Alex's Point of View -
After the battle concluded, both kingdoms ceased their assault.
The war front fell into silence.
For now.
The plan to conquer Canos had failed for Eshmore—
but it also failed for Doegon, who had hoped to reshape the town in the aftermath of its fall.
But things didn't go according to anyone's plan.
Instead, Commander Willson, against all odds, led an unbreakable force that held the line and drove the enemy back to their border.
It wasn't the victory the kingdom had expected.
Commander Willson was soon summoned to the capital to report the outcome of the battle.
In recognition of his leadership, he was bestowed with the title of Lord, along with authority over a fortress near the border, placed under the jurisdiction of County Redia.
The king also granted Lord Willson full authority to oversee and control Canos Town from now on.
While his newly awarded fortress was still under construction, Mr. Hex, myself, and the rest of the soldiers who accepted his offer were temporarily stationed at his old fortress, located in the southern region of Canos about a day's walk from the town.
There, we began our formal training no longer just footmen, but soldiers.
For some reason, Cloe and Marci had gotten on surprisingly good terms.
It bothered me a little.
Cloe always looked displeased when dealing with me—or most of the other soldiers, really.
But with Marci?
He was... different. Calm. Almost friendly.
It was something that always ticked at the back of my mind whenever I saw the two of them talking.
During lunch, after training, I finally couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Hey, Marci... what's with you and Lieutenant Cloe?" I whispered, leaning in close to his ear so no one else—especially Cloe—could hear me.
"Kya!"
Marci jumped a little, letting out a soft yelp. He clearly hadn't noticed me sneaking up on him.
"Alex! Don't do that!" he said, flustered, cheeks turning slightly pink.
I stared at him for a moment.
What is with this guy? I thought to myself.
"It's nothing," Marci said with a smile. "I'm slow and weak, so he decided to help me!"
"...What?"
I blinked, surprised.
Lieutenant Cloe,helping someone just because they were weak? That didn't sound like him at all.
Then again… it was true.
Marci had a small frame and low stamina. Honestly, if he had long hair and wore a dress, most people would mistake him for a girl without thinking twice.
"You two seem pretty close, huh?"
Mr. Hex appeared behind us, carrying a tray of food. He sat down beside us with a knowing smirk.
"You should look after each other," he added, giving both of us a warm glance
"Y-Yes, Mr. Hex!" Marci replied quickly, sitting up a little straighter.
I let out a sigh and smirked.
"Yeah, yeah. But this guy's totally gonna be a burden."
"Alexxx!"
Marci groaned, pouting at me as I kept a straight face.
=======================
We were still stationed at Commander Willson's old fortress, training under his command while the new fortress was said to be completed in another month.
During our time here, Marci discovered a surprising talent with the bow and arrow. He had an incredibly sharp eye and could hit distant targets with ease—something none of us expected from someone so soft-spoken.
As for Mr. Hex, being a former knight, he was naturally confident with the sword. He kept refining his skills alongside the other knights and even helped train some of the newer recruits.
And me?
Honestly I felt a bit empty.
After years of working on a farm, the sudden change in routine hit me harder than I thought. I used to wake up before sunrise, head straight to the fields, and work until the sky went dark.
Now, I still woke up early. But instead of a plow or a basket, I picked up a sword.
Instead of rows of crops, I stood on a training field.
It was different.
At least here, we were allowed proper breaks not like farm life, where we got only one short rest each day.
And the meals?
Three times a day. Morning. Lunch. Dinner.
However, no matter how much time passed, the hatred still lingered.
The hatred toward the monsters that destroyed everything and toward the kingdom that did nothing to stop it.
I knew I would never forget what happened to my parents and to the village.
That tragedy was carved into me like a scar that would never fade.
And when I look at myself now I still feel weak and Powerless.
I had always wanted the best for my sister and my grandma. To protect them. To give them something better.
But could I really do more than that?
Could I ever become strong enough to make a difference? I didn't want to see that kind of tragedy happen to anyone else.
Then I'd keep moving forward and become even stronger.
==========================
Inside Lord Willson's office at night.
The room was quiet, lit by the soft glow of a lantern. Lord Willson sat behind his desk, reviewing a stack of reports, with Cloe standing nearby—his most trusted lieutenant and closest confidant.
"Thank you, Cloe, for the report," Lord Willson said, a rare note of praise in his voice.
"It was my pleasure, Lord Willson," Cloe replied proudly, his posture straight and formal, still dressed in his full set of armor.
Willson chuckled softly. "You know… it's just the two of us. You can at least relax a little."
As the helmet came off, his short, tousled orange hair spilled free, and nestled among it were a pair of tiger-like ears, twitching slightly in the still air.
Cloe's face was surprisingly feminine.
His features weren't entirely human.
His nose was sharper, feline in shape a tiger's snout, subtle yet distinct.
Faint yellow-orange fur lined the edges of his jaw and cheeks, barely visible in the dim light.
And his eyes piercing golden, with narrow, slitted pupils that shimmered with something primal.
There was no mistaking it.
Cloe wasn't just a soldier.He was a beastkin and not just any kind, a tiger-born, rare and powerful.
Lord Willson let out a quiet chuckle as he leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes watching Cloe with amusement.
"Don't you feel glad," he said with a playful smile, "to finally have a fellow female around the fortress?"
Cloe didn't respond right away. She simply stood there, helmet in hand, her golden eyes narrowing just slightly.
There was no denying it now.
Cloe was a woman, a beastkin, hiding behind a man's armor.
And only a handful of people knew the truth.
Lord Willson was one of them.
And
"Are you referring to Private Marci, Lord Willson?" Cloe asked, her tone formal and composed.
Willson chuckled. "Ah, drop the formality, will you? We're family, remember?"
Cloe's ears flicked again, but she didn't argue.
"I'm just helping out because" she paused, her voice quieter now. "I'm afraid someone might try to take advantage of her. She's soft. Kind. And unlike the others, she hasn't built up the walls to protect herself yet."
She looked away slightly, her golden eyes thoughtful.
"Besides… there are things only a girl would understand. Things she'll need help with."
Lord Willson chuckled again, resting an elbow on the desk with an amused grin.
"Alright, alright… I get it," he said. "You're just lonely because you've been apart from my daughter for too long."
He leaned back, eyes twinkling.
"Actually, when I was in the capital, Misa asked about you. I told her you were too busy holding down the fort in my absence. Hehe."
At the mention of her name, Cloe's ears perked up, and for the first time her voice carried a clear sense of urgency.
"...Is Lady Misa doing well?" she asked, a flicker of longing in her eyes.
Willson's smile softened. "Yes. She's doing just fine. Said she's made new friends, even."
Cloe looked down, her fingers brushing the edge of her helmet.
"I see… that's good."
"Oh, how's the special unit arrangement coming along?"
Lord Willson's tone shifted, his expression sharpening with seriousness.
Cloe's demeanor changed immediately—her warmth replaced by the familiar, calm stoicism of a soldier.
"Yes," she replied quickly. "I've already outlined the structure and selected several candidates."
She straightened her posture, slipping effortlessly back into her formal role.
"I made sure to balance both skill and reliability. I'll submit the full list for your approval by tomorrow."
"The royal scouts were sent to check a nearby village close to the ruins of the fallen kingdom. They haven't returned."
He folded his hands on the desk.
"They want us to bring them back."