CHAPTER 42 -TRIBULATION-
COLTER HART
The plan is simple, all we need is to break into a car and hot wire it and aim it. That would cause a ruckus, while they check the car we will already be on the other side of the border before they notice.
That was the plan that I explained to them, of course I gave them time to think about it before we actually started the plan. ‘Two options before we start, Either you decide not to go ahead with this plan then forget about anything that happens here. Or, go alongside me with this plan and see it till the end. If you choose this then I will vouch for you if things go wrong’.
When I said those words, both of their faces looked deep in thought. I knew that they would hesitate to go with this decision, after all they–
“I will do it!” Alexis let out seconds later after the options were blurred out. “Look Colter, I know that I am not that smart type of person but I know that you really have something important going on with the person on Pleoca.” He held out his fist with an innocent smile, “But since it’s you, I guarantee that we will be okay.”
I fist bumped him without a second thought, “Thank you, Alexis.”
There was one with me, now is the high ranking noble going to be on my side or not? This genuine question rotated my mind three to four times, the nervousness couldn’t let go of me. It was like I was poisoned, waiting for the antidote that only she had.
A minute or two passed, complete silence around us, except for the area where the military guards were. Though, for me it was an easy answer, for her it was probably a dilemma. Whether to help her friends and cause a scene where her family’s name is tarnished or to live a life without seeing the end as a player but to see it in the sidelines.
Her facial expressions didn’t betray her, she kept the emotionless mask on as she continued to think.
Larisa let out a deep breath, both Alexis and I jolted in surprise later then listened to her answer. She stood up on her feet, she blinked a couple of times before looking into where the soldiers were guarding the border entrance. “Well, is your plan going to work?”
Those words made the corners of my lips curl up.
“Yes. Yes it will.”
ETHAN
Since the recent news that the president of Pleoca had declared war on us, the borders connecting ours and Pleoca have been heavily guarded. At any given moment, when the time has come, war should start.
That was my personal thinking though, but if it was up to me, I would not start it. Losing the lives of people that I swore to protect would only leave me with guilt, I probably wouldn’t even sleep for a couple of years.
As a soldier, I should protect those who need to be protected.
That is my mission as a Soldier and as a citizen from this nation.
Though, I doubt I would be of any help. Since I’m a commoner, helping those who don’t have power would only bring fear to my grip. Knowing that I too am powerless against the soldiers of Pleoca. “However, I would not give up even if I’m against an Angel sent from hell!.” I accidentally said out loud.
Every other soldier that was on duty with me began to laugh. I had embarrassed myself in front of my comrades. Could this night get any worse?
“Now, may I ask why are you soldiers laughing?!” General Charles said with a frustrated voice.
All the soldiers that were laughing because of me stopped immediately, some were even laughing in silence.
That’s when General Charles faced me like he knew who they were laughing at. “Ethan! Come and greet the Harts with me.”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Everyone’s expression changed, they no longer laughed but instead they looked amused. For General Charles to ask me–a commoner soldier–to greet the heroes who had stopped a war by themselves?!
This was the second time I felt special. The day that I was accepted for a soldier and now.
General Charles looked at me for a couple of seconds before he talked again, “Soldier Ethan, what is your answer?”
I answered without hesitation, no second thoughts lingered in my mind. “It would be an honor Sir!”
“Then let's get going”
***
We both stood outside the, about a couple of feet away from the helipad. Moments later the helicopter appeared in the distance.
I was excited to meet the legends that saved our nation from an extended world war. On the other hand, General Charles didn’t seem excited. He was frowning at the sight of the helicopter knowing that the ones inside meant something seriously and terrible.
Still, after thinking about why would the higher ups call the legendary heroes for? The war still is not fully going, meaning that something really important is happening right now. I guarantee that not the whole nation knows about it either.
But what could the higher-ups want to know, is it something that only the heroes could do?
The sound of the helicopter’s engine became louder, then it landed in front of us on the helipad.
General Charles stood in place while the soldiers in charge opened the door of the helicopter, revealing two people. On the seat to the right was a man, his black hair combed to the back, letting two stray hairs forward that were above his brown eyes. He closed his eyes for a brief moment before staring at the General.
He didn’t falter, on the other hand the General stared back with an annoyed intent. Julian Hart, the best close combat guy there is in this nation or dare I say this world. Julian stepped out of the helicopter and fixed his suit.
When he finished, he extended his arm to the person that was seated in front of him earlier. The delicate light pale hand appeared, unveiling the other hero of this nation. Her black hair that was tied neatly, her bangs didn’t pass her coal colored eyes. It was Amelia Hart, expert in long range in any type of terrain as well as her strategies that are known for Julian to destroy platoons completely by himself because of her thinking in battle.
It was nerve racking, seeing these two legends–with their terrifying aura–come dressed up like they were going to a ball dance made by high-nobles. Almost like they were taking this subject as a joke…
The General stepped forward before I did as well. He had changed his face along with his thinking, frankly that was the reason why General Charles scared me. Particularly since we are humans, it makes it even scarier.
“General Charlie, it's been a while hasn’t it?” Julian Hart expressed, with Amelia Hart next to him as they walked. He had a smile like he was meeting an old friend from highschool. “Hello, General Charles.” Added Amelia Hart.
The General only looked at both of them for a moment, then he spoke. “Julian for you to say ‘a while’ is an understatement. We saw each other at the grand meeting just a couple of days ago.” He turned his gaze at Julian’s wife, “Hello to you too Amelia.”
“And this is?” Questioned Ms. Amelia. Her confusion was to be known since I’m still not a high ranked soldier but just a normal commoner soldier. I opened my mouth, ready to tell them my rank and post when General Charles spoke before me.
Putting his left hand on my shoulder, he began to explain who I was. “This is Ethan, a commoner just like you guys were. He is the most hard working soldier I have ever seen since you two arrived here. To be honest I think I might retire after this situation we have going on.”
Catching us by surprise, all three of us were open-mouthed. His words were so shocking that everyone around us had heard and froze in place. Why would he retire? General Charles was young, mid-thirties if I had to say. There wasn’t a white hair in sight but the dazzling honey hair slid back. He alone defended our nation in the back lines when things seemed out of hand, risking his life, killing the ground troops as they approached from the sea in battleships unleashing a series of missiles that destroyed the beach.
When our army was heavily injured, the enemy army set about to get closer to the main base. Killing our friends and family without any mercy or emotions. Losing our hope and falling into despair, religious people praying to their god. Yet, only one low-rank noble decided to stop their movement, even if it was just for a little time for reinforcements to arrive.
Using his assault rifle, a pistol, two grenades and a knife. Those were the tools he used to stop a battalion, when he was out of ammo he would use the enemy's weapon. Aside from Julian and Amelia, General Charles too saved us from invasion.
My superior let out an awkward cough, unfreezing everyone which again started to work. “We should talk privately about these things.”
Both of the heroes walked in front of us while General Charles and I walked behind them, the two continued to talk about their son. I started to wonder what type of kid they had, would he be strong and courageous like Sir Julian or would he be smart and wise like Madam Amelia? Hell, no matter what he choses in this world, I know he will see it to the end and succeed from it.
We had arrived at our destination as some people would put it, when the door opened it showed a large table like those that some business meeting had with a lot of chairs. On one side sat the heroes, and on their opposites were us, the general and I.
The heavy silence filled the room, only stares jogged around the place. Until a slight knock was heard from the other side of the entrance door, the general opened it and revealed a woman in a suit dress. A secretary? I thought to myself as she walked into the room with a couple of yellow folders that had the word “Classified” on them. Her long black hair enlaced me with amazement, eyes of seriousness and confidence reigned in them.
The secretary walked to the front of the room, placing down the yellow folders before bowing. “It is an honor to meet the heroes that stopped a possible never ending catastrophe.” The sound of her voice gave me an non-understanding feeling that I’d never felt before.
She continued after she bowed. “My name is Ana, I am a secretary of this department of the border and a member of the high-commission. As you may or may not know, a war is on the edge of breaking.” Her gaze went as follows, me, general Charles, Julian Hart, then to Amelia Hart. “The reason why you heroes are here is because we have encountered something akin to a phenomenon in the past two years. In these folders there is information that the High-Commission has been collecting in secret.”
Ana passed down the yellow folders to each person in the room including herself, the lights in the room turned off with the remote she had in hand. Then the projector turned on, showing pictures of…people?
Five silhouettes appeared in the picture, each one of them had a shadowy aura around them. Something that only appears in anime.
Just what is going on in this world?