The Unnecessary Soldier (2/2)

While Das and Haalfrin are talking, the manservant, who'd just come back with water, stops just outside the door, and he overhears the conversation.

'What? Master is too sick to manage the nations anymore?' He knew the master was sick, but he didn't know that it was THIS bad.

Suddenly feeling a little nervous, the manservant quickly flees the way he came.

… It's only later that night that the young servant starts to remember how short he is on money.

'Well, the least I can do is… Well… It won't hurt anybody if I sell this information, right?'

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After Haalfrin leaves Das to go back home, he thinks carefully over Das's proposal.

'He wants me to pose as HIM while he's sick? Wear his robes and give his decrees? That sounds… terrible. I'd go crazy doing that.'

Plus… Haalfrin can't help but get a bad feeling about this. Maybe it's due to his future end at Drakavar's hands, but he is quite sensitive to Yiir powers at work…

'… and I can sense a powerful Yiir swirling around me whenever I think about accepting Das's proposal. I don't know if this is a good or a bad thing, but one thing is for certain. I know that SOMETHING important will change if I sit on his throne.'

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It only takes a few weeks for Haalfrin to start receiving private letters from his graduates – the ones who've made it to the higher ranks of the government.

All of them are sending messages with various degrees of fear or concern, but they're all regarding the same issue.

"Lareen is preparing for war," they all say. "They're planning to invade Arra in full force."

Other than these ex-students tipping him off, Haalfrin also sees that Lareen's war golems are moving en masse.

Normally, the local businesses and smaller countries under Lareen war all the time. Das never interfered with these skirmishes, merely because the only things perishing are lifeless golems.

So, hearing that the war golems are marching shouldn't be that big of a deal. If Haalfrin hadn't been tipped off by his students, then he'd never have realized that these war golems are all gathering sneakily towards the World Gate.

In the end, it's only the week before the actual invasion that war is actually hanging in the air among the public. People are finally starting to realize that things are about to get serious.

Luckily, Haalfrin has had plenty of time to polish his swords and slowly invite the Arkin army back to the Valor Hall for another battle…

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It's two days before the invasion when Yohan, and several other students, all show up and visit Haalfrin in his office.

"Teacher… sir…," Yohan says, "we heard the news. They're invading in two days, yes?"

Haalfrin nods, "That's what my scouts are telling me."

Yohan nods back, "Yes, well you taught us that someone needs to be the strongest so they can help out when they're needed." He takes a deep breath and gestures to the people behind him. "I do speak for everyone present when I say this, but we'd like to stop the war before it happens. Please… let us handle it."

Haalfrin frowns, "What do you plan on doing?"

Hearing this question, Yohan gets the feeling that their teacher might just agree to their request. They really didn't know if he was going to be open to letting them do this, since they know how badly he's itched to fight again. They'd hate to take away his opportunity.

However, they also want to prove themselves. Now is the time to do so.

So, Yohan steps forward and keeps talking – this time more eagerly, "We have several friends among the Rehkin Clans. We've already tipped them all off about the upcoming invasion, and they've offered to help stop the war. Here's how it goes…"

Yohan spends a few minutes explaining their plan, and Haalfrin goes silent. This plan… may just work.

Haalfrin looks down and sighs, "Fine. But I'll be having the Arkin keep a close watch over all of you. Let them know if you're in any danger."

Yohan and the other graduates all smile, and they offer a simple Brancotte solute.

With Haalfrin's permission now secured, they all pivot on their heels and march out the door.

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Over the next several weeks, Haalfrin hears nothing from the graduates – not even any word from the Arkin who were sent to keep tabs on them.

Like an over-anxious parent, Haalfrin often paces back and forth in his office, getting more and more worried.

'Did they die?' 'Are they captured somewhere?' 'I should've gone with them!'

Haalfrin thinks many things along these lines, and none of it is very helpful.

Finally, Haalfrin can't stand it anymore, and he crosses the World Gate.

Once he gets there, the first thing he sees is that that much of the city has been smashed up. Several of the tall buildings are toppled over, and many of the previously green parks and yards have been burnt to ashes.

Most importantly, he's not separated by a World Gate anymore, so he can actually call people up with his Far-Speak Spells.

…

And that's when the torrent of new information comes streaming in. There are journalists. There are generals. There are influential commoners. There are even some of his graduates. Everyone is harping on and on about the recent war.

Yes, the war is recent. As in, it just ended the other day.

After digging around a little bit and talking to his contacts, Haalfrin learns the full picture of what happened.

Here's how the war went:

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First, some of Haalfrin's graduates worked together with the Rehkin clans to steal the blueprints for the war golems from independent Factory Owners. Several humans and Rehkin alike died in the process, but the operation was a success.

With the Rehkin having access to knowledge of how these war golems are built, they became able to tear apart the enchantments again with their Spirit magic. Of course, they weren't able to do this before, since the humans had long since made enchantments that WERE almost impervious to Spirit magic.

The human and Rehkin alliance then went after the war golem factories, which prolonged the war by several weeks.

After that, the humans managed to gather their armies, and they were marching on the World Gate.

However, Yohan, many of the Rehkin immigrants, and many of the local business owners that they'd gotten on their side all came together to stop the enemy from advancing through.

The battle lasted for a few hours, and much of the city got smashed up. Most of the people who died were all citizens of this city.

After Yohan's alliance won the battle, Lareen was unable to continue the war, since with their golem factories being down, they were unable to make more troops for the war.

Right now, peace talks are being arranged between the humans and the clans, and all of the politicians and business owners behind the war are being held trial, and will soon be given to the Rehkin Matriarchs for punishment.

All in all, everything seems to have turned out perfectly – all without Haalfrin needing to interfere.

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After Haalfrin listens to the last report, he sits down on a nearby park bench, and he looks up at the grey, ashy sky with a heavy feeling in his heart.

'The world doesn't need the Valor Hall anymore.... does it?' Haalfrin thinks somberly They don't need a bunch of dead fossils to protect the peace. I'm old now... and the younger generation can keep things going without me.'

Haalfrin doesn't know if he should feel sad or proud that he's not needed anymore – maybe both.

For the first time, Haalfrin truly feels like he can leave the Valor Hall behind. Yes. It's time to let go.

Haalfrin looks over in the direction of Das's palace. 'Maybe it's time that I accept his offer?'

He then looks down towards the Lareen capital, which is about 20 miles to the east. 'Then again, I heard that the last battle happened over there, and that it was only a few hours ago. Maybe there's still some Death Aura there?'

'FREYYA!'

With a sudden sense of urgency, Haalfrin casts all of the speed spells he knows, and he rushes away to the capitol.