"Thanks for all the help you've given us, Reynald. We won't forget it," Laruse said, surrounded by his group, all ready to leave for their next destination.

"It's nothing. Helping each other in these times is just the thing we need to do. Just come visit if you ever get the chance, alright?"

"The food's good here. Wouldn't forget it."

"Oh, before I forget, here, take this. Just a token of my appreciation. I don't know how much of a help it might be, but, hopefully it will," Reynald said, handing Laruse a scroll sealed with a line of red silk, which looks older than it seems.

"What's this?"

"Just something that's been given to me when I was still a part of Julius' crew, saying that it'll protect me when I use its power. Who knows if it's true. But now, I put it in your hands."

After saying their farewells and having packed up the things they've bought, the group was on their way to leave, heading to the harbor where Julius and his ships await, to one of Farron's ports near the border of Independence.

But before they could disappear beyond the horizon, a voice called out to a specific person, namely Laruse, who turned around to see who it was.

"Laruse, please come visit! I'll be waiting for you!" she yelled out loudly while waving in a cutesy, head turning, and captivating manner, but not enough to elicit a wanted expression from his face, being given only his best and energetic smile.

"I will! See you, Lucia!" Laruse waved back at the exhilaration, making himself as vast and free as the sky above, carrying a cold breeze and comfortable looking clouds.

"Got another one yet again, Laruse. How impeccable," Cecil came close to him as she teased.

"I don't think that's the case. Who knows."

"Either you're dense, or really into breaking people's feelings. How twisted."

"That's just how things go. Now, enough of this. We'll mess around later. I'm pretty anxious to get back home. It's been a while since we've been away for so long," Laruse looked beyond the vast sea as they came upon the harbor, teeming with life as fishermen, merchants, and people have come to buy and sell at the bustling district of the town, crowded with not only people, but ships coming to and from the docks.

"It has been quite the adventure so far. Who knows what else might happen along the way. Simply inspiring enough to make a ballad of," Andersen said as he strummed his instrument; with his rather superfluous hair flowing with the strong wind blowing past them.

"You're right about that. Though I wouldn't hate the idea of having to go back first and making trying to think about how I'm still alive so far. Everything just feels so surreal that it's terrifying," Remuil smiled upon jesting.

While the others reminisced briefly, Claire was busy looking around, Zafra was carrying Robin as she slept on his back; Juliet and Beatrice mingled with each other, also admiring the bustling sight.

Reaching the docks, they were welcomed by Julius, who stood with another person beside two large ships whose flags fluttered in the air.

"Ah, You've come, everyone! We're just about ready to set sail. Isn't she a beauty. We've been through a lot with her, the crew and I," Julius said as the group admired the large ship that stood beside them, looking to be nearly as large as a battleship.

"Julius. Have you been waiting long?" Laruse asked as the two of them shook their hands.

"Not long. I've just been catching up with my friend. Which reminds me, I'd like to introduce you to him. Laruse, meet my friend, Devin Hartford, the governor of the city," Julius presented a man who had a refined air, and was very different from him, having a normal frame just like Laruse, with a short kempt dark hair, wearing a regal outfit, common among the governors of the City-States.

"This is Laruse, a friend I met, and the one I've told you about," Julius continued, giving the man named Devin an impressed and reluctant look as he sharply gazed at Laruse, as if to investigate him with his eyes.

"So it's the one from Jules' stories eh? Interesting. Nice to meet you. Hartford, the governor of this city. I thank you personally for helping keep the peace without the need for official intervention. What this continent needs are more people who stands up to the opposing ideals; having the will to make the change. I have a feeling after looking into your eyes that might be someone special.

"I get that a lot somehow. It's nice to meet you."

After speaking for a while, Laruse's group settled down inside the ship as the three of them became rather acquainted to each other, happily engaging in small talk that they found entertaining, removing stiff formalities that came with being a governor.

"Ha ha, is that so? Though I'm only twenty-three, I'm already starting to miss being an adventurer. The quests and discoveries that we came across. Ahh, the memories are just flooding back. But, I have a responsibility here now. Protecting the people is an important task, and the thought of people leaving the safety of their lives to you... it's an honor," he displayed a chivalric attitude, one that captivated the attention of the local populace walking by the area, mainly the maidens.

"He might not seem like much, but he's protected this city countless of times from monster attacks and bandit raids, the frequent rabble. Not every time that you get a pretty face who's actually capable of something, Ha ha ha!" Julius let out a loud laugh, patting Devin's back strongly as he reeled forward, almost making him lose composure.

"I don't think that I'm just a pretty face. I do think that I'm rather capable of doing my job," he said, puffing his chest out confidently with a smile.

"There it is; he becomes too overconfident by his own will. Foolish, but I can't dismiss the fact that he has skill to back his words... Oh my, a crowd seems to have formed behind you, Devin. It must mean that it is time for us to go, Laruse. Can't disturb a man when he is being enamored by women," Julius said, ignoring Devin's words, which have now become ramblings of his greatness.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

As Laruse and Julius boarded the ship in order to avoid the crowd, the governor was suddenly surrounded by maidens all seduced by his charms, however prideful he may be on the inside.

"Mr. Hartford!" a high-pitched yell came from a long-haired girl running towards the crowd, wearing an adventurer's clothing of a leather set; behind her was a man who looked lazy as he ran a few meters her.

"Huh, wait, Julius?! Where are you?! Laruse?! Wait, where are you grabbing? - " suddenly Devin was overwhelmed by the fact that he was suddenly surrounded by women all loudly screaming at him.

Julius averted his eyes as he could only hear Devin yelling for help, heading to the stern of the ship saying, "Let us set sail now! We have no time to lose. First comes the Farrionian port of Helia!"

With his words, the crew above the ship moved instantly, climbing the mast, securing the anchor, manning the wheel.

"We're all set to go captain!"

"Then let us go! Don't worry about Devin, Laruse. As long as his two protégés are there, he is in good hands. They might be more capable than he is, overall."

"If you say so," Laruse said with a doubtful face, turning around to see the vast ocean set before him; with the wind slowly washing up on him, becoming a strong torrent that gives off an invigorating feeling.

Having gone to sea, they were now surrounded by the vast ocean and sky, being flocked by birds and gulls hanging by the mast, sailing alongside the sister ship on the left.

Laruse stood by the bowsprit, feeling the air around him as it ruffled through his hair and clothes.

The freedom the view offered him through the mere sight was truly amazing, awe-inspiring and exhilarating.

"So this is what it's like being on a ship. It's really something else, isn't it?" he said to himself.

"Indeed. It's captivating and teeming with life below. the unknown and known collides and man's true mettle is tested on terrain where he is less familiar with. By the way, why don't you join me and your friends and go around the ship. The journey might take a day or half of it, so it would be well to be acquainted with your quarters."

"That's an idea, sure let's go," Laruse followed Julius, who led him into the main holdings where the quarters are said to have been, leaving the captivating view for a while.

Meanwhile, an army had been assembled at the city square, armed and trained under the bright gleam of the sun, facing their general, who awaited the arrival of someone.

A large number of the populace was contained at the side, looking at them in silence, and awaiting the coming of someone as well in anticipation.

A strict general Vista called her army to attention, whereas they responded with a loud shout in unison, stomping their foot and standing tall.

The general wore her dark, impregnable armor, which her soldiers looked at in awe, displaying her steel-like disposition both in and out of the battlefield, accompanied by her adamant demeanor.

"Attention! Your lord, Spencer August Olfrin has arrived. Listen closely to every word he says and drill them into your minds, etch them into your heats, and use them as your strength when you have nothing left to lose! Understand?"

They responded once more with a loud shout, similar to the previous, but it contained more spirit and will.

Spencer walked up to the platform from the side, looking at the vast amount of soldiers in front of him stiffly.

He returned the gaze with a firm one of his own, one that showed his unyielding visage to those before and around him.

Upon reaching the center of the platform, he paced both hands beside him and had the silence flow in for a bit longer, letting the air calm.

In attendance to his side with the exception of general Vista was Spencer's close ally, Hendrick, and his ministers and senators, those who were in charge with the certain affairs within the union of City-States, thus labeled important people.

"Listen, brothers and sisters. There is no need for us to feel hostility and fear, nor is there a need to feel restricted and bound. Be at ease and hear me," his voice resounded through the silent districts and streets, flowing into the ears of every person in the vicinity, fully taking in the words of their charismatic Lord with eagerness.

"Today shall mark the start of an aggressive campaign in order to quickly unite the land before we are to go against our greatest adversaries, Farron! The scourge of this land, the unjust punisher that trounces our people, entering without recluse nor any reason simply by wanting to take invade our land... I shall not stand for that, and so I, no, we shall act. Before peril befalls us all, I shall endeavor to make us into one. That I swear on my life!"

After finishing, his words are celebrated by an uproar of cheers, both coming from the army and the populace, becoming fully supported by many, and opposed by none.

"An outstanding speech, my lord," Agatha said, coming up from behind as she clapped at him with a stern smile.

"Thank you, general. Now let us begin marching while the day is still new. Hendrick, please keep the capital safe until my arrival," he dismissed the general to lead the troops out the city and on the path that they will take.

"Are you certain that you will only need the entire first army? I could make arrangements for mercenaries, or to have some of the north-western cities give you aide."

"I've already devised numerous plans for such things. If I feel that I might fall short, then I will have something to fall back on. I've also had general Vista give an overview of her entire army, which I analyzed and based most of my plans on. So there is no need to add more soldiers. I will simply put my trust in them, and hopefully they give theirs to me."

"I am truly proud of you, Spencer. You've come a long way ever since we met when I was still your father's attendant. I am very glad to see that you are upholding his legacy. But do not forget to frequently take your medicine. It'll quell the pain somehow, but I am still trying to find a cure for it," Hendrick showered him with praise and concern, and a hidden motive.

"I shall return without fail, and by that time, I would have succeeded. I shall frequently send letters as to know the state of Palas. Please inform me o the developments whenever you can. I must go now. The rest are in your hands, Hendrick," Spencer bowed at his friend, smiling as he left, saddling on his horse and following the departing army that is currently being seen out by the populace.

"My aide de camp has begun leading the soldiers out. All we need now is your guidance, lord," general Vista said as she rode alongside Spencer, who was wearing a regal armor, fitting for one called a lord, and treated as royalty.

Their banners, which represented them, flew high, fluttering with the wind and filling the soldiers with passion as their sights were focused on it.

"General, about the plan. If you recall, we'll be camping out at the cities, and marching fast before five days. So that'll be three cities before the last road to Darsin, our first target. How many days do you think we'll need to get there? I've planned everything out, but I'd like to make sure," Spencer paced his horse to slow down once they reached the front of the army, leading it from the side.

"What you've discussed with us earlier is more than enough, my lord. If we focus on the plan, we'll make it without fail, given that we could account for any unforeseen disasters or problems. I believe that you can succeed with this. I will make sure of that," she reasserted her firm ideals towards him.

"Thank you, Agatha. That just means I can't fail you and the everyone else joining us," he smiled and looked forward down the road, filled with a renewed energy to keep moving forward, unabated.

"Just don't overexert yourself, alright? I don't want what happened last night to recur once again, even if you say that it's becoming even more frequent. I will fight in your stead if it ever comes to it, so please... depend on me," her expression changed to concern, but still facing forward.

"I won't. But if the situation calls for it, I’ll gladly lay down my life for all of you."

"There's just no stopping your ideals, is there?"

"Once we are at peace, then hopefully."