Akane's POV

After a few months of training, my physical strength and swordsmanship has gradually improved.

During my day off, I took Yuni with me to the shopping district of Dalen.

We spent our the day buying clothes, food and other necessities, however I noticed was different, in the atmosphere of the city.

"Something's off, somehow that town feels less lively than before."

On the following day, I grabbed my things, and .Ade my way to Faramort Base.

Upon arriving, a soldier salutes me and told me.

"The Garrison Commander wishes to see you, please come to her quarters."

Puzzled with the soldier I asked.

"Garrison Commander?"

He sighed and replied.

"Captain Chiharu Natsuo, she recently got promoted."

I nodded and thanked him and made my way to Chiharu's quarters.

Upon entering Chiharu's quarters, she looked really stressed out, upon noticing me, she stood up and ringed a bell,  her personal maid quickly entered the room, and served me a cup on tea, along with some cookies to eat.

"The skirmishes between the empire and our kingdom has escalated, it's only a matter of time, before the empire tries to take over Aldar Fort."

Chiharu told me with an anxious tone, the maid poured some tea on Chiharu's cup, to help her calm down, she took a sip, and turned asked me.

"Have you heard about my promotion?"

I nodded and replied.

"Congratulations on your promotion."

Chiharu shook her head in denial, and replied.

"I'm unworthy of such a rank, I doubt my ability to lead my subordinates."

I asked the maid to pour me a second serving of tea, with a serious look on my face, I told Chiharu.

"I think you're a good leader, Chiharu please have more faith in yourself."

Puzzled she asked.

"What do you mean?"

I smiled and took a sip on tea, and told her.

"You are diligent with your work, always trying your best, and your bond with your subordinates, proves that you've earned their trust."

"How can you tell?"

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She asked, after finishing drinking tea I replied.

"Through interactions with the soldiers on the base, they seem to hold you in high regard."

Chiharu let's out a sigh of relief as she told herself.

"Finally done, Bella could you take these documents to the Lord?"

Bella nodded, and took all the documents and left the quarters.

Chiharu turned to me and asked.

"Can I ask you to stay here, while I'm at Aldar Fort.

I stood up, with a determined look on my face, I told Chiharu.

" I'm coming with you Chiharu, I mean Garrison Commander. "

Chiharu shook her head and told me.

"This is serious Akane, this is no fun and games. You might die if you come along."

"I'll come with you, please believe in , that I can protect you."

I replied to Chiharu, with a serious tone she told me.

"I can take care of myself, however you can't."

I bit my lip in frustration, however Chiharu continued.

"If you come with me, who will take care of your friend."

"What do you mean?"

I asked Chiharu who quickly covered her mouth, she gulped and replied.

"I had one of my most trusted subordinate to watch over you, I received word that you two are living together."

I placed my head on my forehead and asked Chiharu.

"So the one stalking me, is your subordinate?"

Chiharu clapped her hand and asked forgiveness, I sighed and accepted.

"I'll come with you Chiharu, after all I'm your bodyguard and adjutant."

She sighed and told me.

"Tell that to your friend, I know she'll be worried sick for you."

"If I can get her to agree, would you let me come with you?"

I asked, she knits her eyebrows, sighed in frustration, and simply replied.

"If you get her permission, perhaps I'll reconsider."

I smiled and replied.

"I'll go ask her permission now."

Chiharu stood up her chair and said.

"Wai-"

However before she could finish, I already left her quarters, and made my way back to the inn.

That's right, the only reason why I want to be stronger, is to protect people like Chiharu, Yuni, Mom and Dad.

I told myself as I ran.

Normal PoV(3rd person POV)

With an army of seven hundred troops, the empire staged a small scale invasion, on Hakuroku Kingdom's territory.

The Garrison troops on Aldar Fort mustered a small army, which numbered two hundred troops, and formed a blockade on a small pathway to Aldar Fort.

"We are here to stall for time, hold as long as possible, before retreating to the fortress."

Ordered the commander to his men, they were nervous and anxious about the upcoming battle.

"Has the nearby villages been evacuated?"

The commander asked his adjutant, whom nodded and replied.

"Yes sir, most of the villages have been evacuated, however refugees have yet reached the fort."

"Cut down nearby trees and build a spike wall here, in this narrow pass, we can mitigate their superior numbers."

The commander ordered his men.

We have to hold this line as long as possible, hopefully by the time we make our retreat the reinforcements should have arrived at the fort.

The soldiers began working, as fast as they could, their morale was high, yet fear is still present in their minds.

The scout the commander sent has returned and he told the adjutant.

"Please relay to the commander that the enemy is here."

The adjutant nodded, and ran as fast as he could, ordering soldiers to sound the alarm.

"Word from the scout, the enemies are here!"

"All combat personnel, form a defensive perimeter around the pathway."

The soldiers quickly formed a phalanx formation around the narrow path, the pathway was surrounded hills and rocky terrain, with the spike wall in the narrow corridor of the pathway, which prevents enemies from overwhelming the defenders.

Multiple volley of arrows were released by the Hakuroku army, however it was ineffective against the heavy armor of the imperial troops.

The front line troops formed a spear wall, and the two forces clashed.