In the central Intelligence and information division, Raeligh worked constantly managing messengers and informants who arrived, damaged and very weakened from travel and constant observations of the battlefield.

The court seemed to be demanding too much from the servants, with almost constant updates from all provinces of Aleonia. This had left everyone involved frustrated, even driving them crazy.

“–! This is utter madness..!” Raeligh expressed such frustration at the precarious situation of his employees and servants.

Raeligh looked at his desk, letters from his companions stained with blood, which was illegible due to the chaotic situation of the entire nation.

“huff–” Raeligh sighed.

Suddenly, one of Raeligh's personal informants appears, bringing his urgent information for his leader.

“S–Sir Raeligh!”

“Can’t you see that I’m in a complicated moment–”

Raeligh's eyes widened at what his informant carried with him, one of the first printouts of a royal decree recently signed by the monarch.

“U–A printout of a decree!?”

“What does this decree say? Speak-!"

“R-Right!”

The form carried by Raeligh's informant dictated that all young people, aged 14 and over, should compulsorily enlist in Aleonia's army, to combat Aleonia's advances, in short.

That statement had left Raeligh astonished and speechless at the absurdity that had been said in that form.

“I'm going to court. Make an appointment for me–now!”

“but Sir Raeligh!?”

…

So Raeligh went to an audience with his majesty regarding the decree. Arriving at the palace, he asked one of the house's servants to guide him to Voros' room.

“Your Majesty, I–!”

There he was, sitting on his throne, staring at me in a blank and imposing manner. Voros did not show any reaction regarding the current situation.

“Raeligh… have you forgotten how to address your majesty?”

"What-"

"Get down on your knees…"

Raeligh felt the weight of his Majesty's words and soon dropped to his knees, and lowered his head.

“I see the press sent you a copy of my new decree…”

“Information leaks very quickly, doesn’t it Raeligh?”

"My lord-! I ask for an explanation behind– behind that decree!”

Voros continued to stare at Raeligh's posture, making the air in the room increasingly heavy for whoever was inside.

“You see… many of our soldiers perished in this damned war, and we no longer have initiatives to replenish our armed forces.”

"My Lord-"

“I understand that you are frustrated Raeligh, but this is for the good of our nation, our dear Aleonia”

"Sir! This will destroy–”

“Enough Raeligh! I no longer need to hear your questions.”

“This decree will be validated and printed in the city of Aleonia within 1 week of corrections.”

"Now go."

Thus, Raleigh withdrew from the throne room, and also from the palace.

…

In a private meeting at Aleonia's war committee, nobles close to the crown discussed their military. Voros was sitting in his chair thinking about strategies to combat Galèsia's advances.

“This is absurd–”

“We can’t mount a decent feint, as they would use cinereous sorcerers!”

While the nobles and scholars discussed, Voros looked at the large table that contained an Atlas that dictated each region of Central Thalassia, and ornaments that represented its soldiers and enemies.

When a nobleman crept into Voros's ear, implanting an idea of mandate in his mind.

Outside, a heavy rain had started and washed the land. Raeligh looked at his pendant, which contained the names of his wife and only son, who was of the age mentioned in his majesty's decree.

“My boy… no…”

…

In the 1st Barracks of the Infantry division, Tiuro commanded and planned strategies alongside the main representatives of Aleonia's armed forces.

“This is absurd–!” Carlos Moorentrill, lieutenant of Aleonia's main squadron, banged his fist against the table where the commanders were.

“calm down, Carlos. We are all shocked by the news.” the person responding was Emille Foldenhardt, non-commissioned officer of Aleonia's eastern division.

“Still… how could your Majesty determine something of that caliber?” asked Peter Gruffardo, leader of Aleonia's 2nd infantry division.

"we will never know. Your highness is not accepting audiences for the next three days.” replied Tiuro, who sat at the table next to the main commander.

“Knights, I fear that we will have a strong period of tribulations along this path”

With a firm and imposing voice, the person answering was Alvin Haalenbert, the general commander of the entire Aleonia division. above Faulhault, Alvin spoke face to face with the monarch.

The atmosphere was full of doubts and tension, due to the monarch's most recent and controversial decree. Also, there was discussion about the attack by the Galèsian army that came from the northwest of Quinervalle.

“It would take 22 intermittent days and nights for them to get here to Aleonia.” Peter said.

“We must worry about recovering before your troops are able to redeploy.” replied Carlos, aiming for a shallow but strategic perspective.

“We don’t have many options at the moment… besides, the monarch plans to throw a party in honor of the conquest of Faulhault and his Èrasus squadron.” emphasizes Emille.

Tiuro remained quiet and thoughtful about all the events and arguments around him, while Alvin signed papers left in nearby regions.

The General Headquarters was very busy, with many soldiers and knights covering supplies and organizing their war armaments.

The one there was Lunis Argento, the first disciple of Faulhault Clayserfelt. A young knight, aged 17, with light brown hair and light eyes, wore a uniform and carried charges of gunpowder, helping the soldiers in the area.

“Watch your weight there, huh!” exclaimed a soldier carrying the powder charge.

“Y-you can leave it!” replied Lunis.

Many wondered how a young man like Lunis ended up becoming the Squadron General's disciple. Lunis was of average height and had standard body definition.

After finishing his services, Lunis returned to the accommodation to change.

“Damn… those loads were really heavy.”

While Lunis was changing, someone knocked on the door of the accommodation where he was staying. Lunis opens the door, and the person looking for him is an official from the quartermaster who handles the receipt of letters and correspondence from the Intelligence and Information Division of Aleonia.

The steward gives him a letter from court. Lunis, curious, breaks the wax seal with the flag emblem on the letter and realizes that he had been invited to the celebration at Alviberto’s palace.

“What the–”

Lunis had been quite surprised by the news, thinking about the merits he had received on the battlefield. Lunis got dressed and quickly left the ammunition and armaments department, when he was approached on the way by his superior.

“Where are you going in such a hurry, boy?”

"What?"

“Urgh–! Sergeant Charles–”

The person calling him is Second Sergeant Charles Nobren'shòr, responsible for the administration of the entire weapons area. There was a neutral and intimidating face, but he maintained his composure and expressed patience at the same time.

“Eeee-I was going to—”

“Don’t give me excuses, boy.”

“Sorry, Sergeant.”

“Hmm… I see that you must have something very important to do, and I heard about the things that you have done a lot of tasks here in the district.”

“So maybe I can get you out of this sooner.”

“EEE-SERIOUSLY—!”

“Scream louder in my ear and I’ll leave you on duty for another 2 days.”

“Y-Yes! Sorry! Thank you very much, sir!"

Thus, Lunis withdrew from the first district.

“Even though he is the general’s first disciple, he is still immature…”

“—what an unpredictable boy.”

The disciple had gone to visit the middle region of the central citadel, where his family lives, strolling through the main city, where people of wealth and possessions lived, with better living conditions.

There were many soldiers patrolling and people walking around freely and carefree. Along the way, Lunis approached the border between the upper and middle cities, a thin line that divided the two regions.

Unlike the upper city, the middle city did not have many soldiers, and civilians were rarely seen walking the streets. Lunis faced this injustice with eyes of frustration due to such inequality. As he passed through the area, some acquaintances greeted him.

“There it is, our knight!”

"Our pride!"

“Faulhault’s disciple has returned–!”

Everyone saw him as a hero, not only because he was the first disciple of the strongest and most skilled knight in the entire region, but because of his deeds and tales in the field. The average city's population saw Lunis as a rising prodigy and this weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Children surrounded them, showing drawings, and various craftsmen paid homage and admiration, men and women received them with warmth and gifts.

Lunis felt embarrassed by such a reception. After all the commotion, the disciple arrives at the home of his mother and brothers.

Lunis is suddenly embraced by Frida, the middle daughter of the house.

“Welcome back, big brother!”

“It took a long time, huh” – The one who answers is his younger brother, Milo.

“I’m sorry for the excessive delay.” Lunis replied to Milo.

Lunis's family is made up of 5 people: Nortus, the eldest, who is serving in the army. Lunis, the second child, Frida, the middle one and Milo the youngest, and their mother.

“Brother, brother! Our mother is getting better!” said Frida to Lunis.

“Thanks to the money you and Nortus have been sending us, we were able to buy the medicine in the upper city.” – said Milo

Lunis was very happy with the news of her mother's recovery, so she decided to go upstairs to see how she was doing. Arriving in the room, he saw his mother lying on her bed, looking at the window.

“Whenever I hear the commotion outside… my heart rejoices.”

“Mom, I’m back.”

“Yes… welcome my son.”

Lunis went to hug and greet his mother. The young man took a stool and sat down next to his mother's bed.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m… slowly improving.”

“I thank you and your brother so much for everything.”

“You’re welcome, my mother. This is the least we should do after–”

“Hmm?”

Lunis trailed off his voice before completing his sentence, feeling that it might make things uncomfortable.

“I see… even after everything, you still miss him.”

“From your father.”

“-!”

Lunis, and his brothers lost their father while they were still children, on a raid from Galèsia to the Hault border. It was a brutal attack, and many soldiers perished, and those who returned alive had many after-effects.

That marked the past of the entire Middle City of Aleonia, and Lunis' father and his brothers were remembered as a brave warrior. Moved by this encouragement, Lunis and his older brother Nortus decided to follow the same path as their father.

“Your father was a hero, loving and protective… I’m not going to lie, I’m still very sorry to see him go.”

“We don’t know the direction of this war, Lunis.”

“So I pray every day for the safety of both of you. After all, Frida and Milo are still children…”

His mother's words comforted Lunis's heart, making him look forward and freeing him from melancholy.

“Mom, I received a letter. A letter from the court, from the monarch.”

“I was invited to a celebration at the palace.”

“A celebration, how good, congratulations my son!”

“Yes, but I do not know for what purpose this celebration was encouraged.”

Lunis talked with his mother about events on the battlefield, in the district, comical moments with his colleagues and acquaintances. Those stories comfort your mother's heart, bringing joy and relaxation. It was already dusk, and they were still talking.

“I don’t know… people see me as a salvation…”

“All because I am the disciple of Faulhault Clayserfelt.”

“I feel suffocated by my duties, and sometimes I feel like giving up.”

“But… I can’t stop now. I feel that we are a few steps away from recovering the times of peace in our land.”

His mother turns to him, and holds his hands, while staring at Lunis.

“Just as I said to your father, and your brother Nortus, now I say to you”

“There is no barrier that can stop an obstinate man. Our world is made of adversity and we will all face it.”

Lunis' mother's encouraging words reached him, giving him motivation and encouragement to achieve his goals.

“I swear– that when I reach a very high position in the hierarchy, I will end the inequality between the upper city and the middle city!”

On the other hand, Lunis' words to his mother make her laugh, but with relief. His mother turns to Lunis, saying that his ambitions resemble his late father's traits.

Lunis then says goodbye to his mother and his brothers and returns to Uptown. Reflecting on the fearless words he spoke to his mother, the young knight walks through the region, which is now under curfew.

The obstinate young man looks towards the great palace, the city and saws his fists.

"I'll try my best."