeke’s enhanced fruits and Mikella’s training, it was now possible for nearly all of them to reach Journeymen if they kept at it. For those that were still farther off, there was also the biodome where they can go in and raise their levels to reach the maximum cap of 60. Hell, one who had benefited the most was standing in front of her, his icey-blue hair glinting under the Studded Star’s light.

Now that she thought about it, that was definitely a good thing for them all. She had to remember that while they managed to get to Journeymen in just two years, nearly everyone dreamt of reaching that stage as the highlight of their entire lives. So many things can change for them once they reach that stage.

“Of course, I don’t just speak of this for ourselves. The people of Eve Glade will also remember your selflessness and goodwill. And I don’t just mean Zeke healing them for free where they would otherwise be drained of all their money in other cities. You also helped a lot of them, Mikella. Other people still refer to you as someone who knew the town best, having built most of their valued homes for them. And don’t forget that you have inspired all of us to work harder and reach a further stage than anyone else.”

Mikella was caught unaware, unable to hold back the heat rising to her cheeks at all the praise. She couldn’t dare to look straight at Piker from all that. However, she noticed Zeke smiling at her, as though he knew exactly what Piker was talking about.

It wasn’t that she didn’t do anything while the town was recovering. She only just figured that compared to her, Zeke did the most useful thing. However, one had to think that in their minds, someone who was willing to build their homes, to talk to them and assure that everything will be fine, and constantly fought for the other’s safety, is equivalent to a hero in her old world’s perspective.

She never considered herself as someone so important, but now that it was all told in front of her, her mind turned blank.

“And for all of that, we thank you. We know that you have an important mission that is far beyond our understanding. We only hope that we can be strong enough to aid you in that regard when that time comes.”

Piker held out his hand to her. Mikella finally stopped getting embarrassed and smiled back, taking in his hand.

“Thanks, Piker,” Mikella finally said. “Just so you know, we didn’t do anything just by ourselves. We had all of you to thank for too.”

“That much is obvious,” Piker snorted. “But gratitude must be shared regardless.”

Mikella rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t have it any other way. Having Piker being this sincere and grateful man was starting to make her skin itch. Being an asshole suited him best.

Piker then turned to Zeke, offering the same handshake. After Zeke took it, Piker spoke up again.

“Zeke, I always wanted to apologize for my actions when we first met. I didn’t know whether I already did or not, but I wanted to confirm for myself. You clearly showed you got more than enough spunk to survive on the battlefield, perhaps more so than even a warrior himself.”

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“It’s no problem,” Zeke grinned. “I can sort of understand why you felt that way too. It’s all water under the bridge now. You take care of yourself, okay?”

“I will,” Piker nodded. “And you as well. But just in case…” Piker then turned back to Mikella, showing a serious stare. “Mikella, if he can’t do it, you can. Make sure he doesn’t kill himself.”

“That’s harder than reaching Journeymen, you know,” Mikella grinned widely, making Zeke roll his eyes hard at both of them when they laughed in unison.

With that, the other soldiers followed suit. The healers and mages went for Zeke to congratulate him and offer goodbye while Mikella was practically showered with goodbyes from the rest. She was honestly still taken aback by how much respect she garnered from everyone, but took it in stride.

Soon enough, she noticed Myra, Jackie, and Philip coming their way. Once Mikella called over Zeke, they met up with the original Eve Glade soldiers. Jackie and Philip said their proper goodbyes to Zeke, and Myra of course hugged Mikella hard enough to try to crush her. But this time, Mikella hugged back with her advanced body, getting the two to share a powerful hug meant to crush boulders. Their Draconian wings and Fairy wings certainly didn’t help as they flapped from the emotional hug.

“At least you’re tough enough to handle the world now,” Myra said with a smile, though there was a hint of pain behind it. “You’re really leaving the town, huh? It only feels like yesterday when the Captain took you in and started training you for real.”

“You know I didn’t want to leave myself,” Mikella huffed. “But there are things that you gotta do.” She smiled, but her heart sank as she finally said the words she had to say. “Take care of yourself, okay? I don’t know how long we’ll be away… but I really want to return back as soon as we can.”

“I know,” Myra nodded. “Just make sure to stay alive. I don’t know what sort of crap you guys have to go through, but just remember that you’re not alone. We got your backs, just as you had ours.”

Her heart swelled to hear that. Considering that she didn’t know whether their bad luck is making things worse for them this whole time, she was glad to hear that Myra saw her as a friend despite everything.

“But hey, don’t be antisocial. Try to get as many allies as you can over there. They may be pretty annoying mages with their heads so far up their asses they can’t see daylight, but you never know. And there’s nothing wrong with having some more people at your side.”

Mikella chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Depends if they can handle our pretty extreme training regimen, of course. Can’t slow down.”

“You better not,” Myra grinned ferociously. “If you slow down and I pass you by, I will consider that an offense of the highest order.”

She said it in such a stuffish tone that her wings flapped with a fiery flare. That made Mikella snort with laughter. She pushed her shoulder aside, and Myra did the same.

She can’t even remember a time when she was this close to a girl at her age. All of her friends in the old world felt so stuffy and superficial now in her memories. This one felt so close to true friendship that it almost made her cry.

She’s gonna miss Myra, that’s for sure. Then Jackie and Philip came up to her, offering their own hands which she took gladly.

“I know I don’t have to tell you to be careful. You have a better chance of surviving than the rest of us,” Jackie said. “But I’ll say it anyway. Stay safe.”

“You too Jackie,” Mikella smiled. Then her smile turned devilish. “Make sure you treat Cacia well too. Or else me and Myra might show up unannounced and teach you some manners.”

Jackie had a momentary look of panic and embarrassment, his cheeks reddening like mad. Both Mikella and Myra noticed that he and Cacia were getting a lot closer than your average soldiers. When Myra spotted them holding hands, thinking no one was around to see them, the two girls mischievously followed their love life to make sure Jackie didn't mess things up–according to Myra, at least.

Cacia, on the other hand, didn’t look much for wear, thinking their secret relationship hadn’t been discovered. She did look sad to see them go though, making Mikella want to protect her happiness. Jackie didn’t say anything at all, instead just showed a determined expression and nodded to her.

Once she made her peace with Phillip as well, that was everyone around them. When the otherworlders left them, the soldiers all responded with another fist to heart salute. Her heart swelled so much that she worried that she might not be able to handle it.

Then a gentle hand held her shoulder, realizing it was Zeke’s. He smiled warmly at her. “We’ll be back. I swear.”

When she didn’t know why he was assuring her like this, she realized now that her eyes have gone wet, tears beginning to brim. She wiped them off quickly, wanting to assure her tough girl persona as best she could. It was ridiculous of course, and nobody would blame her for crying, but still, it was something for her.

“Sorry, I…” Mikella sniffed softly, then pushed all her sadness down. It was already bad enough that Clara was watching her, worried in her already wet eyes. “I’m fine. I know we’ll be back.”

Zeke smiled again, and there was something in his eyes as well. Sadness beyond compare, but they were utterly dry. It surprised her that Zeke didn’t show tears himself, but the next moment she realized why. The only time he cried was when Clara saw him as a big brother, granting him responsibility of taking care of her. For him who had no one have faith in him in the past, it was a lot for a man to take.

She didn’t care whether you were a man or a woman, anyone is capable of crying if they feel like it. But it looked like Zeke is the sort to keep it together during moments like these.

They soon left the town, during which those who knew of them leaving offered their goodbyes and even gifts for their service. She not only felt gratitude, but guilt considering that she still thought of them as lazy for not fighting and instead letting the soldiers do the fighting for them.

After all this time, she realized now that sometimes that was impossible. There weren’t enough resources. There weren’t enough trainers. There weren’t enough monsters to fight. There just wasn’t enough for everyone here to fight. It wasn’t just that they didn’t want to fight, it’s sometimes because they literally can’t fight. So they had no choice but to support those that can, and the ones who enjoyed making a living on anything outside of combat and leveling were the lucky ones.

Eventually, they got to the entrance, the same one that they went through the first time they ever got into Eve Glade and saw the massive array of armored soldiers preparing to leave. Master Cronus and his wife Isabelle were there waiting for them, one having an impassive look and the other smiling at the sight.

Then there were the lords and the general. Cloud, Val, and Zacharia waited for them right before the entrance to greet them. Mikella faced them, trying to steel her heart as much as she could. The last thing she wanted to do was cry in front of their benefactors and teachers of this world.