The trip was uneventful to say the most, he hadn't expected such smooth sailing back.

This is Sidonian territory, and I am a Sidonian traveling through said territory. I shouldn't be thankful over something that's basically law here.

Alisson stood at the front of the gate to the capital of the Sidonian Empire. It was elaborately designed with numerous reinforcement pillars and braces; the whole thing was cut from high quality stone and some sections even had the shiny glimmer of metal. To an outsider, it'd probably feel overbearing, like an invisible pressure was dropped on them simply by staring at the outermost walls.To Alisson, and other Sidonians as he could imagine, all felt a sense of hearth and relief when seeing any part of the city simply named 'Capital' by its residents. It's name used to be Sidonia, however having a person, country, and city named the same thing is not good for the ergonomics of communication. Alisson heard a breeze from the nearby trees, then a second later felt it across his face. The sun was warm, and not frying him to his core.

Yes, much better than a damned desert.

Who would choose to make a home in the sand was beyond Alisson. Sidonians, and especially Nekomata, preferred a much tamer climate than say the tundra or the desert. That's probably why the peninsula that the Sidonian Empire was centered on was filled with forests, meadows and green plains; unfortunately for them though, they still had to bear winter.

Alisson continued his walk forward, leading the horse that'd carried him here. He'd rode to the closest Sidonian city, Eldera, then took the Magic Rail to the Capital.

Ugh...I hope nobody notices I'm practically dead on my feet from no sleep...

As he was thinking, it seemed the guards already identified him, and the gate was swinging open. This was only the first of three walls that encircled the heart of the city. The Capital was built on the end of a peninsula so not only was land extremely fertile, but the amount of directions to defend the city was severely cut down. So, with that extra breathing room, Sidonia decided to construct not one, but two similarly sized walls. The outer one that he was currently passing through protected a large chunk of farming land; if the city was under siege, it'd continue on business as usual like no supply had been cut. Of course, he hoped it wouldn't come to that; because doing so would mean that something had penetrated the two other large cities north of the Capital. Alisson gave a wave to the guardsmen on the walls, received their reply and continued on. The road was noticeably paved with stone and not just some dirt, unlike many human settlements he'd seen. Surrounding him was an endless field of tall and fertile wheat, waiting to be harvested. It was the spring months and the harvest season was in full bloom for many of the crops in the third wall. Sprinkled throughout the fields of crops were small houses or shacks housing farming equipment or oxen to plow the land. There were several Sidonians up and about as it was midday, they were mostly humans apart from some Nekomata. They held scythes and were dressed in simple -but not dirty or ragged- clothes, airy enough to meet the brisk summer temperature.

Alisson hopped up to the horse with a jump and grabbed the reins, he gave it a small kick and it set into a calm gait down the right side of the road.

...

He'd already passed the second layer of walls housing mostly residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. He now walked into the coveted third wall, it housed mostly administrative buildings and the homes of the larger noble houses in the Sidonian Empire. These noble houses were split between similarly minded families and were headed by the most prestigious of them. For example, Alisson's household, Nuam, was headed by and led by the Nuam family; inadvertently making Alisson an heir to a position in control of a large portion of the empire. He did have an older sibling, Apophria Vi Nuam, although she had long ago been exempted from any inheritance... Alisson was a bit sad about not having a younger sibling, but it's not like he'd be getting one with one of his parents being long deceased. Tall, ornamented, clean and colored buildings towered on him on all sides. In the distance he could spot the three great house's homes; the tall, sleek, pointed and matte Nuam; the curved, robust bright blue Salchyon; and lastly, smaller than the previous, the grayed, square Beranz. The aforementioned Salchyon and Nuam Houses held about a third each of all the empires assets, not owning them as human nobles act; but supervising and managing them. The Beranz House held half as much as one of the two powerhouses, however their rise and increase in prominence started only recently and they were growing much quicker than any other House. These three Houses held some sort of string of connection within all other facets of Sidonia, the smaller Houses all were aligned with either Nuam or Salchyon; and occasionally with Beranz.

Alisson had already dropped off his horse at a stable when he entered the second wall, he'd have to walk the rest of the way.

No matter, a little walk is calming.

The hustle and bustle of the capital didn't intimidate Alisson like the human towns he'd been in. Rather it did the opposite, it was reassuring to see so many likeminded people around him, all working to support each other and Sidonia. Human crowds were ominous; like they had something to hide, Alisson didn’t get that from Sidonian cities.

I wonder what the hell Sidonia's going to do with me now that I've lost the Storm Brigade and the 6th while it was under my command.

It pained him to think that even one of his elites had died.

So much training and experience...

He wondered about the punishment that awaited him, the punishment of having an army collapse under his command. From these thoughts his stomach felt as it were tightening in on itself, as it were about choke him from the inside.

...

Within a quarter of an hour of walking through the third wall he'd made it to the steps of the Rolaign, the most important building in the Sidonian Empire. It was built like a circular castle, towering high and following a circular design all the way to top, where a large blue tiled dome sat. Alisson sighed and was about to take a step forward when two hard hands grabbed him on the shoulders.

"Hey Alis!"

A devious and immature voice called from behind him. Almost having a heart attack, he turned and a beaming smile met him.

T-too close...

"W-what is it Louise?"

He struggled to get rid of the gauntleted hands gripping his shoulders but couldn't break free of her strength.

Lady Louise Alderan Salchyon. She stood an inch or two taller than Alisson and wore a full set of thick, shining white, steel plate; shimmering scales covered her upper thighs and diamond shaped palindromes rested on her shoulders. Her bright blonde hair shone in the sun, two strands fell on either side of her face and the back of her hair had been braided into a bun. Louise's amour had multitudes of black and blue accents.

"I've been wondering were ya've been! When only a third of your brigade came back today, I thought the worst would've happened!"

She released her death grip and grabbed her own shoulders; shaking back and forth vigorously.

A third!? Damit!

Alisson suppressed his emotions, however. Now was not the time to worry on account of his brigade.

"You should attend the report I'm about to give to lady Sidonia if you're so interested..."

"Mmmm, I'll pass. I just got done with the new initiates into the Halberdiers, I'm not really energized after training sooo much!"

Explains why she's wearing amour in the third wall.

Lady Salchyon's Halberdiers, if the Storm Brigade did everything but fighting on the frontlines, the Halberdiers were the opposite, excelling where the fighting was thickest with their super-heavy amour and ridged fighting style utilizing primarily polearms and pikes.

Yes, the very embodiment of 'Salchyon robustness'.

"Then I'll be on my way, Louise."

Alisson was about to turn, but Louise set her arm on Alisson's shoulder with a serious look.

N-not again...ever heard of personal space?

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"A little birdie told me you might be getting a new apprentice thanks to the tons of people we just lost; I'd advise you watch out for them"

Louise lifted her gauntleted hand and her bright smile returned to her face. Louise was the heir to the Salchyon House of course she'd have connections, such as her 'birdie', but Alisson still found it odd whenever Louise even bothered herself with information. It was quite out of place with her whole disregard of caution that she usually showed.

"I'll take your words in stride then."

Alisson turned and set off walking up the shallow steps.

"Seeya! ~"

"...You too."

She giggled slightly.

For a childhood friend she's a terrible mystery to me, but then again, how would someone whose specialty is frontline combat act?

Alisson was a bit ashamed to admit that he'd lose in terms of physical strength with her, even though that he had a few years on her.

She'd break my arm in an arm wrestle!

Regardless, what Louise had said was most probably true, he'd need to prepare himself for the very real chance of a new apprentice.

Alisson had a few previous apprentices, only one of whom was currently alive...It's not like they died during their training however, the two of them that died did so almost immediately after their graduation from their apprenticeship.

It was...unfortunate, to say the least.

He long gotten over their deaths, as his last apprenticeship took place a few decades ago. Only a select few Sidonians are privy towards an apprenticeship or training an apprentice. Alisson was an heir to the Nuam household, and any allied houses vied for an education from one of the strongest houses. His position as more of a behind-the-scenes asset also meant hands-on apprenticeships were vital for making the newbies understand what to do.

Alisson reached the top of the stairway and was met with a large door guarded by two fully armored soldiers on each side. He nodded to one, and after the soldier nodded back, he turned and opened the door for Alisson. Alisson walked through ushering a word of thanks and goodwill and continued through one of the most sacred places in the Sidonian Empire, the place where Sidonia herself resided. The floor was made of dark and light mixed stones and on top of it lay an intricate blue carpet, emblazed with white accents. Large windows and extruding pillars rested on the walls to his left and right along the hallway. The light of the late afternoon poured through the tall windows, illuminating the carpet as if it were glowing.

Only a short walk now.

As Alisson set off, the realization of speaking to Sidonia kicked in as it always did when he walked these halls.

Sidonia was a very 'hands on' leader to say the least; she managed, oversaw, and knew about everything regarding the Nekomata and the humans -Sidonians- allied to them. She did this despite the fact she never left the Rolaign; favoring to have multitudes of meetings with people 24/7. Constantly talking and discussing the happenings of everything from troop deployments, research, agriculture to secret infiltrator statuses. Alisson had the pleasure of meeting with her on multiple occasions thanks to his status as leader of the 51st Storm Brigade.

Although, that rank may be stripped after what has happened...

He could already imagine that what was left of his team would be dissected and redistributed across the Empire. Alisson continued his walk, now up a large stone spiral staircase, with the same blue carpet draped over it.

...

He was now on the top floor of the Rolaign, subsequently now in the large dome he'd see from the outside earlier. Alisson stood in front of a large gray door with small diamond like intrusions. He took a large breath of air and was about to push the door open when an entourage of three people passed through it. The man at the front of the entourage, a tall, blonde, muscular man with a thin mustache clearly older than Alisson, gave him a scornfully look and passed by.

L-lord Salchyon...

He wore an extravagant blue jacket with white accents, his two companions wore lightly padded elegant suits. They passed by without saying a single word.

I wonder if my performance displeased him. Maybe he was talking to Sidonia on account of what happened to the 6th...whatever, I'll still have to report.

Alisson opened the large doors with both hands and stepped through them. He was greeted by a massive, extraordinarily decorated hall. A large blue carpet stretched across the circular room to the center where what seemed like a tea table was set up. Sitting at the table and eerily staring directly at Alisson from a such a distance, was a woman with long, pure white hair and shining blue eyes. She wore a simple slim white dress and was lazily covering a small smile with both of her hands. Alisson started down the massive blue carpet, his footsteps echoing.

Uwa...that smile, it's terrifying!

After about a minute of walking he reached the small, circular table. Alisson shakily fell to one knee.

"My lady."

"Please, take a seat, Alisson."

A syrupy and commanding voice called out to him. He pulled out a chair and sat down. Sidonia was definitely older than Alisson, if only by a little. Her face shone sharpness and elegance even with her laid-back posture and calm gaze. Alisson always felt like he was being mentally and physically dissected in her presence.

"Sidonia, I-"

"Yes, the 6th was defeated during their recon exercise and you're the first commanding officer to return. Please explain why the remnants of an army have been trickling into Sidonian territory for the past day now."

"The 6th army was suddenly and deliberately ambushed during our march. I took it upon myself to assume command and repel the invaders. Our center division was encircled and destroyed, I gave the order to retreat when I thought we'd done enough damage ."

"It looks like your order was heard, because almost a third of the army has already made their way back, including a company of your team; which, may I ask- how did they fare on the front?"

Ah, what a relief, a whole third of the army was salvaged and maybe even more to come! Perhaps my orders reached the front in time.

"They performed amazingly, to the point of being linchpins for the army and focuses for the enemies attack. May I ask which comapany returned, Sidonia?"

Sidonia narrowed her eyes.

I must find out, hopefully that’s not the last company that returns; if any one of my teammates returns, they'd be with a company.

"It was Daventdale company. Moving on, I've heard who attacked us but who do you think it was?"

Daventdale company was accompanying the right side. Hopefully Alieri pulled out before engaging. Harshel company on the other hand...

"I believe it was an elite force from the Jedathari Caliphate. I saw their banner and their signature heavy cavalry on display."

"That's very troubling indeed. If what I've heard is correct, you were attacked on the outskirts of our territory on the border to the Caliphate, Yes?"

Sidonia leaned in closer, slightly, however it seemed as though her presence increased a thousand-fold. Alisson felt as though he were being choked but by some miracle he spoke.

"Y-yes. You're correct."

He swallowed and was about to continue but Sidonia cut him off.

"Great, simply amazing! The Prince and now that Caliph..."

Sidonia giggled and then tucked her head further in her hands. He hadn't ever seen Sidonia like that.

"And with rumors about Andestine and the Far East, Alisson, do you know what this is?"

Alisson struggled to speak under the atmosphere of the room.

"I-it seems the Caliphate and Andestine are...are joining the war with the Irine Principality, Sidonia."

"Mhm~...we'll be having a lot of work to look forward to."

Her feet bobbed back and forth a little childishly. She then sat up straighter and cleared her throat.

"Ahem, forget of all of that for now, what of Lord Pusheal, hmm?"

Sidonia's gaze once again set on Alisson, and he felt a wave of uncomfortability pass over him.

"Lord Pusheal is...He died in the the initial attack."

Alisson replied through the unsetlling veil that was Sidonia's presence. Sidonia shrugged.

"Hmph. Regrettable indeed. At least he was an acceptable casualty, though I will miss his antics I'm sure..."

Sidonia mused, looking up at the tall ceiling with a blank expression.

Alisson furrowed his brow. Just what exactly did she mean by 'acceptable casualty'? Sidonia once again set her eyes back on Alisson, this time without any smirking.

"Well, I thought I should tell you this in advance, I'll be assigning you a new apprentice, top of their class at the Academy."

A shock went up Alisson's spine.

The top graduate? T-that’s an amazing honor!

The Academy was a rigorous schooling system and rumored to be the best, not only in Sidonia, but the world. Its applicants were exclusively young Nekomata, preferably those younger than twenty of a noble house. It took an excruciating twenty-five years to complete, it covered everything from advanced chemistry to proper battle footwork and formations. To be the best in a graduating class required either an extraordinarily gifted Nekomata or someone with a very determined attitude. Even Alisson, leader of the Storm Brigade, wasn't the top of his class... although back then, when Alisson had entered the Academy, the preferred age was one-hundred, which Alisson was. He was now two hundred and fifty-nine, and in that time the age requirements in the Sidonian Empire had dropped massively thanks to manpower shortages; Hence why his apprentice was going to be at most 45 years old...an extremely ripe age for a Nekomata.

"I-it's an honor Sidonia,"

Alisson stood out of his seat, pushing it back in the same action. He put his hand on his heart and fell to one knee.

"Hmph. I hope you'll utilize her well. Now, you're dismissed, Alisson. The ceremony is tomorrow morning."

"Yes. My lady."

Ah-ha! A new apprentice! Awa...I feel so giddy! I guess I overreacted a little bit...

...

Just as Alisson closed the door, a shadow blurred. In a flash of unperceivable speed, a figure stood by Sidonia's chair. Over her shoulders a tall, broad shouldered women stood, smirking deviously. Her hair was long with two strands in the front, falling over her dark grey clothes. Her eyes and hair matched Alisson's in color, a dull yellow. She wore a black jacket and long black shorts with shin high matte boots. She was taller than any other Nekomata; she stood more than a head taller than Alisson, it spoke volumes of her age.

"You got back sooner than expected, Serendipity."

Without looking, Sidonia announced confidently.

"You really shouldn't call me that name while I'm in the Capital."

The girl leaned over Sidonia with a close-eyed smile and said in a scrappy, tomboyish voice.

"Fine then, Apophria, how do you think your little brother did? Passing grades, I hope?"

Apophria chuckled.

"Nope, he's hopeless, F's across the board. I'm going to pay him a visit for sure later."

Apophria said laughingly.

"Well, can I at least ask if the deed's been done?"

Apophria gave a Sidonia a questioning glance and replied:

"Hmph. I'll fill you in later but, the Duke is dead for your information."

"Magnificent. The terrifying Serendipity is as scary as ever I see."

Apophria straightened her back and looked down the carpet at the door to the room.

"Well, we can talk later, I already know I'm leaving tomorrow morning again so don't bother explaining. Tell Lord Nuam and Lord Salchyon I wish them my best of luck~"

Apophria started down the room with her hands on the back of her neck nonchalantly. The noise of her twin rapiers jangling against each other as she walked echoed throughout the dome-like room.

Sidonia sighed.

***