Author: Well I see everyone enjoyed the little Rap Battle I made last chapter. Anyone this series is definately coming to a close with only 3 (perhaps 4) chapters to go. The final battle will be broken down into 2 parts rather than my tradiational 1 because it will be pretty fucking long. Personally this chapter is going down in my memories as one of my all time favorites in this story because *spoiler alert* Alex takes a leaf out of Onizuka's book (If you haven't heard of Great Teacher Onizuka yet then drop whatever you're doing and read the series right now on mangafox or any other manga site cuz until you do you will never have truly lived.) and goes absolutely beserk on a certain people's asses. Anyways find out what happens inside the story and don't foregt to review and subscribe to the story.

"There is no choice, your majesty." Gramont said firmly. "We are completely under strength. We must conscript more commoners in to the army to swell our numbers."

There was a mumble of assent from the gathering of Tristain nobility inside the royal court. Alex and Andreas stood to the side of the room off besides the throne where Henrietta sat herself.

"And what good will that do?" asked Alex pointedly, "With so little time, we won't have enough time to train them properly. They'd be a liability in battle."

"Even so," Gramont said stiffly still unused to having a commoner talking to him in such a manner. "It does not negate the fact that we need the numbers now that we will be fighting in an open field. Right now we are almost outnumbered three to one. We have no chance of winning unless we boost our numbers. At the very least they could be useful in absorbing enemy mage fire."

"You mean dying?" Alex asked dryly. It was more of a statement than a question. "Sure, as long as you're the one that gets to explain to them that they're nothing more than cannon fodder. But until then, I realized that there is a much more suitable group of people within Tristain to join our current ranks. A group that has been training their entire lives in an art that could be the difference between victory and defeat in the upcoming battle."

"And what group would that be?" asked Henrietta leaning forward from her throne.

Alex smiled. "I'm speaking to them right now, the nobility."There was an immediate pattering of angry murmurs around the court and Alex looked around in confusion wondering what he had done wrong.

Gramont shuffled awkwardly before speaking. "Every noble from military families has already been called upon. You need not worry about them."

"What about the nobles who aren't in the army?" Alex pressed questioningly. "What about the high nobility and the ones who specialize in other trades? Even their magic should prove more than potent in battle." Gramont opened his mouth to answer but was cut off as another figure rose from the assembled officials.

"This is absolutely preposterous." said the man. "I have better things to do than listen to the insane rantings of a peasant."

Alex raised a brow at Gramont. "And what makes this bloke such so special?"

"His name is Count Mott. He's the Royal Messenger of the Tristainian Court."

"Wow, what an important job." Andreas muttered sarcastically under his breath.

Alex ignored the jab add looked straight at Count Mott. "Right, so what's your problem Count Mott?"

Count Mott thrust his chin up haughtily "My problem peasant is that I wasn't raised to take the mad orders of an uneducated commoner so I suggest you drop this façade, farce more like, and start learning your place."

Alex twitched angrily. "My place, count is here doing everything I possibly can to protect your country from certain destruction. And as a part of that I'm asking why you have a problem with defending your country."

"Because I am a messenger for the court." said Count Mott. "The queen needs my services as one."

Alex turned towards Henrietta who ever so slightly shook her head before turning back to the count. "You services as messenger aren't need at the exact moment. I don't think I would be wrong to say that your queen needs your services more as a fighter than as a messenger count."

"But I pay special taxes." Count Mott protested. "So I don't have to fight. We leave that to little people like you."

And that was when it happened. The narrow and flimsy bridge which connected Alex's mind to the little remaining remnants of his sanity collapsed. And simply put, Alex snapped. Completely.

Count Mott must have realized how outrageous his comment must have sounded and tried to make amends. "What I meant was-"

"SHUT THE HELL UP YOU POMPOUS PRICK!" Alex roared

Count Mott stared at Alex in bewilderment. "Ex…Excuse me?"

"You're the little people here! People like you who have so little sense of honor, dignity and duty that you can't even find the courage to pick up a weapon and do what needs to be done when your own country is in a crisis. Do you think for a moment that Joseph isn't going to gut you like a fish just because you paid your taxes?" Alex rose from his chair angrily and walked up to the Count until their faces were almost touching. "None of you here have any intention of putting up a fight against the Gallians since you don't have any FUCKING BACKBONE! You expect me and my soldiers to fight, but you don't have the BALLS to go a hundred miles west and fight the man who's destroying your country and slaughtering your people! That's pure cowardice! I didn't bring my soldiers here to die for a foreign country just because you all too women to fight for your own god damn freedom! You'd love to see my men die for this nation because you don't have the courage to die for it yourself. Don't expect us to risk our lives for YOUR FUCKING CAUSE when you don't do shit. I'll just watch as Joseph burns your capital to the ground and kills every last one of you. Cuz that's how I roll. So you better get heads out of your asses and figure out why you're here! Are you here for your own self interest or are you here for your country. If you're here for yourself then you're fucking worthless! You have no place in this world and you can go to hell! If you are here for your country than I suggest you MAN THE FUCK UP because your country NEEDS YOU RIGHT NOW! You're going to stand ranks along with every man in the line, fight the enemy like a bloody hero and if need be, you will die in battle spitting curses at your enemies, kicking and screaming until your final moment!"

Alex looked around and became aware that the Tristainian nobles were looking at him in shocked horror as if they couldn't believe the words that had come out of his mouth.

"And you want to know why I so pissed off?" Alex continued grlaing at the rest of them. "It's because the commoners do EVERYTHING for you. They farm your lands, feed you, clothe you and do just about everything in this country but you don't do shit for them! You're like fucking children that can't do anything for themselves! It's SUPPOSED to be YOUR responsibility to maintain order, and keep this country safe but the minute you're required to actually do something you just duck and run! If you don't do shit for this country then you can't pretend to be important because you're not! Let's face it, this country can run itself right now BECAUSE NONE OF YOU EVER FUFILL YOUR RESPONSIBILTIES WHEN IT MATTERS! Right now, you're all nothing but one big burden to your country! You consume the most resources. You eat the most food, you spend the most gold and you take up the most space but you don't do shit in return! This is you one chance to step up and prove you're not completely worthless so why don't you try to pull your own fucking weight for once! I'd like to see any one of you do half what a common soldier does in the battlefield. I would LOVE to see that just ONCE in my life!"

The shocked silence of the royal court was slowly replaced with angry muttering and Alex heard the words, 'barbarian' and 'peasant' more than once. Alex cupped a hand to his ear and beckoned them to step forward. "Excuse me? What was that? I couldn't quite hear you there, why don't you speak up? If you're angry tell it to my face? If I'm wrong why don't you prove it? I challenge any one of you to accompany my Rangers the next time they throw themselves behind enemy lines to fight. I challenge you, right now, to volunteer to go with any one of my front line regiments into battle. Is there anybody? Anybody at all?"

The nobles sheepishly refused to meet his gaze and Alex sneered. "Yeah I thought so. You want to know something? The bravest man in your ranks is a woman. You queen is a seventeen year old girl but she has more guts than all of you combined. I feel sorry for her for having to deal with spineless shits like you."

Alex glared around the room before walking out of the court, Andreas following close behind. Gramont walked up beside Henrietta. "Honestly it was a mistake to ever allow a peasant to take charge of our forces. I can't believe the man's insolence, spouting off such nonsense." He said.

"Really?" asked Henrietta. "I'd disagree with you there general."

Gramont looked at Henrietta in surprise. "Your majesty?"

Henrietta nodded thoughtfully. "While agree his language was hardly acceptable, General Alexander spoke nothing less than the truth. He spoke as a person rather than a diplomat thus he wasn't afraid to say what needed to be said. It's a shock to the system to say the least but perhaps that's exactly what we needed. We have lived so long in peace we've forgotten what it truly means to be noble. We had forgotten our true duties lies not in the times of peace but in the time of chaos."

"Your majesty, surely you jest?"

"Oh really Gramont? If he was wrong, then why didn't you or anyone else here refute him?

"Well… that's…"

Henrietta sighed. "Well there is nothing more we can do now. We don't have enough time to properly reform our army nor do we have enough time to push a proper conscription bill. Those that wish to volunteer into service should report to the main courtyard of the palace tomorrow."

o0o

Outside Alex and Andreas slowly walked back towards the Albion camp currently entrenched outside the Tristainian capital. After a moment of awkward silence, Andreas finally spoke up.

"Sir, permission to speak freely?"

"Go ahead general."

"I almost shit myself, sir."

Alex roared in laughter and looked at him. "Good."

"Good?"

"In a fight, anger's as good as courage." explained Alex. "That's a proverb in my world. I don't care if I just made a hundred new enemies as long as they unleash some of that anger out on our enemies on the upcoming battle."

"I wouldn't know about that sir." Andreas said doubtfully. "I know nobility. A lot of them will be looking to seek revenge against you for this insult."

"Tell them take a number." Alex said grimly. "Cause there's at least a hundred thousand Gallic soldier waiting in line to do the same thing."

o0o

Ney stepped in the stables and walked towards the horse patting its neck. He calmly unfastened the straps holding the rider's valise in place and opened it. Gold coins fell out immediately. Ney stooped to pick them up. They carried the Gallic Twin Staffs on one side, and Joseph's head on the other. There were several pieces of paper in there too and he hurriedly unfolded them, scanning them to recognize the signatures on the bottom of each paper.

Joseph Gaul.

The Gallic King's scrawl was easily legible.

"It seems I have caught a thief." Said a familiar voice. Ney heard a movement behind him and heard turned around to see Cardinal Mazarin holding a wand inches away from his throat.

"And I have found a spy." Said Ney

"What are you talking about?" the minister demanded. "Not only do you show your face after betraying me and Tristain, you dare accuse me of being a spy after trying to steal my belongings? What proof do you have?"

"I had my suspicions at first. While I was still your servant, I noticed you sent a suspiciously large amount of letters from Gallia and back. I also realized that for Sheffield had an unusually large amount of information of our forces while she tampered with the outcome of our battles, information that I once sent you, Cardinal."

Mazarin sneered. "A couple letters and information does not prove anything."

"But what about the fact that I have found your saddle filled with enemy gold and communications? They are proof of your betrayal. Do you have any idea how many men have died because of your treachery?"

"And how many died because of Henrietta's treachery?" snarled Mazarin. "She embodies the dynasty that destroyed my family and my life." Ney looked up to see the fury within Mazarin's eyes as he spoke. "Twelve years ago, my father took part in the Eustace's Revolt. Why? Because the king was corrupt, covetous and taxed the nobility dry. At that time, I was tipped to be the next in line for the throne of Romalia's Holy Emperor and Pope. When the revolt was put down my family was exiled and all their property was taken away. Because of that I was forced to drop my candidacy in the Papal elections. I could have had everything! That bitch of a queen would have been the one kneeling before me if it weren't for her father. But the King Joseph gave me another option. He promised me the throne of Tristain and I realized I could serve both my ambitions and my revenge by working for him. Yes general, I am a spy if that is what you choose to call me. But you will never understand. You are nothing more than a low borne noble barely above that of a common peasant. You could never hope to understand what I lost because of the queen and her family!"

Ney smiled despite himself. "You would be surprised, Cardinal. Do not think yours is the only family to have suffered during the Eustace's revolt. At least your family was still allowed to live. Like you, I have reason to hate, but I did not allow that hate to consume me as you have. Perhaps that is the difference between us."

Mazarin frowned in confusion. "How could you know what I know? Feel what I feel? You are lowborn trash and nothing more."

Ney laughed. "Believe what you will, Cardinal. I do not care what you think of me. I know the truth at least. I came from a world of privilege like you did and that was all taken away from me by the same person. How should I prove my breeding? By naming my teachers at the Oriz Magic University where I learned to become a square mage? Or should I tell you how many horses and land that my father, Duke Eustace, possessed? Would the trash you speak of even know of such things? No Cardinal. You stand looking at a man just like yourself, a man who lost everything, even self respect until Alexander returned it to me. That at least, I am grateful for."

"But if you are of noble birth then why do you not understand what I am doing?"

"Because nobility does not come from your birth, they come from your actions. I have seen more nobility amongst the men I have served with than any of the upper classes I was once a part of."

"What became of your family?"

Ney never allowed his gaze to drop. "They were executed by the King of Tristain." He said, the knot of his jaw pulsing angrily. "I watched as my mother, brothers and sisters were all beheaded in front of the capital square. I watched them die hiding like a filthy coward pretending to be a mercenary to save my own skin. Any nobility I had, I lost that day. Now I fight for Alexander, hoping that if I keep serving his cause, perhaps one day, some of his nobility will rub off on me."

"Join me." Mazarin said softly. "Work with me against Alexander and this rabble of his. He cannot hope to survive against Joseph. Tristain and will fall and when it dies the rightful order will be restored. Men like you and me."

"Is that what you wish, the fall of Tristain?"

"If that is what's necessary for me to regain what I have lost, then yes."

"That will never happen, Cardinal. I have seen the future and it is not the monarchy you wish it to be. The republic is my world now. Inhabited by the trash you despise. How many of them died because of your selfish ambitions? Good men died because of you and I cannot allow you to continue this deceit. I have no wish to see Tristain fall. Coward I may have been. I am no traitor."

The movement was performed with such speed and expertise that even if Mazarin had expected the attack he would have been powerless to prevent it. In one swift movement Ney drew his sword wand and blasted off a short wind spell. A slice of air cut through Mazarin's neck so quickly that he didn't have enough time to even register what had happened until he lay on the ground bleeding to death. Ney stood over him, watching the growing pool of blood by his neck.

"Wh… Why?" Mazarin gurgled out.

Ney looked at the man with pity in his eyes. "To me, my honor is more important than any position in this world. I have had the honor of leading heroes and fighting alongside giants. I will not reduce myself to serving the likes of you."

o0o

"I see." Henrietta said sadly. "So Mazarin was a traitor." Henrietta was sitting behind the desk inside her royal office while Alex, Ney, Saito and Louise stood directly in front of her.

"It appears so." Said Alex grimly. "I had a feeling this would happen."

"Even so," said Henrietta, "Cardinal Mazarin was one of my most trusted advisors. To think that Joseph could infiltrate the Tristain aristocracy so easily is a rather disturbing thought."

"Perhaps." Alex said thoughtfully, "After all, he had years to steadily send Joseph information about Tristain. Which probably means Joseph now knows everything about the composition of the Tristain army including the terrain as well. This is going to be tricky."

The implications of Mazarin's betrayal settled down a palpable aura of despair on the group and for several moments no one spoke. There was knock on the heavy oak doors and Agnes walked inside to Henrietta's side bending over to whisper something into her ear. The rest looked expectantly at Henrietta who looked up at them and said. "It seems that a ship has arrived from Romalia."

"Romaila?" Alex asked in confusion. "Is it reinforcements?"

Henrietta shook her head. "Apparently it's only one ship. However they said that they wished to give something to Alexander."

"Me?" asked Andreas. "But who in Romalia even knows you're here?"

Alex frowned deeply in contemplation. "Well let's go find out."

o0o

A large crowd had gathered around the docked ship, their curiosity evident. Alex spotted Duchess Karin there as well who nodded towards him once as she walked towards him. "I heard you made quite a ruckus inside the Royal Court today, Alex." She said.

Alex glanced at her carefully. "I said what was needed to be said. That is all."

The sides of Karin's lips twitched briefly. "More than that, I heard. Count Mott is still cowering inside his room."

"Is that so?" Alex asked not really concerned about the wellbeing of Count Mott.

"Yes, you used some colorful expressions to motivate the court I heard."

'Ok, now that's just pushing it.' thought Alex. 'Even sarcasm should have its limits.'

As they group walked closer to the ship, Alex could see a distinctive blond with fair hair and, to his surprise, heterochromic eyes, one red and the other blue. 'Oh great who's this tart?' thought Alex.

"Julio?" Saito exclaimed in astonishment.

The boy heard the voice and smiled, waving them over. "Saito! Louise! It's been a while. I heard you're going into another battle."

"Julio what are you doing here?" asked Louise who was just as surprised as Saito.

The blond named Julio laughed. "The pope was fairly concerned about Joseph's invasion of Tristain so he sent me over to give you some items that might help you out."

"Items" asked Saito. "Like what?"

"Well," said Julio, "It's mainly for someone else. Which one of you is Alexander?"

"That would be me." said Alexander as he stepped forward. Julio turned around and ran his eyes over Alex as if he was assessing him.

"Are you? In this case, this belongs to you now." He said thrusting an object into Alex's hands. Alex looked down, staring blankly at the object for several moments before he realized what it was.

"A katana." He breathed. Saito too looked over Alex's shoulder and ogled at the sheathed blade. With extreme gentleness Alex slowly drew the blade from its wooden sheath. The blade shone under the light and a short line of inscriptions rested against the toned steel.

"What do those letters mean?" Louise asked.

"Life is a feather. Honor is lead." Alex answered, cradling the blade against his palm. He looked up at Julio suspiciously. "Why are you giving this to me?"

Julio shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm simply doing what I was ordered to do. The sword is enchanted with defensive magic. It should help you in your upcoming battles."

Alex opened his mouth to press further to but Karin intervened. "Just take the sword Alex." she said. "It will help you stay alive during the upcoming battle and I don't think my daughter would take kindly to your death."

Alex froze then rigidly turned to stare at Karin in horror. Whatever sound he was about to make died within his throat and his muscles contracted immobilizing him completely.

Karin sighed "I knew about your relationship about with my daughter for some time now. It was very obvious."

Silence.

"No, I'm not a psychic."

More silence.

"I haven't decided whether or not I approve of your relationship."

Alex's jaw dropped but still no sound came out.

"Yes, I'm completely sure I'm not a physic." Karin answered.

Author: I made up the quote "Life is a feather. Honor is lead." from the samurai code of Bushido. It meant that to a Samurai, life was light (something you could throw away without a second thought) in comparison to honor which would be considered heavy and thus more valued than life.