Debriefing

His heart pounded in his chest as he struggled to sit up. He couldn't accept this reality. Emmanuel couldn't be dead. Not like this. Not before his eyes.

Through the black smoke, a flash of light suddenly drew his gaze to the center of the crater.

Gradually, a silhouette stood upright, flickering but present.

The soldiers of the Eighth Regiment, who could see the scene, all held their breath. They all had great respect for their captain, so they all hoped their captain had survived.

When the dust cleared completely, Orvari was finally able to see what he had both feared and hoped for.

Emmanuel was standing there, his arms still outstretched and his hands still firmly gripping his two daggers.

His green uniform, covered in dark leaf patterns, was torn, his glasses were broken, his skin bore the marks of severe burns, and blood flowed profusely from several wounds.

Yet he was alive and well.