Even though electrical facilities were available throughout the camp. The soldiers still ensisted for a camp like experience. Setting up fires making their own food, singing songs around the campfire. It didn't feel like war but a huge picnic. For both men and women bathing facilities with hot water were made available. Which was a privilege to have.
Ja thoroughly enjoyed the shower. But even though the shower temperature was set to. Max 55°c. It still felt like a cold shower to him. But he still thoroughly enjoyed it. For dinner they were handing out rations which was nothing short of a very replenishing meal with a few oddities. Vegetable, rice with curry and tablets of vitamins and minerals. As well as for drinks a drink made of oral rehydration solution. Jay enjoyed it a lot as he are. It felt a bit spicy but what is life without some spice? Jay wanted to take more food but the serving were fixed even for higher ups. As they had already rationed the amount of food being freshly transported from the capital. And the farms from other regions. A soldier recognized him
Soldier :
Hey aren't you the medal of honor winner. You look like it.
A soldier who was nearby heard it as well and he recognized him as he had seen Jay once in the Armory testing out the murasama and make a ton of noise.
Soldier :
Hey, I know you, You were the one who cause Lord Phoenix to break the level machine I worked hard to maintain.
Soon a crowd gathered around Jay.
Soldier :
Hey tell us what happened at the island.
Jay was slightly dazed by the crowd that had gathered around him. But he saw on a log before a campfire and started telling his story. He had to clip many parts of his story since it needed to be confidential. Thus he only said about the part where he fought against rhe Twin dragons. And how using the supposed legendary Dragon Spear he managed to win. And bring them to their side with the help of the dragon battalion.
A person asked him about his life story but if he was to tell them honestly. He might be looked down upon. Jay thought of a very redacted version he might be able to tell.
" Hello my name is Jay Garrick. I'm from another world.
When I first arrived I (redacted statement). Then dragons (redacted). After that I joined a guild and my first mission was to kill the Tempest but I ended up saving it instead and then I (redacted) and became the King of Raison. Also I travelled in the past where ( redacted).
[The rest has been expunged due to Anti Foundation elements. ]
Thus Jay decided to fake it.
Jay :
I was from a very poor family. We lives near the God's territory but it got destroyed. I had to run away and while doing thag I met Lord Phoenix and joined the Wilcoxin institute. There I was selected for a special mission. And finally I was able to do something for the capital.
Jay gave a classical tear jerker essay . Which many of them claimed as bullshit. But there were many who were inspired by his words. After a dew minutes of questions and answers he left the side. To his post, the storage of medicinal equipment. Jay before he entered the storage he met the soldiers on standby. And it seemed that Phoenix had once again pulled some strings and all the soldiers in the vicinity who were guarding were from Wilcoxin institute. And that too his own squad of poorly placed individuals.
Ray Genase, the soon to be Redlcliffe Matriarch, Fay and a few more soldiers but who didn't know Jay apart from the news.
Rena :
What a coincidence. It's been a whole since we met. The whole squad.
Fay :
Yeah it felt very lonely. There were no explosions, no rampage,. Everything went just smoothly. And felt very dull.
Ray :
My grandfather has rescinded my task. So I can't bathe in your blood anymore.
Jay :
In your dreams kiddo. In your dreams..
Ray :
Were the same age.
Jay :
Sure. As you say..
The conversation quickly moved forward about their social circles and how the Redcliffe patriarch was against sending her to the battlefield. But meanwhile all three generations of Genase are present. The Sword saint Isshin, The Sword scholat Lukas and the Sword Demon Ray Genase. All of them occupying different posts.
The sword demon is a soldier while the Sword Scholar is the Lieutenant and finally the Sword Saint Isshin is the Captain of the army.
And Roy was literally very impressed as he mentioned the facts.
Roy :
My father is a lieutenant and my Grandfather is the Captain so all of you better speak with me with utmost respect.
Jay thought what was his post was in the army. Since it seems like the more skilled and experience the more the ranking. With this he should be even higher than Isshin.
And then he remembered he was never given a rank.
Just dragged as a military aide. He doesn't have a single soldier under his command. Thus he is the least ranked person of them all even after being the closest to the King.
So even Vania Frost out ranks Jay.
But just to confirm and just to settle the sense of a small inferiority he called Phoenix.
Jay :
Hey Phoenix listen I had a small question.
Phoenix who was stationed near the communication center answered with minimal latency.
Phoenix :
Shoot.
Jay :
Whats my rank?
Phoenix :
Why?. Is someone asking you.
Jay :
Was just curious.
Jay said as he leaned against a tree. And Phoenix's answer was somewhat unexpected.
Phoenix :
Ohhh, um how to say this, you are unranked. Except Vania. You're like a special trump card. You don't have the technical skills regarding our technology handling but everyehwere else you Excell.
Phoenix thought for a second
Phoenix :
Since you do have learned to handle tech in the institute. I guess it counts. Ask master he might know. If I guess your unranked. Oh and where were you during the officers dining.
I didn't see you.
Jay :
Officers dining?
Phoenix :
For soldiers at the officer rank. They were given more privileges. Even Vania was there. How come I didn't see you.
Jay :
I...
Just as he was about to answer by giving excuse he felt something was off as if something moved in the shadows.
It was too dark to see anything. Jay lit a flame in his right hand and as he did a shadowy figured pounced from the shadows. And attempted to cut Jay's neck. Except Jay pushed the same flame into his face before he could even touch him. And due to the flames burning his face he shrieked.
Phoenix who was on the other end. Heard the noise.
Phoenix :
Jay is everything Allright? I heard someone screaming.
Jay who was clutching it's face finally left it. And once againshone a light on him using light magic. It was a man fully draped in black trying to blend in the dark night and trees. Except his eyes everything was fully covered.
Jay once again punched him and knocked him out.
That's when the cloth draphin his face dropped. And points ears revealed themselves. And to a person who had seen enough Other world stories knew it's identity. It was an elf.
Jay :
An elf ! And that too a normal elf.
Jay heard Phoenix who was continously calling him out.
Jay :
Yeah I'm fine. I have knocked out an elf who tried to kill me now.
Phoenix :
Elf. Wait I'll check the situation. Check their backs.
Jay turned the knocked out elf on his back and burned his cloth a bit and he there it was a brand. The brand of exile.
The elf right now was an exiled elf. Jay remembered the details. Elves branded because they don't follow the ideals of the Foundation. An Jay was now working with the enemy himself.
Jay :
Shit!. Phoenix they are branded elves. They have Infiltratef the camp.
Phoenix :
No wonder they fooled our sensors. Jay prioratize protecting your station. I shall alert others.
Jay ran through the woods and found himself a group of elves fighting the soldiers at his station. The sword demon had realized them as enemies and began ruthlessly cuttung then down. His blade emitted bright sparks thus grabbing enemy attention. It seems that they were first aiming for the light source to take them out easily. But Ray and Rena teamed up temporarily to take them down. Fay was just acting as support. Using wing magic to push them away from the storage. Soon there were gunshots throughout the camp.
Jay instead of killing them instantly. Knocked them out one by one. Because of his relation to the branded elves. As he remembered every detail from Chroma and what had happened after when he was roaming throughout the lands with McElroy.
When Jay was finished putting last one of them to sleep. A confused voice fell on Jay's ears.
? :
What are you doing here?. Shouldn't you be fighting against these monsters.
The one thing he had feared had just haooened before his eyes he once again met Blake the leader of the exiled.
Before they had met on favorable terms both in the spirit forest and the Tower. Although blake did not exist in the Tower he was just a memory.
Jay :
Blake. Don't tell me you joined the opposition.
A forced tension of bonds as both of them had united but on different faction.