Erend looked at the tall Elf suspiciously. He also always keeps an eye on all his subordinates behind him.
His index finger was continuously in front of the trigger. Ready to pull it at any time.
He looked at Billy and Billy looked back at him with the same gesture. The two of them had to remain vigilant.
Lt. Boartusk stepped forward. "What do you want to talk about?"
That Elf could be over a hundred years old. But his smile and flawless complexion made him look like a man in his twenties.
But when they look at the Elf next to him they will see a clear difference. The Elf behind him looked older maybe because of his long white beard that almost reached his belly.
"What is your name, Representative?" asked Aerchon.
"Call me Boartusk."
Aerchon looked at Lt. Boartusk with a strange look. As if wondering if that name is a real name. But soon the smile was back on his face.
Erend also noticed that the movement of the Elf's lips with the sound that came out of his lips looked different.
It must be because there is some kind of Magic that can translate Elf's language into human language, Erend thought. Just like what he experienced when talking to Aurdis.
"Mr. Boartusk. I'll just go ahead because I don't want to waste your time," said Aerchon. "This war has been going on longer than we thought. And so far the casualties on both sides have continued to fall. This is certainly not a good thing for either of us, is it?"
Lt. Boartusk flashed a sarcastic smile that was a mixture of anger and humor. "Let me ask you, Mr. Aerchon. Who attacked first? It's very strange when you talk about victims when you're the first to shed blood."
Aerchon lost his smile. "That's why we offer peace."
Erend gritted his teeth. This elf didn't even look guilty. He spoke as if his people were the truest. And offering peace is a kind of compassion from them.
Lt. Boartusk felt the same way. "You don't even want to apologize?"
Aerchon just kept quiet and looked at Lt. Boartusk. After a while he finally said. "Our offer of a peace truce is a good thing. Listen, Representative."
Lt. Boartusk stared back with his piercing eyes. Erend knew he was trying his best not to stick the muzzle of his rifle against Aerchon's forehead. Because Erend felt the same way.
"The army that attacked you is not the strongest. I still have an army that is much stronger and more numerous than them. If-"
"You mean the Elf riding the horned horse?" cut Lt. Boartusk. "They're still scattered around here. We don't have time to burn the trash."
Erend and Billy saw the Elves behind Aerchon begin to lower their spears towards them. At that moment Erend and Billy raised their rifles and pointed them at them.
Lt. Boartusk didn't look scared. He even smirked.
"Please continue. Dear Mr. Aerchon," he said sarcastically.
Aerchon raised one hand. Then the Elves behind him lowered their hands. Erend could still see their sharp glares filled with anger. Erend returned the gaze without the slightest fear.
"Let's forget about this dispute for a moment-"
"Heh!" Billy snorted. He immediately got a glare from Aerchon. The Elf seemed to be trying really hard to contain himself.
"Let's forget about this dispute for a moment," Aerchon repeated. "Look at your soldiers. If we send our troops in large numbers, they will die immediately."
Lt. Boartusk seemed to start to doubt when he thought about his men.
"Put down your weapons," the lieutenant ordered.
Erend and Billy lowered their weapons.
"Why haven't you sent your strongest army all this time?" asked Lt. Boartusk.
"We have our reasons," replied Aerchon. "But we do have another, stronger army. If you're willing to take the risk, then I'll order them to attack. Behind me are a few of that army."
Lt. Boartusk certainly didn't want to take the risk even though what Aerchon said sounded unbelievable.
"All right. What do you offer?" the lieutenant asked.
Aerchon smiled with satisfaction after hearing that. And said. "We invite you, Representatives, to visit our world."
Billy and Erend exchanged glances. It sounds so obvious like a trap. But Aerchon said it like they had no choice.
'If you don't want to come with us, then I'll send an army to kill your comrades.' His words implied that.
Lt. Boartusk let out a long breath. Then he turned to Erend and Billy. "All right. I'll come with you," the lieutenant said.
"You three should come together," Aerchon replied.
"Yeah, sure," said Lt. Boartusk. "Right now?"
"I wi give you time to get ready. So tomorrow when the first morning light comes I will send my soldiers' to escort you," said Aerchon. "And don't worry. As long as you are in our world, no attacks will occur."
Lt. Boartusk nodded curtly. "Sure."
After that Aerchon's party re-entered the Portal behind them.
Lt. Boartusk returns to the trenches with Erend and Billy.
They said that tonight's attack was over and the soldiers could return to the bunker.
Lt. Boartusk told the soldiers what they were talking about with the Elf. Some gave almost the same response, thinking that it was a trap.
But Lt. Boartusk convinced them to stay calm as they had no choice. For tonight, they started getting ready and went to bed early.
~~~
When the next day came, Lt. Boartusk along with Erend and Billy were already standing outside the bunker facing the direction where the Portal usually appeared.
The sun was still not fully up and the sky was still dim in the east. But the three of them were ready while carrying their backpacks and weapons.
The portal is open. From there came out five Elves riding Unicorns.
The three of them knew that it was a sign so they walked toward the Elves.
The Elves descended from the Unicorn and led the three into the Portal.
With a thumping feeling, the human soldier entered the Portal into an unknown world.
~~~