We woke up a bit past sunrise and continued on our way towards the Citadel City.

The citadel city was a medium-size city. It had small walls, tall enough to be about the same height as an average adult. There were guards posted on the entrances on each side. We were able to pass through quickly with our Imperial Uniforms.

"We do not have enough time nor is it apart of our mission to spend a day at the Citadel City. However, since we would be taking the rest of the day off, you may instead take a walk around the Fort when we arrive." Melanie said as we continued across the city.

The road that was leading towards Fort Stoic was long and narrow enough for two wagons to travel side-by-side. For now, it was only us travelling on it.

The gate that we faced was a huge door that was operated by chains to open, close, and lock. After verifying our identities, we were escorted in and were asked to drop off the wagons.

"The Gate Captain has asked us to meet with the Garrison Commander. What are your orders?" Melanie asked as we all convened together.

I took a glance at Cameron, signaling him for his decision. He gave a subtle nod. "Of course." I said to the Gate Captain fellow who was with us. "Please lead the way Captain." He saluted and walked towards the direction of the Garrison Commander office.

We entrusted the wagons to the garrison forces and Cameron asked them for a resupply of provisions as he handed them the mission details. As we were being led around, I took glances from left and right of the courtyard interior. it was spacious and clean, but the ramparts were filled with pairs dotted across the whole length of it.

After about ten minutes walking around the various defensive installations, we were led to a plain wooden door. The Gate Captain who escorted us knocked on the door, "The team has arrived Commander!" He said. Then an equally loud voice replied back, "Let 'em in!"

The Gate Captain turned to look at us as he opened the door, "Please, enter." He said as he saluted.

I nodded and stepped inside, the rest of the enforcers shuffled in after me.

The interior of the office was filled with shelves with various books and documents on them. The desk at the center only had a few papers on top, and the huge muscularly man that stood behind it had an imposing aura despite wearing the uniform, which was insanely fitted on him by the way.

He had a thick beard and the eyes of a hunter, "So yer' the squad the little Julian sent huh?". he asked in a loud, booming voice.

"Yes, I am Viola Tessanya, acting Captain of Enforcer Team Four for this mission." I introduced myself with a salute. The members of the team introduced themselves after, with the proper tone and manners of course.

"I am Walter Holmes. son of Count Holmes from the Northern Region. I may be heir now but I plan to pass it on to my little sister, Gerbara." He said as we still stood, "You may know her as the Secretary from the bureau that half-sister of the empress heads. She is a better fit as the next head of House Holmes." He turned around and faced the window that overlooks the courtyard (presumably) with a distant look.

"I am only a warrior, and I will see to the defence of this fort till the end of my days." He was sharing a kind of a deep relationship but what was the point of it all?.

"Oh yeah, your quarters for the day have been allotted already. Please inquire to Captain Nikinis for directions towards them as well as your provisions. You may leave." He never faced us again and continued gazing at the window. A bit confused, we all saluted and left.

"What was that about?" I asked Cameron, who only shrugged. It was Joran who replied, "Maybe he was just taking a look see at who the L&O sent for this peculiar mission because you have to admit, this is a pretty unique case so we were bound to attract attention from time to time."

"Uh huh." I nodded. What he said made sense. We're kind of a unique mix of an enforcer team and a desk-only secretary, so of course there would be suspicions around us but we're doing honest work you know?

When we left the office, the Guard Captain who's named Nikinis, was waiting for us along with another female soldier. She was a head shorter than Captain Nikinis, and had a slim build. She wore her uniform with pride but you can subtly see she was nervous by how stiff she was standing still.

"Usually I would be the one to guide visitors in the fort but since I still have outgoing duties from the higher-ups I have to delegate this matter to. I apologize for being unable to do so, but rest assured, this individual is a diamond in the rough." Nikinis proudly claimed, and signaled for the soldier to step forward and introduce herself.

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She started with a stiff salute and her head held a bit too high, "I am Tiana Clesion! I will do my very best to offer the best hospitality Fort Stoic has to offer during your stay!". Her voice too was pitch too high.

We wore strained smiles as we introduces our team to her. Nikinis was just having a good laugh about her. I feel bad for her being tasked with being our guide since it seems like she's just a fresh recruit but her name was familiar, Clesion. I think I read about it a few times but I can't remember where exactly.

"If you'll follow me then, I'll lead you to our visitor barracks." Tiana said, still a bit stiff and led the way. We gave our leave to Captain Nikinis and followed Tiana.

The barracks for visitors or in the correct term of "non-garrison personnel" was a bit more to the side, near one of the watchtowers for one side of the cliffs. We went past the central courtyard, and the right-wing courtyard to get here which took us about almost half an hour. The barracks in question was right behind one the watchtowers, flanked by another watchtower on each side which were, by the way, all connected via the ramparts. Their elevation was about three or four meters high.

"If you don't mind me asking Tiana." I asked, "If I remember correctly, the Fort was built in a way where the central office at the center was at the highest elevation and as it spread out to cover the whole pass, it lowered down so that those in the center can monitor the whole area."

Tiana, was a bit relaxed now as she nodded, "You are correct Captain Tessanya." She stopped and turned to look at one of the watchtowers and pointed.

"Each one of those watchtowers are spread evenly in about half an hour in marching speed and are spread evenly in both sides of the Fort. They provide the necessary scouting information and defensive terrain during the initial skirmishes. " She continued walk towards the stairs that leads onto the top of the rampart where we also followed.

"At the top of these ramparts, you can see there are two rings of ramparts." She said as she turned around us and pointed behind us. She was right, there was another rampart and watchtowers on a higher elevation than where we were right now.

"This area is the outer ring is the area mostly open to non-garrison personnel. The inner ring is exclusively for the the garrison personnel since it was the ramparts and watchtowers on it are packed, providing the defenders faster response and a easily defendable position if the outer ring fell." Tiana continued, this time with all the excitement of a little girl, "This happened in history as well. Prince Dominic was once tasked with defending this pass and due to the stubbornness of the commanding officer of the fort, the outer left-wing was breached forcing the outer right-wing defenders to shift there forces to defending at the inner right-wing. Thanks to the explosives Prince Dominic used at the time, they were able to fend off the invaders and was able to push them out of the Fort. The rest is history."

We continued exchanging small talk about the the fort itself and her duties here. Apparently, she was posted here three months ago and was assigned to be an assistant to Garrison Captain Nikinis at the recommendation of Princess Liana Astrium, the director of the Intelligence and Communications Bureau. After a few more exchanges, she had bid us farewell to see to her other duties and we were asked to wait for dinner time before we can retire to bed.

The team spent this time at the shared common space for the non-personnel living quarters seated in a circular formation facing each other. Since I was the official commander in charge, I thought it was best to start things off rather than relying on Cameron for discussions.

"All right!" I exclaimed, "Now that we'll be spending the night here, I would like to confirm our travel plans for the days on the road towards Auburn City." I looked towards Cameron, who in turn glanced at Joran who nodded in reply from seeing his glance.

"If the weather continues to be as plain as it is today for the following days, we would be arriving at Auburn City in about four days. We will be passing through small villages along the way to have the horses have sufficient rest and to still get up-to-date information about the daily goings of the empire, not like anything drastic is going to happen."

I was fully focused on his explanation as he nodded, "Thank you Joran." I took a look at each of them one at a time before continuing, "That will be our travel plans for the time being. If you have any questions please raise them now so that I can always be aware of them. Be it for our route or my attitude these last few days, those concerns will be greatly appreciated."

Silence, and a few glances at each other were the replies they gave. But I didn't give up. "I know, and fully understand, that I am an unknown in your teamwork but I assure you, I have enough talent to back up my status as a wind mage and only lack the battlefield experience you all have." I took a deep breath. "So, I would like to propose that you take into account my magic capabilities in future situations of this mission by accompanying me to the training ground tomorrow morning before we set off. I would like to show you all what I am capable of and you are all free to spar with me on that occasion."

I stood up and bowed at them, "Official ranks and posts will not matter during this duel so please. I want you to see for yourself that I can be a temporary member of this team, and not just some name stuck onto it for formalities sake."

The silence from the group continued until Cameron's chair slid across as he stood up. "Lift your head Captain."

I did as he said and saw in his eyes a focused gaze. "While it is true that our teamwork efficiency is high and you factoring into that will create complications but." He walked closer to stand face-to-face with me. "I recognize this determination you have of not being just a person to protect but a temporary addition to our ranks." He placed his right hand on my shoulder. "I, Lieutenant Cameron of Enforcer Four, will personally see to it that we will find an adequate position for your temporary service to this team."

The rest of them stood up simultaneously and saluted, "Welcome to the team!" They all bellowed as they stood straight and proud.

I felt my chest tightened, and the burden of causing the awkward atmosphere to lessen a bit. "Thank you. I will do my best in tomorrow's test!" I boldly proclaimed.