My night was a little troubled.

  While I could rest undisturbed, my sleep felt a little strange, and I'm sure that I dreamed of rather weird stuff; however, in general, it went fine.

  Only some vivid images of screaming, battlefields, and a general sense of heated emotions.

  There was also the sensation of an approaching presence.

  Or perhaps multiple?

  No idea what to make out of all this.

  At least I can sleep, so that's a plus.

  The next morning, I prepare to leave early, waiting only until the pair wake up so that I can wholeheartedly thank them and give my farewells.

  Which lets me depart just in time to dodge breakfast.

  I know now what I can expect from food.

  Fortunately, the rest of the road home is easy to travel, and at late midday, I finally arrive at the fortress, rising upon a natural hill.

  At the welcome sight, I move faster and shortly manage to reach the gates.

  But in front of it, there's a small commotion.

  It seems controls really got tighter at the town.

  Merging with the crowd, I try not to cause a commotion and keep my head down to avoid anyone seeing my eyes.

  I haven’t seen them myself, but judging from yesterday, my appearance must have quite an impact.

  Soon, I'm able to approach the gates.

  Unfortunately, Rodrick isn’t there.

  Of course, just my luck that it’s someone I’m not familiar with.

  "Stop. Who are you and what do you want?" (guard)

  "I-I live in this town. I was only away a short time." (Y)

  "I don't know what trick you’re trying to pull here, but I’ve never seen you before, and we cannot let just anyone in right now. The city is in a state of war! Only military personnel and their suppliers are allowed to enter!" (guard)

  "But I am a supplier! I'm the daughter of the leatherworkers Tomin and Jena! Please, tell them that something happened to my carriage and I had to come back!" (Y)

  From the guardhouse, an officer comes close.

  "So you're saying someone can testify to your identity?" (officer)

  "Y-yes! I have some acquaintances. My friend Ethan just joined, and I know Captain Verad! I-I have some more names!" (Y)

  Maybe knowing military personnel will help me more.

  "Captain Verad, you say? He is right now stationed close to here. If he can confirm your background, this shouldn't be a problem. We will also inform your... parents? Was that right?" (officer)

  "Yes, t-thank you! My name is Yomi!" (Y)

  "I will send a message to see if the Captain knows you." (officer)

  It is good that I'm a bit smaller than these men, or I would have been troubled to avoid eye contact.

  Already, the scrutinizing looks I’m getting from the guard and others around weigh on me.

  They probably think I'm going to bring the plague into town.

  Which means I absolutely have to avoid coughing or anything else that might be taken as sickness.

  I have to wait like all the others until someone confirms my identity.

  Verad just came first to mind as the one with the highest authority.

  I just hope he will have time and believe it.

  If they say a white haired girl with greyish skin is waiting, I might have a problem.

  After an hour or so, I get called.

  Trying not to look up, I come.

  "So now, where is this white-haired girl, impersonating a friend of mine?" (V)

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  He came himself.

  Not surprising given what information he might have gotten.

  Anyway, I have to explain quite some stuff.

  Still looking down, I approach him.

  "Uhm, hi, Verad. Something happened along the road." (Y)

  "Y-Yomi? Is that really you? What happened to your hair? And your skin?" (V)

  Just wait until I look up.

  "Y-you see, it is quite a lot to explain, and I wouldn't really want to do so in front of everyone. The short version would be that the carriage got raided." (Y)

  "Raided?! Are you fine?" (V)

  I look at him with an expression that can only be perceived as "seriously?".

  I mean, just look at me!

  This is, of course, a moment before I remember how my eyes apparently look.

  "Wha-... You... Right. Not okay!" (V)

  "I still have no idea how I am supposed to explain this to Mum and Dad." (Y)

  "I understand. Damnit, what happened!? You there! Inform the leatherworkers in Sector Five, Street Four that the carriage was destroyed, but their daughter made it back. She will be at the base for questioning." (V)

  Like this, one of the subordinates heads off.

  Also, it seems like I can pass now, and that before everyone else in the queue.

  Might be a little preferential treatment, but it's better than getting left outside the walls after they're done asking.

  However, regarding the questioning, I am not sure what I can tell them at all.

  Yet before I can enter, someone shouts:

  "Orcs!!!" (guard)

  One of the soldiers on the wall suddenly shouts.

  "Huh? How many?!" (V)

  An attack?

  Now?

  "I, I only see three!" (guard)

  "Three? This can't be! Not even orcs are this stupid!" (V)

  "They are directly walking towards the gate!" (guard)

  The waiting people grow distressed and press through the gate, while soldiers try to hold them off.

  I try not to get caught up in the squeezing, as not only do I trust in the ability of our army to handle this situation, but also, because someone my size may fear getting trampled to death just as much as the crude blade of an orc.

  As people press past me, I gain free sight and can finally see them.

  Three figures are slowly walking in our direction.

  "Squad B and C! Bring the people in, but let no one slip away! Squad A! Ready yourselves! Archers prepare to shoot on command!" (V)

  I have never seen Verad this serious.

  Quite an impressive sight.

  Yet naturally, I am also among those who are brought under the gatehouse, as I said, the soldiers can handle this.

  But as we shall not dodge the control by slipping into town, we are only brought into the killing area between the outer wall and inner gate.

  From here, I can still look through the bars of the now-closed portcullis, as I was among the last to enter.

  The orcs come closer, and even I can now discern them as such.

  But they move a little strangely.

  And then there is this oddly growing presence I feel, similar to what I remember dreaming of last night.

  Presence?

  "Aaahh!" (Y)

  "FIRE!" (V)

  At this moment, a squall of arrows is released at the "orcs".

  My orcs!

  My unliving orcs!

  Each of them is perforated with a minimum of five arrows.

  But they keep moving.

  Well, they are undead.

  Uh, and the middle one still has no face!

  "What is this? Why are they still standing? Prepare another salvo! Now!" (V)

  Soon, another wave hits the orcs, who by now look like pincushions.

  But as weird as it seems, they remain unfazed by this.

  And now they are too close!

  "Squad A! Ready!" (V)

  Verad is still competently leading.

  This doesn't go the same for his men, who are a little lost under the impression of not dying foes.

  "Ready the spears! Attack!" (V)

  Nonetheless, they follow their orders.

  Spreading around my zombies, they point their spears at them to attack from different angles.

  One soldier decides to make the first move, rushing forward and piercing the left one's belly.

  To no real effect, aside from a huge mess that spreads on the ground.

  The supposedly lethally-struck orc ignores the wound and grabs the man.

  With wide-open maw, he hauls him close.

  No, no!

  He won't...

  "Stop!!!" (Y)

  Promptly, the orc freezes right in its tracks.

  I couldn't possibly let him eat a human.

  However, now I have quite a few stares on me.

  And the people around me glance between the orc and I several times before simultaneously retreating some steps.

  Maybe this wasn't smart.

  The orcs now are completely unmoving and even when occasionally stabbed, won't budge.

  Which, regrettably, leaves Verad free to speak to me.

  "Yomi! What is going on here?" (V)

  Great!

  Questions!

  The one thing I don't need.

  "Uh, like I said, it's a bit of a complicated and long story. And I'm not quite sure how much sense I'm going to make even if I tell you all of it." (Y)

  "Then try me! How did you get them to stop? What is up with these? And most importantly, why won't they die?" (V)

  "Uh, would it help if I tell you that they are already dead?" (Y)

  "No! No, that doesn't help! Soldier, open the gates!" (V)

  "S-sorry. I have my difficulties with this. And... Whoah! What are you doing?" (Y)

  "Bringing you away from here! Like you said, there is quite some stuff to explain! Will whatever you did stop if you leave?" (V)

  "No, don't think so." (Y)

  "Officer! Chain these things up as much as you can!" (V)

  I pity the poor men who have to do this.

  Yet I don’t get to watch, as Verad drags me away by my wrist.

  He is a little forceful and puts on a fast pace, pulling me through the city right towards the gate to the second ring.

  At least I’ve now made it inside the walls.