At Riviera, Li, Triple Threat, Bulwark, and the blood legionnaires stopped by the main gate of the city. They took a moment to look up and inspect how much the city had changed. 

It was evident that even a sleepy, peaceful city like Riviera had geared up fully for war. The four gates in the city's walls were fully sealed, their massive wooden bodies standing tall and strong against any invading force. 

Runes inscribed in neat rows atop the length of the gates – and a great length it was, considering that the walls themselves were fifty meters tall and the gates half that size – emanated with power, their forms shining strongly in azure blue. 

Li had once thought the walls of Riviera beautiful like works of art. They were fashioned of white stone that gleamed like marble, and their colossal height did not mean that their handiwork was ignored. At the top of the walls, several equally spaced spires that served as watchtowers were fashioned in the visages of stone knights all holding gargantuan greatbows of rock. 

But now, it was evident to see that these walls were not created solely for artistic merit. Those stone knights were not just statues. No, blue lines of power flowed through the crevices in their stone carved armor, and it was possible to tell that they were in fact massive golems capable of raining down arrows the size of pillars to any unfortunate enemy force. 

Truly, to the average man, this would have seemed like an impenetrable fortress. 

At the foot of the gate, there was a squadron of knights standing guard. Above them, at the top of the walls, men were packed like ants, their forms visible in the knight through the countless torch and lantern lights they wielded.

"Well, I'll be damned," muttered Azhar as he squinted his eyes, looking up at the tiny figures of hundreds of archers and mages atop the walls. "The stories don't do Riviera's walls justice. I can believe that these things held out gainst' a couple demonic invasions." 

"Alas, they are not yet at true full capacity," said Launcelot as his blue eyes tracked up beyond the walls. 

"The dome," noted Sylvie. "O, ye of might in arms, gaze upon Riviera's walls, and understand what it means to be small. O, ye of knowledge in the arcane, look upon Riviera's azure skies, and understand what it means to know nothing – that is how the Third Epic of Arcanist Belmont talks about Riviera's mythical walls, no? There should be a dome of blue that repels any and all magic."

"My family holds both keys that unlock the power of Riviera's walls," said Launcelot. "My key, I have left with my mother, whom no doubt has used it. That is the Key of Stone that opens the magical channels linking the walls to the energy in the lake. Channels that bring forth life to the golems that rest atop the walls. 

The other, the Key of Water, lies with my brother, Leon." Launcelot pursed his lips, concern evident on his face. "That he is not here is much a cause of worry. Without the azure dome, Riviera will find it difficult to fend against aerial threats."

"The other Lakely? The runt?" said Leonid. "I'd worry not. Last I heard, he was further deep south in Duvin, aiding in the construction of a new city. The third legion of blood is stationed there, and no doubt, he is marching with them, straggling a few days behind us, the fifth legion of blood, for we were stationed nearest to Riviera."

"And it looks like the city has its anti-air defenses somewhat covered," said Li. He pointed to the top of the walls, at the shape of griffins that lay perched beside knights that seemed to be different from the Rivierans.

They were shorter in stature than regular people, though not overly so, and their armor heavy and sturdy, built from dirty but tough iron. 

"Big birds!" said Tia from Li's shoulder.

"Not birds, Tia, griffins," said Li.

"Griffins?" said Jeanne as she squinted her own eyes, trying to see clearly that far up but finding it rather hard to. "Then the armies of Montagne have already dawned upon Riviera."

"Nay, not the entire host," said Leonid. "Merely their griffin corps. I should say that the rest of Montagne's army, slow and armored as they are not only with their own troops, but in maintaining their famed war golems, will be several days behind."

"And right behind them, I assume the famed fleet of Trieste will follow. It is quite awing to see the five armies of Soleil all drawing together," said Sylvie. "Seeing this concentration of power, one would find it hard to believe it beatable, and yet, at least according to the tales, it has always been a great hero of some sort or divine intervention, not the power of man, that has fended against the demons."

"That speaks volumes of the might of the demons," said Leonid with excited smile. 

"The gods are with us," said Jeanne with a nod. "The Light guides our way forward with its gentle warmth, and no doubt, the divinity that Li heralds also considers humanity as worthy of protection."

Everyone looked at Li, and he nodded. "Well, if this gives you all security, it is not as if humanity has done anything to break his trust. In any case, we should stop worrying these knights guarding the gate by loitering around."

==

The group approached the squadron near the gates, and one of the knights, a captain, it appeared, from the white plume atop his helmed dropped down from horseback and approached the group. He took off his helmet, making him recognizable.

The captain from the Summerfell festival. 

"Captain," said Li with a nod. "Good to see you in fine health. How are the wife and child doing?"

"Quite fine," said the captain with a tired nod. "Though I do fear my ears will fall off hearing no end to my dearest's complaints about marching west." 

"An understandable complaint," commented Jeanne, and the captain sighed.

"Most certainly, it is," said the captain. He smiled tiredly. "And I love her dearly for caring so much. Alas, so many of my men are also marching west, leaving their elderly or wives or children behind, and I cannot in good faith use my noble title to escape duty, for I am certain that were it not to be me leading my men, they would all collapse in the battlefield."

Li looked to the Rivieran knights behind the captain. He saw how extremely tense they were. They all had worried expressions, anticipating the vast host of dangers that awaited them west. A massive contrast from the blood legionnaires behind Li who were like living machines that seemingly were programmed only to have stoic expressions. 

"Sacrifice is the way of war, and it is heartening to see that that concept is understood even among the full-bellied runts of Riviera," said Leonid. "And captain, you say you are of noble birth? Which of the ten houses of Riviera do you hail from?"

"I am the eldest son of house Devaux," said the captain with a respectful nod to Leonid. "Sir Drozdov, it is only with the highest of honors that I welcome you and your blood legionnaires to Riviera."

"The honors go to the Easterner, for he has bested me in the sacred rite of the duel and become my superior," said Leonid. "But you, Sir Devaux, are yet young and green. I am surprised your father, as general, is willing to thrust you into the heart of battle."

"Ah, that," said Devaux. He looked down for a few seconds. "I am sorry to burden you all of with morbid news, but my father succumbed to illness, passing but a week ago." 

"All my respect goes forth to the departed soul of a fellow warrior," said Leonid. 

"My condolences," said Jeanne, and Sylvie and Azhar nodded. "When I received my gold rank as adventurer, General Devaux granted the gold medallion to me, and in his eyes, I saw only the gentleness of a good and honorable man."

"It was an honor to give general Devaux my respectful wishes at his funeral," said Launcelot. "He taught me well the way of the sword when I was young, and though I have decided to bear the weight of the shield instead of the edge of a blade, his patience and kindness, I still appreciate." 

Tia looked to Devaux, frowning slightly as her little brows furrowed in concern. "Your papa dead? Are you okay?"

Devaux smiled and nodded. "Do not worry about it, and thank you, everyone, but my father's death that comes in wake of a long struggle with illness is one I have been prepared for"

"Then, Sir Devaux," said Leonid. "You are captain no longer. As new head of your house, you, with the houses of Lys and Gallant, are one of the three lions of Riviera. One of its three esteemed generals."

Devaux put a nervous hand to his head. "That, I am, though certainly, the title of captain sounds far more familiar to me. Holding the lives of thousands of men under my command is a responsibility that tears much sleep from me, and I hope that by looking up to men like you, Sir Drozdov, I will learn to lead."

"And learn, you will. Order your men to open the gates, general, and lead us to the encampment where the armies of the five banners are to stay. There, at our encampment, I shall see if your knowledge in strategy and might with a blade are up to par."

Devaux nodded and raised his hand up. Behind him, one of his men withdrew a wand and held it up.

From its wooden tip, a bright flash of red burst out like a flare, flying high into the air. Seeing that signal, the man from atop the walls began moving, pressing at runestone tablets to have magical energy open the gate enough to let everyone through. 

Li motioned for everyone else to move ahead of him, and as they did, he put a hand to general Devaux's shoulder.

"General, a word, if I may?"

General Devaux nodded, a little surprised. "Certainly, good Easterner."

Li and Devaux stood at the gate, watching the blood legionnaires funnel into the gate with mechanical efficiency. Their marching was completely synchronized, and seeing them march past the Rivieran knights, it was possible to see how much they towered over them.

The blood legionnaires must have been on average two meters tall and nearly twice as wide as the average Rivieran knight. They looked like an army of muscled juggernauts that moved with terrifying coordination, and seeing that, the Rivieran knights looked at awe, their jaws slacked. 

"Strong men," said Tia from Li's shoulder, pointing to the blood legionnaires. "Weak men," she said, pointing to the Rivieran knights. 

"I must admit," said Devaux. "The girl is right. Compared to the blood legionnaires, we are nothing. Knights who have never truly needed to guard anything for we have always depended on the Lakely walls. 

To think that we are to be an invading, attacking force is one that sends shivers throughout my spine. Unlike general Drozdov, I have never faced true battle. I merely know what I have read and theorized in simple war games." 

"It is fine to be afraid, general. Fear makes you human, and your humanity is what gives your men hope in you," noted Li. 

"I fear, yes, and perhaps, I fear too much. I fear for my life. For the good of my wife and son. The lives of all my men. Not only them, but the other squadrons that I now have rank over." Devaux shook his head, clearing himself of those thoughts. "But that is besides the point. What did you wish to speak to me about?"

"I noticed that the city outskirts have all been evacuated in the day that I have been gone," said Li. "As you know, the vast majority of those living in the outskirts are my followers. I merely wish to ask where they are."

"Worry not for their safety," said Devaux resolutely. "We merely had to bring all outskirts citizens into the walls to have our mages and priests ascertain whether they had any demonic rot within them. Under the watchful eye of many of my men, of course, for I know that your followers and the temple of Light may not see eye to eye. 

Now, though, I should say that your followers have finished being screened. Last I heard tell of them, it was that they had gathered at the Farmer's Guild for a meeting. I am certain you will still find them there, for as of now, none can leave the city's walls."

"Thank you, general," said Li. He looked at the man, at how tired he was. At how young he was. 

Devaux could not have been more than twenty five. Far younger than even Li had been when he was human, and yet, he had what would have felt like the weight of the entire world on his shoulders leading an army with a wife and child to worry about to boot. 

It was moments like these that Li realized how harsh this world could become. How the young could be torn from their families for war or responsibilities that their meager years were not equipped to deal with. He had seen it with Triple Threat – they were barely twenty years old- and he saw it now. 

Li reached into his coat pocket and held out an Everfortune Blossom to the general. "Take this. A token of my appreciation for your concern of my followers."

"Oh?" Devaux looked at the blossom in recognition. "A blossom that glows like fire and treasure. The same blossom from the festival, no?"

Li nodded. "You remember well. More proof that it deserves to be with you." 

The last of the blood legionnaires was beginning to march into the city, signaling the end of Li's talk with Devaux. 

"Goodbye, general," said Li as he began to walk towards the gate. "Keep that blossom near you, and good fortune will not leave your side."