Chapter 8: The Calm After the Storm

Chapter 8: The Calm After the Storm



"Luminova...who is the man that came to our rescue?" Elinalese asked, looking up at the man who seemed to be staring blankly into the air.

"His name is Vincent Strider, Milady," Luminova replied as she turned her head towards Vincent. "He was the one who also rescued me when I was being chased by the bandits."

"Is that so? Then we owe a lot to that man then," Elinalese said, her voice filled with gratitude.

Vincent, still processing the system notifications, snapped out of his trance and turned his attention back to the princess and her maid. He nodded slightly, acknowledging their conversation.

"It's nothing," Vincent said, his voice calm and steady. "Just doing what needed to be done. I am going to go ahead to that camp over there to release the prisoners I found earlier. Stay here."

Elinalese and Luminova nodded and Vincent quickly made his way back to the tent where he had found the other prisoners. As he entered, he saw the six women huddled together, their eyes wide with fear and confusion.

"You're safe now," Vincent said softly. "I'm here to get you out."

The women looked at him, hope slowly replacing their fear. Vincent moved to unlock the cage, the sound of the lock clicking open breaking the tense silence. He carefully swung the door open and stepped inside, extending a hand to the nearest woman.

The women hesitated for a moment before one of them, a woman with short, dark hair and a determined expression, took his hand and stepped out of the cage. The others quickly followed, their trust in Vincent growing with each passing second.

"Thank you," the dark-haired woman whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "We thought we were going to die here."

Vincent simply acknowledged their gratitude and led them outside.

The moment they stepped outside, the six women spotted Luminova and Elinalise.

"Milady!" they cried in unison, rushing towards the princess and Luminova.

Luminova ran to meet them halfway, her eyes welling up with tears of relief. "Thank the heavens you're all safe!"

Elinalise moved to embrace them, offering words of comfort. "I'm so glad to see you all unharmed. We've been through so much, but we're safe now."

Vincent watched the reunion quietly, giving them a moment to reconnect. After a few minutes, he stepped forward, clearing his throat to get their attention.

"What's your relationship with these women?" he asked Luminova, his tone curious but gentle.

Luminova turned to him, her expression grateful yet serious. "They are also maids working under Lady Elinalise. I am their leader, the head maid. We've served the princess for many years."

"Alright," Vincent nodded. "I'm going to look around for something. You all stay here."

Vincent left the group for their reunion and walked back to the main tent where he had confronted the ringleader and his goons. He scanned the area, his eyes settling on the cluttered desk that the ringleader had been using.

He moved towards the desk, sifting through the scattered maps and documents. Most of it was standard bandit fare: routes, stolen goods, and a ledger of their illicit transactions. However, something caught his eye under a pile of papers-a small, ornate chest. He pulled it out and examined it closely.

The chest was surprisingly heavy, its weight indicating it was filled with something valuable. Vincent pried it open and found it brimming with gold coins. He examined the coins closely, noting their intricate designs and realizing they were probably a valuable currency in this world.

gold coins.

He added both vehicles to his cart, and after confirming the purchase, his balance was further reduced by 27,000 gold coins, leaving him with 34,000 gold coins. A magic circle appeared on the ground, and the soldiers and vehicles emerged from it.

"What the..." Vincent mouthed and approached the newly arrived special forces soldiers. Are

they real?

***

[Host: Vincent Strider]

[Level 5]

[Gold: 34,000 gold coins.]

[Experience points: 4300/8,693]

[Health: 100/100]

[Armor: 100]

[Equipment: Combat Suit, Heckler & Koch G36, SIG Sauer M17, Tactical Knife]

Summoned Troops & Vehicles.

Vehicles:

Land: 1x M939 series 5-ton 6x6 truck, 1x Oshkosh M-ATV

Air:

Water:

Amphibious:

Spawn personnel count.

Infantry: o

Special Forces: 5

Officers: 0

Non-combat personnel: 0