Reincarnated with a Military System in Another World

Chapter 223: The Return to the Akarios Island



The rhythmic thrum of the Blackhawk's rotors filled the night sky as it cut through the darkness, carrying Vincent, Marcus, Duchess Elinalese, and the rest of the squad away from the perilous Broken Cliffs. The helicopter's interior was dimly lit, casting red hues over the exhausted faces of the soldiers. For now, the adrenaline had subsided, replaced by the quiet aftermath of their narrow escape.

Vincent sat across from Elinalese, his eyes watching her intently. She was wrapped in a thermal blanket, her once regal attire now reduced to tattered remnants. Her breathing was shallow, but steady, her eyes closed as she tried to rest. Despite her weakened state, there was a strength in the set of her jaw, a quiet resolve that hadn't been broken by the Demon Lord's cruelty.

"Commander," Marcus spoke quietly over the roar of the rotors, leaning in close so only Vincent could hear him. "We're about ten minutes out from Akarios. The medics have been alerted and are standing by."

"Good," Vincent replied, his gaze never leaving Elinalese. "We need to get her to the hospital as soon as we land. The dark magic she was exposed to... we can't risk any lingering effects."

Marcus nodded and moved back to join his squad. The soldiers exchanged glances, relief evident in their eyes. This time, they had all made it back in one piece, a rare outcome given the dire circumstances they had faced. Vincent allowed himself a brief moment to appreciate the calm before they would have to dive into preparations again. The Demon Lord's ominous promise still echoed in his mind.

As the Blackhawk approached Akarios Island, the familiar outline of the fortified base came into view. The island's perimeter lights flickered through the mist, a beacon of safety amidst the surrounding darkness. The pilot's voice crackled through the comms.

"Akarios Base, this is Blackhawk-2. We're on approach. ETA three minutes."

"Roger that, Blackhawk-2," came the response from the air traffic controller. "Medical team is on standby. Clear to land."

The helicopter descended smoothly, the rotor wash kicking up dust as it touched down on the designated helipad. The moment the skids hit the ground, the doors slid open, and the medical team rushed forward. Two medics immediately approached Elinalese, their faces grim as they assessed her condition.

"Careful," Vincent instructed as he helped guide her out of the helicopter. "She's been exposed to dark magic. Make sure you run a full diagnostic."

The medics nodded, carefully transferring her onto a stretcher. As they wheeled her toward the waiting ambulance, Vincent followed closely, his boots pounding against the concrete as they moved through the base. The soldiers on duty saluted as they passed, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. Word of the mission's outcome had spread quickly, and everyone was eager to know more about what had transpired at the Broken Cliffs.

Marcus and his team stayed behind to debrief and secure the equipment, ensuring that the hard-earned intel would be reviewed and analyzed as soon as possible. Vincent, however, had only one priority at the moment-making sure the Duchess was safe.

Akarios Medical Facility

The hospital's automatic doors slid open with a soft whoosh, allowing the medical team to rush through with Elinalese. The sterile scent of antiseptics filled the air, and the soft hum of medical equipment provided a stark contrast to the chaos Vincent had just left behind on the battlefield.

A doctor in a white coat, Dr. Harris, approached with a clipboard in hand. He was a middle- aged man with graying hair and a steady, confident demeanor. "Commander Stryder," he greeted, his eyes flicking briefly to the Duchess on the stretcher. "We'll take it from here. We need to assess the extent of her injuries and run a full scan for any traces of dark magic." Vincent nodded curtly. "She's been through hell. Whatever you can do, do it quickly. I don't want any remnants of that demonic influence lingering."

The doctor nodded and motioned for the nurses to move Elinalese into one of the treatment rooms. Vincent followed, unable to bring himself to leave her side just yet. He watched as the medical team set to work, their movements efficient and practiced. They hooked Elinalese up to various monitors, and the steady beep of her heart rate filled the otherwise silent room. A nurse gently cleaned the cuts and bruises on her arms while another prepared an IV drip. Dr. Harris adjusted the scanner above her, focusing on detecting any arcane anomalies in her system. Vincent stood by the door, his arms crossed, his mind racing with thoughts of what had just transpired at the Broken Cliffs.

"Commander, she's stable for now," Dr. Harris said after a few minutes. "We're not detecting any immediate life-threatening injuries, but the dark magic has left residual traces. We're administering a cleansing potion to counteract the effects, but she'll need rest."

Vincent nodded, relief washing over him like a wave. "How long before she's fully recovered?"

"It's hard to say," the doctor replied, his tone cautious. "It depends on how deeply the magic affected her system. But with proper care, she should be back on her feet within a few days."

Vincent let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate your team's efforts."

Leaving the medical staff to their work, Vincent stepped out of the room, the door closing softly behind him. He leaned against the wall, his mind racing. The Demon Lord's words had been clear: he was learning, adapting. This encounter had been a test, a reconnaissance mission disguised as a battle. And now, the stakes were higher than ever.

Marcus approached, his boots echoing softly in the sterile corridor. "Commander, the debrief is ready whenever you are," he said, his voice low and respectful.

"Give me a few more minutes," Vincent replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "I need to think."

Marcus nodded, understanding his commander's need for a moment of quiet. "I'll wait in the briefing room, sir."

As Marcus walked away, Vincent turned his gaze back to the window of the treatment room where Elinalese lay resting. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much larger. The Demon Lord was adapting, learning from their encounters. And Vincent knew that next time, they wouldn't be so lucky.

He pushed himself off the wall and began to make his way to the briefing room. There was no time to rest. They had to be ready for whatever came next. The Demon Lord had retreated, but it was clear he wouldn't stay in the shadows for long.

Vincent's mind was already racing with strategies and countermeasures. The next battle would come sooner than they expected, and this time, they would be the ones who were

prepared.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om