Between a Kingdom and a Republic

Admiral Geno Takeda, senior commanders, sergeants, and the King rode at the head of the column, their faces determined as they continued. They were mounted on strong horses, and their silence spoke volumes about their resolve. Rows of regular soldiers, weighed down by bulky armor and weapons, struggled forward on foot behind them. In addition to being a military march, this difficult trek toward the Unitas Republic was also a crucial diplomatic expedition that would influence the future of the kingdom. The little army moved at a steady but hard pace, their stamina being put to the test by the steep slopes and uneven pathways. They spent hours following perilous forest paths that seemed to get harder with each step.

The troops started to feel the strain as the day went on. One soldier faltered under the combined strain of his fatigue and armor. His feet dragged on the rough dirt as his steps slowed. He was exhausted by the day's heat and the relentless demands of the march. His boots were stained by blood that soaked from blisters on his feet. The pain increased with each step until he finally staggered forward, gasping for air.
“I can’t go on any longer,” he said in a raspy whisper, turning to a fellow soldier.

The other soldier rushed to alert a neighboring officer, worried but uncertain what to do.
The commander's eyes were icy and uninterested as he turned to examine the struggling soldier. "He has to persevere. Only halfway there are we. The commander said plainly, "He'll be left behind if he can't keep up," before turning back to the road.

The soldier's condition quickly worsened. His legs gave way under him, and his eyesight became blurry. At that moment, Shen, who was riding in the back of the column, became aware of the disturbance. After hearing the commander's contemptuous reply, he stopped and gripped his horse's reins more tightly. He paused for a bit, considering his options. However, he was inspired by the image of the struggling soldier. Shen turned his horse and rode back toward the stumbling guy, pulling the reins decisively.

Shen's eyes softened as he approached the soldier and saw his pallid, perspiration-streaked face. Shen held out a hand without getting off the horse. "Come on," he replied in a stern but kind voice.

The soldier's tired eyes flickered with surprise as he looked up. It was an act of solidarity rather than an order. Too exhausted to talk, he took Shen's hand and struggled to get on the horse behind him. He gasped for air and sank against Shen's back, saying, "Thank you, sir."

Shen nodded briefly in appreciation, then led his horse back toward the front of the column. Despite the muttering that went around the ranks, he didn't turn around. Soldiers looked at one another, clearly surprised. Never before had a commander chosen to support a struggling soldier rather than abandon him. The troops quietly began to respect and admire Shen as a result of her deeds.

The column eventually arrived at the Unitas Republic's boundaries hours later as the sun began to set. Shen, who had never been this far east, was both excited and nervous. As he crested a hill, he was astounded by what he saw. Below, the city of Unitas, a marvel of ingenuity and sophistication, stretched out.

The city was well-organized, with spacious streets that were humming with bustle. A high-speed train sped along its raised rails above, slicing through the spaces between skyscrapers in silence. It was a captivating sight as the last of the sunshine struck its silvery brilliance.

Unitas was nearly overwhelming in its size and sophistication. "This is something I never thought I'd see," he whispered to himself. The city appeared to him as a piece of an other universe, one that was very different from the customs and simplicity of his native country.

Sensing Shen's surprise, the soldier riding behind him said something softly. "What you're witnessing, sir, is driven by a phenomenon known as magnetic energy. It powers their weapons, transportation, and a host of other technologies. In every aspect, they are considerably superior to us.

Shen's forehead wrinkled in contemplation. He had some knowledge of such ideas from his prior encounters. “They harness magnetic fields to generate energy, don’t they?” he interrupted the soldier in the middle of his explanation.

Startled by Shen's expertise, the soldier blinked. "Yes, sir. That's precisely correct.

The soldier was impressed by Shen's intelligence because he had not often seen leaders with this level of comprehension. "It's amazing," Shen acknowledged, going back to the metropolis. He had never seen anything like the developments of Unitas. Even while his own country had made great strides in infrastructure and armament, they paled in comparison.

The soldier gestured toward a massive pyramid-shaped building that towered over the center of the city. It was a testament of Unitas's might, rising above all other structures with a sparkling exterior that mirrored the city lights. The soldier said, "That's the central headquarters." There, the President resides. It serves as both the foundation of their governance and a representation of their power.

Awe and uneasiness coexisted as Shen's gaze lingered on the massive building. Unitas's supremacy was demonstrated by the pyramid, whose shadow appeared to cover the whole city.

Shen assisted the soldier in dismounting as they got closer to the city's edge. Despite his weakness, the man managed to bow gratefully. With sincerity, he said, "Thank you, sir."

Shen gave him a contemplative look. Despite your lack of physical power, you have a bright mind. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. To rejoin the other commanders at the front of the column, Shen urged his horse forward.