Survivors

We received a report from the scouts that a nearby village is being plundered by raiders. So the commanding officer sent a company composed of two cavalry platoons under my command to mobilize.

It was supposed to be an assault and rescue mission but it seems that they moved faster than we expected.

We were delayed for about 30 minutes due to the traveling distance from our camp. The raiders' leader is a smartass. He purposefully attacked the farthest village so they'll get even a little bit more time, so maybe that's why they didn't burn the houses so they could focus on their plundering.

"Halt!" I ordered.

""""Grrrr!!"""" The horses' grunts trailed out to the ghostly village.

"This is too brutal," I said. "If only we were sooner." I clenched my fist to contain my anger after seeing numerous lifeless bodies scattered everywhere."

"I agree with you, Captain. This is a total massacre. There is no need for them to kill every single person in sight." The second in command responded.

"The 2nd platoon will search at 9 and 3 o'clock! The rest will follow me at 12! Find out if there are still survivors and immediately perform first aid! 2 Squadrons will survey the area if any hostiles are nearby!"

""""Aye, sir!""""

After commanding my troops, the 1st platoon followed me to search the inner parts of the village. It was a village that is close to becoming a town due to its prosperous harvests resided by approximately 2,000 residents.

There were supposed to be guards composed of 3 squadrons but the raiders easily overwhelmed them through sheer numbers. The report said that they numbered roughly 200 men with 2 squads of mages.

But, strangely, there are no signs of magic being used. This is not just simple looting, this is an invasion.

"Shit! Maybe it's not raiders but those imperial bastards are the ones who attacked this village." My hidden thoughts broke out through my mouth.

"Captain?"

"No, it's nothing, Torin." I brushed out. "Just continue with the search."

"Yes, sir!"

Just as we reached the center of the village I heard some noise similar to a cracking wood nearby.

"Halt!" I called. "1st Squadron go search around the house at 10 o'clock!"

""""Aye, sir!"""" Then 4 men replied

After unmounting their horses they surveyed the house and soon noticed something. A pair of running footsteps headed towards me. He stopped and clasps the scabbard with his left hand and positioning his right hand just slightly above in the upper right corner of his right eyebrow.

"This is Sgt. Fallon, reporting sir! We found a wounded boy!" The squad leader declared. "One of my men is currently performing first aid, Sir!"

"Well done, Sergeant!" I acknowledged. "Everyone, unmount your horses and search every corner in each house except for you two!" I added

"""Aye, sir!"""

"Pte. Barric and Pte. Eoin. Go inform the others to meets us at this place after they're done with the search."

""Aye, sir!"" They responded.

As soon as the two privates proceeded, I unmounted my horse and helped my men at their search.

°°°

I opened my eyes and woke up at a strange-looking tent, but it was neat.

Well, the place I was woken up before is even stranger, but joking aside, I'm currently laying down on a, not that soft but not hard as well, bed.

And I discovered something, It sounds complex but frankly, I felt like I have lived the life of another person. The previous owner of this body.

Well, to keep things simple, I could now somehow understand and speak their tongue.

This is a great help nonetheless, but, undergoing that pain is such a hassle. It's strong enough to knock me out cold for a while.

Unsurprisingly, this new body of mine is supposed to be a 9-year-old now. There's not that much to tell about this boy's life anyway. His family belongs to a social class of 'Peasants', which belongs to the lowest of this era's social class pyramid. People that belong to this class aren't even allowed to have a surname name. Only 'Commonners' and above are allowed to have one. In short, they're just slightly above the 'slaves' but don't have an owner and are allowed to have the rights over their lives.

"Oh my, so you already woke up little boy."

While I was still organizing my thoughts, someone suddenly entered and called out to me.

"Um... Yes." I replied in a monotonous voice.

This is kinda troubling me slightly, I've never spoken to anyone or even talk for a decade.

"How do you feel? Are you feeling alright now? Oh! By the way, I'm Mairade, the one in charge of nursing people in here." She brought a smile so caring that if I were a normal kid I'd be mistaking her as my mother.

"..." I didn't answer and merely nodded.

But somehow I felt a tiny bit of prickly feeling in my heart.

"Weird," I mumbled, allowing my words out through the air.

"Did you say something, hmm?" Somehow she noticed them.

"No, it's nothing," I responded.

"Oh, is that so? Fine then, what's your name, baby?" Without wearing off her smile, she slowly caressed my hair while still laying down.

Hmm, 'Gunther's life had already ended and now I'm somehow living in this 'kid's body, I should just use 'that' name.

"I'm Xercus."

'Huh?'

Those 'things' that I have already thrown into the past felt somehow similar to this feeling that slightly flickers in my heart right now. I'll ignore it for now. Let's just call it a side effect from the soul transportation thing.

"Oh! So the baby's name is Xercus. What a beautiful name you have, fufu~"

But still, being called a baby by an attractive woman in her prime is somehow making me feel more pathetic. I'm starting to hate these side effects.

"There's no need to be nervous, this big sister will surely heal you okay?"

"—kay."

Well, that was a rude one, but not if you're a kid. I should think about what would I do now in this life. My survival is already secured now that I'm here.

From the way she looks, wearing a white robe, it's plausible to say that if this is some fantasy world, a magician or a priest.

I was enjoying Mairade's patting, but, that didn't last long because a loud voice filled up the tent.

"Is he awake, Mairade!"

"E-eek!" She squealed.

"How many times did I told you not to shout Captain!" She responded with an angry tone.

But I think her voice won't make someone afraid of her, rather, make—

"I-I'm sorry it's just, uh, y-you know, the military and stuff." He reasoned out.

"I don't know anymore, but you should always consider the time and place. If we didn't know each other for a long time, I would've let you out in here you know?"

"Yes, yes, you're right, I'll keep that in mind, I'm sorry, Hehehe~"

"That's what you always say but— Ha-a-aa~ well anyways, he woke up just a few minutes ago."

Her eyes returned to me, same with the man.

"Oh! Hello kid, you feeling alright now?"

"Yes."

"Don't be so gloomy, puff out that vigor slumbering inside! You won't captivate a woman when you become older you know?"

"Says by the man who hasn't even slept with a woman since birth." Mairade snickered as he turned her eyes back to him.

"S-shut up, I-I-Its just I haven't found someone you know?"

"Oh really?"

"It's the truth alright!?"

Somehow, being in the middle of two people flirting started to make a bad taste in my mouth.

"Ahem! Anyways, let's go back to the main topic."

"Oh, yes, yes, let's proceed, Mr. Almost 30-year-old Virgin."

"You!!!" Huge veins started to pop out from his forehead.

"Fufufu~" Instead of being frightened, she looked like she's enjoying it.

"Ha-a-ah~ Fine I give up, I won't win from you anyway."

"It's good that you know."

"So? What should we do to this kid?" He gave me a mournful look. "What's your name, boy?"

"Xercus," I replied.

The way he looks at me is enough for me to know that there are only a few survivors they've rescued.

"My name is Gulliver and I'm a soldier, so take your time to rest, kid. We will protect you now if something happens. Do you have a surname by chance?"

"No,"

"I see, it must be painful going through that experience."

"..."

I didn't reply for I don't know what to say about that. But I kinda have this strangeness after calling himself a soldier while wearing armor and carrying a sword.

"Now that I know you're fine, I'll be heading out. Mairade, please continue to look out for him."

"Of course, you take care too. You still have some responsibilities right?"

"Yes, actually, I was ordered by my superiors to report to him after checking that the survivors are being properly carried to the treatment quarters."

"Alright, good luck."

"Thanks, bye now!" He left as soon as he waved his hands.

I observed the two's flirting from beginning to end and somehow it made this room feel a lot more comfortable after that man left.

"I'm so sorry about that, he's a very enthusiastic man, isn't he? Fufufu~" She still seems to think about that man and I'm certain they have feelings for each other. They'll start a relationship sooner or later.

"Yes,"

"Well, just as he said, rest well okay? Once you've rested enough, we will check if there is anyone you knew of among the other survivors. I'll return after a while okay?"

I wanted to say that there is no need but, it would be unusual if a kid refuses to see if their parents are still alive. But I have something to come up with later.

"Sure,"

I tried putting on a smile, but, I can't seem to do it. Maybe if I forced it, but, I know it'll look weird if I did.

"Okay then, bye, Xercus"

I nodded and watched her leave the tent. After making sure that she's far away, I raised my body and checked my wound.

I'm not feeling any pain at all. They also changed my clothes. I am now wearing a white t-shirt and white pajama pants.

This era appears like some innovations in the modern and medieval periods are mixed. I need more information in this world. Just seeing the wound in my chest gone is enough to make me believe that this is not the same world I've previously lived in. There is no such medicine that could heal a wound this quick. It's more or less not too long ago after I was brought here. I know as soon as the soldier said he needs to report to his superior.

I tried standing up if I could handle my body well enough.

"Hmm,"

My body feels a little weak, well, it is expected since my body hasn't received proper nutrition. I should find someone to take me in. But I need to make sure that I'll be treated nicely, or maybe I would be sent to the orphanage if there are.

Light exercise should be possible without receiving a toll on my body. I proceeded with few sets of jumping jacks, push-ups, and squats.

After about 15 minutes, I finished my light exercise. There is only one thing that I realized, this body is extremely weaker than I have expected. Well, even a kid's body should be able to do this eas— wait, I can't even compare my body now, from what my body does before.

My previous body sure has superior genes on it, so it doesn't make sense if my current body could do even the minimum of what my previous body can do.

I need to build up this body from scratch from now on. It's kinda annoying, but, I need to work on it so I can defend myself.

So for now, my purpose is to survive in this new world.