Reincarnated with a Military System in Another World

Chapter 218: Hostage Situation



The wind howled through the narrow crevices of the Akarios Mines, sending a chill down the spines of the soldiers patrolling the dimly lit tunnels. The mines had been abandoned for months after Vincent and his forces had successfully dismantled a series of demonic gates hidden deep within. The remnants of the last gate, twisted shards of dark metal and glowing runes, had been left behind as a grim reminder of the demons' failed incursion.

Corporal Jensen adjusted his grip on his rifle, his eyes flicking nervously toward the faint red glow that seemed to pulse from deeper within the tunnel. The mines had been quiet for months-no sign of demonic activity since Vincent's forces had cleansed the area. Yet tonight, something felt wrong. Very wrong.

"Corporal, did you see that?" Private Reynolds whispered, his voice barely audible over the wind's mournful wail. He pointed toward the end of the tunnel where the remnants of the gate were stored under heavy guard.

Jensen squinted, his breath catching in his throat as he saw what Reynolds was pointing at. The shards of the gate, once lifeless and cold, were now pulsing with a sickly red light. The twisted metal fragments began to shift, twitching as if trying to reassemble themselves. A low hum filled the air, growing louder with each passing second.

"This can't be happening," Jensen muttered, his pulse quickening. "The gate was destroyed. We made sure of it."

Reynolds swallowed hard. "What do we do, sir?"

"Sound the alarm. Get Command on the line. Vincent needs to know about this immediately," Jensen ordered, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at his gut.

The mine's alarm blared to life, echoing through the underground passages. Soldiers scrambled to their posts, confusion and panic spreading like wildfire as the once-dormant gate began to reassemble itself before their eyes. Sparks of dark energy arced between the fragments, pulling them together with a force that defied explanation.

In the Akarios Village, Vincent was seated in his command office, finalizing the plans for the deployment of the new naval assets he had discussed with Brandt. The sudden blaring of the emergency comms system interrupted his thoughts, the red indicator light flashing urgently. "This is Commander Vincent Stryder. What's the situation?" he demanded, his voice steady.

"Commander, this is Corporal Jensen at the Akarios Mines," came the breathless reply. "Sir, we have a major situation here. The demonic gate we dismantled months ago... it's... it's reassembling itself."

Vincent's eyes narrowed, a cold dread settling in his gut. "That gate was destroyed. Are you certain?"

"Yes, sir. I'm looking right at it. The pieces are coming together on their own. It's... it's like it's repairing itself."

Vincent shot up from his chair. "Keep your men clear of the gate. I'm on my way. Do not engage until I get there. Understood?"

"Understood, Commander."

Slamming down the comms, Vincent turned to Brandt, who had already risen to his feet, concern etched on his face. "Get a transport ready. We're heading to Akarios now."

The transport roared through the dark, winding roads that led to the Akarios Mines, its engines straining as Vincent and his team sped toward the site. As they neared the entrance, the eerie red glow from within the mine cast an ominous light over the landscape.

Vincent and Brandt leaped out of the transport as soon as it came to a halt, making their way through the maze of tunnels with a squad of elite soldiers in tow. The deeper they ventured, the louder the hum grew, resonating through the very walls of the mine.

When they reached the chamber where the gate had been dismantled, Vincent was met with a sight that sent a chill down his spine. The gate, once shattered into countless pieces, now stood fully reassembled, its jagged archway crackling with dark energy. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur and burnt ozone.

"Commander, it just... rebuilt itself," Corporal Jensen reported, his voice tight with fear. "We tried to secure it, but it's like nothing we've ever seen."

Vincent's eyes narrowed as he approached the gate cautiously. The surface of the structure seemed to ripple, as if it were made of liquid shadow. A faint, echoing voice could be heard from within, growing louder as he drew closer.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Stand back," Vincent ordered his men, motioning for them to hold their positions. He turned to Brandt. "This gate... it's not just a portal. It's acting like a communication device."

Suddenly, the air in the chamber grew colder, and the center of the gate shimmered, revealing a blurred image. As the image sharpened, Vincent's breath caught in his throat. It was Duchess Elinalese Claes, her once-proud demeanor now reduced to a look of desperation. She was bound in dark chains, her face pale and streaked with tears.

"Sir Vincent..." she gasped, her voice barely a whisper. "Please... help..."

Before Vincent could respond, a deeper, more menacing voice cut through the air, sending a shiver down his spine. The image shifted to reveal the towering form of the Demon Lord, his crimson eyes glowing with malevolent delight.

"Well, well... Vincent Stryder," the Demon Lord sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "I see you've found my little message."

Vincent's fists clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the Demon Lord. "What do you want?" he demanded, his voice cold and unwavering.

The Demon Lord chuckled darkly, the sound echoing through the chamber. "Isn't it obvious? You humans dared to meddle in matters far beyond your understanding. You destroyed my outposts, killed my soldiers... and for what? To challenge me? To test your pitiful strength against mine?"

Vincent remained silent, his mind racing as he tried to assess the situation. The Demon Lord had somehow repaired the gate and used it to communicate-and worse, he had captured Elinalese, a woman whose kingdom had already suffered at the demon's hands.

The Demon Lord's gaze flickered to the bound duchess, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "I thought it fitting to show you the price of your defiance," he continued. "This one," he gestured toward Elinalese, "has already suffered for your actions. But her suffering is only just beginning."

Vincent's jaw tightened, his eyes blazing with fury. "If you think you can intimidate us by taking her hostage, you're gravely mistaken."

"Oh, I don't intend to intimidate, Commander," the Demon Lord replied, his voice a low growl. "I intend to destroy. I've grown tired of your interference. If you wish to see this pitiful woman alive, you will meet me... alone, at the Broken Cliffs in three days. Come, and perhaps you'll have the honor of dying by my hand."

With a final, mocking laugh, the image flickered and vanished, leaving only the crackling energy of the gate behind.

Vincent stood there, his mind racing. Brandt stepped forward, his expression grim. "It's a trap," he said quietly. "He wants to draw you out."

"I know," Vincent replied, his voice barely a whisper. "But we don't have a choice. If there's a chance to save her and put an end to this... we have to take it."

Turning to his men, Vincent's voice rang with the steel of command. "Prepare for deployment. We have three days to plan, and I want every possible contingency covered. This

ends now."

As his orders were relayed, Vincent couldn't shake the image of Elinalese's terrified eyes. He knew it was a trap, but he also knew that he couldn't let the Demon Lord's challenge go unanswered. The fate of their world-and the lives of those he swore to protect-depended

on what came next.

The command center was a flurry of activity as Vincent and his team made their way back from the mines. The echo of Vincent's heavy boots filled the room, a grim reminder that the clock was now ticking. Monitors buzzed with live feeds, maps flickered on large screens, and officers rushed to relay orders to their units. The air was thick with tension, the kind that settled in the moments before a storm.

Vincent strode in, Brandt by his side, their faces set with determination. As they approached the central table, Eamon, who was looking at Vincent concernedly.

"Eamon, where is the Broken Cliff?" Vincent asked.

It was only obvious that he'd asked this to Eamon as he was the denizen of this world, and a scholar on top of that. If there is q question about location aside from the elves and dwarves,

it was Eamon.

"Broken Cliffs? That's a dangerous place sir," Eamon said with a careful tone. "It was located in the southern part of the continent. It is a desolate expanse. It has a jagged coastline surrounded by treacherous waters and sheer rock faces. It's the perfect place for an ambush." Vincent studied the illuminated topography on the screen. The cliffs jutted out into the sea like the jagged teeth of a beast, and the surrounding terrain was marked with dense fog banks and unpredictable weather patterns. It was a place that offered few options for retreat or

support. "Very well, thank you, Eamon."