Humanity's Hero Of Despair

"Being a good military leader," the Emperor says while looking seriously into my eyes.

"The Oriventh Empire thrives on its military might. We are a very large nation with many precious resources and mines. Over the history of our Empire, we have been attacked by many bandits as well as had a few brief wars with other nations in the past. Our current military might is due to our emphasis on strength and protecting what is ours."

The Emperor points to the symbol of the Grand Duke on my clothing.

"As a Grand Duke, you are a significant figure in the military influence of our nation, and you are responsible for guarding your territory with everything you have. While governing your domain day by day is also a key duty of a Grand Duke, the ability to protect it under danger is more important to us."

The Emperor then grabs a book from another drawer in his desk and hands it over to me.

"In your own free time, please study this. This is a standard military handbook that all high-ranking military officers in our army read. It covers strategies, large-scale magic spells and their effects, counter spells, weapons, and more."

I take the book and place it into my bag.

"Thank you, Hadrian."

"Of course, Nico. I wouldn't be a good Emperor if I didn't ensure my Grand Dukes were at least educated in everything that is important."

The Emperor smiles and stands up.

"We are heading toward the Imperial Training Grounds. Instead of being taught swordsmanship today, you will be taught how to be a good commander. We will, for now, just use your personal unit of magic knights, who should already be training there."

I try to protest, but the Emperor is already on his way down the steps. I quickly follow him.

"Isn't this a bit early to do training as a commander?" I ask the Emperor as we walk to the Imperial Training Grounds at a quick pace.

"Normally, yes. However, there is no time like the present. We have no idea when the dragons or goblins may decide to attack us or where they will strike. The scariest part is that we don't know the full extent of their power or if the Eradicators are still alive in some capacity. If the other two Emperors of Light are alive, then that makes it that much worse."

I can't argue with that logic.

We shortly arrive at the Imperial Training Grounds.

At the training grounds, we spot Captain Daelon overseeing swordsmanship drills with a group of elite magic knights. My own magic knights are in the other corner, training on their own. They must be working hard to be strong enough to protect me after my assassination attempt.

I just hope they don't work themselves too hard.

"Hello, Grand Duke Lotus! It's nice to see you here," Captain Daelon says as he notices me.

He walks over to me and the Emperor. He bows to the Emperor.

"Your Imperial Highness, what brings you out here today?"

"Captain Daelon! My good friend. I would like you to please help instruct Grand Duke Lotus here in being a commander instead of swordsmanship today. Since he has been promoted to Grand Duke, I want to make sure he knows how to be a capable commander just in case the dragons attack early."

The Captain bows once more and gestures for me to follow him. I wave goodbye to the Emperor as he walks back to the main building of the Imperial Palace.

He is a mysterious guy, that's for sure.

Over the next few hours, Captain Daelon teaches me how to ride on horseback decently and how to ride in sync with my personal magic knights. I practice various commands, which either make my military unit charge, retreat, separate, or reform.

It was like being trained to be a cavalry leader since, in most conflicts, even with mages, battles are fought on horseback because of the mobility they provide.

The mages who can use wind magic instead opt for their own magic. Everybody else has to use horses, though. We take a few breaks, and I end up drinking a bunch of water. The Emperor returns and observes. He seems impressed with my progress.

Once I finish the training for the day and Captain Daelon lets me go, I decide to sit back and watch my knights train on their own for a bit. I end up chatting with a few of them, which is nice. The Emperor eventually comes back for me. I stand up to greet him.

"Hadrian, the training went well, but it was a lot of work, haha. I do feel more confident in my ability to lead an army, though."

The Emperor laughs.

"I'm happy for you, Nico. I have a surprise for you then—to show you what it's really like to command a real legion of Oriventh. You have gone beyond my expectations. Please gather your friends and meet me in the big outdoor courtyard on the other side of the Imperial Palace."

"We are having dinner not in the dining hall as usual?" I ask, because it's a very unusual decision.

"Yes. There is a very special reason for it. Let's just say you don't have to hide your status as a Grand Duke anymore and what that means. Everyone agrees you have done so much for us already that you deserve it. Of course, some disagree, but the majority agree alongside me."

I thank him, and he waves goodbye to me. For the next couple of hours, I find my friends and spend time with them. We go to the library to read for a bit, go to the garden to look at the pretty flowers, etc. Soon, dinner time rolls around, and I tell my friends about the Emperor's surprise.

No one seems present in the Imperial Palace until we find a couple of guards by the entrance to the outdoor courtyard. Upon seeing us, they immediately open it.

Woah.