As the sun began to sink below the horizon, the dull thud of training weapons echoed through the camp. The cool evening air was a welcome change from the stifling heat of the day, and I leaned back against the wooden wall of my quarters, letting the breeze cool my sweat-drenched skin. Training had been intense, but rewarding. My one-handed skill had grown, and now, the system had given me options I needed to weigh carefully.

A small screen hovered before my eyes, its text glowing faintly in the dim light of the room. I read through the two options: Shield Bash and Weapon Handling. Both seemed beneficial, but I needed to think strategically. My troops used spears, which were considered polearm weapons, not one-handed. So even though I preferred using one-handed weapons in combat, my men wouldn’t benefit from that unless I specifically trained them in swordsmanship or axes.

For Weapon Handling, the benefit was clear—it would improve the ease and control of any one-handed weapon, making strikes faster and more accurate. But that didn’t help me or my troops if we were mainly using spears.

Then there was Shield Bash, a skill that would improve both shield durability and grant a debuff called "destabilization" when I or my men bashed an enemy with a shield. What struck me about this option was its versatility. It wasn’t tied to just one weapon type. Whether I was using a one-handed sword, a spear, or even javelins, I could still carry a shield. Shields were an essential part of my strategy—providing defense against ranged attacks and creating openings in close combat.

After thinking it through, I knew Shield Bash was the better option. It wasn’t just about my combat prowess but about what would benefit the entire group. I selected the skill, and the system chimed in my head with a soft confirmation.

But it didn’t stop there. Another window popped up, and this time it was for my athletics. Reaching level five had unlocked two more choices.

Morning Exercise - Increased movement speed for you and your troops when not on horseback.

Well Built - Decreases chances of mortal wounds when a troop is injured.

The choices were harder this time. Movement speed could be crucial in certain situations—whether we were retreating or trying to outmaneuver an enemy. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that Well Built was the better option. It wasn’t just about speed; it was about survival. I needed my troops to survive, to hold the line in the face of overwhelming odds, to keep fighting even when the battle grew desperate.

In a world like this, where death could come swiftly and unexpectedly, Well Built gave me the peace of mind that if my troops were hurt, they wouldn’t die as easily. I selected it without hesitation.

The system quietly acknowledged my choice, and the screen faded from view. I exhaled, feeling a little lighter now that those decisions had been made.

The camp was quieting down as night crept closer, but my mind was still buzzing. Tomorrow, we would ambush the bandits—just like the one we had pulled off near Zeonica. Quick, brutal, and efficient. I could feel the weight of responsibility resting on my shoulders, knowing that how I executed the ambush would directly affect whether we lived or died.

I began mentally mapping out the plan, going over every detail in my head. We’d approach under the cover of darkness, surround the camp, and strike when they least expected it. Timing would be everything, but I was confident. We had the advantage in numbers, and now, with the new gear, we were better equipped than we had ever been before.

As I was deep in thought, a sudden knock on the door snapped me out of my focus.

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"Come in," I called, assuming it was one of the recruits.

The door creaked open, and to my surprise, it wasn’t a recruit—it was Sora. She stepped into the room, her usual cryptic smile replaced with something more serious. She closed the door behind her, and the air in the room seemed to grow heavier.

"Sora," I said, straightening up. "What brings you here?"

She walked toward me slowly, her eyes scanning the room before finally settling on me. "I wanted to talk to you... about tomorrow," she said, her voice low.

I gestured to the chair across from me. "Take a seat. What’s on your mind?"

She sat down, folding her hands in her lap. For a moment, she didn’t say anything, and I could see the tension in her face. Sora was always composed and always in control, but tonight, something was different.

"I’ve been thinking about the ambush," she started. "It’s a good plan, Augustus. But there’s something you need to know."

I raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

She hesitated, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her tunic. "Those bandits... they weren’t just sent by some random group. They were sent to kidnap me. By my family."

The weight of her words sank in, and I felt a chill run down my spine. "Your family?" I asked, unsure of where this was going.

Sora nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "They want me back. And if you kill them tomorrow, you’ll be making powerful enemies."

I leaned back in my chair, letting her words hang in the air for a moment. This was a lot to take in. Sora had always been mysterious about her past, but now I understood why. Her family wasn’t just some minor noble house—they had power, influence, and the means to make life very difficult for anyone who crossed them.

"So... what are you saying? You want me to call off the ambush?" I asked, my voice steady but firm.

She shook her head quickly, a few tears escaping down her cheeks. "No... I’m not asking that. I just... I needed you to know what you’re getting into. If you kill them, it’s not just the bandits you’re fighting. It’s my family. And they won’t forgive you for that."

I stared at her for a long moment, letting the gravity of the situation settle over me. Part of me wanted to be cautious and to weigh the risks carefully before deciding. But another part of me—the part that had fought bandits and poachers, that had faced danger head-on—knew that I couldn’t back down now.

"Sora," I said quietly, leaning forward. "I don’t see any problem with making your family my enemies."

She looked up at me, her tear-filled eyes widening in surprise. "You... you don’t?"

I smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "If it comes to it, I’ll capture Epicrotea myself and make you the governor there."

She let out a small, shaky laugh, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. "You’re insane."

"Maybe. But I’m serious," I said, standing up and walking over to her. "You’ve helped me a lot, Sora. And in return, I’m going to help you. No matter what happens with your family."

She took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing as the tension seemed to lift. "Thank you, Augustus. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

I reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You’re not alone in this. We’ll get through it together."

She looked up at me, her eyes full of gratitude and something else I couldn’t quite place. "There’s one more thing," she said softly.

I nodded, urging her to continue.

"After this... after the bandits are gone, I want to leave the Empire," she said. "I want to go to Aserai. Will you come with me?"

Her words took me by surprise, but I didn’t hesitate. "Of course. If that’s where you want to go, I’ll go with you."

A small smile played at the corners of her lips, and for the first time that night, she looked genuinely relieved. "Thank you."

But then her smile faded slightly, and she looked away. "There’s one more thing. You won’t be able to collect the bounty on those bandits. If my mother finds out, it’ll cause too many problems."

I shrugged. "That’s fine. I don’t need the bounty. We’re mercenaries, but we can afford to let this one go. Besides, it gives me more time to spend with you."

Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, the tension between us shifted into something else. Something deeper. Our bodies were close now, and the air between us seemed to thicken with unspoken emotions.