It had been about two months since I arrived in Cassis. In that time, I trained tirelessly to prepare myself for the impending war I had heard so much about. I felt different now; my muscles were not any larger, but they were much more refined. My skill with the sword had increased tenfold, thanks to Almon's teachings. I could now defeat all the other trainees without much effort.

Commander Almon called all two hundred trainees to the centre of the training ground. "Tomorrow, you will be leaving for the Sylvan border," he announced. The trainees exchanged glances—some nervous, others excited. "As you know, the war has been at a standstill for the past couple of months, but the emperor is preparing for a large assault to finally break the stalemate and All of you will be partaking in this assault."

The Sylvan Empire... that's where Prince Rhistal was from. His death must have caused quite a stir during the time I was locked up.

"Not to worry, soldiers," Almon continued. "You will be joining ten thousand other soldiers from various encampments around the city."

Ten thousand. If there were roughly two hundred of us here, then who knows how many more encampments there were? I felt a surge of curiosity. I had only ever seen that many people at Shibuya crossing, and even then, I doubted it was close to ten thousand. "I have never fought in a large battle," I thought to myself, wondering how different it would be from duels.

After Almon finished his speech, we returned to our rooms. Everyone was anticipating the upcoming battle. I sat on my bed, my mind racing with different scenarios, when my thoughts were interrupted by Ruvy.

"Are you scared?" he asked, a worried look on his face that seemed almost foreign.

"No. You?"

"Of course I am. The only person I've fought is you, and even then, it wasn't with real swords. How can I not be nervous?"

I chuckled softly. "You'll be fine. Just prioritize your survival. If fate permits, you'll make it through."

Ruvy didn't look pleased with my words, but they were realistic. Wars back on Earth were gruesome, and I wasn't a genius, but I knew that a war here wouldn't be much different.

As the light slowly faded from the room, a silence settled over the encampment. It was as if everyone was holding their breath, anticipating the coming days.

The next morning came swiftly. We were handed plain armour that covered only the necessary parts of our bodies, along with medium-sized swords similar to the ones we had trained with. The armour was simple, yet functional, designed to allow mobility while providing essential protection.

Commander Almon arrived and ordered us into formation, leading us out of the gates. What greeted us was a sight both awe-inspiring and humbling: thousands of soldiers, each lined up and ready to march towards their impending fate. The sheer number of troops filled me with a mixture of hope and a sense of belonging. It reminded me of blending into the crowd on my way to work back on Earth—a comforting anonymity amidst the collective purpose.

After a tense hour of waiting, a barrage of trumpets and drums sounded, signalling the start of our march. As we stepped through the streets of Cassis, women and children lined the pavements, waving us goodbye. Some were in tears, others wore smiles of pride and encouragement.

The final towering gates of Cassis loomed ahead, and as we passed through, the cheers of the crowd still echoed behind us. The sheer volume of soldiers was a testament to the scale of our endeavour. Even as we moved forward, soldiers continued to pour out of the city, a seemingly endless stream of humanity bound for the front lines.

The march was gruelling, yet there was a strange sense of unity among us. Conversations were sparse, but the camaraderie was palpable. Each step forward was a step towards an uncertain future, yet we moved as one, driven by the same purpose.

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As we continued, the landscape began to change. The bustling city streets gave way to open fields and dense forests. The air grew cooler, and the sounds of nature replaced the clamor of the city. The journey was long, and the weight of our mission settled heavily on our shoulders.

Night fell, and we made camp. The stars above were a silent audience to our whispered conversations and quiet preparations. The firelight flickered on the faces of my comrades, revealing expressions of determination and resolve. Despite the looming battle, there was a sense of peace in the shared experience.

Ruvy sat beside me, his usual nervousness tempered by the day's events. "I guess this is it," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah," I replied, staring into the flames. "This is it."

We fell silent, each lost in our own thoughts. The journey ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, I felt ready. The training, the camaraderie, and the sheer number of us—all of it gave me strength. As the fire crackled and the night grew darker, I closed my eyes, allowing myself a moment of rest before the storm that awaited us.

After four days of relentless marching, we finally arrived at our destination: a sprawling field teeming with activity. The landscape was dotted with tents and bustling soldiers, all surrounded by makeshift spike barriers that offered a semblance of security. It was an impressive sight, suggesting the presence of at least five thousand soldiers, if not more. The sheer scale of the encampment underscored the emperor's determination to tip the scales in this war. It was evident that he had been preparing meticulously, possibly for years.

As we entered the encampment, the scale of the emperor's preparations became even more apparent. Soldiers moved with purpose, setting up fortifications, sharpening weapons, and preparing for the days ahead. The air was thick with anticipation and the distant clanging of metal, creating an atmosphere of organised chaos. Despite the exhaustion etched on everyone's faces, there was an undercurrent of determination.

We were assigned a section of the camp and quickly set about making it our temporary home. Setting up our tents and arranging our gear, we worked efficiently, driven by both discipline and necessity. The nights were cold, but the fires we built provided warmth and a focal point for our weary bodies and minds. The stars above seemed to watch over us, silent witnesses to our preparations and whispered conversations.

One evening, as the camp settled into a rare moment of calm, I found myself reflecting on my journey. It had not even been half a year since I ended up in this foreign land yet so much had happened, then three faces appeared in front of me. It was Ascal, Thorsten and Rhistal. They stared at me blankly almost as if a reminder that I must survive due to their sacrifices. Their mouths moved but did not emit any sound and all I could read was.

Survive.

As the faces faded into the air, Ruvy, ever the source of anxiety and curiosity, joined me by the fire. He had been unusually quiet since our arrival, the weight of our mission pressing heavily on him.

"Do you think we're ready for this?" he asked, his voice barely audible over the crackling flames.

I considered his question for a moment before answering. "We've trained hard, and we're surrounded by thousands of others who have done the same. We may not know what lies ahead, but we're as ready as we can be."

He nodded, though his expression remained troubled. "It's just… I've never been in a real battle before. I don't know what to expect."

"None of us do," I replied gently. "But we're here now, and we'll face it together. We've got each other's backs."

As the days turned into weeks, the camp became a well-oiled machine. Drills and training sessions filled our days, sharpening our skills and instincts. Commander Almon was a constant presence, his stern but fair leadership inspiring confidence. We learned to fight as a unit, to anticipate each other's moves, and to trust in our collective strength.

One particularly cold night, Almon called a meeting with other important looking individuals, their faces clearly tempered by experience. As I listened to his briefing, the reality of our situation hit me anew. The emperor's strategy was ambitious, designed to deliver a decisive blow to the Sylvan forces. Our role was crucial, and the success of the entire campaign depended on our ability to execute our part flawlessly.

"We move at dawn," Almon announced, his voice steady. "This is what we've been preparing for. Stay focused, stay sharp, and remember your training. We fight not just for ourselves, but for everyone back home."

As we dispersed, a sense of solemn determination settled over us. I returned to my tent, the weight of the upcoming battle heavy on my shoulders. Ruvy was already there, his face pale but resolute.

Tomorrow was the day. The day I would battle with fate yet again. what this world had in store for me. Well, I could just sit back and let my path be guided.

To be continued…