With the war at its end, only formalities were needed to have the barbarian plains under Prussean control. Knight-Captain Savael would not see to this task, as she was called back together with what little remained of the Expeditionary Forces back to the capital for what was mentioned would be an "Utmost pleasant reward for your spoils" in the letter sent to the Lord Commander. Both him and his young second-in-command looked at each other with contempt in their eyes.

Although they were relieved that the war was over, it also meant the Expeditionary Forces would be disbanded, and they would be separated from the brothers and sisters they made along this blood-stained path of war. And yet, with peace so close in sight, neither of the two could feel as if the war was ending. A sensation they could, unfortunately, share with their men as well.

The march back home was more silent and grim than it was the other way around when they wandered so bravely into barbarian lands. Most of them, young and innocent back then, had experienced and survived three years of war. And those that didn't make it would never go back to their families, at least not outside a body bag.

With the rhythmic rumbling of their own footsteps, the brave soldiers closed the distance to their beloved home. As they walked and marched across the fields of green, they could see how different everything looked. The scenery changed from corpses rotting at the side of the road to beautiful farms and windmills. To forests that had grown back after being burnt to the ground, to villages being rebuilt.

It was as if the world had changed while they fought and died for their fatherland. And while most were able to receive this change with hopeful glances and happy smiles, a few grim glares told Aurelia that life was not fair. A lesson she had learnt lone ago.

As she marched alongside her comrades, they arrived at the capital city of Krett. It was a beautiful sight. Enormous walls of cobblestone, concrete and solid rock protecting the outside, it was almost as if the city itself was designed and built as an overly-exaggerated fortress. And that conclusion was not so far off the truth.

Upon getting clearance at the gates, the massive wooden titans were split open by the guards operating the mechanisms. And just like that, the reminder of the Expeditionary Forces began their glorious parade through the city. They were received with blessings, gifts and festivities that they were not able to experience when they departed.

Aurelia herself witnessed the Lord Commander smiling for the first time in months. And she herself couldn't help but do so as well. Yet, behind the facade of happiness and pride, Aurelia's mind couldn't help but remind her of what was lost. Out of the 1.500 Men and Women that made up the entirety of the Expeditionary Forces, only 632 remained alive. 

More than half of their soldiers were butchered in the war, but it was all for the greater good right? It's not as if the King would declare war to quench his greed right?

The mere thought of this doubt brought chills to her spine, but she kept on marching.

Eventually they made it all the way to the Inner castle, where the Expeditionary Forces were given permission to stay in the city and mingle while the higher-ups held a meeting to congratulate the leaders for their efforts. Of course, the King himself would be present at the ceremony, and it would be the first time Aurelia would attend such an event.

As the two walked through the castle's halls, it was almost as if time had slowed down for a fair amount of time. So much sacrifices, so much bloodshed, so much death...So many men did they send to their deaths and now they were going to be rewarded for doing such things. Aurelia looked at the Lord Commander by her side, and yet she could not recognize the expression on his face at the time. And if she had looked upon a mirror...She certainly wouldn't have been able to recognize herself either.

Making a stop just outside the Crown Room, they waited until their names were called by the orator inside. After this, the gates were split open by the two guards outside. Just then were they allowed to step into the room itself. Aurelia looked around it and was immediately struck with woe as she looked upon massive pillars of marble and stone. Carved by hand into glorious figures of myth and legend. Red carpets were placed around them, and the massive windows allowed for the sunlight to gently caress their skin as they walked forth.

Stopping just mere steps away from the stairs that led up to the throne itself, the two of them took a knee and bowed their heads before the figure sitting in the chair, wearing the marvelous crown of gold and ruby that was the royal symbol of power. The slender and somewhat feeble-looking man sitting there was King Karl the Third. Aurelia had heard of his condition deteriorating, but seeing the King with gaunt cheeks and a pale complexion...It felt wrong for some reason she couldn't explain.

"You may rise, Lord Commander. And you as well, Knight-Captain. I believe you two must be tired from your march all the way here. Please, be at ease. The entire Kingdom welcomes you home with open arms."

Despite his weak condition, the King spoke with such a commanding presence that Aurelia felt as if her heart was about to jump out of her chest at any moment just from the sound of his booming voice. Nodding to the words that the King had spoken, both her and her superior stood at attention. Still not quite relaxed, they were in the pressence of the King after all.

"It has been a long journey, yes. I thank you in name of all those under my command." The Lord Commander spoke, in contempt. He knew better than to believe the King was feeling sympathetic towards them. He wasn't that kind of King after all.

"Then I shall accept your word for it. Now, I believe there are rewards to be handed, yes? Bring them to me." The King spoke as he pointed to one of his servants, who immediately lifted a set of documents and brought them to the King in one swift motion. "First...Lord Commander Arthur Rakhaz. I hereby declare your promotion to Lord General of the Expeditionary Armies. You may receive a new office at the Royal Barracks."

Despite the simple words that the King had used, being named Lord General was about the only thing that was left in Arthur's to-do list in order to become the youngest and most powerful military figure in the nation. With such a title, only the Royal Family could oppose his orders, but it also carried all the responsibility of the entire Military with it. And for a man like him to wield all that power with no repercussion...Aurelia couldn't help but worry about her superior's mental state a few months from now.

"Thank you, your majesty. I will humbly accept this new role and do my utmost best to serve you until my body breaks and my soul passes on to the great beyond." A fancy way of saying 'Thank you'. Aurelia expected as much of him, he always was the 'Duty comes first!' type of man. She knew him better than anyone after all.

"Now. Knight-Captain Aurelia Savael. I've read the reports of what you have accomplished, and I must say...I am impressed." She was directly complimented on her actions by the King himself. Many other soldiers would consider that an honor and reward in and of itself, but Aurelia had other plans in mind. All she wanted was a promotion and a nice salary to live off of. She got dragged into this war out of necessity and not sense of duty after all. Even if that strange sensation of belonging grew on her as time went on.

"Humm...Yes. I was saving this for Lord Commander, but I believe you deserve a fair share of reward as well...Ahem!" The King took one of the documents and smiled as he read the title of it, clearing his throat before speaking out loud once more.

"In the name of the Prussean Royal Family, I grant you the title of Countess. You shall oversee the county of Khal in the Northern Frontier as its rightful ruler. May your bloodline be blessed by the divines, as you are now of noble blood."

Aurelia's jaw hit the floor. All she wanted was a promotion and a stable salary, yet...She was denied such things. Instead, she would have to oversee a piece of land in the frontier? In the far North on top of that? With such frozen wastelands only ever useful for mining operations, this was the same as giving her a wooden spoon and telling her to dig a trench of three hundred men!

With her blood starting to boil, she looked to the side at the Lord Commander, but he didn't look back. This was no reward.

This was just the King tossing his loyal war hounds some bones and expecting them to survive with them until he grew bored enough to call for them yet again. And the Lord Commander that she respected so much seemed to almost grovel in pressence of this man.

With no opportunity nor right to refuse, Aurelia was ordered to exit the castle. And by the time the next morning arrived, she was already well on her way to the frozen hell that would be her new home. With low expectations and a big sense of defeat, she heeded the King's orders and simply resigned to her fate. And yet, that dread she felt stood stuck to her back the entire way there as the carriage moved up and down on the rough roads.

But who knows? Maybe she will find something more than just ice and snow in Khal. Such hopes were the only thing keeping her mind focused on what she could do from now on, and without the option to escape, Aurelia decided to see just how long it would take before she ends up freezing on the snow-covered wastelands of the Northern Frontier.