ISABELLA

"Well, it's been a while since I've eaten real food after joining the military, you know, General Isabella."

"How did you recognize me? Do you have eyes on the back of your head, Friedrich?"

"Well, it was just a guess, General," I said, turning around. I saw her dressed in a Germanian Military General uniform. She was still as beautiful as the first time I saw her. Smirking, I saluted her in a playful manner.

"Oh, come on, Friedrich. We're not in the army right now," she laughed.

"Well, after all, you are the first woman to become a general. So, how have you been, Isabella?"

"I'm doing well. I'm a general now, leading an army made up of both men and women, you know? And I'm proving that women can do what men do just as well."

"Oh, so you're a man-hating feminist now?" I teased.

She shook her head. "It's not like that. I just want to prove what women are capable of, despite our country's military policy that mandates all citizens to serve—yet restricts women to nursing wounded soldiers. I want to show them that women can lead and fight, too."

"That's great, Isabella. If that's what you want, you can count on me to support your cause," I assured her. In my old world, gender equality was no longer much of an issue.

"By the way, where is Alaric?" she asked.

"Oh, Alaric? He's over there," I said, pointing toward a table where he sat alone, looking shy and reserved.

Isabella and I walked over to his table.

"Friedrich, what took you so long?" Alaric inquired, his eyes briefly glancing toward Isabella, but quickly shifting away.

"Oh, sorry, Alaric. I was just enjoying the food. There were so many choices that it took me a while to decide what to eat. What about you? You look like you'd rather be anywhere else."

"I'm just not comfortable attending parties. I'm not used to this kind of gathering," he admitted. "By the way, who's that hiding behind you?"

"Surprise, Alaric!" Isabella said, stepping out from behind me.

Alaric's eyes widened in shock. For a moment, he seemed unsure of what to do, then quickly saluted her, stiff as a board.

"Is this some kind of joke? Are you two making fun of me?" Isabella asked, pouting.

"No, of course not! You're a high-ranking officer in our empire. I'm just showing my respect, General," Alaric said, still saluting.

"Alaric, stop that. It seems our dear General isn't comfortable with formalities right now," I said, smirking.

"You two... hmpf!" Isabella crossed her arms and pouted again. "Okay, let's change the topic. How are you guys? I heard you're both in the 20th Mage Marksmen Regiment. How was the war?"

Alaric's face darkened. "The war took too many innocent lives. After the Battle of Grazia, it felt like we had committed a massacre. So many civilians got caught up in the fighting. It makes me sick just thinking about it."

"Well, it's war, Alaric. We can't do anything about it," I replied, though even as I said it, I knew it sounded hollow.

Alaric clenched his fists. "Why do we wage war against each other for selfish gains? For the ambitions of rulers who never set foot on the battlefield? I hate it."

Isabella sighed. "War never changes, Alaric. There are countless reasons why people fight—for power, for land, for revenge, for ideologies that only benefit those at the top. Even those who claim to fight for justice often end up causing suffering." Her gaze grew distant. "I wasn't at the Battle of Grazia, but I've seen enough on the battlefield to understand. Leading my troops, watching them fall one by one... it's heartbreaking. No matter how much we train or how skilled we become, death is always waiting."

For a moment, silence fell between us. The sounds of the lively party around us felt distant, almost meaningless.

I exhaled and placed my drink down. "Alright, let's stop with these sad stories. We've survived—we should at least enjoy that."

"I agree," Isabella said, forcing a small smile. "By the way, now that the war is over, are you guys going to continue serving in the military?"

Alaric shook his head. "I don't know… Maybe I should just return to my hometown and take care of my mother. I've earned enough in the military to start a small business. I think I'd rather spend the rest of my life in peace than see another battlefield. What about you, Friedrich?"

I shrugged. "I still don't know what I'm going to do. Maybe I'll become an adventurer instead?"

Isabella chuckled. "That sounds like something you would do." Then, her expression grew firm. "As for me, I will continue serving. I'll rise through the ranks, and one day, I will change this country."

The conviction in her voice was unwavering, and for a moment, I saw not just my friend Isabella, but the future leader she aspired to be.

We spent the rest of the night talking, reminiscing, and sharing our hopes for the future. When the party finally came to an end, Isabella bid us farewell, and Alaric and I returned to our military base, uncertain of what awaited us in the days ahead.