The Eastern Border, Kingdom of Aurellia
Fog clung to the barren hills like a funeral shroud.
The fortress at the Eastern Border loomed ahead—cracked walls, splintered watchtowers, tattered banners barely clinging to the stone.
It reeked of defeat.
Behind Achilles, the twelve Verentis knights rode in disciplined silence, their silver-edged armor untouched by the rot surrounding them.
Captain Kael reined his horse beside the transport:
> "This is the 'pride' of our border, Young Lord."
"A crumbling garrison and soldiers who've forgotten how to stand."
---
🏚 The State of the Legion
The 3rd Legion's encampment was a farce.
Soldiers in rusted mail slouched against broken walls.
Officers drank openly in their tents.
The wounded outnumbered the fit.
A rotting banner read:
> 3rd Legion — Hold the Line.
But there was no line to hold—only scattered bodies and whispered fear.
---
🧊 Achilles Surveys the Decay
Stepping down from the transport, Achilles' cold eyes scanned the courtyard.
The System flickered:
>>> Border Fortress Integrity: 39%
>>> Legion Combat Effectiveness: 26%
>>> Officer Competence: 14%
>>> Morale: Critical Failure
Kael spoke low:
> "Ascendria bleeds us from the shadows."
"They raid, they poison supply lines, they bribe officers."
"The nobles send commanders to die, one after the other."
Achilles' gaze hardened:
> "They sent me expecting the same."
"They'll be disappointed."
---
⚔ The Welcome Committee
Commander Halric, bloated with drink and cowardice, stumbled from the central tower.
> "Verentis brat, huh?"
"They told me you'd show… try not to get gutted your first week."
His sneer faltered when he saw the twelve Verentis knights, disciplined, armor gleaming.
Achilles' voice was cool as iron:
> "You're relieved, Commander."
"The 3rd Legion is under new leadership."
Halric scoffed:
> "You think a boy can hold the border?"
"You'll be dead before the moon turns."
The System pulsed silently:
>>> Authority Override: Accepted
>>> Command Protocols: Active
Achilles didn't smile. He simply turned toward the fractured soldiers and broken walls:
> "We don't hold the line."
"We rebuild it."
"And when Ascendria strikes… we rewrite the outcome."
---
🌑 Beyond the Hills
Across the frost-scarred plains, hidden in the forests, Ascendria scouts watched.
One whispered into a crystal relay:
> "The Verentis boy's here."
"The front's still broken."
"Orders?"
The response was cold, calculated:
> "Observe."
"Let him drown in failure."
"Then… we devour the border."
But Achilles had other plans.