CHAPTER 22: VILLAGE IS SECURED

The two choppers landed near the Aldo Village.

The moment it touched the ground, the rear ramp of the MH-53 opened, allowing the Marines and the Atlas operators to step out.

They were greeted by the people of Aldo Village, their faces having hopeful look with the Village Elder Harvin taking a step forward.

"Sir Albert...while you were away, there were no goblins that came. We heard explosions from afar, was that you?"

"Yes it was us," Albert confirmed. "We just destroyed the nest of the goblins and rescued survivors but we are taking them to our base since we have the medical facilities that can accommodate them."

"Oh thank you...we can now finally sleep in peace without us worrying about the goblins invading our village."

The villagers all bowed their heads in respect, and Albert smiled.

"Well, we have a contract right?" Albert reminded him. "You’ll pay us for our service. We are to receive a gold coin and further information."

"Of course sir! We will give you the reward. But it’s late in the evening, we can process it tomorrow," Harvin suggested.

"I don’t mind. We are also tired. Do you mind if we camp in your village for the night?" Albert finished.

Harvin nodded at once. "Please, yes. You’re all welcome to stay within our walls. You’ve saved our people, Sir Albert, the least we can offer is food and rest."

Albert gave a small, tired smile. "Appreciate it, Elder. We’ll set perimeter security around the palisade and rotate sentries. My men won’t disturb your people."

"Understood," Harvin said, bowing again. "We’ll have food brought to you."

"Make sure it’s cooked," Ward muttered under his breath as he stepped past with his rifle slung low. The villagers didn’t hear him, but Claes chuckled.

The Marines began setting up a temporary bivouac near the central square.

Albert removed his helmet, the cold air brushing his sweat-damp hair. He turned to Claes.

"Get your men to rest in shifts. I want a four-man guard post by the north wall and two on the eastern gate."

Claes gave a nod. "Aye, sir. Bravo will handle it. You taking first watch?"

Albert shook his head. "Ward’s team will."

Ward groaned. "Of course. Always us."

"You’re the only ones who don’t fall asleep standing," Albert replied dryly.

Laughter rippled faintly among the troops, the kind of brief, strained humor that only comes after surviving something hellish.

As night deepened, the flames around Aldo Village flickered higher. The smell of cooked bread and broth drifted through the square. Marines leaned against crates, eating quietly, their faces lit by firelight and exhaustion. Harvin approached again, carrying a small clay jug and two cups.

"For you, Sir Albert," he said, offering it with both hands. "It’s mead. Brewed from our last harvest. A token of thanks."

Albert took it, offering a faint nod. "You didn’t have to."

"I insist. You saved us from extinction."

He poured a cup and took a cautious sip. The mead was sweet, rough on the throat, but it warmed the chill in his bones. He handed the other to Ward, who downed it instantly.

"You’ll make me a drunk before sunrise," Ward muttered.

Albert smirked faintly, then looked back toward the temple’s direction, the ridge now silent, lit faintly by the glow of distant fire still burning from the HIMARS strike.

He exhaled slowly. "That’s one less hellhole in this world."

Harvin followed his gaze. "Was it... truly all gone?"

"Yeah," Albert said quietly. "Leveled to dust. Whatever came from that pit won’t be crawling out again."

Harvin’s shoulders eased, and for the first time, his expression softened with relief.

"Since it’s common for goblins to kidnap women and then raped them. If rescued by a party, how do they usually deal with the trauma?" Albert asked.

"Hmm...they usually send them to the church for care," Harvin said after a pause, his tone subdued. "The sisters there tend to them, body and spirit. Some stay for months, others for years. A few never recover enough to return to their families."

Albert nodded slightly, eyes dim in the firelight. "We have doctors back at base. Real ones. They’ll do their best. But what those women went through... even medicine can’t fix that kind of scar overnight."

Harvin lowered his gaze, his hands clasped together. "Still, you gave them a chance. That’s more than anyone else ever did."

"Well, I’d say that all worlds are cruel," Albert chuckled and added. "Oh, by the way, we are bringing hardware into this village. I kind of want this village to be our outpost. Would that be okay?"

"As long as you are not here to take our land," he said finally, "and you help protect us, then yes. Aldo will take you in."

Albert gave a single, slow nod. "Thank you for that. Expect in the morning there’d be more helicopters flying in and out of this village."

"Helicopters? You mean the one you have been riding on? The iron pegasus?"

"Yup, you can say that," Albert chuckled. "Well, after you finish your meal, your men can rest in the inn. It’s big enough to accommodate 20 of you."

"...That’s generous of you," Albert said, setting the empty clay cup down. "You’ve done more than enough already. We’ll repay it by keeping your people safe."

Harvin smiled faintly, bowing his head. "Then it’s settled. Rest well, Sir Albert. Tomorrow, we’ll settle the reward."

"Understood," Albert replied, offering a firm handshake. "Thank you again, Elder."

He left the fire and walked toward the inn Harvin had pointed out, a two-story wooden structure at the edge of the village square. Its walls creaked softly in the cold wind, the smell of smoke and straw seeping through the cracks. Inside, a few lanterns still burned dimly. Rough beds lined the walls, enough for his team to take shifts.

Albert walked upstairs to the corner room. He pushed the door open, checked the corners out of habit, then set his rifle by the wall.

He reached into his vest, pulling out his encrypted radio. The LED flicked on green. "Command, this is Atlas Actual," he said quietly. "Mission complete. Aldo is secure. I’m authorizing expansion. Bring everything."