EX-SOLDIER: In Another World
Peaceful City before Storm - Part 5

If someone asks Sofia about: Has she ever seen hell? The answer is yes, because Sofia herself is staring at hell right now.

The city of Angelbarrow, which is proud of being the impenetrable Fort City, is now in flames. Not because of a regular fire, but something intentional to wreak havoc within the city. The proof, some guards were found dead with the door used by the guards to enter the fort had been broken into. Things Sofia never thought of because this incident had never happened before. Sofia was too proud and believed in the impenetrable reputation of Fort City and she made a mistake about this.

The panic has spread to all the residents of the city with many buildings that have been burned. The knights and townspeople tried to put out the fire but it proved futile because of the rapid spread of the fire with many burning points. Screams and screams of despair were heard in every corner of the city, crying mothers, frustrated traders and knights too busy to calm the times and solve problems at the same time.

In short, this is hell.

"Evacation of the citizens! Put out the fire and save the people who can be saved!"

Sofia shouted orders at her subordinates amid the chaos. Things become ineffective with panicked civilians hindering the efforts of his subordinates.

...TING!! VAT!! TING!! VAT!! TING!! KEGS!!...

"ENEMY ATTACK!!"

Things got worse when he heard a warning bell with a report from one of his subordinates that they saw a platoon of enemy soldiers approaching the city with the guards and part of his Order was fighting fight the black-robed intruders to defend the gate.

'How did this happen? Has the Kingdom been defeated or ... ' Sofia paused for a moment in her mind, she disliked this idea that, 'Someone has betrayed the kingdom by smuggling in enemy soldiers.'

Sofia shook her head with a last thought, yet she did not like the first thought. However the Kingdom had more than 100,000 soldiers, it was impossible for the Kingdom to be defeated so easily especially with a very short time lag after he had made a retreat.

"Damn!"

Sofia murmured, she was upset and frustrated by this state of affairs. Wondering what the possibility is that led to this incident, yet this is not the time to think, he should save the city, should.

With unanimous determination, Sofia began to re-coordinate the knights and guards of the city to evacuate the citizens while some soldiers were assigned to defend the fortress so as not to fall into the hands of the enemy. With eyes that reflected anger, Sofia was determined for her honor and pride as a noble to defend this city from any danger.

...…...

"Hm?"

Vincent lifted his head when he heard the commotion outside the prison, like something was wrong. He concentrated on hearing what happened in the commotion he heard until he caught the word: 'Fire and Attacker'.

'Could this city have been attacked by the enemy?'

Vincent thought as he decided to hear more to convince his mind. This was not what Vincent had expected, yet he could not miss this opportunity to break free while the soldiers and knights were busy with their enemies.

On the other hand, Lisa was asleep in a sitting position in Vincent's arms. Vincent's long coat had become a makeshift blanket to add to his comfort, his face as peaceful as if he was an innocent child. She looked extremely beautiful at a time like this, just pure innocence without a mischievous glint in her eyes like when she looked at Vincent.

"Lisa..."

Vincent said in a soft tone, a slight wobble on Lisa's shoulder to wake her up. Actually Vincent wanted to admire even longer for Lisa's sleeping face, but there's more to it than that now.

After several attempts, Lisa finally woke up. Her face still looked sleepy, then by rubbing her eyes to relieve the drowsiness, Lisa woke up and looked at Vincent.

"Vinnie?"

"Yes, I'm here. Now get up, we're gonna get out of here."

"out?"

"Yes, rather escape from prison."

With that Vincent stood up, opening up his inventory by saying "Interface" and floating screen in front of him, then choosing the most suitable weapon for the situation.

'Shotgun will be a suitable weapon to break down the door, let alone with a primitive padlock like this will not be a problem.'

Vincent took out the Banelli M4 Super 90 shotgun, with an ammo of seven plus one. Then Vincent returned to the screen in front of him.

'I need a weapon that penetrates the armor of the knight, the shotgun won't count with many knights, either, it would be troublesome if I had to recharge every 8 shots against the many warriors there were.'

"Retreat."

Vincent said to Lisa as he aimed at the padlock with the shotgun he had taken out. It took two shots to release the scrap metal, and eventually they were both free.

As they came out, many prisoners were screaming at him which Vincent simply ignored. He doesn't care about the prisoners, they're here because of their mistakes and it's none of his business. More importantly, he has to get out of here.

His escape went smoothly with the rarity of the guards in the building where Vincent was held. That was probably because most of them were too busy to defend the city or try to put out the fire.

They continued forward until they were at the exit. But instead of continuing their escape, Vincent pecked at his place as he looked at the state of the city.

The scene can only be called a nightmare for Vincent. A sea of flames that burned through most of the buildings, desperate cries echoed throughout the city with countless corpses lying on the streets, whether they were killed or victims of the fires.

His mind sank as he watched a mother who protected her child in an embrace, protecting future generations from a savage knight who threatened them with the sword. What Vincent saw flipped the switch in his brain, all the calm he had was simply lost and replaced by an unstoppable rage.

The one thing he had always held with the rest of the world before to never involve civilians in a war, was, there is no point in killing blindly especially those who cannot fight. It was his honor as a soldier, to protect the country and the people in it, to protect the weak and defend justice.

But what he saw was not a soldier, it was just a savage who thirsted for power. Vincent cannot forgive this.

With that decision, Vincent ran towards the knight with a battle cry.

"DICKHEAD!!"

In less than ten seconds, Vincent managed to get close to the knight. The knight who had been ready to swing his sword to end his mother's life, was interrupted by Vincent's shout and turned only to get a blow on his helmeted head with a shotgun butt, which was a big shotgun, the knight staggered back before Vincent fired three hateful shots at the knight, killing him instantly with a body full of holes like Swiss cheese.

"VINCENT!"

The former noble princess who became an adventurer shouted when she saw Vincent running away and killing the enemy knights. It worries him to say the least, but Vincent ignores Lisa's screams and begins to help the terrified mother.

"Are you all right?"

Asked Vincent gently, he offered his hand to help the mother stand up. Though the mother trembled, she forced herself to stand up and thank Vincent.

"Lisa! Take them to a safe place."

Vincent said, his tone of voice did not give any argument as he looked at the area around him.

"But!"

"Go! I'll deal with these savages. And for you, stay safe. I don't want you to see this horror or get killed, so I beg you, go and find shelter."

"But Vincent!"

"Go, I beg you."

Vincent said softly, it shook Lisa's heart. Although Lisa wanted to reject the idea, but after hearing Vincent's plea, Lisa finally relented.

"Okay, but before you go. Promise me you'll come back to me."

"I promise."

Vincent said with confidence in steel. Lisa approaches Vincent and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek, then prepares to seek refuge with the mother and son Vincent has saved.

"Remain safe Vinne."

"I'll."

With that, the former soldier plunged back into the war once again.