I was once accidentally buried in the ground while training in the barracks, and that was only a week ago. Now I was buried again, this time voluntarily to avoid the fire. This grave was quite deep, otherwise I would have been roasted by the heat of the fire, which I could still feel even though I was quite far from the ground. The crackling of the trees was deafening, similar to twigs on a campfire, but this time I was sure the fire had burned down the remaining trees. Hendrik! I was sure he was the culprit. I also thought that there was no way he could have done this just to kill me, he must have wanted to threaten the military with all of this. That's the most plausible motive I can think of. Then I started to worry about Delilah. She was strong and agile, but I couldn't even estimate Hendrik's strength. There's a chance that he knows Delilah's true identity as the Windvire Clan. I have to get out of here and save her. But I won't be able to do anything until the flames are ex
It seemed like a long time had passed in the cemetery. Occasionally, I would get up and try to listen to the crackling of the fire that was still burning, or feel the ground that still felt hot. Fortunately, the rebellious ghosts were generous and didn't suddenly show signs of manipulating me. Instead, we chatted about Daisy's doomed romance or Rose's constant rejection of the men in her life. Rose, Jasmine and Daisy were sisters who died 400 years ago as a result of royal persecution. Their home was destroyed and they were taken to the dungeon to be rounded up and slaughtered by the soldiers after a few months of living like prisoners. Therefore, they held a grudge against the noble family, especially the royal family. Meanwhile, Adam was a commoner who lived in the countryside and died of an incurable disease 80 years ago. According to him, he attacked the soldiers because he was just following along. He had no grudge against anyone, but he also had to carry out the orders of th
I missed Kimberly, who always treated me when I was injured. The male paramedic who treated me wore a sour face as he treated my burns with running water and antiseptic. In the end, he wrapped bandages around both my arms so roughly that I couldn't help but scream in pain. I wanted to protest, but I also tried to understand the workload of a medic in a conflict I didn't know would end. He must have treated soldiers thousands of times and felt no need to entertain people who were in pain and on the verge of death. Then there was the surveillance and the eagle eyes of the officers who seemed to be watching our every move. I didn't know if the officer was so concerned or if he had other intentions for me. Judging by his piercing stare, the first option was definitely not the reason. The officer was Sand Wittel. The one who was about to exterminate the three rebel ghost sisters, who had luckily escaped when the explosives and the amount of water flooded the tomb. I felt a little guil
It was very uncomfortable to be stared at suspiciously by seven high-ranking military officers, as if my every word would be twisted and they would accuse me just because I was a lowly soldier. On the other hand, I'd never seen or known any of these people except for Cedric, Rasen, and that bad-hearted Hendrik. How could they look at me with such judgment? "There has never been a soldier who escaped the rebel ghosts once they were captured. Even if they return, they'll come back mad," said Officer Sand. He must have been the most suspicious because he was the one who caught me with the three ghost sisters. An officer who had kept his mouth shut with sleepy eyes finally spoke up. "That's right. They're ghosts that are difficult to control, especially when they're under the command of the witch who resurrected them. And it's very difficult for us to eradicate this troublesome clan," he said, then gave Officer Regal a look. "Not only are these witches highly skilled, but they are als
I didn't have any weapons with me, I left my dagger in the medics' room earlier. This meant that I had to fight these crazy people with my bare hands. "This is the plan you guys and Hendrik have prepared for us? How stupid, huh," I said and pointed at them. Max grinned. "I don't think I've ever fought you before, you've always been dying when I attacked you. This time I won't let you live, especially since you already know our intentions!" he said. "How arrogant, Mr. Velman. Let's see who gets beaten up!" Delilah let out a stifled exclamation, a look of emotion on her face, and I was grateful for it. I was sure I hadn't done anything, though, when I felt my body being pushed forward. Then, without warning, Delilah and I were pulled by an invisible hand. The rocks and roots that came out scraped my body and my hair felt like it was going to fall out of my scalp. I couldn't see who was doing it! Really! It felt like I was being slammed into the ground so hard that my bones cracked
I was skeptical that someone of the Prime Minister's stature wouldn't have a personal medic, but Elliot tended to our wounds alone, without help from anyone else. "It's cracked." He muttered as he grabbed my left hand, then looked at the box of medical fluid and turned to me. "I don't have a cast," he said. Delilah then showed me her arm, she had a bandage on her temple with a bruised face. "Can you put my cast on him?" she asked. I quickly refused, my eyes as sharp as they could be. "Don't be absurd, you just got hurt this afternoon," I said. "It's nothing to worry about, after I drink the mandrake extract it will heal itself," I continued to Elliot. "You don't seem to feel any pain, do you?" he said as he treated my head that had been sucked into a tree. It hurt, but it was unremarkable. I can still take it well without screaming when I am given antiseptic. Besides, I was more surprised that I would meet Elliot, by chance anyway! After we fell down earlier, he took us to his
"Guests are not allowed to loiter in this area!"As soon as I stepped out of the tent, a soldier confronted me. His square, scarred face added to the horror, and I just bowed politely. "I have an appointment with Mr. Prime Minister," I said. "Mr. Prime Minister has returned to his duties. Visiting hours for guests are over. Please come back in." The soldier shooed me away as he was about to close the tent and pushed me. I was quickly outside the tent area. If I didn't talk to Elliot now, when would I? This was the right time for me to talk about my relationship with Adellia. "Please tell Mr. Prime Minister that Joe has something very important to talk about," I insisted. The soldier gave me an annoyed look. "What is it?" he asked. "Just tell him. It's very important, please!" I even had to clasp my hands in front of my chest. The soldier clucked and went into one of the largest tents. Not long after, he came out. "Come in."My first impression of this tent was that it smelled v
"Why didn't you wake me up? I intended to sleep for only an hour, no more!" Delilah exclaimed as soon as we left the Prime Minister's quarters. I saw that it was still six in the morning, usually the sun was already brightly lit when I was still in the barracks. However, here, even the atmosphere was still as tense and dark as the night. I rubbed my eyes quickly as I fought off sleepiness. After spilling my guts to Elliot, I quickly returned to the tent and fell asleep on the sofa soundly, before Delilah frantically shook my body to wake me up. We didn't have time to greet Elliot, as it turned out that the Prime Minister was busy and couldn't be disturbed. So, we immediately decided to return to the military headquarters after being glared at by five of Elliot's aides. "I overslept too, you were very sleepy," I added, not wanting to take the blame. "We're not going to tell the Prime Minister about the kidnapping plan, are we going to tell Cedric?" said Delilah. "Bad idea. He'll