EX-SOLDIER: In Another World
Peaceful City before the Storm - Part 1
"So this is Angelbarrow Fort Town."
Vincent said as he looked at the city he was now visiting. Architecture of medieval European style buildings. Unlike the gothic style architecture that has an arch on the roof, this building has a more rounded arch. The architecture is magnificent but lacks many statues or pointed roofs if it becomes gothic architecture.
But Vincent's attention was divided over this new scene another thing. Like something's wrong.
"By the way Leader? Why don't I see a lot of young people here? You know, other than the guards getting ready."
Ask Vincent out of curiosity. He thought there was less male population here? but the fact is he doesn't know anything.
"Ah that? The fact that you are a stranger here is natural that you do not know. The kingdom is at war, and able-bodied young men are sent to the battlefield as an additional force."
Pete said casually, as if something like this was common.
"but why weren't you sent?"
"We are adventurers, government business is none of our business. It would be in violation of the rules because the Adventurers Guild acted independently. We are the protectors of human beings, and if we fight against other human beings we violate our code of conduct as the protectors of humanity. So the Adventurers Guild would not interfere in any matters of war."
Vincent nodded with Pete's explanation, it was understandable. But what if circumstances force them? Vincent didn't want that to happen.
So far, the city of Angelbarrow looks peaceful. If this peace is taken by war, much suffering will come. Just like the wars he had been in all this time. As his mentor once said: There is no victory in war, there is only suffering and casualties. It's not about winning or losing, it's about survival and retelling it as a reminder that it doesn't happen again.'
Vincent shook his head, that was the last thing he wanted. One hope, may the war they do not drag innocent people.
"Vincent?"
"Ah... Yea? I'm sorry I seem to be daydreaming a little there."
"It's okay, so Gill and I planned to the Adventurers Guild first to report the Quest and sell our loot. You and Lisa went to the inn first. And Lisa, rent a room for Vincent. I'm sure we have a lot of coins here for everyone."
Pete and Gill leave after stating their intentions. Vincent ends up with Lisa to go to the inn, something he needs since coming to this world, a nice break.
On his small trip to the inn, Vincent sees things. Everyone with their respective activities, there were loud jokes and laughter from one building that he believed to be a bar, happy children running around while playing without a care, no matter what, the merchants who attracted the interest of their customers with passionate cries. It was a normal, peaceful situation. They don't seem to care that there's a war going on but it's a good thing. 'Let the warriors fight on the front lines to protect what is precious to them and don't let the person they are protecting know their suffering.' His mentor's words recalled back when he saw this scene.
Deciding to shift his thoughts, Vincent turned to Lisa who was beside him.
"So... Lisa, how long have you been an adventure?"
"ah! Um... About a year more."
"And how old are you now?"
"Isn't it rude to ask a woman's age?"
That's the answer Vincent didn't expect. Although Lisa did not look upset, her eyes had a mischievous glint.
"Not expecting such an answer."
Vincent says expressing his honest thoughts, Lisa on the other hand smiles at it realizing Vincent will not be continuing questions about his age.
"By the way Vincent, what did you do before you became... A traveler?"
"I'm just an ex-soldier."
"really?"
Curious gnawed at Lisa's curiosity there.
"From which kingdom?"
From that question, Vincent did not answer directly. There was a sad glint in his sky-blue eyes, as if scraping back a long-dry wound.
"There is no... There is no kingdom or country anymore for where I come from, just ... There's no more."
Vincent replied, the thought goes back to when he first arrived in this world. It was ridiculous and stupid according to his own thoughts that made absolutely no sense. The thought of going back was always stuck in his head, yet 4 days of time had passed and one would die without eating and drinking for that long. Perhaps the body in his home world had died and consciousness was lodged in his avatar's body like this moment. Who knows? Because that's what Vincent wanted to know.
Knowing she had touched something very sensitive, Lisa bit her lower lip. He knows what it's like to lose someone, but a country and his own hometown? He could not imagine how his pain must have been so painful and he had scratched it out of curiosity.
"sorry.."
Lisa said in a low voice, she regretted asking Vincent that.
"It's okay, there's no need to apologize."
"but!-"
"No, never mind... It's just the past."
Vincent said as he calmed himself down and hoped the answer would calm Lisa as well. It was not honorable to make a woman cry, were the words she held from her long-dead mother.
"By the way Lisa?"
"Hmm?"
"Can you borrow me a coin?"
"Because"
Grrrrrr!
The beast in Vincent's stomach answers Lisa's unfinished question.
"You knew? I'm a little hungry here."
Vincent said timidly. I don't want Lisa to laugh at that.
"It looks like a big baby needs nutrients to keep its strength."
"And a good babysitter mom would give this big baby some food, wouldn't she?"
"Of course, anything to keep my big baby healthy."
"May I ask for meat?"
"If the money in my pocket is enough for that big baby, I'm just as hungry as you are anyway."
From there they chatted lightly and occasionally flirted with each other, forgetting the gloomy conversation they had had.
Little by little Vincent getting to know Lisa is fun, especially she's not the kind of shy woman that's hard to understand. Lisa is a pretty girl who is a little naughty, sometimes the jokes she puts out are a bit aggressive but Vincent likes that. After all, when he was still serving, dirty words never came off when he was with his colleagues.