He was running here and there with a swelled cheek -- one that slightly glowed red -- dispatched to send instructions to various people in specific parts of the town, serving as a messenger as to circulate the use of materials and supplies effectively.
The recent attack had a great deal of damage towards this town, more so that repairs were needed as soon as possible in order to stave off another, and to house those that needed a roof over their heads.
The soldiery as well was made to help out, in which they reluctantly agreed to, decreasing the workload with five thousand men.
He was made to wake up at six thirty in the morning, still deep in slumber after having slept from midnight, lacking a few more hours.
The dark circles that represented that feeling of tiredness displayed itself on his face; but despite that, he tried his best to keep up and stay awake.
He remembered it all, from the rude awakening, to the sudden burst of information, to the errands.
The young man was made to memorize the map of the town, every nook and cranny of importance is marked in high detail.
Astounded by the sheer amount of information that was presented onto him, his teachers became rather lenient as it was his first day after all.
He felt happy and all, but deep inside he felt rather useless as the townspeople had already woke up an hour earlier than he did, resuming repairs is if it were nothing. So, he woke himself up and forced himself to an ordeal similar to cramming information in about five minutes, which was all he needed.
Earlier that day, Emilia had come in wearing her battle dress, one with a short skirt adorned with beautiful laces, showing her bare belly, but unable to mask the great sight that is her bosom, constricted by the tight fabric she wears.
She started knocking on his door, expecting the man to be punctual as his enthusiasm that night made a good impression on her.
Except her own expectations had betrayed her; wasting precious time as she stayed for fifteen minutes outside his door, thinking that he would come out at any second; still carrying a bit of trust in the guest of whom she doubts and still knows very little about.
Her patience expired within that time, forcing her to enter abruptly, irritated and unamused.
Having ascended the stairs, she came to a sight of a man sleeping listless, still snug on his bed.
She did not know how to approach such a person as she only had experience waking Evelyn up whenever she slept in, but, this was a man, which was rather different in terms of waking them up from her perspective.
She tried it the normal way, speaking, hopefully that he could hear her voice and awaken in that moment.
"Please wake up..."
She paused for a bit, remembering one crucial detail that was needed in waking someone up, and knowing a person entails that you should know that one detail.
"I forgot, he didn't have a name..."
Emilia, who's now stuck in a small rut, tried to think of an alternative which would not stain her image with this person, not that she particularly cared.
She would not often encounter such problems when dealing with women like her lord, Evelyn, but with men, it is a different thing.
Political things are an exception. She always noticed that she would default to her extremely distinguished attitude, giving off a feeling of dislike to the other party, but on her part, it is her normal way of speaking with formality.
As a last resort with time quickly dwindling, she came in closer to shake him awake, thinking that it might be the only possible way.
Feeling a bit hesitant, she bent down and put both her hands on his chest, then she pushed down, applying pressure with her strength that rivaled even a well-built man.
His face contorted, as if stones were being piled up on top of his chest, dispelling the air from his lungs.
She saw his face change that moment, thinking that her method was working splendidly, so she shook his body, making the wooden bed quake and squeak.
His mind was in chaos, not knowing why, and not doing anything at all other than to wait for it to pass so that he can resume his slumber.
In one skilled movement, quite similar to a thief snatching someone away, he brought up his arms, eyes still closed, unwittingly embracing the maiden with a slightly exposed, pristine body, taking her close to him as he thought of a pillow with a rather soft texture on his chest.
He then resumed sleeping with a smile on his face.
Emilia, whose face looked rather red and angry, wound her right hand, slapping the poor man's cheek with a loud clapping sound that seemed to echo until the palace where Evelyn resided with a handful of documents on her desk.
"Why do I have the feeling that something bad happened."
Evelyn thought to herself, then resuming her desk work.
With that, they scurried off to the palace where all the workload was concentrated.
Emilia was first up in giving this young man his formal training as a page.
She divided her personal emotions from what had happened previously from the present so that she could concentrate.
"Memorize this map and deliver all of these requests and parchments on the double. You'll need to rely on your speed and tact so that you can give all these requests before an hour passes."
Those were the first few requests that she entailed him to do.
He accepted them without hesitation, still feeling rather sleepy, he went on with a complicated gusto and a swollen cheek.
-
"But still, that was an amazing palace. Unharmed, and became a temporary lodging place for the civilians whose homes have been ransacked."
It seems that the reckless attitude I sensed from her that night was a fluke, and that she was rather responsible for doing such a thing.
I remembered that palace as it first came into view, though the stinging pain on my cheek tried to divert my attention, its wonder simply caught me by surprise.
Of course I saw a dark gloomy building from afar that day I defended this village; now that the sun shone brightly overhead, it became a marvel of architecture.
The interior carried a cool, languid scene, the ceilings were adorned with candlelit chandeliers, the archways leading from room to room bore a splendid theme, and the overall stone made structure carried an aura of protection simply by being in it.
before entering, we came through a sizable training ground where the earth stood as their proving grounds.
There, straw-made dummies stood with targets on their chest, and head, indicating that it was made into an archery range and a sparring grounds.
Some soldiers were busy training, holding and swinging their swords with discipline and skill, which Emilia applauded them for.
In return, the stopped in their tracks, saying "Thank you, general Emilia," and saluted, then resuming their training.
It occurred to me that the men in her garrison were divided, some trained, some helped out with the constant repairs, and some concentrated on guarding the borders and boundaries of the town, securing the peace however insignificant it might seem to others.
It was really beginning to take a turn for the better, nearly prospering after an attack.
"Alright, twenty down, seventeen more to go."
I looked into the satchel bag that I was given in order to hold all the letters of requisition, having organized it beforehand by what I thought would be the most effective way.
I've already encountered much of the populace, some even urged me to take a break with them at the local inn, which was partially done already.
"Here young man, why don't you take a seat and chow down on some soup. You must be tired."
They were easy enough to converse with once you've become familiar with most of the town itself.
Some I've even gotten to know on friendlier terms, some were the same age as me, both boys and girls, all helping out with smiles on their faces.
"Hey, hey let's play again tomorrow, alright?"
The children in particular were energetic.
Though a bit of time had passed when I played with them, it didn't matter at the least since I had finished my task beforehand.
What I had experienced in this moment made me think of Evelyn for a split second.
She doesn't seem to be as old, yet she governs this territory with responsibility and professionalism.
Plus, those mountainous piles of papers stacked upon the various parts of her office made it quite more appalling as she faced them with a gleeful smile on her face.
"How inhuman."
I told myself in a good way, thinking if she had time to herself, which I think she's had, but in the past.
I recall her leading her troops in a charge that moment I blacked out, meaning that she's grown well accustomed to the battlefield, not something normal for girl to be in, but she's an exception.
The thought of her made me wonder more and more, but it deterred me from the task at hand, so I decided to put those on hold until I can settle all my training for today.
After having delivered all of them, I prepared to go back, exhausted and on the verge of collapsing.
I passed the training grounds, thinking of greeting the soldiers who are rigorously training.
They replied with a wave and a hearty smile, showing a rather large boost in their moral, mainly due to the change in atmosphere.
I went on in, feeling rather reluctant to show Emilia my progress.
Having memorized the very halls as I had first entered them, it became no hassle to find the lord's study where I was first given my tasks.
As I walked through the corridors, the staff of the palace seems to be working harder from when I left, seeing them running to and fro, carrying with them papers and clean laundry.
"Good morning."
I flashed the maids with a smile, in which they replied happily to it, trotting to their direction as I continued forth.
A wooden double door appeared on the very end of the corridor, a simple one, yet one that kept within it the lord of the territory.
There were few to no soldiers present within the palace, since the majority of them had been seen outside, leading only to the conclusion that their ranks have been spread thin since most of their previous garrison members have passed away in that one battle.
Before I could knock, I hear a familiar reckless girl's voice, one that seems to be speaking with herself.
"A shortage in requisitions, huh? How troublesome. Although I expected the repairs to have drawbacks and troubles, I didn't anticipate it being this terrible. At this rate we won't finish the repairs until next season."
Her irritable voice could be clearly heard from outside, not requiring for me to eavesdrop, but part of me says to listen more, and another says that I should enter and go about my business.
I decided to knock, as a result, she ceases her internal ramblings in order to say that I am welcome to go in.
"Oh, it's you. How did it go?"
"Fine, I've given all the instructions as per your request."
"Good, and you didn't even need a map to go about your surroundings, I'm impressed."
"I thought it'd be better to know your surroundings if you wandered unknowingly. Or that might just be me."
"Is that so? Well, if you are looking for more tasks, Emilia isn't here unfortunately, I've sent her somewhere important, leaving no one in charge of your training other than me."
She rose from her seat, looking at the window behind her, opening it as to feel the fresh cool breeze passing through.
Except that luxury of hers was cut short by a courier, one that wore a damaged leather armor, breathing harshly.
"I've come bearing two reports and a message."
"I, the Zalphion and lord of this territory shall receive it."
The man kneels as he hears a certain word, one that I began to be curious of as to what its meaning is.
"I am honored to be in your presence, my lord!"
"We have no time for pleasantries and flattery, come, bring me what you will!"
The man takes two parchment papers from his bag, and one more that contained a red seal.
He presented them both, then knelt again for formalities sake, then left to leave with speed.
"Well, this is rather troublesome."
She simply looked at the cover of the red sealed one, speaking about a bad tiding to it.
She laid it down, reading the other two first as I stood in the room, unable to make out anything that was happening due to my lack of information.
reading it out loud, I began to focus on her words, which carried a bit of weight in it to be called rather grave.
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"After the battle near Ryuviel in Fortesca, bandits and the like have set their sights on the weakened town, sizing it up as to take it over. Their numbers are unknown, but are said to have amassed at least seven thousand troops..."
She went silent upon hearing the statistics, putting her in a bad position, nevertheless, she continued reading.
"There is no sign of an imminent attack, however, the threat of having them there terrifies the merchants and the townspeople, hurting the trade and innocent populace traveling the roads."
Evelyn closed her eyes, massaging the temple of her nose.
"I can't believe they're foolish enough to believe that a band of bandits can ransack a territory governed by a Zalphion. It takes courage to do that, or even think of the prospects."
Taking a deep breath, she puts down the first letter and opened the other one.
A smile appeared on her face, one that showed a longing for meeting someone.
Curious, I asked, interrupting her train of thought.
"Oh, this? It's just a letter from one of my generals saying that his return will be in a two weeks or so."
"I see, well, how about the bandits, I assume that you're having a difficult time thinking of a way to counter them when the time comes."
"You have a sharp mind, which is rather amazing despite having amnesia."
"Thank you. Although only a day of my training had passed, it is all because of you and your proposition, and Emilia as well."
"Keep up that humble attitude would you? It's not something that I see often. Most of the times all I see are greedy and power hungry men."
She then neatly picked up a stack of papers then placed them down on a segregated spot.
"I have a question if you're not busy."
I went out on a limb, since this curiosity of mine couldn't be sated at all. I don't think it's a sensitive subject seeing as how they spoke about it in the open.
"Go ahead."
"What exactly is a Zalphion?"
Evelyn stared at me for a good three counts, then grinning slightly.
"So it seems that you do not know that as well. I wonder where you were raised. I thought that our reputations were well known, and that almost no one had not heard of us."
Cocking my head to the side, I think, unable to catch wind of what she had just said.
"Could you elaborate a bit?"
"I can. Take a seat. It'll take a while since this isn't my forte, but I'll try."
I did as she said, ready to take in as much information from her as possible.
She stood in front of me, crossing her arms as if changing into a tad more serious attitude.
"Zalphions are normal people turned demigods due to a blessing. In the beginning, they were normal people, given a boon from the divines, sacred weapons that were said to manifest their powers, and along within those weapons lies the dormant spirit of a divine in which their powers would awaken them."
She paced along the room, taking brief pauses before continuing.
I merely looked and listened in fascination, unable to believe right away, but found myself thinking that it might not be that fake to begin with.
"Those were the first generations. As time passed, their weapons would disappear with the coming of age, followed by passing away, and then choosing its next successor. Those that were chosen were obligated to report to the king of their land and they were given the appropriate training, then their own land to govern. Their primary objective is to act within the best interests of the king, serving them as he or she dictates them so."
She then sat down, looking at me from behind her desk, continuing.
"Many more years passed, and a man of skill who wielded the four elements came from out of the blue, his name was Heinrich Heiden. His coming greatly shifted the balance of the continent. He proved himself by leading a losing faction that was righteous in his eyes, ending a five-year rebellion and uniting the country. That country is this one we stand upon. Emilia will teach you about geography, so I’ll leave some details to her, but continuing, Heinrich was able to rally the Zalphions under his command, unifying the most of the land."
She leaned forward, breaking my concentration as I shook my head.
"Would you like to hear more?"
"Absolutely."
"Haha, very well. After a few years of prosperity, Heinrich disappeared suddenly, never to be seen from again. The Zalphions from that generation never said anything, so nothing came to light. But because of the great hero's disappearance, war broke out since they couldn’t decide who would rule after him. He didn't have any children after all, which was quite a shock since most of the Zalphions that were chosen back then were quite the fair maidens, each boasting great strength and beauty. And so that brings us to the present, where everyone wants a piece of land, disregarding the lives they walk on."
She reclines from her seat, exhaling after going through a great ordeal of having said something in quick succession.
But what amazed me the most was the history, although lacking, it’s something to behold.
"Zalphions, huh?"
“Yes. The unity of the land gave the Zalphions a reason; to protect their king no matter what. And because of Heinrich, they knew that there was a possibility in uniting all the Zalphions for peace, and that’s how it should have been.”
Evelyn’s eyes cast down, looking sad as her words seem to have affected her, bringing back a memory she’d rather not think about right now.
"By the way, do you have any idea why Emilia was red and angry when she came back after getting you?"
"Ah-I, I have no idea. Maybe she got sick?"
I don’t think she’d like to hear about what happened.
Although I am fully aware about what had transpired, about that soft sensation that came about like a gift from the heavens, and the unrelenting fragrance that kept my mind occupied about her…
I can’t say anything about that. Thinking of Evelyn, she’d just laugh at it, or at me rather, more than be concerned.
"Well that would be terrible if that were the case."
She once again rose from her seat, heading for the door.
"Why don't we start early for your first combat lesson?"
"I don't see the harm in declining, but I feel a bit tired."
"Don't worry, it’s just the thing to wake you up."
She gave me a thumbs up, then proceeded to walk away yelling -- "meet me in the training grounds!" -- leaving her office a mess with cluttered with papers and other things strewn about the floor.
We met each other in the training grounds, the soldiers having already made way and prepared weapons and have already called out some of their comrades interested in seeing their Zalphion fight as they always have on the battlefield.
I stood opposite from her, wielding a sword that glistened under the light of the sun, one that held a sharp edge.
"Wait... am I missing the point here?"
"What do you mean?"
Evelyn asks, taking practice swings, dividing the air itself as her sword creates a fresh breeze on the battlefield, drawing the eyes of her subordinates, who watch fervently.
"I mean, the words practice in itself is already self-explanatory, so I'd like to know why you're brandishing this sharp blade of yours in front of a novice?"
"Like I said, it's just the thing to wake you up, plus you'll get a bit of knowledge on how to act against someone who's out for your life."
One soldier approached me, handing me my blade, a similar one that Evelyn has.
The man leaves, patting me on the back as he says, "Don't worry about it too much."
His words of pity and goodbye only seemed to make my fears all the more louder.
Just what kind of power does she have if she's the Zalphion of this territory, the feared and respected ones.
"Don't tense up too much, I can see your shoulder muscles contracting from here!"
She shouted from a distance as she began to warm up, reading me like a book.
As a result, I tried to relax my arms, but they remained slightly tense, unable to dispel the thought of a deadly injury.
"I’ll hold back, so don't worry about dying. I won't let a subordinate of mine die. But, if you don't take this seriously, you might just end up dead."
She readies her stance, holding her sword to her side, not really provoking any type of complicated technique.
The atmosphere thickens, creating one that's fit for this battle, a one sided one.
Without further warnings, she comes dashing at me, closing the distance between us in a heartbeat.
I rely on my instincts, thinking that the most effective way of dodging something that's heading straight for you is to weave to the side, in which I do just that.
She seems to have seen through me, shifting her body to face mine, then swinging her sword arm from her left, winding it with the wind.
Her glistening hair made a beautiful arc that swayed with her body, that smooth dark hair creating a picturesque image of a battle maiden. As if her smile while she fought me wasn’t bright enough.
I placed my sword in front of me and planted my feet firmly, closing me eyes and gritting my teeth, knowing that I can't move my sluggish body any further to escape.
With a steel shattering sound, the match is declared over in that very moment, when a minute hadn't even passed.
She wiped her brow, speaking words directed at me.
"Remember. The first few minutes of a battle is the most important one. though some say that it's how long you last, but for me, finishing it early is best."
I took a glance at my sword, broken in half as only a part of the blade and the hilt remains.
My knees give in, forcing me to my knees, trembling in fear, but I was wide awake. Any sort of fatigue had gone away.
I felt my shoulders slump, causing me to release a sigh of disbelief and relief that I was still in one piece.
Suddenly, something blocked the sun as I sat on my knees, eyes closed, lamenting on my loss.
"Don't worry. You might have a long way to go, but you'll get there eventually."
I opened my eyes, seeing Evelyn, whose bent over, looking at me as she combs the right side of her dark silky hair to the back of her ear.
her pose was enough to see her cleavage, nearly spilling forth, provoking me in a way.
She then retreated, extending her hand towards me.
"Let's go another round. Progress is slow and steady, but growth is constant if you're persistent enough."
We began training once more, each round being more intense than the last.
After the fifteenth round, I had accumulated scratches and small wounds here and there without her breaking a sweat.
By the time we were finished, I had collapsed on the ground, nearly sleeping there if it weren't for the kind soldiers that I had befriended.
A man stood in front of me with his hands on his waist, looking down on me.
"You got beat up really bad, huh?"
"Heh, well I guess I’ve got more of that to go through."
"Oh yeah, you're her page in training huh?"
"Yeah. Are pages supposed to train like this? I thought I'd me be more focused in literature and history. So why am I learning swordsmanship this early?"
This dark haired man I had befriended just this morning was Lucas, someone who seems to be my age -- Which I decided to be seventeen to be the appropriate number -- He was a soldier that had been in Evelyn's personal rank of soldiers for a year.
"Well, it's unusual already that someone as old as you is training to become a page. But don't sweat the little details. As long as you get the training, then all is well. Plus, you've got the one and only Zalphion teaching you. There's no greater honor than that, so you better train your hardest."
he pulled me up so that I could brush the dirt off me.
He wore his personal leather armor, and under it was a navy blue top and brown leggings, the staple for a soldier taking it easy while being on guard. He was the very picture of an average young man some might say.
"We’ll plan another session next time. I'm sure Emilia will be back by tomorrow morning, and you will resume your training under her my mid-morning, so you have until then to do as you please. But, if you want to help out, you can come to me and I can give you work."
Evelyn then leaves without saying anything else, waving goodbye as her rambunctious frame disappears into the shadows of the palace.
The orange hue bathed the town, in which the people responded by lighting the street lamps and igniting their candles before night could come.
So, are you going to head back now?"
Lucas asks, smiling as if he has something in mind.
"I could, but it seems that you want to ask me something."
"Read right through me, huh bud?"
"What can I say-"
"Want to go with me to the inn?"
He cuts me off, not that I particularly minded, but something that was rather rude.
Sighing, I nod in agreement, cementing our friendship at bit more as we head to the inn.
He had called several others to come with him, in which they reluctantly agreed to it, shouting heartily in the air.
After having vented her stress, she now faces the letter she had ignored beforehand, holding it and looking at it intently.
Judging from the seal, she knew that it was either internal state affairs, or personal state affairs, both of which affected her greatly after this battle with the Zalphion of Linnia.
She lamented deeply about how bad the damages were, and what she had made her people go through.
It was filled with sleepless nights, someone of which ended up haunting her.
She could not be in two places at once, but her title entailed that her duty is to the crown, and leaving her own territory at the cost of that had made her face rather difficult decisions.
Opening it, she reads through with a tinge in her heart.
"You are requested to head to the capital in order to discuss the option of a counterattack against Linnia? Is this a joke? Can't they see that I need to focus on repairs before I can move about?"
She knew that this is not the orders of the wise and kind old man known as the king to her.
She knew his state, he was growing older and much feebler, enough to be prey to the power hungry men who have already torn this land apart.
The country of Barda, where her territory stood, was in a state of utter chaos.
The two of the considered 'great' dukes have begun their moves in order to be next for the throne, thus they have thrown the country into a civil war, one that they selfishly decided upon themselves even though they are at war with Linnia, the neighboring country.
King Harold was bedridden, so his advisers were easy to manipulate and convince, so both sides focused their political and strategical moves around that basis, that they have an inch of command within the royal line.
Evelyn also found it odd how this all came to be.
She was also requested to come to the capital bringing with her an army, forcing her to divide her troops into who can defend and who can join her since most of her generals were away on small campaigns.
But before all that, she knew that she would be attacked by someone, but little did she know that it would be the lightning Zalphion who would attack her.
"It's all too convenient, especially for that sly bastard!"
Of course, there was no attack, and her troops wasted their time, but they could not disobey an order from the palace, especially a Zalphion, whose purpose is to protect the king.
Once she received the news of her territory under attack, she rushed over, even her men were reluctant to keep going without rest. She knew it was reckless.
She came back to a desecrated town, one that nearly lied in ruins, but it did not thanks to a lone man who stalled enough time for her to lay waste to them and send them packing.
Her thoughts now shifted to the man she met, and is under her guidance.
The one who had no name nor memory to back himself up, but defended the town only because he wanted to protect the people living within it.
"What an interesting man I've met."
She saw how he had completed his task, but before that, he was offered a map since he knew nothing and that all the letters needed to be given on time.
But he simply glanced at the map for what seemed to be five minutes and left quickly.
He then returned thirty minutes after, still having half an hour to his time.
She found it ironic and amusing that someone who had amnesia could memorize something that quickly.
That wasn't the only thing.
She remembered the recent practice battle they had.
He didn't have any skill with the sword that was worth boasting, but his defense was impeccable, especially his legwork and timing in dodging her attacks, which made it rather difficult to end a strike.
"Let's see how far you'll go."
She smiled to herself, thinking whimsically.
A lively and loud atmosphere filled the inn, most of which were men and tired workers incuding soldiers who had time off their duties.
Men were shouting, singing, laughing, the very picture of an inn at night. The structure was made of sturdy looking wood, the inside was lit up by lamps hanging everywhere, there were muscicians playing some sort of string instrument, one that carried a charismtic ambiance to it.
Lucas called for an available table once we came in, looking to be drunk already even though we hadn't had anything to drink yet.
Once we sat together with the motley bunch that Lucas had invited, they began telling intereting stories to ones that they laughed to, relieving them of the stress that had been accumulated these past few days.
The mood changed for a specific someone when a certain frilly dress wearing waitress came with a gentle, youthful smile.
Her brown eyes and short brown hair until her shoulders created a rather adorable contrast about her, giving only one word what Lucas had said before... Cute, which gave reason for her rather average height.
We found ourselves staring at her all together, in which she found herself in a bit of an awkward position, but not uncomfortable, rather she giggled in a cutesy way and asked what we'd like to have.
Lucas spoke, stuttering in a way as he looked at the waitress with a beet red face.
"A-a, I, no I mean, we..."
She laughed to herself as she saw Lucas' petty attempt at trying to speak even without knowing the reason as to why.
One soldier that Lucas had invited spoke for all of us, sparing Lucas the chore of embarrassing himself any further.
"We'll have five mugs of beer and five bowls of hot soup specials!"
"Alright! I'll be back with your order!"
She took the hem of her skirt and bowed, leaving for the counter, skillfully dodging more of the customers that are entering the inn, seemingly accustomed to it.
We all shifted our eyes to Lucas, looking at him like a wolf looks at a sheep.
"I see what's going on here."
One of them grinned, putting his arms around Lucas.
"Don't worry Lucas, we'll help you out with Layla, but first, you have to treat us to something!"
"Uhh, I don't like the sound of this, but if you guys will help me, then I’m in!"
Lucas raised his hands into the air, feeling the vigor that his friends had instilled into him rising and rising, and overflowing.
She came back carrying our orders, which look to be more than she can handle as she fumbles and nearly drops the tray she holds on both hands.
With one step, she leans over, her body shifts forward, and everything goes by slowly.
Lucas moves by instinct, catching her small frame that lands on his chest, and the two trays as well.
A moment of silence goes by; they look at each other with a gentle passion gleaming in their eyes.
She turns red, realizing where she is, softly putting her hands on his chest as to push herself back without causing injury.
"I-I'm very sorry!"
The girl retreats, bowing earnestly as if she had made the greatest blunder in her career.
Lucas quickly sets the trays down, then faces her, scratching his head with a goofy face.
"Ahaha, don't worry about it, It's not your fault. The trays were too heavy anyway."
Time passed and we had our fair share of food and merry making, excluding myself from the alcohol.
As soon as the night had reached its peak, the men began to pour out, still having duties tomorrow.
I stayed outside the inn, waiting for Lucas to appear through those doors.
Previously, he had told me to wait after his accomplices encouraged him to speak his mind.
In truth, it seems that this is not the first moment that the two had seen each other.
They have in many other occasions even before Lucas had enlisted to become a soldier, but he had no experience speaking to her, leading to him frequently going to the inn and ordering whatever he can with as cheaply as possible, like water, as long as he could see her.
But this time, it was different.
They pushed Lucas to his boundaries, awakening the true man in himself, so he confessed after the inn's hours were over, around midnight where my mind has already turned to mush due to the fact that I had not gotten any proper rest after my practices.
In that moment, Lucas burst out the door with a giant grin on his face.
"H-how did it go, Lucas?"
"It went well! I, I did it!"
After celebrating his victory, we went on our way, dragging with me Lucas who had passed away due to his enjoyment.
"So our plans failed. It seems that the Zalphion of this country shows great tenacity."
A man who governed his territory with an orderly iron fist, spoke with his minister and accomplice, plotting.
"Our ties with the Zalphion of Linna are rather limited, so I advise using her effectively. We cannot let failure hinder us."
"I understand that much. It will take time, but we shall convene for another time. Until then, I will think of another plan to which we can cripple the power of the Zalphion of this country, and soon, we can finally begin usurping the throne."
"I am looking rather forward to it."
As the cloaked accomplice stepped out, he is stopped for one more question by the man of a large and bulky body, sitting on the lord's seat.
"How goes the cultivating of the dragons?"
"Exceedingly well. We may be able to use two of them, the fire and earth dragons."
The cloaked man replied mischievously, laughing as he left.
"Soon, everything under the heavens will be mine."