Cedric's expression immediately hardened, his brow furrowing deeply. "Absolutely not. It's far too dangerous, and your father would have my head if I allowed it."

Elysian leaned forward, his eyes blazing with determination. "Commander, I'm not asking to be on the front lines. I'm asking to be there, to see firsthand what we're up against. How can I truly help Ironspire if I don't understand the full scope of the threat?"

The commander's face softened slightly, but doubt still lingered in his eyes. "Elysian, you've already done more than enough. This isn't a game or an adventure. People die out there."

"I know that," Elysian replied, his voice low and intense. "That's exactly why I need to go. I need to understand the cost of the decisions we make here in the safety of the city. I need to see the faces of the soldiers who put their lives on the line because of our strategies."

When Elysian saw that his words did not change the man's opinion, he decided to change his strategy. "What if my uncle allowed me to go? Would you still prevent me from accompanying the soldiers to the frontier?"

"I will," Cedric scoffed at the uncle card he used, undeterred in his opposition. "Lysander, as the custodian, only has authority within Ironspire. Also, he doesn't have any say in my military decisions. The Baron made sure to separate us from the management of the city. So, even if your dear uncle," he emphasized the word 'dear' derisively, "allows it, I won't."

Elysian suddenly grew serious, not liking that his persuasiveness didn't have any effect. "Look, commander, this is a negotiation—"

Cedric narrowed his eyes and interjected, "Don't tell me you won't negotiate with the Iron Claw if I don't allow you?"

The young noble looked straight at the commander's eyes in a staring contest. Neither wanted to step back, but in the end, Elysian was the first to blink. He sighed in resignation, "I won't. I will still negotiate with them."

"Good," Cedric nodded his head, standing up. "Do it as we discussed. Let's end our meeting for now."

Though the older soldier had dismissed the boy already, Elysian wasn't done yet. "Whether you allow me or not, I will go. I'm not one of your soldiers. You don't have any authority to command me," he declared, locking eyes with the officer.

Cedric remained silent, but his eyes did the talking. Elysian could see the fire of rage burning through them. "Look, commander, I've already made my decision before coming here. I won't back down. I'm just asking permission earlier as a courtesy to your position."

When he saw the commander still refusing to say anything, just staring at him like a burning coal, Elysian sighed and continued, "You already know my capability. I may lack the experience and may not be as powerful as the captains, but I'm confident I can escape with my tail between my legs if I have to." When he saw the commander's face soften a little, he added, "You know that I can't avoid danger all my life. I have to face it one way or another, so why not now? My father and brother lived in the blood and screams of the battlefield all their lives. This is simply inevitable to being an Ironheart, don't you think?"

This time, Cedric sighed as if he was about to acquiesce, so the young noble pounced on it. "Also, you have nothing to lose. If my uncle allows me to go, that responsibility falls to him and not you, so why not allow me to live up to my name?"

Cedric studied the young noble for a long moment, weighing the sincerity in his words against the very real dangers of the frontier. Finally, he sighed heavily. "Your father will kill me for this, but... I see your point. You can come, but under strict conditions. You'll stay with the rear guard, and you'll obey every order without question. Is that clear?"

Elysian's face broke into a wide grin, but his eyes remained serious. "Crystal clear, commander. Thank you for this opportunity. I won't let you down."

"Also, get the permission of your uncle. If you don't have it, say goodbye to the frontier," the commander said as he walked out of the room.

Elysian just grinned, turning to both his companions and winking at Bran's pale face.

The young noble's audacious plan was set in motion, but the true test of his mettle lay ahead. The frontier awaited, with all its brutality and chaos. And in the shadows of Ironspire, the Iron Claw prepared to play its part in this dangerous game of power and survival.

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Three days after his meeting with Commander Cedric, Elysian found himself on the road, seated in a carriage among a contingent of soldiers bound for the frontier. The speed of their deployment was remarkable, considering the current state of Ironspire. With so many responsibilities to juggle and limited personnel, organizing such a swift response in just two days was no small feat.

The expedition's rapid launch was largely thanks to Elysian's efforts. The morning after his discussion with the Commander, Thomas had appeared at headquarters, much to the senior officer's surprise. Even more unexpectedly, Thomas readily agreed to all demands and rules without asking for anything in return. Throughout the meeting, Commander Cedric had eyed Elysian suspiciously, as if trying to discern whether everything was truly above board or if he was missing some crucial detail. Elysian had merely responded with a knowing smirk.

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While Cedric might have found the situation perplexing, for Elysian, it was business as usual. His close relationship with the Iron Claw, courtesy of Amara, had smoothed the way for this cooperation. What the Commander didn't know was that Elysian had his own motivations for fostering better relations between Ironspire's military and the city's criminal underworld.

As the carriage rattled along the rough frontier road, Elysian reflected on the delicate balance he was attempting to strike. On one hand, he was working to strengthen the city's defenses and protect its people. On the other, he was cultivating valuable connections, resources, and people in both legitimate and shadowy circles of power. It was a dangerous game, but one that Elysian believed was necessary for the greater good of Ironspire.

Lost in his introspection, Elysian suddenly became aware of his companions' gazes. Osric seemed to be wrestling with a question, debating whether to interrupt Elysian's reverie. Bran, on the other hand, was visibly pale, his fear of the unknown frontier etched across his face.

Elysian had initially thought Bran's anxiety would subside as the reality of their journey set in, but it had only intensified with each passing day. Now, on the road to the frontier, the lumbering servant was so anxious that Elysian half-expected him to be sick at any moment.

Recognizing the need to address the tension, Elysian took a deep breath and offered a reassuring smile. "Hey, big fella," he said, addressing Bran, "why are you still so nervous? Don't you have faith in our soldiers?"

The servant slowly raised his eyes to meet Elysian's gaze. "Young master," he began, his voice quavering, "I... I want to go home. I'll just be an embarrassment to you in the field. Wouldn't it be better if I stayed behind to help at the estate?"

Both Elysian and Osric stared at their companion, shaking their heads in disbelief at his brazen attempt to avoid duty. "You? Help?" Elysian responded, unable to keep the mockery from his tone. "You'd just sleep all day and eat like a hog. You'd be more of a nuisance than a help."

Osric, seizing an opportunity to lighten the mood, chimed in with a chuckle. "Come now, big fella. Think of it as an adventure! Who knows, you might even surprise yourself out there."

Elysian nodded in agreement, his expression softening. "See, Osric here isn't afraid, and he's half your size." Osric narrowed his eyes at the mention of his stature, clearly not appreciating the comparison. The young noble just grinned, enjoying the playful teasing.

"I know you're scared, Bran. We all are, to some degree," Elysian continued, his tone becoming more serious. "But we're in this together. You're not just my servant; you're part of our team. And sometimes, being part of a team means facing your fears head-on."

Noticing Bran's expression softening slightly, Elysian added, "Also, we're not going there to fight. If there's any real danger, we'll retreat immediately. We don't want to burden our forces. We're just there to assess the situation on the front, to see where we can help the soldiers and hopefully save some lives in the process."

Bran nodded, his anxious expression gradually fading as his tense body relaxed.

Elysian smiled at the visible change in his companion. "Moreover, if we do face the worst-case scenario—which we're not," he quickly added to reassure Bran, "you're not the defenseless boy you once were. You now have the power to protect yourself. Be confident, or it'll be a disservice to all your hard work and training."

This time, Bran nodded with fierce determination gleaming in his eyes.

"Good," Elysian said, satisfied with Bran's renewed resolve. He then turned to Osric, who had been observing the exchange intently. "You've been eyeing me since this morning, Osric. You clearly have a question. Out with it."

"I know you didn't get permission from your uncle to go to the frontier, so..." Osric's voice trailed off, his unfinished thought hanging in the air as he glanced hesitantly at the young noble.

"So, what's the problem?" Elysian grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. When Osric remained silent, content to let him continue, Elysian sighed. "If I had asked permission from my uncle, I'm confident he would have declined. So why bother asking?"

Osric's brow furrowed with concern. "But wouldn't that cause problems for the commander? He's just started to form a good opinion of you. By doing this, aren't you burning any goodwill you've established?"

"Hmm..." Elysian paused, not so much to ponder Osric's words, but to consider how best to explain his decision. "The way I see it, the commander already had a poor impression of me. That image, sadly, will remain for a long time. I could never change it, no matter what I did. Only time will have any effect in blunting his opinion, slowly fading as the seasons pass."

"I understand what you mean, but," Osric hesitated for a moment before continuing, "won't it stay that way if you keep sullying your reputation?"

"What's there to sully? My reputation was ruined from the very start," Elysian chuckled as his two companions eyed him quietly. "Why not use my tattered reputation to my advantage? It can serve as a shield of sorts."

"A shield?" the young soldier asked, skepticism evident in his voice.

"Yes," Elysian grinned mischievously. "If the commander comes to know what I've done, he won't be disappointed in me. He'll simply dismiss it as something to be expected from a naughty kid. This is simply something 'Elysian' would do, right?"

Seeing that Osric remained unconvinced, Elysian leaned forward, his expression growing serious. "Osric, sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture. Yes, this might ruffle some feathers in the short term, but think about what we're accomplishing. We're going to the frontier to help, to make a real difference. In the long run, actions speak louder than words or permissions." He then relaxed back into his seat, his usual nonchalant attitude returning. "Besides, if my uncle tries to blame the commander for this, he can simply show the letter with the custodian's seal absolving him of any responsibility."

Bran, who had been listening intently, chimed in. "But young master, won't your uncle be furious when he finds out?"

A wry smile played on Elysian's lips as he looked at the servant. "So what if he's furious? I don't really care." He then quickly added, glancing between his two companions, "Sometimes, it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. By the time he finds out, we'll hopefully have already done some good at the frontier. It's harder to argue against results."

Osric shook his head, a mixture of admiration and exasperation on his face. "You're playing a dangerous game, young master."

"Life is a dangerous game, my friend," Elysian replied, his voice carrying a hint of steel beneath its lightness. "But it's one I intend to win. For Ironspire, for all of us."

As the frontier loomed ever closer, the air in the carriage crackled with newfound energy. The young noble gazed out at the rugged landscape once more, his mind racing with possibilities. As the carriage rattled on towards their destination, the trio fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the challenges that lay ahead.