Fate set in motion

The gunshot echoed through the quiet field. We can't possibly save him at that condition without any healer or medic around.

But for some reason, he looks oddly satisfied. As I put my pistol back in the holster, a man came rushing to me.

" Sir! What in the world happened just now? "

" It's nothing, just ending a man's misery. "

" No sir, I meant that big light just now and also the explosion. "

The man looks restless as he inquires me about that mysterious phenomenon hoping that I would know something about it but the problem is that I have no idea what that was either.

A giant ray of light fell from sky wrapped around by flame like rings shaping it like a spear. Afterward , A big explosion followed, strong enough that we felt it all the way from here. Now mushroom like thick black clouds loomed over the sky. Probably an enemy attack, but a strike from all the way from the Kingdom would cost an insane amount of energy and mana to perform one of that calibre.

Their objective is also unclear. Why did they attack a supply depot far from frontline? Even if it is for a diversion or to starve our troops, the demerits overweight any tactical gain. Was it even aimed at the city itself? Could it be that there is some kind of hidden facility that I've no knowledge of? I haven't heard or read anything like that. There should only be reserve troops and nothing else around Bolhevia.

" ! ! ! ! ? "

A sudden realization hit me. A surprise attack on a city far from frontline, an ambush by enemy who somehow broke through the lines.

Chaos and confusion, now it all make sense.

" Captain, what should we do? "

" . . . . We are going to Hyme. Inform the others and get the horses ready again. "

" Ehh? By Hyme you mean th- "

" Yeah that is exactly what I said, now get moving. "

" Yy...yes sir! "

How could this be happening. Now, things have gotten beyond complicated. I was supposed to have been admitted to the academy and I should be enjoying my days at the academy. I would then get promoted and enjoy a nice warm office job in the rear but to think my admission accidently got sent to the wrong division and getting drafted into Chivalric Order eventhough I'm still just 14.

I even requested a transfer and reissued my application to the academy and I was about to get results by this Friday and now I ended up in this.

" Hhhhaaaahhhhhhhhh. . . . . . "

I sighed as I pulled my watch out from my left pocket. It is a black metallic watch tucked with silver chain. On the back, my family insignia, a sword crossing a lion's neck, is engraved with gold luster.

" 12 minutes pass 6 o'clock. "

If we make a run for it, we can probably arrive there before midnight strike.

My men finished preparing and one of them brought me my horse. A black steed just like my hair and eyes. My appearance already confuse many people as black is represented as misfortune and death in Aldinian tales and legends so I stopped caring what I associate myself with at some point whether wearing black uniform or riding black horse.

With the help of my man I climbed onto the horse.

" Reinforce Stamina " "Wind Bless " " Wind Resistance "

I casted 3 spells consecutively. They are basic spells of Alternation and Wind element commonly used in the Order for transportation.

" We ride at full speed! " I commanded my men, " Our destination, Hyme! "

As I signalled, the horses started galloping west towards Hyme, the HQ of all military operations in this country.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

The Principality of Hyme, a northern coastal country in the continent of Euraia. Bordering in the west is the United Kingdoms of West League, in the south are many independent tribes and counties including the Holy Order of Nerverna, in the east are the Kingdom of Fivern and the newly formed Union called Proxies compromised of people trying to rebuild the old empire, and in the north lie the North sea and small islands nation called Shemesh.

Our nation has been recovering from decades of instability and was moving towards reunification with southern lords and eventually with remnants in the east but the United Kingdom launched an invasion breaking the 3 decades record of no foreign wars. Hyme has yet again plunged into chaos and now something even more disastrous is about to happen.

Hyme is a military base built during the era of the heroes. It is a large camp fully fortified with walls towering 8m. Although Hyme is said to be a military base, its surroundings are packed with life an activity, as many villages gathered around the base to do business with soldiers and nobles alike. At first it was just a merchant caravan and then a town and now, it is more or less a functional city with taverns, inns, markets, various stores and even entertainment districts.

Hyme is located to the west of Bolhevia and 40 km to the north lie the Port City Zepor. Hyme is at the heart of all of Hyme itself being the place where all the railways are connected.

We arrived at the West Gate. Two guards came up to do inspection but seeing my badge, they panicked and backed off letting us pass.They should be doing their jobs seriously but I won't complain though since it is gonna save time.

The camp seems to be in disarray as we passed through. People are running around carrying documents as reports and requests probably flooded from the official line. Good thing I didn't try to connect using magi communication. It would have took like three hour for no reason.

I left my horse with my men at the stables as I make my stride towards the HQ office. Although the outer parts closer to the wall are filled with tents and lodging for soldiers, the interior parts look rather fancy. The brick buildings painted in grey and white gravel paved pathways and flowerbeds, the main HQ looks more like a mansion rather than a military office.

Government buildings are usually built with mana imbued bricks and stuffs in order to hold out and act as a stronghold when under attacked but in Hyme's case, the entire base is covered in 3 layered barrier so I can kind of understand why they would go with fancy buildings to please the higher ups rather than buffing up the facilities even further.

I opened the large dark oak door and entered the main office.

" Don't you even know how to organize these files fine! "

" Hey! Have you received any further reports from nearby towns?! "

" This is HQ. Report the situation. "

" Sir! We've lost contact with the 21st mage company. "

It is a chaos inside here. Everything is in a frenzy. The atmosphere in here is even tenser than in frontline before an attack.

I made my way to the battalion commander's office. It is one of the fancy room on the 1st floor. When I reached in front of the door, I knocked

the door twice.

" Come in. "

A stern voice replied from the inside and so I entered the room.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Things have gotten messy here. For the past month, the enemy looked like they were preparing for a full on assault once spring arrives. We checked it multiple times and even our affiliates from the Kingdom's side also confirmed it. But what's with this attack. They sent a small force slipping pass our defence lines and even went out of their way to alert us of their presence. Why would they even attack a small city like Bolhevia?

Although there are some supplies stored in the city, they are only enough to feed the reserve forces while they are stationed there. Also, that big light in the report, what was that exactly?

I contemplated the reason as I skimmed through the reports. The entirety of that region is panicking and sending various narrations of their accounts but most of them are unreliable and we still haven't figured out what the light in the report is either. Some claiming it to be punishment from heaven, some say that it was a dragon and some are even saying that the world is ending. From all their accounts there is nothing we can figure out beside it was a big light and explosion. I have t-

*Knock Knock

Someone knocked the door. Hope it's good news.

" Come in "

" Excuse me "

A young boy entered the room as the door opened.

" What's your business "

" Roid .B. Rein captain of 7th company, I've come to report as I returned from the patrol of the region around Bolhevia. "

" Bolhe. . , so what did you find? "

" Yes sir, it seems the enemy is planning to naval invade from the coastlines north of Bolhevia. "

" ! ! ! ! ! "

What did he just say? A naval invasion? Why? How? There is no way they can successfully breakthrough from there. Their small force would be unabl- , No, even if they brought enough troops there is no way they can keep supplying it in the heart of the enemy's land. It would be too costly to traverse through the north sea. Even if they somehow dealt with monsters, there is no way the northerners would let them sail and pass through their territory.

Many thoughts bombarded my mind the instant I heard the news.

" You! Are you sure?! Which sources did you confirm it with?! "

" No sir, this is just my speculation, I haven't confirmed it with my eyes. "

" Yyouu dare report your idiotic whining to me while I'm occupied! "

" I'm terribly sorry but, please allow my humble self to ask a question. Can we really ignore such a possibility? I was there to witness their devilish strike against the city of Bolhevia where our brothers are stationed. They went as far as using an ultra long range artillery exhausting a large amount of their mana stones. There has to be some gain from this attack. "

The way he said sounds convincing but how could this be possible. Both this strike and the naval invasion don't make any sense unless they are utter fools with no idea how to win wars. But even so . . .

" Enough, you leave now if you have no further to report. "

" . . . Understood. "

It is just a kid nonsense wanting to be recognized, just nonsense. . . it should be but. . for some reason I can't help but feel uneasy. I put down my my documents and pour a glass of water from nearby glass jar.

" Haaa.... "

I can only hope for the best of this unexpected attack.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

" Hhhaaaaa.... what a drag, now things are gonna get really really bad. "

I made a big sigh as I lament on my powerlessness to make my life easier. I guess even if I am from a noble family, no one would just listen to some rich brat who's here only because of his family.

As I went out of the office I gazed up at the sky. It was a beautiful sky. . . or I would have wanted that. It is dark and moody as the clouds concealed the sky hiding the moon behind.

" Many people are going to die, huh. "

Count Hans is a cautious man so I don't think he would completely dismiss my warning but even so . . .

The world is already a mad mess, I don't need my life becoming even harder now. Why do I always get dragged into conflicts like this eventhough I promised I would survive no matter what. . . . . .

" You wouldn't let me off that easily will ya. . .Haha "

I chuckled a slight bit as I watch my fate twist itself in front of me. Fine, a fine challenge this is. I shall survive this mess and I will live longer than anyone had ever wanted me to.

And with this renewed resolution I make a first step