The royal palace's throne room was packed to the brim with nobles and high-ranking royal knights as everyone gathered to hear the king's announcement. It was easily the largest room in the palace and the domed ceiling that was painted with a mural of the kingdom's founding loomed six stories above the gathered people. Marcus sat on a throne that was elevated upon twelve steps so that he could survey his people with ease. Stephany sat next to him, her black hair flowed freely down to her shoulders, she wore a white dress with gold trim to match Marcus, and her warm blue eyes looked cautiously around the room. Terence, the second prince, sat beside his mother; his short black hair was neatly combed down and his gold eyes wandered the room. Unlike his mother, Terence wore black clothes with gold trim; a sign he was royalty but not the same as his brother. Richard Ordrin stood near the front of the crowd and felt uneasy with how happy Marcus seemed to be.

"Duke Ordrin?" Charles Felswore, followed by Lucina, pushed their way through the gathered people to stand with the Duke. "Were there any agendas requiring us to gather, today?"

"No, I was only made aware to gather here a few hours ago." Richard gave a nod of greeting to Lucina who bowed in return. "What brings you so close to the throne, though?" While the dukes of the kingdom were required to stand at the front of any gathering, that wasn't so with counts.

"I'm not sure," Charles admitted. "When I arrived, I was told by a servant to stand near the front as His Majesty would require something of me."

"…Really?" The unease in Richard's heart grew and he turned his eyes back to the throne. In a hushed tone to be drowned out by the crowd, Richard muttered, "I don't like thi-"

"Now entering, the Crown Prince and Princess!" a servant announced the entrance of James and Olivia. All the people gathered gave a respectful bow as they walked up the center aisle toward their seats next to Marcus. James confidently led Olivia, who held a perfect mask of elegance, to her seat before taking his own and giving a nod to his father. Now that everyone had gathered, Marcus raised his hand and the room fell silent.

"I thank you all for gathering on such short notice to be here this day. This day that will go down in history across Pianeta," Marcus declared in a booming voice filled with confidence that echoed throughout the throne room. "As you all know, we have held an uneasy peace with our eastern neighbors of Peltaira; a peace forged from the blood of our forefather's fallen bodies! Eighty years ago, our great kingdom was invaded by Peltaira in a petty land grab that saw the Duchy of Relsh lose a large swath of its farmlands. While our ancestors halted Peltaira at the city of Mursk and forced the invaders into a peace treaty, Peltaira kept the lands they stole from us. And for eighty years since, we have lived with that blight on our kingdom's glory. No more!" Marcus stood up and all who saw him felt an awe sweep over them. "On this day I, Marcus Veldmark Arlexton, declare a new age for Urldrusk and the entire continent of North Kelica! I call upon the dukes of Relsh, Sevette, and Holst to raise your banners alongside my own and answer my call to arms!" He outstretched his arms and gestured to the dukes who stood before him.

"Relsh hears you, Your Majesty!" Duke Hoffman proudly declared and took a knee.

"Sevette hears you, Your Majesty," Duke Mordrist took a knee while hiding her annoyance.

"Holst hears you, Your Majesty," Duke Ordrin reluctantly took a knee.

"Duke Einbore," Marcus addressed the last of his dukes who was standing by with an uneasy look on his face at the thought of war. Einbore was the shortest of the dukes, but his muscles and powerful status as an Aurister were unrivaled. His red armor was accented by the black fur of various demons, and his long red hair and piercing orange eyes gave him the nickname 'Flame of the North'. "As your lands are still beset by demons, you will be exempt from my call as the security of the north is your top priority."

"…Lorn hears you, Your Majesty." Einbore was surprised by Marcus not forcing him to send troops but wouldn't question the leniency he had received and he took a knee.

"Your Majesty?" Richard spoke up while still kneeling. "While I understand the necessity for Duke Einbore to remain in the north, that means we will not have the Celeste Giant knights during this campaign!"

"You are correct, Duke Ordrin, which is why we will need to think of a solution to our manpower shortage," Marcus answered while a sly smile played across his face.

"The Duchy of Relsh," Duke Hoffman shouted for all to hear, "hereby declares it will raise all who can fight! Ours were the lands stolen eighty years ago, so we will give our all for this campaign!" The gathered people started whispering and praising Hoffman for stepping up without being called.

"Your drive is admirable, Duke Hoffman, and I am humbled as your king that you would show such support in our time of need." While he didn't speak further, Marcus looked to Duke Mordrist and Ordrin expectantly. Now that Hoffman had made a show of willingly sending more men, and the gathered people were on his side, the expectation was upon the two remaining dukes to make a decision. Olivia felt that something was wrong and started to dig through her memories of the game to recall anything she could about this war. Though, she couldn't recall the game mentioning anything specific as the classes the Saintess took would often be only a blurb of information for the player as background text.

"As one of the largest duchies," Duke Mordrist spoke while doing her best to not clench her teeth, "the Duchy of Sevette declares it will raise all who can fight for our kingdom." More whispers danced through the throne room praising Duke Mordrist for stepping up.

"…" Richard felt the eyes of everyone upon him and he gave a soft disparaged sigh before speaking, "The Duchy of Holst holds our kingdom close to our hearts and will raise all who can fight."

"I applaud you, my dukes, for standing together at the cornerstone of greatness for Urldrusk! Applause!" Marcus gave his cry and the room erupted into a thunderous applause that cemented the future of Urldrusk. Yet no matter how loudly the people cheered, Richard's fists still clenched in apprehension at the thought of a war without Einbore's troops. "Through your combined arms alongside the brave Wizards of the Tower, we will not only reclaim what was once ours but also show Peltaira who rules this continent."

From the crowd, Archmage Mystyr approached the throne and bowed, "The Wizard's Tower will also provide all who are able for your campaign, Your Majesty. The victory of Urldrusk is the victory of all."

"Truly, our kingdom is blessed with such great individuals," Marcus embellished his praise and looked to Mystyr. "You have my thanks, Archmage."

"That being said, I would like to make a proposal, Your Majesty." Mystyr's words weaved their way through the room and he smiled up at Marcus. "While I do not doubt our victory, all wars are costly and both sides must pay with blood. For the security of our future, and the future of the Wizard's Tower, I ask you to allow us to conduct a Calling!" Whispers danced around the room as both those who were opposed to and those who condoned the request talked amongst themselves, but none dared raise their voice. "And, similar to the apprentice knights of the orders, I ask that you allow our newest initiates to join this campaign to gain experience and fight for their kingdom!"

"Hmm," Marcus feigned being deep in thought about the idea, to act like this all wasn't planned out from the beginning. "Very well, we should not waste such talent and should do what we can to see them prosper. Conduct the Calling, and prepare initiates with sufficient talent to be ready to deploy and do their part for Urldrusk."

"I shall begin making preparations at once, Your Majesty," Mystyr said while giving a deep bow.

"And, speaking of doing their part," Marcus mused and turned his gaze to Charles. "Count Felswore, I'm glad you were able to receive the summons in time."

"…It is an honor, Your Majesty." Charles, upon being called, stepped forward and took a knee. "Was there something you required of Gauldrin for your campaign?"

"Indeed there is," Marcus answered as an unreadable smile played across his lips. "This will be the largest campaign in Urldrusk's history, and even though you are one of our nation's bread baskets I would trouble you with providing more to the war effort."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Charles replied a bit confused at what Marcus was getting at. "As you say, it is my duty to provide what I can during a time of war. Gauldrin's silos are yours as always, Your Majesty."

"I wasn't just talking about food rations, Count Felswore." While Marcus held a joyful expression, Charles felt a weight being pressed upon him from the king's stare alone.

"Not just…? But, Your Majesty," Charles tried to keep himself composed as he continued, "Gauldrin does not have a knight order of our own as we rely on the Azure Hawk knights of Duke Ordrin. While we could raise our farmers as soldiers, that would halt food production! If it is not food, then I am not sure what Gauldrin could still provide."

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"The Gauldrin county has, in the past, been exempt from sending troops so that, as you've said, your people can focus on food production," Marcus agreed and gave an understanding nod. "However, the scale of this campaign is unprecedented so I ask that even the bread baskets of Urldrusk provide at least one from their household to join the fight as a sign of loyalty in these uncertain yet great times." Whispers of understanding were exchanged between the gathered people as they all thought sending only a single person sounded reasonable.

"But, my son Adam is my heir!" If a noble house of Urldrusk was asked to send one of their own it would almost never be the heir for fear of something happening to them on the battlefield and the noble's lineage ending.

"Indeed he is, he is also currently studying at the royal academy, is he not?" Marcus easily agreed.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Adam is progressing at a wonderful pace into becoming a worthy heir to Gauldrin, so I cannot-"

"But, what about your daughter?"

"!?!" At the mention of Lucina, Charles tensed up and all the whispering nobles stopped. Olivia, who had been lost in thought about the game, instantly snapped back to reality when she heard Marcus' suggestion and she remembered a key piece of information she had previously ignored. Countess Lucina Sanguine was a war hero despite being only fourteen at the start of the reverse harem route. "M-My daughter?"

"While I will ask this of all the others, as I've said, I called you out specifically today since you are in a unique situation." Marcus slowly stepped forward and his imposing presence made it impossible for Charles to dare raise his head. "You are needed to manage the food supplies, the Countess is needed in Gauldrin to manage your house, and your son Adam is in the academy preparing to take over the county… But, you also have a daughter who is free of such responsibilities."

"She is only ten years old, Your Majesty!" Charles dared to speak out and his voice shook with anxiety as he continued, "Even apprentice knights must be at least fourteen before they are even considered to join expeditions and subjugations; let alone a war!"

"You are correct," Marcus agreed while ignoring Charles' disrespectful outburst. "But, your daughter isn't normal. After all, she was the Magister who has helped the Crown Princess over the years shake up Urldrusk's social world with those self-heating teapots, and by bringing light to the streets of Wortrest." The gathered people all began whispering anew, and this time their eyes were fixated on Lucina who stood alone behind her kneeling father.

"!?!" Richard shot a glare at Duke Mordrist, but stopped when he saw her shocked expression; she didn't know the information had leaked to the king.

Marcus continued, "She held such talent since at least two years ago and has only shown improvement ever since, so I can only imagine what she will do in the future. And, if she were to receive the experience of seeing Wizards in action, even if I would have her stationed in the rear to keep her safe, then I believe she will only continue to grow as someone who will bring a new light to Urldrusk."

"B-But she isn't a wizard!" Charles grasped at whatever he could to stop this madness. "Only wizards are allowed to serve in the military, and she has not joined the tower!"

"She has not joined the Tower, yet," Marcus corrected with a stern tone. "And while the Wizard's Tower is by no means easy to enter," Marcus deliberately ignored the fact that wizards didn't need preexisting talent since they drew their powers from their staff or orb, "I believe they would welcome someone like your daughter. What say you, Archmage?" Marcus turned to Mystyr expectantly. This point was moot since upon entering the tower even those who could harness magic without a staff or orb would find their innate talent taken away as the gods forsook them, but his phrasing managed to convince some of the onlookers just enough to begin gossiping in his favor.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Mystyr agreed. "We would be honored if Lucina Felswore, the daughter of the noble Count Felswore, was the first to answer the Calling."

"…" Lucina felt the stares burning into her with greater intensity and her heart was racing in her chest. Her throat felt dry and words were failing her, all she could do was stand near the front of the crowd with what felt like the entire kingdom staring into her soul. She looked to Olivia whose face was stricken with horror at the events that were unfolding, but what truly stuck with Lucina was catching the look on James' face. While James was doing his best to keep his expression under control, he couldn't hide the joy in his smile. At that moment, Lucina knew that James had found out about her talent and told the king so that she would be sent off to die under the pretext of fighting for the kingdom. He was giving her some honor among the royal family by naming her a wizard, which was more than she expected from him, but that paled to the danger of asking her to fight in a war.

"Y-Your Maje-" As Charles dared to speak out again, his words caught in his throat when he noticed someone start kneeling beside him.

"Lucina Felswore accepts His Majesty's charge," Lucina found her courage, knelt by her father's side, and looked up to meet James' gaze; he looked surprised she had willingly accepted. But, if she hadn't stepped up now, Lucina knew that Marcus would only continue to push and push until he got what he and James wanted. If Charles kept refusing while Marcus held the support of the gathered nobles, she dared not think about how they could harm Gauldrin for the 'disrespect' he was showing. What was one alleged bastard to the battlefield for the Count to show such disrespect? Charles also knew how pointless it was to resist, but still wanted to try for her; which was enough in Lucina's mind. "May I dare ask, Your Majesty, if I may be sent with Duke Ordrin and the Azure Hawks?" Having Marcus' gaze upon her froze Lucina's racing heart and she found it suffocating to be near him.

"Since you've willingly come forward, of course, I will grant such a simple request," Marcus happily declared and clapped his hands. "I assume this is acceptable by you as well, Duke Ordrin?" Marcus wasn't genuinely asking, but he did so to keep up appearances.

"…I will see her safe, Your Majesty." Richard dreaded thinking about taking Lucina to war, but if he had to then he would make sure she didn't come to any harm by keeping her close to his side.

"Then it is agreed!" Marcus outstretched his hands to Lucina. "May you bring glory to Gauldrin, and to Urldrusk, Initiate Lucina!" Another applause rang out, though this one was more subdued as not everyone agreed with this outcome.

***

"No! I refuse to allow this!" One such person who didn't agree with Marcus was Elizabeth Felswore. Upon hearing the news, Elizabeth traveled to Wortrest to wait with Alice for everyone to return; except Derik and Adam who had to stay in the capital to continue attending the academy. Inside the castle walls of Wortrest was crowded with knights, carts, and horses as everyone was getting ready to march to the east. Elizabeth was holding Lucina tightly to her chest while tears ran down her face and she continued to cry, "Why?! Why do you have to go!?"

"…It's okay, Mother," Lucina put on a brave front for her mother. "I'll be with the Duke, so I'll be fine." Lucina looked to Richard to help her get out of her mother's embrace; she was hugging so tightly that it was getting hard to breathe.

"She will be stationed at the rear with the catapults like the rest of the initiates," Richard explained. "So long as she's with me, I will see her safely returned home once the war is over."

"…" Elizabeth knew Richard meant well and that this situation wasn't his fault, but that didn't help her weeping heart come to terms with potentially receiving a letter reporting Lucina's death in battle.

"Come, Elizabeth," Charles put a hand on his wife's shoulder and gave it a soft squeeze. "As parents, we should be brave for her."

"…I know," Elizabeth reluctantly replied and let go of Lucina. She tried to say something encouraging to her daughter, but nothing came out and her mouth only opened and closed as she failed to find her voice.

"Lucina…" Charles knelt down in front of his daughter and fixed her clothes that had become disheveled from Elizabeth's crying. Since she was now a wizard, Lucina was given a white robe with a hood that signified the lowest rank in the tower. The ends of the robe dragged on the ground and the sleeves went past her hands as wizards were only supposed to receive a robe when they passed a test at the age of fourteen; this was their smallest size. Beneath the robe Lucina wore sturdy light brown pants and a matching brown shirt; since she was a wizard that would be in the rear she wasn't allocated armor as a way to save costs. She was also given a staff with a crystal embedded into the top, but the staff was double her height standing at two hundred and fifty-four centimeters in length making it awkward to hold. Lucina was fearful at first of losing her magic as soon as she took hold of the staff but found she was still able to cast spells after she had let go so it seemed the gods hadn't abandoned her just yet. Thankfully, at least, her leather boots fit just fine so she wouldn't develop any foot pains. Charles finished adjusting her clothes and looked Lucina in the eyes. "Be safe; that is your top priority. I know you're talented, but your survival is paramount before everything else. Understood?"

"I understand, Count." Lucina still didn't call him her father despite being grateful for his words; calling him such still felt alien to Lucina. It also felt like, if she said it, she would be saying her final goodbye.

"…Good." Charles didn't push for it. "I leave her in your hands, Duke."

"I will do all I can so that this war doesn't drag on," Richard said not only for the Felswores but also for his wife who was refusing to give him his great helm. "Alice."

"…If you don't come back I won't forgive you," Alice finally relented. She kissed the helmet before handing it to Richard who held the helmet to his forehead for a brief moment before tying it to his belt.

"I'll be back," Richard comforted Alice with one last hug before departing with Lucina to return to the capital. As a show of unity, Marcus wanted the three participating dukes to gather at the capital with their respective knight orders so they could parade through the streets before leaving. The cheers of the people as the knights rode by didn't match the dread in Richard and Lucina's hearts.

"Father…" After Marcus gave a speech to boost his ego, Olivia approached her family's knights to wish them well and see them off. She walked up to her father while holding a handkerchief she knitted herself that depicted a blue hawk.

"I'll be back, Olivia," Richard softly kissed Olivia's forehead before stepping away toward his horse and Olivia walked over to Lucina.

"…" The two stood silently as Olivia produced a second handkerchief; this one was embroidered with a blooming lily. "I know you like how my aura manifests…so…" Her words caught in her throat.

"Thank you, Olivia." Lucina took the handkerchief and, with Olivia's help, tied it around her right wrist underneath her robe's sleeves. When she finished, Olivia's hands lingered on Lucina's as if not wanting to let go. "Oli-?"

"You'll make it back," Olivia whispered in a shaky voice. In the routes Olivia remembered from the game, Lucina was alive and present in the reverse harem route so she knew there was a chance she would live, but that didn't stop Olivia's heart from racing at the thought of Lucina going off to war when she was only ten. Since she didn't show up in the other routes, did that mean Lucina died during this war? For the first time since she reincarnated, Olivia wished for the reverse harem route to be true so that Lucina would definitely return alive. "Don't…you dare prove me wrong… We'll drink tea and enjoy sweets when you get back, okay?"

"…Okay," Lucina replied and gave a soft smile. Despite wanting Olivia to keep holding her hand, Lucina pulled herself away and walked over to Richard; the knights were ready.

"Azure Hawk knights!" Richard roared out as he hoisted Lucina onto his horse so she was sitting in his lap. "We fly!" The courtyard of the palace was filled with the thunderous hooves of countless horses and the rattling of supply-filled carts as the various knight orders set out for the border. The knights rode through the streets of Gorinville to the cheers of its citizens who wished to show their support for the departing knights. As they traveled under a bridge, Lucina noticed Adam standing atop the bridge with other students of the academy. Adam's face was distraught at watching her leave, but he still waved and gave her a cheer as she passed which put a smile on Lucina's face.

"Lucina," Richard spoke once they exited the walls of the capital and were in open plains. "You should cry, now."

"I should cry?"

"Our travels to Peltaira will be the only time you have to cry because there's no room for that during war. Even in the rear, the threat of death will become your closest companion and it will strike if you let your guard down." Holding the reins of his horse in one hand, Richard put his now free hand on and gently stroked Lucina's back. "You did great facing Marcus, and holding yourself together in front of so many people."

"…"

"You put on a brave front for your family, and for my daughter. Your companionship has been an invaluable source of happiness for Olivia, and you have my eternal gratitude for that." Richard felt Lucina start to tremble. "You will live, Lucina."

"!?!" Richard's kind words tore down Lucina's last pillar of strength and she started wailing into his breastplate. Even if she knew about Olivia's prophecies, she didn't want to go to war; especially not because James was using this as an excuse to get rid of her. Even if she survived, would she be the same? There were tales of knights who, upon returning from the battlefield, were like completely different people because of what they had to go through. Would Lucina be like them? She thought she had suffered enough while growing up but the world wouldn't allow her peace, so she accepted Richard's offer and cried her eyes out while she still could. Richard gave a nod to the knights around him and they slowed down to give him and Lucina some privacy; only Richard and the gods should witness her wails.

Later on in his life, Magister Lucus would contribute to a history book that would circulate across North Kelica and beyond. In this book, Lucus would pen that the day Marcus Arlexton declared the Unification War of the North Kelica continent marked the beginning of Lucina Felswore's final downfall and ushered in the rise of Lucina Sanguine: the Butcher of Toldrin.