Breaking the Guard

Volker thought he had seen something like this before. He could feel the metallic texture on his hand, and it was familiar. But what is this thing? Is it possible that this belongs to the terrorist? On purpose, or did it fall?

These questions roared through Volker's head with no clear answers. Volker rushed out of the forest after saving the object. He had to figure it out himself, and it turned out to be a stub of the Remilis soldier's badge. Volker matched it with his old badge. He is no longer using the metal badge because it has been replaced with a gold one. The metal used for the badge is of the highest quality.

The question is how could something as strong as that be broken when he remembers that there was no war there. Because at that time, his soldiers again found the humans dead. And he was sure this might be due to inner strength.

To answer suspicion after suspicion, Volker immediately went to Delmar Village.

"Lord Volker has arrived." A soldier greeted him. They bowed respectfully.

"Everything's fine, right?" asked Volker.

"All is safe, Lord. They obey." Volker nodded. Even though he knew that some residents disobeyed by sneaking into the forest, Volker certainly wouldn't say it. It would only make his soldiers suspicious if Volker wasn't going anywhere. He was just in the woods and figuring things out.

And that little discovery Volker hopes will be a meaningful clue to unravel the mystery. Even though he didn't like humans constantly roaming the forest to find prey and enrich themselves, they still had the right to regain a peaceful life. His eyes scanned every soldier in front of him. Look at the badges worn on the soldiers' uniforms.

[Whole]

"Where's Waller?" asked Volker.

"Lord Waller is on patrol. He always makes sure the village is safe." The complaint made Volker nod. "Then I will look for him. You guys watch out."

"Very well, Lord Volker. Volker

left his soldiers to find Waller. The man walked at a steady pace. Not much different from what was seen before, Delmar Village looked deserted. Volker's steps stopped when the head of the village walked closer to him. The middle-aged man lowered his head in front of Volker after stopping.

"By chance we met here, Lord Volker. There's something I want to talk to you about."

"What did the Village Chief want to tell me?"

The village chief looked left and right to ensure no one heard their conversation. "It's about a plan to trap the Meiga out of hiding." Volker wasn't that surprised. But he indeed accepts whatever plans will be given to uncover this case.

"Of course. What is your plan?" Volker asked. The village chief immediately said everything he was thinking in a low voice. He didn't want anyone to hear what he had to say. Volker listened intently.

"Are you sure?" asked Volker.

"Of course, Lord. We've discussed it."

"All right," he said. "I'll do it," Volker said afterward.

The head leaves Volker after his plan gets approval from Volker. Somehow the village head had the same thought as him. He had also thought about that plan as well beforehand. But he put it on hold because people's safety is more important.

***

The village head gathers all his inhabitants in the village square to announce something. Volker and all his soldiers had also gathered at that place. Waller turned to look at Volker before asking.

"Lord Volker, why do we have to gather here? What does the Village Head want?" he asked.

The soldiers who listened to Waller's question also nodded in agreement curiously. The whispers around them indicated that it wasn't just the curious soldiers. The residents also felt the same way. But Volker said nothing.

The village chief came and then stood in the middle of the crowd. Stares at Volker before speaking and gets Volker's code to start.

"This must have confused you." The village head started. "But this is about the freedom of the people who were previously taken away. We have decided that you may hunt. We know that some people's lives depend on being hunted. But remember, don't take advantage of the situation."

All of a sudden, this made the villagers go crazy. They certainly never expected the village head to make a decision so quickly. Criminals are still out there, but the village head doesn't seem worried about casualties.

"Don't think that I don't care about your safety. I care, but some people complain about it. We will run out of food. And, the village guard will record your hunting results. If you hunt animals for money then a severe punishment you will get."

Except for Volker, all the soldiers were surprised by the village head's words. They increasingly think the decision was rash. What nonsense. Waller turned to Volker after that.

"Lord Volker knows about this?" he asked.

"The village head told me and I agreed. We can't meddle too deeply in village matters." Volker's answer was quite casual. No anger or anything like that.

"But it is dangerous, Lord Volker. It is possible that there will be more victims, "said one soldier. "If there are more victims, then our job will be even harder."

"And again …." The village head's voice came again. "Since we have decided on this, then Rodenis will only be helping us until tonight. They will return tomorrow and Delmar's problems will only be ours."

"You are crazy!" The vicious-faced soldier shouted loudly at the decision made by the village head. "You kicked us out?" he asked. "We are here to help you."

"I'm sorry, but this is a decision that has already been made."

The village head has the highest position in the village. Whatever decisions he makes are, of course, not met with objections from other residents. They feared the criminal would attack when Rodenis left Delmar village. But their protests will not be heard by the village head.

The soldiers of Remilis were pissed off to death. Their faces looked unfriendly after hearing the decision made by the village head. Even when the meeting ended, the soldiers still felt angry.

"Lord Volker, isn't this going too far?" Waller asked. "We really get kicked when they feel they don't need us. Doesn't that old man remember how his people wept bitterly for the loss of their family?"

"Lord Waller is right. They will only get regret after this. Ah… I really want to beat that Old One up." Volker just watched his soldier with disinterested eyes.

***