"Conrad! I thought I had lost you! Thank god you're alright," he quickly ran to embrace his brother, also seeing a few others that he recognizes, including the village elder, who looked to be in low spirits.

It was a few days back, and a small group of people consisting of women, the youth, and the elderly had arrived to Ryuviel at the first mark of dawn, exhausted and in need of attention, they trudged forth, not wishing to waste the opportunity given to them by their fellow villagers.

"If you'll allow me some time after you've rested, could I ask you questions about what had happened, elder?" said Hector, guiding the lady with his arms towards the palace, a place opened up by Gideon to the villagers since they hadn't prepared anything for their sudden arrival.

"I shall tell you once I have rested. I'm sorry, but my legs and body are not what they used to be. It seems that age is catching up to me quickly, and I cannot outrun it."

The initial welcoming had died down, and every villager that was in the palace had now fallen asleep due to exhaustion.

In the meantime, Gideon and Emilia were talking to each other, worrying about the things happening around them as not normal.

"So, what can you make of this, Gideon. it hasn't even been a full day, and developments such as roused bandits are rising in our territory. Soon we might be dealing with a raiding band if we're not careful," she spoke in clear concern, her arms crossed as they both stood nearby their office.

"I say that we'll have to root out the problem, otherwise we'll be letting them rampage across our territory... But still, I'm a bit hesitant to leave after what happened. With Evelyn gone, I'll admit that it's hard to manage things by ourselves," his eyes were closed as he said the latter part of his sentence, seemingly grudged not to say it.

her eyes cast downward for some reason, drawing Gideon's attention to her, giving only one guess to answer her doubts.

"Still worried about that kid?"

Her eyes opened in surprise, and she took a good look at him. Yet she could not deny that he was not wrong.

"No one knows of what happened afterwards. Every single of them were dead, but his body wasn't there. Still, there's no use in losing hope. If his body isn't there, then you can hope that he's still alive somewhere."

"You're right. We'll have to keep doing our duties even n their absence. Nothing good will come from brooding all day long," she said developing determination to push her further through this chaotic happening.

"But still, this is surprising. You, being concerned for someone other than Evelyn. I wonder what that kid did to you," he laughed to himself in amazement, making Emilia remember something that she thought she had forgotten.

She closed her eyes, exhaling and staying silent for a while, then leaving without any reason, other than her being displeasured or troubled.

*sigh* "Women. I don't get them," he followed her, shrugging his shoulders in exasperation. "I'll train some men and scout out the territory. Maybe I can try and find out his whereabouts, or where these bandits are coming from."

"That's out of the question, Gideon. I will need you if ever an attack here breaks out. We are short on personnel, and I am irritated that we can't do anything about it... Alright then, I've decided. I will lead the scouts. Prepare them at once, Gideon," she said to him, turning around.

"If that's what you want then. I have no quarrel against that. I'll prepare them. Just wait for me and be prepared to move out right away while there's still light out. Time is best used efficiently," Gideon left with a flutter of his cape, walking off somewhere.

With Emilia left to herself, she thought about many things, including her friend, Evelyn, whom she had worried sick about, thinking a bad premonition is to come soon.

But him, whom she thought badly of because she knew next to nothing about him.

Yet her concern for him grew, why is that? Why does she not understand herself, she asked.

"... Maybe I was too harsh to critique him as early as we met."

Lacourte plains, a vast field of green grass parallel to the blue sky, place near the city of Ciel, a place fit for battle, a place where a fierce one is taking place.

It was peaceful, devoid of any kind of obscurities to its natural beauty. But now bodies could be seen littering the field, blood covering every blade of grass.

The screams for battle, pain, and agony, those of which ravaged the battlefield, making the innocent cover his ears and hide in fear of what might come next.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Bodies piled on top of each other, and more came, yet more waged battle with each other, the sound of metal clashing was nearly deafening as it was consecutively heard throughout, including the sound of the horns, those of which filled the people with the strength to keep moving forward without regards for their own lives.

"Keep up the charge! Don't falter, everyone! Remember those that you care for are inside of these walls, hiding and cowering in fear! Show them that you can defend them!"

One maiden wearing simplistic blue armor yelled in resonance, raising her gleaming sword of magnificence in the sky like a banner, effectively moving the hearts of many.

She was covered in blood, yet fll of energy and vigor, enough to hack and slash while on her steed, taking down foe after foe with ease, as if she was enough to take on the army's entire role.

"Follow my lead! Charge them from their flank!" she pointed her sword forward, improving her speed with her steed, and those who followed her, creating a small stampede of horsemen wielding spears, shields, and swords, wearing armor as heavy as they could carry.

They would skewer and impale many upon their spears, showing how fearful their charge was, decimating their rear flanks with ease, emerging from the other side.

"Retreat and be ready to perform another charge!" without lowering their momentum, she led the horsemen to a small slope that overlooked the raging battlefield drowned out by the sounds of war.

"Rest for a few seconds and prepare yourselves. We will strike at an opportune time," she heaved her exhaustion, setting her blade down, which seemed heavier than usual.

(Just a bit more, Aryelle. Please, just a bit more.)

"There's no time to waste! Now!" her horse reared, standing on its hind legs and neighing, then charging down the slope with the others, all roaring loudly and roughly.

"My king! I have managed to drive them back for now. But they will be back, that is assured. Their general is rather skillful, matching my commands with his. Forgive me for not being able to drive them back fully," she said with one leg bent; her head lowered in front of the presence of a deathly pale man wearing regal, royalty clothes, and a golden crown upon his head.

The pale man smiled, standing from his ornate throne, struggling yet, is able to stand firmly, walking towards her.

"Worry not about it, my child. I apologize for sending someone as young as you into battle, only to take lives. Forgive this selfish, dying old man's request. I had no other choice. This country is falling apart. I have no one to abdicate it to other than my daughter. But she needs someone to stand with, someone who will care for her. I will not last much longer, but I would like to see who my daughter would wed," he smiled, kneeling equally to her, dismissing his status for the meantime, drawing the attention of the guards beside him as they trembled from their armor.

The man said to be the king looked young, yet his illness sped up and in turn made him into this.

"Now stand, rest and recover your fatigue. I can only dream of what you've done out there."

She walked away in clear despair, unable to do anything about their current situation.

"Maybe I'll write back to them. They should have no idea of what's happening here still despite it being chaotic and a national problem," she spoke to herself, heading to her room.

But right before she could enter the corridor leading her there, she was stopped by a timid girl with beautiful, short, curly, brown hair, wearing a white gown that labeled her as royalty.

"Miss Evelyn, good afternoon. Am I disturbing you?" she fidgeted her slender body, looking at her from the side.

"Ah, Princess Elise, how nice it is to make your presence. I have just done speaking with your father, and he seems to be in good health. how fares you?" she asked formally, catching her off guard.

"Ah~ Lyn? Please, speak to me normally. I get nervous when you speak formally. I can't find the words to say."

"Don't worry, I was simply playing a little with you. How have you been, Elise? It's been a while ever since I've last visited, and on a bad time."

"Yes, indeed it is a bad time. I simply can't find a time to rest given that everyone is doing their best to keep us all safe, including you."

They began walking leisurely, arriving to an open balcony that overlooked a peaceful mountain range across the vast area of land, devoid of the strife happening from the opposite side of the city.

"Ahaha, it seems that you have found someone that piqued your interests. It's not often that I hear you being with a man."

"You should have seen him when he asked me to duel him. He fell face first, almost on the brink of crying. He always says these things nonchalantly. He doesn’t really possess any finesse," Evelyn rambled on and on about him, telling the stories of his failures which she found amusing.

"It must be nice, having someone close to you already. You must like him don't you?"

"Hmm? I don't think that's it. Maybe a more fitting title would be brother and sister. He always needs a helping hand, and I'm there to help him. But he's hopeless more times than I could count. I wonder what he's up to now?"

"Still, I find it amazing that someone in this world could hold their own against other Zalphions."

"If you're that curious, I'll introduce you to him when I come back. Who knows, you might end up liking him."

"If he is as you say he is, then he doesn't sound like a bad person; rather, he sounds like a very good person. I would very much look forward to meeting him."

"Good, then it's settled."

They talked more and more, catching up to what has happened to their lives thus far, laughing joyously, separating themselves from the strife outside.

"Well then, it seems that it is time for me to leave. I must write back to Ryuviel. They must be worried about now. Afterwards, I shall be going back into battle. Let us talk to each other again soon," she bowed to her, leaving with Aryelle, her sword, by her waist.

"Heinrich, was it?" Elise said to herself, curious as to who this man is, and how he piqued her friend's interest.

"General, how are the casualties?"

"Doable. Though the Zalphion has been attacking us fiercely, your tactics have helped us maintain a strong defense against her charges. Still, her strength is irrefutable. She leads the crumbling royal army, making them work and stick together like veterans. How do you suggest we handle this moving forward, my lord?"

"As of now, I have not thought of it yet. The recent developments have led me to believe that she is also a skilled tactician, one that can adjust to her enemy's tactics, and force her own to work through sheer power. What we need to do is corner her. That may be the only way to defeat someone as strong as her."

"Very well. In the meantime, I shall have the men retreat back to the camp to rest. Many are wounded still, but their fervor to fight kept them awake. It seems that this is far from over, my lord. With you leading, I know that we will ascend great heights. I shall now take my leave," he bowed, saddling up to his horse and galloping away, running alongside the retreating army of thousands of soldiers.

"I cannot fail my father. I can only use Ator as a last resort, and nothing else. I shall accomplish this with my own strength. Watch me, father. I shall fulfill your ambitions like they were my own."