Freya’s POV:
I, Freya von Flamore, have been undergoing intensive training in preparation for deploynt to Division Two, led by none other than Cain von Flamore. I’m not going alone—Leopold will be joining as well. Both of us have been selected as lieutenants, and soon, we’ll be heading to the front lines to fight against the invading forces of the Doomspire Demons.
I’ve been pushing myself to the limit, determined to control the Phoenix’s Fire, the incredible power that now resides within . Despite having trained relentlessly for over a month, I still haven’t fully mastered it. The truth is, to truly awaken my full potential, I’ll need real combat experience—on the battlefield, not just within training grounds.
Morning, noon, and night, I’ve poured everything I have into my training. I’m driven by a deep desire to beco strong—strong enough to stand beside Naoki-dono, to fight with him as his equal.
Sotis, during a break in my training, I find myself daydreaming about him—Naoki-dono. He’s so handso, cool, courageous... and incredibly kind. Sure, he flirts a little too much and likes to tease, but I’ve grown fond of that side of him. It always makes laugh, even when I’m exhausted from training.
And then, there’s that mont I’ll never forget...The last ti we trained together...I kissed him.
Even now, I still get embarrassed thinking about it. Why did I do sothing so bold?!But at that ti, I was overwheld by my feelings—I couldn’t hold them back any longer.Thankfully, Naoki-dono didn’t take it badly. He didn’t push away.
He may still be unsure about how he truly feels, but... I’m happy just being close to him.Next ti we et, I’ll show him just how much I’ve grown.
After more than a month of intense training, Leopold and I were finally assigned to Division Two. Without delay, we were dispatched to the battlefield to join Cain-sama’s unit.
Normally, fresh graduates from the Braveheart Knight Academy would need several more months of training before they could join Division Two, let alone participate in real combat. But the situation on the battlefield has deteriorated rapidly. The kingdom is desperate for reinforcents—we are needed now.
I can’t help but worry about the rest of our classmates. I hope they’re safe wherever they are.
When Leopold and I arrived at the forward command post of the Braveheart forces stationed at the northern border—where the battle against the demons was most intense—we were t with a devastating sight.
Wounded knights lay scattered, burned trees surrounded the area, and the ground was soaked with blood—both human and demon. Corpses of monstrous demons littered the fields, and the air reeked of ash and iron. The horror of war was no longer sothing I read in books. I was now living in it.
We entered the command tent, where the high-ranking officers of the Braveheart Kingdom, and two Magi from the Solara kingdom were gathered. Cain-sama welcod us and imdiately ordered us to join the upcoming war council. Leopold and I obeyed, standing respectfully by his side.
Just before the eting began, I scanned the room—and my heart leapt with surprise. I saw familiar faces—Marius, Julius, and Luna. I waved at them with a smile, and they returned it warmly. Though it had only been two months since we last saw each other, it felt like years.
Seated around the war table were the greatest champions of the Braveheart Kingdom:
Cain von Flamore, the commander of Division Two.
Tetsu von Blackmore, patriarch of the Blackmore family and father of Naoki-dono.
Lucius von Starlight, hero of the Starlight family and elder brother of Julius.
Diamantus The Magi of Diamond, and Silvenya the Magi of Silver from Magic Kingdom of Solara.
And finally, Aria von Braveheart, the first princess of King Aslan.
Aria-sama is known across the continent as the Divine Valkyrie, a title well-earned for her unmatched combat skills and leadership in battle. She stood tall and regal, her long orange hair cascading like flas. Her face resembled Alia and Headmistress Arsene—elegant and composed—but Aria-sama had a commanding presence that radiated wisdom and strength.
She presided over the war council and began by discussing the growing anomalies among the demon forces. For nearly a year, they had been relentlessly invading human lands without pause. The seal on Mount Archanis—the ancient barrier separating the human and demon continents—had weakened. Cracks had begun to form, and the demons were exploiting those rifts to flood into our world.
This explains why the invasions have only worsened over ti.
Furthermore, intelligence reports warned of sothing even more terrifying—the impending arrival of the Overlords. With most of the Demon Warlords defeated, only the Rank 1 Warlord remains unaccounted for. The ergence of Overlords would mark a terrifying new Chapter in this war.
None of us know just how powerful the Overlords truly are. But we all understood one thing clearly: we are not ready.
The council resolved to strengthen defenses and tighten surveillance across the kingdom’s borders, especially in vulnerable regions. The heroes of the Braveheart kingdom and the two magi of the Solara kingdom agreed on that.
That night’s eting was heavy and sobering. It continued well into the midnight hours.
...
After the war council concluded, I and Leopold reunited with Julius, Marius, and Luna. It had been a while since we were all together like this—just friends, not soldiers. Knowing that tomorrow we’d march into battle made these few monts feel even more precious.
We sat around a crackling campfire, the sa fire used by the cooks to prepare the evening als. The warmth was comforting in the cold night, but more than that, it reminded of the warmth we once shared at the academy. We began exchanging stories and asking about each other’s lives since we parted ways.
"It’s been so long since we last saw each other! How have you all been?!" I asked with a bright smile, trying to lift the mood.
"Doing great!" Marius replied with a grin. "I’ve been training every single day with Naoki’s battle maids. They beat black and blue, but look at now! Tough as steel! HAHAHA!" he boasted proudly, flexing his arms.
"I’m doing well," Julius answered in his usual calm tone. "My training with Luna in Division One has gone smoothly."
"That’s true," Luna added with her usual flat expression. "The swordsmanship of the Starlight family, especially the Solarblade techniques infused with light magic, is exhausting... but I enjoy learning it."
Julius chuckled softly. "She almost gave up at first, but I didn’t let her. Now look at her—still tired, but more skilled."
We laughed, enjoying this rare mont of peace. Then, curiosity got the better of .
"Oh right—Julius," Leopold said with a teasing smirk, "I couldn’t help but notice during the eting... your brother Lucius seed awfully close to Princess Aria. They exchanged so very interesting looks, didn’t they? Is there sothing going on between them?"
That imdiately caught Marius’s and Luna’s attention.
"Ah, you noticed that too, huh?" Julius said, chuckling. "Well... They were engaged three years ago. I guess I never ntioned it to you guys?"
"WHAT?!" Marius and Leopold exclaid at the sa ti. "Does that an your brother might beco the next King of Braveheart?!"
Luna tilted her head and added thoughtfully, "That’s a real possibility. If they marry, and the king passes the crown, Lucius could beco the next monarch."
Julius nodded. "Exactly. Besides, marriages between the Braveheart and Starlight families are common. Light and divine magic complent each other—it’s a union of power as much as blood."
"JULIUS!!" Marius shouted, throwing his hand in the air. "If you beco the prince’s brother, don’t forget about , alright?! Make the Captain of the Royal Guard or sothing, HAHAHA!"
Julius smirked. "Nepotism, huh? Fine—I’ll recomnd you... as Captain of the Kitchen Guard."
"Deal! That sounds aweso!" Marius laughed, clearly not caring what position he got.
We all burst into laughter. It felt like we were back in the academy again—no war, no blood, no demons. Just us.
In that peaceful mont, my thoughts drifted far away. I wondered what it would be like... to marry soone. And the only person I could imagine standing at the altar with was...
"Naoki-dono..." I whispered, covering my flushed face.
Unfortunately, they heard .
"Hehe! So Freya does miss Naoki!" Marius teased loudly. "HA! I miss him too!"
"Freya... acting all cute like this," Luna said, still expressionless. "How unexpected."
"I get it, Freya," Julius added with a sigh. "I miss Termina too. We only just started dating, and now this damn war separates us."
I tried to comfort him. "Don’t worry, Julius. Termina is with Lyra, and they’re both under Serena-sama and Saintes-sama. They’re so of the strongest won in the kingdom."
He gave a grateful smile.
Then I shared my own worries. "I’m just... so anxious about Naoki-dono. He’s undergoing the Hero’s Trial... and it’s already been two months. Sothing feels off."
The others nodded in agreent. We all silently prayed that Naoki would overco whatever challenges he faced. We hoped we’d all be reunited soon—alive, safe, and laughing like this again.
...
The Next Day
War erupted once again between the Braveheart Kingdom and the demonic forces. And this ti... the battlefield was unlike anything we had ever seen.
Chaos ruled.
Thousands of demons stord the borders, their numbers overwhelming. The very earth trembled as Mount Archanis—the ancient seal between our world and theirs—shook violently. Cracks widened. The seal was breaking.
And then they ca. Not just any demons... High-ranking ones. Hundreds of them. Their presence alone darkened the skies.
And then... sothing worse appeared.
A mysterious female demon erged from the shadows. Her aura was suffocating. Without saying a word, she opened a dark portal, and from it stepped another figure cloaked in pure, nacing power.
The mont they arrived, we all felt it—a magic so vast, so crushing, it made the air itself heavy with dread.
"This magical pressure... it can’t be... an Overlord-level demon?!" Cain’s voice wavered. He, the seasoned commander, stood shaken.
Our ranks faltered. Even the bravest among us froze.How could we not? Overlords were said to be dozens of tis stronger than Demon Warlords.They hadn’t been seen for centuries.And now... they were here.
Just when despair began to swallow our hearts—she stood tall.
Princess Aria von Braveheart, our Divine Valkyrie, raised her shimring spear and unleashed a surge of holy light. Her magic pierced the darkness and steadied our souls.
"Steady your hearts!" Aria’s voice rang like a bell of salvation. "I, Aria von Braveheart, the Divine Valkyrie, stand with you! Grip your blades! Do not fear—fight!"
Her words reignited the fire in our veins.
Beside her stood Lucius, sword alight with brilliant magic. He raised it high, and the battlefield glowed with renewed hope.
We are not alone.Even in
the face of darkness this deep...
We would not back down.
We would not surrender.
...
..
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