High School Soldier
Sky Warrior

Even Nio – who is not very familiar with this world – does not know whether the tactics of medieval civilization that he knew would be useful to use in the battle against the rebels later.

“Thank you for gathering even though it was late at night,” Sigiz is very grateful for the cooperation and assistance provided by his commanders, the military of Yekirnovo Kingdom, and Nio.

Only commanders who really ‘ dare’ face a battle against rebels here, one of them Lux. He had been appointed as the commander of the Rebel Extinguishing Force, and several commanders became his subordinates, including Nio. They marched in one of the rooms of the headquarters of the troops defending the Tohora region.

Everyone, from the top soldier to the commander, stood tall, eyes half-closed, yawning with their mouths wide open. Some of them may not be willing to face what makes them unable to sleep for the night. Of course Hevaz, Edera, Huvu, Ebal, and the entire Silent Killer were also present.

Kosh Her was also present, as the commander of the ‘marksman’ squad, aka long-range fighters armed with longbows. The long distance resulted in several shoulder rifles being damaged, and the humid climate of the Tohora region made the gunpowder somewhat wet and unusable before it was completely dry. One of the commanders of Barisan Para Roses, the Red Rose aka Seish is here with Kosh Her.

“We are in an unpleasant situation, so I will get straight to the point,” Sigiz says the information he got. “Two days ago, a large force of rebel forces launched an attack on the small towns of Arevelk Kingdom, and continued to move to gather troops. Until they are currently nearing Girinhi Fortress which is defended by our troops and part of the Guild army. Rebel forces are now estimated at 40,000, including 20,000 cavalry.”

“How can half their strength be the cavalry?!”

“A-what really is the number of enemies of that size?” Lux muttered with an anxious face. The army he led would be with Sigiz and Nio about 2,000 men, with 200 armored horsemen and hundreds of longbowmen.

(olog note: a longbow is an arrow bow that has a length approximately equal to the height of the user. The arrows used are also an average of 1 meter long. More deadly than ordinary arrows)

The words of surprise and uneasiness were issued precisely by the commanders who were not on duty in the Rebel Squeezer Force.

40,000 might seem like a small number to someone who came from the 24th century, but in this world, the number of 35,000 was already included into the army with a large number. And the number of troops of 300,000 soldiers was equivalent to the population of a city in the Kingdom of Arevelk. According to Sigiz personally, using large numbers of troops is one of the main ways to offset a small portion of the total TNI and its allies.

According to Nio origin world history records, the Punic War or Punic War is said to be the greatest battle in the history of the ancient world. However, according to Nio this world has a civilization of its original world in the 1st century to the 14th century, depending on the tribe he once visited.

Lux is also doubtful that its 2,000 troops could withstand an offensive by rebel forces. Although there was Nio on his side of the army, the number of 40,000 was still too large for a person who had fought three times a day in a single week against 300,000 Alliance troops.

First of all, war is a matter of numbers. Indeed, the story of a small army dropping a large army is spectacular, but it still has the possibility to win almost impossible. So, if a small army can win a big battle, they will shine in history.

The reason Arevelk sent a small army led by Lux to crush the rebels was the lack of troops willing to face their own ‘kaw’, news if the ‘kawan’ army fought brutally and in a way that was never thought of, almost all the generals of Arevelk Kingdom were suddenly daunted, only Nio and the handful of commanders really still had firm hearts. They are really soldiers.

“I became curious about the leader of the rebels,” said Nio. He then continued, “It looks like he is a smart person.”

“What are you saying? Why are you suddenly praising that damn Ofra?!” one of the commanders who did not go to war was confused by Nio's statement.

“You should know more about the advantages of the rebel leader,” the commander was instantly unable to answer Nio's words.

“Arevelk has not long suffered defeat from the rebels, and faced an enemy who attacked suddenly. You've captured some enemies and got their weapons, I'll investigate with the Peacekeepers later. Enemies who possess modern weapons from my world are indeed not that confusing, since the Alliance has heroes on their side. But, more importantly, the rebels were close to approaching Girinhi Fortress. If the Alliance found out about this, it could be that the fortress would be attacked from two sides,” Nio spoke, and only a few people responded seriously, the rest just put on a confused face and said, “Hah?”

“I think this is the moment they've been waiting for,” Lux nodded and thought further from Nio's words to estimate all the possibilities.

The commander of the Yekironovo Kingdom relief force and the commander of the Rebel Suppression Army furrowed their brows, their faces grim.

Then, someone who had a very thin existence suddenly interrupted the conversation. “It's my fault! That's because I didn't listen to Nio's advice.” The man kept blaming himself, almost to the point of fainting. His face was very pale and heartbreaking to look at. Although Nio was quite upset, but he still could not stand Zvail who looked like a person who was hit by a mild mental attack.

Everyone was shocked after Zvail who suddenly appeared in this fight. He had already been in this place a while ago, yet no one noticed it.

But this is a time of war. If Zvail could not think far ahead about the situation at hand, it could have an impact on the outcome of the battle. On the other hand, Nio could not only take care of his own mental health, the state of the commander who was about to fight against the rebels also seemed frightened before they were dispatched. Indeed Nio had to throw away all his emotions related to the advice he said to Zvail, but the man did not wear it. What Nio could do was continue to speak as a Peacekeeping representative to help Arevelk deal with the rebels.

“Mr Nio, who was attacked was Kingdom of Arevelk. Outsiders like you should not bother to help us. We are confident we can deal with it with our own strength.”

“What are you saying, you even expressed great fear of the rebels,” Nio replied to one of the commanders, and talked about if the commander said his forestry and trepidation of the rebels.

“After all, I am not at all harmed if I help you, right? If the Kingdom of Arevelk had refused my help, Queen Sigiz should have expelled me since my arrival here,” Nio's words were calm, yet very piercing to those who heard it.

Sigiz felt wrong to make the decision to do ‘wedding’ when the situation was very precarious. Rebels could not only endanger Arevelk, but the Peace Forces and the Guild, and then wage an even more bloody war.

Raising the morale of the troops was Sigiz's job, but some of his commanders actually returned to throwing a tantrum. The enemy they were about to face was quite strong. The Grail Exchange Ceremony was supposed to be held sacredly, and made Nio a respected Guest General. There was no way to stop Nio if the man really had run out of patience.

“Damn it! Without you, Arevelk could have dealt with the rebels by sending in a small army. You're just a coward, you don't deserve to talk like that to my Lord!” Hevaz and the several Silent Assassins standing behind Nio voiced their protest.

That was a reasonable reaction, considering for Hevaz, the self-esteem of ‘people predicted’ should not be toyed with.

“Why are you angry, Your Excellency Hevaz?” the commander tried to defend himself. “I'm not saying that Mr. Nio's help is completely useless. Did you forget, if we had helped the Indonesian forces in the face of the great invasion of the Alliance a few years ago? If you prefer Indonesian troops who appear weakened after the attack, you should ask Mr. Nio to say thank you to us rather than angry with us.”

“I didn't even see you fighting with us while helping Nio's troops!”

Zvail's words made the commander look like he had been pierced by an arrow, so his face held a tremendous amount of shame.

Voices of dissent and ideas were heard from the assembled commanders. They all exchanged protests and taunts, though most of the commanders were daunted by the rebels.

“I feel sorry for Indonesia, when you know nothing about the country, but easily say that Indonesia has weakened after the first major battle against the Alliance.”

“Ohhhh, that's right, so right!”

“Indeed, being at odds with a cowardly commander like you is just a waste of time.”

Even among friends there are disputes and differences of opinion and views. It seems that some commanders did not approve of his existence here, especially because of the Grail Exchange incident planned by Sigiz.

Moreover, Sigiz considered their words not to be careless. They all have families and self-esteem that must be protected. Harming yourself to a comrade who is a traitor according to some commanders is absurd. They thought it better to let the rebels join the Alliance, and hand over ‘cleansing’ to Indonesia and its allies in the next battle.

“I know most of Arevelk's forces are stationed at points expected to be targeted by the Alliance. Only the reserve troops were stationed at this important point of the kingdom,” Nio's calm voice sounded, his face showing undeniable confidence. His frustration had completely been replaced with the confidence that had returned to him. “Without your strong main force, the rebels will very easily defeat you if you just grumble and continue to babble,” continued Nio without thinking long and thinking about the effect for the listeners.

Nio thought the surrounding commanders should know how to think rebel commanders. As a former comrade, Nio hoped that these commanders would give him just one or two pieces of information about the rebel commander. Nio's plan was to pursue the rebels before they approached Girinhi Fortress and entered the territory of Luan Empire then joined the Alliance.

Alliance is an enemy that could easily evolve into a modern army, thanks to their ‘hero’. That way, they would easily threaten the territory that opposed the Alliance to defeat the TNI-owning country. After that, the Alliance would expand its influence by enslaving low-level citizens and forcing them into forced labor.

“We should have thought how to defeat the Alliance, the main enemy of the Guild, and not worry about the rebels,” said one of the other commanders.

“Yes, your job is to protect your own people, Mr. Nio,” another commander agrees.

“We no longer have the resources to pay for your help if you win the fight against the Rebels. Victory is priceless.”

Not sure what some trepidated commanders expected the rebels to say, they talked about Nio suddenly appearing among them. Maybe it was because they thought Nio was from a much different world to them, and put Nio on a completely different level to them.

“Oh, do you think I've been properly paid for risking my life in this world? I am grateful that the government in my country still provides benefits for my family beyond the basic salary I receive. You don't have to think about how to pay me. You are right, victory is indeed priceless,” Nio's eyes show confidence that once again cannot be shaken.

“Ni-Nio, why can you say that?” lux's eyes could not accept what he had just seen and heard. The price for the experience was much more priceless, that was what he believed all along. And Nio has had the experience needed. That meant, Arevelk had to pay the owner of the experience to keep the Guild intact, and could continue the fight against the Alliance.

“Don't say such depressing things! I don't remember ever having a cowardly commander and a lot of raving denigrates others like you guys! Mr. Nio is a Arevelk noble since I gave the title of Lariq Sodur to him, you guys should remember it!”

“What?! This person is Lariq Sodur?!” all the commanders and fighters in this room shouted simultaneously, except Sigiz, Edera, and Lux.

Sigiz's voice was like the roar of lightning, thundering all over the meeting room. There was no longer a meek queen of a Sigiz at this time. Even Nio judged that the Sigiz he saw now was the same as Arunika when angry. He would be extremely daunted if a woman started to voice their dislike of something.

His face showed an angry expression that was the first time everyone here saw him. Sigiz did not care how many people were against granting the title to Nio, instead, Sigiz had a special belief and believed that Nio had the strength Arevelk needed to crush the rebels and win the war over the Alliance. His sharp eyes seemed to be able to penetrate every person in this room.

Sigiz had no memory of his mother's face at all, and increasingly had no comfort for himself after replacing Hin leading Arevelk. However, ever since he gave the title of Lariq Sodur to Nio after obtaining the approval of Hin, the Great Witch, and the nobles, Sigiz planned to abdicate in order to fight unhindered.

He did not want Nio to get any unpleasant words from his commanders.

“I know Mr. Nio refused to do a Grail Exchange with me. However, since he already had the title of Lariq Sodur, Mr. Nio had a higher rank than the king!”

“Eh, wait, what are you saying, Queen Sigiz. Looks like my hearing is in trouble. Looks like you should say it once again, I'm not so sure of my own hearing when you say that,” Nio's face is like a plain child who has first heard a new term in his life.

Sigiz had offered Nio to do the Grail Exchange with him, and he had happily accepted the rejection from Nio. That meant, he respected Nio who had been of a higher level than him, and had no sense of resentment and anger at all. Even if it is only limited to responsibility, Sigiz will do anything to protect the self-esteem of Lariq Sodur if necessary even though Nio himself is ‘people predicted’.

‘Well, I know, news senders in our kingdom are very slow. You should have paid your respects to Mr. Nio, just as you gave me, father, and the Great Witch respect. No, you guys should respect Mr Nio more than me!”

“Hah, is there an ENT doctor here? Looks like my hearing is really problematic.”

“I agree with you, Queen.. no, from now on I will call you Sigiz...” Lux suddenly connect a conversation that increasingly makes Nio not understand the situation.

Of course, everyone was surprised by Lux's decision.

“Lariq Sodur? Wasn't only one person who ever earned that title?”

“True, the first person to earn that title lived about 600 years ago.”

“His face is like an experienced warrior. But I still doubt if Mr. Nio is stronger than His Majesty Sigiz.”

The commanders of Arevelk and Yekirnovo lowered their heads simultaneously, and began to sense something after hearing the fact Sigiz had spoken. They could not raise their heads, and felt that they would continue to sink into a great feeling of shame. In this situation, what Sigiz said was part of his impatience with his arrogant commanders, and still considered Arevelk the strongest in the world, even after Indonesia returned to send troops in this world and bring its allies.

They can't say anything to respond.

The commanders have a long record in the military to make them get the position of commander. They gained the commanding position because they had endured so many hardships on the battlefield. However, people of such prestige were silenced by the young soldier who was less than six years of career in the military, and got the rank of first officer at the age of 20 years.

The combination of Lariq Sodur and ‘people predicted’ will form an extraordinary power, and is believed to be able to defeat the Goddess of the Underworld. And those two things are in one person only, and he's in this meeting room.

“Eh, anu... Why are you looking at me like that? Just tell me I have something wrong with you. I'm also sorry if I had anything wrong with you guys, so stop looking at me like that, okay?” even when Nio said his confusion towards this awkward situation, Sigiz and the other girls could not help but smile.

If there was a fist fight after the people finished looking at him with flat gazes, Nio would have difficulty and get a lot of pressure. However, some of them may have heard rumors if there was an Indonesian soldier who had made the Hero of Anger injured. Everyone was fascinated by the rumor, even though they did not see who it was.

Right now, what made Hevaz almost laugh was not someone who was amused by him, but Nio's reaction when he heard what he was facing right now.

There goes. It was the other side that was hidden from the leader of a country that left Nio fascinated, yet also confused.

It was clear that the knowledge Nio had was needed by Arevelk to deal with the rebels. But, why would a warrior with some knowledge and fighting ability from another world, be able to make dozens of girls around him interested in that man?

Even though there were a hundred generals in front of him, Sigiz was sure none of them had the experience and knowledge on par with Nio.

Especially if faced with a heavy situation, humans will show their true character. Those who usually rambled about moral formation and courage would probably run away when faced with an actual battle. The few commanders who spoke arrogantly towards Nio matched that trait.

And then there's the opposite example. Like this unreliable-looking teenage boy, his original character was a green warrior fighter with the power of thousands of monsters.

He always showed his true strength in protecting people. Even if the fact that she was helping the queen of a country, perhaps it would make some people envious.

“I've decided before, I'll help Arevelk.”

There was no sound to respond to Nio's words. Even the faces of some pale-looking commanders could only nod in response.

When Nio first set foot in this world, he was an amateur warrior who had little experience. But after experiencing the battle for so many years, he had grown into a persistent and astute officer. When Nio's true nature falls asleep, people can do whatever they like. But if Nio's true nature was awakened, no matter who he was facing, no one would be able to fight him.

“Then, what strategy will you use?” Lux asked.

“Attention is the most basic strategy, and should all soldiers be able to understand it because it is very easy to do,” replied Nio while still thinking about the next way.

That might be a good strategy, until the Rebel Extinguisher Forces get more information, and Nio's plan to build people's trust in him, is, and build confidence for himself if the battle can be won.

Some say “If you think too much, it's the same as letting the enemy move freely”. In essence, too much imagining the possibility than the action will be done, it will only make you destroyed. Nio completely agreed with the person who created the phrase.

Humans are more likely to trust what is near them and help them in difficult times directly, than people who help them carry out the process to get the win. Humans will also remember people who once treated them unpleasantly, and considered them as enemies.

“Rebellion is a group of people who do not like the existence of otherworldly people. So, if we choose to let the rebels join the Alliance, then be defeated by us in the next war, it will only bring Arevelk a slow destruction. The spirit of the soldiers will descend, and the enemy will easily occupy one by one the territory of this kingdom.Perhaps the rebels and the Alliance will launch an attack that clamps us from various sides. That is all the worst possible if we don't act immediately.”

Perhaps as Nio had said, and that had been his plan ever since deciding to help Arevelk. If that was indeed the case, many people were astonished by Nio being able to think far ahead, even though he had yet to see the enemy's strength and plan.

Still, Nio could not let this Indonesian ally play in the game created by the enemy.

“Only with 2,000 soldiers given by Queen Sigiz and 200 relief soldiers from Yekirnovo to the Rebel Extinguisher Forces, no sentence is impossible for us to get victory. Small numbers are not a problem, no, as long as the whole warrior has a love of the homeland, and courage without a sense of trepidation towards the enemy. I was worried that the troops would have cowards and traitors among the brave soldiers. Without the help of Indonesia, North Korea and Russia, I believe 2,200 troops will gain victory over the enemy of 40,000. Lux, why don't we face the team immediately, then give them a welcome to prepare for a treacherous comrade?”

“Hmmm... it's true..” Lux replied.

The commanders who were shunned broke out in cold sweat as Nio made a speech.

The one who helped Arevelk was a teenage officer, the one who had destroyed the Alliance by beating one of their heroes to the point of almost dying. A military force with many times the strength would naturally be extremely difficult to defeat, but Nio had actually seen the possibility of winning against a large enemy force. The commanders of the Rebel Extinguishing Force, who were initially completely in disbelief, began to consider launching an attack as the best option.

‘Queen Sigiz, what kind of terrain do rebels currently occupy?”

“It looks like they occupied a dusty and hilly arid plateau region. It was not fertile at all, but we mined precious metals there. One more thing, after I said if you were Lariq Sodur, you could just call me by a nickname, Mr. Nio.”

“Mantap!”

“Eh?”

“Lux, command all the soldiers to ride for the phon branch and tie it to each horse, but do not remove the leaves. Arrange each infantry unit with the number of 10 to 40 people per unit. Mr. Kosh Her, I advise the archers to be stationed in the hills, and provide relief fire as the frontline troops prepare to face the enemy. I hope you put the action of preventing casualties on our side, rather than trying to defeat the enemy.”

Lux and Kosh Her replied in unison, “Understand!”. They both believe there is something behind Nio's strange tactics.

“Nio, I suggest we gather troops before dawn,” Lux said.

“Swise choice!”

Normally, Nio would refrain from governing others, especially not fellow Indonesians. But, this was an emergency situation, other than Nio's wish if he really wanted to contribute his thinking skills to Arevelk. Nio had no time to think how he was perceived by the Arevelk commanders who were daunted by the rebels.

“That's the part of you that makes me believe you, Mr. Nio,”. However Nio had no chance to respond to it, he had to quickly think about his next action.

**

Funfact#22: Lariq Sodur means 'Sky Warrior'. People who get the title from the Kingdom of Arevelk, can certainly be the next king or queen.