I Build a Modern Shelter in Fantasy World

He was given the chance by the Moko army commander to leave under tight escort from his troops.

The commander saw Gideon as a potential tough soldier, and killing him outright would not have been wise.

Gideon and Lena walked back to the inn. Luckily, they had been able to negotiate with them, since the two of them were not carrying their weapons at the time.

"Could Luke have disappeared because they captured him?" Lena asked.

"There's a chance. We'll ask them later."

He arrived at his room and took the Baron's seal stored in his military uniform, safe and untouched by anyone. Lena prepared something else, strapping her M17 to her waist with full mags.

Gideon did the same. After everything was ready, Gideon and Lena went down to the first floor until they reached the front of the inn, where the army commander was waiting for them.

Without hesitation, Gideon threw the Baron's seal to the commander, who caught it right away. When he looked at the object, it was indeed the Baron's iron seal plated with golden ornaments, hard to fake.

"Where did you get this?" the man asked.

"Viscount Duncan gave it to me. I am the Baron of the southern border," Gideon said firmly.

That Baron's seal became a barrier for him to recruit Gideon, even though Gideon had the perfect build to fight as a soldier.

But their orders were clear. The Crown Prince only recruited commoners as soldiers.

"Alright."

He returned the seal and ordered his troops to release Gideon and Lena. The two of them were glad the misunderstanding was over, but there was something Gideon wanted to ask about Luke.

"Do you know where our friend is?" Gideon asked.

"Who?"

"Luke. A tall man with blond hair. Wears the same clothes as us," Gideon explained.

The commander turned to make sure with his soldiers. One of them nodded. He was part of the troops who had already been recruited into the volunteer army.

Gideon smiled with relief. At least there was good news about Luke's whereabouts. Still, his luck was rotten for being dragged into the volunteer troops.

For Gideon, that was not a volunteer army but a wall of human shields. There was a chance the commander planned to send them to the front lines to hold back Luthe's army.

"He is part of Baron's team. Can you release him?" Gideon asked.

"That may be hard for me to do," the commander said. Gideon narrowed his eyes.

"Why?"

"He is already part of the first batch of soldiers. Right now, they are marching to the capital," the man explained.

Gideon let out a slow sigh. What happened to Luke was something he had never imagined. He and Lena had no choice but to go there and free him.

"Where are the soldiers gathered?" Gideon asked.

"At the reserve army headquarters."

"Alright, thank you."

Both sides parted ways. Gideon and Lena went back to the inn, while the commander went on ordering his men to detain many able-bodied men in Hordan Village.

They stood in front of the receptionist's desk, both of them worried about Luke. Before the troops were sent north, Gideon had to reach the reserve army headquarters fast to rescue Luke.

Luke could not be separated from his team, let alone be sent north to fight with sword and shield. That was not his style at all.

"Forget breakfast. We leave quick," Gideon said, and Lena nodded in obedience.

They went back to their rooms, preparing with their uniforms and equipment. For Luke's gear, they would bring it along with the food boxes and wine.

An hour later, after preparing everything, Gideon came out wearing his military uniform, complete with bulletproof vest, belt holster, helmet with scope, and M4A1 with full mags. Lena did the same, with standard operation gear.

"Let me help you," Lena said.

"Thanks."

The two of them stepped out of their rooms toward the inn's parking area, where one of the workers was feeding their horses. That was part of the service provided for guests who came with horse-drawn carriages.

"You're leaving?" the man asked, and Gideon nodded.

Lena stored everything inside the carriage. No one sat inside. She and Gideon chose to sit on the coachman's bench, keeping their eyes on the road.

After everything was set, Gideon drove the carriage out of Hordan Village. Their stay there was short because of the urgent situation that forced them to go after Luke.

Gideon did not know if Luke and the others were taken by carriage or forced to march on foot. What he did know was that four to five hours was the time needed if marching on foot. If by carriage, it would be faster.

"I'm curious about his face when we see him," Lena joked.

"I can already picture what his scared face will look like," Gideon replied.

"That guy… he really is unpredictable. I never know what's going on in his head."

Lena nodded in agreement. Luke was a unique person who feared nothing. Even so, in a situation like this, being drafted into the volunteer troops, he might actually feel worried.

From the distance, Gideon could clearly see the city walls, so grand and tall. Security was tight, with many archers stationed on top of the walls to guard the skies.

It looked like they considered the war against Luthe and Sisyla as no small matter.

Two hours of riding the carriage later, Gideon finally arrived at the western gate of the city, where many people were lined up to get in.

The guards were strict, allowing only merchants or nobles to enter under the current situation.

Along the way, neither Gideon nor Lena saw the volunteer soldiers marching. Gideon had already guessed they were likely transported by passenger carriages to save time.

"Next," the soldier said.

Gideon showed his noble seal. The soldier nodded and asked about Baron Gideon's purpose for coming to the capital. Gideon answered plainly.

"Viscount Duncan sent me to meet Her Majesty Queen Anastasia," Gideon explained.

"Really? Where's your travel letter?" the soldier asked.

"I don't have one. He gave the order to me directly by word of mouth."

"I'm afraid I can't let you in, even if you're a Baron."

He fell silent, then turned to Lena. Lena was quiet too, not knowing how to act. Fighting with weapons was a bad option. The entire capital garrison might surround them, and Luke's life would be at risk.

"Could you go and call Princess Hannah, tell her that Baron Gideon has come to visit?" Gideon asked.

The two guards looked at each other. Everyone knew about Princess Hannah and her reputation for beauty. The Barons knew of it too, but none dared to casually summon her by name.

"I'm not sure I—"

"Make way for the Blue Rose Order!" one of them shouted.

The line moved aside, letting the Blue Rose Order troops led by Princess Hannah pass through the gate into the city. Since they came from the west, it was clear they had fought against Sisyla.

People watched them arrive, most of them wounded and bandaged. At the very front was Princess Hannah, riding her horse with a sad and ashamed expression.

"Did they lose?"

"They've got good armor, but their fighting skills are awful."

"Princess Hannah must be so embarrassed by this outcome."

Gideon saw Hannah, and so did Lena. They felt sad to see Princess Hannah so downcast and lifeless. If members of the royal family showed such pessimism, it would be hard for the people to place their trust in them.

"Princess Hannah," one soldier called out.

"There is a Baron from the south who wishes to meet you," the soldier said.

"A Baron? From the south?" Hannah asked, shocked.

She turned her head, following the guard's hand. Gideon came with Lena, dressed in full military gear with their deadly weapons.

Hannah's face changed completely, from sadness and shame to a smile full of optimism.

"Gideon?"

She turned her horse and stopped beside Gideon's carriage. Gideon looked at her closely. Her face was tired, with some cuts and wounds. She had just gone through a hard battle against Sisyla in the west.

"How are you, Princess Hannah?"

"Just look and judge for yourself," the woman replied.

"Setting that aside, did you come to help our war?"

"About that… I'm not sure yet," Gideon answered.

"Can we talk for a moment?"