The reality was not as glorious as it seemed on paper. One had to understand that the relationships between the palace and the sects were not harmonious. Especially with the sects that were from the higher continents. Many problems were created by them throughout the entire country. Being tasked with managing those? It meant making enemies. It meant being the frontline.

Basically, she would be making new enemies if she wanted the King to protect her from her actual enemy. Was it worth it? Yes. After all, without the King's protection, the Church would go after her. And there would be no one to stop them. If the King backed her up, as he stated, he would have the Church remove her name from their wanted list.

"Table rase"

She would be safe from them.

But the sects... She might have to work under a lot of pressure and her life would likely always be in danger outside the walls of the palace. Heck, maybe even within.

She would remain a target. The hunter would be different. Still, it was better. There was hope on that path.

Though she could not help but ask: "Why me?"

The King laughed as he stated without remorse: "Because you are strong yet not overly strong and you need me. You're a perfect pawn right now, exactly when I needed one"

A pawn.

Was that her future?

She sighed and thought back to the events that led her all the way here. She did not regret her own actions. None in fact.

She sighed again.

She would accept. Even if it meant being a pawn. A living pawn was better than a dead. Still, if she had to take on such a dangerous job from now on, she had to find decent and trustworthy people to stay alongside her. Having to remain on guards constantly around everyone would be too stressful. She was tired of that life too.

That's when the face of someone floated by her mind. Her lips curled upwards a little as she stated: "I will take this deal if I can be allowed to pick my vice-captain"

The King laughed before he told her: "I'll agree to it if his capabilities are up to our standards. Harold here will go with you"

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The King turned to Harold and said: "Harold, make sure to guide her through everything and check this vice-captain in my stead. If you approve him, then I will too"

Harold got up and bowed before signaling to Ame to follow him outside.

...

After they left, the King spoke a few more words with the Captains and let them go. Once he was alone in the room, a figure appeared from within the shadows on one side. A beautiful and youthful woman. She wore the same outfit as the other Captains. She asked: "My King, is she worth the trouble?"

The King laughed as he answered her: "Of course she is. It will annoy the Church for one thing"

The woman sighed and brushed over that joke. She seriously stated: "Even if you manage to turn the hostility from the sects towards her...How much could she even endure?"

The King still had a smile on his face as he said: "When she can't, we can just replace her. That's what pawns are for after all"

The woman nodded. Then, she bowed and disappeared back within the darkness.

...

"Alright everyone, we will now test your battle capabilities! Depending on them, we will assign you to a different unit!"

Jin expected such a test. Simple was best most of the time.

He was planning to show off a moderate amount of power. That way he would be able to get a decent and stable position while remaining low-key. The best would be some position where he would not be bossed around and not be accountable for anything. A middle-management kind of spot.

Soldiers began to crowd around the arena Jin and his group had been led to. It seems like this would quite the show. More and more soldiers arrived and took seats, joining friends and acquaintances to enjoy the upcoming battles.

Jin did not mind.

It would not be the first time he was watched by hundreds of people. Hopefully not the last one either.

The one in charge of his group stated that they would test the newbies one by one from the weakest. As such, Jin did not wait any longer and took a seat as well. He might not be the hundredth one called up but he certainly wouldn't be called before eighty!

Unfortunately, or fortunately, he did not have to wait for his name to be called. After the 42nd dude got beat up badly on stage under the cheers of everyone, two people floated down from the sky. As they appeared, all noise disappeared. And when they landed, all soldiers began to salute.

Two people wearing a crystal-like battle robe with golden-armored protections here and there and a red cape in their backs. One was a middle-aged man, blond hair and green eyes and the other was a beauty in her early thirties with red hair.

Jin recognized her easily.

Kaen Ame.

It seemed like she managed to pass. As expected, she was quite powerful for this place after all. As to what rank she was given, he did not know. Judging from the silent commotion though, it was definitely high. He was glad for her and, indirectly, for him. It meant he now was an acquaintance of someone high up. His days would be even more secure and stable.

Or so he hoped and believed.

That dream was crushed once the man next to Ame spoke. He used his spiritual energy to project his voice all over the area. Jin cursed as he heard him:

"May the man named Baem come out. A test to prove his worth for the vice-captain position of the newly established 11th Squad shall be organized!"

Jin spat and cursed Ame and her ancestors.