Inside the Imperial Palace, Northern Kingdom of Telios.
"...So it's true, then."
"Sadly yes, my King. According to our spies, Extas is at the moment planning to mobilize a large amount of troops in order to invade us."
"How are our chances?"
"...I've yet to gather enough information to give a precise conclusion, forgive me."
"...Make haste. And do not let this information leak into the public."
"Yes, your Majesty."
And so, the advisor left, leaving the king alone in his studies.
"If only you're still alive, Ray the Hero, none of this would've happen..."
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In the Southern Kingdom of Bale.
"So Extas is finally moving eh? Shall we participate?"
"Still too soon to make judgement, after all we do have to pick a side in this. Each Kingdom have a Chosen of their own. It'll be fatal if we make the wrong move in these turbulent times."
"Eh, who cares, I miss the Demon Battlefield, getting in a fight is fun!"
"Only you, Rute, only you. Still, we shall consider increase our fundings in self-defense and training."
"You know me well."
"Of course."
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Eastern Kingdom Valframe.
"I refuse to participate in your plan."
"But Miss, this is for the good of the Kingdom... the Continent's fate is at stake here."
"I refuse. Isn't one war enough already? How many more lives must be sacrifice for you fools to understand?"
"I understand that you need time, but this is the future of the world we're talking about here..."
"Get the hell out." - the sounds of a spell being cast at rapid speed.
"...Yes, Miss. Anything for our Chosen."
The servant left the room quickly.
"...Why does this always happen..." - the girl mumbles to herself, eyes thinking about something faraway.
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Western Kingdom Extas.
"So the information leaked. By your design, I presume? To sneak some fear into the public?"
"Ho, so quick of you to see through me, I'm impressed. Befitting to be our Chosen as always."
"Cheap flattery, that doesn't suit you."
"Heh, I don't usually suck up to people, but you're worth the effort to."
"Quit it, so what's next, Genius Tactician."
"Well, it involves you actually, Cole."
"Me? What's this now?" - Cole, looking confused.
"You're going on a trip, to Telios."
"For...what exactly?"
"I retract my statement earlier, that must've been a lucky guess." - the "Genius Tactician" looking very annoyed - "You're to go on a politic trip to Telios to find out the condition of their Chosen and to find information about the Hero."
"Isn't the Hero dead?" - Cole, seems very disgruntled that the Hero was brought up.
"Seems to be, yet...I'm not so sure. As long as I haven't seen his body with my own two eyes, I'm skeptical about everything."
"...You do know that I'll protect him if he's alive right?"
"Oh, guess we'll just have to replace you then." - the "tactician" said with a smile. A smile that sends chills down the bone.
"...I'll go."
"Of course you will."
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Meanwhile, our Hero, at the center of it all, is currently having a panic attack.
"...Another one knows my name....Another one knows my name...."
"...I don't want to fight anymore...No more sacrifices..."
His eyes are erratic, his minds flashing images from the battlefield in the past.
The smell of blood and steel.
The sounds of sword meets flesh.
The agonizing howls and screams .
The flashing banners.
The war drums.
The sounds of marching platoons.
It was so vivid. So real. Too real.
"I...need...my...drink..."
He desperately reach for a special bottle marked with "Relapse", open it and proceed to chug it down.
And so he collapses on the floor.
End of Chapter 5.