Out of the nearly three hundred thousand combat personnel who took up arms against the Imperium, two-thirds of them rejoined the Imperial Army during the bitter and grueling campaigns against the demon horde. Organized under various provisional divisions, these men all tried their damnest best to prove themselves in the field of battle and regain their honor, both for themselves and their families, who had been disgraced in Lotharingia’s society.

  It had been two years since this started.

  All provisional divisions were now ground down below half of their original numbers. The death rate against the demon horde was already supremely high even for the most veteran units of the defense forces. With the provisional divisions being treated as expendable pawns by the officers and generals of the Imperial Army and the Defense Forces, and since the men of the provisional divisions also threw themselves to the line of battle in a desperate attempt to prove themselves worthy of reintegration, most of those who joined would never live to see their efforts bear fruit.

  Those who were left behind were now shells of their former selves. Their souls and lives had been drained from their eyes; the only thing left in them was the rugged determination of former men who believed they were fighting for freedom, now turned into men who were the first line of defense against those that threatened mankind’s survival. Their tales of bravery and insane achievements had spread far and wide in the empire.

  Many heroes rose in their ranks. Entire units, regiments, and battalions were spoken of with mild admiration by the general public. Some were said to have boldly charged at the demons, knives on their teeth as they lunged into certain death. Others made last stands so bold and suicidal, even the proudest nobles were said to be taken aback. The most prominent, the Nordlicht Division, even managed to make itself well-known during a battle in the middle of a sudden demonic breakthrough that pierced through the defense districts, reaching a major city up north, but the former revolutionaries held the line for twelve days straight.

  Thousands dead, more wounded, but the banner of the division was said to be still standing when the last civilian left the city. Acts of such heroism were extremely common during the last two years, for the provisional divisions were the ones always sent to the thickest of the fighting, always the first to arrive, and always the last to leave.

  The March of the Nordlicht Division, a newly popularized song created by a musical genius from the south, was even played once in Alexa’s court during a banquet at the Monile Palace, its somber, yet militaristic and honorably instrumental, and the lyrics captivated many nobles who were in attendance. Memories of those events were still fresh in Alexa’s mind.

  And so were her promise to the men of the defeated free republic, the promises she made to the radicals, and most importantly, her promise to the leader of the Nordlicht Division itself.

  The man I believe to be my brother…

  Alexa stepped out of her carriage, the cold of the northern wind causing her cloak to flutter. Outside, Alfred, who accompanied her as her personal guard because Wilhelm was still too busy in Perlenstadt, outstretched his hand to support her. Alexa looked around. Fort Rumstein was said to have been created only a year ago by the hands of the former revolutionaries.

  Now, it was one of the major anchors of defense in the Proclow Defense District, one of the most highly contested sections of the northern front. It was held by the defense forces’ Army Group Center, where Nordlicht Division, a unit of the Imperial Army in name, was attached to. The fortress was a classic star fortress, its low walls and well-positioned bastions strategically created to make it nearly impossible to breach with magical artillery spells.

  Surrounding it were layered networks of trenches, all of which were currently not unmanned, but, should the frontlines move close to her again, soldiers would fill them once more. Nordlicht Division once defended this place, but a month ago, a counter-offensive pushed the demon horde back, and Nordlicht Division participated in that too.

  Now, they were given a moment of respite and relocated back to the rear briefly, right in time for Alexa to commence enacting her end of the bargain. Nordlicht Division would be the first to receive Alexa’s honor. She was going to decorate its commanding officer and various lower officers within it, and she would decorate the unit itself.

  It was something that was going to be useless in the long run, as the provisional division was going to be disbanded eventually, but this was essentially how the Empress would relieve the poor souls assigned to it of their dishonor. Once this was done, they would all be free to leave the Nordlicht Division and rejoin the Imperial Army.

  They would regain their livelihood and position in society.

  “Attention! Her Majesty has arrived!”

  At a shout of one of the officers, while Alexa and Alfred both walked calmly inside the fortress, soldiers rushed out of their posts and barracks to line up in front of the various hastily constructed buildings inside. Alexa naturally looked around to see what had happened to the folks who took up arms against her.

  And she felt her heart being wracked by guilt. Had she held on for too long?

  No, that’s what had to be done. Even if I am merciful, I have to make sure that they can’t get away scot-free either.

  But looking around at the soldiers around her, ones who she remembered were at least full of life and vitality back then when they surrendered to her, even when they were defeated, their eyes were sunken and dead. They stood at attention, barked orders, and moved like a well-oiled machine, but Alexa thought that it was almost like she was watching robots moving instead of people.

  Their skin was pale and cold, some of them had eyes that glowed slightly red, and their faces were unhealthy and in bad condition. It was all classic symptoms of demonic corruption. But this was worse than what she saw in the defense forces. Indeed, they must have had it worse. No rotations, continued deployments, no rest, and constant exposure to demons, whether they were fighting or resting…

  All of it took its toll on the men of the Nordlicht Division.

  She imagined the men of the other provisional divisions were no better in this case. Some part of her felt as if these results were a worse fate than being charged with treason and being executed for it. But then, these men chose it. It only spoke further about their conviction to prove themselves, that their revolution wasn’t just some stupid farce of immature people.

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  No, even in defeat, many of them must have believed in it deeply, and they weren’t going to lie down and have the nation disgrace them for standing up for their beliefs. They fought, valiantly and honorably, and now, they stood before her. They went through hell, and they were still ready to go to hell if it meant mankind would be saved.

  They’re no traitors; they also believed in Lotharingia.

  They just happened to be on the wrong side.

  She clenched her fist as she continued walking forward. Salutes were given to her, as Alexa and Alfred finally met with the leader of the Nordlicht Division. Flanked by his aides and subordinate officers, Henry Richard von Hecker was a changed man in Alexa’s eyes. He had grown so much.

  The middle-aged man now grew an unkempt, thick beard, his mustache equally thick. His face was pale, yet his eyes were still grey. Alexa felt a chill run through her. He must have abused his ability so much. She knew he tried to overthrow and kill her, but, right now…

  I can’t help but feel pity.

  A smile graced Henry’s face. Then, he bowed.

  “Your Majesty,” Henry said, his voice now polite and friendly. “It’s an honor to meet you again.”

  Naturally, Alexa curtsied as she smiled. “As do I, Sir Henry. It appears that you and your men truly fought valiantly.”

  “Our honor is assured.”

  “That’s all that matters now.” Must be the next unsaid words from Henry’s lips. Alexa’s eyes widened momentarily before she nodded. Alfred, who was watching from behind, still seemed wary, and he frowned when Henry said that, but Alexa quickly closed the gap between herself and Henry, took his hands, and shook them.

  “Let’s talk about the awarding ceremony, shall we?”

  +++

  Alexa and Alfred talked extensively about security beforehand. Actually, Alexa was currently escorted not just by Alfred but also by an entire company of royal guard knights. They were now positioned inside the fortress. Alfred insisted heavily that Alexa should bolster and tighten security around her, clearly distrustful of the soldiers of the Nordlicht Division.

  But Alexa told him no, that she would move around the fortress on her own terms, and that he would follow her plans about bringing in the needed supplies for a brief feast. She wanted to make sure that the men would have a good day for once, and that before they were discharged to return home, preferably to rest, they would leave in at least some good spirits.

  Alfred naturally protested this, but in the end, he acquiesced. He always did. Nearly everyone around Alexa’s circle, unless her demands were too egregious, would eventually bend over to satisfy her. With a smile, Alexa left Alfred as he went to work and made her way to Henry’s office. She was escorted by one of Henry’s aides, who seemed to robotically guide her through the fortress’s corridors with an empty expression.

  When they reached Henry’s office, the aide knocked and called out to Henry before opening the door to Alexa with a slight bow. Alexa smiled at the aide, saying, “Thanks, good sir.”

  “Your welcome, Your Majesty.”

  And so, Alexa entered. Henry was sitting behind his desk, and then he stood up, welcoming her in a manner in line with protocol, before offering a seat. Actually, she had never talked to him extensively. The last time she formally saw him was when they surrendered. She had not met him since then. She was simply too busy, and a part of her was somewhat angry still at Henry, angry at what he did, his arrogance, and his stupidity that led to so many deaths.

  Anger, however, had a tendency to die out in Alexa’s heart. She was a prideful girl, someone who wouldn’t take attacks on her person lightly, but at the same time, she had been tempered greatly after years of struggle. Her heart already somewhat mellowed out, especially after having an overview about Henry’s actions.

  The way he fought, the way he looked now, and the fact that never had he once strayed from a single order issued to him told Alexa all she needed to know. Maybe, Henry was already desperately trying to redeem himself.

  Genuinely.

  “I’ll get straight to the point." Alexa sat in the chair in front of Henry, as he prepared two glasses again. Gently, he poured red wine into her glass. Alexa made a disapproving face, and she forgot about what she was originally about to say to him. “...You know—?”

  “I know,” Henry nodded, a weak chuckle coming out of him. “But, you’re already all grown up. You’re the biggest person in this country. You have to hold your alcohol.”

  “Henry…” Alexa tightly gripped the hem of her skirt as she looked down. “Are you my…?”

  “Alexa, there’s really no need for that." Henry pushed the glass in her direction, insistent. “Let’s have an understanding. You and I are not that. You are Alexa Theresa. I am Henry.”

  Alexa felt her teeth biting into her lips. “Even so, I…”

  “I have passed the point of no return. I realized that long ago." Henry poured wine on his glass, then, he sat on his chair. “So I do not wish for preferential treatment. In fact, please tell me, that whatever this is—”

  “No, absolutely not! No, this isn’t just because of that. Maybe partially, but…”

  Brother…

  “I assure you, this is all because of your achievements. You did well. You did very well. You fought hard and survived. Sir Henry, you have something to be proud about.”

  “...That relieves me,” Henry relaxed on his seat, then he bowed at Alexa, and she noticed a few tears on the corner of her eyes. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “...”

  Then, as if that hadn’t happened, Henry raised his head, opened his eyes, picked up his glass, and raised it. “Cheers, please?”

  Why? Why doesn’t he want to be acknowledged as my brother?

  She tried to analyze the man before her, trying to understand what had happened to this villain. Shouldn’t he try to manipulate her and appeal to her emotionally as someone from her family so that he’ll be saved from this hell? Why hadn’t he done that?

  Why does he insist that they bury that?

  And then, she realized something. There was still envy in Henry’s eyes. Hidden, but it was deep underneath. But he wasn’t envious of her position, of someone leading the nation anymore. No, he was envious that she was now a new person, Alexa Theresa—a proper human being.

  Maybe all he wants now is to repent and start over. Does he deserve that?

  She held her glass tightly, unable to decide quickly. Until she raised it and clinked it with Henry’s glass.

  Perhaps. I had my second chance too. He already fought and suffered to deserve his too. It would be hypocritical of me to deny him of that.

  With that conclusion, she smiled at him.

  “You’re right, Sir Henry. Cheers!”

  “I hope that drink isn’t too disappointing for you.”

  “And I hope we can work for something positive from now on.”

  Henry nodded in agreement. Somehow, that was enough to put Alexa’s heart on ease for now.