High School Soldier
133. Hope 2: the night of the meeting

Three days after the Gate closed, but there was no sign of enemy movement until 3 p.m. Sigiz and Sheyn haven't come back yet, no one knows where the two of them went, but everyone tries not to suspect them both. Too often among the Expeditionary Force soldiers, the commanders worked hard to eliminate the chaos among their subordinates.

Right now, 15:08 was the time the commanders gathered, from the commanders of the Combat Group to the commanders of the Cruiser Squad were gathered in this emergency meeting room. The one who ordered them to gather was General Sucipto himself.

Just moments ago an entire drone was flown to spy on places in the Empire suspected of being the main base for the Alliance Forces gathering. Until this afternoon, little information was obtained from the headquarters of the spy drones deployed.

It was impossible under the present conditions that the troops were ordered to move, unless Sucipto wanted the troops to deplete resources quickly and fall down after being exhausted, the entire army also knew that the move was too stupid.

The enemy must be proud to reduce the strength of the Expeditionary Force, and managed to close the Gate that the Expeditionary Force had managed to control for several months. Directly, their move would cut off supplies, both logistics, ammunition, and troop assistance for the Expeditionary Force. It was likely bad if this move continued, and there was no other way to open this perfect Gate again.

One of the information obtained from the headquarters of the spy drone was that thousands of magicians appeared to be gathering in one of the Empire's territories near the capital. The Expeditionary Force has learned about distinguishing witches from ordinary people from refugees and the attributes that magic knights of the Kingdom of Arevelk wear when visiting the country.

According to Zariv, to close the Gate requires a huge amount of energy, even the energy the heroes have is quite limited if it is only used to close the Gate. So, the girl argued that the witches channeled their magic energy to the hero who was tasked with messing up the binding magic that made the perfect Gate stand.

In this case, the weakest magic was a concern, and it was likely that magic would dominate the warfare in the future. Magic is the main source of destruction of the Expeditionary Forces which is the result of the hard work of the minds of the military leaders of the Alliance Forces.

The commanders' meeting has yet to begin, and attendees are still watching four 60-inch TV screens playing on-time footage of the spy drones.

Then, Sucipto ordered his subordinates to turn off the TV so that the electricity supply stored with the battery media remains safe. Because the power supply is stored using batteries, inevitably the troops have to save electricity and sleep with moonlight and stars. Because of this, the railgun on the MBT was temporarily unusable due to the limited power supply. Unless the security situation is urgent, troops are forced to power dozens of defensive turrets protecting the fort.

(note: MBT/Main Battle Tank: Main Battle Tank)

“As the gentlemen see, the enemy is starting to move with large numbers. Looks like the enemy is starting to take advantage of the unfortunate situation of us due to the closure of Gate.”

In the history of this world, an army of 300,000 was the largest number ever deployed, it would certainly be difficult to mobilize such a large army. If that figure was still inferior to the Expeditionary Force which had a remaining 14,809 men, then it would be the history of the most humiliating defeat of war in both worlds.

Then, the entire commander was allowed to express his opinion. And the first to raise his hand was the commander of Company 01 who was the rank of Infantry Captain.

“Ijin asks. Will such a big army come face to face with us?”

Sucipto held his chin which was overgrown with a whitish beard due to the age factor, and then turned his gaze to the entire commander who was also wondering about it. At the moment, there is no answer to that question.

Nio simply drew something on the blank paper given to the entire commander to write their opinion. In addition to writing about the approximate number of enemy troops, Nio also drew something similar to a fortress with several arrows surrounding it. The commander beside him was just wondering about what Nio was doing, some even assumed that Nio was just bored with this boring meeting.

“Ijin speak. Can I answer your question?” who asked was Nio and directly approved of Sucipto, there was no harm in listening to some opinions for now.

“For now, let us thank God. Because an enemy with an estimated number of 300,000 with additional heroes does not attack us today. We don't know the true power of these heroes, but the Gate's disappearance may have been due to them. And as for the enemy forces, maybe they will utilize their large army to surround us from several directions. Perhaps they will utilize the waterway as well, but the Expeditionary Force Sea Unit has not reported their battle, General Sucipto?”

“Hmmm, actually our Marine Unit has not reported doing battle.”

“Thank you for the answer, General. I suggest they also prepare to do battle even if there are no signs yet, even with limited supplies because we have not found a way out of this problem, let's hope everyone struggles to keep the people of Indonesia.”

This situation was indeed dire, and it was inconceivable that the Expeditionary Force had not found a way out until the day the battle arrived. This kind of strenuous test was indeed common on the battlefield, and finding a way out required everyone to squeeze their minds.

Fortunately, the Expeditionary Force still has 15 helicopters remaining. The entire warplane could not operate until the damaged runway was repaired. Due to limited resources, for now runway repairs have not been implemented before an exit about returning to Indonesia exists.

For the matter of guerrilla fighting, the troops are highly trained about it. Coincidentally the troops also have many soldiers who are members of special forces units and TNI elites.

Initially the food supply almost made everyone desperate, but since remembering if the troops raise hundreds of chickens and goats, and establish a plantation makes the hearts of all people relieved. There was indeed an expression of the strongest warrior not being able to fight on an empty stomach.

“If we can defeat some enemy troops, and make them retreat, we might be able to get some time to breathe and find a way to return to Indonesia.” Nio muttered that, and left the entire commander in awe of his thoughts.

“Of course! For the sake of finding a way to return, we must exert all we can!”

Each soldier has an arsenal of weapons such as: 1 assault rifle, 1 pistol, 2 fighting knives, 1 sword, 2 additional combat knives of special type of carambit for commanders, 6 magazine rations for assault rifles, and 2 additional combat knives, 3 Stationary rations for pistol, 3 grenades. But, there are still hundreds of stockpiles of weapons in the arsenal, and that's good news.

Meanwhile, for the weaponry possessed by the Expeditionary Force is:

[Arms of Land]:

13 MBT regular cannon 110 mm

11 MBT railgun gun (not operated before getting additional power supply)

18 Tank medium 108mm

40 Armored personnel carrier vehicles

20 Armoured multi-purpose transport trucks

20 All-purpose fire support vehicles (can support fire and transport personnel)

126 Tactical vehicles equipped with 12.7mm heavy machine guns (the army had 135 tactical vehicles initially, but some were destroyed during the battle against the wind dragon king)

15 Self-propelled field artillery.

20 Anti-personnel artillery, 12anti-aircraft, 12 anti-tank

5 Rocket launch vehicles

13 Armoured vehicles equipped with 120mm mortars

50 60mm mortar (there are still hundreds of units inside the warehouse)

33 81mm mortar

5 Cannon crane 155mm self-propelled howitzer

Thousands of light and heavy machine guns

Thousands of grenade launchers

Hundreds of rocket launchers are disposable

Hundreds of fire weapons

Tens of thousands of grenades

[Air weaponry]

5 Large transport helicopters

3 Missile and rocket transport helicopters

2 multi-purpose helicopters

5 attack helicopters

The remaining fighter jets are 6 units

Strategic bombers have the latest number of 3 units

Dozens of drones spied and attacked

4 All-purpose transport aircraft

[Air/sea weaponry. It has its headquarters in one of the ports of the Kingdom of Arevelk and the State of Yekirnovo]

1 Nuclear-powered destroyer class warship (nuclear-fueled, and can last 10 years sailing without refueling. It also carries 1 intercontinental ballistic missile)

2 Large torpedo submarines (Indonesia currently has 120 submarines of various classes)

2 KCR class warships

1 transport ship

2 Platfromdock landing class warships and multipurpose carriers (can carry 3 attack helicopters and 5 amphibious tanks)

4 Coastal defense ships

12 tankboats

Thus it was sufficient strength as long as the exit for the Gate matter had yet to be discovered. The entire vehicle is in full fuel condition, so the fuel problem is no longer too dizzying. Except for the railgun MBT that requires electrical power that is forced to be diverted to dozens of defense turrets.

Because ammunition and fuel were limited, troops had to fight while frugally. It also hindered movement, and did not benefit the troops.

**

It was the night after a grueling gathering of commanders. In the soldier barracks that were only illuminated with torches, Nio stared at the entire sleeping occupants in various positions. The atmosphere tonight was no different from before, where warriors could always sleep soundly even though the reality was not.

Nio immediately grabbed the field uniform and put on his equipment, he was preparing to do guard duty in the refugee settlement.

Coming out of the barracks, Nio saw two shining moons accompanied by trillions of otherworldly stars.

He walked to a refugee settlement that was also living his night life. Although for some people still seen gathering in some places, of course to help the soldiers their safety.

As the power supply in the fort was also cut off, automatic lighting in the refugee settlement was also cut off. The streets are lit only with hundreds of torches and a huge bonfire. However, before the arrival of the Expeditionary Force here, that was the mainstay light source before the arrival of neon lights here.

“Nio, why are you walking alone?” Nio heard a voice from behind him, and it turned out that the owner of the voice was Zariv.

“Is this your schedule for patrol?” Zariv is not alone, who asks that question is Lux who has not returned to the Kingdom of Arevelk since the departure of Sigiz.

“Yes. But why are you guys outside too?”

Nio would not worry that there would be men assorting towards the two of them, given their strength which was equivalent to that of a special forces warrior, especially Zariv who had magic. As for Lux, it has a power that Nio himself once pitted against with his own power.

“Of course to accompany you. You must be lonely, right?” zariv's confident answer is his own attraction, Nio is also interested in the girl, but he still has a lover who he thinks is very worried about the phenomenon closed Gate.

Nio let the two otherworldly girls step with him in this refugee settlement. After all, he could also utilize their assistance in case things happened that required surviving or protecting refugees.

Nio watched his surroundings with watchful eyes and with the help of a flashlight, while Lux and Zariv who were used to this kind of dark atmosphere remained ordinary while following the steps where Nio was walking.

Sometimes, Lux and Zariv talked to each other about the topic that Nio also wanted to hear, because he heard the two of them talking about it. After all, Lux and Zariv were women even though they were soldiers as well, so chatter about the superiority of the man they liked was natural. Nio was the subject of their conversation this time, and as much as possible spoke so that Nio could not hear it.

“We haven't seen you for quite a while, Nio..”.

Amidst the darkness of the road and the cool night wind, Nio heard a sound from behind an electric pole made of wood from a tree. His voice was familiar to Nio, but foreign to Lux and Zariv.

“Nio, who!?” Zariv asked in an anxious tone and prepared the dagger he had already coated with sharpening magic.

Nio prepared his assault rifle into full automatic mode as the man he was addressing slowly appeared. Just be on the lookout that Nio could do now, and prepare for an unwanted fight. There is doubt and disbelief in the costume worn by the man who will soon show his face.

There were no radio channels when the power went out, and if Nio rang the whistle to call on the comrades patrolling nearby, it would only make noise and disturb the citizens who were resting.

Then, when the man showed his face clearly, Nio looked at him like the gaze of a mortal enemy even though they were ‘before’ friendly.

“Rio... Why are you here? Are you a member of the Expeditionary Force as well? But why have I never seen you?”

“I am one of the heroes called to fight you guys. sorry.” Rio's answer was accompanied by a guilty tone and he lowered his face from Nio.

Lux instantly pulled the sword from its sheath that was on her left waist, and ran before jumping to try slashing Rio's neck. While Zariv, he was heard chanting a rather long spell, and a magic circle appeared in front of him with an intricate motive. After hearing Rio's speech that instantly declared himself a hero, making Lux and Zariv prepare to fight like this.

Lux leaped up and was about to do a quick slash that aimed at Rio's neck, Lux's shiny sword created a flash of light as it slashed swiftly towards Rio's neck. Meanwhile, Zariv directed both of his hands forward, and dozens of arrows-like flashes of light shot rapidly towards Rio as well. There's only Rio here, and there's no sign of any other hero here.

Lux's eyebrows decreased rapidly as her lightning slash did not hit Rio's neck, it could even be avoided easily by him with just a slight jump back. And the magic attack that Zariv unleashed was repelled with a shield magic that protected Rio's body, yet came out of nowhere.

“Dia... really a hero?” Lux muttered like that, and instantly made Rio stare intently at her.

Lux leapt far back and stood beside Nio, the young man activated his assault rifle in full automatic mode after setting up the magazine.

Zariv looks exhausted after issuing a magic attack that does not hit the target, Lux tells him to retreat if he really feels exhausted. However Zariv refused and still absorbed the magic energy in this Holy Land to make the next attack.

Nio looked around while tightly grasping his assault rifle grip gun, he did not see any help at all approaching.

“You must be thinking why the help you expect does not exist?” rio's remark made cold sweat flow from Nio's forehead.

**

In a separate place with Rio and Nio who had already met, Indah was still faced with 4 Expeditionary Force soldiers who were about to catch up with Nio who asked for their help. However, he blocked their movement, and made a move about to make an attack.

“If you are not an enemy, please tell me your identity!”

Beautiful face could still look calm even though the four soldiers pointed their rifle muzzles at him. Although the girl has the physicality of an Indonesian, she wears the attributes that indicate if she is defending the Alliance Forces. That is enough to indicate if Beautiful is an enemy that deserves to be fought.

“I'm a Hero of Sadness. Sorry if I have to fight you.”

After saying the sentence, Indah raised the bow quickly and released a few arrows quickly as well. The swift movements of the Indah could not be anticipated by the four warriors, and the darts that shot out rapidly instantly pierced through their bodies protected by bulletproof vests capable of withstanding the rate of bullets and arrows, as well as field uniforms that can withstand sharp weapons attacks.

Some arrows that did not hit the four soldiers continued to accelerate, to hit some refugees who patrolled, of course they died on the spot after being hit by the attack.

Without returning a single shot, the four Expeditionary Force soldiers fell to the ground after being hit by a beautiful attack. Their eyes were still open which indicated that the attack was indeed very fast killing them. Blood kept coming out from the spot that was hit by the arrow, and caused them to bleed to death slowly.

Beautiful's task to kill help for Nio was done, she then walked towards Rio meeting Nio. After killing the Expeditionary Force soldiers, Indah did not feel anything at all. All he felt was like stepping on an ant, then walking through them just like that.

However, Beautiful still showed a guilty face even though her heart felt something else. He could still feel afraid to meet Nio with his circumstances like this. He could even imagine the first reaction and words Nio would give when he appeared.

It was beautiful to hear Rio who was still talking to Nio with a loud tone that was feared inviting warriors to approach.

Beautifully walked slowly to get out of the darkness in order to appear before Nio. Slowly, the form of Beautiful that ‘baru’ is clearly visible to the eyes of Nio who is not wearing a night vision device and only rely on his left eye to see.

“You're kidding? Beautiful, why are you here too?” the reaction Nio gave was indeed a little deviated from what Indah had thought before, but it was enough to tell him if Nio was also confused by this situation.

“Sorry, my situation is now the same as Rio..”.

“Hero? You also become a hero!?”

The tip of Nio's finger holding the trigger relaxed, and his left hand was sweating excessively. Lux realizes it, and Zariv continues to be on standby with his attack magic behind them both.

Lux still had questions in her heart about the woman and the man in front of her who seemed to know Nio very well. So does Nio who feels very close to the two of them.

“What's up? Who are they, Nio?”

Nio gulped, and thought what kind of answer he would give to the question Lux had thrown at him.

“Friends of Struggle.. and... my lover..”.

Lux and Zariv's eyes rounded after hearing Nio's reply, and simultaneously said, “Since when have you had a lover!?”

Nio's breathing sounded heavy, but the situation he was in was much more stifling. Especially with the presence of Indah who was in the same position as Rio.

Meanwhile, the feeling of Beautiful became indignified after seeing Nio's right eye being covered with blinders, which signified that Nio was looking with only one eye now. He was still putting together the right words to say regarding Nio's current condition.

“Nio, for a soldier you've been hurt too much. Why do you fight to the point of losing something like that eye?”

Nio did not think that Indah could say that, and he felt that Indah had been brainwashed when she would be made a hero by the enemy.

“It looks like you two have been brainwashed by the enemy.”

“No... not this is purely our action, no one controls it.”

The reaction Nio showed was clear, he was even more confident that the two closest people were siding with the enemy.

“So, what is your goal to side with the enemy Indonesia?”

“Of course to fight you guys. That means including you, Nio. I did this so that the war quickly ended and went home,” Rio replied with a defiant smile, and made Indah only able to keep quiet.

“This is the only way left to get home.” Keep Rio again.

Although it was sad, Nio did not answer all the honest statements Rio said. In addition to the tiredness that he still felt, Nio also felt very sad with the fighting path that Rio took.

“Then, after completing your task as a hero, you guys will do what?”

Rio and Beautiful could not answer him at all.

“If you say you will fight with the TNI, then I am forced to fight with you! If you are truly siding with the Alliance Forces who are our enemies, that means you are no different than traitors! Our job is to protect Indonesia from here, even if the Gate no longer exists!”

“Then, can you free me and Lovely from this stupid responsibility? The heroes have a little bit of the power of this world god! Even if all the Indonesian troops are facing off against the heroes, it is not necessarily able to defeat us!”

“I won't know until I see the reality right?”

Nio's body became hot after saying that, and tried to catch his breath as quietly as possible after having a small debate with Rio. She saw Beautiful standing around, and looked at herself with a guilty look.

Nio positioned his body in a shooting position while standing up, and prepared to fight if that happened. Nio also asks Zariv for help who can do magic to protect himself if the fight happens at any time. Meanwhile, Nio asks Lux to seek help, and will try to restrain the two of them if it tries to dissuade Lux from seeking help.

Rio was aware of Nio's plan, but even though the entire Expeditionary Force soldiers were moving, it was not necessarily giving their victory over the heroes.

Rio turned his back and said, “We have no fighting intentions. Our job is just to close the Gate, and do a little damage here.”

“Thank you for giving us a chance. And, another one. Beautiful, I don't know whether to continue this relationship or not, all the decisions are in your hands. Sooner or later, we will face off against the heroes and other enemies of Indonesia.”

Beautiful lips quivered, but she was unable to say anything even breathing it felt tight after hearing Nio's words as if she had given up on their relationship.

In one blink of an eye, Rio and Indah vanished from sight and left only the night chill. Even Nio's metal hand could feel the coldness tonight, although it should not be able to feel anything, even pain.

Lux and Zariv walked slowly with a frightened heart after the two heroes vanished before the eyes. According to them, Nio has an incredible calm when dealing with heroes who have enormous power, even if it is only facing to talk.

“Nio, how are you feeling?”

“Very messed up. But, let's hope good hope sided with us.”

Lux and Zariv smiled at the same time and said, “Just relax, we both remain on your side and continue to fight with you, Nio.”.