Green Canopy March

"Heed my words men! We end this fight today!"

A loud voice echoes at the gates of Melior. The sun has only barely risen into the sky as over two hundred armed knights stand in formation. At the head is the famed general with two blades at his hip.

"These beasts have been left to live for far too long! Not a single man returns home until every last beast head is accounted for!"

""Yeah!""

Thorsten's threat appears unnecessary as the soldiers cheer with vigour. Spears, swords, bows, and even some staves are raised to meet their general's desire. I'm placed at the back of the lines alone while the wave of steel begins marching.

"You don't seem all too pleased."

I hear the voice directed at me, one that appears to come from a robed woman. Her body is bathed in white fabric that clashes with her long black hair. In her hand is a long wooden staff.

"I'm simply maintaining my composure. The fight ahead will not be easy."

"It appears that Prudence was correct to place his faith in you."

She places her free hand on her chest.

"We have not properly met yet, Blessed Knight Clement. My name is Hessa and I manage matters relating to magic for His Majesty."

"You're one of the 'generals', I assume?"

During my first several moments in this world, I witnessed a group of individuals standing beside the king. One was the arrogant general leading us down the weathered dirt paths. Duncan and Prudence were also present, along with a man covered from head to toe in heavy steel. The final member was this woman.

"I don't quite fit the title, but I am one of His Majesty's inner circle of advisors."

"Admittedly, you appear much easier to speak with compared to Sir Thorsten."

"Had you claimed the opposite, I would have blasted you into the stars."

She chuckles slightly as the tall stone walls grow distant. We are very quickly approaching the treeline after only ten minutes of brisk marching.

"I suppose you are another of his precautions?"

"Indeed. Swords and spears may well not be sufficient for the strongest of the beasts."

Hessa holds out a hand and a small flame appears at her palm. The flame had no obvious source or fuel, but the radiating heat proves its strength.

"If all else fails, I shall perform Prudence's initial plan."

"Let us hope it to not be necessary."

The organised pack of soldiers continues to march for another 30 minutes before the order to stop is delivered. I'm too far behind to clearly hear Thorsten's shouts, but I can see the soldiers slowly disappearing into the darkness ahead.

"This is where it begins."

A flash of red places my weapon into my right hand. Whilst I'm looking ahead at the next area, Hessa is instead staring at my pistol.

"I'm still quite intrigued by that magic item of yours! You simply must allow me to examine it!"

"Should time allow."

"Surely you can spare a moment?"

I try to shake off the mage and her curiosity, but she constantly walks around me to get a better view of the weapon. All of the soldiers ahead are entirely focused on the mission, but Hessa is one second away from pulling out paper and taking notes.

"Sir Clement!"

Our dance is cut short by a young voice and the clambering of metal. I'm greeted by a boy with short black hair and an energetic gait. Were this on Earth, he would probably be in high school.

"It has been a long time! I could not believe my eyes when I saw you at the gates this morning!"

He slams a fist into his chest in salute, but I am unable to join the reunion.

"This is troublesome…"

Luck saw that I landed somewhere unfamiliar to Clement. This meant that I would not have trouble with his past relationships or responsibilities. However, a situation like this was bound to happen eventually.

"Consider the options…"

The words that come out of my mouth may very well cause suspicion and create friction between me and the knights. This young man claimed our parting to have been a long time ago, but how long is that for someone his age? Would it even be possible to feign forgetfulness considering Clement's fame?

"An acquaintance of yours?"

Fortunately, I'm not facing this walking problem alone. The presence of a third party turns out to be exactly what I needed to get myself out of this situation.

I turned to the young man after Hessa's inquiry.

"You're to be a knight. Introduce yourself as one."

"Ah, of course!"

He straightens his posture and repeats his salute with extra force.

"Bran Emerald, at your service! I served in the militia of Liutgard under Sir Clement before becoming a junior knight of Melior!"

"Well met, Bran. I'm glad to see you doing well."

I pat the back plate of his armour, which earns me a bright smile in return. Whoever Clement was, he certainly became an inspiration for this young man.

"Let us catch up on another day. For now, you must fulfill your duty."

"Yes, sir! If you would excuse me."

He bows his head to the general beside me before returning to formation, where many of the soldiers have since funneled into the trees. Hessa fiddles with the grooves of her staff as she watches Bran trot into the distance.

"Your past deeds certainly have a far reach. His manners aren't perfect, but I can sense that he always tries his best."

"If you can offer him your patience, I would be grateful."

As I see him receive orders from Thorsten, a rather cruel thought runs through my head.

"I hope he does not survive…"

Bran has his entire life ahead of him, but it will only cause me extra problems were we to actually 'catch up'. According to the expert on beastfolk, the probability is in my favour. That fact really feels true when I take my first step into the shadowed brush.

"This is quite precarious."

"Feeling the desire to flee, Blessed Knight?"

A venomous spit reaches me from the light at my back. The only ones remaining at the border of enemy territory are myself and the two generals. Thorsten in particular fills the space with extra hostility.

"Hessa, I need you at our centre. I shall lead the knights into pest territory and end this quickly. Blessed Knight, you can sit back and watch the rear."

"Are you sure you should be dallying back here?"

At this point, the knights sent on ahead are beyond our view. I'm not sure how far the beastfolk village is, but an ambush may well already be within range. Regardless, the general doesn't appear to be in any rush.

"You lack faith, Blessed Knight. I sent my most trusted knights ahead with a signal spell. Should they encounter a beast, all knights will know where to strike."

"It sounds as if you've sent your men to die."

There are two types of leaders, be it in this world or my previous one. One type leads with his back to his allies, charging ahead and showing bravery by example. The second type sits in the back and allows his allies to take the worst hits, moving in only at the most opportune moment to grasp glory. I can only feel pity for the men placed within his hands.

"Those who die today will die as heroes! They will thank me when the goddess shows them good will in the afterlife."

"Unfortunately, Clement, there is not much we can do."

Even Hessa has joined in. Considering her status as a spellcaster, her stance is much less surprising.

"Our enemies this time left little room for scouting ahead. The only way to identify the location of the threat is to force ourselves in. Should one of us perish, the whole campaign may well fall apart."

"You have my complete agreement. However, I had simply expected far greater valour from Melior's strongest knight."

I suppose that Thorsten at least deserves some points for wit. From our previous encounter, I had assumed him to charge head first into battle and attempt to win with pure strength. It would seem that even he is willing to let others take the unnecessary blows for him. Although, that wisdom does not apply to his entire pride.

"You dare doubt me, Blessed Knight!? I—"

Before Thorsten could offer a vexing response, a thin red light trails into the sky. The magical flare hangs above the trees for a few seconds before fizzling out.

"Hessa, to arms!"

The general shouts before charging into the trees. I share a glance with the robed woman beside me and the two of us follow.