As Valen slept inside his tent, he suddenly felt that something was wrong. His eyes snapped open.
> "What? Where am I?"
He looked around, but all he saw was pure white. Confused, he stood up and glanced around again, realizing that he might be dreaming. To test it, he tried hurting himself—but no matter what he did, he couldn't wake up.
> "What is this place…?"
Perplexed, he began to walk through the strange white realm, his footsteps echoing faintly in the emptiness. Then, suddenly, a whisper reached his ears.
> "Valen…"
> "What? Who are you? Show yourself!"
> "Hehehe… You're angrier than I expected."
The voice came again, clearer this time. Valen turned around sharply.
> "Who are you? Come out now!"
When he turned his body, he suddenly found a face right in front of his own.
> "Whoa!"
He jumped back in shock.
> "Hehe, don't be so surprised. Anyway, Valen—welcome to my personal realm."
> "Wh-what do you mean? Who are you?"
> "Huft. I thought my aura would've told you already."
> "What do you mean?"
> "I am your God—Vicky Darmawan, the one who created this world."
Valen froze. That name… He remembered it. The same name mentioned in the Holy Bible, the God who resided in a realm of pure white and warmth. Looking around, everything matched that exact description.
Realizing who stood before him, Valen immediately dropped to his knees.
> "A-am I… dead already?"
> "Hmm… dead already, huh?"
Without warning, the God punched Valen's head, sending him crashing onto the ground. Pain flared across his skull as if it were splitting apart.
> "Ahhh!"
> "Hmm, looks like you can still feel pain. That means you're not dead yet."
> "Why didn't you just say that?! Why punch me?!" Valen groaned, rubbing his aching jaw.
> "Aaah, that was your punishment—for never visiting the temple. You came once, yes, but only once."
> "Oh, well… I was too busy with the war."
> "Busy, huh? Your men pray to me even on the battlefield, yet you don't."
> "T-then what about Velichia? Why doesn't she get punished?"
> "Ah, so you do read the Bible. Didn't you read that women are forgiven even if they don't pray for three months?"
> "Wait, that's not fair!"
> "Silence. I'm not here to argue with you. I came to guide you—because your mother, my most faithful servant, has begged me to look after her beloved son."
Valen's eyes widened.
> "My mother? Then… can I meet her?"
> "You can—but only if you die first and endure my punishment."
> "Never mind! I'll pray more often!"
> "Good boy. Now listen closely. When you fight Ionburg and get the chance to storm their main camp—charge in and capture their commander alive."
> "Why?"
> "Hehe, you'll understand soon. You don't have to do it if you don't want to—but this is the most valuable guidance your mother asked me to give."
> "Hmm… Fine. I'll try it."
The God turned his back and began walking away as the realm slowly faded into blinding light.
When Valen opened his eyes, he was back in the real world. Velichia was still asleep beside him. Carefully, he removed her arm from his and stood up, stepping outside the tent.
The sky was turning blue, though the sun had yet to rise. He breathed the cold morning air, then went back inside, put on his gear, and stepped out again to join the guards.
Most of the camp was still asleep—even the cooks responsible for breakfast were dozing off while sitting. Before long, Valen reached the simple wooden wall built by the engineers, where a young soldier stood nervously clutching a spear.
> "Is something wrong?"
> "N-no, sir. I'm just… kind of scared."
Valen noticed the tight grip on the man's spear.
> "Ah, a spearman. Don't worry. As long as you hold the line, you'll be fine."
> "Y-yes, sir. I'll do my best."
The soldier's tense face relaxed slightly.
> "Oh yeah—what's your name?"
> "Jun, sir."
> "Jun, huh? How about helping me pass the time by sparring a little with that spear of yours?"
> "But I'm not that good, sir."
> "Neither am I. You're probably better since I usually fight with a sword."
> "I… I don't know, sir."
> "Come on. We won't know until we try."
> "O-okay, sir."
Valen borrowed a spare spear, mimicked Jun's stance, and they began their sparring. Wooden shafts clashed, echoing through the quiet camp. Valen blocked strike after strike, but Jun's rhythm increased, forcing Valen back. Their spears clashed in a blur until Jun deftly struck Valen's weapon aside, disarming him.
> "Heh, looks like you win."
> "Y-yes, but I don't even know how…"
> "Remember, rank doesn't decide victory. Determination and calmness do."
> "Yes, sir. I'll remember that."
They shook hands as the first rays of sunlight touched the camp. Soon, soldiers began to wake, donning armor and preparing breakfast.
When Valen returned to his tent, his men were already eating. They greeted him warmly. He sat beside Nugi, taking a bowl of soup, and noticed Velichia emerging from the tent, yawning.
> "Yawn… Morning, Val."
> "Morning, Velichia. Join us for breakfast."
> "Mmm, okay."
She sat beside him, took a bowl, and began eating. Moments later, a shout came from the watchtower.
> "The Ionburgs are here!"
Chaos broke out. Soldiers scrambled, but Captain Alphonse's voice cut through the panic.
> "Calm down! Spearmen—form a wall at the front! Engineers—to the eastern hill! Archers, split into two groups—half on the walls, half to the hill!"
> "Yes, sir!"
The once peaceful camp turned alive with activity. Valen ordered his men to join the formation, then rushed to Alphonse.
> "Where are the knights?"
> "Already guarding the rear."
> "Good. I'll take position at the walls."
> "Take care."
Valen sprinted off, Velichia following in armor. At the walls, he donned his helmet, gripped his sword and shield tightly, and peered toward the horizon. The Ionburg lion banner waved proudly in the morning light.
Then, the enemy advanced.
> "Archers, fire!"
A rain of arrows flew as war cries and clashing steel filled the air. The Ionburg infantry slammed into Gooseria's iron spear wall. The front line wavered but soon steadied, pushing back with renewed force.
Valen watched from the high ground, his gaze sharp. Everything was going as planned—until he spotted enemy cavalry flanking east. Quickly, he signaled the archers on the eastern hill.
Sergeant Gerard caught the signal.
> "Fire!"
Arrows rained down, striking the cavalry and forcing them to retreat.
Back on the main line, the enemy assault began to falter. Valen seized the moment.
> "Spearmen, strike with your shields! Swordmen, prepare to charge!"
As the tired enemy stumbled, the spearmen bashed them back.
> "Swordmen—charge!"
Valen led the assault himself. His sword flashed, his shield deflected blows, and his men surged behind him. Velichia fought beside him fiercely, and soon the enemy began to crumble.
> "They're retreating! Pursue them!"
But as they advanced, a volley of enemy arrows rained down, forcing Valen to order a tactical retreat.
When they returned, soldiers were already collecting loot and cheering.
> "Long live Valen! Long live Valen!"
Velichia smirked.
> "Hehe, looks like someone's becoming a hero."
> "Cut it out, Velichia. It was teamwork."
Captain Alphonse approached.
> "Excellent work, Valen. Your plan succeeded."
> "Thank you, sir. By the way, I have a proposal to discuss."
> "Then we'll hold a meeting in an hour. For now, rest and eat—you've earned it."
That night, the camp glowed with firelight as soldiers feasted.
The next morning, the battle resumed. The Ionburgs attacked again, this time with cavalry held in reserve.
Valen observed calmly. The enemy cavalry wore chainmail, with no shields. He ordered the archers to focus fire on them and the swordsmen to reinforce the spearmen. Then he turned to Nugi.
> "Nugi, take command here. I have something to do."
> "Yes, sir."
As Valen prepared to leave, Velichia called out.
> "Valen, wait—I'm coming with you."
> "Hurry up, then."
They rode to the rear, where Vikar sat half-asleep on a rock.
> "Squire, wake up!"
Vikar blinked awake.
> "Oh—Valen. Sorry, I dozed off. Nothing's happened all morning."
> "Well, now there is. I need you to attack the enemy archers in their back line, and lend me a few knights. I'm going to strike their main camp."
> "What? That's sudden."
> "It's a golden opportunity—we can end the battle faster."
> "Hmm… fine, strategist. I'll follow your lead."
Vikar donned his helmet, as did Valen and Velichia. They rode off together. Soon they split into two groups.
> "James, Leonardo—you're with Valen. The rest, with me!"
> "Aye, sir!"
Vikar's men charged the archers while Valen's small group sped toward the enemy camp.
> "Enemy approaching!"
The defenders shouted as Valen's four riders crashed through their lines. The guards fell quickly—one knocked unconscious by Valen's shield bash, the others slain through gaps in their armor.
Only one figure remained.
> "Well, I guess this is the end," said the armored commander.
> "Are you the enemy commander?"
> "Yes… I am."
Valen dismounted and ordered his men to bind the prisoner. Mounting his horse again, he raised the commander's sword high.
> "The battle is over! I, Valen, have captured the enemy commander!"
The Ionburg troops froze. Seeing their commander's sword held aloft, they broke into a chaotic retreat. Cheers erupted among the Gooserians.
When Valen returned to camp, the soldiers gathered around as he forced the kneeling prisoner to the ground.
Captain Alphonse approached.
> "Well done, Valen. Capturing the commander alive will shatter their army's morale. The battle is over."
> "Yes, sir. Now… let's see who this commander is."
Valen reached down, unfastened the helmet, and lifted it off—revealing a blonde-haired girl with blue eyes and pale skin.
Valen froze.
> "Eve?"
The girl's eyes widened in shock.
> "Wait… Valen?"
Their gazes locked—two souls meeting again after years apart.
Thus ended Valen's first great battle, with an unexpected reunion… with someone who once meant everything to him.