ã€ŠThe First Heroic Sagaã€‹


 Prologue: My raison detre

    I felt my mind being stirred. The atmosphere around me distorting, rendering the peaceful view I¡¯ve come to know in a way that I can¡¯t identify it any longer.

    The air began to shake, a voice then came forth, a gentle calm one. It called out to me, the only one thing here.

    ¡°Please, please help us.¡±

    A request, one that followed words that were inaudible because of soft sobbing cries.

    Whose voice is this? I asked myself, receiving no answer as I am left with a blank slate.

    Who am I anyway? What am I doing here? Most of all, where am I exactly?

    I stared anew at a garden as far as the eye can see, one that exuded a great beauty. The land was lush and green, the fields fertile, some foliage grew on the side showing a myriad of colors, some of which captivated me instantly with its dazzling display, some of which I¡¯ve never seen before.

    It seemed to expand infinitely, rivaling that vast expanse of the sky and sea beside me, also filling color into this world.

    The wind blew strongly, almost taking me away with each gust. Yet, what I could see still gave me no answer that I needed, but it ended up raising more questions instead.

    My legs began to walk, led by no train of thought. My eyes darted left and right, taking in the magnificent view, drawing me away from my original doubt.

    My bare feet felt each blade of grass that had been bathed by the cold wind. The soil was warm, making a blend of unity as the two provided comfort in this unknown world.

    There was nothing in sight, nothing to obscure my vision or anything to catch my attention. It all remained the same, constant, but yet, I felt that I could stare at it forever.

    But as I traveled for longer than I could understand, I saw a lone tree on the very top of a hill, standing tall and firm as if painted on a canvas, yet its leaves danced with the invitation of the wind, creating a rustling sound that carried with it a calming cry, putting my restless soul to a steady pace.

    Under that same tree a lone figure wearing a white long gown sat, looking to be shining faintly.

    My pace began to quicken without me knowing that I began to run. But, the wind seemed to want to negate me from that, creating a strong gust that could very well send me away with a bit more strength.

    I crouched and started walking on all fours, not allowing myself to be swept away as I scaled the slope. Oddly finding myself desperate enough to be gripped that this person ¨C the only one I¡¯ve seen other than me ¨C might have the answers I seek, or that¡¯s what I had hoped to believe in order to back my resolve.

    Finally having ascended this challenge, I was overrun with accomplishment, forgetting what I had come here for a split second.

    We locked gazes, not minding the silence that took over as no words were uttered, but simply a smile from one side filled the mysterious person¡¯s lips. Her face showed benevolence, as if she was the word itself. Her ocean colored eyes made me feel emotions those I¡¯ve forgotten to feel, or those that I might have already have, but was oblivious to it all.

    She wore a plain looking dress that became quite elegant simply by having her wear it. No jewel or gem could have even hoped to improve the beauty that her aura gave away. Her golden locks swayed with the air, except the winds were calm around her, as if displaying favoritism.

    Unable to express the appropriate emotion, or rather, unable to react the right way, I was dumbfounded, looking at her curiously.

    Before I could open my mouth to utter words, she stood up, dusting her behind off. She then cast her eyes to me once more, eyes that seemed to pierce the soul, looking at its very contents.

    She took a step closer to me, cupping my cheek with her pale white hand. It¡¯s soft, gentle, calming almost. My heart began to skip a beat as I felt her breath, sweet and fragrant, intoxicating almost, but not posing any malice.

    She then hopped away playfully, skipping behind the tree, her hourglass frame disappearing.

    Curious, I follow, thinking that she also expects me to do just that.

    Taking a peek, I come another sight, one that captivates me much more than what I¡¯ve already seen.

    We stood at what seemed to be the precipice, a cape that overlooked the sea, and below it is a raging torrent of water, but pristine in its own image.

    The sun stood at its zenith, granting warmth upon all those below it, except this lone tree sheltered us.

    Having forgotten who I was looking for, I looked to my side, finding her doing the same thing I had just done as I chased for her, looking at the sea filed with a mysterious hint of beauty. We shared this view, still at an absence for words.

    I began.

    ¡°Where are we?¡±

    I turned my head, looking down at her as she stood beside me, only at shoulder length. She returned the gaze, smiling before she replied.

    ¡°Paradise!¡±

    She said happily, having no hint of lie in her words. Not that her face showed any doubt of what she had just said.

    ¡°What am I doing here?¡±

    ¡°You will find out soon.¡±

    ¡°Soon? Why?¡±

    ¡°To find your purpose.¡±

    ¡°My purpose¡­¡±

    I dwelled on that thought. I never even considered such a thing. It did not present a problem at the time, so I thought of it less. However, now that she had said those words, it made me wonder about it, deeper than what I could have thought about anything at this point, not that there was anything else worth thinking of.

    ¡°Yes. Your purpose. Someone is calling out to you. You¡¯ve heard it, and you have come here to answer that call.¡±

    Before I could even try to understand what or who it was that was calling me, she added to her words.

    ¡°That was not the only voice. There are many, so much more who desire your presence.¡±

    ¡°What for? What could I possibly do, what am I capable of anyway?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon. Only you can, after all. The only thing I can tell you is, don''t be decieved by what ever you see. Not everything is what it seems. Some things of realism are smoke and mirrors.¡±

    She filled my head with so much questions that it became hard to keep track of each one. There are times when the water bashed against the cobble of the cape, masking her voice, making it somewhat hard to hear, as if the sea is calling for her attention, telling her to forget about me and notice it instead.

    ¡°Just who are you?¡±

    Curious, I stood in front of her as she watched the sea, needing answers more than questions. It may have been out of frustration, or maybe fear that I may never get anything out of this. But, my body began to move on its own, speaking by its own will as well as mine.

    She then came close, whereas I found myself backing away from her. I then noticed that I stood on the very edge of the cape, looking down on my demise, the terrifying doom of plummeting downwards.

    ¡°Wait! What are you-?¡±The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Before I could finish my sentence, she cuts me off, whispering before she lays her hands on my chest, beating rapidly as if to warn me about something.

    ¡°Ask yourself first. Who are you?¡±

    She smiles, except what followed was too surreal to believe that her smile was innocent. I could not even think of an answer to her question, let alone think rationally.

    She pushed me from the edge. Unable to grab hold of anything on time, I found myself inevitably falling to my death.

    Death, what many understood to be painful, but for some it was an exit of relief, one that could end their sufferings, leading them to a peaceful nothing.

    Which one should I feel?

    The winds were cold, rushing by me as I lay on my back, looking upwards as her face ¨C peeking from the edge ¨C started to disappear, growing smaller and smaller.

    My eyelids became heavy as I further descended in to what seemed to be an endless pit. My sight came to a close, everything going blank before I could even consider what was happening and why it was happening.

    I could feel my memories slowly fading, but as if there was something to remember in the first place.

    How sad. Disappearing without reason, except being pushed to your doom. I wonder why and how I came to be? Where I am going after this, will I really find the answers I seek?

    I heard the cry of battle.

    hearts that are intertwined, mixed even. One gaining fervor while the other loses confidence, their shouts beginning to waver.

    My own heart begins to resonate with theirs, creating a harmony that would unite us.

    Yet I am solitary, unmoving, silent.

    I feel a terrible chill envelop me, waking me before it claims me into a deep slumber for eternity.

    Blinking once, twice, thrice, the sight sets in, showing me a war torn land, one with bodies strewn on the ground, each one having its own story as to why he or she had been brought to such an end.

    Their faces seemed to face me, their eyes pointed directly at my own, seemingly judging me for reasons unknown.

    my heart begins to race as my eyes open wide, my breath repeatedly staggers under the harsh climate around me.

    I begin to awaken, seeing the surroundings truly take form, waking me from not a dream, but reality in its most terrible form.

    "Wha, what happened here!?"

    Bodies of both men and women, children and adults alike are laid down on the ground -- those of which have puddles of pure velvet, both wet and dry have formed -- unmoving, eyes open to see even what death might offer them, except they are not even alive to see anything past this point.

    unable to tear my eyes away from them, I see how they have died, making guesses for some, which is not that difficult.

    Impaling, eviscerating, mauled, stabbed, cut, tortured, some pieces of sharp metals are even left o them, standing as their grotesque tombstone. I could go on and on, but I digressed, sparing myself, and those of the deceased of my ramblings, for it mattered little now.

    I arose, finding myself in a state of previous slumber under a tall and sturdy tree that is oddly lush despite its surroundings filled with a black and white dread, a normality of the sort.

    My head began to ache, I was at a loss for nearly everything, but despite that, I began scouring through the bodies of the fallen for something that will make sense of what is happening. I need answers.

    As I began to walk, more and more bodies appeared, giving me only one train of thought. That beyond there, beyond what my eyes could see, there lies something far more terrible.

    But before I could consider the worst case scenario, the sound that awoke me revealed itself on the horizon.

    It was the sound of a maddened band of people.

    A high-pitch, metal screeching noise took over my head, forcing me to my knees as I gripped my head, trying my best as to not tear my hair away from lunacy.

    "Argh! what it this?"

    It ceased, giving me a chance to look above me, to the dark grey sky filled with clouds singing of a downpour, followed by a rumbling bellow from the heavens.

    The air began to waft, sending a musky smell of decomposed bodies and blood, blotting out the what should be fresh air.

    Ravens began flying through my line of sight, no doubt flying towards their next meal.

    Again, the sound rung, but this time, a voice could be heard, it was not just one, but hundreds, maybe even more.

    "Please, I beg of you, save us!"

    "Please help us!"

    "I beseech you! Give us your divine blessing!"

    (Aargh! Stop, please, I can''t think!)

    ... Anyone, please help us...

    "Aahh! Stop it!!"

    The voices finally ceased before I could succumb to the noise in my head.

    I fall to the ground, quickly supporting myself with my arms, inches before planting face first on the mud.

    "What is this? Why am I hearing this?"

    These voice, these voices of whom I know absolutely nothing about, why do I continue hearing them? I don''t understand.

    After thinking for a while, I realized that I will remain understanding nothing if I stay idle. That thought awoke me once more, pushing me to seek whatever there is to seek.

    I change to a run, pursuing the sound that starts getting louder as the voices of multitudes seem to be bearing their fangs at something.

    Arriving to a moderate hill top, one that overlooked an entire field. There stood a band of armored men, each one wielding a weapon while some rode horses.

    To my right was a town from the looks of it, one nearly reduced to ashes -- constantly burning in scarlet hue -- as a few people wrapped in brown leather, wielding pitchforks and other makeshift weapons, try to defend themselves, and maybe even the town. Outnumbered ten to one.

    Despite their best efforts, the villagers are all being taken down by the armored men.

    I close my mouth as I open it, knowing the very words that will come out. ''What is this?'' ''Why are they fighting?'' it''s all the same.

    But, what can I do, is the better question. What am I supposed to do?

    It''s not like I can just simply run over there. I''m no hero, nor do I even know who I am. What reason do I have for recklessly rushing in there?

    Because I hear voices in my head saying that they need help? Is that truly a logical thing to follow?

    Is this fear, is this cowardice, or pride maybe. I don''t know. What will me being there change anyway?

    As I continued to dwell on the thought, the ranks swelled as more knights came galloping from the left, making things dire for the villagers, giving them little to no hope of getting through this alive.

    As the ironclads came, they also were endowed by a banner, one that was imbued with purple thread, one possessing the image of two knights -- stitched on with a golden thread -- whose arms intertwine as their swords pointed upwards.

    In front of the what already seemed to be invincible ranks of soldiers, one of them stands out, wearing a sly grin and a purple gown, one not fit to wear for battle. The scarlet haired beauty was indeed profound, one that could confuse soldiers of her presence in the battlefield.

    Her army makes steady progress in advancing to the already destroyed town, yet she seems to want to eradicate the entirety of it, sparing no one.

    My hand begins to tremble, shaking as if wanting me to do something in order to stop this feeling that might consume me.

    I felt something from behind me, an unnerving sensation that gave a feeling reminiscent to being stared without notice.

    I found in that direction a sword, a normal broadsword that had no special meaning to it, only that it was sharp and clean, untainted by war.

    My body began to move, I had not control over it, yet I did not halt or try to stop this unusual marionette like feeling. It is as if there are strings commanding me, whereas only my mouth and mind are my own.

    Touching the hilt, my body began to calm, the trembling on my hand ceased, and all that was left was the sound of more innocents being driven to a corner, then slaughtered without remorse.

    I thought about something. How about I let myself be controlled? It might lead to me finding an answer however little it may be.

    Should I let myself be swallowed by the unknown? Or will I dictate all this, resulting in more cowardice and indecisiveness.

    ... My reason for being, I must find it. I will not let anyone dictate my future. Nothing is more terrifying than being somewhere you don''t know, and not knowing why you are here.

    In that case, I must move with my own two legs.

    -

    He took grip of the hilt, breathing heavily as his breath made a small cloud of smoke, dissipating in an instant.

    He examined it, as if he was accustomed to doing such a thing. It felt like they were communicating. Steel and a mortal, sharing one mind? Unheard of, however, it may not be that far from becoming the truth.

    It was too normal, carrying no distinctiveness to it, yet he found himself staring longingly at it, telling of a reunion. With the blade? Or with the sensation of holding one perhaps?

    Without another word, he turned around, walking towards the moderate hill, overflowing with resolve as his eyes changed focus, emitting his emotions of determination and steel, but with a hint of doubt.

    Did he allow himself to be taken over, or did he find the resolution to face the hardships knowing that the odds may be low.

    Nevertheless, he continued on, emerging on the top of the hill, looking upon the advancing ranks of enemies.

    With a single step, he began his journey to a world he knows nothing about. Where even his actions might not make sense.

    The eyes of the soldiers were focused on one man. He who stood nonchalantly in their great march, he who made them stop due to unwariness and uncertainty. Then came the silence as they stared each other down.

    Even the retreating townspeople stared at him, thinking deeply about his intentions instead of escaping to the inner districts of the town.

    He intercepted the army, standing in front of them, being the gate that stood as an aegis for the townspeople.

    He held the sword in front of him with two hands, catching the attention of the commander, the beauty of a sly woman. She raised an eye brow, whipping her hair to the side as she sees prey. Brandishing her rapiers.

    "Oh, what might this be? A hero perhaps, or an imbecile."

    She raised her hand, ordering her troops to advance even further, ignoring, or taking down this foolhardy blade wielder.

    Fifteen steps is what they took, he needed five more to bring them into his distance.

    They marched in unison, creating a fearful sound of a great army approaching.

    As three of them advanced, his muscles began to move, react in the presence of an enemy.

    They drew their blades, cleaving downward with a man''s greed in tow.

    In an instant, he sent their blades flying back as they now wielded nothing but air.

    He stared deep into them, sending a chill down their spine as they retreated. He set his sights on the enemy general, forcing her to halt their advance.

    She knew that he would be taken down, but her playful attitude began to take over her, bringing out the worst in her character.

    ¡°How brave. You are the kind that simply entices me.¡±

    She licks her lips as she utters her words, looking ecstatically at the warrior over yonder.

    From behind him, from the windows of the two story structures, the people of the town looked in amazement as one made stopped the advancing army twice, thinking that he may be the false god, Yaldabaoth, or maybe, just maybe someone had answered their prayers, and thus bringing him.

 Chapter 1: I wonder what the future holds for me

    My body reacted on its own. My movements, that precise timing to counter their attack. I did not possess such knowledge that could benefit me. Needless to say that I was grateful for my own impulses.

    All I knew was I had to stand there, block myself with this blade and all will be fine, yet fear struck me, forcing an action in which I am at a loss for words still.

    My breathing became ragged that very instant. It was not because of the aura of a thousand soldiers in front of me, rather, it was her. She who glanced at me, petrifying me in place as I foolishly celebrated a brief victory of staying unharmed.

    I remembered that sensation. My blade vibrated as I struck the swords away from my enemies, and that feeling was sent to my hands, which are now trembling in awe of both what had happened, and what could have happened if I were not successful in defending myself.

    Focusing briefly, I saw how her left eye stood out, displaying a different hue as to her right. It was golden in a sense. One that seemed to lure you in for no reason, yet it feels like there¡¯s significance to that, or that''s what I think.

    As my muscles ached from that quick ordeal, I let my sword pierce the ground so that I may recover the pace of my breathing, and so that I can continue standing.

    I''ve seen lives taken before me, spilling blood as if it were second nature. Some even took the time to look at me as they lie there dying, swords lodged onto their hearts.

    I felt nauseous, as if I was about to hurl in place. My eyes only saw a blur of the view in front of me, yet I knew that an army stood there, waiting for orders as to when they can continue this stalemate of an assault.

    I shook my head, trying to focus through this fog that began to take form on the battlefield.

    I then saw her take action, lashing the reins on her horse as she sat with her legs on the side, as if taking a leisurely picnic stroll on the transient fields.

    I forcibly snapped my senses back, knowing that this maiden of beauty contains a hidden power within her, lest she feigns ignorance, displaying false courage as to make me submit through fear and uncertainty.

    Her curvaceous image became clearer with each gallop. I also became anxious with each meter taken away, making my courage shrink, yet I was not passive enough to let that happen. I further strengthened my will, discarding the thought of dying and simply putting those who need help first. It is not realistic to think that, but it will suffice in this state.

    Her beauty glistened in this barren landscape becoming a jewel in itself, one with a smile that hid many intentions, but revealing a few of her obvious traits.

    "Who are you, and what are your intentions for being here? I assume that you have ulterior motives as to why you are simply laying down your life here in the open, free for the taking."

    She spoke with a great degree of aristocracy, as if talking down to everyone here, displaying her in a royal light, an absolute one.

    "It doesn''t matter who I am. I came here to defend this place. I will not allow you to slaughter more of these people!"

    Those were the words that came out of my mouth. It held no weight for even I knew that it was fake. It was true that it did not matter as to who I am, that''s because I did not know who I was at all, and any attempt at an answer would be futile and meaningless.

    I rushed here, not knowing the reason why, but simply because my body moved on its own, and I could not take the sheer horror of more lives being taken as if they were livestock. Why I had such thoughts needed no reason.

    With that, I tried to regain my remaining loose composure, strengthening my grip once more as I raised the sword''s hilt to level my stomach, awaiting any who would attempt to attack.

    "Oh, how terrifying and at the same time interesting. However, your fear can be felt in your own words. I applaud you for the effort of sheer will, however, I shall not obey the words of someone lesser and weaker than me, let alone one who simply runs their mouths."

    Her condescending tone declared a challenge, one that I tried to ignore, or think of in another light, but to no avail was I successful in doing so. It might have only encouraged her actions as she took a long steel rod from the side of her horse¡¯s saddle, revealing a spear that she twirls around skillfully in the air, then setting it to her side.

    She then jumped from her seat, smiling as she combed through her curly golden hair, then shifting her attention to me, pointing the spear horizontally, as to be in offense.

    ¡­ Enough. No more. I will not stand for this. Letting them through will spell the end for the townspeople behind me, and I as well. I may escape, but the scar will live in me forever. Thus, I shall not abandon this place.

    I took a deep breath in, then dispelling all doubt and fear for a moment as I exhaled. A firm resolve may be one that will lead to your demise, or turn to my favor.

    I felt renewed, yet nothing drastically changing, only that I began to ignore fear and doubt, thinking that having those will simply hinder me in this moment.

    Casting my gaze to the maiden in front of me, returning hers, the tense air now surrounds us.

    She''s nonchalant, smiling still as the clouds above began to rumble, sending a curdling sound that was reminiscent of drums. As if the sky were not already dark enough, now rain may be imminent.

    There was no halting her anymore. She beckoned for a challenge, and I accepted. Now all that is left is to emerge victorious for losing means that I will lose my life, and all of my questions will remain unanswered.

    I need to stay focused. I need that impulse, that very same one that aided me in deflecting the swords with ease.

    Just then, she rushed towards me with the agility and ferocity of a viper baring its fangs of venom.

    Caught unaware and unprepared, my stance carried no strong defense behind it, even when it stood as how it should.

    She thrusts forward with great agility, the tip appearing after getting within inches of my face. Using one hand, she lets her spear zoom forward using its great length, precisely pointed at me.

    Instinctively, my fear returns, acting in favor of me as my head moved to the side, dodging her attack by a hairs¡¯ breadth.

    With enough length, she then uses her right idle hand to support the spear as she sweeps to my direction, the side of the blade nearing my neck, as if it had all been planned beforehand.

    Assuming my stance, I barely block her attack, shielding myself, but not without feeling the snapping recoil of her spear -- made of foreign or unknown materials -- making it quite sturdy, flailing less despite its length.

    Retracting it, she takes a few steps back in the form of a playful skip. Oddly enough, she can move faster than me while wearing heels, not succumbing to the uneasiness in wearing it.

    Her left eye glowed brighter, rivaling her smile. Her aura began to shift its winds.

    She then took another charge, rippling forth with tenacity as she thrusts an innumerable amount of times, creating afterimages that all carry the same deadly presence as the others.

    I back away, but was unfortunately chased by the lady who continued her assault with a sly and cunning grin. The only thing left is for her to burst out laughing in tyranny, then I might be convinced of her true nature.

    I feel a stinging pain with each clash, her spear avoiding my blade, and instead piercing my skin in many parts. I am forced to bear it ¨C gritting my teeth -- all the while trying my best to defend and parry every attack to the best of my abilities.

    With great luck, I managed to make her spear stay in one place, holding it down with my sword desperately, budging slowly.

    ¡°Well, well. Isn¡¯t this something else. I assumed that you had nothing in you, yet you managed to live through my attack. Not a normal feat.¡±

    I glanced at her from the side, seeing her in surprise as she effortlessly holds the spear with one hand, enough to make my sword arm to tremble, nearly being overpowered.

    Her smile then changes to a frown, turning serious as bloodlust fills the air.

    She then twists her body, fluttering her frilled dress, but denying me a sight of whatever may lie inside as she sends me flying a few meters back, slamming on the ground, skipping a few times then landing with a thud.

    Unable to realize what had just happened. The front of my body hurts, as if a pole had been thrust forth with great strength. The air from my lungs had also been knocked out of me, forcing me to desperately grasp for air.

    Staring at the ground, I feel an empty space on my hand that should be occupied with a hilt.

    Getting up with a panicked manner, I then search for my sword, feeling the ground as my eyes try to adjust back to the view.

    Standing up, my body felt a strong weight, as if it wanted to simply stay on the ground, surrendering.

    I regained balance, and at the same time, saw where my weapon -- my only source of defense ¨C lying beside her.

    How can she be this skilled? I know that I¡¯m not that good myself, but she is on a whole other level.

    ¡°I will warn you. If you try to fight once more, you will be met a swift end. You must realize this as well, no?¡±

    Her voice echoes as she speaks a long distance away from me. Stern and frank, she advices me, looking down at the obviously unskilled opponent. Her dignity almost made me look at her in a different light, one that would warrant admiration.

    I stood there, looking at her as if I hadn¡¯t heard her voice, deliberately ignoring it. I stared at her dumbfounded. I knew that she was sparing me, and ¡®why¡¯ I did not understand.

    ¡°How stubborn. I assume that you heard what I have said, ignoring it on purpose. However, it will do you no good.¡±

    Suddenly, her slightly caring attitude changed into one of discomfort, yet she stood there without anything happening to her.

    But as the silence reined, it became apparent that something began to close in on this place.

    My thoughts became that of uneasiness and that of hope. It may be so that reinforcements are to come, much more that their coming will mark the end of this town, including me.

    ¡°Charge!¡±

    A maiden¡¯s strong willed voice blessed the battlefield, catching the attentions of the enemy army as they shift their sights to the left.

    An army of sizable numbers appear from the horizon. They may be equal to the hostile army here, riding upon horseback, carrying with them their own banner, a rose embroidered with the appropriate colors, red and green, stitched upon the emerging army¡¯s banner.

    Unable to match their charge, their lines are broken from their side, ravaged by cavalry and steel clad knights that seem to have prejudice against their enemies, fiercely attacking them, leaving no quarter.

    Meanwhile, the maiden that stands before me is calm, composed as her army is being torn to shreds by a calculated and effective attack to their flank.

    Turning around, she takes a swift glance at me, then returns to her steed, issuing commands to her attendants, those of which I couldn¡¯t hear because of the fervor that the attacking army exhales upon this land.

    I then fall to my knees, feeling the effect of her previous roundhouse kick to my gut. My eyes close, feeling a heavy weight on my eyelids as I pass out, flat on the ground.

    But before that, my sight is filled with men commencing skirmishes, voices of cheering from behind me. I couldn¡¯t understand as much as I wanted to anymore. Everything was turning dark, and ultimately, I saw darkness.

    I felt a comfortable shroud on my body, as if I¡¯m being embraced by someone, or something rather.

    In this empty space of darkness lies my inner consciousness. And of course, it¡¯s empty. Nothing in sight other than the dark, as if there¡¯s an end to that.

    I was defeated, but alive. What exactly happened to me again?

    Oh, that¡¯s right. I tried to save the town alone, which was reckless enough to say the least.

    My entire body trembled, but why did I do that exactly? What pulled me to it? I can¡¯t find a proper conclusion. I need something to base this off of, otherwise I¡¯d be wandering in the dark once more, as I¡¯ve been doing these when I first woke up.

    Will I find out once I open my eyes? Who knows. There¡¯s no point in losing hope. I¡¯ve just come to, and the chances that I will find out are slim, but not nonexistent.

    I try to open my eyelids, slowly as to adjust to my surroundings.

    A wooden ceiling. That is the first thing I see. One seemingly made of sturdy oak, polished to stand strong against dirt.

    Fixing my posture upright, I slowly examine my surroundings while massaging the back of my head, which feels like it¡¯s gone through a lot, those of which I can¡¯t even begin to describe.

    ¡°Ugh, how disturbing.¡±

    I murmur to myself, looking at an open window, showing the dark night sky, one that displayed a crescent moon along with a myriad of stars, each one glowing brightly even from a great distance.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    I seem to be in someone¡¯s room, one fully furnished, but rather dull, in a good way.

    My entire body is bandaged, ranging from my arms, torso, a roll on my forehead, and I feel some on my legs. A single piece of clothing remains on me, giving me a full feeling of the cold night as a breeze comes through the window, traveling towards the half blanketed patient that is I.

    It seems that someone helped me, administering medicine and first aid quite effectively, yet I can¡¯t help but wonder where my clothes are.

    I move to the corner of the bed. It seems that there¡¯s no real threat of pain on me, seeing as I¡¯ve already moved as much as I can without feeling anything abnormal.

    I rose from my seat, approaching the window, not minding the air coming from it.

    I saw an entire province lit up by torches and lanterns. It seemed that each one held a tool, while the others aided those who are idle.

    The sound of banging of hammers, cutting of wood, and people chattering could be faintly heard from here, bringing a rather warm atmosphere rather than a cold one.

    ¡°So they were able to drive the enemy away, huh?¡±

    It seems that I stalled enough time for a passing army to fight the enemy, thus forcing them to retreat.

    ¡°It seems that I did something good.¡±

    It might have been a selfish thought, thinking that the reason as to why this village stood was because of me. Except the credit would be meaningless.

    If it were a fight for fame, then I would have never initiated it or let myself be persuaded by the thought of protecting these people for something as fleeting as fame.

    I can¡¯t really say that I saved them, given that all I did was get beaten up, then stall long enough for something to happen. Luck had been on my side that time.

    From behind me, a creaking sound catches my attention, yet as I react and turn around aloofly, still too tired to be doing anything arduous.

    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re awake. How are you feeling?¡±

    I am met with stern, dignified lady with mature charms, one that does not seem to look older than me, rather the same age from the looks of it.

    Her face was inscrutable, making her quite the mysterious person, but from her perspective, I may be that mysterious person.

    She wore a brown medium sized skirt that went until her knees, and a white long sleeved frilled top that tried its best to conceal her rather large bosom. Her tall appearance gave her quite the look, one that would have a high chance of capturing a man¡¯s heart with ease, except she does not look like the type to do such a thing.

    She places what seems to be my clothes on the bed, cleaned as it is absent from any muck and grime that I had accumulated during that battle.

    ¡°Where am I?¡±

    ¡°You are in Ryuviel the capital town of this territory, Fortesca. We are fortunate enough to remain as a territory thanks to a certain someone, as the townspeople say.¡±

    She shifts her glance to me, her look saying that ¡®you are that certain someone¡¯

    ¡°It seems that way, but I¡¯m not truly sure that my actions saved the lives of many.¡±

    ¡°Humble and hesitant, a type of person that would not last in this world since they are rare, untainted. You should be wary of how you act about outside this territory. There are some out there who will take advantage of your generosity.¡±

    She then bows her head without warning, surrounding us with a sudden awkward atmosphere.

    ¡°Thank you for your help, however insignificant you see your actions, it has helped us truly. I would like to extend my thanks on the behalf of my lord and the people of this town, my hometown.¡±

    At a loss for words, I reply with as much words as I could muster, trying to make things work in my mind, which still needs explanation.

    ¡°My name is Emilia, may I ask for your name?¡±

    Before I could even think of speaking, she follows up with one more, one that catches me off guard.

    ¡°Me? I, I don¡¯t know who I am, unfortunately.¡±

    I laugh wryly, thinking of it much less as a problem, but more of a gag for no reason.

    She looks at me like an insane person, but one that needed no expression to say the words. Her stoic demeanor backlashed at me, so I decided to explain everything since no one will trust me it seems.

    I began explaining to her what had happened prior to the battle, not excluding any crucial detail, in which she nods blankly as the story progresses.

    ¡°I may, or may not understand, but you say that you awoke under a tree and found yourself in the trail of battlefield, correct?¡±

    ¡°Yes, it is as you say. I have no recollection of who I am, or what I am doing here. I stumbled upon this town, then it goes as I¡¯ve said.¡±

    Her expression gave me a feeling that the tale made her awry of me, suspicious even. But internally, I had hoped that I could have at least one confidant that could help me ease this uncertainty.

    ¡°Very well, I shall report this to my lord, but for now, please change into your clothes, the people would like to thank you themselves.¡±

    She leaves without further saying anything else, leaving me alone.

    I look at myself on the mirror, examining my appearance as I have not really seen myself.

    Dark, short hair, brown eyes. So this is what I look like. To think that it couldn¡¯t be anymore odd. One who does not know himself must truly be lost.

    I began wearing my clothing, a white tunic with brown leggings. Who knew this was what I wore.

    Leaving the room after having changed, I descend a flight of wooden stairs. The sound of people starts becoming louder and louder, as if there were some of them gathering outside, waiting for someone.

    Opening the door leading outside, I am greeted by masses of children and young adults, holding lanterns as they are guided by some guardians, namely their maternal or paternal figures.

    Some look hesitant to see me, rather I have no idea myself as to why they want to in the first place.

    If it¡¯s about my petty attempt to guard their town, then I am honored, but it feels empty and hollow, seeing as I didn¡¯t do anything special except to serve as cannon fodder.

    One small child walks forward, looking to be the age of five or six.

    ¡°T-thank you for keeping us safe.¡±

    He smiles as me as he says that, revealing to me his incomplete set of teeth, yet a jolly attitude.

    I found my myself feeling rather happy, my lips slowly curling into a smile, one that felt the lighthearted thanks of someone. Why I feel sad at the same time, I do not know.

    Giving myself up from this feeling, I knelt on one leg, ruffling the boy¡¯s dark hair, smiling at him as feeling gush forth.

    The others who spectated this seem to have thawed the doubts in their hearts as they come rushing along, thanking me.

    I hear a murmur ¨C despite the noise the children around me were making -- from a distance between the adults, making me skeptical about how I¡¯ve come and perceived things up until now.

    ¡°Is it true that he came when we all prayed for protection from Heinrich?¡±

    ¡°Yes, you should have seen him rush from the horizon. It was about to rain, but it stopped with his coming.¡±

    ¡°Could he be the one? Is he truly a champion, or Heinrich himself?¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but be curious about their conversations, but finding an opening to escape from these children has put me in a rather tight spot.

    After a moment of playing awhile, the children were led to their beds for tomorrow, and because they were too exhausted to keep moving around all actively.

    Without anything left to do, I wandered the town, still damaged, and under repairs as the townspeople seem to be neglecting their sleep, working fervently on rebuilding their beloved town.

    I couldn¡¯t help but feel enamored by their determination, especially when it comes to simple tasks.

    The damage dealt to them was rather severe. Buildings and structures, including the ones made of stone, lay in ruins, creating many debris that block the roads used by the towns people.

    One building in particular was unharmed, except with a few scratches and fallen spires, a holy place stood firmly against these odds, maybe out of respect, or maybe that it protected itself.

    The doors stood open, and curiosity was bound to be the end of me. I entered the cold empty building, one that had stain glassed windows covering either sides, displaying a divine atmosphere, one that was to be revered.

    In the center of that all was what seemed to be a golden idol of a man looking to be fifty years old, one that gallantly stood with a sword in front of him, held by his two hands.

    I stared at it for who knows how long. It seemed to call out to me, as if I had a certain connection to this idol.

    What surprised me the most was the abrupt coming of an elderly lady ¨C whose back is hunched -- from the side of a dark corridor, holding a small tray where a candle lay. She walked up next to me, then facing the idol, the same as I.

    ¡°Many of us including I, have felt the tremors of war for many ages. Yet we stay here since there is nothing we can do but attempt to reconcile peace with one another. Fleeting, but a foolhardy thought for anyone wishing the best for the future.¡±

    She then looked at me once more, flashing a weak smile.

    ¡°What brings you here this late at night? If it is bedding you seek, then I can provide you with that, just like all who need refuge.¡±

    ¡°I felt something odd here, so I came to see. But there was nothing but this golden statue of someone. Do you know who he is?¡±

    ¡°Ahh, but of course. Who would not know the great name of our savior, Heinrich. The man who gave the gift of peace to these lands, unifying us, holding the gift of hope.¡±

    I began to understand what drew me here. The fascination of this place. It feels like there¡¯s something missing, but I can¡¯t truly point it out as to what that is.

    ¡°What happened to him, to Heinrich, I mean. If he gave peace to the land, then why are there so much lives being lost?¡±

    ¡°Yes, your question is exactly the same as everybody else who had been severely affected by strife. Let me tell you, no one knows where he went, he simply vanished after giving the people their warranted peace. Some say that he ascended the heavens and became a god, thus this golden statue that you refer to is here.¡±

    ¡°How long was that, since the peace?¡±

    ¡°It was a great many years ago, in my great grandmother¡¯s time. She was lucky enough to have been blessed by such grace. To be able to know and feel what peace is like. The children here, they try to be optimistic, which is a gift in itself. But I wonder who will give them the true peace. One where they need not worry about what might happen.¡±

    She turns her back to me, retreating into her chambers.

    ¡°You look a little bit like Heinrich if you ask me, if he was younger of course. If you need a place to stay, then you can sleep on one of those pews, given that they¡¯re not taken by any one yet. Good night, dear.¡±

    And her frame disappears into the darkness, reluctant to return to her slumber.

    She gave me something to think of. The horrors of war. True that this is only one of the many, it is all the same grueling as the last I presume.

    ¡°Heinrich, huh? I wonder where you went.¡±

    I exit the chapel, entering the now silent street of the town. It has all been shrouded by the dark, only the moon serving as their light.

    I begin walking towards the gate, without any thought as to why, but only because of a whim.

    On the way there, the houses beside of me are ransacked, some charred, while some have blood on their walls, telling of a terrible tale of death.

    It seems that they have taken care of the deceased, maybe even buried them.

    The stone built walls looked battered enough, but not as much as the main stone gates, whose door had been taken down, needing soldiers to guard the entrance in droves.

    Deciding that I might amass their suspicion as to why one stays this late at night, I walk back to where I woke up earlier, seeing as there might not be that much to do after all.

    ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll make more sense of what¡¯s happening, tomorrow.¡±

    Sadly, I couldn¡¯t keep what the elderly woman had said to me, about the strife here, about how terrible this war is affecting people. I¡¯ve seen it all firsthand.

    Can I do something about it?

    I want to do something, but what can I do?

    ¡°I guess there¡¯s no use in worrying about it for now. I¡¯m bound to find a reason sooner or later.¡±

    I managed to return after a few failed attempts at figuring out where that place was.

    There was someone that helped me figure out the location. That being Emilia, standing outside wearing brown cloak with a hood, her arms crossed as if ready to scold whoever kept her waiting for so long.

    Her face remained vacant, still expressing no clear emotions, but her aura tells of a different tale.

    I hesitated, taking a step back, hearing an illusory voice that¡¯s telling me to back away.

    She noticed as I took a step, my boot making an echo that alerts her of my presence

    ¡°So you have returned. Please come with me, there is someone who would like to meet you.¡±

    It seems that my worries were unfounded, and merely skepticism that I feared. She opened the door and went on her way, ascending the two story wooden structure with a lit up window.

    I took one last look at the sky, the moon now being shrouded by clouds as they create an opaque canvas in the sky.

    ¡°It would be nice to see something like this again.¡±

    I followed Emilia upstairs, trying to imagine who would want to see me this late at night. Maybe an important person?

    Just before I could push open the door, I could hear a loud overwhelming voice bellowing from behind this wooden door separating us.

    ¡°What do you mean no more sweets? Don¡¯t you know that¡¯s where I get my midnight energy from? You¡¯re just a demon now if you do that!¡±

    ¡°All the more reason to keep it away from you, so that you¡¯ll finally sleep and not disturb anyone in the palace. I¡¯m already well accustomed as to how energetic you can be.¡±

    ¡°Tch, what a stingy person. You¡¯ll never find anyone at this rate.¡±

    Suddenly, I feel a terrible feeling, as if everything would blow up if there¡¯s no intervention. But there is still a feeling that only meeting this person the door would mean a bit of trouble.

    I hesitantly open the door, slightly praying that all might end well for me if I ever go in. I expect to get out safely.

    ¡°Finally, why were you eavesdropping there? You could have just come in.¡±

    Dumbfounded, it seems that I was found out. I did eavesdrop, but not willingly, more out of fear than anything else.

    ¡°So, are you the fabled hero of this humble territory of mine?¡±

    I come facing an almost pale white skinned maiden possessing not only a godly figure, slender arms and a slim waist, but also a long dark silky hair that seems to shine under the moon light.

    It might be that she defines the word godly beauty, or that might only be in my opinion. Her eyes captivated me the moment I walked in, displaying a deep blue hue similar to that of the ocean.

    What made me think of her in detail seems to be unknown even from myself. And the thought of having knowledge but not being able to see it makes me doubt my own unity with myself.

    She stood up with a smile, putting her hands on her waist. Showing an overflowing optimism in her character.

    Her brown casual gown fluttered as the wind came in, not bothering her one bit.

    ¡°I am Evelyn, Evelyn Sorelia, I am the lord of this territory. I¡¯ve heard of your feat. I would like to thank you personally because of your valiant actions.¡±

    Her formal way of speaking led me to believe that she possessed another persona. One that was rowdy, and the other was for political graces and manners.

    I looked to Emilia, who stood on my right, catching my gaze.

    ¡°Is there something that you need from me, sir?¡±

    She replies coldly, but not overly angry. Maybe slightly.

    I shook my head, declining any other pleasantries between us, which would be dismal.

    ¡°It was nothing. I didn¡¯t do anything special other than get hit and stall time.¡±

    I frankly said what I thought about what I had done, still believing that though my efforts benefits many, the work put into it was disgraceful.

    ¡°So you worry about things like that, huh? Don¡¯t worry about it, just accept the thanks, otherwise it¡¯d be really embarrassing of me if you still convinced yourself that you¡¯re worth nothing.¡±

    She said the latter part of her sentence with a smile.

    Sighing in disbelief, I surrender, agreeing to her terms as to end this loop of a conversation.

    ¡°Now, regarding you. I¡¯ve heard from Emilia about your circumstance, and I¡¯m sorry that you don¡¯t remember anything at all. I can¡¯t think of any other way to help you other than what I have in mind. Care to listen?¡±

    I nodded without hesitation, seeing as I¡¯m in need of someone that can help me at any cost.

    ¡°Since you have valor with you, minus the skill, I want you to become my page.¡±

    Emilia¡¯s eyes narrowed as her gaze pierced Evelyn¡¯s back, giving a feeling that she was starting daggers at her.

    ¡°This is the first I¡¯ve heard of you taking someone under your wing.¡±

    ¡°Well, I am in need of someone who can do labor and be a part time servant. He¡¯ll do.¡±

    After chiding the strict advisor named Emilia, she shifts her sights to me.

    ¡°I¡¯ll teach you the necessary things to back up that courage of yours. If you learn and apply that, then you¡¯ll be someone great in the future. So, will you accept?¡±

    I blink twice before asking.

    ¡°Pardon me, but what exactly is a page?¡±

    Her head tilts as I ask, her smile froze as she was unable to anticipate such a question, from what I¡¯ve observed.

    ¡°So it¡¯s that severe of an amnesia, huh? Well, that just means I¡¯ll have to teach you more rigorously. Very well, a page is an attendant for short, one who serves me at my beck and call, and in return, I teach you the basic etiquettes of becoming a knight. How¡¯s that?¡±

    Emilia intercedes, cutting off Evelyn as to correct her.

    ¡°You¡¯re half wrong and half right. Don¡¯t give an amnesiac useless and wrong information. Allow me to elaborate. From what I¡¯ve observed in these short encounters of ours, I¡¯ve assessed that you have basic knowledge of things, but not the more in depth ones.¡±

    She stands in front of Evelyn, her voice becoming strict like a teacher¡¯s.

    ¡°A page is a title given to those of nobility that are to serve as attendants to knights, but the title is for those about the age of seven or so. It is to teach you about manners and the such. You serve as a page for seven years. Upon reaching fourteen, you may be eligible for a squire¡¯s title, and possibly a knight.¡±

    She rests her case, retreating to the back and crossing her arms once more, leaving an amazed Evelyn, who has the floor to herself.

    After having heard all those details, I ask Evelyn, the one recruiting me, about something odd.

    ¡°Uhmm, isn¡¯t it odd that you¡¯re offering me a page¡¯s position even though my age does not correspond to that?¡±

    ¡°In this case, it¡¯s best not to worry about those. Your amnesia is terrible, so to learn such things, you¡¯ll need to go through the order required for you to climb the ladder, that¡¯s why I¡¯ve created my own training system for teaching people.¡±

    And that would be a system created just now I presume.

    I took five seconds of my time, then looked deeply in her eyes sternly, ready to give my reply.

    I stood straight, as much as one would give respect to a person.

    ¡°Please teach me.¡±

    ¡°Good, I like that kind of enthusiasm. One thing you need to know is that you must obey every command. And I don¡¯t claim to be the best about everything, so I¡¯ll have Emilia here teach you about manners, literacy, and other things that you need to go through as a page. I¡¯ll be in charge of your training in combat and physical fitness.¡±

    She then walks past me, patting my shoulder, then exits the door, saying something.

    ¡°Use this room for now. I¡¯ll see if I can get a place for you in the palace. Be ready for tomorrow. We¡¯ll start right away.¡±

    The longer her speech, the softer her voice becomes, indicating that she must be moving away as she says this.

    All that leaves in this room is Emilia, who stares at the door with a sigh, massaging her temple.

    ¡°She should consider consulting me about things like this.¡±

    She then begins to walk with the same attitude.

    I intercept her before she leaves, wanting to clarify things.

    ¡°Ah, Emilia. I¡¯m sorry for the inconvenience. I agreed, but I didn¡¯t think that you wouldn¡¯t approve of it.¡±

    She looks at me with her usual disciplined and extremely stern voice and demeanor.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯d be more than happy to teach you. The reason for that was because of the suddenness of things. But, I assure you that I can carry out my duties without fail. Now, rest, tomorrow I shall teach you as much as I can. I will come and pick you up.¡±

    She then bows slightly, closing the door gently, then leaving. The only thing left is silence and the singing of crickets.

    ¡°Might as well go to sleep now. I wonder what I had just brought myself into?¡±

 Chapter 2: The pieces begin to move

    He was running here and there with a swelled cheek -- one that slightly glowed red -- dispatched to send instructions to various people in specific parts of the town, serving as a messenger as to circulate the use of materials and supplies effectively.

    The recent attack had a great deal of damage towards this town, more so that repairs were needed as soon as possible in order to stave off another, and to house those that needed a roof over their heads.

    The soldiery as well was made to help out, in which they reluctantly agreed to, decreasing the workload with five thousand men.

    He was made to wake up at six thirty in the morning, still deep in slumber after having slept from midnight, lacking a few more hours.

    The dark circles that represented that feeling of tiredness displayed itself on his face; but despite that, he tried his best to keep up and stay awake.

    He remembered it all, from the rude awakening, to the sudden burst of information, to the errands.

    The young man was made to memorize the map of the town, every nook and cranny of importance is marked in high detail.

    Astounded by the sheer amount of information that was presented onto him, his teachers became rather lenient as it was his first day after all.

    He felt happy and all, but deep inside he felt rather useless as the townspeople had already woke up an hour earlier than he did, resuming repairs is if it were nothing. So, he woke himself up and forced himself to an ordeal similar to cramming information in about five minutes, which was all he needed.

    Earlier that day, Emilia had come in wearing her battle dress, one with a short skirt adorned with beautiful laces, showing her bare belly, but unable to mask the great sight that is her bosom, constricted by the tight fabric she wears.

    She started knocking on his door, expecting the man to be punctual as his enthusiasm that night made a good impression on her.

    Except her own expectations had betrayed her; wasting precious time as she stayed for fifteen minutes outside his door, thinking that he would come out at any second; still carrying a bit of trust in the guest of whom she doubts and still knows very little about.

    Her patience expired within that time, forcing her to enter abruptly, irritated and unamused.

    Having ascended the stairs, she came to a sight of a man sleeping listless, still snug on his bed.

    She did not know how to approach such a person as she only had experience waking Evelyn up whenever she slept in, but, this was a man, which was rather different in terms of waking them up from her perspective.

    She tried it the normal way, speaking, hopefully that he could hear her voice and awaken in that moment.

    "Please wake up..."

    She paused for a bit, remembering one crucial detail that was needed in waking someone up, and knowing a person entails that you should know that one detail.

    "I forgot, he didn''t have a name..."

    Emilia, who''s now stuck in a small rut, tried to think of an alternative which would not stain her image with this person, not that she particularly cared.

    She would not often encounter such problems when dealing with women like her lord, Evelyn, but with men, it is a different thing.

    Political things are an exception. She always noticed that she would default to her extremely distinguished attitude, giving off a feeling of dislike to the other party, but on her part, it is her normal way of speaking with formality.

    As a last resort with time quickly dwindling, she came in closer to shake him awake, thinking that it might be the only possible way.

    Feeling a bit hesitant, she bent down and put both her hands on his chest, then she pushed down, applying pressure with her strength that rivaled even a well-built man.

    His face contorted, as if stones were being piled up on top of his chest, dispelling the air from his lungs.

    She saw his face change that moment, thinking that her method was working splendidly, so she shook his body, making the wooden bed quake and squeak.

    His mind was in chaos, not knowing why, and not doing anything at all other than to wait for it to pass so that he can resume his slumber.

    In one skilled movement, quite similar to a thief snatching someone away, he brought up his arms, eyes still closed, unwittingly embracing the maiden with a slightly exposed, pristine body, taking her close to him as he thought of a pillow with a rather soft texture on his chest.

    He then resumed sleeping with a smile on his face.

    Emilia, whose face looked rather red and angry, wound her right hand, slapping the poor man''s cheek with a loud clapping sound that seemed to echo until the palace where Evelyn resided with a handful of documents on her desk.

    "Why do I have the feeling that something bad happened."

    Evelyn thought to herself, then resuming her desk work.

    With that, they scurried off to the palace where all the workload was concentrated.

    Emilia was first up in giving this young man his formal training as a page.

    She divided her personal emotions from what had happened previously from the present so that she could concentrate.

    "Memorize this map and deliver all of these requests and parchments on the double. You''ll need to rely on your speed and tact so that you can give all these requests before an hour passes."

    Those were the first few requests that she entailed him to do.

    He accepted them without hesitation, still feeling rather sleepy, he went on with a complicated gusto and a swollen cheek.

    -

    "But still, that was an amazing palace. Unharmed, and became a temporary lodging place for the civilians whose homes have been ransacked."

    It seems that the reckless attitude I sensed from her that night was a fluke, and that she was rather responsible for doing such a thing.

    I remembered that palace as it first came into view, though the stinging pain on my cheek tried to divert my attention, its wonder simply caught me by surprise.

    Of course I saw a dark gloomy building from afar that day I defended this village; now that the sun shone brightly overhead, it became a marvel of architecture.

    The interior carried a cool, languid scene, the ceilings were adorned with candlelit chandeliers, the archways leading from room to room bore a splendid theme, and the overall stone made structure carried an aura of protection simply by being in it.

    before entering, we came through a sizable training ground where the earth stood as their proving grounds.

    There, straw-made dummies stood with targets on their chest, and head, indicating that it was made into an archery range and a sparring grounds.

    Some soldiers were busy training, holding and swinging their swords with discipline and skill, which Emilia applauded them for.

    In return, the stopped in their tracks, saying "Thank you, general Emilia," and saluted, then resuming their training.

    It occurred to me that the men in her garrison were divided, some trained, some helped out with the constant repairs, and some concentrated on guarding the borders and boundaries of the town, securing the peace however insignificant it might seem to others.

    It was really beginning to take a turn for the better, nearly prospering after an attack.

    "Alright, twenty down, seventeen more to go."

    I looked into the satchel bag that I was given in order to hold all the letters of requisition, having organized it beforehand by what I thought would be the most effective way.

    I''ve already encountered much of the populace, some even urged me to take a break with them at the local inn, which was partially done already.

    "Here young man, why don''t you take a seat and chow down on some soup. You must be tired."

    They were easy enough to converse with once you''ve become familiar with most of the town itself.

    Some I''ve even gotten to know on friendlier terms, some were the same age as me, both boys and girls, all helping out with smiles on their faces.

    "Hey, hey let''s play again tomorrow, alright?"

    The children in particular were energetic.

    Though a bit of time had passed when I played with them, it didn''t matter at the least since I had finished my task beforehand.

    What I had experienced in this moment made me think of Evelyn for a split second.

    She doesn''t seem to be as old, yet she governs this territory with responsibility and professionalism.

    Plus, those mountainous piles of papers stacked upon the various parts of her office made it quite more appalling as she faced them with a gleeful smile on her face.

    "How inhuman."

    I told myself in a good way, thinking if she had time to herself, which I think she''s had, but in the past.

    I recall her leading her troops in a charge that moment I blacked out, meaning that she''s grown well accustomed to the battlefield, not something normal for girl to be in, but she''s an exception.

    The thought of her made me wonder more and more, but it deterred me from the task at hand, so I decided to put those on hold until I can settle all my training for today.

    After having delivered all of them, I prepared to go back, exhausted and on the verge of collapsing.

    I passed the training grounds, thinking of greeting the soldiers who are rigorously training.

    They replied with a wave and a hearty smile, showing a rather large boost in their moral, mainly due to the change in atmosphere.

    I went on in, feeling rather reluctant to show Emilia my progress.

    Having memorized the very halls as I had first entered them, it became no hassle to find the lord''s study where I was first given my tasks.

    As I walked through the corridors, the staff of the palace seems to be working harder from when I left, seeing them running to and fro, carrying with them papers and clean laundry.

    "Good morning."

    I flashed the maids with a smile, in which they replied happily to it, trotting to their direction as I continued forth.

    A wooden double door appeared on the very end of the corridor, a simple one, yet one that kept within it the lord of the territory.

    There were few to no soldiers present within the palace, since the majority of them had been seen outside, leading only to the conclusion that their ranks have been spread thin since most of their previous garrison members have passed away in that one battle.

    Before I could knock, I hear a familiar reckless girl''s voice, one that seems to be speaking with herself.

    "A shortage in requisitions, huh? How troublesome. Although I expected the repairs to have drawbacks and troubles, I didn''t anticipate it being this terrible. At this rate we won''t finish the repairs until next season."

    Her irritable voice could be clearly heard from outside, not requiring for me to eavesdrop, but part of me says to listen more, and another says that I should enter and go about my business.

    I decided to knock, as a result, she ceases her internal ramblings in order to say that I am welcome to go in.

    "Oh, it''s you. How did it go?"

    "Fine, I''ve given all the instructions as per your request."

    "Good, and you didn''t even need a map to go about your surroundings, I''m impressed."

    "I thought it''d be better to know your surroundings if you wandered unknowingly. Or that might just be me."

    "Is that so? Well, if you are looking for more tasks, Emilia isn''t here unfortunately, I''ve sent her somewhere important, leaving no one in charge of your training other than me."

    She rose from her seat, looking at the window behind her, opening it as to feel the fresh cool breeze passing through.

    Except that luxury of hers was cut short by a courier, one that wore a damaged leather armor, breathing harshly.

    "I''ve come bearing two reports and a message."

    "I, the Zalphion and lord of this territory shall receive it."

    The man kneels as he hears a certain word, one that I began to be curious of as to what its meaning is.

    "I am honored to be in your presence, my lord!"

    "We have no time for pleasantries and flattery, come, bring me what you will!"

    The man takes two parchment papers from his bag, and one more that contained a red seal.

    He presented them both, then knelt again for formalities sake, then left to leave with speed.

    "Well, this is rather troublesome."

    She simply looked at the cover of the red sealed one, speaking about a bad tiding to it.

    She laid it down, reading the other two first as I stood in the room, unable to make out anything that was happening due to my lack of information.

    reading it out loud, I began to focus on her words, which carried a bit of weight in it to be called rather grave.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    "After the battle near Ryuviel in Fortesca, bandits and the like have set their sights on the weakened town, sizing it up as to take it over. Their numbers are unknown, but are said to have amassed at least seven thousand troops..."

    She went silent upon hearing the statistics, putting her in a bad position, nevertheless, she continued reading.

    "There is no sign of an imminent attack, however, the threat of having them there terrifies the merchants and the townspeople, hurting the trade and innocent populace traveling the roads."

    Evelyn closed her eyes, massaging the temple of her nose.

    "I can''t believe they''re foolish enough to believe that a band of bandits can ransack a territory governed by a Zalphion. It takes courage to do that, or even think of the prospects."

    Taking a deep breath, she puts down the first letter and opened the other one.

    A smile appeared on her face, one that showed a longing for meeting someone.

    Curious, I asked, interrupting her train of thought.

    "Oh, this? It''s just a letter from one of my generals saying that his return will be in a two weeks or so."

    "I see, well, how about the bandits, I assume that you''re having a difficult time thinking of a way to counter them when the time comes."

    "You have a sharp mind, which is rather amazing despite having amnesia."

    "Thank you. Although only a day of my training had passed, it is all because of you and your proposition, and Emilia as well."

    "Keep up that humble attitude would you? It''s not something that I see often. Most of the times all I see are greedy and power hungry men."

    She then neatly picked up a stack of papers then placed them down on a segregated spot.

    "I have a question if you''re not busy."

    I went out on a limb, since this curiosity of mine couldn''t be sated at all. I don''t think it''s a sensitive subject seeing as how they spoke about it in the open.

    "Go ahead."

    "What exactly is a Zalphion?"

    Evelyn stared at me for a good three counts, then grinning slightly.

    "So it seems that you do not know that as well. I wonder where you were raised. I thought that our reputations were well known, and that almost no one had not heard of us."

    Cocking my head to the side, I think, unable to catch wind of what she had just said.

    "Could you elaborate a bit?"

    "I can. Take a seat. It''ll take a while since this isn''t my forte, but I''ll try."

    I did as she said, ready to take in as much information from her as possible.

    She stood in front of me, crossing her arms as if changing into a tad more serious attitude.

    "Zalphions are normal people turned demigods due to a blessing. In the beginning, they were normal people, given a boon from the divines, sacred weapons that were said to manifest their powers, and along within those weapons lies the dormant spirit of a divine in which their powers would awaken them."

    She paced along the room, taking brief pauses before continuing.

    I merely looked and listened in fascination, unable to believe right away, but found myself thinking that it might not be that fake to begin with.

    "Those were the first generations. As time passed, their weapons would disappear with the coming of age, followed by passing away, and then choosing its next successor. Those that were chosen were obligated to report to the king of their land and they were given the appropriate training, then their own land to govern. Their primary objective is to act within the best interests of the king, serving them as he or she dictates them so."

    She then sat down, looking at me from behind her desk, continuing.

    "Many more years passed, and a man of skill who wielded the four elements came from out of the blue, his name was Heinrich Heiden. His coming greatly shifted the balance of the continent. He proved himself by leading a losing faction that was righteous in his eyes, ending a five-year rebellion and uniting the country. That country is this one we stand upon. Emilia will teach you about geography, so I¡¯ll leave some details to her, but continuing, Heinrich was able to rally the Zalphions under his command, unifying the most of the land."

    She leaned forward, breaking my concentration as I shook my head.

    "Would you like to hear more?"

    "Absolutely."

    "Haha, very well. After a few years of prosperity, Heinrich disappeared suddenly, never to be seen from again. The Zalphions from that generation never said anything, so nothing came to light. But because of the great hero''s disappearance, war broke out since they couldn¡¯t decide who would rule after him. He didn''t have any children after all, which was quite a shock since most of the Zalphions that were chosen back then were quite the fair maidens, each boasting great strength and beauty. And so that brings us to the present, where everyone wants a piece of land, disregarding the lives they walk on."

    She reclines from her seat, exhaling after going through a great ordeal of having said something in quick succession.

    But what amazed me the most was the history, although lacking, it¡¯s something to behold.

    "Zalphions, huh?"

    ¡°Yes. The unity of the land gave the Zalphions a reason; to protect their king no matter what. And because of Heinrich, they knew that there was a possibility in uniting all the Zalphions for peace, and that¡¯s how it should have been.¡±

    Evelyn¡¯s eyes cast down, looking sad as her words seem to have affected her, bringing back a memory she¡¯d rather not think about right now.

    "By the way, do you have any idea why Emilia was red and angry when she came back after getting you?"

    "Ah-I, I have no idea. Maybe she got sick?"

    I don¡¯t think she¡¯d like to hear about what happened.

    Although I am fully aware about what had transpired, about that soft sensation that came about like a gift from the heavens, and the unrelenting fragrance that kept my mind occupied about her¡­

    I can¡¯t say anything about that. Thinking of Evelyn, she¡¯d just laugh at it, or at me rather, more than be concerned.

    "Well that would be terrible if that were the case."

    She once again rose from her seat, heading for the door.

    "Why don''t we start early for your first combat lesson?"

    "I don''t see the harm in declining, but I feel a bit tired."

    "Don''t worry, it¡¯s just the thing to wake you up."

    She gave me a thumbs up, then proceeded to walk away yelling -- "meet me in the training grounds!" -- leaving her office a mess with cluttered with papers and other things strewn about the floor.

    We met each other in the training grounds, the soldiers having already made way and prepared weapons and have already called out some of their comrades interested in seeing their Zalphion fight as they always have on the battlefield.

    I stood opposite from her, wielding a sword that glistened under the light of the sun, one that held a sharp edge.

    "Wait... am I missing the point here?"

    "What do you mean?"

    Evelyn asks, taking practice swings, dividing the air itself as her sword creates a fresh breeze on the battlefield, drawing the eyes of her subordinates, who watch fervently.

    "I mean, the words practice in itself is already self-explanatory, so I''d like to know why you''re brandishing this sharp blade of yours in front of a novice?"

    "Like I said, it''s just the thing to wake you up, plus you''ll get a bit of knowledge on how to act against someone who''s out for your life."

    One soldier approached me, handing me my blade, a similar one that Evelyn has.

    The man leaves, patting me on the back as he says, "Don''t worry about it too much."

    His words of pity and goodbye only seemed to make my fears all the more louder.

    Just what kind of power does she have if she''s the Zalphion of this territory, the feared and respected ones.

    "Don''t tense up too much, I can see your shoulder muscles contracting from here!"

    She shouted from a distance as she began to warm up, reading me like a book.

    As a result, I tried to relax my arms, but they remained slightly tense, unable to dispel the thought of a deadly injury.

    "I¡¯ll hold back, so don''t worry about dying. I won''t let a subordinate of mine die. But, if you don''t take this seriously, you might just end up dead."

    She readies her stance, holding her sword to her side, not really provoking any type of complicated technique.

    The atmosphere thickens, creating one that''s fit for this battle, a one sided one.

    Without further warnings, she comes dashing at me, closing the distance between us in a heartbeat.

    I rely on my instincts, thinking that the most effective way of dodging something that''s heading straight for you is to weave to the side, in which I do just that.

    She seems to have seen through me, shifting her body to face mine, then swinging her sword arm from her left, winding it with the wind.

    Her glistening hair made a beautiful arc that swayed with her body, that smooth dark hair creating a picturesque image of a battle maiden. As if her smile while she fought me wasn¡¯t bright enough.

    I placed my sword in front of me and planted my feet firmly, closing me eyes and gritting my teeth, knowing that I can''t move my sluggish body any further to escape.

    With a steel shattering sound, the match is declared over in that very moment, when a minute hadn''t even passed.

    She wiped her brow, speaking words directed at me.

    "Remember. The first few minutes of a battle is the most important one. though some say that it''s how long you last, but for me, finishing it early is best."

    I took a glance at my sword, broken in half as only a part of the blade and the hilt remains.

    My knees give in, forcing me to my knees, trembling in fear, but I was wide awake. Any sort of fatigue had gone away.

    I felt my shoulders slump, causing me to release a sigh of disbelief and relief that I was still in one piece.

    Suddenly, something blocked the sun as I sat on my knees, eyes closed, lamenting on my loss.

    "Don''t worry. You might have a long way to go, but you''ll get there eventually."

    I opened my eyes, seeing Evelyn, whose bent over, looking at me as she combs the right side of her dark silky hair to the back of her ear.

    her pose was enough to see her cleavage, nearly spilling forth, provoking me in a way.

    She then retreated, extending her hand towards me.

    "Let''s go another round. Progress is slow and steady, but growth is constant if you''re persistent enough."

    We began training once more, each round being more intense than the last.

    After the fifteenth round, I had accumulated scratches and small wounds here and there without her breaking a sweat.

    By the time we were finished, I had collapsed on the ground, nearly sleeping there if it weren''t for the kind soldiers that I had befriended.

    A man stood in front of me with his hands on his waist, looking down on me.

    "You got beat up really bad, huh?"

    "Heh, well I guess I¡¯ve got more of that to go through."

    "Oh yeah, you''re her page in training huh?"

    "Yeah. Are pages supposed to train like this? I thought I''d me be more focused in literature and history. So why am I learning swordsmanship this early?"

    This dark haired man I had befriended just this morning was Lucas, someone who seems to be my age -- Which I decided to be seventeen to be the appropriate number -- He was a soldier that had been in Evelyn''s personal rank of soldiers for a year.

    "Well, it''s unusual already that someone as old as you is training to become a page. But don''t sweat the little details. As long as you get the training, then all is well. Plus, you''ve got the one and only Zalphion teaching you. There''s no greater honor than that, so you better train your hardest."

    he pulled me up so that I could brush the dirt off me.

    He wore his personal leather armor, and under it was a navy blue top and brown leggings, the staple for a soldier taking it easy while being on guard. He was the very picture of an average young man some might say.

    "We¡¯ll plan another session next time. I''m sure Emilia will be back by tomorrow morning, and you will resume your training under her my mid-morning, so you have until then to do as you please. But, if you want to help out, you can come to me and I can give you work."

    Evelyn then leaves without saying anything else, waving goodbye as her rambunctious frame disappears into the shadows of the palace.

    The orange hue bathed the town, in which the people responded by lighting the street lamps and igniting their candles before night could come.

    So, are you going to head back now?"

    Lucas asks, smiling as if he has something in mind.

    "I could, but it seems that you want to ask me something."

    "Read right through me, huh bud?"

    "What can I say-"

    "Want to go with me to the inn?"

    He cuts me off, not that I particularly minded, but something that was rather rude.

    Sighing, I nod in agreement, cementing our friendship at bit more as we head to the inn.

    He had called several others to come with him, in which they reluctantly agreed to it, shouting heartily in the air.

    After having vented her stress, she now faces the letter she had ignored beforehand, holding it and looking at it intently.

    Judging from the seal, she knew that it was either internal state affairs, or personal state affairs, both of which affected her greatly after this battle with the Zalphion of Linnia.

    She lamented deeply about how bad the damages were, and what she had made her people go through.

    It was filled with sleepless nights, someone of which ended up haunting her.

    She could not be in two places at once, but her title entailed that her duty is to the crown, and leaving her own territory at the cost of that had made her face rather difficult decisions.

    Opening it, she reads through with a tinge in her heart.

    "You are requested to head to the capital in order to discuss the option of a counterattack against Linnia? Is this a joke? Can''t they see that I need to focus on repairs before I can move about?"

    She knew that this is not the orders of the wise and kind old man known as the king to her.

    She knew his state, he was growing older and much feebler, enough to be prey to the power hungry men who have already torn this land apart.

    The country of Barda, where her territory stood, was in a state of utter chaos.

    The two of the considered ''great'' dukes have begun their moves in order to be next for the throne, thus they have thrown the country into a civil war, one that they selfishly decided upon themselves even though they are at war with Linnia, the neighboring country.

    King Harold was bedridden, so his advisers were easy to manipulate and convince, so both sides focused their political and strategical moves around that basis, that they have an inch of command within the royal line.

    Evelyn also found it odd how this all came to be.

    She was also requested to come to the capital bringing with her an army, forcing her to divide her troops into who can defend and who can join her since most of her generals were away on small campaigns.

    But before all that, she knew that she would be attacked by someone, but little did she know that it would be the lightning Zalphion who would attack her.

    "It''s all too convenient, especially for that sly bastard!"

    Of course, there was no attack, and her troops wasted their time, but they could not disobey an order from the palace, especially a Zalphion, whose purpose is to protect the king.

    Once she received the news of her territory under attack, she rushed over, even her men were reluctant to keep going without rest. She knew it was reckless.

    She came back to a desecrated town, one that nearly lied in ruins, but it did not thanks to a lone man who stalled enough time for her to lay waste to them and send them packing.

    Her thoughts now shifted to the man she met, and is under her guidance.

    The one who had no name nor memory to back himself up, but defended the town only because he wanted to protect the people living within it.

    "What an interesting man I''ve met."

    She saw how he had completed his task, but before that, he was offered a map since he knew nothing and that all the letters needed to be given on time.

    But he simply glanced at the map for what seemed to be five minutes and left quickly.

    He then returned thirty minutes after, still having half an hour to his time.

    She found it ironic and amusing that someone who had amnesia could memorize something that quickly.

    That wasn''t the only thing.

    She remembered the recent practice battle they had.

    He didn''t have any skill with the sword that was worth boasting, but his defense was impeccable, especially his legwork and timing in dodging her attacks, which made it rather difficult to end a strike.

    "Let''s see how far you''ll go."

    She smiled to herself, thinking whimsically.

    A lively and loud atmosphere filled the inn, most of which were men and tired workers incuding soldiers who had time off their duties.

    Men were shouting, singing, laughing, the very picture of an inn at night. The structure was made of sturdy looking wood, the inside was lit up by lamps hanging everywhere, there were muscicians playing some sort of string instrument, one that carried a charismtic ambiance to it.

    Lucas called for an available table once we came in, looking to be drunk already even though we hadn''t had anything to drink yet.

    Once we sat together with the motley bunch that Lucas had invited, they began telling intereting stories to ones that they laughed to, relieving them of the stress that had been accumulated these past few days.

    The mood changed for a specific someone when a certain frilly dress wearing waitress came with a gentle, youthful smile.

    Her brown eyes and short brown hair until her shoulders created a rather adorable contrast about her, giving only one word what Lucas had said before... Cute, which gave reason for her rather average height.

    We found ourselves staring at her all together, in which she found herself in a bit of an awkward position, but not uncomfortable, rather she giggled in a cutesy way and asked what we''d like to have.

    Lucas spoke, stuttering in a way as he looked at the waitress with a beet red face.

    "A-a, I, no I mean, we..."

    She laughed to herself as she saw Lucas'' petty attempt at trying to speak even without knowing the reason as to why.

    One soldier that Lucas had invited spoke for all of us, sparing Lucas the chore of embarrassing himself any further.

    "We''ll have five mugs of beer and five bowls of hot soup specials!"

    "Alright! I''ll be back with your order!"

    She took the hem of her skirt and bowed, leaving for the counter, skillfully dodging more of the customers that are entering the inn, seemingly accustomed to it.

    We all shifted our eyes to Lucas, looking at him like a wolf looks at a sheep.

    "I see what''s going on here."

    One of them grinned, putting his arms around Lucas.

    "Don''t worry Lucas, we''ll help you out with Layla, but first, you have to treat us to something!"

    "Uhh, I don''t like the sound of this, but if you guys will help me, then I¡¯m in!"

    Lucas raised his hands into the air, feeling the vigor that his friends had instilled into him rising and rising, and overflowing.

    She came back carrying our orders, which look to be more than she can handle as she fumbles and nearly drops the tray she holds on both hands.

    With one step, she leans over, her body shifts forward, and everything goes by slowly.

    Lucas moves by instinct, catching her small frame that lands on his chest, and the two trays as well.

    A moment of silence goes by; they look at each other with a gentle passion gleaming in their eyes.

    She turns red, realizing where she is, softly putting her hands on his chest as to push herself back without causing injury.

    "I-I''m very sorry!"

    The girl retreats, bowing earnestly as if she had made the greatest blunder in her career.

    Lucas quickly sets the trays down, then faces her, scratching his head with a goofy face.

    "Ahaha, don''t worry about it, It''s not your fault. The trays were too heavy anyway."

    Time passed and we had our fair share of food and merry making, excluding myself from the alcohol.

    As soon as the night had reached its peak, the men began to pour out, still having duties tomorrow.

    I stayed outside the inn, waiting for Lucas to appear through those doors.

    Previously, he had told me to wait after his accomplices encouraged him to speak his mind.

    In truth, it seems that this is not the first moment that the two had seen each other.

    They have in many other occasions even before Lucas had enlisted to become a soldier, but he had no experience speaking to her, leading to him frequently going to the inn and ordering whatever he can with as cheaply as possible, like water, as long as he could see her.

    But this time, it was different.

    They pushed Lucas to his boundaries, awakening the true man in himself, so he confessed after the inn''s hours were over, around midnight where my mind has already turned to mush due to the fact that I had not gotten any proper rest after my practices.

    In that moment, Lucas burst out the door with a giant grin on his face.

    "H-how did it go, Lucas?"

    "It went well! I, I did it!"

    After celebrating his victory, we went on our way, dragging with me Lucas who had passed away due to his enjoyment.

    "So our plans failed. It seems that the Zalphion of this country shows great tenacity."

    A man who governed his territory with an orderly iron fist, spoke with his minister and accomplice, plotting.

    "Our ties with the Zalphion of Linna are rather limited, so I advise using her effectively. We cannot let failure hinder us."

    "I understand that much. It will take time, but we shall convene for another time. Until then, I will think of another plan to which we can cripple the power of the Zalphion of this country, and soon, we can finally begin usurping the throne."

    "I am looking rather forward to it."

    As the cloaked accomplice stepped out, he is stopped for one more question by the man of a large and bulky body, sitting on the lord''s seat.

    "How goes the cultivating of the dragons?"

    "Exceedingly well. We may be able to use two of them, the fire and earth dragons."

    The cloaked man replied mischievously, laughing as he left.

    "Soon, everything under the heavens will be mine."

 Chapter 3: A looming threat

    A week had passed and the youth progressed fairly well under his two teachers, who diligently gave their all in cultivating him thus far.

    The town itself had recovered exceptionally well, leaving only a few more structures to be repaired.

    Trade and merchants began to appear once more, somehow stabilizing the lost economy they had, which was plummeting due to the lack of funding, but much more of the fear in people''s hearts.

    Evelyn thought of a way to improve this by ordering half of the men she could spare into guarding caravans and the local highway, thus securing the peace there as much as she could.

    The morning before that, Emilia had returned from the task her lord sent her to, resuming their studies with the youth under her lord''s wing.

    Though she had already forgiven him for what had happened before she left, there still lingered a sensation when he had done that; but still a small grudge remains in the back of her mind.

    It was the start of the afternoon, and Emilia and the young man were at the palace study where most of the archives and books were stored, and where most of the studies under Emilia was held.

    Emilia wore her casual clothing of a long brown gown, wearing a white long sleeved shirt, pairing it with her long, faded silver hair that was tied back with a red lace, showing her in a new light that the youth was surprised in seeing.

    "Remember this, there are four countries surrounding ours namely Linnia, Ixium -- which is in turmoil and in danger of being split up, but that''s another topic entirely -- Continuing, Rocheforte, and Austrum. Currently, we are at war with Linnia, and had been at war with them for two years. Needless to say that the neighboring countries have been eyeing us due to a special circumstance."

    Emilia spoke strictly as she pointed to a map drawn out on old, but sturdy paper that she had placed flat on a large table, pointing to it with a stick.

    "What reason does Barda have for being at war with Linnia? If I remember correctly, Barda is in the midst of a civil war, and the external conflict had already hurt the country badly."

    The youth spoke, interested in more of the political area of the country, keen on listening and voicing his small opinions at times.

    "It started with a small scale negotiation about trades that had failed, resorting in the feud of the two ambassadors of the country. Linnia claims that one of Barda''s soldiers killed and started a fight which ended in a bloodbath. No one side was truly convicted, and thus war became imminent."

    "T-that''s kind of confusing. Couldn''t they have just talked it out?"

    The youth asked, perplexed as he thought that this conundrum could have been easily avoided.

    "That may be the case, but the mistake is said to be due to both countries sending overly patriotic ambassadors to meet each other in the past. In truth, Linnia and Barda had ever really had the best relations. And that this negotiation was simply one of the many failed ones."

    "I-I see. So wait, do both kings really approve of this?"

    "No, but their people could not be persuaded. So their only resort was to follow the voices of their people, suppressing a rebellion and a civil war."

    "Is there a chance for it to end?"

    "There is, a miniscule chance for it to end is for one to reign above all, like Heinrich had done for the land, one rule that everyone agreed upon."

    He pondered upon what Emilia had said, but nonetheless, just what kind of man was Heinrich, and how did he come to be respected as the man he is now, even though he had disappeared.

    "For now, let''s leave things like this. Too much information in one day will never benefit anyone, not unless they''re willing, or reckless."

    The young man agreed to her words, dismissing himself as Emilia proceeds to the lord''s study, reminding the youth that he has free time on his hands now, and that he should use it wisely.

    -

    He went out of the palace, heading to the training grounds where the usual suspects were, and many others who¡¯ve come to further hone their skills.

    In the past few days that have passed, he had come to know much of the populace, who in turn accepted him despite having no name as to which to call him by, which was rather awkward for some encounters.

    He helped out as much as he could during the hard period of restoration for Ryuviel, and many of the townspeople have been grateful for him in doing that.

    Even the soldiery and the palace staff have come to know him as he always moved about, sparing no time at all with trying to find a reason for his life here, and possibly why he was sent here.

    He remembered about that time when he helped Lucas with his interest in the inn keeper''s waitress, and how they''ve been seen as a couple; he''s also come to know the girl as an acquaintance in that time.

    Incidentally, his friend showered him with thanks, treating him as much as he could.

    He had learned a vast knowledge about the land''s history, how much of the other countries are governed and their respective problems, but only to some extent.

    When it came to practicing in battles with a variety of weapons, he excelled averagely, but rather proficiently due to him being able to use every weapon presented to him, similar to a jack who masters none, but is able to do everything he can.

    That in itself was an amazement for the ranks of Evelyn''s army, and the garrison of the town, ensuring them that they are in safe hands, or as they like to jest.

    Even the one who trained the young man herself was amazed at his progress within three days, which was nothing short of a prodigious act.

    "Well isn''t this something else. You say that you haven''t seen or touched some of these weapons, but when you''re taught and put to the test, you really show something off!"

    Evelyn praised her student, masking inside the confides of her brain about the details of his growth.

    (If you gave him a month to train with each weapon known in existence, then he might have known how to use them all by that time. Give him a year to master all of them, then that might not just be impossible...)

    Her thoughts trailed off, thinking of something more superhuman than she thought.

    Neither she nor her partner, Emilia knew of this man''s bounds, or even about his ability to learn and adapt quickly for that matter.

    "I still have a long way to go. I''ve yet to even know who I am or what I''m doing here. But, I can''t let that stop me."

    Those were his words, some filled with determination that sought to never give in, yet it is true that he had still a ways to go.

    His personality hadn''t changed that much, and he was still considered to be rather soft and aloof with some things, staying quiet and on the side lines.

    "I wonder just how much I''ve grown as a person..."

    He asked himself this by the end of each day, seemingly rushing for some reason, but he himself failed to notice such a thing.

    He had time on his hands, one that he''s rather not waste.

    Naturally, after having taken a stroll through the town, he had thought about returning to the palace for a bit more practice by himself, but before he could do such a thing, his gaze caught a cloaked figure -- whose pace seems to quicken with three steps each -- sneaking away from the palace.

    The wind then lows strongly, indicating that it''s saying something, but is trying to convey it the only way it can, by sending a small gust of wind towards the cloaked figure.

    In an instant, the hood is blown away as there was nothing to support it.

    "E-Evelyn? What are you doing?"

    Her slightly arched back sprang forward as she heard her name, revealing her silky dark hair, proving that it was truly her.

    She took a glance at him, then rushed the youth at an amazing speed, covering his mouth with hers, and abducting him to the side of the palace walls so that no one could see them.

    "Shh! If you care about my well-being, then you''ll stay quiet when I take my hands off of your mouth."

    She seemed a bit high strung, as if she were trying to escape something, or someone.

    Evelyn took her hand off my mouth as I nodded, still thinking as to what would drive her to act like this, uncomposed and on edge.

    A sigh escapes from her, casting her gaze down, seemingly foiled.

    "Since you''re here, I can''t let you go back in the palace if that''s what you intend. You''ll come with me then."

    Making up her mind, she dons her hood ones more and pulls my wrist as she hurriedly walks off.

    I had decided to keep my mouth shut and simply follow her, not really knowing her intentions.

    In a few minutes, we had come to a marketplace that was bustling with trade, merchants and people.

    Previously it had not been like this, but because of the new regulations and reintroduced trade, people got a hold of the merchandise they''ve vied for a long time after the battle.

    It was well to say that they were well on their way to recovering as a fully-fledged town.

    Once she settled down, another sigh of relief exits her.

    "Finally, I won''t let myself collapse under that amount of work. Time for some relaxation!"

    She grinned to herself, eyeing the many luxuries that have entered the town, specifically their new businesses that have come in, seeking to sell good food.

    She approached one stand, taking two bronze pieces and placing it on the wooden counter.

    "Two or your best beef soups please!"

    "Coming right up missy!"

    The hearty middle aged owner who sported a great silver beard and mustache combo, served two bowls filled with piping hot soup that looked too appetizing for its own good.

    Evelyn faced me, carrying the two bowls.

    "Here, eat some, they look really good."

    Her usual composed and mature face changed into a child''s one who enjoyed playing and basking under the sun.

    Deciding to give myself up, I take the bowl, feeling hungry myself.

    "Woah, this is good! The broth is thick and tasty all by itself, the seasoning in it just blends perfectly with the beef, and the soup''s heat makes the meat soft and easy to chew."

    Amazed, I began gobbling the contents of the bowl greedily without hesitation, losing myself in the great myriad of flavors that I''ve never known to even exist.

    "Haha, I knew you''d like it!"

    After that comment, she began eating hers as well, but not with the same reaction as mine. Maybe she''d already tasted this before.

    Having nothing to eat, I found myself looking at her, surprised to see this side of her which I expected, ut never saw.

    "I might just be imagining this, but did you escape Emilia and the workload to play around?"

    She nearly chokes at my remark, regaining her composure quickly.

    "Why''d you have to go out and say it like that. Why not say that I¡¯m simply taking a rest?"

    "Well, it''s the same either way."

    She sighs.

    "You''ve caught me red handed."

    The previously mature girl of high position starts pouting, eating her soup in a more paced manner.

    Looking at me after a few seconds, she begins to grow suspicious.

    "What are you grinning at?"

    "Oh, sorry. I didn''t notice. It''s just that this is the first I''ve seen you like this, though it''s been only a week."

    "It''s not that special. Besides, if Emilia caught you with me, you''d receive the same amount of scolding."

    Evelyn shivers as the words leave her mouth, saying a bad premonition as to what would happen if we were indeed caught.

    Those emotions of hers were somehow transmitted to me, filling me with dread as I thought about how ruthless she could be at times.

    "Hey, doesn''t it bother you?"

    The mood changes quite drastically as her words turn serious, looking at her empty bowl made it all the more compelling to listen to her.

    "About what?"

    "Not having a name, or anything to remember. Doesn''t it make you sad?"

    I found myself at a loss. I''ve already answered these questions as many times as I thought needed, but she asked me something that I had forgotten to do ever since I got slightly accustomed to this new life.

    "Well, it''s sad really, but there''s nothing I can do about it. If you think hard enough, you''ll realize that no matter what you do, you''ll never get something labeled the impossible. So I decided to start anew..."

    "Is that so? What a resolute man you are."

    "That doesn''t mean that I''ve given up searching for any way to know who I am."

    I stared at the sky that is at its zenith, shining brightly, unimpeded by clouds drifting past it.

    She stood up, taking the empty bowl from my hands and giving them to the shopkeeper.

    "Come, there''s no use being down all of a sudden. I''ll show you something."

    She pulled on my wrist one more, her speed is truly impeccable.

    We seemed to be headed to the gates, those of which looked sturdy enough to survive a barrage of attacks.

    Coming face to face with a dark entrance leading up the ramparts, she parted with me, heading up first.

    Her voice echoed as she disappeared within the dark entrance.

    "Hurry up, it''ll be gone soon!"

    I decided to quicken my pace, thinking of what she might have in store for me.

    As I reached the very top, a bright flash of light enveloped me, blinding my eyes for a split second. The sun was indeed setting, and its gleam was turning a soft orange hue.

    When my vision came back clearly, I looked left and right, seeing only the open fields beyond the gate, those of which the lush greenery is starting to recover as well.

    I turned to my left, seeing Evelyn playfully waving with her slender arms against the light that bounces off from her somehow.

    I sprint towards her, and she keeps running towards another section of the rampart, one that seems to go around, and behind the town itself.

    As I turned the corner, I saw Evelyn who¡¯s already stopped in her tracks, looking at the scenery in front of her.

    Closing the gap between us, coming within inches of her, I stared at her face, looking tranquil and at peace.

    At this sight you couldn''t have even told that she was someone who held great power in her hands, yet she looked like an ordinary maiden, which she was in my eyes.

    She felt my stare, turning to me with a frown, slightly blushing, or it might have been my imagination.

    "Hey, I''m not the one you should be staring at that."

    Pointing it out, I focused my gaze at the beautiful view that stood in front of us.

    It was a mountain of wilderness that held an air of sanctity with it, and behind that was the setting sun, a view that instantly made my heart feel rather sad.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    "It''s beautiful, isn''t it?"

    I couldn''t help but nod, agreeing fully with her statement.

    "I discovered this spot a few days from when I was a newly appointed Zalphion of Ryuviel. Admittedly, having this sight alone makes it worthwhile being here."

    Her smile seemed lonely, sad, saying more emotions that I could identify.

    "When I''m here. I''m at peace. Every worry that I have disappears, but when I leave, they all come crawling back. It''s kind of frustrating, you know?"

    I didn''t reply, more like I couldn¡¯t. It gave a feeling that the best thing to do here is listen.

    "It''s like I never want to leave, not like I haven''t tried it. Disappointingly the view changes, and all that''s left is the lonely darkness, and the moon in the solitary sky."

    Evelyn began to laugh, but it seemed to be directed to herself.

    "I''ve thought about it for a long time after I''ve began taking lives. What if I wasn''t chosen to be a Zalphion, and I could have lived my life peacefully, not having to worry when there''ll be someone out for my life. Never needing to worry whose life I''ll be taking next, all for the peace of the country..."

    "Evelyn..."

    All that I could muster was saying her name.

    I never thought she had to deal with something like this, nor did I anticipate her showing me this side of her.

    "Oh, did I dampen the mood? Sorry about that, ahaha, there''s just some times that I need to loosen up a bit. I''m sorry for dragging you in to this..."

    "... No, that''s alright. It was pretty worthwhile for me, plus I got to see this side of you, which I doubt you''ve shown anyone else. I think that it makes me special in a way because of this moment. When everything seems fleeting, all you have to do is hold on to what you have, and don''t let go, I guess. Haha."

    I thought optimistically, thinking that these moments are there, but they do come and go, that applies with Evelyn as well. Those were my most sincere words, and the only words that I could have thought of saying.

    She smiles at my remark, then starts laughing, holding her stomach as if having heard something hilarious.

    "I''m sorry, I just couldn''t help myself. Who knew you had a way with words. But, thank you. No one''s ever told me what you''ve said."

    Her eyes look downward, masking her face as her long dark hair covers it.

    (You really are one of a kind.)

    "Did you say something, Evelyn?"

    "Ah, no, it might have been your imagination. Let''s head back, shall we? I think our time of enjoyment is done for today."

    "Yeah, let''s go."

    We started walking, our boots echo on the rampart''s stone flooring.

    Evelyn then halts, then faces me with a bright smile.

    "I have an idea!"

    "Oh, what''s that?"

    "Since you have no name, I''ll give you one."

    "Me? Are you sure? I don''t mind if you will. Beats having no name at all."

    "''I''ve thought about it a few days after you came, then thought about it some more as well trained. From now on, your name with be Heinrich!"

    "... Heinrich? Me? I don''t think that''s suitable in any way. Plus, there''s already another Heinrich, one that''s far better than I am."

    "That''s for me to decide. Besides, who says that you can''t accomplish as much. You''ve given me the privilege, now it''s time for you to live up to it, right, Heinrich? I know that you''ll be someone amazing, I can feel it!"

    "I guess you''re right. Very well then. I''ll treasure this name forever. Thank you... Evelyn."

    Brought about by the sincerity of her heart, my emotions spill forth, giving her a thank you that would top all the others.

    -

    As they began their walk back, the sun had faded, and the darkness accompanied by the moon, came.

    The town itself had gone into silence, but the inns were an exception.

    Most have already left for their homes, some of which are newly repaired.

    With that done, the guards were in a normal state, doing their primary objective of focusing on guarding the town.

    The two walked side by side, one brims with energy while the other is exhausted.

    The clear silence is broken as a large bell rings from behind them, the golden signal bell that is hung on a rampart''s tower, whose sole purpose is to alert those of an emergency, or an attack.

    As one bell rang, so did the others, circulating an emergency that woke the town.

    The garrison on the ramparts hurriedly readied their arms, igniting the torches that acted as a signal and a way to light their arrows.

    As Evelyn heard this, her expression changed from the one she possessed earlier, turning serious with a snap of a finger.

    "Head to the palace! There''s no time to waste."

    She runs, leaving Heinrich in the dust.

    The youth followed along, but it seems that she told him beforehand because she was needed there, and her absence would only cause the atmosphere to turn worse.

    In these kinds of emergencies, which were not often, the only thing he could do was follow his superior''s directions.

    He arrived to the site of the place where a messenger brought the news as to what this is all about.

    various people were there, including Emilia and Evelyn, who stood on the forefront of the table.

    The atmosphere was unbearable. They stood at odds with such an unusual enemy, one that came so suddenly.

    They had just finished most of the repairs, but now there are more out there who will threaten the peace of this town.

    "Report, what is the situation?"

    She spoke in a stern voice, one that could have even rivaled Emilia''s.

    "There were bandits seen fast approaching the town. Some were on foot which some rode horses. They total to seven thousand in all!"

    The messenger spoke with a distinguished voice, conveying the message completely. His report had caused a small uproar to take place within the ranks of captains, commanders, and other right hand men.

    Evelyn then crossed her arms, looking at everyone present with a composed air.

    "General Emilia, you are to act as the ground platoon commander. But before that, I want you to strengthen the rampart defenses and have archers stationed. Assign two captains and their platoons to divide and secure the townspeople. Tell them to wait for further orders after that. If you have finished, form your ranks and march on this line."

    After pointing out the directions, Emilia scurried off, speaking with some men whom she deemed worthy to carry out the mission given.

    Next, I want every platoon commander of my troops to be present and ready to move out. We''ll hold our ground a few meters away from the town, then charge through them after they collide with us."

    She points to a certain part of the map, which lies in front of them on a large table.

    "Next, I want cavalry commanders on standby. And I need a fast messenger that will be able to relay the messages I have for each platoon."

    One man raised his hand, wearing a leather armor, and a face that says ''I was born to do this''.

    "I will command the five hundred cavalry troops. Meet me at the gates with an available horse, ready and waiting. General Emilia will lead the platoon of three thousand, and that they will hold their ground. The plan is simple. Dwindle their numbers after their first strike. Once they collide with the vanguard, we''ll strike them on their flanks and hail them down with arrows. Dismissed!"

    The various commanders ran to their respective duties, having no questions on their minds, or doubts. It had left only Heinrich, the messenger and Evelyn, who is readying her armaments, armors, and other necessities.

    The new Heinrich was simply amazed at how she handled the situation with exemplary professionalism, showing that she truly is the Zalphion, in a mental perspective, but more so in a physical perspective.

    "What about me, Evelyn? What do I do?"

    "You stay with the city garrison. Your objective is to cooperate with any commanders of your choice, and follow their instructions."

    He knew what to do, but something felt missing, and it was foolish not to go with it to battle.

    "Do I get any weapons or armor?"

    "Report to the barracks, they''ll give you some. I know that you''ve become quite friendly with most of the men, so you''ll be just fine. Just be careful in case."

    "You too, Evelyn."

    "Of course."

    she said so with a smile, then returning to her original duties.

    He left, hearing her instructions loud and clear.

    In truth, he would have wanted to join Evelyn with the cavalry, but he knew nothing about riding horses.

    He thought that with his current training, he''d be the most useful either with the garrison, or with the intercepting troops in the vanguard.

    Well trained and proficient in any weapon, but he wasn''t arrogant enough to do something that he couldn''t all for the sake of pride.

    He proceeded to the barracks thinking about how both of his teachers, and how they would fare against such odds.

    He believed in them. That was no lie, but it''s a whole other level to worry about them.

    Knowing what their capabilities are, he still thought about them.

    "I''ll do my part so that their burdens will be lessened."

    There was a strange glow in his eyes, one that could have done any role and succeeded, but not without repercussions.

    The resolve within him to strive and do something for others was strong, and it continued to grow with each passing day.

    "I see you''re wearing some gear. Are you going with us?"

    Lucas surprised him, riding on a brown steed, fitted with armor and weapons.

    "No, unfortunately. I''ll just get in the way. I figured I''ll be much more useful inside the town. I do know it by know."

    "You''ve got a point. Well, then wish me luck."

    "I know you''ll come back. I know you will. You''re not the kind to go down easily."

    "Against bandits? Of course. I still need to spend time with the one I love, so I won''t just leave this place."

    There were others who had mounted horses, and they began to leave in order.

    "Well, that''s my cue. I''ll see you later!"

    Lucas rode down the streets towards their position, towards where their Zalphion was positioned to charge and break their enemies'' morale.

    He decided to find himself someone to help out. A commander who seems capable and in need would be a start.

    He knew that the people themselves were worried that what happened in the past might repeat, so his resolve was so that they would not have to worry about such a thing.

    "With this training, I''m confident. I can''t lose!"

    -

    Breathe in, breathe out. It''s just another battle. And we''ll win at all cost!

    "Are you all ready?"

    Her response was met with a cheerful roar of men who held their spears up high, setting of a spectacle that raised the morale of the people around them.

    They stood under the arch where the ramparts are located above.

    The forward intercepts were ready and waiting, and all that was left was to position herself strategically.

    Before all that could start, she had to dismiss her worry for Emilia, who led the vanguard.

    She was used to having her fighting alongside each other as they always have, but his vanguard general was occupied at the moment, and would take a while before he could return.

    But, needless to say that each of her generals were proficient and capable in any position given to them.

    "Alright, now''s not the time for doubts."

    She murmured to herself.

    "Listen everyone. We will protect this town at the very cost of our lives no matter what it takes. Give it your all!"

    They shouted in unison. With their Zalphion at the helm, they were not worries about losing, even if it is five hundred against seven thousand.

    "Raise the banner of Ryuviel and the flag of Barda!"

    The two flags are raised, one that had an image of a rose representing Ryuviel, and another that had an image reminiscent of a lion, representing Barda, their country.

    She turned to face her men, wearing her battle gear of a blue light armor and a short skirt, giving her an edge when it came to agility in attacking, despite it being rather revealing.

    Her dark hair rebounded the light the moon shined upon it, casting her beauty as a maiden in the battlefield.

    "Follow me and you need not fear the outcome of this battle! Come!"

    She pulls on the reigns of her horse as she raised her Zalheim of a sword -- the common name of their divine weapons -- bringing it up high as it makes a sound, then finally leading the charge of five hundred strong horsemen.

    (Give me strength, Aryelle. We shall conquer this trial together!)

    The battle is staged just a few miles from the town, a lush, flat, green field envelops the land, no obscurities whatsoever, but in range for archers to be able to make their mark.

    On that very line the vanguard stood, and inspecting the front lines on a brown horse is Emilia, wearing a full set of blue armor and a helmet, her sword is sheathed by her waist.

    The flag of the town and the country stands tall, but the visibility is terrible that they could not help but lose sight of it.

    Everyone knew the consequences of fighting in the dark, but they could not bring themselves to let the enemy near the town, especially because of their vast numbers.

    They were three thousand strong, and they had five hundred backing them up, totaling to three thousand five hundred. The rest remained as reserves or defense, but the odds were clearly stacked against them.

    Her demeanor did not change however. She was confident not only in herself, but in her men, whom she has instilled a certain strength of morale with her words.

    Much of her remaining faith lay in Evelyn, and her ability as a Zalphion.

    The sound of an organized marching army caught them off guard.

    They thought that a group of simple minded bandits would just come barging in an organized manner, but she saw wrong.

    What the leader of the vanguard saw was that of an army marching with order and unison, not one that indicated that they were a band of misfits.

    Her mind immediately took action.

    "Messenger! I need a messenger!"

    She called out loudly, but not hindering the focus of the men as they simply thought that there was nothing to be worried about.

    One man galloped from behind, emerging to the general''s side.

    "Relay this message to the lord, quickly. Tell them that the army marches orderly, as if an organized army."

    With that, the man went on his way.

    Emilia thought of this as unusual.

    If they were going to battle against someone who truly intends to defeat them, then their chances at a putting casualties at a minimum would be at risk.

    To have a Zalphion in your army means a default victory, but that is not the same this time around.

    If their strategists are exceptional, then there might be a problem that will pose a threat to the Zalphion, and the only way to counter that is to communicate and produce another plan that may rival theirs¡¯s.

    After a few more minutes of marching, the image of the advancing army can be seen from an opposite distance.

    An armored knight wearing dark armor upon a dark horse rode back and forth, preparing his army.

    "Is he the general?"

    Emilia asked herself.

    Indeed, it was the main army where seven thousand men lay; their cavalry leading the front while their footmen stood behind the initial chargers.

    The dark knight unsheathed his sword, his horse faces front, indicating that the battle will start at any second from now.

    "Men, at the ready! Raise your shields and prepare your spears. The enemy will advance soon! Platoon commanders be ready to take charge when I give the signal."

    She commanded her army, in turn, they steeled themselves, firmly planting themselves in place.

    They formed a standard, single line of defense, one that would protect their flanks as much as possible due to them being outnumbered when it came to cavalry troops.

    The man in the center brought down his sword that gleamed under the moonlight, directing it towards the army.

    They began to march.

    Emilia initiated the plan as the cogs spun.

    "Commanders, about face and march twenty paces, then reform the standard line, ten platoons across, the rest will serve as reserve, only five paces away from the main vanguard!"

    At her behest, the army started marching.

    They knew that this would be the plan, but to reform and suddenly stand firm against an army that had gained momentum in charging was simply reckless, but they had to put them in range, then all would be set.

    There she stood, hidden at the darkness of night on a plain overlooking the advancing enemy army, seeing clearly due to the power bestowed upon her by Aryelle, her Zalheim.

    "Oh, isn''t this interesting."

    As she surveyed some more, the messenger arrives with the word that Emilia had said, confirming her doubts.

    The vanguard that Emilia commanded also began to move, meaning that everything had begun.

    "Good work. Return to the general and inform her that the plan is in motion."

    "Understood!"

    Silence fell, but her mind had chaos inside of it.

    Many of her thoughts were conflicted since she thought about using the town''s walls as defense, and wear down the enemy with bows and arrows.

    But, it wouldn''t sit right with her, especially after the previous attack with garnered high casualties, including the civilians.

    "Come, let us move. We''ll strike em down at the right time."

    Their hooves began to move silently through the night, being careful as to not take the attention of the occupied army.

    The battle began, the army of Ryuviel had reformed its ranks and hurriedly, stood on the defense.

    From the ramparts, there stood archers who were ready to fire.

    They had extinguished the large torches, serving as a surprise attack.

    Once they arrived well within striking distance, the garrison of soldiers lit the torches, revealing their position.

    The advancing enemy army stood surprised as their army slowed their pace, seeing torches lit up.

    "Fire at will!"

    The command was given, and the arches burned the tip of their bows, firing at the distraught enemy, taking ranks of them down.

    From the enemy''s side, the general at the front was not alarmed, he seemed to know what to do, level headed and calm as his voice reached even the defending army''s.

    "Raise your shields, last out the enemy volley, then prepare for a charge!"

    They did as they were told, raising their shields that took much of the damage.

    "Ceasefire!"

    The archers halted, and the rampart commander''s voice was heard by the front line commander.

    "Charge at the enemy!"

    She drew her sword, pointing it at the enemy, leading to a counter charge.

    The ground shook slightly as the multitudes of men began marching in unison, then shifting into a run with their spears lowering at the distance.

    Their spears impaled the enemy cavalry, the first line of attack, skewering their horses and riders.

    Without the momentum, the cavalry at the front had been devastated, and the wails of the men whose lives are being taken at every second could be heard within the walls of the town.

    The people anxiously awaiting the results stood inside the rebuilt chapel, praying to their savior, Heinrich, to save them from this strife.

    Words had gotten out about the overall state and numbers of the enemy, but their fears grew even more when they heard the loud shouting of the enemy near the walls of their town.

    "What''s happening outside, grandma?"

    "I don''t know, my child. Just sleep for now. I shall wake you when all of this has subsided. Have faith in our Zalphion, for she is one of a kind."

    Those who could help each other, tried their best in keeping control of the atmosphere, trying to not make it as worse as it already is.

    In and out of the chapel, and in many other parts of the town, there were soldiers positioned to maintain security, even if they are already stretched thin.

    -

    "I can''t believe it''s happening again. It hasn''t been a month even."

    I could not help but worry at the state of the people outside.

    I didn''t fear as much since I am confident in what I¡¯ve been taught, but all around me are people who''ve huddled in fear, knowing full well how strife can change things, and people.

    I could do nothing but comfort them with words.

    As I thought to myself, I began to feel a tug on my arm.

    I looked down to see a twin pair of brother and sister, who holds his brothers hand as she hides behind him. They seemed to be at the very least seven to eight years old?

    The boy spoke with a stuttering voice.

    "U-uhm, will we be okay? I, heard f-from the soldiers that there were a lot of them out there."

    He felt terrified as he shivered, trying to remain strong in front of his sister, who also shivers in fear.

    I knelt down, placing my hand on the boy and girls'' head, ruffling them gently as I returned a smile to ease their uneasiness.

    "Don''t worry, if they ever come here, I''ll protect you two."

    "R-really? You mean it?"

    "Of course I mean it. Everyone out there''s fighting hard, so there''s no reason for me not to."

    They both seemed to regain their composure as they breathe a sigh of relief in unison.

    Before I could rise to my feet, I could hear a voice behind me.

    "Jonathan, Alice! Where are you?"

    The two of them seemed to respond to the names, and I responded to the voice.

    "Ah, it''s big sis Layla!"

    They both ran towards her, and I found myself looking at a familiar face, specifically the girlfriend of a friend of mine named Lucas.

    "Oh, if it isn''t Layla. What brings you here?"

    She wore a smile and her casual dress, one of a brown long skirt, and a clean white frilled top.

    "Oh well if it isn''t... Uhmm, I seem to have not grown accustomed to it, but what should I call you? I don''t think I can settle with saying you, or him."

    "Is that so? You could have just told me, haha. I have a name now, or rather, I was given one. You can call me Heinrich."

    I felt proud of the name I was given. Even though I did not share a relation with the old Heinrich himself, his name brought weight with it, and now, I carried that same name.

    "My, what a grand name. You do look like Heinrich himself if he were a few years younger."

    She giggled in a cutesy manner, comparing me with the golden image of old Heinrich on the chapel.

    Layla continued with my previous question.

    "I came here searching for these two. We were all at the chapel, but they disappeared when I took my eyes off them. I was really worried."

    "I''m really sorry about that, big sis. I didn''t mean to worry you."

    The young boy whose name I heard to be Jonathan, replies with tears in his eyes, nearly bursting into tears.

    She gently patted their hands with a touch of maternal love, calming them almost instantly, as if with magic.

    "As long as you both understand."

    The cries of war outside became louder and louder, meaning that the clash must have reached its climax.

    "Layla, please head on back in the chapel. We''ll do our best and keep you all safe."

    She returns a curt nod with a hint of seriousness, meaning that she felt the same atmosphere, and heads back to the chapel.

    But before they could disappear in the distance, Jonathan and Alice waves back with words of encouragement.

    "Thank you! Please keep your promise, alright?"

    I mimicked them, smiling to myself as joy fills my body.

    It feels rather great to have someone depend on you.

    "Charge!"

    The Zalphion lead the charge from their right flank as the armies clashed.

    Their plan of attack was to graze the flanks, then retreat, repeating the process until the enemy can reform their ranks, or even try to counter.

    Evelyn, slightly covered in the blood of her enemies, surveys the area, trying to find and break the chain of command, however, the vast number of men still standing to fight made it difficult to pinpoint anyone.

    She could have used her power, but it only warrants itself against those who deserve it, and cannot be used casually.

    There was a limit, but one that could be surpassed with a certain requirement.

    She decided not to dwell on it since her charge and army where holding quite well.

    The archers have resumed their volleys, aiming for the back of the army, while the vanguard holds steady, clashing and dwindling the numbers of the bandits, some of which have experienced fighters in some cases.

    "But still, the casualties are already high, and is still rising."

    The seven thousand men became four thousand, and her three thousand became two thousand and five hundred, which was more than she could have ever hoped for.

    They would not be able to hold on longer if this kept up.

    "Keep fighting. Get ready for another charge!"

    She readied her men, seemingly exhausted, but she was not, for Zalphions were given superhuman stamina in which they can fight longer than any warrior.

    A distance away, an army of horsemen numbering to a thousand, passed by the riverbank, and onto the borders of Ryuviel, their town.

    They could hear shouting, one which did not mean of a celebration, rather it was a war cry.

    "Tch, just what happened while I was away?"

    A large well build man wearing dark and gold armor came riding on a strong looking steed of a dark color.

    His short dark hair hid itself in the darkness, masking his large frame, and his men that stood behind him, all men who have become veterans due to their great feats in their campaign.

    They carried a banner that had an image of the shield of aegis woven on it, one that was colored gold and white.

    "Hey, you fools! Ready your weapons and get ready to charge!"

    His gruff voice echoed within his ranks, making it rather clear who''s in charge.

    His men replied in a distinguished manner, one that gave off an aura of great stability within his army.

    "Do you hear that screaming in the distance? Be quiet and listen... Those are the shouts of our brethren fighting for their lives! Get ready to trample those who dare take over our town and threaten our brothers and sisters!"

    Their voices echoed again, rivaling those of the four thousand men clashing with the defenders and Ryuviel.

    He took a deep breath in, then exhaled, taking a large sword from his back, swinging it a few times before uttering the words of carnage and destruction.

    "Charge!"

 Chapter 4: To the royal capital of Barda

    "Don''t break formation! There''s only a few of them left!"

    "Second platoon, cover the left flank and don''t let them advance through that!"

    "They''re trying to pierce through the center, need reinforcements!"

    Their pleas and wails could be heard throughout the night.

    It was the time of midnight, the time where people slept with peace, and the absolved their stress and worries under the comfort of their blankets.

    Instead, they cowered wherever there may be protection, near a soldier, the chapel, or the palace.

    The sheer numbers were enough to terrify them, but they knew how bad it was already for they have felt it first hand, and had fought for it as well.

    The battle continues to rage on outside, and no one side seems to be giving up, instead making the battle a hard-fought, and drawn out one.

    The tenacity of the enemy army came as a surprise to Evelyn, though she expected much because of everything that''s been happening around her.

    Her army''s casualties skyrocketed, while the enemy had some more to spare, and looked like they were going to risk everything to enter through that gate.

    It was terrible to a point where even her cavalry gained casualties, which were unprecedented given the initial volley of arrows, and the counter charge that should have left the enemy immobile and confused.

    Whoever commanded them instilled discipline unlike any she has ever seen from a band of mercenaries and bandits.

    "Cavalry, rally to me and follow my flag!"

    She hurried off, trying to separate the enemy spearmen from her cavalry, who reformed their ranks in the ensuing chaos, just to counter her charge against their flank.

    Bodies were laid everywhere, and blood covered the green fields.

    The death toll amounted to four thousand on both sides, creating a mass graveyard that covered much of the entrance of the town.

    Having retreated, she didn''t feel exhausted at all. It was all normal for her, having taken down more than her fair share, but she could not say the same about her troops, who were exhausted and were grasping for air the moment they retreated to the safety of the side lines.

    "Recuperate quickly. We''ll need to attack their flank once more, otherwise we''ll lose our vanguard."

    Evelyn focused her sights, trying to find her friend, the one she worried about the most =, and was on the forefront of the operation.

    "Please be safe, Emilia."

    She muttered to herself, saying a small prayer.

    Just then, she heard the sound of a horse neighing uncontrollably, hindering its rider as its body thrashes because of a spear lodged to its chest by a spearman.

    The Zalphion focused on that sight, surprised to see Emilia struggling with her horse, on the verge of collapsing on the ground as a small band of skirmishers are closing in on her.

    "Tch. Stay here, recover, and be ready to move when I come back."

    She had made up her mind, becoming stubborn and doing what she thought was best.

    "My lord, wait. Where are you going?"

    "I''m going to rescue Emilia with the time I have left. Follow my orders."

    Her subordinates disagreed with her, but with a good intention as one of them spoke up, then followed by another, then the entire cavalry.

    "We won''t let you go all alone, even if you are our Zalphion. We''re not that weak. Let''s go rescue the general, and everybody!"

    "Yeah!"

    Their voices resonated with each other, creating a strong bond within the group that made sure their strengths were still in them when they needed it, even forcing themselves if they have to.

    Before they could move out, Evelyn brought her face near her horse''s ear, whispering in a soft voice.

    "Just a little more, friend. Let me be a bit more selfish, please."

    She drew her Zalheim, her favored sword, and inscribed on its side was its name.

    Simply by touching the hilt made the two entities intertwined.

    "Flame renewal, shroud us with an eternal light that will never fade. I wield your fire, and I am righteous, now burn for all eternity, Aryelle!"

    Evelyn raised her sword into the sky, producing a flame on the tip of her blade, then enveloping the entire sword only up to its hilt.

    "I shall now pass judgement onto you. Heavens forbid that you enter purgatory twice!"

    She charged, prompting his allies to follow her, having already seen this many times, but always being amazed by its beauty.

    As the enemy soldiers cast their eyes, halting their movement, they echo of her words have now been etched deep into their minds, filling them with dread and fear that a Zalphion has now emerged, her fangs barred right at them.

    Emilia, having got up in the midst of confusion, now stands on her two feet, cutting the enemy soldiers around her that attempted to take her down when her horse had collapsed.

    "Rally! Reform the ranks and raise your shields. The cavalry will make a strong charge from the right, so brace yourselves!"

    She commanded them immediately, in which her voice flowed nicely, heard by those close by, resulting in them passing along the message to the remaining platoons.

    Emilia knew fully well how strong Evelyn¡¯s Zalheim was, and that having her recklessly charge in with her own troops in will only increase the casualties.

    The enemy general was unable to move his soldiers into formation, nor could they even think of going against something so monstrous, the soldiers simply did what any fighter would do in this state, to wait for their demise.

    Once a Zalphion uses her pwoer in the battlefield, it is when you know that you have lost the upper hand.

    The only way to defeat such a warrior is to counter it with another, thus creating the need for another Zalphion.

    The maiden of the sacred flame, whose fame is known throughout her many accomplishments and battles despite her young age.

    Here she fought, expelling her enemies with the flame that served as a secondary purgatory when awakened.

    She cleaved, cut, eviscerated her enemies, those of which fought back only to be thrown back down to the ground, showing how truly useless they are in the face of a being that face surpasses them in every way.

    Her eyes gleamed red, assimilating the divine being from within her, in which they were synchronized, creating a harmony between the wielder and weapon.

    Her charge created a picturesque image of a purifying flame lighting the dark night sky, waltzing through her enemies with a kept disposition, and a calm composure.

    Some were grazed by her flame, and that was more than enough to engulf them into oblivion, turning the body into ashes, which is considered lucky, and some of which were burned halfheartedly, made to suffer and endure the flames, then dying with the constant pain.

    It was mesmerizing, the amount of screams and deafening yells that filled the land. It was utter chaos upon a once tranquil field.

    Having wiped out most of them in a considerably short amount of time, their morale lowers, forcing those remaining to retreat, numbering from four thousand, to a thousand in less than half an hour.

    Suddenly, a shout could be heard from someone on the ramparts.

    "Over there, more approaching on the north east of our position!"

    Evelyn focused her sight upon the army marching forth, carrying their own banner, meaning that they carry weight with their march.

    "Follow me. We shall end this with another charge. Just one more!"

    She smiled to herself as she saw the flag and its symbol, one that reassured her of one thing.

    "We are victorious."

    The marching army from the north east trampled their enemies as promised, leaving no one to spare, except their general, who fought directly with the fierce and large framed general of Ryuviel, Gideon.

    The dark armored general clashed with the enemy general on horseback, ordering one of his subordinated to lead the charge and to take down the remaining fleeing enemies.

    Despite being the leader of a rowdy group of bandits, the enemy general fought bravely, showing his exemplary defense with his blade, somehow blocking each strike Gideon brought towards him.

    With one sweeping blow from the side to knock his weapon away.

    Gideon finished the duel with an earth shattering roar and a deadly cleave using his massive arm to cut the enemy general apart from his shoulder and body, spilling blood as his collar bone shattered from the weight of his enemy''s sword, instantly taking his life.

    "Tch, you got blood on my armor, fool. But you fought well."

    He muttered silently, offering his condolences to the enemy general for having fought gallantly, not trying to flee from him once they initiated battle.

    The bloody battle came to a close, and the only sound that could be heard was the cries of the victorious, raising their weapons up to the dark night sky, where some cried after losing comrades, and some wept in joy for having emerged alive from this battle, even when they thought that this would be their end.

    "I thought it was you, old man."

    Evelyn came up to the man, greeting him as she usually would.

    "Who are you called old man, hag? What happened here? I go out on campaign on your orders, then I come back to this... A scorched battlefield and a battle maiden covered in the blood of her enemies."

    "Well, a lot of things happened, and it''ll probably take a lot of time to explain."

    "Enlighten me. I''m not going anywhere until this is resolved."

    Evelyn and Gideon bickered, but deep inside, they got along as brothers and sister, treating each other badly no matter what.

    There was no sleep for the people.

    Some soldiers desperately needed help and medical assistance, while some needed to be buried.

    Ryuviel suffered a large loss due to two battles that caught them off guard.

    The relief operations started almost immediately, the civilians that could help reluctantly obliged to aid everyone that they could, preparing meals and beds in which the wounded could rest upon.

    Those who acted as reserves inside the town became the perimeter guards, substituting in for the exhausted cavalry and vanguard that were supposed to protect the civilians who aided the effort.

    They saw how brutal the battle was, and how the flames of the Zalphion consumed its enemies.

    "Man, look at this. I hate to boast about our victory, but this makes me feel sorry for those who attacked us."

    "Well, what do you expect? They attack our town, we fight back, and they knew that we had a Zalphion."

    Those who saw the aftermath spoke about it, asking their allies what they thought as their minds conflicted about this inevitable act.

    -

    "What happened here?"

    After the chaos died down, and the roaring voices of the victorious army covered the land, many were asked for their assistance.

    I had volunteered, not having seen nor experienced what happened, as I was tasked to stay inside in case the enemy enters the town.

    As I followed our group that was to guard the borders, I came across the returning army led by Emilia, who had her helmet on, thus I could not see her face when she looked at me, nodding.

    Most of the soldiers had worn out breaths, weapons, and armor, while some wore bandages and slings on their arms and various parts of their bodies, covered in blood.

    I''ve seen this before, but it just never gets old. I could feel their emotions seep into me, filing me with mix of fear, dread, relief, and many more.

    In that battle, I never took anyone''s life, but these men before me are experienced fighters, having participated in many battles. Compared to them, I am nothing.

    "Will I be of any use soon?"

    I saw their fatigue, their worries, their fears. There was something in me saying that I want to fight for those people, so that they don¡¯t have to worry about anything like losing their lives. But that was a selfish thought it seemed.

    War was something they''d rather avoid, yet they could not for they had families to protect and feed. So they depended on those who led them, knowing that it is the only thing they can do in the face of adversity.

    Then came the cavalry, and their leader, the Zalphion of Ryuviel, and beside her was a large gallant man wearing dark armor, and had an adamant face as he rode with Evelyn on his dark steed.

    They were hailed by the people who stared at them in awe, starting an applause that bathed them and those that fought with words of eternal gratitude.

    After finally having made my way to the battlefield, I began surveying the area for any signs of those who still lived or breathed, but to no avail did I find any, nor was there any from the beginning.

    I doubt there''d be some if Evelyn used her powers, which I''ve never seen yet. But, I caught a glimpse of its powers from inside the town, where a pillar of flame shot up the sky, illuminating the surrounding area like an artificial sun.

    We were stretched thin, and most of the guard unit was aiding the civilians, even the captain of the platoon I was in became diligent in helping those in need, carrying them back to the palace.

    -

    "Hmm, it seems that they have failed yet again... What should I do?"

    A pale white man shrouded in darkness watches from afar, licking his lips deviously as his eyes dart here and there, looking at the people taking care of the aftermath from above like prey.

    "Should we attack now?"

    He asks the person behind him, placing its hand on the tree while looking intently at a certain someone that had caught her attention.

    "Uhm, are you alright, lord Zalphion?"

    "Oh, don''t mind me. Someone simply caught my eye."

    She shook her head, smiling with a cunning, but enviably beautiful face, paired with her long dark hair with a hint of blue

    "Who might that be? A strong warrior perhaps?"

    "No, far from that. Yet, he has the potential to become one, and surpass that. Illya and I can see it in his aura."

    The maiden wore a silk white dress, and inside was another dress of purple, hiding her voluptuous body and her large bosom that tempted all that saw her. She traced her finger along the curved edge of her large scythe -- that was taller than her by a few inches -- bathed in obsidian and crimson.

    "I would like to test him sometime soon."

    "If it catches the lord''s beautiful lavender colored eyes, then he must be truly special."

    The man in front of her fawned the maiden with compliments, not looking tired of it at all, in fact he looked ecstatic as he showered her with all the words she might want to hear, but not from such men.

    She then walked away, disappearing into the darkness where it is now occupied by the silence, no trace of anyone to be found.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    -

    ¡°Now, tell me what happened. I need to know before I can tell you what I know.¡±

    Gideon sits opposite to Evelyn, both having changed their attires into a regal, clean one, fit for political matters and the like.

    She wore a dignified and serious expression as she looks at the serious man demanding answers in his absence.

    In truth, he is a part of this town just as much as Evelyn and Emilia for that matter, so he had the right.

    ¡°We were attacked by the Zalphion of Linnia a week ago, and I was out by the orders of the king. I was forced to split my troops and leave Ryuviel.¡±

    He does not react, not even changing a single expression on his face. Instead, he listens before voicing his opinions, thinking rationally as his demeanor dictates him to.

    ¡°We were able to recover much of the town as you can see, then this happened. We were unprepared, ready to go to bed even. We don¡¯t have information as to who led the attack, since all I¡¯ve heard was that they were bandits.¡±

    Evelyn exhales a sigh as she relaxes on her chair, having finished explaining some of the details to Gideon, who does not look too pleased.

    He turns to the one standing beside her superior, carrying a stoic and stern look, but one that falters under Gideon¡¯s, making hers look insignificant.

    ¡°So, what do you think, Emilia? Speak up!¡±

    Her body shakes as she is awakened by Gideon¡¯s loud voice.

    In this situation, he looked more like the lord of Ryuviel than Evelyn, or rather, a father scolding and lecturing his two daughters for something that had happened while he ¨C the responsible one -- was away.

    ¡°It is just as lord Evelyn says. But, we suspected that these were not coincidental attacks. The attack from the Linnian Zalphion happened when we were away, meaning that someone might have leaked this information, or had been found by them.¡±

    Gideon assessed their words, placing his elbow on the armrest of the chair he sat upon, placing his thumb and index finger on his chin, thinking and piecing everything as best as he can.

    Evelyn interrupted his thoughts, leaning in closer as she clasps her hands together.

    ¡°How about you? Why don¡¯t you tell us what you know while you were away?¡±

    The man grunts, not wanting to shout for having his concentration ruined.

    ¡°Rocherforte is making moves, raiding small villages near the border of Barda. Not that the king of Barda can do anything with his vassals fighting for the throne, and a civil war nearing. At this point, we should just let things go their way and cede, but it¡¯s not likely to happen anytime soon.¡±

    ¡°So it¡¯s that bad, huh?¡±

    Evelyn¡¯s face changed to a frown upon hearing the state of north eastern Barda, where the port territory of Legian is.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the old man. He handled himself well in defending the villages. He asked you to send him a letter sometimes.¡±

    ¡°Ha, that old man, still worrying about us when he should be worrying about himself.¡±

    Evelyn laughed as she heard about someone she held dear was faring safely in this warn torn land.

    But interrupting Evelyn¡¯s reminiscing, Gideon asked his question, still in that sitting position.

    ¡°So, I heard from the reports that Ryuviel didn¡¯t fall because of one man. Is this true?¡±

    He wanted to confirm his doubts after having read the reports sent to him about the state of Ryuviel at the time he was getting ready to come back home.

    He didn¡¯t believe it at all, and thought of it as their ploy to keep him calm while her was away.

    But, seeing as the town he called home still stood, that must mean that they weren¡¯t bluffing.

    ¡°Oh yeah, where is he now, Emilia?¡±

    She faced her close friend and general, her expression changing quickly, turning to that of a child reluctant to show off something amazing that she had found and fostered.

    ¡°I think I saw him heading outside to join the protectorate.¡±

    She answered concisely, adding nothing less and nothing more, but seem to have harbored an uneasy disposition whenever she is asked about him, as if she remembers a vivid memory from the past, one that she¡¯d rather forget, but can¡¯t.

    ¡°Is that so? What should I call him then?¡±

    Gideon knew that he had no name, as was explained in the report.

    ¡°I named him Heinrich!¡±

    Evelyn puffed her chest as she announced that, which became a surprise to Emilia, given that she did not know of that. But Gideon simply raised an eyebrow at what he heard.

    ¡°Heinrich, eh? That must mean that he¡¯s special if you¡¯re giving him a heroes¡¯ name.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s been excelling after Emilia and I taught him about the basics.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be the judge of that.¡±

    Gideon laughed to himself, dismissing the fact that he was angered at the attacks that wreaked havoc upon the territory in which he called home.

    ¡°But changing subjects, what do you plan on doing now?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Evelyn asked, feeling that this conversation of theirs is leading to something rather large scale.

    ¡°We can¡¯t let this keep on going. We need to find the source, and expel it before it can do harm again.¡±

    ¡°Do you mean Valstidian and Mardun, Gideon?¡±

    The female Zalphion hinted something to his general as her face deviously said something, as if she already had plans to do so when all her generals were assembled.

    Valstidian was one of the territories of Barda, and is located to the north west of the royal capital, Ciel.

    It is the prestigious territory belonging to house Mardun, their current leader being known as the duke with an iron fist, Joseph Lawrence Mardun.

    It is one of the prominent houses because it is named as the largest territory in Barda, and is known to have the largest and strongest army in the country, consisting of seventy thousand active troops.

    Many feared going against the noble house not only because they did not want to go against such an enemy, but because they want to stay away from the crossfire between it and another noble house.

    The territory of Afalas was located at the south west of the royal capital, Ciel, near the mountains that separated Rocheforte and Barda to the east, and Austrum to its south.

    It is also where the rival of Mardun resided, namely Giles Friedrich Lothbrig, another man known of his cunning, held great power within the country, and used it to oppose Mardun¡¯s rise to the throne, wanting the country to himself as well.

    Those were the two houses that fought for supremacy in the country, and that no one dared to go against either one. Given that both are in a stalemate.

    ¡°Yes, I suspect Mardun to be the cause of all this. After all, the man has riches to spare, and men to send to battle. It won¡¯t matter to him if he loses seven thousand people to ours, rather I think he expected us to win and take casualties, wearing us down with numbers.¡±

    Gideon tried to logically create a connection between the attacks and what he had found out on his journey.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think we can defeat them yet.¡±

    Evelyn hesitated, having doubts where her heart is in disarray, unable to decide a clear outcome to all this.

    ¡°If you take too much time, then we¡¯ll be wiped out even before we mount an assault.¡±

    ¡°But we have no proof against them.¡±

    ¡°Do you seriously doubt that? There¡¯s already a mountain of evidence to back us up, that and reason. The only thing we need to do is wait, and convince you to fight. After all, seventy thousand is nothing to a Zalphion at its peak.¡±

    Gideon encouraged the distraught Zalphion, knowing that the only way they can even think or talk about taking down one of the strongest noble houses in the country is because they have Evelyn with them.

    ¡°Let¡¯s not rush things. We need to plan this out first.¡±

    Emilia interceded, also onboard with Gideon¡¯s suggestion, but is thinking that the time is not right as of now. In her case, it is a mix of both opinions, one that could be agreed upon.

    They needed to recover first, including their forces and their people.

    ¡°You¡¯re not acting like yourself right now. You¡¯d usually be more professional than I am. I know that the only thing making you like this is because you worry about the people, and we do as well. Take your time, and give us an answer by then.¡±

    Gideon stood up, shifting his gaze on Evelyn¡¯s table seeing the red royal seal on an unopened letter.

    ¡°Ignoring the king¡¯s call? I suggest that you go tomorrow. Emilia and I will keep the place in check. You should bring your page with you instead. Should make for a good practice.¡±

    He turned around and left the room, heading towards his quarters, where his bed awaited.

    As he walked the empty hallways, he thought about one thing. That unnerving feeling that causes distress and the need for something to be answered, but cannot be at the moment.

    ¡°Heinrich, huh? I wonder where this is all headed.¡±

    He smiled, wanting to test this man, someone who is being boasted on by the Zalphion of the country, which is considered an honor, even if Evelyn herself chose that person.

    He sighed, imagining the different blunders Evelyn had pulled over the years he had served as her retainer, so his thoughts of this man were slowly becoming corrupted.

    His trust in her would only awaken in the direst times, but if not, then he would mess with her, doubting and disregarding most of what she says.

    Yet, he harbored no malicious thoughts of his lord, rather he imagined this farce as a gag that¡¯s been going on for a few years now.

    But regardless, he trusted her, to an extent.

    "M-my lord, I have s-something to report to you."

    A large build man turned with a flutter of his royal garb, looking down at the lowly servant from his great height with eyes of scorn. The only word that could describe him was a ''feared goliath''.

    The servant quaked in his presence, making his report without the need for his master to speak.

    "O-our attack failed, and the town of Ryuviel still stands. H-however, they suffered great casualties, an amount that would hinder their actions quite drastically."

    The man took his golden cup, drinking from it, then taking a deep breath in before speaking.

    "Very well. Call for my son and leave."

    His low voice gave omnipotence a meaning, but his bounds were short, and only measure here, within his territory.

    He took a seat on his chair, one that was specifically made to fit his large stature.

    He stood in the darkness, the room was illuminated with only a single torch whose flame flickered with each passing minute.

    It was filled with archives, books, papers of importance, and mostly all of his possessions.

    The man named Joseph Mardun sat in front of a large table where a map of the country sat, marked with various pieces indicating his strategies and other places of interest.

    He had marked much of the country itself, but there were few near the territory of Afalas, the home of his rival for the throne, Lothbrig.

    "What will you do now, Giles? You are cornered."

    The man smiled to himself, placing a piece on the map near Fortesca, where Ryuviel was.

    A knock sounded on his wooden door, then followed by a voice higher than his.

    ¡°Father, you have requested my presence?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Enter!¡±

    As the door opened, a young man with messy dark hair and a diligent and uncontaminated demeanor entered, wearing an aristocrat¡¯s formal suit, one that indicated a man is of a distinguished position in the hierarchy.

    He took a curt bow, showing respect for his father, however ruthless, he is still the one who commanded this house.

    ¡°Listen clearly. You are to take and command of ten thousand troops and attack Ciel in two days.¡±

    Clear and concise, those were the words that left his mouth, coming across to him without mistake, yet he could not move himself to believe something like that.

    ¡°Father? I beg your pardon, but may you repeat that? I must have heard wrong.¡±

    The man focused his overbearing eyes upon his so, shattering even his pure soul, corrupting it with his.

    ¡°You did not hear incorrectly. I will not repeat myself. You are accomplished, so I shall task you with this. Come home in disgrace, then you shall have wished of not coming home.¡±

    He turned around, assessing his strategical board, planning his next moves mentally.

    His son, Edward Bartholomew Mardun is an accomplished scholar, one that graduated early from nobility and ascended into being a renowned general, one that served the crown rather well despite being young.

    Needless to say his father held a lot of pride in his son¡¯s abilities, and what he is capable of. He took his father¡¯s request in a harsh way, one that confused him over his morals, which were the polar opposite of his father¡¯s.

    He was opposed to the usurping of the throne, however, he could not do anything to stop that, for his father¡¯s words were absolute, and that any who disobeyed received a terrible punishment, frequently resulting in death and torture. He thought that he was not an exception to that and his ideals.

    After he was made to leave the chambers, left with the silence, and the sight of his father¡¯s back turned to him.

    He tried to muster up the courage to speak out and talk with his father, like those days when he had a smile on his face. Now looking at the man in front of him now, it¡¯s too different, but some things do change a man, but cannot be turned back into who they were before that.

    Edward left the room, closing the door as softly as possible, as to not disturb his father deep in concentration.

    As he left the room with a sigh of relief, he began to lose all rational thought when he remembered the task given to him, and one that he could not fail under any circumstance.

    Just then, his father¡¯s attendant, Reginald appeared beside him in the form of an old short man who wore dark robes that covered his hunched over body.

    He had often seen this man at his father¡¯s side, serving as his advisor and close attendant, but in truth, he did not know of who he truly was, nor did anyone for that matter.

    An aura of dread crept from him, filling those close by with uncertainty, and the need for trust, in which they could find non from this man for he was filled with mystery that could never seem to be unraveled. Edward felt the same, but never shunned him just because of that.

    ¡°You seem distressed, my lord. Is something the matter?¡±

    ¡°Oh, it is you, Reginald. Please don¡¯t worry about me. It is nothing of the sort.¡±

    ¡°I happened to pass by and hear the conversation. Forgive me for eavesdropping, but I can help you succeed.¡±

    Reginald smiled from under his robe. His eyes say a completely different story, deceiving the uncorrupted soul with his calculating words of persuasion.

    ¡°Do not worry, I forgive you. But in any case, it is not about victory I am worried about. It is of my father, and his intentions. He has changed greatly. I can¡¯t believe he still the same man anymore.¡±

    ¡°Now, now. There will always come a time when one must change in order to provide a better future. It is always necessary for change.¡±

    Reginald turned his back, heading towards the large corridor, chuckling to himself, but hiding it from Edward, who stood silent at Reginald¡¯s remark.

    ¡°Come, I will help you in making your father proud. It would do me a great honor to be part of that.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean about that, Reginald?¡±

    ¡°There is nothing that will make your father happy as of now other than your great victory. Now come, I shall show you something truly great. Something that will help you succeed no matter what.¡±

    Without anything else to debate with, he follows the man, mysterious as he may be, he vied for the attention of his father, wanting nothing more than to be noticed by him as his son. A spur of the moment decision.

    They arrived at the stables, but not one meant for horses nor was it made with wood or concrete, but it was made with a special type of mineral, one that is able to hold something, meant for keeping something larger.

    ¡°What is this?¡±

    Edward hesitated, seeing this for the first time, not too reluctant in entering.

    ¡°Do not be afraid, there will nothing be here that can harm you. Inside this place, you are absolute.¡±

    They approached a large room where cages were separated, each one looking to be of different sizes, keeping something in the dark.

    ¡°What is this place exactly, and what is my purpose for being here.¡±

    ¡°I shall introduce you to an unkempt power, one that will force your enemies to submit through fear. With these beings, you will be heralded as a man who opposes the great Heinrich¡¯s fame!¡±

    Reginald raises his hands high into the air, laughing hysterically at something beyond those steel bars, holding monstrosities within them.

    A loud thundering roar erupts from one of the cages, rattling it with its dark scaly head.

    Edward jumps back in surprise, almost falling down, but was able to catch his bearings.

    ¡°Is that truly what I think it is?¡±

    ¡°yes, hahaha, it is a fabled black dragon! Part of a race of rare dragons that boasted the greatest amount of power, rivaling the white dragon¡¯s. This is what shall make your father proud!¡±

    Reginald rejoices, staring at the creature, who seems to eye the man down with its red eyes, not being overly aggressive, but opportunistic.

    ¡°This dragon will serve you and follow your orders. You are its master. Now, reach out your hand to it, and I shall show you what I truly mean!¡±

    Terrified, never having seen a dragon in his entire life, Edward quakes in fear of the colossal being caged in front of him, whose head is twice his size, maybe even more.

    ¡°It shall not harm you. Your words and commands are absolute to this beast!¡±

    Without even thinking about his actions anymore, Edward reaches his trembling hand out to the dragon, who bowed its head, letting it be petted by a mortal man.

    ¡°You see now? This monster will lead you to victory. I know that you will succeed and accomplish many great things. Now, fulfill your father¡¯s request, and you shall find what you truly seek in him!¡±

    Reginald retreats from within the shadows, leaving the mortal and the dragon alone, looking at each other. One filled with fear, and the other filled with curiosity.

    (Mortal. You are my master. Why? My might has been kept from within, and I am put in shackles. Free me, and I shall grant thee my power.)

    ¡°You speak!? How?¡±

    The dragon spoke with a sophisticated accent, one that seemed to understand the ways of a mortal and how it thinks, speaks, and many other things that he read from his master''s mind after having formed a slight connection.

    (You are my master. I know not how, but I cannot disobey. What do you ask of me, the prideful one, the one named Ator the prideful?)

    ¡°You, a great dragon, acknowledge me?¡±

    (I have no choice but to follow. But I have not deemed you worthy of anything. Prove yourself, and I may relinquish my pride and acknowledge you as my true master.)

    ¡°Very well, I shall do my best so that you will acknowledge me. Ator, please help me¡­ I need to fulfill my father¡¯s request.¡±

    Edward spoke with a voice drunk on determination, one that rotter with corruption and temptation.

    In an effort to finally please his father, he asks the dragon, rather, pleads for its help, straying from his original nature of good will.

    It was the beginning of a new day, and the people had just woken up from their restless slumber.

    Evelyn had readied her belongings, and is now preparing to go to Ciel under matters of the royal crown.

    Except she seems to be missing something.

    "Where is that man?"

    She placed her hands on her wait, tapping her boots to the ground as she impatiently awaited this man, who was rather late for being her personal servant, or student as she would call it.

    She wore her light blue armor with her blue frilled skirt, showing more than she could conceal within some parts of her attire, yet it didn''t feel as if she concerned about it at all.

    On her waist, sheathed, was her Zalheim, Aryelle, who possessed the flames that purified the battlefield from yesterday.

    On this day, she would need to head out to the royal capital at once since she already had neglected the request a week ago, and now she had been scolded by Gideon to take matters into her hands and fulfill her agreement with the king.

    Needless to say that she was not irresponsible, but was known to be the one that brought prosperity to the once godforsaken land of Fortesca, and her town, Ryuviel.

    It was only because of these matters and some other personal problems, did she become unstable, thus unable to think rationally and properly when the need for her arises.

    After waiting for a few minutes, she saw a silhouette in the distance, one that showed a staggering image of someone running with a ragged, pathetic pace.

    "About time. Where were you?"

    He huffed and puffed, taking short breaths every now and then, trying to pace himself as he was trained, but it was not because of exhaustion that he was running raggedly.

    It was because he had woken up late, and forgotten his appointment with her, which she had made abruptly before he could tuck himself into bed.

    "Sorry, I woke up late!"

    He caught up with Evelyn, who had prepared two energetic horses all saddled up and ready, packed with food for the journey.

    He wore a clean white button up shirt paired with his brown leggings and boots.

    For protection, he wore a leather chest plate and some for his legs, just enough to guard him from some attacks, but not enough to over encumber him.

    With his training, he chose the sword to be his trusted weapon, carrying only as much as is needed for the journey, which he is unprepared for, given that he was unprepared, and that the request was from out of the blue.

    His initial response was an upbeat yes, followed by his prize winning smile, one that he might have taken from his master''s aloof and reckless grin.

    "We need to leave right away. We''re already a week late."

    She took up the saddle and tested the reins of the horse, who breathed through its nose, its ears moving about with its brown mane.

    "Isn''t that because you neglected the letter for so long?"

    She stopped moving as she heard what her servant had said, her eyes twitching as if trying to hold in her words, which might just come bursting out.

    "Don''t remind me. Just get on. We need to keep moving."

    "But, I don''t really know how to ride a horse properly."

    "You''re a quick learner. You''ll get a hang on it along the way."

    "How reckless of a teacher are you?"

    "One that taught you most of the basics."

    She puffed her chest at that declaration, proudly brimming with smiles and her overflowing energy.

    His eyes were locked onto her as she smiled, her smile -- that was further enticed by the beauty of her dark silky long hair waving with the wind -- was as captivating as ever, though he thought he''d be used to it by now.

    Not to mention that her body is temptation to any man already, and that having a man be your servant might be just plain torture.

    "Is there something on my face?"

    "Uh-no, nothing, let''s go. We might be late."

    He hurriedly tried to dismiss the fact that he was caught, and is now trying to get on the saddle, fumbling and failing, but ultimately getting it right for the seventh time.

    With his back turned to her, she smiled with a devious face, having seen how his face turned red the moment she caught him looking at her.

    She laughed softly as to not be heard by her companion, planning something within the confines of her mind.

    She returned to normal as Heinrich successfully scaled the brown steed.

    "So how do I make it move?"

    Evelyn began explaining the how to on riding horses, riding around him as if to show and explanation, or to boast, which was hard to discern due to her now condescending smile, which masked an eviler intent, one that wanted to embarrass her servant as she found it rather adorable.

    With a few mistakes and falling off, he managed to control his ride, staying calm and collected, using his teacher''s words as he remembers them.

    "Look at you. You''re really a fast learner. I thought it''d take you a week to master it."

    "I wouldn''t be too confident. It feels like he''ll send me flying at the smallest mistake."

    Heinrich looked at his horse with uncertainty, trying to remain calm despite the many bruises he received from falling and being tossed from the back of his horse.

    "Don''t sweat it too much. You''re doing fine. I''ll meet you at the outskirts, better hurry up!"

    Like an untamed entity of the wild, she storms off the town gates her frame and her horse''s disappear within a few seconds.

    From behind him, he hears a sound of boots making a thud on the ground, as if running towards his direction from the sounds of it.

    "My lord, wait! Evelyn!"

    Turning around, he found Emilia running towardswhere Evelyn was, clutching something on her bosom, jiggling temptingly with her battle gear of a light blue armor, slightly the same with Evelyn, but with variations, forcing him to avert his gaze, feeling something hot on his cheeks, mainly his head.

    Emilia makes it to Heinrich''s side, panting, looking down at the ground as if having failed at something.

    "E-Emilia! Good morning!"

    Despite having seen that brief moment of wonder, he greeted her with a smile, in which she returned a stern nod that says ''likewise''.

    "Is there something you need from Evelyn?"

    "She forgot her packed meal. You are going with her, correct?"

    "Yes. I can bring it with me and give it to her when I catch up, if you''ll allow me."

    Emilia looks down, doubting his abilities, but knowing that he can do it.

    "If you would, please."

    She gives it to him, her expression not changing at all.

    "All right, I''ll be on my way now. See you Emilia!"

    He tries to pull the reins once more, but this time, the horse neighs uncontrollably, but becomeing stable as if to save face for his rider, who is desperately trying to look professional in front of a girl.

    He pets his horse calming before he could move.

    "I''ll bring you something back from Ciel!"

    He gallops away trying his best to maintain control of his horse, gritting his teeth.

    Heinrich said that, knowing that she wanted to accompany Evelyn, her lord, but was unable to due to her duties in guarding the, once more, recovering town of Ryuviel.

    She felt nothing special in his words, looking at him from a distance with distrust, and her unrelenting stern face.

    ¡°You¡¯re just like every other man out there, it seems. All only vying for lust and temptation.¡±

    She mutters something from under her breath, her face looking grim as she says that. Then turning back to leave for the palace.

 Chapter 5: A test of will and might

    The journey had taken them at least half a day to cover a fraction of the road to the capital.

    It was mid-morning, only having traveled half a day as the afternoon began to set in.

    Upon a lone, lush tree that bore fruit is where they sat under to rest, tying the reins of their horses to one of the easy to reach branches.

    They had arrived to the outskirts of a small, tranquil farming village in Fortesca, staying away from the people residing there as to avoid the fuss and disturbing them, which she knew they wouldn''t mind.

    But she thought better and decided against that, remembering how those things always play out, especially with the people in her territory.

    Because of the sudden prosperity that the territory had gained in that previous year, people praised Evelyn for her meticulous planning and constant supervision that they were able to prosper in such hard times, given that it had become hard since bandits roamed the area without fear of the Zalphion watching their every move.

    Even though she was late for having ignored to letter sent by the royal palace, she payed it no mind, making it seem that they are on a stroll rather than being on an important journey to the king, which Heinrich had been anxious of seeing, that is if he receives the chance to do so.

    It has been said, and it had been heard by him, that the king was bedridden because of a recent event that had left him heart broken, resulting in his health to deteriorate.

    Evelyn had once explained it to Heinrich that it was because he lost his beloved wife and one of his daughters and his only son, the heir to a failed assassination attempt against him a month and a half back, and has had trouble coping with the loss ever since.

    It had gotten to a point where he had become pale, and his body became malnourished due to him not eating, and his overall physique was deathly teetering on the edge.

    His remaining daughter kept him fed in her best efforts, persuading him somehow, but it was not frequent.

    Needless to say that he feared the loss of his last daughter, but is unable to do anything to prevent another disaster from happening because of his weakness.

    Heinrich kept that in mind, thinking of what he should say, or what he should do if he is ever given the chance to meet the king.

    Instead, he takes out his sword from his sheath, leaving the shade of the lush tree, and exiting into the strong breeze blasting from the east.

    He began swinging skillfully, practicing his swordplay, which he still thinks needs a lot of work.

    ¡°You sure are a hard worker. You should take a break sometimes. Otherwise you¡¯ll end up straining yourself.¡±

    ¡°Point taken. But, Once I¡¯m needed, I won¡¯t be as useful as I¡¯d want myself to be. So might as well be cautious and train my heart out.¡±

    ¡°What an uptight person I¡¯ve taken under my wing. You¡¯ll end up like old Gideon if you keep this up.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t see the problem in that. He seems strong enough, which is what I¡¯d like.¡±

    ¡°Trust me. You¡¯ll lose all sense of fun in you, and you¡¯ll end up being muscles only.¡±

    Evelyn saw Gideon as an uptight retainer, one whose tenacity far surpasses Emilia¡¯s making hers look miniscule. yet both of them were important to her, like family.

    His emphasis on hard work and proficiency is a marvel to behold, seeing as how organized and trustworthy he is, but because of that, there is little time for leisure activities.

    One could say that he is the strongest backbone of Fortesca, rivaling Evelyn¡¯s fame.

    He trained daily even without being called so that when the need for him arises, he can stand up for himself, unlike that other time that continues haunting him.

    Belittled and taken lightly, he felt humiliated after being toyed with by that women wielding a spear skillfully.

    ¡°I know I¡¯m training you and all, but I didn¡¯t expect you to take it so seriously, without breaks even. What¡¯s driving you to do something like that?¡±

    ¡°Hmm, you know what? That¡¯s a great question. Maybe, I want to be able to repay you someday. I want to protect you and Fortesca. That¡¯s what I¡¯ve decided, I think.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Is that so? Repay me for what? Training you? If that¡¯s so, then there¡¯s no need to thank me. The rest of your life will be up to you, and only you.¡±

    ¡°That feels like a rather harsh rejection.¡±

    ¡°Maybe. Just remember that I own you now. Become someone great, and that¡¯ll be enough payment to me.¡±

    ¡°How vague.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s just how things are.¡±

    She began closing her eyes, inching further and further into a deep slumber under the comfort of a shade, and the soft, warm breeze of the air breezing through the field of green.

    The sound of air being cut swiftly with each stroke rings around them, his breath is concise, focused and controlled.

    In Evelyn¡¯s case, hearing that kind of breathing along with the sound of him cutting the air, means that his training is paying off, having mastered the basics in swordsmanship.

    "What''s wrong, Evelyn. Is something the matter? You''ve looked downcast ever since we left the town."

    The youth asked, halting his training for a while, approaching his teacher, who had closed her eyes to feel the full breeze of the wind.

    "It''s nothing. I''m just thinking about something."

    "How about you tell me. It might feel lighter that way. Your face tells me that you have a lot on your mind."

    She opened one eye to look at the young man.

    "You''re awfully persistent than usual. Do you really want to find out? It''ll damped the peaceful mood."

    "I don''t really mind. As long as you''re alright, then I am too."

    He smiled, preventing her from backing away after being persuaded.

    "Fine. I''ll tell you. It''s about me using my Zalheim''s power against people."

    "Is there something wrong with that? I thought it was natural to use it since it is yours."

    "That''s normally the case. But there are rules that need to be obeyed, such as to never use your Zalheim''s true power against a human, not unless they''re powerful than the user, or against another Zalphion, and other exceptions."

    She explained some of the details about the responsibilities that a Zalphion has, and the restrictions bestowed upon it.

    "We are given superhuman constitutions simply by having been worthy of wielding the Zalheim''s, so to use such power transcending mortal knowledge is no laughing matter."

    "Then that means you used it when you were not supposed to?"

    "Spot on. You catch up fast."

    "But, didn''t you have a good reason to use it?"

    He was inside the town when it happened, so he did not know if the situation were really dire for the need, or was it something else.

    "Let''s just close this topic and move on. I can''t make myself the moody person in the eyes of my student, can''t I?"

    He took a good look at her as she once again closed her eyes.

    ¡°Hey, Evelyn. How about we practice a round?¡±

    Disturbed before going into her comfortable slumber, her eyes twitch, slightly irritated.

    ¡°What''s this? First you ask me about some stuff I felt uncomfortable about, now this? Are you getting too confident?¡±

    Once she opened her one eye, she took a glance at Heinrich, who now stands over her, looking down with his sword idle at his side as he extends the other to her.

    ¡°How would I protect you if I can¡¯t handle someone like you?¡±

    ¡°You do know that it¡¯s useless, right? Zalphions are unbeatable when it comes to others, but against another Zalphion, that¡¯s a whole other story.¡±

    ¡°Worrying about something like that will only hinder me. Might as well go all the way rather than to sulk, right?¡±

    She takes his hand after smiling at his courageous remark, brushing off the dirt from her.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make you eat those words of yours, alright?¡±

    ¡°Looking forward to it.¡±

    They stood opposite of each other, having already warmed up to their weapons.

    The youth had managed to face the fear of going against a blade in practice, thus facing or sparring with those whom held their blades had little to no effect on him, but against a Zalphion, and one of his teachers, this was whole other story.

    Her dark hair fluttered with the wind, her expression was refreshing, as if it was saying that she was glad to have been asked for a short duel.

    The youth stood there, assessing his opponent, who possesses no particular form at all, except putting her hand on her waist, the one thing that goes along with her aloof nature.

    ¡°Any time you¡¯re ready!¡±

    Evelyn, shouted, smiling brightly as her right sword arm stood idle on her hand, containing no pressure at all.

    With his two hands, Heinrich, dashed towards her, cleaving downwards with a strong shout as he brings his sword overhead, having closed the gap between them with an explosion of power from his run.

    Easily, Evelyn evades the attack by simply stepping aside a meter, looking at her enemy, who had put in all his strength in that one attack.

    He stumbles forward, having missed his mark, trying to regain his balance as he rolls forward, turning to face his opponent without delay.

    ¡°I thought it¡¯d be the end for you right there.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯d be a great shame if I were to die by my own blade.¡±

    Heinrich grips his sword tightly with his two hands, focusing his breathing as to maximize his endurance, predicting that she won¡¯t take him seriously and evade most of his attacks.

    (I just have to force her on the offence, and she might finally take me seriously.)

    After taking a deep breath in, he dashes forward once more, stopping with precision to bring his sword up, then taking a step forward as to cleave downwards again.

    Again, Evelyn dodges to the side, in which Heinrich retaliates by turning his blade, sweeping towards her position.

    Surprised, she jumps backwards with her supernatural strength, bringing her meters away from the youth, who had expected as much to happen.

    (I haven¡¯t known her for a long time, but judging from her facial expression, I can more or less anticipate her next move.)

    This time, before the young man could take initiative, Evelyn ran towards him at full speed, her eyes seem to see every path he might take, petrifying him in place, denying him his own options, which are fading away quickly.

    Instead of thinking how to evade her nearing attack, backed by her movement¡¯s momentum, he assumes a stance that he had done once before, one where being cornered leaves you with one option.

    The same as last time¡­

    He steeled himself, placing his sword forward, gripping it with two hands, looking at his opponent with unrelenting eyes, not blinking for even a split second as to not miss any details that might save him from this deathmatch of a friendly spar.

    Closing the distance between them, she changes her sword¡¯s position, intending on knocking him out with the flat edge of her sword.

    She swung her sword from her side, unleashing a terrible gust of wind just from the flat edge of her sword.

    ¡°There!¡±

    Heinrich strikes, attempting to finish this first before a blow could be struck upon him.

    ¡°Hey, hey, wake up already. How long are you going to sleep? We need to keep moving, it¡¯s already after noon!¡±

    ¡°Ngnh. Wha-what happened?¡±

    ¡°Finally. I¡¯m sorry, I think I went too overboard.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s as to be expected from a Zalphion.¡±

    ¡°I know I shouldn¡¯t be asking this, but are you alright?¡±

    ¡°More or less. I can¡¯t move my body at all without it aching. But it doesn¡¯t seem fatal.¡±

    He woke up without a hint of what happened.

    There he sat beside her under the shade of the tree, feeling the breeze as the view fades, turning a hue of a calm orange scene.

    ¡°How long was I out?¡±

    ¡°An hour. I thought it¡¯d take more than that, so I was quite amazed.¡±

    He turned his head to look at her from the side, seeing Evelyn grabbing her knees as she sits beside him, looking at the view in front of them.

    He thought of only one thing as she looked at her in that one moment of vulnerability.

    ¡°That look again. Just like on the ramparts.¡±

    The Zalphion took a look at him, perplexed at what he was saying.

    ¡°Even though you say that you¡¯re strong, deep inside, you¡¯re still a girl. Hahaha. Of course you¡¯d be.¡±

    ¡°What are you babbling about now? I don¡¯t think I damaged you enough to make you hallucinate and babble like an insane person.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t mind me. I¡¯m just rambling to myself.¡±

    She stood up, dusting herself off, then walking towards her horse, petting it and arranging her belongings on the saddle.

    ¡°Stay here, alright?¡±

    Evelyn rode on her horse, taking hold of the reins as the animal trots peacefully to face the direction of where she needs to go to.

    ¡°Wait, where are you going?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I overdid it. I¡¯ll send for some villagers to help you recover. When you¡¯re healed, then head back to Ryuviel.¡±

    Just when she started to leave, he tried to reach his hand out to her, grasping nothing but the air.

    ¡°Wait. Bring me with you. I thought we were going together?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s possible the way you are now. Just listen to me and you¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯ll see you in a few days.¡±

    She smiled, then finally whipped the reins, leaving the slope where the youth rested, unmoving with his aching body.

    His eyes started to close, drifting to a deep slumber as the pain started to come back, forcing him to rest in order to recover his lost strength.

    "How much longer till we arrive at the capital?"

    "About half an hour, my lord."

    There the man named Edward Mardun rode upon an armored steed, leading his troops as he strode gracefully and respectfully on the forefront of the army, ten thousand strong.

    He wore a heavy set of dark armor that was reminiscent of the black dragon in which the stories have been told about, awe-filled and fear inducing to those who saw the wearer like a higher being than them.

    They have been marching since this morning, intending to crowd one side of the capital, and attack it at the first dawn of tomorrow.

    His father''s words never left his mind, more so that it fueled his desire to succeed no matter what the cost may be.

    Though he had his doubts, he depended upon himself and the abilities in which had been ingrained into him through the times had spent learning under distinguished men and those who achieved excellent marks in their services.

    Having steeled himself for the coming turmoil, he knew that there was no turning back, and that there is only one way of how things should go.

    Looking at his men from his horse, he thought about how they felt.

    They knew why they were marching, and that they themselves knew no other way other than to serve the house in which they obeyed, seeing as this is the only way that they can feed their families, and themselves.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Asking them the same question they''ve asked themselves will only make them more confused, this he refrained from pursuing the topic any further.

    Instead, he focused on the task at hand, preparing the necessary strategies and other needs for the upcoming siege and battle, which he knows will become a hard fought one.

    The reason as to why three of his father''s prominent generals have come to join the young master in his first major war endeavor, one that will have him remembered no matter what the outcome, was to ensure success and to maintain order within the ranks.

    "Lord Mardun! General Triese has come back from scouting the area ahead."

    "Good. Bring him here. I would like to hear the report personally."

    The young lord turned to one of his stewards and some of his guards to follow him as he separated himself from the main army, still marching, allowing another wise, and distinguished general -- whose age is as old as his great white beard -- to lead the army.

    "Then I shall leave the march to you for a while, general Adrious."

    The general simply bowed, putting his hand on the left side of his large chest silently, indicating a presence of great respect for his lord''s son.

    Escorted by a small group of soldiers and his steward -- who carried their house flag containing a white dragon on a black background, and a black dragon on a white background, both chasing each other in circles on the flag, which carried a great amount of power and influence -- they headed to the side of the marching army, where the man named general Triese waited with his men.

    "Lord Mardun! Thank you for gracing us with your presence."

    "Be at ease, general. It would affect me greatly if all of you restrained yourselves to something that you are not comfortable with."

    "Such words are wasted upon a man such as I. But I shall abide by your words."

    A gallant and tall, prince-like, young man, whose respect transcends the two other generals, came face to face with Edward.

    Though he was a young man in his early twenties, his strength and abilities as a general were far above average, earning him a place in Mardun''s royal army.

    He wore a simple set of steel armor, and his sword sheathed at his waist, riding upon a horse with minimal armor, compared to the other, which have fully adorned ones.

    "I shall now report."

    "Please do so."

    "As per your request, I and my men have scouted the area where we are to rest our army before the great battle. There were no obscurities, nor were there any civilians that passed through. I have also scouted ahead, taking measures to ensure our army''s safety at night. It is everything that you thought it to be. As expected of you, Lord Mardun. Your expertise truly is something to behold."

    "Thank you for your hard work, general Triese. And fine work with the precautions. We shall all sleep peacefully with that in mind. Please relay the information that you have gathered to general Alcor on the left most flank as well. I shall personally relay the message with general Adrious."

    "It shall be done. If that is all, then I shall return to my men. Please do not hesitate to call for me if you are in need of anything."

    With that and a bow, the man leaves with his men, galloping at a great speed, as if wasting no time at all.

    "Come everyone, let us continue to march so that we can rest early."

    Edward called those around him who had served as escorts, heading back to the forefront of the army.

    But before he could go back, he could not help but look at the surroundings.

    "Truly befitting of a war torn country. The land is nearly barren, dark and sullen, as if abandoned by god''s grace."

    It was indeed as he said it was.

    Barren, sullen, decrepit. That is the state in most lands in Barda during the war.

    Though there were still greenery in some places, the ones that were barren were close in rivaling that amount, putting the country in grave danger.

    "If we overthrow the king, then will this country finally have its peace?"

    He asked himself another question, one that held no clear answer, as the future could not be predicted, only anticipated.

    It will all be up to the actions of those who move to change the future.

    "Where, am I?"

    He began to move, his body feeling a slight sting of pain with a single movement of his muscle.

    His eyes opened slightly, adjusting to the view of which was a wooden ceiling, illuminated by the light of a candle somewhere.

    Coming to, he started surveying the area, finding no one in the solitary room in which he apparently stayed in.

    It was a wooden room, furnished with cabinets, drawers, and a bed with comfortable sheets to keep a person warm.

    The open window blew strongly as the night went on, accompanied by the singing of crickets outside.

    "I passed out? How disappointing. After I looked forward to going to the capital too."

    As he thought about his misfortune, he remembered one thing of importance before his vision became dark.

    "Evelyn. So she left already, huh?"

    Just as he sighed to himself, someone entered the room, bringing with her a pile of cloth that looked to be bandaged.

    "Finally awake, young man? I thought you''d be asleep until tomorrow. As expected of our Zalphion''s student."

    An old woman -- whose hair was white -- looking to be in her sixties came in, smiling as she walked towards the cabinet where the candle was.

    "Who are you, and where am I? I don''t exactly remember anything that happened, except that I was about to pass out on that one hill. Do you know anything?"

    He barraged her with questions, one that was similar to an impatient child that sought answers which was transcended by his questions.

    But she simply looked at him and laughed tenderly, taking a seat on the corner of the bed where the youth sat as well.

    "Take your time child. The night is young, so there is no need to rush things, is there?"

    He took a deep breath in, then out, realizing what he had been doing, calming down as the atmosphere becomes comfortable.

    "You are in our small village of Bell. I am the elder of this village. We were asked by lady Zalphion to help you recover and get back on your feet."

    "Is that so?"

    He looked at his body, some parts wrapped in cloth which seem to have herbs placed before them, serving to alleviate the pain in.

    "Thank you. I''m sorry for the inconvenience."

    "Oh, there is no need to worry child. It is only natural for each of us to help each other in times of need. I wouldn''t want the only pupil of that young girl to stay bedridden for long. She seems to worry about you a lot."

    Her tone seemed to carry a bit of teasing in there, as if it had another meaning to it.

    "What do you mean?"

    "Before she left, she said quite a lot of things about you. It seems that you have given her a reason to not neglect who she truly is inside that layer of strength."

    "I, don''t understand at all. I don''t think I''ve done anything to deserve praise from her. Rather, I think it should be me who''s thankful to her. She gave me a path to walk on when I was lost. Given that I could have chosen any single path. But what was important was that she gave me a hand. I owe her."

    "Youth, such a wondrous, and a terrible time to see such youth flourish. It is instead wasted in strife such as this."

    She stood up, heading to the door and reaching for the knob.

    "Won''t you join us downstairs for a meal? It would be lonely if it were only my grandson and I."

    A smile formed on his lips as he nodded, feeling a certain comfort towards the elder, and the presence she exuded.

    "I''d be more than happy to!"

    He descended into a small dining room, enough to fit four people at best, furnished by a table and four chairs.

    The place looked run down, dusty and unmaintained even.

    Yet it carried with it the comfort a home provided, which was alien to him, seeing as he had no recollection of having lived a life with a family, or anything of the sort.

    There he saw a young child who brimmed with energy as he helped his grandmother in preparing the table.

    The elder had resumed to mixing the large cauldron where an appetizing smell wafts from, tempting those who could smell it.

    "Please take a seat. It''ll be ready in a minute or so."

    The elder said, not taking her eyes off what she''s doing.

    As the child saw him, his eyes grew wide in surprise, amazed even as he runs up to the youth, wrapped in bandages, confused as to why the child is so ecstatic to see him.

    "Oh! Are you the student of that bouncy lady from earlier?"

    The child seemed to grasp at the empty space in front of his chest, shaking it up and down, as if to tease a certain person for something she has.

    "Watch what you say, Conrad! She''s the Zalphion of this land, not a bouncy lady!"

    The elder scolded the child for saying such things, meaning that the elder has an idea of what he means, except for the youth, who is trying to figure out what the child means by the word.

    "Haha I''m just kidding anyway."

    He then turned to the Heinrich with his hands behind his head, grinning with his teeth, looking relaxed and too dynamic at this time of night.

    "I''m Conrad. What''s yours?"

    "My name is Heinrich. It''s nice to meet you, Conrad."

    He extended his hand out to the child, in which he only stared at it, picking his nose with an oddball expression.

    "That''s a weird name. Are you strong then?"

    "Uh, I know how to use a sword, but, well not that much. I am training in order to be strong, that much is true."

    "Ehh, it thought you were the real thing. What a letdown. Doesn''t matter. Big bro''s still stronger than Heinrich to me anyway!"

    His arms slumped as well as his expression, heading to the dining table, sitting while whistling.

    The elder faced the confused youth with a bowl of piping hot soup on her hands.

    "Don''t worry about what this child says. He''s an admirer of Heinrich Heiden of the past. The hero of the unification. But when my husband left for Eden, that was the only story that kept him dreaming about that. He only has his big brother left now, and me."

    That name again. Heinrich Heiden.

    So many know of his great story, and many have come to admire him.

    It''s not unusual that you''d feel down when you have the same name, and everyone else expects the same from you.

    "Come, take a seat. You must be hungry."

    He did just as he was told, and ate alongside the family of two, enjoying a meal that oddly reminded him of a home that he never had, but would want to in a sense.

    "I''m glad that you like it."

    As he ate, thoughts about his traveling companion, or his teacher rather, began popping up.

    (I wonder how she''s doing?)

    He couldn''t help but worry, even if she''s capable with her superhuman strength.

    A simple nagging feeling that''s persuading him to move because of a premonition, or a bad omen to come.

    "Excuse me, elder. But I''d like to know how long this will take to heal?"

    "What''s the hurry? Nothing ever good comes from rushing things."

    "It''s just that I need to follow my teacher. It might be needless worry, but I just can''t seem to settle down."

    "I shall see what I can do then. But for now, please rest your body. I might be able to have you moving around by tomorrow."

    "Thank you, elder!"

    As his words of gratitude came across the table, a bell could be heard, ringing frantically, abusing the sound it produces.

    The sound was clear enough to come through the open window, waking everybody from their slumber.

    "They''re here! Russel''s group is back! Alert the elder and the village guards!"

    The elder''s eyes shook open, and her peaceful aura disappeared, replaced by a face that displayed unease and agony.

    "Please stay here with the guest, Conrad. I will take care of something outside."

    Obediently, the child nods, not replying and continuing to eat.

    The elder had left, leaving the two alone with each other, and the awkward silence, slowly swallowing them.

    "Uhm, what is happening outside?"

    He asked, thinking of it as something they''d rather not talk about, but seeing as how the elder reacted, he couldn''t help but feel concerned and curious.

    "You hear the name Russel?"

    "Yes."

    "Then that means they''re back to harass the village, like always."

    "Why? That''s terrible."

    "Well they just threaten us for now. But grandma won''t believe me that they''ll start being agressive soon."

    "How long as this happened?"

    "About a few months ago, I dunno. All I know is that they''re getting louder and louder with each visit."

    Suddenly, the voices of people arguing became louder, as if aggression was starting to take place.

    He rose from his seat, instinctively responding to a feeling in his gut that he must follow before things are too late.

    "Wait, where are you going?!"

    Confused, the young Conrad also followed the man, drawn to him, but curious as to what''s happening outside as well.

    It was dark, but the image of the village was clear enough once he had covered a distance.

    There were only a handful of houses, all of which were built with sturtdy looking wood, each also having the light of candles emanating from the windows.

    There were trees growing inside the boundaries of the village walls, serving as a plaza and a garden in itself despite being a small village.

    At the gate were crowds of people holding torches, pitchforks, and other makeshift weapons made to simply threaten.

    The sounds of their angered voices echoed through the night.

    "Just have over what you have and nobody''ll get hurt, got that?"

    "Like we''ve said before, we don''t even have enough to feed ourselves with. We give to the people affected in Ryuviel, so what we have left is exactly for the season."

    A man pleaded to the brutish man wearing leather armor with a kind voice, still trying his best to persuade the people to calm their nerves, it seems.

    "I don''t think that excuse will cut it this time. You''ve said that every single time, and I''m sick and tired of it. Hear this, elder. You''ll get what''s coming to you, and you won''t even have the luxury to be sorry for not giving us what we want. You won''t get a good night''s sleep with what''s coming to you. None of you understand what we''re fighting for!"

    They began turning their backs on the village, and their great numbers shrank.

    But before they could all disappear, one man lagged behind with a slumped back and a sullen expression.

    The elder called out to the man ina voice that she could manage, and a voice that could be heard from a distance.

    "Russel!"

    The man''s shoulders jerk, and he turned his head to face the one calling him.

    "Why did you join them, my dear? Won''t you come back to the village?"

    "I''m sorry, elder. But I don''t want to be weak anymore. They promised me I''ll be stronger once I joined them, and that they''ll make a difference in the country. So, please just give them what they want. I-don''t want them to harm you or anyone in the village!"

    Some men who listened to the man named Russel started clenching their fists in anger.

    "Just get away from here, you traitor. You''d betray us all for something like that? You''re lower than a rat."

    "Leave and don''t come back. You betrayed us by joining them, and look at what they''re doing to us. Does this make you happy?!"

    Russel tried to calm them, but his voice was continuously cut off by the angry villagers.

    Giving up, he returned to his sullen face, and regrouped with the departing group.

    The crowd turned around and stared at the man of home they knew nothing about, except that he was the disciple of the Zalphion in this realm.

    "Oh, elder. Is this the one?"

    "Ah, yes. He is."

    "Please introduce us. It would be an honor to know who the great Zalphion is teaching."

    The men changed appearances, dismissing the event that transpired in that previous instant, as if it never happened.

    "His name is Heinrich.

    He bowed awkwardly, looking blankly for five seconds after being introduced.

    "It is an honor to finally meet the esteemed student of the great Zalphion."

    They praised him and praised him more even without having known of any of his exploits, which there were none. It was as if their smiles were forced.

    "What happened here, elder?"

    The youth asked.

    "Don''t worry. It is troublesome, but nothing that you should be worried about-"

    As the elder finished her sentence, she was cut off by someone who emerged from the gates with a bag over his shoulder.

    "I don''t think that''s the case this time, elder. They mean business."

    A young man with silver hair-- who wore casual clothing with a sheath by his waist -- arrived, wearing a grave expression, and an unhappy aura.

    "Oh, Hector. You''re back!"

    The elder held back much of her shock, but still showed familiarity towards the mysterious man.

    From behind the youth came running an energetic child of whom he had known as Conrad.

    The child dashed towards the man while shouting something he associates him with.

    "Big bro, you''re back!"

    "Well if it isn''t Conrad. Have you been good?"

    "Yeah!"

    They became accustomed to each other, enjoying a brief moment to themselves as siblings.

    "Now, back to the matter at hand. Those delusional people will come back tonight from what I''ve heard, and that they''re becoming desperate because of what''s happening here in this country. If we don''t act fast, we can''t counter them. Ultimately, we''ll be overrun by justice hungry bandits."

    He made his claim known with his stern voice, announcing to the people who''ve turned a blind eye to most things, becoming oblivious to a point where they are aware of that.

    "What should we do then?"

    "Simple. Prepare to fight them back. It was all leading up to this point anyway, why not live up to it? The people here will never know when to rise up aginst something they disagree about without someone taking the first step."

    "Hector''s right. We have to protect this village. Can''t we ask help from the people of Ryuviel?"

    The villagers agreed, but asked a question in which they knew the answer to, but needed confirmation from someone who talked sense.

    "It would be too far, and the village might be attacked by the time they arrive. Our only option is to plan this strategically. Though we only have a few people here, we might just be able to pull it off."

    The man named Hector moved towards the elder, taking her hand.

    "Elder, let me lead the people. I''ll help this village no matter what."

    He looked straight into her eyes, not blinking in order to show his determination.

    The elder released a sigh as she had enough of someone staring her down with pleading eyes.

    "It''s all up to you, Hector. A lot of people already know that you''re the strongest in the village. They trust you."

    "Thanks, elder!"

    He stood up straight, looking at the villagers surrounding him.

    "Alright, let''s meet up at the elder''s place and plan this out!"

    The man called out names of the few specific people to become the pillars of this plan he has in his mind.

    "We''ll follow you, Hector! Let''s go fellas!"

    As the people were organized to strengthen the village walls and tighten the guard and prepare for the incoming attack, there were only the two of them left within each other''s gaze, eyeing down one another, but with no malice.

    "I remember what they said. Your name is Heinrich, and you''re the Zalphion''s student?"

    "Ah-yes, I am."

    "The name''s Hector. I''m a nobody, really. But these people here seem to really trust me. I know this is sudden, since we''ve just met and all, but I''d like to ask you a favor if you don''t mind."

    "What kind of favor?"

    "We''ll I just pleaded to command the people since I know that they''re a disorganized bunch, and would just be a waste, so I blurted out being the commander. Truth is, I don''t have any experience whatsoever in strategies. But that doesn''t mean tht I can''t fight. Just one of the few things I''m good at. So, could you help me?"

    Hector extended out his hand and smiled, giving off a genuine friendly atmosphere, and one that pleaded for some help.

    The youth thought about it, not about if he wants to, but if he could.

    It had only been a week since he had been taught, but now it is up to him to make a difference however small.

    (Do I really have the capabilities to do such a thing?)

    But once he thought about Evelyn and all she had taught him, he was filled with a small light of confidence, enough to push him to follow and forge his own path.

    He shook the man''s hand, looking at him as well as they exchanged pleasantries.

    Hector then looked behind him.

    "Conrad, how about you go back to the elder''s place and help me out?"

    "Really?! Cool! I''ll do it!"

    Conrad became even brighter after being offered to help, jumping up and down.

    "Get the map of the village and set it on the table, and tell the people there that I''m on my way."

    Without replying, the child ran straight towards the house.

    "You''re too energetic for my own good, little brother."

    Hector murmured to himself, laughing wryly as he looked at his brother disappear into the doorway of the house.

    "Well then, let''s go shall we? We''ve got no time to chat. Let''s talk after we''re done. I see something special in you, so I''m putting my faith in you, friend."

    Hector left as he spoke with his back already turned to the man, who stood under the shade of the tree, and the light of the moon.

    "Your faith in my hands, huh?"

    This was the first time someone had told him that they depended on him.

    The amount of people didn''t matter. It was more of having someone tell him that he had a purpose, and now he had one.

    To protect this village.

    "Watch me, Evelyn. I''ll show you that I''m capable."

    He whispered into the night, then following the man who had asked for his help.

    "Now, Zalphion. What move will you make? No matter what you do, you shall fall into the pit of despair. None shall stand in the way of my conquest. All who will, must be cast aside."

    Mardun on one of the terraces in his mansion overlooking his town, which boasted great wealth and sophistication.

    "Now, I believe I must make a move myself as well. The capital will not fall so simply. Early reinforcements are called for."

    He rung a small bell, in which an old man, whose energy did not want with his age, wearing a suit, entered the room with haste.

    "You''ve called for me, sir?"

    "Call for general Geoffrey and ask him to prepare five thousand of his best cavalrymen. I shall meet with him before he departs."

    "If that is all, then I shall do my task. Excuse me, my lord."

    The servant departed, leaving the duke alone with himself as usual.

    "Now, it is about time for Linnia''s Zalphion to make a move. You will have nowhere to return to."

    He laughed, then grinned deviously as he continued making plans within his mind.

    ¡°The loyalty of the Zalphion for her its king is unwavering, even if the Zalphion is stubborn and fool hardy. In that case, you must lure the Zalphion out in order to cut its roots, Ryuviel. And thus I shall shatter her from the inside out. Once Her territory is gone, the next phase will be easier for me to move about.¡±

    Another knock is heard through the door.

    ¡°My lord, you¡¯ve called for me? I am here, general Geoffrey, reporting!¡±

    ¡°Good, come in. Have you done what I¡¯ve instructed you to?¡±

    A man in his early thirties, sporting a short brown hair, came in, carrying his helmet under his arms as he saluted.

    ¡°Yes. My subordinates are now organizing my cavalry for departure as we speak. Where shall I be heading?¡±

    ¡°To the capital, Ciel. I want you to act as reinforcements to my son¡¯s siege of the capital. I¡¯m sure the knightly order will not stand by in fear simply because of a great army.¡±

    ¡°But my lord, won¡¯t there be more soldiers in the king¡¯s disposal to fight back? I don¡¯t think fifteen thousand men will be enough to break the capital.¡±

    The large man turned with a flutter of his cape, now facing the general, who gulped in a slight tremble as the face of the iron duke stared him down, making him look powerless even with his skill as a great fighter.

    ¡°I have made sure that all my connections are utilized. The capital is stretched thin as all of his majesty¡¯s men have been sent to various villages and towns in order to prevent a wide scale pillaging of bandits, which I have procured myself.¡±

    ¡°I-is that so?¡±

    The general shuddered in fear of how the man manipulated all this, just for his own ambitions.

    The lord he faced acted within the confines of his home, making everything as easy from the perspective of outsiders.

    What might happen if he acted himself, he wondered.

    ¡°You will only have to worry about the great knightly order of Leos, which only poses a threat because of its sheer number, and absurdly high morale. Other than that, victory is as good as ours. Now go, I don¡¯t like wasting time.¡±

    The man saluted and went on his way, walking with speed as the face of his terrifying lord chased him out of the room.

    ¡°Now, how should we do this?¡±

    A few minutes had passed, and all the defenses around the village had been fortified as best as they could have been, and now all that¡¯s left is to plan the last phase, which is to defend the village from an attack.

    The youth leaned on the table, putting both hands on it as he looked around the people Hector had organized.

    The youth looked over the map displaying the layout of the village.

    None of the people here are experienced at wielding weapons, except Hector, making things rather complicated.

    They had been debating for a few more minutes on how things would transpire, and no conclusion had been reached as the time drew near.

    Prior to the meeting, the youth countered Hector¡¯s idea of not getting reinforcements within that time.

    He proposed going through with the idea, and sending someone to go to the town and ask for help.

    ¡°Take my horse and go to Ryuviel. Call for general Gideon, and tell him the Evelyn¡¯s page requires your help as soon as possible.¡±

    He left without asking any more questions, reluctantly taking the request as he left with a few words.

    ¡°If they do come here before me. Then please protect everyone here, the elder, my brother. I¡¯m putting them in your hands, alright?¡±

    And finally went on his way.

    Returning to the meeting, he proposed a simple plan of action.

    ¡°I want the village guards with me. We¡¯ll keep them away from the village and take the fight outside. I don¡¯t know how many they have, but judging from the group they brought with them, I can assume they have roughly fifty men or so, while we have fifteen men, including me, who can fight.¡±

    He based the thought out of the number of men the village had, which was rather dismal, putting them in a rough position where their morale was as low as it could be, as if they¡¯ve already lost hope even before this could happen.

    The guards in the village were people assigned here from Ryuviel, meaning that most of them are experienced, and might prove vital in surviving.

    Who knew anger could breed so much hatred, enough for one to have reason to attack another of their kin because of a misunderstanding.

    ¡°Alright. If there are no objections, then let¡¯s set things up, shall we?¡±

    He took his equipment and prepared to meet the enemy, which had not come as of yet.

    Wearing a set of leather armor that the villagers had provided, he met the people who were going to be holding out the attack with him, which were the men, who stood out the gates, armed.

    After exchanging a few pleasantries, people were seen running from the horizon, unorganized, but in great numbers.

    Once they saw the people gathered outside the gates, they ran faster, thinking that they''ve come to retaliate, forcing them into a frenzy without any words.

    "Can I really do this?"

    He thought about it, seeing as he had never taken a life before.

    But now, things are different. he is faced with only one option now.

    "Everyone, brace yourselves!"

    They met the advancing enemy, clashing blades with them.

    One of the many battles that will take place in Barda, had begun, and this is just the beginning.

 Chapter 6: Losing your path

    "Get Conrad and flee the village! Almost everyone''s dead, and the main guard''s been slaughtered!"

    "Get the elder, kids and women out of this place, we''ll help out the Zalphion''s student and hold them back!"

    "Head for Ryuviel! You''ll be safe there!"

    After seeing how the tide of battle crushed the defending forces, the villagers, mainly the men, decided to arm themselves and fight for the safety of their loved ones.

    The band of invaders and pillagers were ruthless and bloodthirsty, sparing no one if they ever got the chance to.

    The villagers rounded up some retired veteran fighters and some who were old enough to serve as guards for the long march to Ryuviel, using the exit to the back of their village as a route of escaping without the knowledge of the pillagers.

    *pant* *pant*

    Losing the energy to keep fighting the men who have surrounded him, he staggered back, only to find himself helpless against his adversaries.

    Though the battle had only begun, the entirety of the men who had joined him in repelling the attackers had either been apprehended or killed ruthlessly, leaving him alone or separated from them.

    He was covered in dirt and blood, which were his own and some others'' mixed in.

    Still, he did his best and took much of the men''s attention, forcing their aggression upon him, which as a result led them to toying with him, corralling him in a circle, then pointing their blades at him, creating a small arena.

    He could not count how many, but this was vaguely his seventh victim.

    When the first belittler came inside the circle, he proceeded to take the youth''s life without mercy, hacking and slashing relentlessly and recklessly without remorse.

    They howled in excitement each time the youth would fall down on the ground, or if he were to be pushed back to one of the men serving as walls.

    They would push him back with their feet, or smack him with the blunt edge of their weapon, causing him to bleed with a fatal strike to the back of his head.

    It was warm, and more so unpleasant as it mixed with the smell of dry, cold air passing by them.

    That was when he could not control his body, stumbling forward with his guarded stance, instead rushing the suddenly bewildered man, who took the brunt of the attack, receiving a cut across his torso, which bled right away as the youth''s weight continued to shift forward, resulting in the blade to further slice deeply through the unfortunate man''s skin tissue.

    "Ahh, Ahh! It hurts! Get this thing off me!"

    He furiously howled in pain, touching the part of his body that bled profusely, then limping to the ground as he fell face first, dying then and there.

    Heinrich watched in terror as he reeled from the shock and sensation that he felt when the blade he had continued to cut through him with ease.

    He realized it and could not believe that he had done such a thing.

    "I-I killed someone... No, it can''t be. Ha, he must be just resting, right?"

    He was surrounded by silence and cold stared from the men around him, who looked at Heinrich like he had done wrong.

    He was forced, but he did do something terrible, that much he was aware of.

    The silence was then followed by a roar of laughter, erupting and booming around him.

    Without delay, another man entered, brandishing his weapon as he licked his tongue.

    It became clear to him as to what will happen if he allows such a thing to fall upon him.

    He picked up his blade with his shaking hands, pulling his sword from the deceased man''s body with a gut-wrenching feeling, averting his eyes from the gruesome sight that he had created.

    Now it brings us to the present where an exhausted youth, struggling to draw their attention towards him, knowing no other way to keep them at bay.

    After adjusting somewhat to having killed someone, he was able to endure and keep moving.

    Just before they became bored did the army of pillagers turn their attention to the rumbling sound of roaring building up slowly.

    The wooden gates opened, followed by a loud charge of numerous group of poorly defended villagers armed with torches pitchforks and other farming weapons.

    "Get them!"

    Surprised and clearly bewildered, the pillager army was unable to prepare themselves for the oncoming charge, which proved effective despite being performed by poorly trained, or inexperienced people.

    Weapons rarely clashed, and blades, iron, and steel met skin and flesh, bathed in blood and felled lives without mercy.

    The youth became amazed at the bravery of the villagers and how they showed it with their actions, leading him to being filled with enough will to fight back those that surrounded him, taking down the unaware and distracted.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    But, against those who have become murderers by profession, their chances of living through this encounter is nearly nonexistent.

    Soon, each one of them started to fall despite their valiant efforts to fight back.

    There was no chain of command on the enemy''s side, yet all they needed was to realize that they were against the same people they threatened.

    And what followed is the villager''s downfall, which plummeted.

    They tried to yell in agony and pain, but some were unable to even say their last words as they were hacked to death with sharp or blunt edged weapons, brutalized as their killers smiled with a rush of adrenaline and enjoyment.

    The youth watched as the tide of battle changed instantly, shifting from the villagers, who appeared to have the upper hand at the beginning, to the pillagers, who had superiority with experience and numbers alone.

    Soon, the youth found himself losing hope of succeeding, leaving him disheartened and unable to fight back as he tried saving those who he thought still had a chance of being saved.

    "Hey, take that kid! We can sell him to slave trader for a pretty hefty price!"

    He was immediately apprehended, kicked down on the ground and brutalized by those who became irritated with the mere sight of his face, causing him to black out and lose consciousness.

    The others were not so fortunate, killed, while some were captured and bound with rope.

    The remaining villagers who staged a final defense were now silent, either deceased or captured to be sold as slaves.

    The night became filled with roars of cheer and celebration.

    "Pillage and ransack the village, take the women, and bound those who look capable of being sold!"

    Some then separated, laying waste to the village in droves.

    "Sir, there''s no one of them here! They''re gone!"

    "Send out a search party at once and find those damned rats! We''re going back to the hideout to distribute the loot."

    Soon, they began burning the village, leaving nothing in its wake as it fell to the ground, returning to its state, before it was occupied.

    Without anything left, the army then departed with those whom they spared and thought of as decent and would sell fairly well enough for them to benefit from.

    Within a few minutes after the invading army departed, another arrived, but a smaller numbered one.

    They were led by a man wearing his own custom armor, wearing a look of surprise and horror as he surveyed the area around him, now reduced to rubble.

    He dismounted, walking a few steps forward only to fall to his knees, limp and dejected.

    "No... I was... Too late."

    A knight wearing full, blue armor, dismounted as well, looking at the damages with a stern and calm mind.

    "Is this the place?"

    She asked, not taking into consideration the emotions that the young man was feeling.

    "Yes. More like what''s left of it though."

    Immediately, he stood up, running across the bodies of the fallen, and towards the burnt wooden gates, scouring the area in hopes of finding someone.

    But, only traces of ashes strewn all around him.

    "Conrad! Elder! Where are you?! It''s me, Hector! Anyone, answer me, please!"

    He shouted as loud as he could, only to receive no answer.

    On the way, he saw faces of whom he recognized.

    He knew their names, but dared not speak them lest he wanted to disturb their eternal sleep.

    He returned to the army''s general, on the verge of breaking down and becoming a lunatic who lost everything.

    "Captain, I want you to take two squadrons and search the area for any signs of survivors."

    The knight she called over saluted, then galloped away on his horse with his men in tow.

    "Second platoon commander. Take your platoon and scout the area. Return to me if you find anyone close by. I want a tight and secure perimeter around here until I can find anything out."

    "Yes, my lord!"

    The platoon commander did the same.

    "The rest of you. Arrange the corpses and prepare graves for the bodies."

    Her unit moved in an organized manner, following her orders as they all dismounted.

    She then returned her attention to the young man, who was almost the same height as her, only a few inches taller.

    "Keep yourself together and tell me what happened here."

    His body shuddered, and he could not manage a response, struggling with all his might to keep his composure intact.

    Still, he persevered, speaking the very details as to how it began, and how it ended up into a conflict filled with blood and anger.

    After he had explained much, the knight them asked him about his whereabouts.

    "Tell me. Who was the one that sent you?"

    "Heinrich. His name was Heinrich."

    Although she did not become fond of the idea of him being around her, she became concerned after having heard it once more.

    Truth be told, she did not want to believe such a thing.

    She inspected a majority of the bodies, identifying them as best they could before burying them.

    But she was unable to find one that resembled that man''s face.

    There was nothing else that they could do.

    The village had been burned to the ground, and only this one man survived, spared from the brutality that looked inevitable.

    Except, they found something odd.

    "All the bodies have been buried, my lord. Oddly enough they''re all men. No children, elderly, or even children for that matter."

    Upon hearing this, Hector''s face lit up, realizing that his brother might be still out there somewhere.

    "Call all the platoon commanders and have them form up a marching line. We''re going back to Ryuviel for the time being. We need more information before we can move freely."

    With a salute, the man, serving as her captain and right hand, left to spread her orders.

    "You are also going back with us to Ryuviel. If you want things to go through smoothly, then we''ll need you to cooperate and identify people."

    He nodded filled with determination.

    The army then departed, leaving a brief prayer before that.

    The village was no more.

    He felt his body being shook without a sign of it stopping.

    Slowly, he began opening his eyes, looking above at the clouded sky of a new dawn.

    He tried to stand up, only to be brought back down by a sturdy piece of rope tied on his wrists tightly.

    He looked around him, seeing people of different colors, all looking deathly and pale as they slept.

    Each one had either bruises or wounds on their bodies, wearing a minial to no amount of clothes at all.

    There were seven of them in total, all looking to be adults or young men and women.

    He tried to move once more only to have his entire body assaulted with pain.

    In that moment he remembered how he received them.

    "Where... am I?"

    A large, vigorously fit, and tall looking man with a scar on his left eye spoke with a deep voice, matching with his bodily frame.

    He did not show any sign of struggling, only keeping his body still.

    "Finally awake, are you?"

    "Who are you and where am I?"

    "Pity you don''t know anything. I can''t blame you. You looked battered everywhere. Better take things gradually than have them all thrown at you. You''re a slave now. We all here are. I don''t know where we''re headed, but all I know is that we''re being sold out to people."

    "A slave?"

    He did not know how to respond.

    But, he did feel fear, and he could not express it due to the pain he felt all across his body, feeling like an endless torment.

    Instead, he became still and breathed in and out, focusing on the pain and how he could dismiss it as it felt like it could drive him insane if it kept going.

    "You''re pretty calm. I guess that''s better than being wasting your energy. My name''s Bertrand Elrais. What''s yours?"

    He tried to calm himself down by speaking with the large man.

    "H-Heinrich. My name''s Heinrich."

    "Well Heinrich. Let''s look out for each other. Things aren''t looking so well for us in the future."

    Thus the man slept, leaving Heinrich to cope with the pain by himself, in which he struggled to make do with the constant shaking of the carriage.

 Chapter 7: Bound by hurdles

    "Oy! Wake up ye bloody bastards! Yer all get''in out here!"

    A wrinkled old man cracked his whip on the ground, sending a fast chill down the captive''s spines, forcing them to wake up from their deep slumber at the break of dawn.

    I had already woken up, only entertaining myself with the view we passed by, fleeting and comforting as it lasted.

    It seems to have taken more than two days of travel until we have reached our destination, somewhere unknown to us.

    Our fates and being decided this very moment.

    In that short span of time I had gotten to know the few others that were with us on the journey to the unknown.

    There were seven of them, but were now reduced to five after two captives could not take the harsh conditions they were in.

    We were refused food or water, punished if you were to complain.

    The old man had guards on horseback, armed to keep us in line.

    The carriage master threw their corpses out of the carriage, leaving them without remorse nor a proper prayer.

    What transpired struck the remaining captives to not attempt to replicate their actions, seeing as it will only bring them more misfortune.

    The others remaining, besides Bertrand, were young adults, two men and a woman.

    Kurt was the name of the young man at the age of twenty-one. And the two were siblings, where the woman was the older of the two.

    Each one had different circumstances of being here.

    The lone man was a soldier in the army labeled a traitor after attempting to escape a mission that warranted the destruction and ruin of his hometown.

    He turned on his platoon, resulting in him being punished severely with beatings, leaving him with an inch of his life before being handed off to a slave trader.

    He was quiet, but eventually spoke softly, still having his mind and body broken after his constant beatings.

    The man introduced himself as Kurt, a short, dark haired man that still possesses his constitution of being a former soldier even after his capture.

    Next were the two siblings who had opened up after Kurt introduced himself.

    They were captured after their town was razed as collateral damage between the two powers in the civil war of Barda.

    The young man optimistically spoke first, smiling despite the various bruises on his body and face.

    "I''m Marshall, here¡¯s to hoping that we get along!"

    He was the only one who was able to smile, enticing jealousy even from me, who could not manage the simplest of smiles for some reason.

    "My name is Alissa, I''m Marshall''s older sister."

    She was a timid woman, possessing a body fitting for a young adult at her age.

    Her personality was gentle and soft, like a benevolent mother that would put others before her.

    They seemed well enough, unaffected outwardly, but internally broken.

    We managed to exchange a few conversations before reaching our stop.

    Returning to the present, the carriage master continued cracking his whip, hitting Alissa, who covered Marshall, the target of the brutish old man.

    Alissa fell to the ground, and was then assisted by Marshall, who looked sincerely concerned at her sister.

    "Hey, that''s taking it too far!"

    Kurt yelled out, attempting to come out of the carriage with a certain intention in mind for the cruel carriage master.

    Bertrand exited before Kurt could do anything, staring down the old man from above as to provoke him from his actions.

    The old man stuttered out of fear after being shadowed and petrified by Bertrand''s intimidating gaze, forcing him to curse and threaten the rest of us.

    "I''ve got better things to do! Now get out of my carriage! Yer all stinkin'' up the thing!"

    The carriage master retreated to his horse, arranging the saddle.

    "Come, Heinrich. Let''s go before we cause a scene."

    Bertrand, still restrained with a sturdy piece of rope around his wrists, looked at me as I stood inside, watching how the entire event transpired.

    My lungs were dry, and my eyes could barely see anything past this point.

    Sure enough my body couldn''t even manage to move a single muscle.

    But, thinking about things properly, it would only cause more problems for the others even when I am at fault.

    Resolving to not let that happen, I forced my body, still seething with pain around the chest, where a rib bone seemed to be fractured.

    Before I could take another step out of the carriage, my leg gave out, making me fall forward.

    Bertrand caught me before I could collide with the barren land, propping me up.

    "T-thank you, Bertrand."

    I tried to muster up my voice in order to thank him, thinking that I was fortunate enough to have someone like him with me despite having only met a few days ago.

    Soon, we were approached by a fully armed guard regiment, speaking with a loud voice and a haughty attitude.

    "Are these the slaves that you''re selling?"

    The man in the center spoke to the carriage master, who twitched after being called out to.

    "Ye, that''s me."

    "How much do you want for them?"

    "About fifty gold pieces, he he, they look well enough to work, especially that sack of meat at the back."

    "How about I lock you down and turn you in to a slave? Ten gold pieces or your occupation will change ironically."

    The guard clearly threatened him, forcing the man to jitter and look at him with irritation and disdain.

    "Fine! Cough up the gold and just let me be, damn hustlers."

    The guard looked at one of his subordinates beside him, bringing out a bag that contained contents that made a clanking sound.

    The subordinate threw the bag at the carriage master.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    "Get out of here, you pig!"

    Brandishing his spear, the carriage master ran for the back of his horse, whipping the reigns to signal the horse to run fast and immediately.

    Soon we were left at their mercy.

    "Follow me. Don''t try anything that would upset me. I will only warn you all once."

    The guards made a line that was to be followed by us five, leading us into an encampment on a barren wasteland where the sky seemed paler than usual, as if in sorrow and lament.

    The area that we were ushered in to was formed to look like a town that had a facility and a plot of farmland beside it, where workers were seen tilling the land, being whipped in the process.

    We were being led into a facility where the prime objective was to mine for minerals needed to create arms for war.

    The makeshift town was dreary and desolate, lifeless even.

    The people we passed by looked deathly and on the verge of collapsing as they towed wooden carts filled with the said ores and minerals, being yelled at the same time.

    In front of me was Kurt, Marshall, and lastly Alissa, who seemed to have the strongest fortitude amongst us, only second to Bertrand''s.

    Weirdly enough I could feel their anxiety, the fear that they had.

    It seemed to fill the air around us, creating a dreadful feeling in my gut that made me even more uncomfortable than I already am.

    Needless to say that the they were all covered in dirt, scars, bruises.

    Their clothing was a single piece of cloth that served as a cover for their entire body, both for the men and women in here.

    Commands were being shouted loudly around us, nearly deafening and concerning.

    The guard leading our group payed no mind to those who were loitering the streets, begging for water or food, kicking or ignoring them as he passed by.

    More of them were stationed on platforms serving as small lookout towers that could manage and keep track of each slave''s movement.

    Trying to process the information from what I''ve seen so far, I began to think that were are being held where a town once stood, now reduced to a dark ruin of ashes and cinder, replaced to become a slave camp.

    The guard turned around after reaching a wide area where countless sizable looking tents could be seen.

    "This is where you''ll all be living. Not doing any work or being less efficient will earn you a spot in the prisons below."

    He pointed to a tent that when inspected, was empty.

    Before living, he issued orders that could be considered cruel or simply difficult for any one person.

    "You''ll all be starting today. No breaks, and each one of you will have a quota. Not reaching it will mean that you won''t get anything to eat."

    And with that, he left us all alone.

    We settled down for a bit, catching our breaths after the grueling travel we experienced on a carriage with a disdainful carriage master.

    The inside of the tent contained blankets organized on the ground for four people when there are five of us.

    There was nothing else inside, nothing to keep us warm when night comes.

    "It doesn''t seem that bad. We''ll just have to work hard for our hard earnings, right?"

    Marshall optimistically said.

    "It''s not gonna be that as easy as you think, kid. They''ll work you to the bone before you could eat. Best not overwork yourself with the optimism."

    Kurt replied, closing his eyes as he laid down on a blanket.

    "Hey. They said we''ll be starting today. You can''t rest yet. You won''t get anything to eat if you do."

    Marshall relented, irritating Kurt to an extent as he responds with an irritated voice.

    "It doesn''t matter! We''re slaves! There''s no reason for us to follow them and what they tell us. We''ll just end up dead sometime in the future, and there''s no knowing when we''ll go!"

    The former soldier sprang from where he laid, yelling at the young man who then cowered in fear from what he had heard.

    "There''s no need for us to be divided. It''s already bad enough that we were sold as slaves. It''ll only get worse quickly if we make enemies of ourselves. The best thing we could do is look out for each other."

    Bertrand interceded, cutting off the intensity coming from the two as they both became silent, looking at Bertrand as if they were being scolded by their fathers.

    "Bertrand is correct. We will do better if we look out for each other. The world can be cruel, so there''s no telling what might happen to each of us."

    Alissa took a step forward as she reinforced Bertrand''s ideals.

    At that instant, Kurt looked at me with the most curious and rebellious looking eyes.

    "So, how about you? What do you think? You''ve been silent the entire time. What do you have to say about this?"

    I found myself the center of attention as each one of them directed their sights at me, waiting for a reply, that could either sever us, or bind us together.

    Gulping in saliva, my throat still felt as dry as it could be, preventing me from using much of my voice, but only to an extent.

    "I agree with Bertrand and Alissa. I don''t like the idea of staying here forever. So for now, let''s try and help each other out."

    "Tch, fine. Just do what you want."

    With that, things looked settled, and our lives began as slaves.

    After having spent three days as slaves, we haven''t quite adjusted to the lifestyle it entails.

    Rather, it was for the best that we didn''t become accustomed to being slaves.

    Kurt''s assumptions were mostly correct.

    The guards abused us as much as they could, killing and throwing out those they deemed weak and putting the remaining ones back to work.

    It was back breaking labor for some, where they were put to work in the mines, carrying heavy loads of ores and stone using pickaxes.

    A safe haven for work would be farming, producing crops that will go to the people who need it, and not to us.

    The meals that they served were small portions, not enough to fill anyone even by a longshot.

    They only gave you one serving, and that was for the entire day.

    No matter how hard you work for another serving, they won''t spare you, and you will simply receive a beating for being uncontent.

    The living conditions within the tents were miserable, but we had to make do with what we had.

    Bertrand and I made an agreement to let someone sleep, and have the other take guard since there were only four blankets.

    Kurt argued that he didn''t want to have anything to do with it, and Marshall volunteered instead.

    But, Alissa pleaded to not let her brother do such a thing, so we compromised within the two of us, receiving three hours of sleep each day before going back to work at the first break of dawn.

    In the first three days, my body was made to adjust to the labor, not being spared of rest, which was seen as a luxury.

    I noticed that I''ve grown rather dull in those few days, clearly separating me from my usual demeanor.

    I''ve experienced being whipped, and being at least tough enough to endure, then return to working, otherwise you''ll receive more than you previously had.

    The death toll or the camp was large in the first few days, numbering up to at least fifty in just three days.

    Those I had been briefly acquainted with had either passed away, or is unable to work and is being punished for it.

    There was no mercy to those who gave up, or to those that slacked off.

    "Are you alright?"

    Bertrand came up to me after I had just received a series of relentless beatings from a soldier.

    My legs gave up on me as drowsiness gripped my physique, making me lose balance, and ultimately ended up with me dropping what I had been carrying.

    "I''m still alive. I guess I''d consider myself alright for the time being."

    "There''s just no time to rest, is there?"

    "I consider even an hour of sleep as enough. Thank you, Bertrand. You seem to be getting by well."

    "Ha, it''s thanks to my body. If I were any smaller, I would''ve probably been gone the first two days in."

    Bertrand laughed, serving as a way to wake himself up as he also looked drowsy, seeing as we were in the same state due to the same predicaments.

    His large body enabled him to carry heavy objects and have a great amount of stamina along with it, establishing him as a capable man whom got most of the back-breaking manual labor.

    It was the middle of the day, and the clouds overhead were dull and pale as when we first came here.

    The land was still barren, and there were no signs of any rain coming.

    If that were the case, it''d serve as both a miracle and a troublesome thing.

    Seeing as didn''t have much to boast about my physical aptitude, I was near worthless, being the one who absorbed the prejudice that the guards had to offer from time to time.

    At the end of the day, I''d collapse on my bed, unable to move even a muscle.

    Sometimes I wouldn''t even bother eating at all, giving it to either Bertrand, Kurt, Marshall or Alissa.

    They''d force me to eat, saying that I wouldn''t last long if I gave up that early.

    That night, Bertrand learned that we were still in Barda, but a different part where the war was closely focused.

    This was not the only slave camp in the area, and that there were at least two to three more being governed by a different lords serving under one named, Lothbrig.

    "Hey, have you heard about how the capital of Ciel was attacked recently?"

    Bertrand caught my attention almost instantly as we rested inside our tents, unable to sleep due to insomnia.

    "Ciel as in the capital of Barda?"

    "Yes. It''s been attacked by Mardun I hear. If that man comes to power, then we''ll all be slaves soon. I hear he''s ruthless."

    "How did you learn about all this, Bertrand?"

    "You could say I''ve built a pretty good connection with people in the other slave camps. They''re pretty reliable when it comes to stuff like this."

    That train of thought got me thinking.

    How was she doing? Where is she now? Is she safe?

    I still remember what he looked like, how she left me and went her own way to...Ciel.

    "Bertrand. Could you ask them for information about where the Zalphion of Barda is?"

    Bewildered, Bertrand focused his eyes on me.

    "This is the first I''ve seen you a bit livelier than usual. Sure I''ll do it for you. Not often do I get any requests from you after all."

    He stood up, stretching his body.

    "Why don''t you sleep first. I''ll keep guard tonight. Try not to get beat up as much. It''s killing you. You won''t last long at this rate. Bear with it, but try to improve yourself a bit."

    I agreed without hesitation, seeing as I began to yawn uncontrollably after a day of working nonstop, keeping what Bertrand said in mind.

    (I want to see her again. Why? I don''t know... I just want to. I keep remembering that distant face of hers at times when I think or sleep)

    As I fell on the ground, supported by a blanket, my body felt like it was going to give out at any minute or second.

    The pain I received prior to coming here had been returned tenfold, and much more was being added to it.

    "I need to... No, I want to get stronger. If this is what every war-torn country was experiencing, then I don''t want anyone to ever live like this."

    I mumbled my ambitions, making sure to remember it before my mind would dissolve into nothing and forget it, becoming a blank slate by tomorrow.

 Chapter 8: Unshackled

    "Wake up! Heinrich! There''s something bad happening outside!"

    I felt a heavy hand shaking me awake, dragging me from the solace of dreams and the place where the definition of exhaustions is not known.

    Opening my eyes, I saw Bertrand in front of me, looking worried with a grim expression, blood stains on his large body and face, making me awaken at once.

    "What''s wrong?" I said groggily, getting up, ignoring the aching of my body on the cold, hard, and damp ground; the view of everything around me becoming clearer.

    "This is bad. There''s a riot of people going on outside. Everything''s in disarray, and the soldiers are slowly losing control. This is our chance to get away from this place. Come, there is no time to lose. Kurt and the others are waiting for us," Bertrand said with urgency, reaching out and pulling me up.

    It was then that I could hear the sounds of people screaming in agony and yelling in pain outside, my senses returning back to normal, making me wish that it hadn''t.

    "Hurry and follow me! We cannot let this chance pass us by!" Bertrand exited the tent, leaving me to myself as my mind adjusted and adrenaline started pumping my body, opting me to move as well.

    Leaving the tent, chaos ensued as people could be seen running here and there; people wearing armor and those wearing only a few on their backs.

    As Bertrand and I exchanged glances, he ran to his left, a passage walled off by many other tents in the area.

    Not even reaching far enough, I could already see the sight of bloodied bodies strewn on the ground, mercilessly brutalized with a sharp blade from the looks of it; their eyes open, indicating that they must have died swiftly.

    "Faster! We are nearly there! -" suddenly, Bertrand was cut off as he was ambushed from the side by two soldiers that immediately drew their blades against him.

    With his large body, Bertrand delivered a powerful blow to one of them, knocking him away, destroying one of the tents, then protecting himself as he tightly gripped both of the man''s arms, preventing him from attacking him.

    "You''re not getting anywhere, slave! All those that attempt to escape will die!" the man screamed at him, amazingly pressuring Bertrand; his sword inching closer and closer to my friend''s head.

    With a sudden rush to my head, I dashed as fast as I thought possible for me, taking the knocked out soldier''s sword and immediately coming up from behind the other soldier currently battling with Bertrand.

    Without delay, I raised my sword, taking a breath in and gulping, then driving my weight downwards, cutting across the soldier''s back, forcing him to arc towards me, enabling Bertrand to move and finally bring the enemy down.

    "Thank you. I owe my life to you," Bertrand said, taking the deceased soldier''s weapon.

    "We''re not out of it yet. Lead the way!" I said, trying to put what I had done past me, filling it with many other unnecessary and random thoughts.

    After a while, we came up on Kurt, Alissa, and Marshall, waiting near the outskirts of the forest positioned to the very back of the slave camp.

    "About time. Come on! They''re getting closer, and everyone else is just dying and not putting up a fight," Kurt spoke naturally, disregarding how I remembered him when we first introduced each other.

    Almost immediately we started to run away from the camp, using fear as a source to where I could draw my speed from, helping me immensely as I managed to catch up to the others.

    With each distance covered, the forest started getting thicker and thicker, making it hard to see the ground for roots and other things, and our surroundings.

    Yet the sun and the pale clouds stood above to guide us through, including those who were chasing us, quick on their feet despite wearing armor.

    I dared not look back, fearing that I might trip because of negligence, costing me my life and my only chance to see her again without reason.

    We reached a rickety, narrow bridge that spanned a few meters long, held up by two sets of wooden poles, one attached here, and there on the other side of the chasm, where a rier flowed, looking to be a small stream from our perspectives.

    We came to a stop after reaching the start of the bridge, and Bertrand voiced is worries saying, "If we cross this bridge now, then no one will be able to escape. They will simply cut down the bridge and let us fall to our doom. Someone must hold them back."

    "I can''t believe this! We should have taken the front entrance instead! We could have never needed to encounter this bridge then!" Kurt said angrily, looking into the forest where he could see our pursuers emerging.

    Quickly running out of time, someone spoke, astonishing me and the others, especially one.

    "I will go. I may not be able to do much, but hand me your sword and I might delay them for a while," Alissa said with a strong and stern expression, smiling afterwards.

    "W-wait! what are you saying, sister?! Y-you can''t leave. What about me?! We''re brother and sister, aren''t we? You promised to stay with me! You can''t do this! I can''t let you!" Marshall started trembling, then tearing up, unable to hold back his emotions.

    She came up to him and caressed his cheek gently, speaking softly into his ear, still enough for us to hear as the silence overtook our surroundings.

    "Please, be strong for both of us. There are much more that you can still accomplish. This is not the end, nor is it time for you. I won''t break our promise. I will be there for you, always watching and praying to keep you safe. Right?" she kissed his forehead, pushing him back and taking Kurt''s sword with a smile.

    "Please go. It would hurt me if something bad happened to you all. Though we didn''t get to know each other very well, I ask of you, please take care of my brother," she faced the man, barely even holding the sword right as she assumed an amateur form.

    Bertrand picked up Marshall and ran, alerting me and Kurt to do the same, crossing the bridge with everything we''ve got left, even going so far as to push our bodies to the limits.

    "Damn this! I''m not even fit to be a man! I let someone die, and didn''t even say anything! Argh!!" Kurt yelled out in frustration, continuing forth as we successfully crossed the bridge, letting us take a breather.

    To our dismay; however, we bore the sight of Alissa being cut down immediately, then continuously impaled by the other soldiers, making sure that she had died right away.

    "SISTER!!!" he desperately screamed out on the top of his voice, running and reaching out, only to be stopped by Bertrand, who closed his eyes and kept a strong, stern face, only barely handling his emotions.

    Bertrand covered Marshall''s eyes, forcing him to turn away the sobbing young man from the sight of his own sister being eviscerated.

    As for me, I could not understand as to why my eyes were looking at the gruesome sight without turning, or feeling something wretched coming from my stomach and to my mouth. It was truly bizarre.

    But I had this unexplainable anger welling up from within me, slowly controlling my body, attempting to move by itself and possibly do something, anything about what was happening across the bridge.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    But I couldn''t do it. I was too weak to do anything, or to make a difference. I would only be throwing my life away, making Alissa sad at my attempt to simply waste her efforts... I wanted to ignore her words and just act on my own, but I didn''t.

    "Let''s get away from her, now," Kurt said, cutting off the ropes binding the bridge, forcing those that were currently on the bridge to run back quickly in a panic.

    The rickety bridge was no more, and we turned our backs to continue further into the forest, never wanting to look back, but never forgetting what happened back there.

    We were quiet the entirety of the time, unable to even make up the courage to speak to one another, nor make a comment about what happened back there. There was just no use to it.

    I wonder myself how I became one who would brood day and night, only feeling bad for myself, not doing anything at all to fix the situation.

    This isn''t me... But what was I exactly? I don''t know who I am, or what I was. There was no way for me to find out. I merely adopted the name of a legend in this world I know nothing about, walking and thinking as if I were him, even a fraction of what he was, someone everybody looked up to.

    Why did I want that anyway? Was there a reason? Or did I have the ability to make something of myself, yet I disregarded that.

    I''ll make my own path, one different from this world''s Heinrich. I don''t know what, but a path never trekked is no path at all, or something along those lines.

    I don''t know how long we''ve been wandering aimlessly.

    The sun had begun to set, and the curtains of the orange hue were slowly draping over the land, making it harder and harder to see with every moment.

    We had taken rests here and there, but nothing too luxurious for our own good.

    Marshall had seemed to stop sobbing, resting as Bertrand carried him on his back, looking calm and composed, like the tower of a man he is.

    We came to a vast field of green where no tree could be seen, only the mountains on the horizon.

    You could see the gust of wind blowing through the grass, a comfortable and welcoming sight. it was enough to make me feel the toll of exhaustion that I had ignored for the past few hours.

    The beautiful sight was tempting, but we had to worry about what we could eat next.

    I''ve ignored the grumbling and aching of my stomach, dismissing it and simply thinking of something else to distract my thoughts, yet it fought back rather furiously, nearly making me mad with anger and frustration. yet I held back as best I could, knowing that the others had to deal with the same thing.

    As night came, the moon up above shone brightly, covered by clouds drifting calmly and aloofly in the air, not a care in the world.

    We encountered a stream whose water glistened with the light the moon provided, much to our luck, allowing us to drink water to refresh our lungs with.

    "I''ve never been so happy to see water my entire life. Thank the gods," Bertrand said, greedily drinking the water from the stream, washing his face, provided that the two of us did the same, Kurt and I.

    Marshall; however, kept to his lonesome, cradling his legs and looking at the reflection of the moon.

    "C''mon kid, you''ll wither out if you keep on being like that. The water''s just right," Kurt said, becoming more talkative than he was previously, making me relieved rather than surprised.

    He stayed silent, not budging at all from what Kurt said, seemingly in his own world.

    "It''s going to get cold soon. Does anyone know how to make a fire?" he asked.

    No one responded, leaving him with a disheartened look.

    "Very well. It''s not as if we can''t brave the night. We''ve been through much worse, right?" said Bertrand regrettably, looking regretful at what he said, having a face the said ''I want to take back what I said''.

    "I think we should keep moving," I said, hearing the sounds of howling all around us, getting louder and louder, as if something was getting closer with each waking moment.

    "He''s right. I''d hate to deal with wolves right now. They''d made food out of us within seconds."

    "Come, young Marshall. We need to move, right away. The predators of these areas might find us quickly," Bertrand urged the still young man, not responding, looking away instead.

    "Stop this, kid. There''s no reason to keep being like that. Your sister told you herself, so let that motivate you. Or would you rather you''d be a meal for the wolves," Kurt said harshly, fed up with him after being persistent in his way of being silent.

    "Fine, let them eat me for all I care. There''s no reason for me to be here anyway. I -I just want my sister back! It''s because of me that''s she''s gone. I couldn''t do anything to help her, not even when we lived together in peace. I was only a hindrance, Y-Yet she, she loved me and took care of me no matter what," he hid his head behind his knees, crying again once more.

    I came up to him, wanting to soothe the atmosphere, and hopefully prevent us from dividing. It was also a given that I wanted to say what was on my mind. I sympathized with him heavily, nearly crying as if she were my own sister.

    "Marshall, listen. If your sister were here, she''d urge you. She wanted you to keep living on. As long as you''re alive, she is as well. The three of us will never forget her for as long as we live. How about you make something out of it and make her proud. She''ll wish she were there to see you and cheer you on, I guarantee that," I looked him dead in the eye, sternly speaking as I held my hand out.

    He took mine, wiping his tears away, ceasing from his self-torment.

    We crossed the stream, heading further into our current direction, not knowing what lies ahead, staying vigilant.

    The wind howled gently, blowing past the leaves into the sky.

    Who knows what time is it. No one knew where we were going, yet our feet moved towards somewhere, just to get away from that.

    After a long, rigorous moment of trekking barefoot into the wilderness, we came upon a small village near a forest a meters away, with a handful of wooden houses with chimneys spewing smoke from it.

    It looked to be a farming village, having granaries and fields of a beige color, assuming it to be wheat.

    The streets were paved, and one house looked to be a mansion in the farther side, not that far away from the other houses, having a small tower attached to it, making that one specifically an important one.

    A few wooden towers stood as well, having flickering flames of light hanging by the very top, indicating the presence of life.

    "A village! Finally, we might be able to rest after all," Bertrand said, relieved as his entire being awoke.

    my feet grasped upon the cold soil, bursting into a run, following the others who had already done what they thought of, leaving me to myself. A little bit saddening, but I could have done the same if I were given a bit more time to relish the welcoming sight.

    But just as we came towards the village, we were stopped by people high up at the tower, pointing bows at us, calling more as they emerged from the inside boundaries of the village, wielding poor looking spears and swords, some even improvising with pitchforks; some wearing simple leather armor and nothing else to cover themselves with.

    "Halt! Stay where you stand! Who are you people? And what have you come here for?" a tall, well-built man looking to be skilled with his sword spoke cautiously, but with a bit of hostility, perturbed by our sudden arrival.

    No one could speak despite the reluctance of seeing the village, maybe it was because the answer could have been taken in the wrong way, and as a result, we could be turned away harshly.

    No one could say that we were prisoners sold off as slaves.

    "I''ll ask again. Who are you and what have you come here for? Speak quickly. Disturbing the peace in the village of Orias can spell you end as I have sworn to defend this village with my life. Now answer quickly and honestly. Are you friend, or foe?"

    I wracked my brain on what I could say, anything at all, so long as it didn''t cost us our chance at living through this mess we ended up in. I myself was becoming desperate, a horrid trait.

    Breathing in, gritting my teeth, and clenching my fists, I spoke saying, "We are prisoners. We escaped a camp somewhere holding innocent people taken from towns and cities," I came outright and said it, thinking that I could not lie whatever the situation.

    Would I curse myself afterwards, or would luck and fortune dwell on me?

    "Prisoners?! Near the village? This is more dangerous than I thought. You, tighten the guard''s perimeter around the eastern part of the village. We''re few enough as it is. Tell them to keep an eye out for suspicious people. And you four, I am afraid that prisoners are not welcome here, no matter the origin. We have stayed away from whatever is happening here in Barda, and we cannot start now by taking in prisoners," he said flatly, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword, seeing that we held blades ourselves.

    he bowed his head without hesitation, raising it again to speak saying, "I apologize, but before you leave, this village of ours will offer you something to eat. That is the only thing I and the people of this village can do."

    "Hush Frederick. This is no time to be so uptight. It''s the middle of the night. Let these young men come in. They look so ragged! Oh my. Come here, I will give you something to eat right away. Come now," an old lady spoke whose back was hunched over with a cane, one wearing a thick garb to shield her from the cold winds outside.

    "Elder?! What do you mean?! We cannot allow these people, otherwise the noblemen will come for us, and the rest will be able to justify ransacking the village for their own deeds," he objected, showing clear respect to the old lady in front of us.

    "Back then, I remember you always taking in people, helping them whenever they were in need. I wonder what happened. But don''t worry about that for now. Let me worry about those rowdy noblemen. Now you four, come with me. I hope you like what I''ve cooked. It''s just me after all. And you here, you''re welcome to join if you like," she faced some of the guards standing by.

    "Thank you for your kindness, Elder. But we have to protect the village."

    "Oh, how uptight. Very well then. Come by if you ever are hungry."

    She then started walking with her cane, following a path that led to only one building in the distance, the mansion that was positioned a few meters away from the other village houses.

    Without question, we followed her, thanking her in our heads time and time again for showing kindness, one that nearly made me weak in the knees.

 Chapter 9: Longing

    "Conrad! I thought I had lost you! Thank god you''re alright," he quickly ran to embrace his brother, also seeing a few others that he recognizes, including the village elder, who looked to be in low spirits.

    It was a few days back, and a small group of people consisting of women, the youth, and the elderly had arrived to Ryuviel at the first mark of dawn, exhausted and in need of attention, they trudged forth, not wishing to waste the opportunity given to them by their fellow villagers.

    "If you''ll allow me some time after you''ve rested, could I ask you questions about what had happened, elder?" said Hector, guiding the lady with his arms towards the palace, a place opened up by Gideon to the villagers since they hadn''t prepared anything for their sudden arrival.

    "I shall tell you once I have rested. I''m sorry, but my legs and body are not what they used to be. It seems that age is catching up to me quickly, and I cannot outrun it."

    The initial welcoming had died down, and every villager that was in the palace had now fallen asleep due to exhaustion.

    In the meantime, Gideon and Emilia were talking to each other, worrying about the things happening around them as not normal.

    "So, what can you make of this, Gideon. it hasn''t even been a full day, and developments such as roused bandits are rising in our territory. Soon we might be dealing with a raiding band if we''re not careful," she spoke in clear concern, her arms crossed as they both stood nearby their office.

    "I say that we''ll have to root out the problem, otherwise we''ll be letting them rampage across our territory... But still, I''m a bit hesitant to leave after what happened. With Evelyn gone, I''ll admit that it''s hard to manage things by ourselves," his eyes were closed as he said the latter part of his sentence, seemingly grudged not to say it.

    her eyes cast downward for some reason, drawing Gideon''s attention to her, giving only one guess to answer her doubts.

    "Still worried about that kid?"

    Her eyes opened in surprise, and she took a good look at him. Yet she could not deny that he was not wrong.

    "No one knows of what happened afterwards. Every single of them were dead, but his body wasn''t there. Still, there''s no use in losing hope. If his body isn''t there, then you can hope that he''s still alive somewhere."

    "You''re right. We''ll have to keep doing our duties even n their absence. Nothing good will come from brooding all day long," she said developing determination to push her further through this chaotic happening.

    "But still, this is surprising. You, being concerned for someone other than Evelyn. I wonder what that kid did to you," he laughed to himself in amazement, making Emilia remember something that she thought she had forgotten.

    She closed her eyes, exhaling and staying silent for a while, then leaving without any reason, other than her being displeasured or troubled.

    *sigh* "Women. I don''t get them," he followed her, shrugging his shoulders in exasperation. "I''ll train some men and scout out the territory. Maybe I can try and find out his whereabouts, or where these bandits are coming from."

    "That''s out of the question, Gideon. I will need you if ever an attack here breaks out. We are short on personnel, and I am irritated that we can''t do anything about it... Alright then, I''ve decided. I will lead the scouts. Prepare them at once, Gideon," she said to him, turning around.

    "If that''s what you want then. I have no quarrel against that. I''ll prepare them. Just wait for me and be prepared to move out right away while there''s still light out. Time is best used efficiently," Gideon left with a flutter of his cape, walking off somewhere.

    With Emilia left to herself, she thought about many things, including her friend, Evelyn, whom she had worried sick about, thinking a bad premonition is to come soon.

    But him, whom she thought badly of because she knew next to nothing about him.

    Yet her concern for him grew, why is that? Why does she not understand herself, she asked.

    "... Maybe I was too harsh to critique him as early as we met."

    Lacourte plains, a vast field of green grass parallel to the blue sky, place near the city of Ciel, a place fit for battle, a place where a fierce one is taking place.

    It was peaceful, devoid of any kind of obscurities to its natural beauty. But now bodies could be seen littering the field, blood covering every blade of grass.

    The screams for battle, pain, and agony, those of which ravaged the battlefield, making the innocent cover his ears and hide in fear of what might come next.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Bodies piled on top of each other, and more came, yet more waged battle with each other, the sound of metal clashing was nearly deafening as it was consecutively heard throughout, including the sound of the horns, those of which filled the people with the strength to keep moving forward without regards for their own lives.

    "Keep up the charge! Don''t falter, everyone! Remember those that you care for are inside of these walls, hiding and cowering in fear! Show them that you can defend them!"

    One maiden wearing simplistic blue armor yelled in resonance, raising her gleaming sword of magnificence in the sky like a banner, effectively moving the hearts of many.

    She was covered in blood, yet fll of energy and vigor, enough to hack and slash while on her steed, taking down foe after foe with ease, as if she was enough to take on the army''s entire role.

    "Follow my lead! Charge them from their flank!" she pointed her sword forward, improving her speed with her steed, and those who followed her, creating a small stampede of horsemen wielding spears, shields, and swords, wearing armor as heavy as they could carry.

    They would skewer and impale many upon their spears, showing how fearful their charge was, decimating their rear flanks with ease, emerging from the other side.

    "Retreat and be ready to perform another charge!" without lowering their momentum, she led the horsemen to a small slope that overlooked the raging battlefield drowned out by the sounds of war.

    "Rest for a few seconds and prepare yourselves. We will strike at an opportune time," she heaved her exhaustion, setting her blade down, which seemed heavier than usual.

    (Just a bit more, Aryelle. Please, just a bit more.)

    "There''s no time to waste! Now!" her horse reared, standing on its hind legs and neighing, then charging down the slope with the others, all roaring loudly and roughly.

    "My king! I have managed to drive them back for now. But they will be back, that is assured. Their general is rather skillful, matching my commands with his. Forgive me for not being able to drive them back fully," she said with one leg bent; her head lowered in front of the presence of a deathly pale man wearing regal, royalty clothes, and a golden crown upon his head.

    The pale man smiled, standing from his ornate throne, struggling yet, is able to stand firmly, walking towards her.

    "Worry not about it, my child. I apologize for sending someone as young as you into battle, only to take lives. Forgive this selfish, dying old man''s request. I had no other choice. This country is falling apart. I have no one to abdicate it to other than my daughter. But she needs someone to stand with, someone who will care for her. I will not last much longer, but I would like to see who my daughter would wed," he smiled, kneeling equally to her, dismissing his status for the meantime, drawing the attention of the guards beside him as they trembled from their armor.

    The man said to be the king looked young, yet his illness sped up and in turn made him into this.

    "Now stand, rest and recover your fatigue. I can only dream of what you''ve done out there."

    She walked away in clear despair, unable to do anything about their current situation.

    "Maybe I''ll write back to them. They should have no idea of what''s happening here still despite it being chaotic and a national problem," she spoke to herself, heading to her room.

    But right before she could enter the corridor leading her there, she was stopped by a timid girl with beautiful, short, curly, brown hair, wearing a white gown that labeled her as royalty.

    "Miss Evelyn, good afternoon. Am I disturbing you?" she fidgeted her slender body, looking at her from the side.

    "Ah, Princess Elise, how nice it is to make your presence. I have just done speaking with your father, and he seems to be in good health. how fares you?" she asked formally, catching her off guard.

    "Ah~ Lyn? Please, speak to me normally. I get nervous when you speak formally. I can''t find the words to say."

    "Don''t worry, I was simply playing a little with you. How have you been, Elise? It''s been a while ever since I''ve last visited, and on a bad time."

    "Yes, indeed it is a bad time. I simply can''t find a time to rest given that everyone is doing their best to keep us all safe, including you."

    They began walking leisurely, arriving to an open balcony that overlooked a peaceful mountain range across the vast area of land, devoid of the strife happening from the opposite side of the city.

    "Ahaha, it seems that you have found someone that piqued your interests. It''s not often that I hear you being with a man."

    "You should have seen him when he asked me to duel him. He fell face first, almost on the brink of crying. He always says these things nonchalantly. He doesn¡¯t really possess any finesse," Evelyn rambled on and on about him, telling the stories of his failures which she found amusing.

    "It must be nice, having someone close to you already. You must like him don''t you?"

    "Hmm? I don''t think that''s it. Maybe a more fitting title would be brother and sister. He always needs a helping hand, and I''m there to help him. But he''s hopeless more times than I could count. I wonder what he''s up to now?"

    "Still, I find it amazing that someone in this world could hold their own against other Zalphions."

    "If you''re that curious, I''ll introduce you to him when I come back. Who knows, you might end up liking him."

    "If he is as you say he is, then he doesn''t sound like a bad person; rather, he sounds like a very good person. I would very much look forward to meeting him."

    "Good, then it''s settled."

    They talked more and more, catching up to what has happened to their lives thus far, laughing joyously, separating themselves from the strife outside.

    "Well then, it seems that it is time for me to leave. I must write back to Ryuviel. They must be worried about now. Afterwards, I shall be going back into battle. Let us talk to each other again soon," she bowed to her, leaving with Aryelle, her sword, by her waist.

    "Heinrich, was it?" Elise said to herself, curious as to who this man is, and how he piqued her friend''s interest.

    "General, how are the casualties?"

    "Doable. Though the Zalphion has been attacking us fiercely, your tactics have helped us maintain a strong defense against her charges. Still, her strength is irrefutable. She leads the crumbling royal army, making them work and stick together like veterans. How do you suggest we handle this moving forward, my lord?"

    "As of now, I have not thought of it yet. The recent developments have led me to believe that she is also a skilled tactician, one that can adjust to her enemy''s tactics, and force her own to work through sheer power. What we need to do is corner her. That may be the only way to defeat someone as strong as her."

    "Very well. In the meantime, I shall have the men retreat back to the camp to rest. Many are wounded still, but their fervor to fight kept them awake. It seems that this is far from over, my lord. With you leading, I know that we will ascend great heights. I shall now take my leave," he bowed, saddling up to his horse and galloping away, running alongside the retreating army of thousands of soldiers.

    "I cannot fail my father. I can only use Ator as a last resort, and nothing else. I shall accomplish this with my own strength. Watch me, father. I shall fulfill your ambitions like they were my own."