Chapter 15 Ambush
But is there no other way to seize the key? Why should they attack? Why not send some kind of representative and negotiate properly before deciding to attack and make the soldiers' lives die on the battlefield?
The questions echoed inside Erend's head continuously. But now it was too late to ask that.
The war had already occurred and thousands of human and elf lives had been lost.
"That's not our problem, is it?" Said Billy as he lay down on the bed. "The Elves have killed many humans. Perhaps it is time for you to accept the consequences."
Billy's words made Aurdis bite her lip. Erend saw Aurdis' eyes start to sparkle slightly. But he didn't say anything.
Even Lt. Boartusk didn't look like he wanted to say anything to rebuke Billy.
"Maybe my words sound cruel. But that's the truth," Billy added.
Erend actually felt quite sorry for Aurdis. Erend was sure that it wasn't Aurdis who had ordered the attack on the humans.
But he had also witnessed how his companions were killed by the spears and magic of the Elves. Erend's feelings are complicated as he didn't know what to do.
Of course, his feelings for defending humanity were there. But Erend thought about what Aurdis had done to defend them from Aerchon. And she had also shown the footage of the human stealing the key.
Unlike Aerchon, Aurdis wants peace. That's why she does that.
"What do you think, Lieutenant?" Erend asked Lt. Boartusk.
Lt. Boartusk sighed. "If we allow the Elves to be attacked by their enemies, then they won't attack us."
The lieutenant's words were approved by Billy. Erend also saw that it was a good possibility for them.
But... There was something inside Erend that resisted it.
"But if we do that, maybe we won't be that different from the Elves."
Suddenly the Lieutenant added. Erend and Billy didn't expect his words.
Billy even got back up to sit and stare at Lieutenant Boartusk.
"So what's your decision, Lieutenant?" Billy asked.
Lt. Boartusk looked at Billy and Erend in turn.
"We'll take the key," said Lt. Boartusk. "At least we try to."
Erend smiled. Billy is a loyal soldier. He and Erend followed Lt. Boartusk not because they are afraid or forced to.
It is because the man deserves to be a leader and to be followed.
Aurdis who heard it smiled. Her smile was much wider than Erend's.
"Is that true?!" Aurdis asked.
"I said I'd try. We don't know who exactly took the key. And we can't enter the city either." Lt. Boartusk confirmed.
"We can do better if you guys stop the attack," Erend said.
"I'll talk to my brother about it," Aurdis said.
After that, they separated. Aurdis came out of the room and the three went straight to sleep.
Tonight was tough enough and hopefully tomorrow everything will be better.
~~~
The next day Erend, Billy, and Lt. Boartusk are told that they can return to the human world.
Aurdis meet them outside the palace.
He said that the Elves' attacks on humans would stop. But for a limited time.
They were given five months to find and return the key.
Five months is not a long time. Especially to look for something they do not know at all.
The Elves gave the three of them a golden cylinder. Aurdis said that inside the cylinder was a declaration saying that the Elves would not attack humanity within five months.
Along with the recording of the human who had stolen the key.
Erend asks for another copy for them to keep for themselves because anything can happen.
So Aurdis gave them three copies of the cylinder for the three of them to hold.
After that, the three humans were escorted to the portal by five Elf warriors as before.
They were even given a horse to ride each. Travel becomes so much easier for them.
The group did not know that there was a pair of eyes watching them from behind the tree bushes.
The eyes are small and cunning. The lurking creature jumped from tree to tree.
His body was slender and brown like mud. Soon he had gathered with his flock.
("Human.") The creature reports to its leader.
There are twelve of them. A small group of Daemon of Calamity troops waiting for the Elves crossed this forest.
("We attack them.") Said the leader.
The Daemon of Calamity is a creature with a monstrous appearance. Much different from the Elves.
They have horns on their heads of various shapes. Some are like the horns of a bull, some have one horn like a rhinoceros, and some have curved horns like a sheep.
Their eyes are red and indented. Adding a sinister impression to their appearance.
Just like the Elves, Daemons can use magic too. In their hands were weapons covered in red liquid. The red liquid is acid.
The Daemon troop moved in the direction of the group's path. Get ready to ambush.
On the other hand, Billy was riding a horse while slightly sleepy.
The breeze and the shady forest atmosphere were enough to catch him off guard.
"WATCH OUT!"
The scream of the Elf in front made Billy immediately wake up.
'BOOM'
Suddenly an explosion hit their path. Then the trees from the uphill side on the left fell one by one towards them.
The horses neighed in fright and jumped frantically.
Billy and Lt. Boartusk fell off their horses. Erend didn't fall but jumped down.
"What happened?!" Erend asked the Elf who was in front.
"Ambush!" The Elf replied.
"What?"
Hearing this, Billy and Lt. Boartusk immediately got up and raised their gun.
After that, from the uphill side on the left appeared strange figures holding weapons.
"What the fuck is that?!" Billy pointed his gun at them.
The Elves didn't answer Billy's question. Instead, they started attacking upwards with their shields raised.
"No time to ask, Brook! Shoot!" Lt. Boartusk commanded.
~~~