I see naught but black.

  Ridicule and mockery.

  I suppose they thought of us as a waste of time.

  Wait and see.

  A sensible decision for an outsider.

  Naturally interest for those seeking their own wants are many.

  But with only the Republic nearby, they will reap the rewards.

  What do they gain and what do they lose?

  All or nothing.

  A mere scrap of paper will not get them to intervene. Nor will anything we do.

  Unless we sell our souls there's nothing else to give.

  The leash or suffer.

  A feeling of acceptance washed over me.

  Even with clear results of the outcome, a speck of hope was harbored.

  In the end, the nation stands alone.

  The next time they will surely have us break.

  Devouring each other for crumbs.

  The clouds of change loom higher.

  That… ‘Servant’.

  It is with no lie that the moment of the dilemma began, that the ‘Servant’ of his majesty has repeatedly made changes in favor against the Empire.

  What does that man want?

  What does that man seek?

  What does that ‘Servant’ know?

  Who is ‘The Servant’ matters little at the moment.

  It must be important to unveil what their goal is and their allegiance.

  The knife aimed at the Empire could so easily drift to the throat of the Barlindos Kingdom.

  His majesty knows he took an untrustworthy path.

  But for the kingdom to live…

  No one believed Asran Vinna Cambel.

  The hubris of humanity.

  So the flames of war consume all.

  Preparations must continue alongside the retaliation the Empire will do to save face.

  What can be gleaned and learned from ‘The Servant’.

  “Trust me and I shall bring a future unthinkable…”

  The smiling face of The Servant to mind.

  And the proposal of The Servant.

  Perhaps the preaching from the Holy See fails to sway those who see the devil.

  The drills with the foot soldiers who have been renamed to “Infantry” by The Servant is, to say the least, an incompetent mess.

  Many often fail to follow orders.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  And after the last battle, some had gotten too arrogant.

  Spouting nonsense of glory and honor.

  If such fed me, I would preach with all my heart.

  The foot soldiers often tire out while carrying all their gear.

  Noted was the envious looks given to us on horses.

  My mood further soured with the sheer ignorance of these countryside bumpkins.

  The stiffness of my back while riding.

  The weight in my hand.

  If anything, the separation of cavalry discussed by the brass led The Servant to gather everyone and declare a ‘heavy’ and ‘light’ cavalry with our numbers.

  It was pitiful seeing the ones chosen as heavy cavalry lug around in full armor.

  By the end of the exercise they look exhausted.

  Though the land is flat, it is necessary for combat effectiveness.

  If an untrained fool were given the weighted armor and the horse larger than themself, falling and flailing helplessly like a newborn would be common.

  …Though these horses for “heavy” cavalry are merely slightly larger than the standard gathered.

  Essentially unsuitable for barding.

  Due to origin.

  In addition I surmised that this kingdom does not have the manpower or material to make such.

  If they could, they would not hand out various weapons of differing effectiveness.

  Some like I already had a weapon at the ready.

  …The strange looks from me holding my poleaxe for foot soldiers brings annoyance.

  In the end, habits from the past change not.

  A fleeting thought passes me.

  Oft an indescribable chill settles from the cool of the air.

  The soft drags of breaths dry my mouth.

  Bitterness lingers.

  Yet it doesn’t matter anymore.

  Merely scattered ash in the wind decaying.

  Guiding my horse towards the stable, the day is a stretch of repetition.

  Next on the schedule is watching for hours.

  Tedious but necessary.

  My eyes will rot by the end.

  — — — —

  The Empire is not often to lose.

  Even in the case of when it happens, it is a small defeat.

  The rare is large scale defeats.

  For an empire of it’s size, losing close to 80000 men if not more can be acceptable if the enemy is cunning and of the same weight class.

  None can win consecutively without losing in some form.

  However,

  A puny insignificant nation with virtually no experience with warfare, beat the world class power in military strength with a smaller army.

  Twice.

  Is it not humiliating?

  Does it not scratch your pride?

  Others perceive weakness.

  Show them might.

  That.

  Is likely what is spinning in the minds of the upper echelons of the Empire.

  The Emperor may not seem like it, but the man is oft a paranoid.

  Though for the grunts it matters not.

  “...Hans.”

  “Mm? Need something Canis?”

  My younger self would bristle with thorns.

  Smoldering remains are left.

  “What are they doing?”

  “Ah. Something about… construction..? All I really know is that The Servant of his majesty declared something.”

  The prisoners with largely negative faces were constructing a large exterior. Hans with his plain looks scratched his head.

  Others watching grumbled and chattered while still paying attention to any that try to run.

  “Do you think it’s an extension of the capital?” Hans asked.

  “Perhaps.”

  Keeping prisoners is a cost.

  Yet the silence of the Empire to retrieve them is deafening.

  The longer it goes on, the more the hope in their eyes dies.

  “The chance is low however.”

  “Why do you think so?”

  “The walls are made in the position of a building.”

  “Oh…”

  The man named Hans with an utterly common name awkwardly smiled.

  Slowly time flows.

  Eating away at the light from the sky.

  Once at the specific time, I and Hans were replaced for watch.

  Retiring into my bed, I closed my eyes.

  When they open, the day will repeat with minor differences.

  Eventually a rhythm blooms.

  Iwasn'tbeinglazyIswear