“Thank you Tifa.” Frill sniffles, as she stands up and wipes her face.

“Of course, I'm here for you, my lady.” Tifa smiled, dusting off her clothes and standing up.

“Quit with the ‘lady’ stuff, that's just a formality, you know I'm not actually royalty.” Frill turned around to face Tifa.

“That's beside the point.” Tifa responded, shaking her head. “What brought upon this, Frill? You normally never break down crying like this, I was beginning to wonder if you ever cried at all.” Tifa continued, worried. Frill sighed and turned toward the bed, tidying up the mess she had just created.

“Cad and the others had a meeting. They said that Yel is on their way to attack, right now.” Frill remarked, Tifa covering her mouth in shock from the news and eyes widening.

“Oh, I see…Frill. There is still time, W-we can escape. North! Take refuge in the neighboring country!” Tifa pleaded, her face panicked.

“No. I must fight.” Frill replied sternly. “You’ve enlightened me Tifa, I thank you for that. There is no reason to run and cry, I am a hero after all. It’s my duty to protect the people of my country, to help them.”

“Are you serious? Yel is eons ahead of any other country, in terms of military and technology! I don't mean pessimistic, but we stand no chance against them.” Tifa shouted, Frill placed the pillow down on the mattress and reached under her bed, pulling out a pink rapier kept within a pink sheath.

“Tifa.” Frill smiled, turning around. “I’ll win, I promise.” She said, turning away and exiting the room. Tifa's face contorted in anger and disappointment.

“We have a total of 3 heroes, of course this is excluding Frill. And over a thousand men. Of course I will be fighting too, despite my old age I could be quite formidable.” Lord Cadence said, his palms flat against the table, paper scattered across.

“Our intel said that Yels envoy consisted of five thousand something men, not including carriages and mobile weapons. Estimated arrival is early tomorrow morning.” A man standing at the opposite side of the table spoke firmly.

“Unbelievable!” Cadence shouted, before sitting back down and placing his hand on his forehead letting out a small maniacal chuckle. “We’re all going to di-” The opening and slamming of the doors behind them interrupted him, Frill was standing at the doorway in pajamas and slippers, carrying her weapons, her face serious. Everyone at the table was shocked at her appearance.

“I thought I told you to stay in your room, Frill!” Cadence shouted, standing back up in surprise.

“I can fight, Lord Cadence.” Frill responded, her eyes fierce as her gaze pierced Cadences.

“Nonsense-” Lord Cadence began before being interrupted.

“Lord Cadence, with all due respect, you're not my real father so I would appreciate it if you treated me like a warrior instead of your daughter.” Frill interrupted, her voice so commanding it would compel anyone to obey her. Cadence was taken aback by the statement, he couldn't find any words to say.

“She’s right, commander.” A burly voice spoke up from the left of her. “Her Unique artifact would prove extremely useful in the coming battle.” He turned to Frill and smiled, which Frill returned.

“Tch.” Cadence pinched the bridge of his nose. “Fine. This meeting is dismissed, but before you leave, listen up. This is probably our final battle, so fight with conviction and dignity. We either win and survive, or we lose and die. You may leave.” Cadence shouted along with everyone else. Frill walked out as the other heroes followed suit.

“Frill!” A high voice shouted from behind Frill, as she turned around to the source of the noise. A lady in her mid 20s was walking towards her. She was a beautiful woman with wavy auburn hair, two men beside her, one a large beastman with deep brown fur, and the other a shrewd looking shaman fitted with a green cloak with muddied blue highlights.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

“The commander is a grouchy old asshole, am I right?” The lady smiled, Frill giggling at her comment. “Listen Frill, you’re stronger than all of us, and if any of us are gonna win this it’s going to be you. So lighten up okay?” The group agreed happily.

“Thanks Rin.” Frill smiled back. “And, Thorn, and Hakuro. Thank you for putting up with me all this time.” Frill said bowing.

“Don’t do that, Frill. You were no burden at all.” Thorn huffed, Frill standing back up smiling.

“I wish you the best of luck in the battle tomorrow.” Frill remarked, saluting jokingly as they all chuckled and continued forward.

“Frill.” Cadence called in front of me, his tone serious.

“I’m sorry for trying to baby you all the time.” Cadence said, trying to find the right words to say. “And I know I can’t replace your father. But, I just want the best for you.” He uttered, placing his hand on Frills' shoulder. His hand was rough and calloused, from years of continuous training.

“It’s okay, Cad. And thank you. You took in a commoner like me and cared for me. You’ve done more for me than my actual father, and for that, I’m grateful.” Frill smiled, putting her hand on his, Cadence on the verge of tears pulled Frill for a hug.

“Oh, Frill! I’ll always think of you as my daughter!” Lord Cadence sobbed, holding Frill tightly.

“Okay! I get it- But this is a little much, I can’t breathe.” Frill struggled as Cadence released her from his clutches.

“Apologies, I got a little emotional.” Cadence sniffles, wiping his face with his arm.

“Cad?” Frill spoke softly.

“Yes?” Cadence replied.

“We’ll win this, and go back to normal alright?” Frill smiled.

“Of course.” Cadence smiled in response.

Frill wakes up, stretching her arms behind her back before stepping off her bed.

“Whew.” Frill exhales before looking out the window to see the sun beaming. “Crap, I overslept! On the most important day too!” Frill exclaims, scrambling for her weapon and fishing her for her armor in her closet.

“Today is the day that decides my fate”. Frill thinks. “No, I can't think about that right now, on top of that, something feels… weird.” Frill thought looking around at her room.

“Maybe it’s just all my thoughts making me feel strange.” Frill shrugged, tidying up her armor and heading towards the door. As she neared the exit the sensation strengthened before finally, standing in front of the door she could see a faint blue barrier placed just in front of the door, Frills eyes widened, the only sound being the slight whirr of the barrier, no noise came into the room from the outside.

She immediately knew what it was. Tifa had been a maid who was born to protect the Bloomfeld royal family, and later assigned to Frill after the death of the queen of Blommånen, who was an orphan taken in by the current king of Blommånen. Cadence Kurt Bloomfeld. But she was also a talented mage from birth and had studied magic in her free time. Specifically, barrier magic.

There are 4 different tiers to standard magic, spells increasing in proficiency with each tier, and can increase through extensive use of that particular magic. Despite being typical magic for protecting against basic spells, Tifa’s barrier magic was of the 3rd tier; meaning it was about as strong as Obstinite, an extremely sturdy mineral due to its mana density in its composition, and is commonly used in the crafting of S-class artifacts. Long story short, Frill wasnt getting through Tifa’s barrier.

“Tifa! let me out! Please!” Frill shouted, banging on the barrier. No answer. It was useless, no sound can enter or exit through the barrier.

“Tch.” Frill scoffed. “Why is she trying so hard to keep me away from the war? If I don't fight now, I’ll fight eventually, it's not like they're just going to let me go, no repercussions.” Frill crossed her arms as she thought of how to escape. She lined the whole room, but the barrier had covered every corner.

“Fine. Then I’ll just have to break through it.” Frill declared, drawing her rapier and getting into a stance. She let out a quick jab with her rapier on the left wall, outlooking the whole kingdom. A loud clang erupted through the whole room, but not a scratch was placed on the barrier.

“Unbelievable. My rapier is a Unique grade artifact, am I just weak?” Frill said, drawing her rapier back for a second strike. Nothing.

“Fine.” Frill exhaled, taking up a different stance, she gripped her tightly and held it just in front of her. “Conquer, Army of One.” Frill said solemnly, it made a whooshing sound before her blade flashed, an white aura engulfing it, she took her stance again and struck the barrier once more, except this time, the one strike repeated. An invisible force striking the same spot 10 times, the barrier cracked significantly, Frill striking it again. This time, it finally broke- The shattered pieces of the barrier dissipating and blown away.

“Finally, I thought that thing would never break.” Frill sighed, sheathing her weapon. She looked up before punching the window to the outside, the glass shattered and fell to the ground. The room of the palace was overlooking the whole kingdom, a few stories high.

“Yikes, that's scary.” Frill swallowed, peering down at the fall before taking a large deep breath, and took a step back and drew her weapon once more. She ran towards the window, stepping on the sill and leaping out the window, a shard of glass nicking her arm on her exit.