"Kaido!" the man bellowed, his voice echoing across the room, stirring Kaido from his weary reverie. With a laborious effort, Kaido hoisted his hand, grimacing at the sharp sting of his half-mended wounds. "Here," he managed to rasp out, his voice a rough whisper in the sterile air.

The messenger navigated through the rows of beds, each cradling a soldier bearing the scars of war. "Sir," he addressed Kaido with a deferential nod, extending an envelope sealed with the emblem of a white katana set against a stark black background. The insignia of House Ardentblade.

Kaido's gaze lingered on the seal, a flood of memories surging through him. He recalled his childhood home, the rigorous training grounds of House Ardentblade where his journey had first begun. Those days felt like a lifetime ago.

With a heavy sigh, he broke the seal and unfolded the letter. The words were from Lord Baharius of House Ardentblade:

"Kaido, reports of your valor in the battlefields of Toria have reached me, a testament to your achievements, far surpassing your father's failures. I send this message with hope that you will redirect your focus towards defending the rights of your ancestral House, rather than conquering weaker factions. Our ancestral lands are facing dire times, as invaders trample upon our soil and raids ravage our borders. The looming threat of deeper incursions fills me with apprehension, and I fear that the worst is yet to come. In these desperate times, men of your caliber are desperately needed.

In light of this, I've arranged the termination of your bond with the Iron Vanguard Mercenaries. You will find your dues settled, a gesture of goodwill and in spite of your father's misdeeds. I extend this favor, hoping you might redeem our house in this time of peril.

Enclosed are your disbandment papers and a portal ticket to New Arcadia, our newly designated capital, as the former, Borderfall, now teeters on the brink of chaos. In New Arcadia, a contingent of 30 awaits your command. Your task: to defend Borderfall against an impending assault.

Remember, Kaido, you are not bound to follow my directive. However, consider the enemies your father made and the influence I wield. This release from servitude is but a token of my respect for your prowess. Working for me might even bring you back the honor lost by your father, and perhaps, in time, a chance to reclaim your place at House Ardentblade. Additionally, I present a final incentive to sway your decision, attached herein.

-Signed, Lord Baharius, House Ardentblade."

Kaido's hand fell to his side, the letter slipping slightly as he gazed absently at the sunbeams filtering through the windows. A decade of relentless warfare, a servitude stretching into the foreseeable future, now abruptly ceased. His eyes scanned the attached document, a formal annulment of his slavery contract, complete with a calculated remuneration: 500 F-grade System Coins per day, amounting to 1,943,500 coins for 3887 days of service.

He activated his status screen, a holographic display materializing before his eyes. It detailed his identity as a human, Kaido, with a balance of 1,943,500 F-grade System Coins. His status was listed as F-grade (middle), accompanied by a collection of titles: "Battle-Hardened Warrior," "Torian Hero," "Son of the Fallen."

The final attachment was a deed to an item from the esteemed Xilrium Collection, granting Kaido the right to claim an F-grade weapon of potentially immense value. Kaido furrowed his brows in contemplation. Such a windfall seemed too fortuitous, almost unsettling.

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With a renewed sense of purpose, he swung his legs off the bed, feet landing firmly on the cold stone floor. The decision loomed over him—whether to aid his grandfather, Lord Baharius, or forge his own path. But first, he would claim this weapon from the Xilrium Collection. Only then would he determine his next course in this abruptly altered destiny.

Kaido rose from the bed, his movements catching the attention of the wounded soldiers around him. To some, he was a beacon of heroism, to others, a testament to folly. In his heart, he saw himself merely as another soldier, one fated for a premature end, chained by a service contract spanning a near century. Most contracts here were mere monthly commitments. His, however, would have stretched for 89 more years, were it not for his grandfather's intervention. Gratitude was a complex sentiment for Kaido – was this a small sacrifice for his grandfather, or a ploy to draw him into even more perilous battles?

Kaido pondered his grandfather's sudden interest in his welfare. The old man had never shown concern for Kaido's fate before. Was it genuine, or a strategic move borne from desperation amidst the invasion? The very thought that his achievements had reached the ears of high-ranking officials was astonishing, yet it brought no comfort. Perhaps their situation was so dire that even he, a disgraced son's son, was seen as a beacon of hope. The idea of risking his life for a man who had exiled his father, sentencing them both to a lifetime of servitude, was infuriating. Kaido contemplated tearing the letter to shreds, burning it right there. Yet, as he half-limped out of the hospital, his resolve was clear. He was a warrior, bound to the battlefield, his only mistress the goddess of death.

The camp outside unfolded before him, a scene of martial discipline and readiness. Swords clashed, archers loosed arrows at straw dummies, and sparring men grunted with exertion. This place, once a temporary encampment, was transforming into a permanent command center.

His eyes then fell on Captain Eldrin, once a figure of formidable authority, now relegated to training raw recruits. It was a sight incongruent with their recent victory. As Kaido approached, the captain noticed the recruits' awestruck gazes and turned to see Kaido. "Kaido," he greeted with a mix of admiration and concern. "You look half-dead. Rest more. We're expecting high-tier healers soon. Or has fame blinded you to your own mortality?"

Kaido offered a weak smile, acknowledging the captain's wisdom. "Thank you, Captain. But plans have changed. My grandfather has released me from my contract and offered me a command in New Arcadia. I plan to travel to Borderfall."

The captain's eyebrows shot up. "Released you? How? And... Borderfall? That's a death sentence! The whole place is on the brink of collapse."

"How so?" Kaido inquired, his interest piqued.

Captain Eldrin shook his head, disbelief etched on his face. "It's common knowledge, Kaido. The Crimson Alliance has waged war against the Ardentblades, capturing a third of their lands. Everyone thinks their downfall is inevitable. Even our generals declined to send aid. It's a lost cause."

"I see," Kaido said, his voice betraying no emotion.

"You're not seriously considering joining them, are you? Don't be swayed by the men's admiration. You can't turn the tide of that war alone," the captain cautioned, his tone laced with genuine concern.

Kaido's gaze drifted to the young recruits, still not fully disciplined to keep their eyes forward, sneaking glances at the exchange. "Ah, but Captain, haven't you heard? I'm immortal" Kaido quipped, a faint smile touching his lips, a mix of irony and bravado.

The captain frowned, worry creasing his brow. "Thank General Torden for me. He was always fair," Kaido said, turning away from Captain Eldrin, his steps leading him toward the portal at the camp's heart.

"Don't be a fool, Kaido! Better to stay with us than join a doomed war," the captain called after him, his voice tinged with desperation.

Kaido remained silent, his resolve unwavering as he presented his portal ticket to the operator. Stepping through, he was engulfed by a kaleidoscope of shifting colors, the world around him morphing into an entirely different realm. In mere moments, he found himself in New Arcadia, a city that marked the beginning of an uncertain new path.