1
Night had fallen as the sun disappeared over the horizon, but in the middle of the forest where the village was located, few stars were visible in the sky due to the absurd density of the forest, whose large trees further obstructed the view.
But with the darkness of night, movements began. While the loyalist forces rested peacefully in the village and its surroundings, the guards were always alert to any movement.
Among them was Richard, who, after losing a card game, had to volunteer to be the watchman for his squad, which was resting next to a local family's house.
"What a bummer... Just when it would be bad to lose, I lost for the first time in this game..." — He thought to himself as he stood still, looking around, his focus mainly on the forests that were 100 meters away from where he was.
The relative silence was noticeable, the apparent calm was a little relaxing, and together with the light night breeze, it made it more difficult to stay awake.
"I could be sleeping there if I hadn't lost..." — He lamented in his own thoughts.
Time passed that night, the calm seemed like an eternity, making the night seem endless, but a crack of a branch changed everything. His green eyes immediately began to scan the surroundings of his position, finding nothing, much to his relief.
— It's nothing, maybe it's just...
Before he could reach his canteen and finish his murmur, an arrow grazed his helmet, taking him completely by surprise.
— What the hell?! — He asks aloud.
Without waiting for another arrow to be fired at his body or head, he immediately went to where his colleagues were in a deep sleep.
— Wake up! Enemy attack! — He shouted in an attempt to wake them from their sleep, but he was not able to wake everyone with that loud cry, so he had to shake those who insisted on remaining asleep.
But the invaders wasted no time, and with the first war cries echoing, the rush began.
— Everyone to your posts! — Shouted the general of the loyalist forces.
The rush took hold, and soon the insurgent forces, composed of archers and armored soldiers carrying large spears and axes, set off on the front line.
Due to the surprise attack, many loyalist soldiers lost their lives in the clash of forces, but those who were deeper inside the village gained valuable time to grab their rifles and begin their counterattack.
But in the midst of the combat, Richard and his colleagues soon began their counterattack, each shot from their rifles lethal to the insurgent soldiers.
He himself refuses to retreat even in the face of the crowd of spears and axes running towards him.
And when hand-to-hand combat becomes inevitable, Richard has already taken down several of them with his rifle and a few grenades he had at his disposal.
— Come on then, you bastards! — He shouted in a rage.
With his agile movements, he managed to dodge the attacks of those insurgents, and taking advantage of his speed, he wasted no time in drawing his revolver and firing at his enemies.
His shots exhaust the ammunition in the revolver, but he ends up receiving unexpected cover from his compatriots who, seeing his act of bravery, decide to join him in the battle, even in hand-to-hand combat.
In the village, the residents hurriedly retreat to their homes, fearing they will be caught in the battle. However, in another corner of the village, Clindon is wielding his rifle and firing at the invaders.
Soon, the hoofbeats of horses begin to echo among the trees, and without delay, the moonlight of that night illuminates the horsemen, with their armor and spears. The cavalry charge attempts to break through the defensive line that the loyalist troops have imposed around the village.
— Hold your positions! — Shouted the general, his brown eyes focused on the horizon before him, as the battle unfolded.
The look of a strategist appears on his face, and with his binoculars he watches his subordinates obeying his orders vehemently, yet his gaze turns to the armored vehicles parked inside the village.
— You! Each of you at the entrances to this village! I don't want any of those damn things coming in here! — He orders his subordinates at the top of his lungs.
So while the loyalist troops defend the outskirts of the village against this attempted night ambush, the tracks of the armored vehicles begin to roll, and with their imposing presence they head for the entrances to that small settlement.
The bodies of the insurgents fall like cloth to the ground, the shots from rifles and pistols easily penetrating the enemy's armor.
— Hold on! — Richard shouts, now with a well-structured defensive line and a spirit of leadership emerging from within him.
Machine guns fired at the insurgents emerging from the forest, especially the successive cavalry charges, which failed miserably, as they stood no chance against hundreds of rifles and a few machine guns firing.
This turned the brief surprise attack into a bloodbath, with heavy losses for the insurgents, but there were also casualties on the loyalist side.
After a few hours of combat, the general leading the offensive leaves his position, wielding a rifle with the fiefdom's coat of arms engraved on its wooden butt.
His brown eyes watch the killing unfold as he loads his weapon and heads for the front line.
— It may be very risky... But I'll do it anyway, I don't care. — He says, his steps filled with great certainty and eagerness for battle.
His subordinates try to warn him of the dangers of someone like him exposing himself too much to the dangers of confrontation, but he is so confident and courageous at that moment that he simply ignores their pleas.
— If I'm going to die in combat, so be it. I can't just wait for things to happen and watch...
The moonlight illuminated his dark skin as he fired his first shot, and everyone there looked in surprise at their general, who was now with them in battle.
The enemy forces were stunned by the general's act, which increased their determination to fight. With no choice and catastrophic casualties, the knights withdrew from the front line, opting to retreat, a decision also accepted by the regular forces, with archers and warriors slowly retreating in the face of the great disaster looming before them.
When the last of them goes into the forest alive, the weapons fall silent.
And with a distant look at the sea of enemy bodies, Richard, still wielding his rifle, reflects as he observes the outcome of the confrontation.
— So... This is war? — The thought echoes in his mind. This was definitely different from the family stories that had been so much a part of his imagination.
He looks at the dirt on his uniform, the blood splatters already dry.
"This is necessary... It's a necessary evil..." — He thinks as he sees his revolver already in its leather holster.
2
The first rays of sunlight emerged from the horizon, slightly glinting off his green eyes. The adrenaline had worn off, and a relative tiredness came to the surface.
At dawn, the bodies were being collected. The loyalist troops cared little for the bodies of their enemies, but they treated the bodies of their comrades with due care and respect.
As the sun rose, ending the dawn, the local residents began to slowly leave their homes and ended up seeing the surroundings littered with the bodies of people and horses, due to the intense confrontation that had taken place at dawn. But now it was just an attraction for the scavenger birds, which were already circling in the skies below.
— Hey! Get out of here! — Shouted a soldier, pushing a vulture away from the body of his deceased colleague.
The cleanup of the site was followed by the arrival of a new wave of supplies, which, by horse, mule, or a few transport vehicles, brought basic provisions, medicines, ammunition, and rations, which at that moment were coming at a good time.
The battle resulted in many casualties. Of the 1,500 troops of the loyalist forces, 45 were killed and 64 were wounded due to the surprise attack, with no equipment or vehicles lost or damaged.
However, the insurgents' losses were catastrophic. Of the 5,600 troops and 1,100 horsemen, only 978 troops and 190 horsemen returned alive, truly devastating losses for the ranks of the Rubion Insurgency.
After hours of collecting the bodies, they were finally buried in whatever way possible. The bodies of the dead on the loyalist side were each marked with a small wooden cross to indicate where they were buried, while graves were dug for each of the enemy's dead and they were properly buried. However, nothing else was done, including for their horses, which by that time already had flies buzzing around them.
With relatively free time and the certainty that a new attack would not be made anytime soon, leaning against a tree, Richard wrote in his small diary, which at that moment was a way to relax a little.
— We have been on this offensive for some time now, a few days to be more exact. We crossed the border and entered enemy territory with ease, but during the early hours of the morning we were surprised by an ambush attempt that, frankly, was pathetic. Fighting in open terrain without firearms is truly an act of gross unpreparedness. However, even though they failed miserably, they were able to kill some of my comrades in arms... — He writes with a critical eye.
And as he closes his diary and calmly stands up, he observes the return of tranquility to the camp and the preparations to continue the offensive.
— It seems... Death will always haunt me here, I... I have to get used to it, even though they have obsolete weapons, they can still kill us... This attack has only made that clearer to me... — He thinks, watching his colleagues get ready to leave.
With a few clouds in the sky, the march began. Some garrisons remained to protect the village, some 164 soldiers, 64 of whom were wounded, most of whom were able to return to combat.
As the march forward resumed, on a densely forested hill, the insurgent soldiers retreated, carrying their few wounded. Some of the wounded had already died along the way, due to where they had been shot, their bodies having to be abandoned along the way.
Gathered together, they talk about the resounding failure of the surprise attack, among them a young warrior, who at that moment was tired and disappointed.
— What a mess! — He shouts in frustration, throwing his helmet aside, his orange eyes flooded with frustration. — The attack failed so miserably that in the end we may have ended up outnumbered by them! — He grumbles.
But amid this anger at defeat, he sits on a tree stump and asks himself questions.
— And... I need to do well in this war... And... I have no choice...
Soon, a memory comes back to his mind. He was on his farm finishing herding the sheep, until he heard screams coming from his humble residence. When he got there, he found soldiers capturing his beloved, who was in total panic and confusion.
— Mr. Lucor... right? — Said one of the soldiers standing next to the two soldiers who were holding his beloved.
— Who are you? — He asked, looking at the three with his hand hovering over his dagger. He couldn't see any of their faces, as all three were wearing helmets that covered their entire heads.
— That doesn't matter... — Says the soldier, his eyes seeing one of them putting a knife to his beloved's throat. He pauses for a moment to draw his dagger, but then takes a deep breath.
— Yes... It's me... What do you want? — He asks, looking at them seriously.
The soldier approaches him with a confident and treacherous look on his face. — Join us, our cause, and we'll leave her alone... But if you refuse... I hope you already have a coffin.
His orange eyes flash with extreme fury, but there is nothing he can do but accept, as any other option would mean the death of his beloved.
— And... All right... I accept... — He says, trying with all his might to hold back his anger.
Upon hearing the answer they wanted, they throw her aside and immediately go to him.
— Welcome to the Seven Lakes Liberation Forces... — Says the soldier, touching his shoulder.
— Since then, I've been fighting for them... I didn't want those bastards to kill her... But... Seeing this last battle... I may not come back alive from this war... — Lucor laments as he gets up from the stump he was sitting on.
— Even so... I have to keep going. — He reflects when one of the soldiers warns him to leave quickly, as the retreat was about to continue.
3
In the corridors of the palace, the administration of the new feudal government was already beginning to take shape. However, the palace was not large, and its structures were intended for housing, not as an administrative headquarters, so the place quickly became too compact for the administrative apparatus.
In addition to this problem, another soon arose. Magno was the new feudal lord, but he was not even dating anyone, which in a few days began to put pressure on him.
— I don't care about that now, we have a war to win... — Said Magno in his new office.
The place had a good view outside, and sitting in a comfortable chair, he was having to deal with another problem: bureaucracy.
— Damn it! — Frustrated at having to spend hours signing endless papers, he had a strong urge to grab all that paperwork and throw it out the window.
— It's worse than when I started managing the city of Wiki... There's no way Charles could handle all this, nor could Luiza... So they ignored a lot of these things... Which are only now coming to light for me... — He murmurs, leaning his elbows on the table and tilting his head to sleep a little.
— Do you have a minute? — Renata's voice echoes along with the sound of doors opening and closing. Her sudden arrival made him raise his head quickly, preventing him from falling asleep.
— Are you all right, sir? — She asks, seeing him there, almost asleep amid a pile of bureaucratic paperwork that had accumulated from Charles' administration.
His blue eyes soon meet hers, and as he adjusts himself in his chair, his voice betrays a hint of surprise.
— Oh! Renata!... What news do you bring me? — He asked, regaining his composure, but still a little sleepy.
She looked him in the eye in a friendly manner, then went to his desk and handed him a piece of paper.
— What is this? — He asked, beginning to read the text contained therein. — A... marriage proposal from General Antônio's daughter?
— Yes... Sir, now that you are the new ruler of the Fiefdom, everyone knows that you do not have a wife, so letters like these will start to appear more frequently now...
— I have a war to win, and the last thing I want is distractions... But I will take this request into consideration. Ask her to come here. She will not be my wife, but if she is General Antonio's daughter, she will be important for something I have in mind... — He replies, his mind racing as he thinks of a plan.
— Yes, sir... Anything else?
— Yes... Is the telegraph line between the capital and the city of Wiki ready? — He asks, standing up and looking out the window, already lost in thought.
— Yes... They are ready. It took a few days of extra work by the prisoners of war, but it is now operational... Would you like me to send a message to the Prime Minister of Wiki City?
He smiles a little as he says this.
— Yes, call him here, as I have a matter to discuss with him.
— Very well...
Renata leaves to carry out his orders, but from the window, her blue eyes observe the normal movement of the city, which, at a snail's pace, is beginning to modernize.
"It's not yet the right time to carry out political reform in the Fiefdom, but... I must get everything ready, because in this situation, a constitution can only be introduced if I impose it."
A few hours later, in the corridors, Cobalsk approaches him, interrupting his deep thoughts, and after saluting him, Cobalsk begins to speak.
— Sir, the first village has been conquered, and General Claudius has proposed an idea for that region — He comments, walking beside him in the corridor, wearing his military uniform, but this time without his monocle.
— And what would that be? — Asks Magno. Cobalsk responds by handing him some papers, which, once in Magno's hands, immediately reveal Claudius' intentions. — Industrialize that region? He wants to rule that region, doesn't he?
— Well... I don't know about that, but if that's the case, we should at least keep an eye on him.
— I wouldn't take it into consideration if it were anyone else, but coming from you... I'll think about it. Tell him I accept his proposal. He probably wants to have a company or something like that there.
— Leaving that aside for now... How do you intend to hand over the position? I hope it will be magnificent. — He comments, feeling more relaxed now that they are alone with Cobalsk in the hallway.
— I plan to do it at Wiki City in the administrative palace. I'll bring my family and some friends, and Ricardo will probably bring his. It'll be fun. — He says, as if it were a burden he would finally be able to put down.
Magno's gaze is understanding, but despite this, there is a hint of sadness about his retirement, something that Cobalsk does not let go unnoticed.
— Don't worry, kid... I know you're going to do extraordinary things, even without me.
— I'll do my best to make sure you get the best retirement possible. — He says calmly, yet his hint of sadness is still evident.
"If he wants to stop, then I'll have to accept it... He's too old... Even so... I don't want him to stop." — He reflects.
A few hours later, it was night, and he was in his office, looking intently at the map of the fiefdom.
— The only way to end the insurgency is to kill its leader... That bastard Rubion. — He murmurs, but soon becomes stressed looking at the map. — But I don't even know where he is yet, and the planes aren't powerful enough to fly all over the fiefdom, and... I haven't even implemented these technologies throughout the entire fiefdom; in fact, it will take years to do so.
Frustrated and furious, he throws some papers on the floor.
— Damn it! — He shouts in frustration. — Also... I have to find that Hero... — He says irritably, but his gaze turns to the city at night and he notices that some lampposts have been installed in the Feudal Capital.
"It won't be easy... But I have to do it. My reforms can only be carried out if I have the strength to bear the consequences." — He reflects, looking out the window.
"I don't know how much it will cost, but I will do what must be done." — His gaze intensifies as he sees residents in the distance, impressed by the streetlights installed in the city.
"The coal plant in Wiki City is finally increasing its production, because as it is only one city, it couldn't even reach half of its production capacity, but now with the expansion of Wiki City's technology to the rest of the fiefdom, this is a relief." — He thinks, as he picks up the papers he had thrown on the floor.
But among them was a paper describing the plans for a shipyard for the construction of military and civilian ships, and with a smile emerging on his face, he murmurs as an idea pops into his head.
— It's Claudius... You'll get what you want... — He says, picking up the paper and taking it to the table, and when he signs the authorization, he looks at the signed paper.
— A navy will be necessary in the future. — He says, looking at the paper he had just signed.
4
The sun was rising on a day with few clouds, but they were dark clouds, a prelude to rain. Walking calmly, the place was the cathedral, and the person was Magno. Alone in the cathedral, he goes to the altar, kneels before it, and begins to pray quietly.
With his pleading voice, inaudible to anyone else who might be there, he prayed almost desperately.
— My Lord, give me the strength to continue... I don't know what you have in store for my life, but... Just give me the strength to continue... — He pleaded, as he looked at the cross in front of him.
But suddenly, footsteps interrupt his prayer, and Magno's gaze immediately turns to where the sounds of those footsteps are coming from. It is a young woman.
— Sister Maria... It's been a long time since we've seen each other. — He says, standing up and looking into her blue eyes.
— You haven't been here in months either. — Says the nun with tenderness in her eyes as she approaches him.
— And... I know how much you have suffered from the burden of the feud so early... — She says as she reaches him with a tender look in her eyes.
— I still don't understand why you chose to become a nun... — He said, looking as if he were meeting a friend after years.
— Well... It's because of my devotion to God, and until the end of my life, besides... The services of a nun go beyond worshiping God in monasteries and temples... — She says in a friendly and determined manner.
His eyes soon notice that she has also become physically stronger, something that even her clothes cannot completely hide.
— You are no longer a nun... You have become a knight of the church, haven't you? — He asks, looking at her.
She smiles back warmly.
— Yes... I've managed to reconcile my faith and my thirst for battle. — She replies confidently and cheerfully.
— That makes sense... You always played with me with swords whenever you could. — He says casually.
— Even so... I can see that you have a lot of pain stored up and repressed inside you. — She says, removing her cap and revealing her brown hair.
He remains silent, and she continues.
— I suppose that's why you came here today. — She says, seeing that his silence already answered everything.
— That's none of your business. — He says, looking at her a little irritated.
Maria, however, does not back down. — It is my business. As your friend and a knight of the church, I must try to help you. — She says, looking into his blue eyes.
He tries to leave without saying anything, but she holds him by his right shoulder.
— Don't you want to confess your sins? — She asks, looking a little worried about him.
He looks at her, but soon leaves. — I have no sins to confess. — He replies determinedly.
Maria is worried about him, but there is nothing she can do about it, she can only watch Magno walk away in silence.
"May God guide him out of the abyss he is walking towards..."
As the door closed, Maria stood there, alone in the cathedral, with her thoughts.
"Father Miguel told me that he had the potential to change everything... I hope he changes for the better... Or that it doesn't cost him too much suffering, that God gives him the light he needs..."
Outside, he walks to the carriage, where Ricardo is waiting for him.
— Did you know that Sister Maria became a knight of the church? — He asks, sitting in the carriage, in a more relaxed tone.
— No, sir... I didn't know that. The last time I saw her, she was still a nun... I wonder if she can get married now. — He says with a naturalness that surprises Magno a little.
— Hmm... I don't know... So you already had your eye on her? — Magno asks casually and in a friendly tone.
— N... No... I just wanted to know about it. — He says, a little embarrassed.
— The way she is, she'll probably prefer someone who can beat her in a fight.
— Then I'll have to train hard. — He says with a determination that only arose after Magno said that about her.
He laughs a little, as Ricardo can't hide his feelings.
— Well... — He quickly thinks of the right words. — When will you take office in your new position?"
Ricardo's brown eyes immediately turn to Magno's blue eyes.
— It will be in three days, sir... I thought Mr. Cobalsk had told you about it?
— No... He didn't... I asked you about it because I have a plan... Because... No matter how much technology we have... They have numbers, and to prevent them from bringing the Imperial government against us, we need to launch a decisive attack against them. — Magno comments, looking out the window of the carriage, which is already in motion.
— But sir, that would be practically impossible. — He said, looking at Magno.
— As unlikely as it may be... It's still possible, and if the Empire turns against us, our chances of winning will decrease dramatically... So... I want to make sure that doesn't happen, and I need you to lead the troops to execute this plan... — He says seriously, seeing Ricardo's reflection in the window.