The journey had taken them at least half a day to cover a fraction of the road to the capital.
It was mid-morning, only having traveled half a day as the afternoon began to set in.
Upon a lone, lush tree that bore fruit is where they sat under to rest, tying the reins of their horses to one of the easy to reach branches.
They had arrived to the outskirts of a small, tranquil farming village in Fortesca, staying away from the people residing there as to avoid the fuss and disturbing them, which she knew they wouldn't mind.
But she thought better and decided against that, remembering how those things always play out, especially with the people in her territory.
Because of the sudden prosperity that the territory had gained in that previous year, people praised Evelyn for her meticulous planning and constant supervision that they were able to prosper in such hard times, given that it had become hard since bandits roamed the area without fear of the Zalphion watching their every move.
Even though she was late for having ignored to letter sent by the royal palace, she payed it no mind, making it seem that they are on a stroll rather than being on an important journey to the king, which Heinrich had been anxious of seeing, that is if he receives the chance to do so.
It has been said, and it had been heard by him, that the king was bedridden because of a recent event that had left him heart broken, resulting in his health to deteriorate.
Evelyn had once explained it to Heinrich that it was because he lost his beloved wife and one of his daughters and his only son, the heir to a failed assassination attempt against him a month and a half back, and has had trouble coping with the loss ever since.
It had gotten to a point where he had become pale, and his body became malnourished due to him not eating, and his overall physique was deathly teetering on the edge.
His remaining daughter kept him fed in her best efforts, persuading him somehow, but it was not frequent.
Needless to say that he feared the loss of his last daughter, but is unable to do anything to prevent another disaster from happening because of his weakness.
Heinrich kept that in mind, thinking of what he should say, or what he should do if he is ever given the chance to meet the king.
Instead, he takes out his sword from his sheath, leaving the shade of the lush tree, and exiting into the strong breeze blasting from the east.
He began swinging skillfully, practicing his swordplay, which he still thinks needs a lot of work.
“You sure are a hard worker. You should take a break sometimes. Otherwise you’ll end up straining yourself.”
“Point taken. But, Once I’m needed, I won’t be as useful as I’d want myself to be. So might as well be cautious and train my heart out.”
“What an uptight person I’ve taken under my wing. You’ll end up like old Gideon if you keep this up.”
“I don’t see the problem in that. He seems strong enough, which is what I’d like.”
“Trust me. You’ll lose all sense of fun in you, and you’ll end up being muscles only.”
Evelyn saw Gideon as an uptight retainer, one whose tenacity far surpasses Emilia’s making hers look miniscule. yet both of them were important to her, like family.
His emphasis on hard work and proficiency is a marvel to behold, seeing as how organized and trustworthy he is, but because of that, there is little time for leisure activities.
One could say that he is the strongest backbone of Fortesca, rivaling Evelyn’s fame.
He trained daily even without being called so that when the need for him arises, he can stand up for himself, unlike that other time that continues haunting him.
Belittled and taken lightly, he felt humiliated after being toyed with by that women wielding a spear skillfully.
“I know I’m training you and all, but I didn’t expect you to take it so seriously, without breaks even. What’s driving you to do something like that?”
“Hmm, you know what? That’s a great question. Maybe, I want to be able to repay you someday. I want to protect you and Fortesca. That’s what I’ve decided, I think.”
“Oh? Is that so? Repay me for what? Training you? If that’s so, then there’s no need to thank me. The rest of your life will be up to you, and only you.”
“That feels like a rather harsh rejection.”
“Maybe. Just remember that I own you now. Become someone great, and that’ll be enough payment to me.”
“How vague.”
“That’s just how things are.”
She began closing her eyes, inching further and further into a deep slumber under the comfort of a shade, and the soft, warm breeze of the air breezing through the field of green.
The sound of air being cut swiftly with each stroke rings around them, his breath is concise, focused and controlled.
In Evelyn’s case, hearing that kind of breathing along with the sound of him cutting the air, means that his training is paying off, having mastered the basics in swordsmanship.
"What's wrong, Evelyn. Is something the matter? You've looked downcast ever since we left the town."
The youth asked, halting his training for a while, approaching his teacher, who had closed her eyes to feel the full breeze of the wind.
"It's nothing. I'm just thinking about something."
"How about you tell me. It might feel lighter that way. Your face tells me that you have a lot on your mind."
She opened one eye to look at the young man.
"You're awfully persistent than usual. Do you really want to find out? It'll damped the peaceful mood."
"I don't really mind. As long as you're alright, then I am too."
He smiled, preventing her from backing away after being persuaded.
"Fine. I'll tell you. It's about me using my Zalheim's power against people."
"Is there something wrong with that? I thought it was natural to use it since it is yours."
"That's normally the case. But there are rules that need to be obeyed, such as to never use your Zalheim's true power against a human, not unless they're powerful than the user, or against another Zalphion, and other exceptions."
She explained some of the details about the responsibilities that a Zalphion has, and the restrictions bestowed upon it.
"We are given superhuman constitutions simply by having been worthy of wielding the Zalheim's, so to use such power transcending mortal knowledge is no laughing matter."
"Then that means you used it when you were not supposed to?"
"Spot on. You catch up fast."
"But, didn't you have a good reason to use it?"
He was inside the town when it happened, so he did not know if the situation were really dire for the need, or was it something else.
"Let's just close this topic and move on. I can't make myself the moody person in the eyes of my student, can't I?"
He took a good look at her as she once again closed her eyes.
“Hey, Evelyn. How about we practice a round?”
Disturbed before going into her comfortable slumber, her eyes twitch, slightly irritated.
“What's this? First you ask me about some stuff I felt uncomfortable about, now this? Are you getting too confident?”
Once she opened her one eye, she took a glance at Heinrich, who now stands over her, looking down with his sword idle at his side as he extends the other to her.
“How would I protect you if I can’t handle someone like you?”
“You do know that it’s useless, right? Zalphions are unbeatable when it comes to others, but against another Zalphion, that’s a whole other story.”
“Worrying about something like that will only hinder me. Might as well go all the way rather than to sulk, right?”
She takes his hand after smiling at his courageous remark, brushing off the dirt from her.
“I’ll make you eat those words of yours, alright?”
“Looking forward to it.”
They stood opposite of each other, having already warmed up to their weapons.
The youth had managed to face the fear of going against a blade in practice, thus facing or sparring with those whom held their blades had little to no effect on him, but against a Zalphion, and one of his teachers, this was whole other story.
Her dark hair fluttered with the wind, her expression was refreshing, as if it was saying that she was glad to have been asked for a short duel.
The youth stood there, assessing his opponent, who possesses no particular form at all, except putting her hand on her waist, the one thing that goes along with her aloof nature.
“Any time you’re ready!”
Evelyn, shouted, smiling brightly as her right sword arm stood idle on her hand, containing no pressure at all.
With his two hands, Heinrich, dashed towards her, cleaving downwards with a strong shout as he brings his sword overhead, having closed the gap between them with an explosion of power from his run.
Easily, Evelyn evades the attack by simply stepping aside a meter, looking at her enemy, who had put in all his strength in that one attack.
He stumbles forward, having missed his mark, trying to regain his balance as he rolls forward, turning to face his opponent without delay.
“I thought it’d be the end for you right there.”
“That’d be a great shame if I were to die by my own blade.”
Heinrich grips his sword tightly with his two hands, focusing his breathing as to maximize his endurance, predicting that she won’t take him seriously and evade most of his attacks.
(I just have to force her on the offence, and she might finally take me seriously.)
After taking a deep breath in, he dashes forward once more, stopping with precision to bring his sword up, then taking a step forward as to cleave downwards again.
Again, Evelyn dodges to the side, in which Heinrich retaliates by turning his blade, sweeping towards her position.
Surprised, she jumps backwards with her supernatural strength, bringing her meters away from the youth, who had expected as much to happen.
(I haven’t known her for a long time, but judging from her facial expression, I can more or less anticipate her next move.)
This time, before the young man could take initiative, Evelyn ran towards him at full speed, her eyes seem to see every path he might take, petrifying him in place, denying him his own options, which are fading away quickly.
Instead of thinking how to evade her nearing attack, backed by her movement’s momentum, he assumes a stance that he had done once before, one where being cornered leaves you with one option.
The same as last time…
He steeled himself, placing his sword forward, gripping it with two hands, looking at his opponent with unrelenting eyes, not blinking for even a split second as to not miss any details that might save him from this deathmatch of a friendly spar.
Closing the distance between them, she changes her sword’s position, intending on knocking him out with the flat edge of her sword.
She swung her sword from her side, unleashing a terrible gust of wind just from the flat edge of her sword.
“There!”
Heinrich strikes, attempting to finish this first before a blow could be struck upon him.
“Hey, hey, wake up already. How long are you going to sleep? We need to keep moving, it’s already after noon!”
“Ngnh. Wha-what happened?”
“Finally. I’m sorry, I think I went too overboard.”
“It’s as to be expected from a Zalphion.”
“I know I shouldn’t be asking this, but are you alright?”
“More or less. I can’t move my body at all without it aching. But it doesn’t seem fatal.”
He woke up without a hint of what happened.
There he sat beside her under the shade of the tree, feeling the breeze as the view fades, turning a hue of a calm orange scene.
“How long was I out?”
“An hour. I thought it’d take more than that, so I was quite amazed.”
He turned his head to look at her from the side, seeing Evelyn grabbing her knees as she sits beside him, looking at the view in front of them.
He thought of only one thing as she looked at her in that one moment of vulnerability.
“That look again. Just like on the ramparts.”
The Zalphion took a look at him, perplexed at what he was saying.
“Even though you say that you’re strong, deep inside, you’re still a girl. Hahaha. Of course you’d be.”
“What are you babbling about now? I don’t think I damaged you enough to make you hallucinate and babble like an insane person.”
“Don’t mind me. I’m just rambling to myself.”
She stood up, dusting herself off, then walking towards her horse, petting it and arranging her belongings on the saddle.
“Stay here, alright?”
Evelyn rode on her horse, taking hold of the reins as the animal trots peacefully to face the direction of where she needs to go to.
“Wait, where are you going?”
“Don’t worry. I overdid it. I’ll send for some villagers to help you recover. When you’re healed, then head back to Ryuviel.”
Just when she started to leave, he tried to reach his hand out to her, grasping nothing but the air.
“Wait. Bring me with you. I thought we were going together?”
“I don’t think that’s possible the way you are now. Just listen to me and you’ll be fine. I’ll see you in a few days.”
She smiled, then finally whipped the reins, leaving the slope where the youth rested, unmoving with his aching body.
His eyes started to close, drifting to a deep slumber as the pain started to come back, forcing him to rest in order to recover his lost strength.
"How much longer till we arrive at the capital?"
"About half an hour, my lord."
There the man named Edward Mardun rode upon an armored steed, leading his troops as he strode gracefully and respectfully on the forefront of the army, ten thousand strong.
He wore a heavy set of dark armor that was reminiscent of the black dragon in which the stories have been told about, awe-filled and fear inducing to those who saw the wearer like a higher being than them.
They have been marching since this morning, intending to crowd one side of the capital, and attack it at the first dawn of tomorrow.
His father's words never left his mind, more so that it fueled his desire to succeed no matter what the cost may be.
Though he had his doubts, he depended upon himself and the abilities in which had been ingrained into him through the times had spent learning under distinguished men and those who achieved excellent marks in their services.
Having steeled himself for the coming turmoil, he knew that there was no turning back, and that there is only one way of how things should go.
Looking at his men from his horse, he thought about how they felt.
They knew why they were marching, and that they themselves knew no other way other than to serve the house in which they obeyed, seeing as this is the only way that they can feed their families, and themselves.
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Asking them the same question they've asked themselves will only make them more confused, this he refrained from pursuing the topic any further.
Instead, he focused on the task at hand, preparing the necessary strategies and other needs for the upcoming siege and battle, which he knows will become a hard fought one.
The reason as to why three of his father's prominent generals have come to join the young master in his first major war endeavor, one that will have him remembered no matter what the outcome, was to ensure success and to maintain order within the ranks.
"Lord Mardun! General Triese has come back from scouting the area ahead."
"Good. Bring him here. I would like to hear the report personally."
The young lord turned to one of his stewards and some of his guards to follow him as he separated himself from the main army, still marching, allowing another wise, and distinguished general -- whose age is as old as his great white beard -- to lead the army.
"Then I shall leave the march to you for a while, general Adrious."
The general simply bowed, putting his hand on the left side of his large chest silently, indicating a presence of great respect for his lord's son.
Escorted by a small group of soldiers and his steward -- who carried their house flag containing a white dragon on a black background, and a black dragon on a white background, both chasing each other in circles on the flag, which carried a great amount of power and influence -- they headed to the side of the marching army, where the man named general Triese waited with his men.
"Lord Mardun! Thank you for gracing us with your presence."
"Be at ease, general. It would affect me greatly if all of you restrained yourselves to something that you are not comfortable with."
"Such words are wasted upon a man such as I. But I shall abide by your words."
A gallant and tall, prince-like, young man, whose respect transcends the two other generals, came face to face with Edward.
Though he was a young man in his early twenties, his strength and abilities as a general were far above average, earning him a place in Mardun's royal army.
He wore a simple set of steel armor, and his sword sheathed at his waist, riding upon a horse with minimal armor, compared to the other, which have fully adorned ones.
"I shall now report."
"Please do so."
"As per your request, I and my men have scouted the area where we are to rest our army before the great battle. There were no obscurities, nor were there any civilians that passed through. I have also scouted ahead, taking measures to ensure our army's safety at night. It is everything that you thought it to be. As expected of you, Lord Mardun. Your expertise truly is something to behold."
"Thank you for your hard work, general Triese. And fine work with the precautions. We shall all sleep peacefully with that in mind. Please relay the information that you have gathered to general Alcor on the left most flank as well. I shall personally relay the message with general Adrious."
"It shall be done. If that is all, then I shall return to my men. Please do not hesitate to call for me if you are in need of anything."
With that and a bow, the man leaves with his men, galloping at a great speed, as if wasting no time at all.
"Come everyone, let us continue to march so that we can rest early."
Edward called those around him who had served as escorts, heading back to the forefront of the army.
But before he could go back, he could not help but look at the surroundings.
"Truly befitting of a war torn country. The land is nearly barren, dark and sullen, as if abandoned by god's grace."
It was indeed as he said it was.
Barren, sullen, decrepit. That is the state in most lands in Barda during the war.
Though there were still greenery in some places, the ones that were barren were close in rivaling that amount, putting the country in grave danger.
"If we overthrow the king, then will this country finally have its peace?"
He asked himself another question, one that held no clear answer, as the future could not be predicted, only anticipated.
It will all be up to the actions of those who move to change the future.
"Where, am I?"
He began to move, his body feeling a slight sting of pain with a single movement of his muscle.
His eyes opened slightly, adjusting to the view of which was a wooden ceiling, illuminated by the light of a candle somewhere.
Coming to, he started surveying the area, finding no one in the solitary room in which he apparently stayed in.
It was a wooden room, furnished with cabinets, drawers, and a bed with comfortable sheets to keep a person warm.
The open window blew strongly as the night went on, accompanied by the singing of crickets outside.
"I passed out? How disappointing. After I looked forward to going to the capital too."
As he thought about his misfortune, he remembered one thing of importance before his vision became dark.
"Evelyn. So she left already, huh?"
Just as he sighed to himself, someone entered the room, bringing with her a pile of cloth that looked to be bandaged.
"Finally awake, young man? I thought you'd be asleep until tomorrow. As expected of our Zalphion's student."
An old woman -- whose hair was white -- looking to be in her sixties came in, smiling as she walked towards the cabinet where the candle was.
"Who are you, and where am I? I don't exactly remember anything that happened, except that I was about to pass out on that one hill. Do you know anything?"
He barraged her with questions, one that was similar to an impatient child that sought answers which was transcended by his questions.
But she simply looked at him and laughed tenderly, taking a seat on the corner of the bed where the youth sat as well.
"Take your time child. The night is young, so there is no need to rush things, is there?"
He took a deep breath in, then out, realizing what he had been doing, calming down as the atmosphere becomes comfortable.
"You are in our small village of Bell. I am the elder of this village. We were asked by lady Zalphion to help you recover and get back on your feet."
"Is that so?"
He looked at his body, some parts wrapped in cloth which seem to have herbs placed before them, serving to alleviate the pain in.
"Thank you. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."
"Oh, there is no need to worry child. It is only natural for each of us to help each other in times of need. I wouldn't want the only pupil of that young girl to stay bedridden for long. She seems to worry about you a lot."
Her tone seemed to carry a bit of teasing in there, as if it had another meaning to it.
"What do you mean?"
"Before she left, she said quite a lot of things about you. It seems that you have given her a reason to not neglect who she truly is inside that layer of strength."
"I, don't understand at all. I don't think I've done anything to deserve praise from her. Rather, I think it should be me who's thankful to her. She gave me a path to walk on when I was lost. Given that I could have chosen any single path. But what was important was that she gave me a hand. I owe her."
"Youth, such a wondrous, and a terrible time to see such youth flourish. It is instead wasted in strife such as this."
She stood up, heading to the door and reaching for the knob.
"Won't you join us downstairs for a meal? It would be lonely if it were only my grandson and I."
A smile formed on his lips as he nodded, feeling a certain comfort towards the elder, and the presence she exuded.
"I'd be more than happy to!"
He descended into a small dining room, enough to fit four people at best, furnished by a table and four chairs.
The place looked run down, dusty and unmaintained even.
Yet it carried with it the comfort a home provided, which was alien to him, seeing as he had no recollection of having lived a life with a family, or anything of the sort.
There he saw a young child who brimmed with energy as he helped his grandmother in preparing the table.
The elder had resumed to mixing the large cauldron where an appetizing smell wafts from, tempting those who could smell it.
"Please take a seat. It'll be ready in a minute or so."
The elder said, not taking her eyes off what she's doing.
As the child saw him, his eyes grew wide in surprise, amazed even as he runs up to the youth, wrapped in bandages, confused as to why the child is so ecstatic to see him.
"Oh! Are you the student of that bouncy lady from earlier?"
The child seemed to grasp at the empty space in front of his chest, shaking it up and down, as if to tease a certain person for something she has.
"Watch what you say, Conrad! She's the Zalphion of this land, not a bouncy lady!"
The elder scolded the child for saying such things, meaning that the elder has an idea of what he means, except for the youth, who is trying to figure out what the child means by the word.
"Haha I'm just kidding anyway."
He then turned to the Heinrich with his hands behind his head, grinning with his teeth, looking relaxed and too dynamic at this time of night.
"I'm Conrad. What's yours?"
"My name is Heinrich. It's nice to meet you, Conrad."
He extended his hand out to the child, in which he only stared at it, picking his nose with an oddball expression.
"That's a weird name. Are you strong then?"
"Uh, I know how to use a sword, but, well not that much. I am training in order to be strong, that much is true."
"Ehh, it thought you were the real thing. What a letdown. Doesn't matter. Big bro's still stronger than Heinrich to me anyway!"
His arms slumped as well as his expression, heading to the dining table, sitting while whistling.
The elder faced the confused youth with a bowl of piping hot soup on her hands.
"Don't worry about what this child says. He's an admirer of Heinrich Heiden of the past. The hero of the unification. But when my husband left for Eden, that was the only story that kept him dreaming about that. He only has his big brother left now, and me."
That name again. Heinrich Heiden.
So many know of his great story, and many have come to admire him.
It's not unusual that you'd feel down when you have the same name, and everyone else expects the same from you.
"Come, take a seat. You must be hungry."
He did just as he was told, and ate alongside the family of two, enjoying a meal that oddly reminded him of a home that he never had, but would want to in a sense.
"I'm glad that you like it."
As he ate, thoughts about his traveling companion, or his teacher rather, began popping up.
(I wonder how she's doing?)
He couldn't help but worry, even if she's capable with her superhuman strength.
A simple nagging feeling that's persuading him to move because of a premonition, or a bad omen to come.
"Excuse me, elder. But I'd like to know how long this will take to heal?"
"What's the hurry? Nothing ever good comes from rushing things."
"It's just that I need to follow my teacher. It might be needless worry, but I just can't seem to settle down."
"I shall see what I can do then. But for now, please rest your body. I might be able to have you moving around by tomorrow."
"Thank you, elder!"
As his words of gratitude came across the table, a bell could be heard, ringing frantically, abusing the sound it produces.
The sound was clear enough to come through the open window, waking everybody from their slumber.
"They're here! Russel's group is back! Alert the elder and the village guards!"
The elder's eyes shook open, and her peaceful aura disappeared, replaced by a face that displayed unease and agony.
"Please stay here with the guest, Conrad. I will take care of something outside."
Obediently, the child nods, not replying and continuing to eat.
The elder had left, leaving the two alone with each other, and the awkward silence, slowly swallowing them.
"Uhm, what is happening outside?"
He asked, thinking of it as something they'd rather not talk about, but seeing as how the elder reacted, he couldn't help but feel concerned and curious.
"You hear the name Russel?"
"Yes."
"Then that means they're back to harass the village, like always."
"Why? That's terrible."
"Well they just threaten us for now. But grandma won't believe me that they'll start being agressive soon."
"How long as this happened?"
"About a few months ago, I dunno. All I know is that they're getting louder and louder with each visit."
Suddenly, the voices of people arguing became louder, as if aggression was starting to take place.
He rose from his seat, instinctively responding to a feeling in his gut that he must follow before things are too late.
"Wait, where are you going?!"
Confused, the young Conrad also followed the man, drawn to him, but curious as to what's happening outside as well.
It was dark, but the image of the village was clear enough once he had covered a distance.
There were only a handful of houses, all of which were built with sturtdy looking wood, each also having the light of candles emanating from the windows.
There were trees growing inside the boundaries of the village walls, serving as a plaza and a garden in itself despite being a small village.
At the gate were crowds of people holding torches, pitchforks, and other makeshift weapons made to simply threaten.
The sounds of their angered voices echoed through the night.
"Just have over what you have and nobody'll get hurt, got that?"
"Like we've said before, we don't even have enough to feed ourselves with. We give to the people affected in Ryuviel, so what we have left is exactly for the season."
A man pleaded to the brutish man wearing leather armor with a kind voice, still trying his best to persuade the people to calm their nerves, it seems.
"I don't think that excuse will cut it this time. You've said that every single time, and I'm sick and tired of it. Hear this, elder. You'll get what's coming to you, and you won't even have the luxury to be sorry for not giving us what we want. You won't get a good night's sleep with what's coming to you. None of you understand what we're fighting for!"
They began turning their backs on the village, and their great numbers shrank.
But before they could all disappear, one man lagged behind with a slumped back and a sullen expression.
The elder called out to the man ina voice that she could manage, and a voice that could be heard from a distance.
"Russel!"
The man's shoulders jerk, and he turned his head to face the one calling him.
"Why did you join them, my dear? Won't you come back to the village?"
"I'm sorry, elder. But I don't want to be weak anymore. They promised me I'll be stronger once I joined them, and that they'll make a difference in the country. So, please just give them what they want. I-don't want them to harm you or anyone in the village!"
Some men who listened to the man named Russel started clenching their fists in anger.
"Just get away from here, you traitor. You'd betray us all for something like that? You're lower than a rat."
"Leave and don't come back. You betrayed us by joining them, and look at what they're doing to us. Does this make you happy?!"
Russel tried to calm them, but his voice was continuously cut off by the angry villagers.
Giving up, he returned to his sullen face, and regrouped with the departing group.
The crowd turned around and stared at the man of home they knew nothing about, except that he was the disciple of the Zalphion in this realm.
"Oh, elder. Is this the one?"
"Ah, yes. He is."
"Please introduce us. It would be an honor to know who the great Zalphion is teaching."
The men changed appearances, dismissing the event that transpired in that previous instant, as if it never happened.
"His name is Heinrich.
He bowed awkwardly, looking blankly for five seconds after being introduced.
"It is an honor to finally meet the esteemed student of the great Zalphion."
They praised him and praised him more even without having known of any of his exploits, which there were none. It was as if their smiles were forced.
"What happened here, elder?"
The youth asked.
"Don't worry. It is troublesome, but nothing that you should be worried about-"
As the elder finished her sentence, she was cut off by someone who emerged from the gates with a bag over his shoulder.
"I don't think that's the case this time, elder. They mean business."
A young man with silver hair-- who wore casual clothing with a sheath by his waist -- arrived, wearing a grave expression, and an unhappy aura.
"Oh, Hector. You're back!"
The elder held back much of her shock, but still showed familiarity towards the mysterious man.
From behind the youth came running an energetic child of whom he had known as Conrad.
The child dashed towards the man while shouting something he associates him with.
"Big bro, you're back!"
"Well if it isn't Conrad. Have you been good?"
"Yeah!"
They became accustomed to each other, enjoying a brief moment to themselves as siblings.
"Now, back to the matter at hand. Those delusional people will come back tonight from what I've heard, and that they're becoming desperate because of what's happening here in this country. If we don't act fast, we can't counter them. Ultimately, we'll be overrun by justice hungry bandits."
He made his claim known with his stern voice, announcing to the people who've turned a blind eye to most things, becoming oblivious to a point where they are aware of that.
"What should we do then?"
"Simple. Prepare to fight them back. It was all leading up to this point anyway, why not live up to it? The people here will never know when to rise up aginst something they disagree about without someone taking the first step."
"Hector's right. We have to protect this village. Can't we ask help from the people of Ryuviel?"
The villagers agreed, but asked a question in which they knew the answer to, but needed confirmation from someone who talked sense.
"It would be too far, and the village might be attacked by the time they arrive. Our only option is to plan this strategically. Though we only have a few people here, we might just be able to pull it off."
The man named Hector moved towards the elder, taking her hand.
"Elder, let me lead the people. I'll help this village no matter what."
He looked straight into her eyes, not blinking in order to show his determination.
The elder released a sigh as she had enough of someone staring her down with pleading eyes.
"It's all up to you, Hector. A lot of people already know that you're the strongest in the village. They trust you."
"Thanks, elder!"
He stood up straight, looking at the villagers surrounding him.
"Alright, let's meet up at the elder's place and plan this out!"
The man called out names of the few specific people to become the pillars of this plan he has in his mind.
"We'll follow you, Hector! Let's go fellas!"
As the people were organized to strengthen the village walls and tighten the guard and prepare for the incoming attack, there were only the two of them left within each other's gaze, eyeing down one another, but with no malice.
"I remember what they said. Your name is Heinrich, and you're the Zalphion's student?"
"Ah-yes, I am."
"The name's Hector. I'm a nobody, really. But these people here seem to really trust me. I know this is sudden, since we've just met and all, but I'd like to ask you a favor if you don't mind."
"What kind of favor?"
"We'll I just pleaded to command the people since I know that they're a disorganized bunch, and would just be a waste, so I blurted out being the commander. Truth is, I don't have any experience whatsoever in strategies. But that doesn't mean tht I can't fight. Just one of the few things I'm good at. So, could you help me?"
Hector extended out his hand and smiled, giving off a genuine friendly atmosphere, and one that pleaded for some help.
The youth thought about it, not about if he wants to, but if he could.
It had only been a week since he had been taught, but now it is up to him to make a difference however small.
(Do I really have the capabilities to do such a thing?)
But once he thought about Evelyn and all she had taught him, he was filled with a small light of confidence, enough to push him to follow and forge his own path.
He shook the man's hand, looking at him as well as they exchanged pleasantries.
Hector then looked behind him.
"Conrad, how about you go back to the elder's place and help me out?"
"Really?! Cool! I'll do it!"
Conrad became even brighter after being offered to help, jumping up and down.
"Get the map of the village and set it on the table, and tell the people there that I'm on my way."
Without replying, the child ran straight towards the house.
"You're too energetic for my own good, little brother."
Hector murmured to himself, laughing wryly as he looked at his brother disappear into the doorway of the house.
"Well then, let's go shall we? We've got no time to chat. Let's talk after we're done. I see something special in you, so I'm putting my faith in you, friend."
Hector left as he spoke with his back already turned to the man, who stood under the shade of the tree, and the light of the moon.
"Your faith in my hands, huh?"
This was the first time someone had told him that they depended on him.
The amount of people didn't matter. It was more of having someone tell him that he had a purpose, and now he had one.
To protect this village.
"Watch me, Evelyn. I'll show you that I'm capable."
He whispered into the night, then following the man who had asked for his help.
"Now, Zalphion. What move will you make? No matter what you do, you shall fall into the pit of despair. None shall stand in the way of my conquest. All who will, must be cast aside."
Mardun on one of the terraces in his mansion overlooking his town, which boasted great wealth and sophistication.
"Now, I believe I must make a move myself as well. The capital will not fall so simply. Early reinforcements are called for."
He rung a small bell, in which an old man, whose energy did not want with his age, wearing a suit, entered the room with haste.
"You've called for me, sir?"
"Call for general Geoffrey and ask him to prepare five thousand of his best cavalrymen. I shall meet with him before he departs."
"If that is all, then I shall do my task. Excuse me, my lord."
The servant departed, leaving the duke alone with himself as usual.
"Now, it is about time for Linnia's Zalphion to make a move. You will have nowhere to return to."
He laughed, then grinned deviously as he continued making plans within his mind.
“The loyalty of the Zalphion for her its king is unwavering, even if the Zalphion is stubborn and fool hardy. In that case, you must lure the Zalphion out in order to cut its roots, Ryuviel. And thus I shall shatter her from the inside out. Once Her territory is gone, the next phase will be easier for me to move about.”
Another knock is heard through the door.
“My lord, you’ve called for me? I am here, general Geoffrey, reporting!”
“Good, come in. Have you done what I’ve instructed you to?”
A man in his early thirties, sporting a short brown hair, came in, carrying his helmet under his arms as he saluted.
“Yes. My subordinates are now organizing my cavalry for departure as we speak. Where shall I be heading?”
“To the capital, Ciel. I want you to act as reinforcements to my son’s siege of the capital. I’m sure the knightly order will not stand by in fear simply because of a great army.”
“But my lord, won’t there be more soldiers in the king’s disposal to fight back? I don’t think fifteen thousand men will be enough to break the capital.”
The large man turned with a flutter of his cape, now facing the general, who gulped in a slight tremble as the face of the iron duke stared him down, making him look powerless even with his skill as a great fighter.
“I have made sure that all my connections are utilized. The capital is stretched thin as all of his majesty’s men have been sent to various villages and towns in order to prevent a wide scale pillaging of bandits, which I have procured myself.”
“I-is that so?”
The general shuddered in fear of how the man manipulated all this, just for his own ambitions.
The lord he faced acted within the confines of his home, making everything as easy from the perspective of outsiders.
What might happen if he acted himself, he wondered.
“You will only have to worry about the great knightly order of Leos, which only poses a threat because of its sheer number, and absurdly high morale. Other than that, victory is as good as ours. Now go, I don’t like wasting time.”
The man saluted and went on his way, walking with speed as the face of his terrifying lord chased him out of the room.
“Now, how should we do this?”
A few minutes had passed, and all the defenses around the village had been fortified as best as they could have been, and now all that’s left is to plan the last phase, which is to defend the village from an attack.
The youth leaned on the table, putting both hands on it as he looked around the people Hector had organized.
The youth looked over the map displaying the layout of the village.
None of the people here are experienced at wielding weapons, except Hector, making things rather complicated.
They had been debating for a few more minutes on how things would transpire, and no conclusion had been reached as the time drew near.
Prior to the meeting, the youth countered Hector’s idea of not getting reinforcements within that time.
He proposed going through with the idea, and sending someone to go to the town and ask for help.
“Take my horse and go to Ryuviel. Call for general Gideon, and tell him the Evelyn’s page requires your help as soon as possible.”
He left without asking any more questions, reluctantly taking the request as he left with a few words.
“If they do come here before me. Then please protect everyone here, the elder, my brother. I’m putting them in your hands, alright?”
And finally went on his way.
Returning to the meeting, he proposed a simple plan of action.
“I want the village guards with me. We’ll keep them away from the village and take the fight outside. I don’t know how many they have, but judging from the group they brought with them, I can assume they have roughly fifty men or so, while we have fifteen men, including me, who can fight.”
He based the thought out of the number of men the village had, which was rather dismal, putting them in a rough position where their morale was as low as it could be, as if they’ve already lost hope even before this could happen.
The guards in the village were people assigned here from Ryuviel, meaning that most of them are experienced, and might prove vital in surviving.
Who knew anger could breed so much hatred, enough for one to have reason to attack another of their kin because of a misunderstanding.
“Alright. If there are no objections, then let’s set things up, shall we?”
He took his equipment and prepared to meet the enemy, which had not come as of yet.
Wearing a set of leather armor that the villagers had provided, he met the people who were going to be holding out the attack with him, which were the men, who stood out the gates, armed.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, people were seen running from the horizon, unorganized, but in great numbers.
Once they saw the people gathered outside the gates, they ran faster, thinking that they've come to retaliate, forcing them into a frenzy without any words.
"Can I really do this?"
He thought about it, seeing as he had never taken a life before.
But now, things are different. he is faced with only one option now.
"Everyone, brace yourselves!"
They met the advancing enemy, clashing blades with them.
One of the many battles that will take place in Barda, had begun, and this is just the beginning.