The sky that night felt strange.
There was no storm.
No rain.
But the clouds covered almost the entire moon while the cold wind slowly swept through the mansion's gardens.
Vailor was still awake.
Even from a distance, I could hear the sound of the forges working without pause and the constant movement of troops arriving in the kingdom.
The war was far too close now.
Much closer than before.
I rested my arms on the second-floor balcony as I looked at the lights scattered throughout the city.
In a few days... perhaps even less... this entire place could become a battlefield.
I closed my eyes for a few seconds.
Then I heard footsteps behind me.
Liriel appeared carrying two cups of hot tea.
"I knew you'd be here."
I calmly accepted the cup.
"Thank you."
She stood beside me, looking over the city as well.
For a few seconds, neither of us said anything.
The silence felt comforting.
But it also carried something heavy that night.
Liriel was the first to break the silence.
"Are you thinking about the battle?"
"Yes."
"And about the First General?"
I slowly nodded.
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"His presence in that dream... was terrifying."
I held the cup for a few seconds before answering.
"It felt more real than I wanted it to."
Liriel fell silent again.
Then she spoke softly.
"Do you think you can win?"
Her question carried neither doubt.
Nor fear.
It simply sounded sincere.
I took a deep breath while looking toward the horizon.
"I don't know."
She looked at me in surprise.
Probably because I usually tried to appear more confident.
I continued.
"I know I've become stronger... but I also know he's no ordinary enemy."
The wind slowly swept across the balcony.
Liriel then gently took my hand.
"Even so... I believe in you."
I looked at her.
Her eyes were as gentle as always.
Calm.
Comforting.
Perhaps that was exactly what made Liriel so important to the group.
She could ease the weight of things even in the hardest moments.
A faint smile appeared on my face.
"You always say that."
"Because it's true."
Before I could reply, we heard the door open again.
Scarlett appeared immediately afterward.
She looked at the two of us and crossed her arms.
"So this is where you were."
Liriel smiled softly.
"You came too."
"I couldn't sleep."
Scarlett walked over to the balcony and looked over the city with us.
She remained silent for a few seconds before speaking.
"The castle sent new information."
I looked at her.
"And?"
"The elven troops have reached the southern border."
"Fast."
"The dwarves have also started moving heavy weapons."
That meant the other nations were truly taking this war seriously.
Scarlett let out a quiet sigh.
"It's going to be a huge battle."
"Yes."
She then looked directly at me.
"And you're still trying to carry everything alone."
"I'm not."
She narrowed her eyes.
"That's a lie."
Liriel let out a quiet laugh.
Scarlett continued.
"You're thinking about strategy, the adventurers, the army, the other nations, and the First General all at once."
She crossed her arms again.
"At some point your head is going to explode."
"I'll try to avoid that."
"Do."
A small smile appeared on her face afterward.
It was strange how Scarlett could mix concern and irritation at the same time.
Not long afterward, the other girls began arriving as well.
Rai'kanna brought several bottles of wine.
Vespera carried small fruits and sweets.
Lyannis came with several rolled-up maps.
And Elara quietly appeared right behind them.
Within a few minutes, the balcony had become crowded.
Rai'kanna placed the drinks on the small table near the door.
"Since this will probably be our last peaceful night for a while... let's enjoy it."
Scarlett looked at her.
"You make it sound like a farewell."
Rai'kanna answered calmly.
"Wars always are."
The atmosphere fell silent for a few seconds.
Because no one there could deny that.
Even though we were strong... we were still human.
The possibility of losing someone existed.
Then Vespera picked up a glass and spoke.
"That's exactly why we should enjoy tonight."
Liriel nodded.
She was right.
So we ended up spending part of the night together on the balcony.
Talking.
Laughing.
Trying to forget the weight of the war for a few hours.
Rai'kanna told stories about the land of the demi-dragons.
Vespera kept teasing Scarlett.
Scarlett answered immediately every time.
Elara quietly watched almost everything, though from time to time she made unexpected comments.
Lyannis analyzed strategies even while drinking.
And Liriel tried to keep the arguments from getting too heated.
For a few moments... it felt like an ordinary night.
Almost.
After some time, Rai'kanna stood up and rested her arms on the balcony railing.
"The sky feels strange."
I looked upward again.
She was right.
The clouds were moving far too slowly.
And the mana in the air felt heavy.
Lyannis slowly rolled up one of the maps.
"The demonic energy is still increasing."
Scarlett looked at me.
"Did the sword say anything today?"
I gently shook my head.
"Not since earlier."
But I could feel it.
It was restless.
Just like me.
After a while, the conversations gradually faded.
The atmosphere became calmer.
Quieter.
Vespera then looked directly at me.
"Takumi."
"Hm?"
"If the battle goes badly... are you going to try doing everything alone again?"
Her question made everyone look at me immediately.
I took a deep breath.
"No."
Scarlett raised an eyebrow.
"That answer came too quickly."
"Because this time I really can't fight alone."
And that was true.
The First General would probably be the strongest enemy I had ever faced.
There was no room for pride or stubbornness in that battle.
Liriel gently squeezed my hand.
"Then trust us more."
I slowly nodded.
"I'll try."
Rai'kanna chuckled softly.
"He still talks like someone who's going to throw himself in front of everything."
"Because he probably will."
Scarlett answered immediately.
"I heard that."
Vespera smiled faintly.
"Then prove us wrong."
A brief silence settled once more.
But this time... it felt more comfortable.
More sincere.
Then Elara finally spoke after remaining quiet for so long.
"I'm afraid."
Everyone looked at her.
She rarely spoke so directly.
Elara continued looking toward the horizon.
"Not of the war."
She paused briefly.
"But of losing all of you."
The wind slowly crossed the balcony.
No one answered immediately.
Because everyone had thought exactly the same thing.
Lyannis discreetly lowered her gaze.
Liriel looked saddened.
Vespera looked up at the sky.
Even Scarlett remained silent.
Then I walked over to Elara.
"We're not going to die."
She looked at me calmly.
"You can't promise that."
For a few seconds, I had no answer.
Because she was right.
There were no guarantees in war.
But even so...
"I'll do everything I can to protect all of you."
Elara looked at me for a few seconds.
Then she slowly nodded.
"I know."
After that, the night became quieter.
We simply watched the city while the cold wind swept across the balcony.
The lights of Vailor shone in the distance.
Soldiers continued their patrols.
Mages reinforced the barriers.
The entire city was preparing for what was coming.
And amid that strange calm... I began to realize something.
Even with fear.
Even exhausted.
Even under pressure.
I didn't want to run away.
Because now there were people far too important to abandon.
Some time later, Rai'kanna carried the empty bottles inside.
Lyannis began organizing the maps again.
Vespera stretched lazily.
Scarlett leaned against the wall beside the door.
And Liriel remained quietly beside me.
Then I felt a faint vibration from the sword.
I immediately gripped its hilt.
The golden energy glowed softly for a few seconds.
Everyone noticed.
"What is it?"
Scarlett immediately asked.
I closed my eyes, trying to sense it more clearly.
Then I heard the sword's voice.
"They're still advancing."
I slowly opened my eyes.
"The army moved again."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The peace of that night disappeared within seconds.
Lyannis stepped forward.
"How long?"
"I don't know."
I gripped the sword's hilt firmly.
"But they're accelerating."
Rai'kanna clenched her fists.
"So it really is close."
I nodded.
Very close.
The sword fell silent again shortly afterward.
But the heavy feeling remained in the air.
I looked at all of them once more.
No one seemed to panic.
But now everyone understood that this truly might be our last peaceful night.
Scarlett slowly approached.
"Then let's get some rest."
I looked at her.
"Do you think anyone's going to sleep now?"
She crossed her arms.
"Even so, we need to try."
Liriel agreed.
"She's right."
I ended up nodding as well.
There was no point staying awake all night thinking about the worst.
We needed to be ready.
We all began heading back inside the mansion.
But before closing the balcony door, I stopped for a moment and looked one last time toward the northern horizon.
Dark.
Silent.
Heavy.
The First General was coming.
And this time...
The battle was inevitable.