1,000 years ago, the Hero King, Marth, united the entire continent under 1 rule. After centuries of conflict, the continent finally knew peace…
Marth's successors were all proven to be as benevolent and caring as he was during the War of Shadows and the War of Heroes.
But now…
Menedy (Former Gra Border)
Royal Academy Training Grounds
"Hey" a young lady said "You heard about what happened to King Richard?"
"The late king?" a young lad replied "He died a few months ago, right? I heard he died from some illness or something"
"That's what was officially told but from what I hear, there's some kind of conspiracy"
"Conspiracy?"
"Yeah. Ever wondered why bandit raids and rebellions suddenly started popping up around the continent shortly after the king died? They say these events are related to the king's death"
"Come on. You can't honestly believe these tales now, can you?"
"I know but it just boggles the mind, you know. After his wife, Queen Lani, took over, the continent is suddenly plagued by bandits and rebels. I know it sounds like a series of coincidences but you gotta admit that these conspiracies are still possible, right?"
"Yeah… But don't let the general hear you say that. He'll execute you himself"
"Yeah… You got that right. Hey speaking of the general, I hear he's not even from Archanea, any truth in that?"
"That one is true. From what I hear he's from the Eastern Continent"
"The Eastern Continent huh… You mean where those kingdoms are from right?
"Yeah."
The two then stopped talking for some time as the young lady laid on her bed.
"Hey, Aiken" the young lad said "The General has some pretty weird tactics and weapons huh…"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean just look at these… uh… these…?"
"…Rifles"
"Right, rifles! That's the one. Pretty weird weaponry if you ask me. I mean it's heavier than a bow and it needs a lot more practice and training to use properly"
"Damn Maya… After all this time, you still haven't fully grasped how to properly fire a rifle yet?"
"It's not really that but rather… um… more like… it all feels weird to me…"
"What's weird?"
Maya scratches her head. "You know um… this whole thing. The rebellions, the new weapons… everything…"
"You know, Maya… You keep that up and the general will really execute you…"
"Well… We can't all be star students like a certain someone I know…"
"You're just jealous that I'm better than you in tactics and strategy"
"Oh? Is that a challenge? Care to put your money where your mouth is, little boy?"
"Little boy? Heh… So, the usual wager?"
"Yep. Next training exercise. Loser treats the winner to a fancy meal in town"
"You're on"
The two shake hands and laugh for a bit.
Suddenly, the barracks door opens and the cadets quickly fall into formation as an individual, wearing a blue uniform, appears through the door.
The 20 cadets stand in attention with their rifles on the sides.
"Break's over" the man said in a deep voice "Head to the training grounds. Move!"
The cadets comply, exiting the barracks.
Outside, the cadets form up as the man addresses his recruits.
"For this exercise, I'll be testing everything that you've learned so far. You will be split into two teams. Your goal is to eliminate the entire enemy force. All of you will be given specialized bullets that will not cause any harm to you but will be quite painful on impact so do not hold back, am I clear?"
"Yes General!" the cadets responded
"Alright. I'll be assigning teams to each of you. Prepare yourselves and know that how you perform in this exercise will determine your worthiness to join the Sparrows unit"
"You hear that, Maya?" Aiken whispered in a hush tone "We're almost there"
"Yep" Maya replied "But our wager still stands, right?"
Aiken gives a confident smile as he is assigned to a different team from Maya.
As the cadets begin their exercise, the general stands in the sidelines, watching the mock battle unfold
"How goes the training?"
The general turns around. "Mathis. What brings you here?"
"Just checking on a comrade. Is that wrong of me, Kyle?"
"No. But don't you have your own set of recruits to train back in Macedon?"
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. So how goes this batch of recruits?"
"Mostly regular like the rest. Nevertheless, it's actually impressive that you, Archaneans, managed to adapt to the new weaponry and tactics so fast"
"Heh... Well I guess you underestimated us Archaneans. How long has it been since your rifles first entered into service? 10?"
"11 to be exact"
The duo then stopped talking for a time, watching the recruits in battle as the sound of gunfire echoes throughout the camp.
"Say Mathis" Kyle said, breaking the silence "Why do you think these rebellions keep on popping up?"
"What?"
"I've read up on Archeanea's history, specifically their war history, and I must say that it intrigues me especially this 'Hero-King' of yours. It makes me wonder why people are so unhappy today"
Pales, Archanea
Palace of the Hero-King:
Roan, Lissette, and Marian kneel before the Queen, seated some feet away in a lavish throne.
"You summoned us, your highness?" Roan asked, still kneeling
"Stand" Queen Lani said "I will get to the point. My informants tell me of a possible uprising in Gra"
"Gra, your majesty?"
"Yes. I need your unit to station near the Royal Academy for some time and quell any rebellion that may arise"
"It will be done"
"Very good. You will also be working with the Sparrows unit. I have already sent word. Now go and do your duty"
"At once, your majesty"
Sokols Barracks, Pales
"Gra huh…" Brine said
"Yeah" Roan replied "The Queen believes that a rebellion may arise in the area and she wants us to keep an eye out for em"
"The Queen's been awfully jumpy these days" Chris remarked while sharpening his axe "Did you guys ever wonder why these rebellions keep popping up?"
"What do you mean?" Mathis asked
"You all revere the deeds of this Hero-King, Marth, and his armies 1,000 years ago and yet now, many stand to undo his legacy. It all began or, at least, intensified after King Richard's death"
"You think the King's death had anything to do with the uprisings?"
"Could be… Richard was a good friend of mine… Sad that he died so young"
"Yeah… But that's in the past. What matters now is that we continue to protect the Hero-King's legacy and put down the rebels. That's the least we can do to pay our respects to King Marth"
"I guess you're right…"
"Enough talk" Roan interrupted "We're the Sokols and we-"
"Are a special unit designed to maintain peace and order throughout the kingdom" Chris interrupted
"Chris… I can see why those monks chose to kick you out of their order"
"Hey! I chose to leave that order on my own!"
"Anyway, I don't want anyone talking about these rumors and gossips. The last thing I want from this unit is for everyone to believe in hearsay, especially ones that talk badly about the kingdom. Am I clear?"
"Yes" everyone responded
"Good. Prepare to leave in a few hours. It will take days to reach Gra"
"Ha! I win again!" Maya said triumphantly as she aims her rifle at Aiken, who has his back on the ground "I guess you owe me some food"
"Rgh…" Aiken grunted as Maya helps him up "You're crazy, you know that"
"Hehe!"
"That was a dumb move you pulled off"
"You mean the same one that got you and your squad to lose the match?"
"Pfft. I'd hardly call that as a tactic, let alone strategy. All you did was spur the remaining members of your squad to charge straight to us. You won but you sustained heavy losses. A pyrrhic victory if you ask me"
"But a victory no less! All is fair in love and war, dear! Hehe! I'm so excited for dinner tonight!"
Meanwhile, Kyle and Mathis opted to stay where they were and continue their conversation.
"Your recruits are crazy" Mathis remarked chuckling "I never seen anyone with enough guts and charisma to command her to troops to charge to almost certain death"
"And yet she attained victory" Kyle replied "She knew that there is a certain time frame between shots and she exploited that. Given that she lost many men, she saw through one of the rifle's weaknesses"
"And what is that?"
"Our rifles are bolt action and the bullets need to be manually ejected per shot which makes riflemen slower compared to archers, bowmen, and snipers. She exploited that one weakness, took a chance, and won"
"Yeah but sustaining that many losses has to have its own set of consequences"
"True but that's what the other one is for?"
"Other one?"
"That recruit's name is Maya and the other one I'm referring to is named Aiken. Both recruits actually caught my attention"
"How so?"
"One is a cautious strategist, the other is an unpredictable yet effective fighter"
"Interesting… And…?"
"Well both individuals are brilliant in their own way but they have an excess of their respective strengths which may lead to problems in the future. The strategist is too cautious which makes him lose several chances of attaining victory while the fighter is far too reckless as she relies mostly on luck and too much on her abilities"
"So then why did you take note of those two?"
"Because there is strength in weakness"
"What?"
Before Kyle could respond, a messenger arrives. "General Kyle!"
"What is it?" the General responded
"An insurrection, sir! The workers at the Platinum mines staged an uprising!"
"Mine workers huh…" Mathis said "Do you have any idea who they are?"
"I do not know, sir. But some of them kept on chanting the word 'taguel' over and over again"
"Taguel… Those half-human, half-beast things?"
"Seems so…" Kyle responded "How did they acquire the means to rebel?"
"We are not entirely sure but those that escaped said that shortly before the uprising, the miners found several peculiar stones"
"Peculiar stones?" Mathis said "It can't be dragonstones, right? Only manaketes can use them"
"It shouldn't be" Kyle said as he gets on his horse "Nevertheless, we have an uprising in our hands"
"Are you planning on sending your recruits into battle?" Mathis asked
"Of course. Don't worry they will also have the support of the actual Sparrows besides what better way to train them than actual combat, right?"
Platinum Mines (Former Gra territory):
"And here I thought we could relax for a bit after that long march…" Chris sarcastically remarked
"Nothing we can do about it" Brine said "Let's do what we came here to do"
"Roan" Marian reported "I spotted another army headed this way"
"Another army?" Lissette wondered
"Must be the Sparrows unit" Roan responded "The Queen did mention them to be in the area"
"I guess that means we can postpone introduction for later"
The Sokols quickly assumed battle positions as Kyle emerges from the forest on horseback
"Commander Roan of Sokols, I presume" the general said
"You must be the Sparrows Unit Commander, Kyle" Roan responded shaking the general's hand
"Yes well… I'd like to have a nice chat with you after all this is over"
"It would be an honor sir"
"Anyway, this mine is pretty big and we have an unusual number of insurgents all of a sudden… I'll have my unit take care of the insurgents in the outer areas. I'll leave the mine itself and the insurgent leader to you"
"The leader is inside the mines?"
"My scouts say so. Also, I will have 2 of my newest recruits to work alongside you"
"Very generous of you, General"
"Haha. Don't worry. They may be trainees but I can vouch for their skills"
"Alright. So who are these recruits?"
"Allow me to introduce Aiken and Maya, 2 of my best riflemen trainees"
"Aiken?!" Marian exclaimed
"Marian?!" Aiken shouted at the same time
"Hey!" Marian responded "That's 'big sister' to you!"
"You two know each other?" Roan asked
"Yes" Marian answered "He's my little brother"
"Right well" Kyle interrupted "What a small world we live in. But we don't have much time. We have to mobilize and quell this uprising. Aiken. Maya. Follow Commander Roan's orders and DO NOT show off"
"Yes General" the two recruits responded as Kyle rides off
"So these are the so called rifles I've heard so much about" Brine remarked, examining Aiken and Maya's rifles.
"Aiken" Marian said "You didn't tell me you enlisted in the Sparrows units after graduation"
"Well…uh…" Aiken replied "I wanted to surprise you and I was intrigued with the new weapons and uh…"
"Ok" Roan interrupted "We can get to know each other later. For now, we have an uprising to quell. Let's move!"
Foreman's Cabin:
"What can you tell me about the area?" Roan asked
"The mine's design is pretty unique" Brine answered pointing at the map "Instead of a single linear corridor extending downward with several supporting tunnels, this one is built like a tower. A spiral-like design that descends downwards with tunnels along the way and these tunnels connect to one another which makes for multiple ways to go around the mine"
"That makes the battle a bit more complicated" Roan said "We can't cover all the tunnels at the same time even if we split up… You two, Sparrows recruits, where's the leader?"
"We're not entirely sure" Aiken responded as he points at a certain area on the map "But the scouts reported she was last seen here. If I may Commander Roan, I have a suggestion"
"What is it?"
"It seems that something has emboldened the rebels. Reports are scattered but the surviving guards reported that they were attacked by animals"
"Animals?"
"Yes. To be more specific, gigantic wolves, bears, and others"
"That's a pretty weird story… So what are you trying to propose?"
"I don't think we need to cover all of the tunnels to find the rebels. I think they will come to us"
"So you're suggesting a frontal assault?"
"No sir. I suggest that we move from tunnel to tunnel and funnel the rebels into a choke point. This would make it easier for us to fight them"
"Choke point huh… What do you think, Brine?"
"It could work" Brine replied "But… I don't think the rebels would continue attacking after realizing that we're utilizing a choke point and they may have better knowledge of this area than we do which would make it easier for them to conduct ambushes or counterattacks"
"So what do you propose?"
"I think a frontal assault is in order. We charge through the enemy ranks and fight to the last known location of the leader. I believe that if we take down the leader, the enemy's morale will be severely reduced, if not completely gone"
"Pretty risky but it could work"
"Commander Roan, forgive me but are you sure about this?" Aiken interjected "It seems very risky"
"Kid. One thing you should learn in the battlefield is that you can't always be cautious"
"Come at me, you bastards!" a lone silver-haired Taguel woman shouted from the pit at the bottom of the mine "Face the might of a proud Taguel!"
"Only one?" Aiken remarked
"Something's not right" Roan said "Marian. I need you to keep watch from above. The rest of you move slowly downwards and keep watch for anything."
"Yes sir!" everyone said, complying
Half way through the path, the Sokols have yet to encounter a single enemy.
"She's just standing there…" Lissette remarked
"Yeah…" Maya responded "… And has anyone noticed that there are a couple of crows here…"
As the group nears a connecting tunnel, Lorelei notices something in the distance.
Without a second thought, the outlaw draws her bow and fires an arrow.
It hits the shoulder of a hidden archer.
"It's a trap!" she shouted as Brine notices movement in the tunnels
"You got that right" he said as he uses a wind spell to push the ambushers back
"Battle positions!" Roan commanded "Everyone! Stay alert and continue onward! Let's move!"
With their cover blown, the rebel miners emerge from their hiding spots and charge at the Sokols, crying out "freedom!" in the process.
Minutes pass and the Sokols reached the 3rd tunnel. It was then that the attacks stopped.
"They're retreating!" Marian reported from above
"More like regrouping" Brine responded as he notices the rebels gathering at the bottom of the mine "Looks like this is their last stand"
"Something's wrong, Maya" Aiken whispered
"What is it?" Maya replied
"Why would the rebels prepare a last stand when we are only half way through the mine?"
"Maybe they've ran out of men to throw at us"
As the two continue to whisper, the ground begins to shake.
"What's going on?" Chris uttered, holding his axe tightly
"You see anything, Marian?" Roan asked
"No" the Pegasus knight replied "Nothing u-"
Before she could finish, one of the crows suddenly changes form.
"Marian! Watch out!" Roan shouted as a Taguel man lands on top of her.
The man punches Marian in the face, causing a struggle between the two.
But the knight refuses to back down as she retaliates with a head-butt, disorienting the man.
Marian then orders her Pegasus to swing to the side, causing the man to fall.
But the man quickly changes into a crow again and as Marian tries to catch her breath, the other crows begin their assault on her.
Roan and the others attempt to help Marian as the ground begins to shake violently.
"Roan!" Lissette shouted as a mole-like creature bursts from the ground "Behind you!"
The lancer quickly parries a strike from the creature.
"Thanks" Roan said as he and Lissette stand back-to-back.
With a nod from Roan, the duo engage several creatures together.
"What are these things?!" Aiken exclaimed as he dodges a strike from one of the creatures.
Acting fast, Aiken fires his rifle at the creature, incapacitating it.
"Come on, Maya!" Aiken shouted as Maya replies with "Right!"
But before the two riflemen could provide support, several wolves emerge from the cliffs above and attacks the riflemen and Lorelei in melee combat.
"Maya!" Aiken shouted
Maya nods and fights the Taguels with her rifle's bayonet. She holds off several of them giving Aiken enough time to fire a few shots, incapacitating some of the rebels.
Unable to properly cast a spell, Brine switches his book for an iron sword.
Lorelei struggled to dodge every attack the Taguels threw at her while trying to fire her own arrows at them.
She is eventually pounced by a wolf and uses her bow to keep it from biting her neck.
She struggles to keep the wolf at bay as her strength slowly diminishes.
She grunts as the wolf's teeth got closer and closer.
"Hey!" Chris shouted as he rams the wolf, sending it flying a few feet.
"Are you ok?" he asked, helping Lorelei up
Lorelei doesn't utter a word and with Chris' support, she manages to hold off several Taguels.
"Move!" Roan shouted as he swings his sword left and right "If we take the leader, maybe they'll lose the will to fight!"
Heavy fighting ensues as the Sokols slowly made their way to the bottom while being assaulted by the Taguel Rebels.
Upon nearing the bottom, the Taguels quickly regroup with the rest of the rebels, giving the Sokols some time to catch their breaths.
"This… is not good…" Chris remarked while healing the Sokols with his staff.
"These Taguel may have found something that allows them to change form…" Brine remarked "… Something similar to a manakete using a dragonstone…"
Meanwhile, General Kyle and his Sparrows unit engage the other rebels in the forest and plains surrounding the mine.
"Form up!" Kyle commanded as his men open fire on the rebels "Don't let them surround you!"
"Sir!" a Sparrows rifleman said "Enemy cavaliers are approaching from the plains!"
Kyle quickly turns his horse to the left. "Hold this flank. Do not let the enemy breach this line"
The General then gallops to the frontlines.
Reaching the front, the General spots a large number of cavalry units in the distance.
"Formation!" he commanded "2 lines! 1st line prepare to fire on my mark!"
The soldiers form up and ready their rifles as Kyle positions himself at the very front of the line.
On horseback, Kyle aims his rifle. "Steady!" he shouted as the enemy approaches at full speed.
As the enemy force draws closer, the soldiers begin to tremble a bit as Kyle continues shouting "Steady!"
The ground begins to shake as the enemy cavaliers quickly close the distance with the riflemen and yet, Kyle continues to shout "Steady!"
Seconds turn into minutes as the soldiers were hyped up with adrenaline but unable to act without Kyle's word.
Suddenly, Kyle shouts "FIRE!"
Without a second thought, the riflemen open fire, unleashing a volley on the approaching units.
Many cavaliers went down but more were still coming.
"SECOND LINE!" Kyle shouted "FIRE!"
A second volley rains on the enemy, incapacitating more enemies however, it was not enough to eliminate all of them.
"Ready for melee combat!" Kyle commanded as he switches his rifle for a steel katana.
His men do the same, switching their rifles for regular iron swords.
"No fear!" Kyle shouted as he points his sword towards the enemy cavaliers "CHARGE!"
Kyle charges first as his men follow suit and loud battle cries echo throughout the area.
Back in the mines, the Taguel woman confront the Sokols.
"You must be the leader" Roan said "We wish no further bloodshed. Surrender now and we can end this peacefully!"
The woman leers. "You Archaneans talk of peace and yet you enslave us! You torture us! Peace? Pah! I spit on your so called 'peace'!"
"Please. Enough blood has been spilled here… We promise that you shall be treated fairly!"
"Promise? Fairly?! Since when did you Archaneans ever fulfilled a promise! You spouted those same lies years ago and we believed you. What was our reward? Slavery!"
"Slavery?" Brine wondered "I never heard the kingdom do such a thing"
"Neither did I…" Roan muttered
"But you are right, Archanean!" the woman continued "Enough blood has been spilled! Which is why I must do this! To arms, my brothers!"
The woman then brings out a glowing stone and transforms into a rabbit-like creature.
With a loud cry, the remaining rebels charge towards the Sokols.
"Everyone!" Roan said "Keep the other rebels busy. I'll take on their leader!"
The Sokols nod as they charge towards the rebels.
Marian pressed forward and kept the Taguel crows at bay, with support from Aiken and Maya's rifles.
Chris charges forward and engages the rebels protecting their leader, with Brine using a mix of fire and lightning spells to fend off the Taguel wolves.
Roan and Lissette charge through the battle, ignoring the other rebels.
With their target in sight, the duo prepares their weapons as several rebels attempt to intercept the two.
Lorelei quickly uses her bow to take down the intercepting rebels, giving Roan and Lissette a window of opportunity to engage the rebel leader.
The leader quickly curls into a ball and charges towards the duo.
Both jumps to the side, evading the Taguel's attack.
The leader quickly turns around and attacks Roan with a flurry of spins and claw strikes with Roan parrying each attack.
Lissette quickly comes to her captain's aid.
She swings her lance against the leader, who quickly rolls out the way.
The duo then alternate between attacking and defending one another.
"Please!" Roan said "We can end the violence now. You just need to surrender!"
"Surrender would mean tarnishing my pride as a Taguel" the leader replied as she transform back into a human
"What do you hope to gain from all this?"
"Freedom!"
The woman then unsheathes two swords and resumes her assault on the duo.
"For a miner…" Lissette said as she and Roan parry the leader's attacks "… she's a skilled fighter!"
"I know…" Roan replied "… Time to get serious, Lissette!"
Jumping back, the duo nod at one another.
Lissette holds her lance tightly and charges towards the leader.
She swings her spear which the leader jumps out of the way.
The leader counter attacks with a strike from the air.
Lissette parries the attack and ends up in a deadlock with the leader, both struggling to overpower the other.
The leader's attention then shifts to Roan, who was coming from behind.
She quickly lets go of her swords and transforms into her rabbit form.
She engages Roan with a flurry of quick attacks.
Roan parries each blow, while taking one step back each time.
Eventually, the Lord grabs one of the leader's fallen swords.
Roan then unleashes a flurry of attacks, forcing the leader to go on the defensive.
Getting the upperhand, Roan relentlessly attacks the leader until he damages her enough to undo her transformation.
Roan quickly pins her to the ground and points his sword at her.
Almost immediately, the fighting stops as all the fighters stop and stare at the scene.
"It's over" Roan said "Surrender"
The leader snarls. "I cannot… I cannot allow my people to continue being slaves"
"Slaves… Do you truly want to prove the worth of your people?"
"What?"
"I offer you a chance to show the power and pride of your race"
"Another lie?"
"No lies. I offer you to join my unit, the Sokols"
"Join you? To do what? Do more atrocities and murders?"
"My unit does none of that as you have witnessed here. True that some of your allies died but believe me when I say that I had hoped for a more peaceful solution. Besides, you have my word that I shall speak to the Queen about the rights that your people deserve"
"What assurance can you give me that you will uphold your word, human?"
"Nothing... Just me asking you to believe in me and join me"
The leader lay there silent.
"What is your name?" Roan asked
"… Fauna" the leader replied
"Well Fauna. Think about my offer and I shall show you that I always keep my word"
"What?"
"Until then, you and your friends must face for your crimes"
Roan steps aside, revealing to Fauna the sight of Kyle and his Sparrows surrounding the top part of the mine.
"Hey Roan!" Kyle shouted "You need help?"
Roan chuckles a bit. "No. I got this!"
"What should we do, Fauna?" a rebel Taguel asked clenching his beaststone
Fauna notices that her men are shaking but are not letting go of their weapons. They appear to be scared but ready to fight to the death.
"You. Human" she said standing up
"Yes?" Roan responded
"Will you truly do what you had promised?"
"You have my word"
Fauna closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "Everyone. Lay down your weapons. There is no use in continuing the fight"
"Fauna?!" the rebels said, shocked
"We cannot win this battle…" Fauna replied "I do not wish to sacrifice all of you… Human. What is your name?"
"Roan"
"Roan… I will trust your words but know this. If you lie, I swear to you that I shall unleash righteous vengeance upon you"
"Got it"
After the two exchanged words, the remaining rebels surrendered and are immediately arrested.
The next day
Royal Academy Training Grounds
Meeting room:
"Taguel slaves, you say?" Kyle said as he sips some tea "I never heard the kingdom engage in such activities before… Well at least during King Richard's time"
"The late king's time?" Roan wondered
"Yes… I was actually good friends with him"
"Oh…"
"Anyway, this is worth investigating… I don't think the kingdom would actually do these kinds of activities. I suspect some corrupt noble is behind this"
"Thank you, General"
Roan then stands up and begins to walk towards the door.
"Oh before you leave" Kyle said "I want you to take Maya with you"
"Maya?" Roan wondered "One of your recruits? Are you sure?"
"Yes. She's a wild young lady. Wild yet brilliant. I think she's demonstrated herself quite well in the field"
"Um… Thank you sir but why?"
"She needs to learn more about the world. My unit won't be able to teach her what I want her to learn"
"What she wants to learn?"
"Don't worry about it. Just do your work as usual. She'll find it herself in due time"
"Um… Ok…"
As Roan leaves the room, the general sits down in front of his desk and begins to write a letter, his mind filled with the events that transpired the day before…
The general then brings out a small flag…
"Very interesting…" he muttered "The old flag of Talys… This could explain how the miners got their weapons…"
"Aw…" Maya said with a sad look "I'm being reassigned to Sokols…"
"Why are you sad about it?" Aiken replied "The Sokols are an elite squad. You should be proud"
"Yeah but I'll be separated from you…"
"Oh please… This is an opportunity for you to learn… and grow"
"Oh AIKEN!"
"Argh! Stop! No! D-Don't hug me!"
"B-But I'm going to miss you!"
In a short distance away, Lissette chuckles as Marian sighs.
"Your brother's not the 'fun' type now, is he?" Lissette said chuckling
"He's a serious academic, actually" Marian replied "Haven't heard much from the family these past few days…"
"Is it because of all the assignments being given to us?"
"Yeah… Constantly going all around the continent… We have so little time to spend with our families. How about you, Lissette. Don't you miss your family sometimes?"
"My family…"
Lissette's expression becomes serious.
"Lissette?" Marian said as she noticed the change in Lissette
"Ah… No it's nothing…" Lissette responded with an awkward laugh "I-I'm getting back to the barracks. It's time to conduct maintenance on my lance"
As Lissette walks towards the barracks, Marian has a worried look in her face.