The Virtues' Magecraft

Page 13: Holy Swords

Archibald walked through a wrecked town. Buildings were collapsed, trees were uprooted, and the smell of smoke filled the air. The ground was still covered in a layer of ash and dust, with shards of glass scattered about.

He pushed up his glasses and saw the singular man standing near the harbor.

"Why'd you call me here?" Archibald asked.

General Anderson turned to face Archibald. He smiled and gestured for him to come closer. The general wore the same uniform as always. Navy blue adorned with white and gold, and the dozen and a half medal ribbons across his chest.

Archibald sighed as he stared at the old general. He approached him, standing beside him, facing the lake before them as the sun's pale light glistened down.

"Did you come alone?" the general asked.

"Well, that's what you told me to do," Archibald said, letting out another sigh.

He smiled. "Weren't you worried I might have you killed?"

"And why would I be killed?"

"Because you're an insubordinate annoyance."

"Ha. If that were it, you would've killed me a long time ago. Well... tried to. Besides," Archibald said. "I'm useful to you. Useful for humanity."

The general nodded. "That's exactly right, Lieutenant Colonel."

"Don't call me that. I hate how I'm given a rank just because I'm a Paladin. It's annoying."

"Let me ask you a question," Anderson said, turning to Archibald.

Archibald pushed up his glasses and let out another deep sigh. "Still haven't told me why we're here, but okay."

"Charles Archibald... are you planning a coup d'etat?"

Archibald spat out a sigh. "Why'd you have to use a French word?" he mumbled. "But no," he said. "Why the hell would I do that? You know I hate political power. Besides, if I were, I'd kill you right now."

General Anderson glared at the Paladin. "...You can't."

"Wanna bet?"

"..."

Before long, the general smiled, soon cracking into laughter. His chortling echoed across the torn city.

"I know you, Charles Archibald," he said, ceasing his laughter, meeting his eyes with the Paladin. "You've done good things for us. Humanity, I mean. But what you do and what you've done... It illustrates your weak points. No matter what, you cannot betray what you love."

The general continued.

"Family, friends, romance. These are all emotional attachments that must be cut. You know that. But you're incapable of severing them. That makes you weak. You... are unworthy of being a leader. Even so... That is precisely why I trust you, Charles Archibald. You can't betray your friends. You will never be a threat to me."

Archibald's face remained stale and expressionless. "Is this the part where you reveal your leverage over me?"

Again, the general smiled. He chuckled softly. "No, I didn't plan any of that for today."

"Lazy bastard."

"Oh, don't be like that. I'm a busy man."

They fell silent and stared off at the lake. By now, the sun was hidden behind a seemingly endless layer of dull grey clouds.

"On to the next topic..."

"Sheesh, you're talkative today."

"The Golden Dawn is something we have to discuss," the General said.