Inside the house, a tall man sat on a chair draped with animal fur.
He had shoulder-length black hair and a scar running across his face.
Upon hearing the report, he immediately let out an amused chuckle.
“Well, of course they lost.
How many times have I said it?
Nisen’s militia is useless aside from having numbers.” The reporting man quickly put on a flattering smile.
“Boss is absolutely right!
So what should we do?
Should we gather the brothers and deal with them?” “Nisen did send someone earlier to ask for your help.” Norco let out a disdainful snort.
“Hmph.
They’re just pirates.” “A bunch of losers who couldn’t survive on land and ended up drifting across the sea.” “To deal with people like them, we only need to gather a few men.” The man cautiously asked, “Should I go gather some of the brothers now?” Norco waved his hand dismissively.
“Go ahead.” “Since these incompetent fools have come to my territory, I should teach them a lesson and show them the difference between us.” “Got it!” The man responded enthusiastically before running out of the house with a grin.
Meanwhile, in the town.
Inside a small clinic.
After suffering a crushing defeat against the Pale Emperor Pirates on the coast, the militia had returned to town looking like beaten strays.
Their leader, Nisen, had fallen unconscious and was now lying on a hospital bed.
The other militia members weren’t much better off.
Every one of them had sustained injuries.
The clinic’s doctor and two young nurses were busy tending to their wounds.
Strangely enough, despite the clinic being packed with people, the atmosphere was deathly quiet.
Every militia member sat with their head lowered, saying nothing.
After spending a long time treating everyone’s injuries, one of the nurses, carrying a tray of medicine, looked around at the crowded clinic with concern.
“Everyone got hurt this time…” “Nisen still hasn’t even woken up yet.” The other nurse glanced at the injured men and sighed.
“That’s to be expected.” “After all, Nisen and the others were fighting those desperate outlaws who roam the seas.” The nurse holding the medicine looked out the clinic window and muttered, “What are the Marines even doing?” “Why are there still so many pirates out there?” “They should all be arrested and thrown into prison.” As the two nurses talked, a sudden cry came from the back room.
“Nisen!
Nisen, you’re awake!” The militia immediately raised their heads and rushed toward the source of the voice.
At the same time, Nisen slowly sat up in bed with great difficulty.
Grabbing the arm of a nearby militia member, he asked in a hoarse and urgent voice, “Those people…
where are the pirates?!” “Have they left?” The militia exchanged glances before lowering their heads once more.
Silence filled the room.
Seeing that nobody answered, Nisen grew anxious.
“Answer me!” “I haven’t heard the townspeople screaming.
Did the pirates leave or not?!” “Tell me!” Faced with his desperate questioning, one militia member finally clenched his teeth and spoke.
“No.” “They…
they didn’t leave.” “They’ve already landed on the island.” Nisen’s body trembled violently.
The light in his eyes seemed to fade, and even his strength appeared to leave him.
But only for a moment.
Soon, he forced himself upright again.
“What about Norco?!” “That bastard and his mountain bandits!” “Did they stop them?” The militia member shook his head.
“No.” “We never saw any sign of the bandits.” “And it’s already too late.” “The pirates…
have entered the town.” Nisen immediately barked, “Help me up!” The militia member protested, “What are you doing?!” “You just woke up!” “You’re still weak.
You can’t get out of bed!” Seeing his companion pressing him back down instead of helping him up, Nisen exploded in anger.
“Those infamous pirates have already entered the town!” “How can you expect me to stay here and hide?!” “Their very presence fills people with fear of losing their loved ones!” “Now that they’ve entered the town, if nobody drives them away, the townspeople will be trapped in endless fear!” His furious outburst seemed to ignite something within the others.
The militia member clenched his fists, shut his eyes, and shouted back.
“But we lost!!” “We’re no match for them at all!” “They’re too strong!” “When we fought them, we didn’t even last a minute!” “You couldn’t beat them when you were healthy.” “So what can you possibly do now that you’re injured?!” “Go throw your life away?!” His unwilling roar echoed throughout the clinic.
The entire building fell silent.
Nisen stared at him with wide eyes, disbelief written across his face.
After a long pause, he lowered his head in shame.
Without another word, and without asking anyone for help, he slowly pushed himself up from the bed using his own strength.
The militia member asked, “What are you trying to do?” Nisen paused briefly before continuing to stand.
Then he spoke.
“I know I’m not their match.” “I know I’m weak.” “But even so…” “There are things I want to protect.” “There are people I love that I’m willing to give my life for.” “If those loved ones are going to die at the hands of those infamous pirates…” “I would rather fight them to the very end!” “Even if it means throwing my life away…” “I’ll still stand in front of them!” His voice was calm.
But his eyes carried a determination stronger than ever before.
The surrounding militia couldn’t help but be moved.
“Nisen…” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS AniForge_058 Enjoying the story?
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