Earlier that night, before Laruse and the others assaulted Civil's keep, and before the governor of Zeal began rallying his troops for a decisive defensive stance.

"Hendrick, have you sent the letter to Rade's governor? I want it to be sent there quickly since it is a matter of importance, and is vital to our plan. Time is of the essence after all," the man named Spencer Olfrin, the man who began the revolution, spoke as he addressed the people in his temporary court, mainly his benefactor.

They were assembled in a conference hall inside the palace, discussing the affairs concerning the territories that they have, and the external problems that are mainly about Farron and its movements.

Many of his advisors, city representatives, and court officials were present, keenly listening as if their very lives depended on it, frequently voicing their opinions when asked or provoked to answer, displaying their patriotic sides.

"I have. It should be in their possession right about now. What is inside, if I may ask?" Hendrick spoke with a curious genuine tone.

Hendrick was in front of Spencer, reporting and deliberating with the various people inside the room, which was guarded by the finest of soldiers in the imperial guard platoon led by the capable female general of the first army, whom of which was present, standing by the doors as she kept a tight perimeter around the area, securing the safety.

"It contains my next orders for them. Remember that we spoke about Rade recruiting for a force strong enough to march?"

"Yes, I remember it as clear as day."

"I sent Rade's army to peacefully annex Zeal. If they do not comply, then take it by force. We need a full grasp on the entire eastern border. Farron might beat us to it. I won't allow it," he made a fist with his hand, slamming in on his armrest.

"I stand by with you, my lord! We shall not allow such a travesty to happen! Our ruthless hammer of justice will surely show them our resolve!"

"Yes! I concur! Their pitiful attempts at revolting and resisting will do them more harm than good. They do not realize than only we can save them from being terrorized by the neighboring nations!"

His officials started agreeing one by one.

"For now, there's nothing else we can do other than to take Zeal, and possibly recruit a man there by the name of Marco. I have read and researched about him as much as I can, coming to a decision that he is more than capable to be in our ranks. If he could lead our troops, then we will gain a powerful ally, and a trump card of a strategist!"

What he said drew the attention of some people in attendance, moving them to speak and ask, confirming their hunches.

"Marco, if I recall correctly, there is one man named Marco in Zeal that is known for being a guild master that operates a successful and well-known guild. Would you happen to mean Marco Fairway of the once famous party of adventurers?"

"Indeed. His mind works in ways that one could not even begin to comprehend. He is someone that will either be a tremendous ally, or a dreadful enemy. If he will be leading an army to defend Zeal, is another question entirely."

Their meeting dragged on, speaking about things that focused on economic affairs. Night came quickly, signaling that the officials are to adjourn and resume another time.

"I thank you all for your participations in this meeting. You are all dismissed," Spencer spoke, exhaling after most of the officials had gone, and that there were none left except for general Vista and Hendrick.

"You're too uptight with things. Try and take a break sometimes. You'll collapse even before you get to lead a unified nation against Farron," Hendrick approached Spencer, speaking to him like a grandfather speaks to his grandson.

"Thank you, Hendrick. But there will be nothing done if I slack off."

"There's nothing that's needed to be done. For now, our movements are limited, but that doesn't mean that progress isn't being achieved," Hendrick separated from Spencer, heading for the door.

"I shall dismiss myself. This old body of mine can hardly hold off age. Call for me if there's anything that you need," his voice trailed off as he disappeared into the shadows beyond the darkness of the doors of the palace's conference hall.

Then only two of them remained inside the room.

Noticing this, Spencer called out to her, whereas she responded with the dignified aura of a strong-willed commander, uptight and adamant.

"Why don't you go on ahead as well? It's going to get late soon."

"My duty is to protect you from harm. My duty to you is much more important than my own life."

"Why are you too formal? Please, relax. I'd like to have a normal conversation with someone other than Hendrick. It feels like I'm confined somewhat."

"If that is an order, then I shall fulfill it," she kept her eyes forward, and her body straight.

"It's not an order. But, I'd much prefer it if you could be a little bit less formal with me. I won't force you if you don't like the idea."

"I shall be honest with you, my lord. I have no knowledge of how to act normal. All my childhood up until now has been devoted to being a soldier, then a commander, and eventually a general for your ambitions," her face looked dismayed at her words, disappointed that she could not fulfill the request not matter how hard she tries.

"Well, that goes the same way for me. I don't know how to handle being unformal that much..."

Their conversation went on and on without them knowing that they are both being engrossed in it, creating a few smiles here and there, slowly thawing out their formal ways.

"I would very much like it if we could speak like this some other time. I feel less strained when I speak with you. As if I've got nothing to worry about. Will you allow me that?" he looked at her with anticipation, feeling the exhilarating sensation of being able to speak with someone without having to worry about the future too much.

She backed away, surprised by his invitation, making her tough body twitch for just a moment, just like a crack on a piece of metal.

"I-If that is what you desire, my Lord. I will be more than honored to stay by your side," she made a salute, her formal attitude resurfaced in an instant.

"Haha, there you go again. We both truly are missing something, aren't we?" he laughed, but at the fact that they both were flawed in one thing, and that thing brought him a bit of freedom.

Meanwhile, as this all transpired, Hendrick had been walking to the various places in the palace, using the darkness to hide his presence from even their own guards.

Soon he came to the back of the palace, where a small garden lay, illuminated by the moon, dancing with the wind serenely, creating a soft sound of wind breezing by with the fresh waft of air.

Taking one step into the garden, he immediately notices a presence in which he recognizes.

"Crow, you've come," he said, looking at nothing, but knowing that there is indeed a presence there.

"Yes, my lord. I have returned from the demon king's citadel. The demon king himself wanted to know the progress of your mission," a soft voice came out, but the source was not there, as if hidden, and the voice itself came from the wind.

"Tell our king that the progress is slow. If ordered to, I can immediately destroy the city-states by myself, but that would contain no amusement. I am rather preoccupied with making the humans fight against each other, more specifically through that foolish young boy with a foolish ambition. Once I ignite the fires of true war, only then can we hope to make a move to reconquer the entire continent."

"Understood. Then I shall return once the message has been received. If you will excuse me, my Lord," the voice faded with the last word, suddenly leaving a trail of dark feathers to spread around the garden.

Hendrick left, hearing footsteps that indicated the presence of someone running.

Looking to his side, he sees a courier, one of his own employ.

"Lord Hendrick, I've returned from your errand," the man was a slightly smaller than Hendrick, yet he could still be called normal since Hendrick possesses a rather tall stature.

"Then that means general Ruslan has received my orders?" he wore a cloak, one that hid his entire body, including much of his face, only presenting a regal cloak that most people see him with.

"Indeed. He says he will move at the break of dawn to reinforce the army from Rade."

"Then you are dismissed. And remember, all the information goes directly to me. Lord Olfrin himself doesn't dwell on matters such as this. He has a much more important role to fulfill. Tell that to the other couriers, and only the other couriers, understand? I will charge you with treason on the highest order if you dare defy Lord Olfrin's orders," he bore down on the courier, who staggered back in fear, surrounded by an unspeakable terror looming within him.

Once he nodded, Hendrick backed away, and the strange terror disappeared, resulting in the courier to leave quickly, thinking of the entire situation as a haunting from inside the palace.

Returning to the present date, dawn broke, and the army of Rade soon reached the outskirts of Zeal, forming their ranks, which outnumbered the defensive army. nearby the walls of the city.

The governor had assigned Marco to help him with the various strategies of the army, seeing as he had much more experience, and that his reputation was known by everyone for being successful.

They were assembled at the city square, where the army consisting of guild members from Regulus were present and organized by Marco himself.

Before that, he had the high ranking members become commanders, whom of which will be taking orders from him and communicating through an experimental magic spell that the prodigy, Rayleigh, had created in under the tutelage of an Arch-mage that she became the apprentice of.

She presented Marco, Johann, Roland, and the governor with stones that she called a cipher stone, a piece of mineral with magical properties that allowed voices to be heard from one end to the other, making it a vital part of their plan.

"I only have a handful of them, so please be careful with it," Rayleigh said as she presented the stones to them.

"How exactly do we use these magnificent creations?" Johann asked, looking over it, seeing nothing that could stand out, save for the myriad of colors on it.

"You have to channel magic into the stone. A small ounce will do. Those without magic capabilities won't be able to use this," she explained.

With this, Marco then divided the guild members into groups where Rayleigh will lead a platoon made up of mages, and those who can cast even the simplest of magic. They are the fewest, but the most important, seeing as their devastating spells and healing capabilities were needed in thinning out such powerful numbers.

Then Johann of Grand Crest, who will be leading a balanced group of fighters consisting of sturdy fighters and projectile users like archers and the like, along with his party, which will make up much of the emergency vanguard. The platoon consists of guild members from Regulus, and mercenary archers.

Finally, Roland, who will be leading a platoon of offensive fighters, focused on tearing through platoons and ranks of soldiers that stray too far from the main army. They are the main offensive force consisting of a hundred men with mercenaries mixed in.

"Marco, we're going up against five hundred while we only have roughly three hundred. What do you think of our odds?" the governor asked, slightly nervous from the results, which could go both ways.

"Worrying will only affect your allies' morale. The best way to find victory is to be calm first. But, from a simple person's perspective, we are indeed outnumbered, Nelson. Yet, we can still turn it around," Marco wore a helmetless knight's outfit with a white cape, impressing those who looked at him, as if they saw the legendary strategist of the renowned party in his prime.

"Is that so? Then I'll take your word for it," the man named Nelson, the governor, continued looking at the map, giving out orders to his subordinates.

"If you'll excuse me, Nelson. I will be surveying the enemy army myself. Be ready, I'll be sending a scout over to inform you," Marco left with a flutter of his cape, making him look gallant and heroic, more so since Nelson depended on Marco to keep the safety of the city.

"Alright! No slacking off! I want a small group to head to the chapel and secure the civilians. I want a tight perimeter and a quick response squad. Report when the enemy moves. I want eyes around the city if possible!" he gave out the most obvious orders, those of which takes priority of the citizens first, ensuring that they do not panic.

Soon, after much preparation, a scout came by, running with news about the army, yelling it out, "Governor! They're attacking! They're attacking!"

Immediately after hearing that, Nelson rallied every one of his subordinates, and ordered them to head to the front lines.

"Go there and meet with Marco. He knows the plan. He's the second in command, so follow his orders."

At the front lines on a slope overlooking the outskirts of the city where the enemy was, Marco stood, using his keen eyes enhanced with his own magic to look at their formation, weapons and arms, or to simply see how they move about.

Behind him was his three platoons led by the finest in his guild. Those of which have made names for themselves, making them recognizable by many, resulting in them to have their trust and devotion.

The army had already moved, and Marco had already sent for the scout to report to Nelson.

A few meters ahead of him was the front lines, the main defensive force consisting of at least a hundred and fifty trained soldiers, and behind them were archers and crossbowmen.

"Alright, everyone. Let's move. Are you all ready?" Marco tried to use the stone that Rayleigh had given them, pouring a stream of magic energy into it, causing the stone to glow faintly.

A voice then came through the stone after he spoke, a rather smooth voice coming from a charismatic man, "Platoon Pridwen and I are ready, guild master. I've inspired them too much already."

Then another, "Platoon Durandal's ready. Just give the order," said a rough, low voice, presumably from Roland.

And lastly, "Mage platoon, ready and waiting. We're ready, guild master. Show them your splendor in tactical fighting," Rayleigh spoke, confidently and rather anxiously.

"Very well then. Let's move. Mage platoon, stand by behind the main vanguard and prepare to cast a barrier to cover them all. Platoon Durandal, I'll be creating a spirit clone of me, please follow him and be prepared to receive further orders. Pridwen, I'll be doing the same. Follow my spirit and cover the end of the right flank. have your projectile users be ready to fire at my command."

"Understood!"

"Loud and clear, guild master."

"Got it."

From above, they all began moving at once, matching the large army approaching them

"Pridwen platoon, fire at will, focus on the middle of their army. Mage platoon, soon our main vanguard will meet the enemy's front. Please bolster their armor and strength. Focus on that, and let me worry about the barrier. I should be more than enough to create one that will cover a hundred and fifty people, including you."

The army then clashed, and a fierce battle began. Marco stood steady, continuously giving out commands, then relaying it to Nelson.

The main vanguard had been strengthened, ready to bear the charge of five hundred strong soldiers.

"This is it. Mage platoon, fire spells at the middle of the enemy army. They'll break once their ranks are severed. Platoon Durendal, move behind the army and be ready to strike once I've called off the Mage platoon."

"Wait, don't you remember that the governor told us that there'll be reinforcements coming from behind as well?" Rayleigh stated, interrupting the communication between Roland and Marco.

"Don't think I can handle them, huh Rayleigh?" Roland responded.

"No, I don't. Besides, you'll be putting some of our guild members in danger just because of your egotistical strength."

"Alright, alright. No quarreling. Trust me, Rayleigh. I won't put anyone in danger. Roland, do as I say. Everything is according to plan. I'm the strategist after all," Marco spoke enthusiastically, unable to hide the smile forming on his face.

Fireballs and other forms of fire spells rained down on the army, creating dissary and chaos in the ranks as they were being separated by a line of fine, fiercely forming in between.

"Platoon Pridwen, have your projectile units change to melee, then charge the enemy's top right flank. Let's begin tearing them apart, shall we?" he spoke confidently into the stone, showing a slightly chaotic nature in his eyes.