"Detachment! March forward!" The instructor yelled.
Our squad were in formation, rifle resting against the shoulder.
Our back were straight and our head forward.
"Detachment, halt!" She yelled.
We stopped our footing, presenting ourselves to our superiors.
Both of them were in horseback with fashionable uniforms and medals.
With their sword holstered on their respective scabbard resting upon their hips.
"Present, arms!" She yelled.
We grabbed our rifle and placed it in front of our body.
Soon, the instructor moved and stood in front of our squad.
"Fine work, Franziska. They will be a fine addition to the frontline." The superior said.
"Thank you, sir!" The instructor yelled and saluted.
"They'll be going up front tomorrow but before they are sent. We'll march on the streets of Drunard with all of our units available and showcase our mechanized vehicles.
I charge you to be the flag bearer leading our soldiers, can I in trust you in doing that?"
"Yes, sir!" She yelled.
"Good, make sure they look clean and fit, we don't wanna embarrass our people."
The superiors soon left with their horses and our instructor returned to our squad.
"Left shoulders, arm!"
We placed our rifle on the shoulder again.
"Forward march! Left, left, straight ahead!"
Our whole unit turned left in perfect synchronization.
Soon enough, we stepped a foot on the muddy patch, our boots getting dirty with mire.
Oh no, I know what this bastard is gonna do again!
"Detachment! Lie down!"
Yet again, I dropped to the earth, letting all of that mud and dirt stain our clothes we just washed an hour ago.
"Crawl forward!"
I raised my head a bit to see and moved my body like a snake.
Ruining our clothes even further.
***
I looked out the window, seeing the dark sky only illuminated by the stars.
We were all in the washing room washing our clothes after the training.
I was in my underwear just not caring about the world.
"Hey, Lukas! We're not going to wash your clothes you know. You need to wash it yourself, after all we'll be wearing this until the end of the year." Mara said.
But I just acted indifferent.
"Heh, she used us to spoil his ego. Despite the fact our superiors said to look clean and fit, she still forced us to patched up in dirt! Oh that dirty little rat!" Lena said.
"Leaving tomorrow, what a joke. It will take an entire day to clean these!" Paul said.
As I was looking our, I saw someone walking proudly.
Looking closer, I realized who it was.
"There goes that little devil! Whilst we tirelessly getting rid of these mud, she goes off with her friends for a drink!" I yelled in frustrations.
"Yeah! She's having the time of her life right now! Not only does she enjoy the sight of us suffering, she is also an instructor so she doesn't the same treatment as us and even worse, she eats steak as breakfast!" Wesley yelled.
All of us gasped in shock.
"Oh that little pig, I'm gonna show her what it feels like to be frowned upon!" Amelia fisted her hands and gave a punching gesture.
"Me too! I'm gonna show a piece of my mind with one punch!" Tomas said.
"Why one punch? Why not a dozen!" Otto made multiple punches against the air.
I quietly nodded until I realized something.
"Have you all seen Gideon?" I asked.
"Uh, I don't think so." Tobias said.
"I saw him getting outside earlier without washing." Wesley pointed at the door that lead outside.
"Oh, what is he even doing?" I asked.
"Been doing the same thing for a couple of days now. Training all on his own." Said Wesley.
I stood up and walked up to the table where my dirty uniform laid.
"Mara, hand me the soap." I extended my hands.
"Here." She gave me the soap and soon enough I started washing my clothes.
***
Gideon outside did jumping jacks.
Trying to go as fast as possible as he huffed and puffed.
When he finished, he immediately transitioned to push ups without relaxing first.
Despite his obvious tiredness.
Arms shaking, sweat shooting out and not even being able to lift himself off the ground.
He still went on even though there was no one forcing him to do it.
"You're going too hard on yourself, Gideon." I said.
Gideon realized my presence and stopped his exercise.
"When did you get here?" He asked.
"Just now actually. Why are you doing this?"
He just stayed silent, almost stunned at my question.
I let out a sigh and said.
"Look, whatever you're doing, you shouldn't press too hard on yourself. If there is anything worrying you just tell us what's wrong and we'll listen. And you should also take a break for today because when you wake up tomorrow, your muscles were be fatigued as fuck and it will hurt like hell. You don't wanna look exhausted at the people right?"
"...Yes..."
"Yeah, what's wrong?"
Again, he stayed quiet as if he couldn't find the word to say.
But I stayed patient, waiting for whatever would come out of his mouth.
He sighed and said.
"Look, I'm just...I just can't find the word. I just...I just don't wanna fail you guys..."
"Fail...us?" I tilted by head in confusion.
"Yes! All of my life, I've always let you guys down and...I just didn't wanted to fail yet again. Whilst you guys ran miles, I couldn't stop and take a break. As you guys fought off, I just watched...while all of you were hanging around...I was just...I felt like I was being left behind."
I listened carefully to his words, letting it all sink in.
"When I got that draft notice, I knew that this time, I needed to act."
When he finished, I really couldn't think of what to reply with.
Until I thought to myself, I'll just say whatever comes up to my mind.
"But we never left you behind didn't we? Everytime you were taking a break, we stopped and took a breather as well as we waited for you. When we got ourself in trouble, we've always tried to protect you despite us getting beaten down. Even if you failed us, we'll stay patient.
failure isn't what stops you, it's the fact that you think it's the end that does.
failure fuels your success rather than hinder you."
Whilst I said that, he just looked at the ground, trailing his fingers along the dirt.
"Look." I kneeled down beside him and said.
"No matter what happens, we'll wait for you. Alright?"
"...Yeah...Thanks, Lukas." He gave a light smile at my answer.
"I you insist on training, than I won't stop you." I stood up and left him.
Gideon giggled before he went on with his training.
As I slowly turned the corner to go back to my room, I saw a figure leaning against the wall covered by the shadow and darkness.
"Just sentimental words, Lukas or was it emotional? I honestly don't know." The figure said.
He slowly emerged from the darkness and revealed himself.
"What are you doing here, Hermann?" I asked.
"Oh, don't worry, Lukas. I'm not here to fight or even threaten you. That was a long long time ago. Holding our grudges to this day is...well let's say immature. But we grew up and I just came by to see you." He slowly lifted his hand and extended to me.
I stayed alert, getting ready for anything to come.
When he fully his arms, he opened his palm and said.
"Names, Hermann Adrian. I suggest we be mutual allies from this point on rather than enemies. I mean we are in the same side right?" He said.
For a second, I was confused by his offer but when I thought deeply, it does make sense.
Holding our anger to this day was useless when we are about to go to war.
It was better to be allies and enemies forever.
Staying alert, I lifted my arms and shook his hands in agreement.
"Names, Lukas Muller. It is...nice letting our anger go."
"Yes, I hope your girlfriend doesn't beat me up."
"Girlfriend? You mean Amelia? She is literally my cousin."
"Oh." He instantly realized his mistake but laughed it off.
"Ha, Sorry for the misunderstanding, I thought you liked strong women." He chuckled.
I mean he isn't wrong about me liking strong women but definitely not my relative.
"It's okay. How about we just head back shall we?" I asked.
"Yes, It's quite cold here."
We walked beside each other and a had a small chat with each other.