In the bustling heart of KOB’s[1] North Department, the rhythm of military life beats steadily. It's here our story begins, with a knock that sets everything in motion.

…

Bernat Roser stands before Warin's dorm room, a hint of anticipation in his posture. A knock, firm and expected, breaks the silence.

[knock knock]

Warin: “Enter”

Bernat enters the room.

Bernat enters, to find Warin coming out of the door from the right, where the shower is.

Bernat: "The lieutenant needs you."

Warin: "What is it about?"

Bernat: "No clue."

…

Suspicion flickers in Warin's eyes, a playful challenge brewing.

Warin: "You're not trying to hide something from me, are you, Bernat?"

Bernat: "Maybe I am. Why don't you force it out of me?"

The tension in the air takes a sudden turn, a serious tone is set up.

…

Warin: "Then I'll do just that..."

…

A moment passes—a stare down, a test of wills.

… But

then, laughter shatters the tension.

Warin: "You're still not good at this, are you?"

Bernat: "Oh shut up, will you... haha."

…

Together, they journey to the lieutenant's office, the corridors echoing with their footsteps.

Warin: "So, why does the lieutenant actually need me?"

Bernat: "No clue honestly."

Warin: "Well, let's hope it's not something ba-"

[whizz!]

An arrow, swift and silent, cuts through their banter.

Warin's reflexes snap; the arrow stops in his grasp.

…

A voice from behind declares its presence.

Otto: "Tsk... You should have just let it hit you, Warin."

Warin: "..."

Otto: "Anyway, it seems you got your hands full at the moment, so see you around~"

…

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Warin and Bernat continue heading towards First Lieutenant Parks’ office.

…

Upon arrival, the air around First Lieutenant Parks' office, holds a weight of secrecy.

…

Warin: “Lieutenant Parks, you wished to see me?”

First Lieutenant Parks: “Yes…”

…

Lieutenant Parks’ attention slightly goes towards a seemingly simple looking envelope on his desk.

…

First Lieutenant Parks: "Listen, Warin, I need you to deliver something to the Central."

A slightly annoyed Warin answers with a barrage of questions.

Warin: "And what exactly? And why me? Why not the RDS[2]? Isn't that kind of their job?"

First Lieutenant Parks: "Well, to tell you the truth, the contents of the letter are classified even to me. As for why you must deliver it, the Central asked you to do it. More than that, I do not know."

Warin: "The top executives of the Central need me??"

First Lieutenant Parks: "No point in asking questions to me, go see for yourself. You are allowed to take 4 people to accompany you to the Central."

First Lieutenant Parks hands over the envelope, Warin accepts, albeit hesitating.

…

Decisions made and preparations underway, the scene shifts off-screen as Warin chooses his comrades and they set off in a military vehicle, the distance to Central quickly closing.

Yago: "I have never been to the Central, unlike you, Warin! What is the place like?"

Warin: "It's too much of a hassle to tell you, you'll see for yourself."

Tomor: "Yago, you really should start treating this as a serious mission instead of a summer camp trip."

Yago: "Look at this guy pretending he's not even a little bit excited to go to the Central."

Bernat: "You guys talk too much, keep an eye out for any potential hijackers and shut up."

Valdis: "Still, I am pretty eager to know what the contents of the letter are for it to be needing a full-armed vehicle of 5 soldiers to deliver..."

Warin: "You're right on the money, maybe it's the national lottery winning number?! ha-ha"

Silence follows, a testament to the joke's reception.

Bernat: "Not going to lie, that was a shit joke, Warin."

…

Upon arrival at Central, the group disperses, each member tasked with exploring this new environment under the guise of their first visit.

Warin: "Don't cause a ruckus and in 2 hours let's meet up again here at the entrance of the main hall."

The comrades cheerfully salute and give an affirmation to Warin’s wish.

Bernat, Valdis, Yago, Tomor: "Roger!"

…

The pivotal moment comes as Warin, standing before the Top Executives, delivers the envelope.

Recognition of his battlefield heroics leads to discussions of a future filled with more responsibility.

Top Executive Ludo Markload: "We have heard many of your heroics on the battlefield, Second Lieutenant Warin Radboud. We personally requested you to deliver this letter, since we were thinking of giving you more freedom, as First Lieutenant, what do you think?"

A slight smile on Warin’s face that cannot have been prevented is seen.

Warin: "I am happy to contribute to the many noble battles I fought for our KOB[1], that is why I am here. I appreciate your words and appreciation of my devotion on and off the battlefield. A position of First Lieutenant comes with great responsibilities, but I am ready to take these on."

Top Executive Sarah Parkas: "Great to hear, briefing of your new responsibilities as First Lieutenant will happen in your North Department. For now, you are dismissed."

Warin: "Roger!"

…

With the meeting concluded, Warin's steps echo in the hallway, the weight of potential promotion lingering in his thoughts. Abruptly, a hand grabs him from around a corner, pulling him into an unexpected encounter.

Warin: “…!”

…

Bernat: "LOOK WHAT I FOUND" (shows a mysterious key)

Warin: "Don’t tell me..."

Bernat: "...!"

_______________________________________

[1] Kingdom of Berk

[2] Royal Delivery Service