Revival of The Devils

MYSTERY 2

THE NEWS

CATHRIN

   I could feel my cold sweat dropping like rain as I kept cutting the trees using an axe. It's no easy task since the trees here in the forest are thick. For two hours, I was able to cut at least one tree and if I'm able to cut this tree in front of me, it would be two trees in total.

   It's not like I'm doing this because I need it, but because Rein's father said that he needs it for some reason. I don't even know why a woman like me should cut down trees instead of them, wasn't this supposed to be a man's job?

   It's not like it matters anyway, I consider this as a part of my training. It lets me practice swings and a proper grip. The last hit of my axe on the tree made it fell off the ground. The next thing I did was cut the unnecessary branches and leaves. I unloaded the big wagon enough to carry the woods, it was heavy though.

   Bringing the axe I used and my katana with me, I climbed into the horse's back and began to travel my way back to Rein's Father. I smell as if I've spent my whole life inside a cave, I better take a bath after this.

   Still on my way, I encountered many people talking about joining something and eventually, it caught my attention. Not leaving the horse, I parked the wagon near a craftsman's shop.

   "Excuse me?" I say to a craftsman standing in front of his shop, looking for something.

   The man looks up to me, "Ah, Cathrin. Thank you for helping me the other day." He smiles at me, showing the results of his new working materials. It worked better than I had thought. "So, what is it?"

   "Yes, I'm wondering about the commotion here," I say. "Perhaps you can fill me in?"

   "Seems like you haven't read the news yet," He started, his hands playing with his mustache. "They're recruiting soldiers until May 3rd " That's four days from now. "Some folks are talking about whether they should join or not, I mean they might die, it's going to be a war after all."

   It just makes sense since we're still in a warring era between kingdoms, manpower is needed to ensure victory. It's going to be eat or be eaten, that's the nature of war. I was a child then when I experienced what war is like. It's not a game, lives are at stake. Lose one battle, you lose land and your people.

   "However," The old man placed his right hand on his head as if to scratch it. "one couldn't deny the rewards just by participating in this war. Most of us don't have anything to get by the day, so that makes us prone to life and death situations. As it is a bad situation, it's also an advantage." He's right. Aside from that, we're a citizen of this nation, we won't let any enemy soldier to just come into our land and slaughter us all.

   "Even I'm planning to join. Sure, I may be old, but I can still fight and assist our soldiers in terms of their weapons." The old man then flashed a smile, one which has a hidden meaning.

   "You'll just die and get in the away, old man." I say, laughing, in attempt to break the serious atmosphere between us. The least I wanted to discuss is how short and problematic our life is.

   Successful, the old man chuckled. "Surely you jest! However, if I'm going to die sooner or later, I'd rather do it on a battlefield. That way, I can be proud to say that I did my best."

   "Oh! Then I'd better be sure to support you." I said, grinning. What a precious soul.

   "Yeah!" The old man boasted.

   A minute had passed. I turn left to park the wagon, the horse's shoes cruncing over the rocks. By the time I came down Mr. Feral, Rein's father, greeted me with a warm smile, so I smiled back, not minding the fatigue in my body.