High School Soldier
Someone who will be his gift
The food supplies for Yekirnovo and Arevelk were partly aid from Indonesia, North Korea and Russia thanks to the cooperation of the five countries until the establishment of the Federation. Some foods such as vegetables and fruits grow with growth stimulants, so that the harvest can be faster than the time it should be. However, given that they still have conflicts with the Alliance, Indonesia, Russia, and North Korea must supply factory-made food to their soldiers and representatives in this world, at least the quality of taste and aroma is the same as ‘asli’ food agricultural products.
Since Arevelk has built a relationship with Indonesia since their first arrival in this world, their cuisine has a mixed style as a result of the trade that both countries have done. It produces a unique taste, because the result of the world's food ingredients is combined with food ingredients from ‘the other world’. All representatives of the Indonesian, North Korean and Russian contingents were fascinated by the unusual dishes served to them and happily enjoyed their dinner.
Arevelk experimented with processing grains from certain fruits, then drying them by frying without oil until they were blackened and very dry before grinding them until they produced a fine powder. The chefs who worked with the farmers managed to find a new type of drink inspired by ‘kopi’ which was introduced by the contingent of ‘otherworld’. So, the contingent of ‘otherworld’ felt if the aroma and taste of ‘kopi’ best chef Arevelk trial results are very different from the coffee they usually consume – instant coffee with a brand emblematic ship fire.
Nio walked into the dining room with the male members of the 12th Team, all of them wearing daily uniforms complete with pistols and fighting knives on their waists and thighs… except Nio who gets an extra in the form of a carambit. He and his subordinates followed a traditional Arevelk-clothed and bright-faced male servant who walked in front of them.
Soldiers are usually given a few days off to relieve the stress that builds up during assignments, both domestically and abroad. But, in the case of the Peace Forces, their home world is not always connected and only rely on the imperfect Gate – which is limited to certain activities such as the delivery of logistics or additional personnel. The closest place they can call ‘place relax’ are the cities around the Special Region of Indonesia in the New World, or the facilities obtained by invited guests representatives contingent ‘other world’.
Their lodging place with the students of the Naval Academy who conduct the educational program ‘kus’ in the waters of Arevelk and Yekirnovo is in a different location.
With the plan of sending additional warships to strengthen the Peacekeeping Force's Marine and Aquatic Units, they needed additional manpower to be specially commissioned in this world. It was a long and dangerous training, considering that the world was filled with secrets and dangerous things that exceeded the threat of World War 3. That said, just sending a 300-meter destroyer class and a few 100-meter-class submarines was not enough to strengthen the force's naval units.
If the Peace Forces dispatch several warships to equip their Marine and Aquatic Units, it will build a new fleet that can be known as ‘New World Special Fleet’. As long as there are no obstacles such as threats from superpowers in the home world, the plan could be realized in the near future. With Russia in the Alliance and the Peace Forces, they can fight against a country that hinders their intention to stop a war with the Alliance.
Let's go back to the dinner of the representatives of the contingent of ‘other world’.
The dining area which is a hall area is quite large, with dozens of pillars as high as ten meters decorated with natural-themed sculptures as a buffer roof shaped semicircular dome. When viewed from a distance, people can mistake if the inn hall is a place of worship, given the dome on the roof.
The boots of the 12th Team member and invited guests of the North Korean and Russian representatives let out the sound of echoing footsteps in a room as large as – hangars that can accommodate a squadron with the addition of an aircraft tankers. They all looked refreshed after taking a bath in the inn's bathhouse, while occasionally joking when walking into the dining room.
Although the lighting only relies on the light of hundreds of large candles hanging on the pillars or roof, at least it is quite bright according to the people of ‘otherworld’ who visited this inn. It still feels too difficult and early to provide electricity in this world, except using power plants with renewable resources, such as water or sun. However, the two countries have not planned cooperation in this field, especially regarding the issue of funds and they are still in conflict with the Alliance.
Dinner is served buffet-style, as is done at most hotels in Indonesia. The cooks were confident in the food they served to representatives of their allied countries. They serve a mountain of tubers with something like melted cheese. It was the staple food of this country in addition to the grain that was valuable quite expensive for the time of war as it is now.
Nio took two mango-sized tubers, processed world poultry eggs are made like scrambled eggs. The dish seemed appetizing and very filling, but Nio felt himself having to get used to the food of this country if at any time he returned here.
The existence of a contingent representative ‘otherworld’ is a new thing for the staff of this inn. So, the chefs and servants of the inn are very excited to feed and serve a group of warriors ‘otherworld’ – which some are still in their infancy.
The dining table is rectangular in shape which is really long, stretching to a length of about eight meters and a width of three meters. Thus, a platoon of 50 members with the addition of several people can sit together in this dining area. The 12th Team sat together while gazing at the dining room large enough to hold several railgun-cannoned main battle tanks.
The women may have planned to sit next to Nio or the male members of their target, but Nio ordered that the men and women sit separately. So, they are now sitting face to face in front of people who are not their type.
“About our activities in the next day, have you heard from the center, Bima?” Nio asked as he chewed the last bite of his food.
“I think not yet, they have not sent a detali of tasks or activities the next day,” replied Bima from his place.
The cooks were very happy after everyone had eaten with all their heart. They went around to recommend a type of bread or soup for soldiers who wanted to add.
“Again, our signal with center is not always connected if we do not ask to be connected or those who have information for us,”
The team decided to start the conversation on a specific topic.
“Is something bothering you, Lieutenant Nio?” ask Hassan.
Celebrating certain days when the war situation is not normal, unless it is absolutely mandatory. Regarding what Nio was thinking, he himself felt that something was indeed troubling his mind.
He thought for a moment after taking a sip of wine without his alcohol. Of all the guests invited representatives of the contingent of ‘otherworld’, maybe only Nio thought of something – more similar to worrying about something.
If something is bothering her mind or that she does not want to think about, she will ignore it by doing something. He'll assume none of that. Because it's just an estimate, and it's not necessarily the case.
“I just feel we do not relax the vigilance.. yes... just that.”.
“Yes for mercy..”
Nio looked around while drinking his drink as his members chuckled at his vague answer.
He tried to regulate the emotions and thoughts that made him uncomfortable after saying things about the presence of Indonesians on the Alliance's side to Jonathan two days ago. He decided to get rid of the unclear by thinking or imagining other things that made him comfortable.
He had to accept it, but he had to fight it as well. And that's the cause of his disarray and his mood. One day, sooner or later, he would fight again on the battlefield and would probably meet them again. Or, at least that's how he thought…
Nio who suddenly recalled the shocking encounter back when the first big battle against the Alliance, without him noticing made him very worried and made his heart ache. At least, those feelings and memories did not affect his work.
**
Unable to sleep well tonight, Nio woke up early. By the way, this world has one day for 22 hours and one year for 388 days. Nio picked up a watch specially produced for the soldiers sent to this world, so the time had been set for 22 hours. He saw the time still showing at 01:00 pm local time.
He refrained from waking Hassan up and quietly came out of his room before dawn. Some of the lodging staff were still working in the early hours, so he chose another path to enter the garden area, where a flower bed greeted him.
Then, he walked again towards the courtyard, then down the short staircase that was painted red. After descending the stairs, Nio looked at the small lake that was reflecting two months of light with its calm water. This place is quite close to the big road, but there are no residents on the move at this time, they all choose to sleep or do night activities.
Nio stared at the reflection of the moon and the starry sky reflected by the surface water of the lake, while feeling a soothing silence, as if he only existed in this world.
As Nio stood by the lake, he imagined that what he saw was a picture of the sea atmosphere of this world. But, there was no wind to make waves. The only thing that moves is the reflection of the moon and the starry sky that can only be seen in areas without light pollution.
He looked at the scene with the aim of calming his mind and heart – of the things that need not be thought about excessively. However, he felt that someone was walking closer to him.
“...Master Nio?”
That sound.
“Queen Sheyn…? What are you doing here, when it's still midnight?”
“I can't sleep quietly if I'm not in my own room, so I just woke up,”
They walked towards a long wooden bench, and while enduring the embarrassment Sheyn was sitting next to Nio.
“What do you think of this war?”
“I think? If there had been no war before, maybe I wouldn't have been a soldier. Wrong, but I still have the mind to remain a soldier, even if it is only a contract soldier. Then, for the war with the Alliance, it was a conflict that should never have existed. But, this is all that started them, we are only in charge of guarding our country and world from their threats.”
“So, if you do not decide to become a soldier, our chance to meet is not there.”.
“Hmmm?” Nio put on a puzzled face as the words Sheyn spoke were not very clear and could hardly be heard.
“Ah... I mean, regarding the country that initiated the formation of the Alliance, it was the Luan Empire and Hrabro. That is, my own father started the war with Indonesia.”
“...And we just stay to serve the challenge of that person only.”
After a long time, they could speak four eyes with a calm atmosphere. What Nio said was probably a joking tone, because to break the ice between the two of them. Unfortunately, what Sheyn said was the bad choice of her own father who formed the Alliance, and Nio could not find a way to respond with the right words.
After the twelve vassal territories of the Luan Empire seceded and formed a new state called Yekirnovo, with Sheyn as the first queen, it was the moment Bogat began his act (according to Nio). However, that does not mean the formation of the Yekirnovo Kingdom or the control of part of the Holy Land by Indonesia is the main goal of the Alliance formed to fight them, Nio thought there was another purpose of them that would be revealed in the future.
“How do you feel when fighting your own father?” ask Nio.
Nio felt that he had said the wrong question. Evidently with the face of Sheyn who suddenly changed – like a person who holds a grudge too long to someone. She wanted Sheyn to forget her question, but the girl had opened her mouth to answer her question.
“Actually, I already don't care about him, and my younger brother who was killed in the previous war. It was all their own doing to fight with the world and your home country, Mr. Nio. I only have the goal of building a country that values all races, forms closer cooperation with Indonesia, and protects Kambana.”
Nio would not question how many brothers Sheyn had. But after hearing the girl's remark, Nio thought if he didn't care about what would happen to Bogat, even he was very calm when saying no matter his younger brother who was killed in the previous war. But Sheyn's tone was not about someone who disliked her family, but more like a child who let her parents do the things she liked.
Nio fell silent, as if hesitating to answer or respond to Sheyn's words. The girl smiled brightly, even though it revealed the scar on her face clearly. Thanks to his smile, Nio also smiled faintly, as if Sheyn's words had only he considered the girl's desire to bring out all the clutter in his mind.
“You must also have something that bothers your mind ‘kan, Mr Nio?” Sheyn asked.
Nio froze in place with a stiffened face, and looked at Sheyn as if the girl had the ability to read one's mind. Sheyn's lips formed a smile very clearly and were able to make Nio's heart beat fast.
“If you want to talk something again, I will be ready to listen,” Nio said with a high confident face.
There's a lot I want to tell you, that's what Sheyn wants to say.
As Nio looked at Sheyn to speak, the sunlight that signified the beginning of the morning had shone brightly. The light of dawn shone on the darkness of night, and the stars flickered in the sky of dawn.
And with the early morning sky as a backdrop…
“I just don't want you to die in this war. I want you and everyone with me until the end of the war. So, I wouldn't like you if you were dead .”
Those words seeped into Nio's heart just like when he heard the soothing sound of rain. Yes, Nio knows that Sheyn does not want to lose the person who is the liaison between Yekirnovo and Indonesia.
“Alright, let's fight together.”
Sheyn felt that Nio did not understand the meaning of his words and spoke inwardly in a sad tone, “Ah, that is not what I mean.”
Ah. yeah, that's it…
Perhaps Sheyn's heart was divided into several places, such as the place for Yekirnovo, Kambana, and the Guild, but Nio had a special place there. Sheyn put Nio in a special room there. However, at least being with Nio has made him feel ‘happy’ or ‘happy’.
On the other hand, Sheyn felt sadness as she stared at the horizon. Now, without a doubt, was the right time for him to say it. But he was still shaky, embarrassed, and managed to say the words that made Nio interpret his words with answers that he did not expect.
He was indeed really not going to let his ally (Nio) die. So he decided to say it sooner than his plan, but…
**
When Sheyn's roommate Ivy wakes up, she sees Sheyn is not in the room they both live in. He did not feel irritated or anything like that, and sat together at the table for breakfast.
Nio was still sitting with his entire subordinates – which made the opportunity for the girls very small. While Ivy saw Sheyn's face between sad and timid, she herself did not know the reason why the queen of Arevelk Kingdom nicknamed ‘The Strongest Female Warrior’ wore such a complicated expression.
“Ivy, I think I'll do it one more time.”
“Hmmm... what will you do, Her Highness Sheyn?”
Sheyn looked at Ivy's inquisitive expression, she was a little agitated and then continued with a gentle whisper. Nio who saw only ate the food without any curiosity. However. Sigiz, Edera, Zariv, Lux, Zefanya, Ika, Gita, Ro Ga Eun, Nam Ae Ri, Ratna, even the younger sister of – Kambana – glanced with a curious expression that had peaked.
The girls glanced at Sheyn like a fugitive that had been found, and gradually stepped closer to where the girl was.
“I'll tell Mr. Nio again. if I.. love him.”.
Sigiz, Edera, Lux, Zariv, and Sheyn already know that they all love the same man. While the other girls who were also interested in the young man, of course did not understand Sheyn's words. So they do not overreact as if there will be a match to win the prize.