High School Soldier
134. Hope 3: unexpected help
Two days after the closing of the perfect Gate in Karanganyar City…
State Palace, by day…
Three men walked down the corridor of the State Palace, one of them was from the Arevelk Kingdom. Together with the TNI Commander, Suroso walked with the commander of the Kingdom of Arevelk with a dignified gait, although he was shorter than the two military leaders. The entire palace staff looked at the admiration of the three important people.
On this day, the entire surroundings of the palace were filled with chatter concerning the Gate being closed abruptly. Panic? Of course, all Indonesians are uncomfortable with this news. Even Suroso every 1 hour receives a call from the leader of a neighboring country and friends.
Unlike the Expeditionary Force headquarters which suffered minor damage due to the closure of ‘paksa’ Gate, in Karanganyar and nearby areas there was only a 2.0 magnitude earthquake during the event.
Every once in a while, even once a week military representatives of the Kingdom of Arevelk visit Indonesia with media imperfect gates opened by the elite magicians of the Kingdom. Even Suroso occasionally met with the military higher-ups of the Kingdom to share one or two excited discussions.
However, on this day there will be very serious talks between the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of Arevelk, of course regarding the Gate. If it is estimated that there are as many as 50 elite soldiers of the Kingdom who stand guard with the guard soldiers of the palace. That way we can be sure the conversation is very important and can not be disturbed.
Suroso and General Nugroho Tri Rahman entered the meeting room with Arevelk Kingdom Commander, Zvail. Queen Sigiz has been waiting here since her arrival with her troops. The four most important people in each country showed gloom on their faces.
And there's only one reason for their gloom.
“Indonesian Forces conditions in the Holy Land are quite chaotic. Last I saw if the soldiers were suspicious of each other after the poisoning. Then, the Alliance Army managed to gather so many warriors,” Sigiz spoke in a voice that was thick with emotion and anxiety.
Closing his eyes tightly, Commander Nugroho sighed then said, “Well, we also did not expect that the enemy would reduce our troops in the battle in Aibu City. The enemy must have racked their brains so excessively. We hope trouble Gate quickly find its way out.”
Signs of the next battle are already visible, but if the Gate problem has no way out it requires the Expeditionary Force soldiers to fight desperately with makeshift supplies.
Both Indonesia and the Kingdom of Arevelk are equally threatened by the existence of the Alliance Forces and the summoned heroes. There was no guarantee the remaining Expeditionary Forces could win the next war with the number of soldiers adrift very far.
“14.809 against 300.000, yes... we have hope on our best soldiers there..”.
This was an extremely rare sight, where Suroso exhaled after speaking limply like that. He spoke as if reopening the Gate in Karanganyar City was impossible.
“What's with your cheery expression, Mr President? Closed gate does not mean there is no way out.”
Suroso and Nugroho limply raised their heads, and looked at the two people from the other world smiling towards them.
Suroso's palm was sweating, and his shoulder was trembling after thinking about the fate of the warriors in the other world. The anxiety of Suroso and his captain was stopped after Zvail patted Suroso on the shoulder.
The gazes that Zvail and Sigiz gave were extremely solemn, and their sincere smiles seemed to indicate there was hope for the Expeditionary Force.
“Your Majesty the President, Indonesia is a friend of Kingdom of Arevelk. We have many supporters, especially our elite magicians who are willing to help your country.”
Sigiz then connect, “True, no time for confusion. Tomorrow, the Kingdom's elite magicians will arrive in Indonesia and will open the imperfect Gate for the relief force exit.”
“Thank you for the help, without thinking I will accept this help on behalf of the people of Indonesia. Some of the soldiers there must have families waiting. But... provide very large assistance, meaning it will require a large payment is not it?”
Sigiz and Zvail looked at each other and smiled, it made Suroso and Nugroho confused and wondered in silence.
The two stared at Sigiz who had perfect beauty, and in their hearts imagined the payment the Arevelk Kingdom had asked for this favor.
“After the battle, let's discuss the payment for the help of Kingdom Arevelk.”
“Come, Queen. At least tell me a little hint regarding the payment you requested.”
“If we win the next war, I will tell you the payment we want.”
“Kita? Does that mean the Kingdom of Arevelk will send troops as well!?” nugroho's eyes widened when he said that, like a child who promised snacks if he complied.
In his heart, Nugroho had imagined a one-sided battle in terms of the number of soldiers.
“Of course, if we do not send help we also can not ask for payment for the help we will provide later.”
The unimaginable hope, the whole statement that Sigiz made was for the sake of good relations between Indonesia and its Kingdom. If it does not establish good relations with Indonesia, the Kingdom of Arevelk will have difficulties as well.
“Are you guys going to open the Gate imperfectly like when shipping our warships to another world?”
“It turns out you're a very smart leader yes, Mr. Suroso.”
Given that the assistance provided by the Kingdom of Arevelk was already very large, the government was confused to provide a fair payment.
After the perfect Gate that stood in Karanganyar City closed, the entire world was engulfed in anxiety. Because it could be that the Gate appeared in one of the places in this world, and caused the same problem when the Gate appeared in Karanganyar.
The previous war was not caused by the Gate opening perfectly, but by using an imperfect Gate type that only required magic energy of the witches.
To send aid troops to another world, the Commander plans to send the Karanganyar Garrison troops, all for the sake of ease of access and speed up delivery. However, the number of 3 aid companies will not be enough to fight 300,000 enemy troops.
Preparing for the departure of troops from the nearest garrison also takes time, the closest are the 4-company reinforced Semarang Garrison troops, and the air-powered Magetan Garrison. At the earliest, the troops and witches' assistance were done with the preparations tomorrow, and ready to be dispatched the day after tomorrow.
At this moment, Suroso's chest trembled as he saw the unexpected help that was the source of hope sought after since the Gate's disappearance. Expeditionary forces in another world still confused must also need help, and the answer to the prayers of the faithful soldiers will come soon, and immediately join them to defend the country from all enemies, that includes the heroes.
Perhaps this is a signal for the government to pay more attention to its soldiers, moreover, the troops sent to other worlds needed more attention because no one knew the powerful enemies of other worlds other than the existence of the dragon king and the heroes.
**
H-1 battle...
For a moment, the commanders mind came to a halt. The second meeting that discussed strategies to deal with the enemy was already draining the commanders.
Risking everything in one decisive battle is nothing more than a stupid idea. Some commanders accidentally tried to argue earlier, but General Sucipto controlled them with one hand.
“There is a chance to win. No, we have to do everything to win.”
All of the soldiers here did not know when they were coming home, or not at all. There were many people waiting for the soldiers in the homeland, their families kept waiting for news from the soldiers since the disappearance of the Gate. There were many people pleading for safety for the soldiers.
Sucipto looked around, but there were only his subordinates who were still confused.
Then, there were two girls wearing knight clothes, but the other one was open enough to reveal half of her thigh. Nio stood up then introduced them to the entire commander here. Herlina saw that Nio knew the two girls well enough, indeed they both had enough beauty despite being both soldiers. But still, he was still envious of Nio who turned out to know quite a lot of otherworldly girls.
“They are knights of the Kingdom of Arevelk, General Lux and Queen Sigiz's personal bodyguard, Zariv. Well, Zariv says if he has a little knowledge of the Gate, both the Gate is perfect and imperfect.”
The commanders were surprised. On the other hand Zariv calmed down and began to explain.
The commanders who were originally a little suspicious of him, gradually calmed down as the explanation continued.
“The perfect gate is the highest level of any type of Gate. Although opening the Gate perfectly required a large number of human casualties and a large amount of magic energy as well, this magic item was still a phenomenon that was the will of the God of Hope. The gate must also have binding magic to keep it standing, and the Alliance Forces have already unleashed such binding magic that keeps the Gate closed or disappears.”
“Then, does that mean the Gate is still there? Or is there still another chance to open?”
“As far as I know, the Gate can only be closed when the binding magic is released. When there is a witch who has a very large energy to restore the binding magic, there is still hope to open the Gate again.”
“Wait, so there are magicians who are able to restore Gate binding magic?”
Zariv nodded, he did not hesitate to give all the knowledge he had about the Gate to this army. Because he knew that the Arevelk Kingdom and the Expeditionary Force's home country were in good contact.
He continued his words, “Minimal, we need a large group of elite magicians to combine their powers to the level of heroes to restore Gate.” binding magic
“But, our time is not much. according to the estimated battle happens tomorrow. If lucky, we can still survive the enemy invasion, and think of a plan to gather the witches.”
The expressions of all the commanders became murky, even Sucipto also showed a sour expression. He might be hesitant the troops could hold out on the battle tomorrow. But, only Zariv and Lux had different expressions, they appeared quite calm among the commanders who were worried about the battle tomorrow.
Looking at Nio's eyes which showed that the young man had willpower, Lux firmly said, “We will all unite!”
A moment later, the door opened tightly, the commanders had no chance to stop some of the people who had entered without permission into the meeting room.
The people who came were mercenaries belonging to high-ranking immigrant merchants and male refugees of various races, and other familiar faces.
“Everyone, why are you here!?” Nio who was known to many refugees asked with a very surprised face, exceeding his surprise when he met Rio and Indah last night.
The first to speak while Nio was confused was Lux, “We will fight too!”
Lux and Zariv join the ranks of the refugees and mercenaries.
One of the mercenaries came forward and said, “Indonesian forces have helped our master to trade here. So they ordered us to fight with you to guard this important trading region.”
“Holy Land is now our home. You have saved us from our oppressive Empire, we will protect you too even if we die.” one of the Demihuman youths spoke in a loud tone and was accompanied by cheers from other refugees.
The refugees and mercenaries made the meeting room atmosphere rowdy, then Sucipto violently kicked the table.
“Are you guys still sane! You are civilians!”
“Yesterday we are indeed civilians, but not for today and beyond.”
A Sucipto could not even refute those words, he then returned to his seat limply.
However, this is not without problems. The refugees had no weapons, and the weapon supplies of the mercenaries were definitely very limited. It is impossible to give assault rifles to refugees and mercenaries, because it will require long training.
Nio smirked as if realizing the biggest problem if the refugees and mercenaries wanted to help.
“There are many weapons when we defeat the enemy troops when we first exit the Gate!”
“That's it!”
The landfill after the war, which was located outside the fort. The garbage disposal contained unburnable trash, and there was a small hill formed from metal armor and weaponry left behind after the first battle when the Expeditionary Force came out of the Gate.
However, is it alright to receive unexpected help from the refugees and mercenaries belonging to the merchants?
**
Funfact#10: the name Suroso is an abbreviation, the original name is Surya Roso Asmoro. Although his name seems like Javanese, but he is of Maluku descent, precisely his father comes from the Maluku Islands.