EX-SOLDIER: In Another World
Peaceful City before Storm - Part 8

Thanks to Vincent's efforts by defeating the War Trolls, the enemy forces lost their spirit because the only 'Truf Card' they had was defeated. Chaos in the enemy ranks erupted with the news of losing the War Trolls, but who would blame them. After all, War Trolls were famous for being a terrifying walking force, having strong skin and being hard to break through with ordinary weapons, and also War Trolls are known as warrior-type monsters that will continue to attack until the last blood point. Miraculously, the empire was able to tame one of them even though War Trolls had a reputation of its own.

It took several hours of struggle for the City Guards and the Rose Order with the help of adventurers to repel the enemy forces. The difficult struggle they had passed and the Angelbarrow Fortress City was still standing, call it victory but in another sense of the word. Because the word victory is not appropriate for the situation that occurs with many casualties and damage in them.

Sofia on her part had deployed the Rose Order with a smaller group to comb through the city, her goal being to make sure no enemies were still hiding in the city while searching for survivors.

Meanwhile, Gill and Lisa decide to join the city. First to help, as Lisa can chant healing spells for first aid. The second reason, was because both of them were worried about their two friends who were nowhere to be seen after the enemy troops retreated.

Gill and Lisa along with several adventurers and knights comb the western part of the city, where Gill last met Vincent. The guard report also mentioned that in the western area was the place where the bodies of the War Trolls were found and with that information, their group went to the area.

It didn't take long to get to the area they were headed to. There they saw the bodies of the War Trolls with their heads smashed apart with dozens of corpses around them. A terrifying sight indeed, but what horrified them was the moment they found two familiar bodies lying in the area.

The first thing they saw was Pete's lifeless body lying down. Dry blood came out of his mouth with his legs twisted to an absurd angle. It made them both sad and unable to hold back the crying. One of their friends, the leader of the Jade Tribe whom they admired was dead. It was a heavy blow to both of them especially Gill, as he was Pete's best friend ever since they were kids. Growing up together, sharing memories together, adventuring together and being separated by a terrible destiny. Gill couldn't accept any of that.

A glint of hatred was painted in Gill's eyes. He was angry, angry at himself for not being able to protect his best friend. He was angry, angry at the empire that had claimed the life of his best friend. Hatred settles in Gill's heart as his gaze darkens and there comes a new purpose, to avenge his best friend on the empire.

On the other hand, Lisa is deeply saddened by the loss of Pete. Lisa, who has regarded Pete as the older brother she never had, is saddened by Pete's fate. She blames herself for not fighting, she is disappointed in herself for not being able to protect the person she considers her brother. If only and if, he had participated in the battle, perhaps Pete was currently still living with them.

Screams of sadness echoed in the area as the two mourned Pete's death. It took a few minutes for the two to calm down, the adventurers and knights who had come with them also sympathized and tried to console the two so as not to get too drawn into grief.

After the two calmed down, the group decided to continue their sweep only to hear a desperate scream emanating from Lisa as she looked at the familiar figure.

"Oh no! Nah! NAY! NO MORE!!"

"VINCENT! VINCENT! WAKEUP!!"

Lisa screamed as she gently touched her face, almost scared. Every now and then he shakes Vincent's body, but everything he does doesn't get a response from Vincent. The fear filled Lisa's heart, it was enough that she looked Pete today and she didn't want to lose anyone else.

One of the female adventurers tries to calm Lisa down with one of the knights checking on Vincent. The knight looked for Vincent's pulse and then placed his ear on Vincent's chest. A few moments passed like an eternity to Lisa upon seeing the Knight.

"He's alive, probably fainted from exhaustion and lost a lot of blood."

The word knight makes Lisa feel a little more relieved, at least Vincent is still alive. But hearing that Lisa demands to immediately take Vincent to a better place to do the treatment while constantly chanting healing spells. Although Vincent is still alive, but by looking at his blood and circumstances, Lisa still remains worried especially when thinking of Vincent not waking up again.

Although she only knew Vincent in a short time, somehow Lisa had a closeness that she could not explain. He also wonders to himself why it happened, especially the comfort with Vincent getting attached to him after the incident in prison, as Vincent tries to calm him down.

Could Lisa love Vincent? I don't know if Lisa wants to make sure she feels it, too. Therefore he had to heal Vincent and ask him this feeling directly when he woke up.

...

The sweep continued for three days and eventually the people of the city of Angelbarrow were able to bury the fallen by paying them their last respects. The townspeople began to scavenge the remnants of their treasures that could be saved.

There has been a lot of sadness in the town of Angelbarrow in the last three days. Especially those who have lost their family or friends and possessions. Yet they try to step up and move on, hoping for a better future in the absence of war. It comes about for one reason or another, but the main reason that many people have is that they no longer want war to happen because of the impact they experience from taking away all the happiness and taking away everything they have.

During that time Vincent has not been conscious in his coma, with Lisa refusing to leave Vincent alone and waiting for him to wake up right next to the bed that Sofia has provided for Vincent. It was given on the grounds that Vincent was the hero in this tragedy, thanks to which the enemy forces could be repulsed even though he was seriously injured by doing so, especially by defeating the War Troll claimed by Lisa and Gill from the familiar battle trail of Vincent's way of fighting.