Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 138: Arc 3, - 48: Race to Victory

Dusk light they dreaded and they were not even halfway there. The town was in the distance, as the carriage slowed down and disappeared into thin air.

The invisible carriage sauntered into the town without notice; the coming of night aided in Asobi’s illusory spells, though it did not aid in their panic.

"Where to now?" Aviv asked as they made into town and were able to be visible again in a private corner of town.

"To Hartamat Defence Force’s headquarters! It’s far west of the town and a tall building with a huge open area, just follow my directions," Jotou had to get out of the carriage and sit beside Aviv to race to their destination.

The clouded night was not as clouded before, the thin wisps of white fluff allowed the light of the stars to poke through. Taking note of the Moon tonight, Jotou focused back on the road ahead.

The doors of the office flew open and two soldiers holding muskets escorted the four of them in. Two soldiers working behind desks peered up and stood up to the sudden commotion.

One hid away his bag of snacks while the other walked to a front table, "What is the meaning of this?" he asked.

The two soldiers flanking them looked to each other in a shrug, "They said urgent business and that she," one of them pointed to Jotou, "is the Thundering Blade."

The eyes of the men behind the table both widened, "I’m sorry, I’m still not following, what exactly is the matter?" his brows furrowed a little more serious with the issue.

"It’s already nine Jotou," Hotaru checked her watch.

"Alright, listen, I received some intel that there’s going to be a battle in the west, with a rogue battalion from Trailon. I need to be there, right now," Jotou leaned her palms on the table.

"Hold on, that’s very confidential and we can’t just let-"

Jotou fished out her Krian identification card and slammed it on the table, "I’m Jotou Howllett, the Thundering Blade. I need to be there to assist in the fight that’s to come, please!"

A sweat went down the soldier’s temple as he picked up the ID, eyeing the name and address. He looked behind him and gave a nervous shrug.

"I," the other soldier shrugged back, "We got some troubling info, they could help."

"Troubling info?" Jotou queried. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The soldier exhaled, handing the ID back, "The major, Rashaad Schroeder, sent us a message that the attack occurred earlier than expected a few minutes ago."

"He said everything’s handled, but he didn’t sound too confident about it," the other soldier relayed.

"Okay, can you get us there!?" Fumeko hopped up from behind Jotou.

The soldier once again looked back for advice. The other shrugged, "It’s not like the major is going to refuse extra help."

The soldier looked back, "Uh, a lot of our comrades are off in battle or currently off duty. We have a few people who can escort you there."

"It’ll take hours, how fast can we get there?" Jotou budded in.

"Uhm, there’s a cart that’s not reinforced so it’ll go a little faster, but we still need about ten, fifteen minutes to set it up and make sure it’s ready to go."

"Fine, quickly then, please. I can’t get my carriage driver to drive into a battle," Jotou took a breath.

"Right away Thundering Blade... Uh, take them out back and we’ll put the orders in," he told the two flanking them.

They nodded and escorted them out of the building. The soldiers sighed in relief, looking to his friend once more, "Hurry I guess."

"So that’s the Thundering Blade?"

"I know, she’s way more beautiful in person than the illustrations and descriptions on the news."

"And that must be her team too."

"That magician-looking girl kept smiling at everything around the room."

"Ah crap! We should’ve asked for an autograph."

"I don’t think now would’ve been the best time..."

"Oh, right. What were we doing?"

"Put in the order and let the major know!"

_

The horses galloped across the sand—Jotou tapped her foot against the wood as three other soldiers escorted the four of them out to the battle.

"Once we get close, make sure to slow down or stop! We need to go in stealthily," Jotou warned as the soldier driving nodded.

The hour struck a little past eleven on her watch as they came closer—the lights of tents lit up in the distance.

"Divert! The major told there was a small hill to hide behind," the other soldier yelled over the wheels against the sand. The driving soldier nodded and turned the horses, leaning to the right in the process.

"Slow down," Hotaru requested as Asobi stood up and aimed her wand. The cart and horses disappeared into the darkness of night as it passed by the tents.

Something was not right on their glance passing by; the soldiers moved about, but their uniforms, they were not Hartamat’s nor Cravolta’s...

The back of the hill of sand was surrounded by a small forest of cacti. They were out of view of the camp, now hearing mild sounds from it up front.

Jotou hopped out of the cart—the others followed suit. The allied soldiers aimed their muskets while walking through the sand and cacti.

Fumeko took her dagger into her hand and her eyes squinted to something she spotted at the base of the hill, something squirming a little. "Something’s there," she pointed with the tip of her dagger.

"Careful then," Jotou spotted the figure in brown camo—a cap with a golden circle and four points...

"It’s the major," one of the soldiers recognized, before taking quicker steps forward.

"Slow down you dolts, check everywhere," Fumeko blinked behind the cacti and clear the area forward.

They made their way closer, now able to see the body that was slowly writhing and with heavy breaths being paced. "Major?" the soldier rushed forward.

Fumeko checked the left; there was a trail of uneven footsteps in the sand, then a little blood and then a trail of crimson following till the major, who had pushed himself to this point.

"Ugh... We, didn’t stand a chance..." he groaned, holding his torso. His left leg had a cloth tied tightly around it, his trousers were soaked in crimson and, that’s not how a foot should be pointed...

His entire leg had been twisted by the knee bone. Hotaru crouched forward, "Nice to meet you major, I’m sorry it’s not in better circumstances.

I need you to breathe and," Hotaru checked her surroundings as she brought her hands down with glowing water, "try not to make a sound."

The major nodded, his vision already fading. "GGH!" he held his throat shut, covering his mouth as Hotaru healed over the injury, having gotten practice healing over clothes from healing Jotou.

Hotaru furrowed her brows while the water soothed over the pain, "I can stop the bleeding, I can alleviate the pain, but I think twisting the bone back in place is something I’d have to improvise.

I think the pain alone would cause you to go into shock. Should I risk it? The longer we wait, the less my healing can help."

The major shook his head, "There’s no chance of winning here. I’m the only survivor, they took some prisoners, but most were slaughtered like lamb.

They had prepared platoons for every attack, attacked earlier than predicted and it was like they knew all our tactics. This Lieutenant Frye is formidable, I’ll give him that. It’s better to retreat, alert the whole of Galuvit and contact Cravolta City."

"Jotou?" Hotaru turned.

Jotou sighed, "Then this might be the worst case scenario... It had to come to this... I’m sorry major, but we can’t. Me and my party will continue into the fight, you can retreat."

"You must be the Thundering Blade. I’m sorry we have to meet while I’m like this, but I’m not certain even someone of your calibre could take them all on," he grunted slightly.

’I have no time to explain everything in full. I’ll just make some stuff up. Ugh... we have to reset this... But Meko, Aru and Sobi are all safe... No, this isn’t right.’

"I would say you’re wrong, but that isn’t my plan. Listen, Major Schroeder, I know you—one too many times now. However, could you tell me something—a codeword only you would know?

I can travel through time and go back to the past. So, if I were to talk to you yesterday and gave you intel about all of this, what can I do to convince you I’m not lying?" Jotou knitted her brows.

The major tilted his head, the other soldiers looked at her in stark confusion. Asobi glanced at Jotou as Jotou slightly shook her head. Asobi hummed nodding her head.

"Alright... I suppose I’ll have to take your word for it. You’re saying, there’s a second chance at this battle?"

"Yes." ’I guess I’m not completely lying.’

"Then the word Cheesewisk will do just fine."

’What?’

"Huh?"

"What?"

"Cheesewisk?"

"What?"

"Major? Are you becoming delirious?"

"Is that a food?" Asobi queried whilst the three soldiers stared even more confused; Jotou, Fumeko and Hotaru joining in their bewilderment.

"Will that do alright?" the major groaned, as if his leg in the wrong direction was not enough trouble.

"You know what? If it gives that reaction, it probably will," Jotou replied.

"Alright, take him and go already," Fumeko stated as Hotaru got up. The other soldiers nodded, picking up the major by the arms.

He hopped on one foot towards the cart, "Thundering Blade, I put my trust in you in this hectic time; I hope you will deliver."

"I will," Jotou stated, unsheathing her sword.