Jiji no. 8

As an Army Reservist

HOLDER WAS FASCINATED WHEN he realized who General Balfor is. He remembered his late father telling him about a man whom he is very close to, in the palace. He was one rank down his late father that time. And now, here that man was, General of the armies of the central kingdom.

What a lucky day he have!

He has just accidentally beaten those thugs acting as if they were the strongest man outside. It wasn’t his intention—that beating. But there was something that had made him snap, that is why he had done those surprising scene. And he had no serious idea how the heck those happened; how he had beaten those giga-bandits with just his bare hands. He thought that maybe, the goddess of battlefield and martial arts, Sherrie, had intervened in that fight, and gave her wisdom how to fight. Nah, that would be impossible. Sherrie and the other gods, even Nosheh, had long been not showcasing their power to the humans. Four thousand years ago, that is, when the recordings of the history had last written an account about the appearance of the gods and goddesses. Now, people would just laugh at you if you say you have seen a god, or had been guided by a goddess. But what could be the explanation of him beating and making those bandits kiss the floor? He himself cannot believe it. Is it because of the adrenaline?

Holder and the guard who have called and talked to him had travelled inside the tunnel. He thought he would have the chance to see the beauty and the inside of the central kingdom. But that guard who have talked to him had led him to a certain tunnel which was sandwiched in the middle of the thick wall of the central kingdom.

But irregardless of the fact that he was just inside the tunnel, he cannot deny the fact that it was still fascinating. His eyes were glimmering as he look at the glowing crystals sitting prettily at the well-crafted, beautifully designed walls.

“Woooow!” he exclaimed in fascination.

“First time?” the guard asked, laughing at his expression.

Holder nodded. He ran then beside the wall, and touched it with shining eye of inspection.

“Wow! It glows in rainbow!” Holder childishly bursted as the walls gleamed and dance in golden colors—like an aurora in the northern sky.

“It is,” the guard laughed.

“Hey,” Holder called, “I am really curious how did you know about my father, and why did you say that I am his hidden son? You see, I’m not even aware that I was hidden. I was just staying at Hem region and living my life as a farm—” he gasped. “—perhaps . . . Papa has a new family inside the central kingdom?!” His face started to gloom and sadden.

The guard then laughed at him, and knocked him on the head.

“Ow! Hey, don’t do that!” Holder said as he massaged the part of his head which the guard had hit.

“Everyone living in the central kingdom knew what happened to your father.”

Holder started to become silent. Hearing what the guard told, his aura went into seriousness and being sad.

“About my Pa . . . I don’t really know what happened to him. We just received the news that he was dead. And then . . . just that. We didn’t even knew what had caused his death. We just . . . mourned to him without seeing his body or even his ashes.”

“I’m sorry to hear that bro.”

“No,” he sighed, and smiled. “It’s okay. I am past that mourning, really. I am just sad because I really love him.”

“Yeah I can see that.”

“Can you tell me what happened to Papa and what was the reason why he died?”

The guard sadly shook his head. “We guards were not allowed to talk about the past, or think about the future. We just live on the present, and live the best that we can do. That’s one of our code.”

“Wow, what a code.”

“Isn’t it? You’ll be learning that as well, when you’re finally part of the army.”

“But you’re here with me because you know the past right? Then that means you’re unconsciously telling me about the past.”

“There are factors, dude. If you think talking about the past would give you the benefit for the future which only in the present could happen, why not?”

“Eh, so you just basically means you just talked to me, because I will give you benefit? That’s sad, man.”

“Benefit to the kingdom, I mean. You wanted to be an army reservist, ‘aight? The fact that you have beaten those thugs, and the fact that you’re the son of late general, wasn’t it a great enough benefit for the kingdom if I immediately recommend you to be part of the army?”

Holder thought about it. He touched his chin to analyze what the guard told. And then, when he was done, he told, “you’re one smart kid, man!”

The guard, again, laughed. “You’re funny.”

“But I am not sure if I am that strong as how you’ve expected me.”

“Oh cut the crap, Xin Holder Viscus. I’ve seen how you fight.” And then touched one part of the wall, making a door, and opening it, revealing a minimalistic-designed office. “We’re here,” the guard said.

“H—How did you knew my name?!” Holder asked warily.

The guard stopped at the doorway, and looked at him. “What is it that you said earlier? ‘I am his son. Please remember my name.’ dude that was scary. So I ought to remember your name. Your complete name.”

They entered the office which had just appeared from the glowing crystals and rainbow-like walls.

“General Balfor,” the guard then saluted, even though there were no other people present aside them. “I have some important thing to talk to you about.”

Holder felt the arms of the man tapping his back to salute too. Then, despite confused, Holder just saluted to whoever higher-ranked official he cannot see. Maybe a ghost.

“What is it, Balel?”

Holder was shocked when in their front, there appeared a man. He was wearing a fascinating white armor with exquisite design of dragons, serpentines, and unknown beasts, all in splendored shining.

Holder held his breath. So the man has the power to make himself invisible. And wow, the armor! The armor is way beautiful than the armor his Papa had wore!

“I am recommending this gentleman as an A-ranked soldier of Agnosbadtt,” the guard—which named Balel—told.

“What? Hey, why A-ranked?” Holder asked, surprised with what Balel told.

“You deserve it.”

“But—”

“Would you want to tell me who is this gentleman first, Balel?” The general intercepted, and with a baritonic voice, he spoke.

“W—Well, General, I believe you would find this shocking. But this man beside me is named Xin Holder Viscus. He is . . . the infamous hidden son of—”

“—Vlad Viscus,” the general continued.

“Yes, General. He is.”

“I can see his eyes to you, young man.” The General looked at him.

Holder, with panic, bowed to avoid the gaze of the general.

“I—I am . . . I am in deep need, General Balfor. I—I want to become part of the kingdom’s army, just like what my father was.”

The general nodded. “I see, I see. We can talk about it. But, is it okay, if, young man, I can give you a hug?”

“Wh—Why, General?” Holder asked.

The General didn’t answer his question, not until he was able to hug the kid.

“This may be a late act, but I am in deep sorry for your loss, young man. Your father is one of the bravest man I’ve met.”

“Th—Thank you, General.”

“Now, sit.” When the general was done hugging Holder, he gestured them to sit down, on the cushion chair waiting for them in the middle of the office.

They sat down. Holder is beside the guard Balel, and General Balfor was in their front. The office was designed in simplicity. The walls are painted in white. There is a chair and desk next to the window in the middle of the wall. There also hanged different things on the wall painted in black, such as a buffalo’s head. In the middle of the office, where they sat, is a black-colored, soft chair—a sofa—that they are using for a comfortable sit. The place was too alien for Holder. It was the first time he saw such a vibrant and colorful space that can even be comfortable as a home. If the people in Hem saw this kind of room, they would have envied the general for he have this comfortable space while them, surviving in the weak strength of wood, and bamboos, in leaves, and other things that they can use to build a simple home.

General Balfor sat comfortably on the chair, in their front. He pressed a button near his wrist, and surprisingly, his beautifully crafted armor evaporated and turned into fine glowing dusts that just then disappeared in the air. Balel did the same thing. The only thing left to them is a simple black pants and a white t-shirt, which, even still in that clothes, would make Holder shy because those shirts seemed new, while his was worn and old.

“W—Wow!” Holder was fascinated when he saw the evaporation of their armor, to the point that he checked Balel’s wrist to see what had caused the sudden unequipping of their armors. But he had seen nothing. “How did you do that?”

“You will learn about that, Holder, sooner,” The general told. “Now, the problem about you is that to be an A-ranked soldier, we have to test your strength and skills.”

“That should not be a problem, General,” Balel interfered.

“Why is it?”

“He had shown his strength already,” Balel answered.

“In what way?” the general again, asked.

“By beating those long pain-in-the-head Bandits outside our protective walls, General. And many guards and people have witnessed it.”

“Is it?”

“Hey, Balel! I told you already that was just a fluke! I didn’t even know what had happened that time.”

“I believe it wasn’t a fluke.”

“But,” Holder looked at the General, “really, I am not yet confident for a higher ranked position.”

This explains how the rank of the guards in the Agnosbadtt is working: the lowest of the rank is the army reservist. They are people of the Central Kingdom who is under training and probation of higher-ranked officials. They may be considered as part of the kingdom’s army, but they were not yet entitled to receive an allowance, or benefits which other ranked soldiers has been enjoying. There are only fifty percent probability that an army reservist would be promoted to a full-pledged guards or soldiers of the kingdom. If by any chance, would they get that long-assumed promotion after training, they will be promoted to D-classed soldiers, which, their main role, is to be beside the C-classed soldier who will be patrolling in the walls and watch-stations. B-classed are the officers patrolling and maintaining the peace inside the Central Kingdom. A-classed can choose either to join the group of D and C-classed, or B-classed guards. They, upon being in the high position, would be entitled to lead a group of guards—and of course, with higher rewards and benefits than other guards. The highest among the position is being a Knight—which General Balfor belongs. There is only twelve entitled knights of the kingdom. They have different roles in the central palace, like what General Balfor is: he is appointed as the general of the army, and the other knights had different roles to perform as well. But . . . there is this new group recognized by the kingdom . . . which is separated to the armies of the kingdom—but . . . more higher-ranked, more powerful, more recognized by the kingdom, and more relied by the people of the kingdom. They are a mysterious group. But people recognizes and respected their power.

“I believe at my son’s intuition about you, Holder,” the general said.

“Son? Who’s your son, General?” Holder looked around the office. His eyes landed to the guard beside him. To Balel.

“Huh?! You’re the General’s son?!” Holder pointed his finger at Balel, shocked.

“I am.” Balel laughed. “Had you not noticed it?”

By the time Holder looked repetitively at Balel and General Balfor, he recognized the similarities of their facial features.

“Y-You really are,” he said.

“So, Holder, what can you say? Do you want to be an A-classed guard? Your Papa would be so proud of you.”

Holder smiled. “No, General. Papa would be more prouder if I start in the lowest point. At the bottom of everything. From there, I will do my very best to rise up, and to be recognized with my own strength and skills. And with my perseverance.”

“What do you mean, then, Holder?” the General asked.

“Is it, perhaps . . . you mean . . .”

Holder nodded. “I want to start from the start, General, Balel. I want to start my life here in Central kingdom as an army reservist.”