Fight against the demon princess

The training grounds were abuzz with activity as I walked back. Soldiers were sparring, practicing their techniques, and pushing themselves to the limit. I observed them, a mixture of pride and sadness weighing heavily on my shoulders. Seeing Lydia earlier had thrown me off balance, and I needed to regain my focus.

As I moved among the soldiers, correcting stances and offering words of encouragement, I couldn't shake the image of Lydia from my mind. Her presence had stirred up feelings I thought I had buried deep within me. I needed to focus, to be strong for my troops, but my heart wasn't in it.

The sound of metal clashing drew my attention. Two soldiers were engaged in a heated sparring match, their movements fast and aggressive. I watched for a moment, noting their form and technique, before stepping in to offer some advice.

"Your guard is too low," I said to one of them, demonstrating the correct stance. "You're leaving yourself open to attacks."