Imperatrix Fallen: Alith's Cradle

XX

"Only 50% of the Alliance's budget is allocated to defense. The rest seems to be spent on parties and gifts among the Vitrix and Sacra nobility. Aeternos? The Aeternos don't exist; they're here on vacation..."

—Excerpt from an interview with Primso, editor-in-chief of the sensationalist newspaper La Verdad, from Frontera III.

The barracks were bustling with activity due to the imminent arrival of the Victrix royal family. Cleaning, order, and discipline were the main tasks assigned to the Captains. Meanwhile, Valeria was in her office with Valz, still working through the logistics of the grand army's arrival.

"Valeria," Valz said as he examined the barracks' blueprints spread across the table, "we can't present this to Quinta or Marchit. They won't accept relocating their troops to make room for our army."

"For the last time, Valz," Valeria replied, "are you going to be the one to tell your uncle that his men will have to camp outside in tents until we finish building the new barracks?"

"That doesn't matter, Valeria. General Alegor will have to endure a few weeks, three at most. It's either that, or they'll have to share. What we can't do is make our new allies feel cornered. It's enough that the royal army is already stepping foot on Frontera III. They're probably expecting us to ask them to leave the city."

"That wouldn't be such a bad idea."

"We need them, Valeria. We don't know what we're up against. The Sacros at least have some understanding, even if they're not telling us. And Marchit, well... she's useful cannon fodder."

"You're underestimating them. They're civilized people; they'll understand."

"It's an unnecessary insult."

"Do you really want our men sleeping in tents? Is it not enough that you humiliated your uncle 14 years ago, and now you want him sleeping on the ground?" Valeria smirked.

"That's all in the past..."

Heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor, silencing the chatter that had filled the building. Suddenly, the doors flew open. Valeria and Valz turned to see Carlota burst in, breathless.

"They're here! They arrived early! My parents are here!" Carlota exclaimed.

Valeria dropped what she was doing and hurried after Carlota, who was already skipping down the hall.

"You know he's with them, right?" Valeria said to Valz without stopping as she exited.

Valz slumped into Valeria's chair, trying to ease the mental exhaustion that hours of planning had caused. As he gazed at the documents scattered across the table, his eyes landed on the Victrix emblem—a powerful symbol of the "Rose of the Brave." He had always admired it and, as a child, had felt its call: to be a valiant knight in service to the rose, to live a life of adventure, protect his countrymen, and serve the counts. But those warm memories quickly darkened under a shadow he had long known. "Memories within memories," he thought. The reality was far more mundane, a bastard's reality. He was an illegitimate child; his father had been excommunicated and stripped of his home and coat of arms. Only his uncle Alegor had shown him any compassion, though even then, he never let him forget.

"The rose is within everyone's reach, but only those pure of heart will not bleed when they touch it. Unfortunately, your blood is impure... sadly, you would bleed."

He thought, "Looking at this emblem is the closest I'll ever get to joining the Royal Army." He was always "the unworthy one," cast aside from the duties he had trained for since childhood, paying for a sin that was not his own. An old bitterness resurfaced from the depths of his mind. "For what? To be a babysitter to the daughters of the least qualified man in the line of succession?" The past returned to the present, sharp and bitter. He would always be a servant, his uncle would make sure of that—and his uncle was here.

"What the hell are you waiting for?" Valeria's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. She leaned against the doorframe. "You need to come too. He's your general, remember?"

Valz stared at her. He rose from the chair with a playful spark and followed her.

"Family, dear. We must never forget them," Valz said sarcastically. "Let's go greet those who wanted your parents dead a few years ago."

"Hah! That's the spirit!" Valeria replied.

Together, they made their way to the barracks' entrance. Each room they passed seemed more decrepit than the last, hardly fitting for such a pompous visit. As they descended the grand staircase leading to the main door, Valz and Valeria came face to face with the six Just Commanders of the Victrix, standing tall in their mythical white robes, the Victrix emblem proudly displayed on their chests.

"They've come to finish the job," Valeria whispered to Valz, half-joking.

Before Valz could reply, the six commanders stood at attention. Valeria greeted them formally and stepped outside, with Valz following behind. In the square, the mighty Victrix army stood assembled, and in front of them were Thomas, his wife Lina, and Carlota, who was embracing her parents with enthusiasm. They hugged her back just as warmly. From the windows and balconies overlooking the square, people watched in silence. More army meant more war, and a large army like the one before them meant a war just as grand.

On horseback, as was his custom, General Alegor Victrix approached Valeria and Valz.

"Nephew," Alegor said, removing his helmet.

"Uncle."

"Miss Valeria."

"Alegor," Valeria replied.

"Shall we review the logistics?" Alegor asked.

"In a moment," Valeria responded.

She walked over to Carlota and her parents, greeted them formally, and explained she had to review the army's logistics with Alegor before departing.

"Your men will have to sleep in tents for a month while we prepare their barracks, Alegor," Valeria said as she passed by Valz and the general, who waited without speaking a word.