Biel Arc: Children of the War

3 months ago, at southern knight barracks. A week after Biel was hired as a knight.

The four rookies are practicing some of the standard sword techniques commonly used by the private to sargeant-ranked knights. These techniques are polished by the past knight general itself to make less effort but are more efficient.

Meanwhile, Biel does the opposite of this. He's practicing his own sword style that he thinks is more effective but consumes high amount of both physical and magical energy when used multiple times in a short period. Another thing is that he's using the heaviest type of sword they have, the greatsword, which he could not even lift steadily with two hands, yet he's trying to lift it with just one hand. Despite these, he's still trying to push himself in order to execute his sword style properly one day, and he thinks spending this much energy by practicing and exercising without using mana could help him build his muscles quicker.

Dante sighs in annoyance everytime Biel drops his sword.

Talim: "Do you lads know what is the difference of us knights to war soldiers?"

Cecil: "That we're more focused in the crimes happening in the city? Though what I don't get is that soldiers could do the same."

Walter: "Probably the knights are just for formality."

Talim: "That's right, Cecil. Other than that, unlike war soldiers, we are not directly in a risk of dying every single day. Giving us opportunities to grow stronger before we head into real battles. And since we die less often, the barracks doesn't have to recruit knights frequently. Making us knights cheaper in human resources and more efficient due to professional training. That is why soldiers of war and knights are not alike. Enough to call them in different words."

"Did you get the idea?"

The rookies: "Sir yes, Sir."

Talim: "You might be wondering why did I asked that question. To answer that, unfortunately they're asking for a urgent reinforcement outside the wall for a recently uncovered surprise attack. Many soldiers were lost from a massive attack a few days ago and the Victland terrorists are taking this opportunity to attack. They're asking for so much reinforcement that we have to include you guys. We're going outside as soon as possible-"

A sudden explosion outside the wall interrupted their conversation.

Talim: "Grab your weapons. We're going."

Talim hopped on his trusty horse and said: "I'll go ahead. You kids get a carriage instead. We'll meet at the southern gate. I'll give you instructions once you get there."

The rookies shouted: "Sir yes, Sir!"

They tried to enter the barracks to bring their weapons while other knights are rushing outside through the same doorway. Few moments passed before they finally got in.

The five rookies then did what they're ordered to do and went to the southern gate a little later by riding on a public carriage.

The noise from the explosions and striking swords grew louder as they approached the massively-damaged southern wall.

The moment they made it, the group of rookies, consisting of an innocent child and four naive young men, witnessed the terrors in a battlefield for the first time.

It was a big attack with hundreds of enemies attacking all at the same time against fifty stationed soldiers and a small number of reinforcements. The enemies are trying to create a big hole in the southern wall.

Piles and piles of corpse everywhere from both sides. Most of them are newly recruit soldiers and terrorists. They saw their Captain Talim's overwhelming rogue magic carrying out massacre left and right, killing about a hundred enemies so far.

Talim sensed the rookies: "Kids, follow the rescue defenders and help them carry the injured."

The four rookies hurried to the rescue operation except for Dante. He disregarded the order with a serious look on his face and tried to fight with the captain.

Talim: "Moron! Get back!"

Seeing how vulnerably he entered the battlefield, the terrorists went for his head instead. The enemy rangers aimed charged arrows at him and shoots.

Talim killed every enemy around him in an instant and tried to parry every charged arrow directed to Dante using only his daggers. He managed to block some but the daggers eventually broke and he recieved two wounds to both of his arms. A very painful scrape wound to his left hand and a piercing wound to his right, making his right hand unusable.

Dante, shocked in realization of his mistake, was suddenly knocked unconcious by Talim. He carried the unconcious Dante and retreated.

A man riding a horse from a distance. Hiding in the forest: "Oh? So that's how far Talim goes.. Quite disappointing for one of the strongest figures." Then he left quickly, yet quietly.

One of the terrorists: "Men! Fall back!"

Despite having the current upperhand in numbers, the enemies retreated. Leaving their weak and the injured allies behind. Even innocent children, women, sick people, and manaless are forced to join the attack with the purpose of being a human shield and suicide attackers. These people that are left behind will be captured and enslaved by the knights.

Most notably, the enemies left a big bust on the southern wall, a wall that is close to the castle. Surrounded by a forest from the inside and outside the wall. A weakspot of the city that is easy to get in without getting noticed. It's also the hardest to reach by the reinforcements because it only has a single road connected to it's gate.

Talim stared the wall full worries in his mind.

Talim: "Even if they retreated, it is clear by the result who won this battle."

"What happened today is a massive failure for us. Especially about Dante! What was he thinking?!"

"Listen up, you four. Don't ignore my orders and do anything stupid like this idiot right here. Understood..?!"

Rookies: "Sir yes, Sir."

Dante regained conciousness.

Dante: "...?"

Talim: "You, I'll talk to you later in the barracks."

Talim left the rookies to manage the current situation in the field.

Walter: "I never anticipated you'd go this far. I guess this is the first time I saw you respond to a serious situation. I've gotta say, your response was horrible."

Dante: "Shut up. You never know the pressure of being an heir, always forced to excel even if it's impossible."

Patero: "Who made you think you could do everything yourself when all you are is a pampered noble with little to no experience in life? Just let the workers do the job like how we nobles always do."

Dante stared at Patero in frustration.

Cecil: "Mr. Catella is.. somewhat right. Just leave the things you're not supposed to take care of into someone more capable."

After hearing their conversation, young Biel walked around while inspecting the battlefield.

He saw two knights forcing a slave.

Knight 1: "Ain't this bitch got a decent face? Hey, from now on you'll be my slave. I promise you will enjoy working for me."

Knight 2: "Hey, hey, hey! Who said she's yours?"

Frail Woman: "Please, my child!"

Knight 2: "She's not a virgin? All yours, man." He left.

Knight 1: "Forget your child. Just work for me." He brushed her hair with his fingers.

Frail Woman: "I'm sorry, Sir, I can't. But please find my child-"

The knight grabbed her hair tight and lift her up with it.

The woman cried in pain.

Knight 1: "Oh, what a shame."

He stabbed her in the stomach and let go of her hair. The knight left.

Biel was horrified with what he saw. He approached the woman and heard her whisper to him.

Frail Woman: "Please.. find my daughter.. Take care.. of.. her..."

She died.

Biel is dedicated to fulfill her final wish. He searched for a girl around the battlefield.

He heard a cry. Being surrounded by corpses, a girl was sitting there, crying. The girl is at the same age as Biel. A black haired girl with a pale and skinny body.

Pale Girl: "Mom? Mom, where are you?" She sobs.

Biel approached her. As he gets closer, he could see well the resemblance between the two. She was definitely her daughter.

Biel: "Are you alright?"

Pale Girl: "Sorry, but have you seen my mom?"

Biel kneeled, grabbed her shoulder, and looked at her in the eyes with his eyes full of sorrow.

The girl cried filled with despair. She cried out loud.

Biel tried to comfort her by hugging her. The girl hugged him back tightly.

It took an hour before she finally somehow calmed down and Biel never left her side because he felt like she needed him. Her throat was dry, raspy, and aching. Her eyes are red and sore. Her legs are numb. Her whole body feels weak. She was not in a good shape no matter what angle you look at.

Biel: "Can I have your name?"

Pale Girl: "Ymae.. Alipin, Ymae."

Biel: "Ymae, do you have somewhere to stay?"

Ymae: "I have nowhere to go back to, but I think I will be taken as a slave by the knights. I'll probably spend my nights in jail until someone bought me."

Biel: "What do you think.. about staying in my house.?" He sweats as he's nervous about the misunderstandings that might be brought by his words.

It was the darkest point of Biel and Ymae's life since they lost someone important to them. But sometimes, there is a rainbow after a storm. And life can't always be too negative or too positive. It has to be balanced. So it was the point where their personal lives started to take a positive turn.

"I can't give up. As long as I am alive, as long as the people I love are with me, there's still a hope for a better future for us." -Ymae