High School Soldier
17. Dragon meat

24 January 2321, 10:42 WIB.

**

Outside the underground city two squads of troops lined up carrying their respective supplies. The squads were Squad 2 and Squad 6 who would be in charge of burying the dead dragon in a place quite far from the underground city. Of course Nio who is the Commander of Squad 2 is in this job.

Because it is impossible to bury the body of a dragon near the underground city area because it will endanger its inhabitants if one chooses a location to dig. In addition, it could be that the bodies of dragons that will rot underground will spread disease to the inhabitants of the underground city.

In addition to dragons, the bodies of some enemy soldiers must also be buried. But the problem is some residents who refuse if the land around them is used as a tomb for the enemy.

**

Nio held a shovel on his shoulder like a grave digger. It was indeed not wrong because Nio would dig graves for the dragons and enemy soldiers. He and the rest of the soldiers were wearing masks.

The reason all the warriors were going to bury these dragons was the unpleasant smell released from the flesh of the dragon that had just died yesterday.

The stench was even more stinging than anything in the world, at least according to Nio.

But before burying the bodies of dragons and enemy warriors, Nio and other warriors must raise ‘bongkahan’ dragon bodies onto the truck.

“Why is it so heavy?” muttered Nio who raised the sole of the dragon's foot alone.

The entire warrior who raised the dragon body part also felt the same way as Nio. Except when lifting the body of a dragon that is still intact must use a tool.

“If you continue to mutter your work is more heavy later,” said Jo who precedes Nio while carrying the dragon arm on his shoulder.

“Iya-iya,” replied Nio with a slanted smile.

There was one person who was just watching from the side of the dragon body-carrying truck, Herlina.

The goal here was not to watch over the warrior who raised the dragon's body, but wanted to meet Nio.

There is something important that Herlina wants to tell Nio.

**

The entire body of the dragon has been loaded on the truck, as well as the bodies of enemy soldiers transported by different trucks. But not immediately sent to a place to bury the predetermined. Though the stench has disturbed the comfort of the soldiers.

After inhaling the fresh air after a few minutes of having to inhale the stench, Nio met Herlina who was already waiting.

While shaking her waist and intimidating smile Herlina said to Nio, “After this you should meet me in my room.”

The words were enough to make Nio goosebump and smile obliquely.

“Good,” replied Nio limp.

Then he walked to the truck carrying soldiers and then to the place to bury the bodies of enemy soldiers and their dragons.

Herlina also immediately entered the underground city to prepare the ‘hal’ that Nio would receive after doing her duty.

**

Arunika had not slept since last night because she was worried about Nio who had not returned to his dorm since the battle was over. That was why Arunika's gaze looked so empty and made Lisa who accompanied her feel uneasy.

Because Nio chose to sleep around the training area and did not have time to shower. Another reason was because Nio felt that he would not be accepted by his brother if he had not taken a bath.

“Why hasn't Nio come home yet?” muttered Lisa because she was worried about Arunika's state.

“The battle is over, right?. So where's Nio?” asked Arunika flatly.

Lisa has used various ways so that Arunika does not worry too much about Nio.

But Lisa had to use other reasons including saying, “Ni-Nio may continue training, so do not have time to go home.”

“Didn't he have any fatigue!?” arunika replied increasingly upset.

But on the contrary, it turns out that Lisa is getting annoyed with Nio.

“Damn it, hurry home stupid!” lisa's mind with her fist held.

**

The place to bury the dragon and enemy soldiers is in Jumapolo Subdistrict, still including part of Karanganyar City.

This place was originally a public field that is often used as a place to play football and also the ceremonial place of all schools in this district.

To the west of the field there is a SMA that has been destroyed by the attack of other world troops. Apparently there are some soldiers who have attended high school.

They stared dejectedly at the towering rubble that was previously a high school building.

But on the east side of the field there is a village, but it is about 100 meters from the field. So it felt safe enough to bury the bodies of the soldiers and the dragons.

Some soldiers carefully lowered the bodies of the enemy and placed them in the place where the soldier's grave would be.

Some other warriors lowered the dragon's body by placing it in a cart that the surrounding residents lent to facilitate the work of the soldiers.

Some residents are seen choosing to watch rather than help because they are afraid of the appearance of a dragon that is like a Komodo dragon but more 'sangar'. In addition, the stench of dragon meat is very disturbing that makes the residents reluctant to help to bury the dragon's body.

Nio along with several other soldiers made a hole to bury the body of the largest dragon that was still on top of the transport truck.

With a hoe and a shovel they start to make holes. Making a hole to bury the dragon's body requires a lot of energy. Plus they do that while wearing masks that inhibit them from inhaling oxygen. The soldiers will get tired faster.

But it does not seem to be happening, precisely all the soldiers look happy. They were excited when two excavators arrived in the field. The heavy equipment is owned by BPBD which was previously used to clean up the debris of the school building in the west of this field.

Nio and the other soldiers came out of the newly dug hole 60 cm deep with a diameter of 6 meters.

“Hey look,” Jo said to Nio as she saw several dogs swarming the separate parts of the dragon's body including a dragon's head.

“Maybe the dogs will only eat dragon meat,”, Nio said as he occasionally opened his mask to breathe in the air that was a little polluted with a foul smell

“What dragon meat can indeed be eaten?” ask Jo.

“No idea,” answered Nio briefly.

It is true that some dogs that appear to bite the dragon meat are already unprotected with hard scales.

The dogs tore apart the dragon meat and ate it along with scrambling. Nio and the others just witnessed that.

A moment later, a few more wild dogs appeared who were also about to eat the dragon meat to be buried.

The dogs chose the dragon body parts that had not been touched by the dog that had arrived first.

For a while there was indeed nothing strange, there were only dozens of stray dogs eating the flesh of a dragon regardless of its foul smell.

But a few minutes later there was a strange thing about the dogs.

“Hey, why are those dogs?” asked Nio who saw the stray dogs behaving strangely.

The other soldiers also felt something strange about the stray dogs. A few soldiers approached to see what had happened to the stray dogs.

Dozens of stray dogs were seen falling to the ground and convulsing. Nio and a few other soldiers immediately approached the dozens of stray dogs that were already motionless.

“They're dead?” ask Jo.

“It looks like yes,” answered Nio.

The stray dogs were indeed dead with blood coming out from all the holes in their bodies.

“Is this dragon meat indeed poisonous?” ask Jo.

“If you want to know why not eat it?” chirps Nio.

“Commander should have tried it first right?” jo replied with a slanted smile.

Nio smiled wryly after getting an answer from Jo.

**

The activities of burying the enemy soldiers and dragons were already finished. The large, foul-smelling body of the dragon required a deep hole as well. That is why the purpose of making a hole as deep as 5 meters.

Dozens of wild dogs that died from eating dragon meat were also buried in one place with dragons.

Enemy soldiers have also been buried with wooden beams to indicate if this short mound of earth is a tomb.

The troops also gave a sign that this field had become the tomb of enemy soldiers and dragons.of course, it was accompanied by a sign if the surrounding residents were forbidden to enter this area.

Finished carrying out the task, the entire army climbed back up the transport truck to return to the underground city.

Previously, several pieces of dragon meat were brought to do research on the existing content and why can make dogs die.

“Nio, quick up..!” said Jo who was already in the transport truck and saw Nio picking up some things.

The thing that Nio picked up from around the dragon tomb was 3 pieces of dragon scales that were black and shiny. Nio put it in the pocket of his uniform which was on the left side.

The truck carrying soldiers that Nio was supposed to ride on was heard to have gone slowly leaving Nio.

Nio was surprised to see the truck that was already slightly away and shouted, “Wait woy..!”.

**

Arriving at the underground city Nio immediately ran to his dorm, where Arunika was waiting for him.

The expression that Nio showed was of course happy even though it had only been a day leaving his brother to fight against the otherworldly dragon riding army.

Actually Nio remembered Herlina's order which required him to immediately head to Helrina's office.

“Bodo is very,” Inner Nio because it intends to violate the orders of the Captain.

“Kakak, I'm home,” said Nio loudly and without knocking on the door first.

Lisa who was still in Nio's dormitory was surprised, but more surprised by Arunika's reaction which suddenly shot towards Nio.

“Why don't you go straight home huh?” arunika said by squeezing Nio's shoulder which was higher than her body.

“Y-yes I have another assignment. And after this I have to see Herlina,” Nio replied while enduring the pain in her shoulder as it was still being squeezed by Arunika.

“For what?”

“No idea, maybe I'll get a punishment,” Nio replied with a wry smile.

Lisa is seen also standing up and connecting the conversation by saying, “What did you break until you thought you were going to be punished?”

“Maybe my offense has been a lot,” replied Nio with a slick smile.

Meanwhile, in another place, where Herlina was waiting for Nio.

The woman clenched her hands like she was ready to be directed to someone and said in a furious tone, “Why she didn't come here soon huh!”