The Author's Viewpoint-Chapter 85 - March of the Unchosen

Princess Baneth stood tall upon the raised stage, flanked by two towering Knight Grand Crosses who remained alert at her sides. Viscount Sean stood just behind her, along with Orion and Oriana, their expressions composed but visibly tense.

Before the stage, rows upon rows of knights filled the broad plaza, organized according to their Gaia Stage. Among them, Lily stood right beside Tave that day.

On the opposite end of the platform, the high-ranking knights of Deadbay City stood at attention. Among them was Logan, Tave’s father, as well as Knight Commander Thalos. The one who had given Tave the opportunity to join Orion’s Rift team not long ago.

The princess’s cold, commanding gaze swept across the entire assembly. With deliberate steps, she walked forward to the edge of the stage and paused. Then, her clear, piercing voice rang out through the courtyard, echoing against the stone walls.

"The Kingdom calls upon you. Brave souls. To serve."

Her words struck like a hammer, rippling through the crowd. It was impossible to miss the sheer presence she carried. At only eighteen, she already exuded the authority and charisma of someone far beyond her years.

"Demonic activity has been rising near the capital in recent days."

The princess continued, her tone sharp and unwavering. And the reaction among the knights was far from calm. Tension rippled through the ranks. The presence of demons was never to be taken lightly. Yes, they existed in parts of Yunatea. But their appearance near densely populated cities or within human territory was always a grim omen.

And Tave knew that better than most.

Demonic stirrings like this only ever signaled one thing: a major assault was coming. An assault on the Dissidia Kingdom.

And what disturbed him even more, this exact scene, with Baneth arriving at Deadbay City to recruit reinforcements, had happened in his story too. But not this soon.

Something, or someone, had accelerated the timeline.

"We need you to crush any and every potential threat from the demons. Whatever it is, it must be eradicated. Nothing must be allowed to threaten the sovereignty of this kingdom!" Baneth’s voice rose like a battle horn, echoing through the plaza.

"FOR THE KINGDOM!"

A deafening roar erupted from the assembled knights, a chorus of loyalty and fire that shook the very stones beneath their feet.

Next, Commander Logan stepped up onto the stage, a tightly rolled scroll in hand.

"I will now announce the names of those selected to join this expedition," he said, his voice firm and measured.

"These names were chosen with great care, striking a balance between the forces that will remain and those who will march forward."

Then, one by one, he began to read the names aloud.

Each time a name was called, a knight within the formation responded with a salute or a step forward, accepting the heavy responsibility now placed on their shoulders.

The list began with those of the lowest Gaia Stage, the Gaia Guardians. Their numbers were relatively few, and from all those called, neither Lily’s name nor Tave’s was mentioned.

Of course, Lily wouldn’t be chosen. Despite her prodigious talent, her current condition had drastically weakened her combat potential.

As for Tave, he had only just ascended to the Gaia Guardian rank. He hadn’t yet proven himself enough to warrant inclusion in a task force of this scale.

The announcements continued, moving on to the Gaia Masters, then to the Gaia Grand Masters, until eventually, Commander Logan lowered the scroll and completed the roll call of those selected.

More than half of Deadbay City’s knight forces were assigned to this reinforcement mission. A clear indication of just how desperate the capital’s need for strength had become in the face of this rising demon threat.

And that wasn’t all. They would also be joined by knights from other cities across the kingdom, forming a massive coalition force to defend the heart of Dissidia.

But... should Tave really just stand by while all this unfolded? While the story suddenly accelerated at such a brutal, unforgiving pace?

He exhaled slowly.

If he had to choose, it was clear. He’d be better off sticking with the upcoming Rift Expedition led by the forest elves. That path, he knew, would offer him something far more valuable than honor or recognition: a true chance to gain power. And Tave had no intention of wasting even the slimmest opportunity to grow stronger.

If the war had to come early, then so be it. But when it arrived, he’d make damn sure he was no longer the same. He’d be stronger, strong enough to face everything that came with it.

There was no room for objections from anyone regarding the decisions made. As soon as the list had been finalized, the knights not selected were dismissed, leaving only the chosen few behind to begin their preparations.

Tave and Lily quietly made their way out of the city hall plaza, the air heavy between them. The girl had barely spoken a word since the announcements. Silent even now, as they walked past the gathered crowds and into the quieter streets beyond.

"Would you still force yourself to join the expedition... if the chance had been given to you, Lil?" The question came out almost without thought.

Lily was silent for a long moment. Then, she slowly shook her head.

But Tave knew. He could see it clearly, what was truly on her mind. She was worried. Not about herself... but about their father. Logan.

Because if this truly became something big. And deep down, Tave was already sure it would be.

He exhaled softly.

Then Logan, their father, would almost certainly be swept into it. Into the massive catastrophe looming over the capital. A disaster so great, it could obliterate an entire city, leaving not a single soul behind.

And knowing this... should he try to stop his father from going?

No. He wasn’t foolish. Not that foolish.

In his current state, without influence, without power. No one would take him seriously.

They’d only see a boy making desperate, empty pleas.

There had to be another way. There was still time. He would head to the capital. But only after he finished the Rift Expedition.

And by then, he would not be powerless.

***

Tave knocked on the door of the smithy, and the voice from inside responded without hesitation.

"Come in," Fokil said.

Tave pushed the door open slowly, and a wave of heat immediately struck his face. The moment he stepped inside, the rhythmic clang of a heavy hammer striking an anvil echoed through the forge.

Tave knew better than to interrupt the blacksmith while he was working. But if Fokil had let him in, that meant he was welcome.

And that in itself was a rare privilege, especially from someone like Fokil.

The hammer fell one last time with a resonant thud before the blacksmith lifted his gaze from the glowing metal.

"What do you want?" he asked curtly.

"Sir... forgive me, I wanted to show you something."

Tave stepped closer and reached into his storage ring, pulling out a small crystal.

The moment it caught the light, something shifted in Fokil’s expression. His eyes narrowed with interest.

"Sir, this is... the Soul Stone of a Shadow Wolf."

Fokil didn’t reply right away.

"Forgive me if you’ve already started work on my commission, but... would it be possible to use this? Might it add more value to the item?"

The blacksmith rose from behind his workbench and stepped forward. He took the stone from Tave’s hand without a word, inspecting it with a practiced eye.

"Come back in two weeks, kid."

Two weeks?

"Sir, I apologize. In two weeks I’ll be away, on a Rift Expedition. I might not return for a month or so."

"Then make sure you come here before you leave."

"Yes, sir."

Fokil returned to his bench and said nothing more. That was Tave’s cue. It was time to go.

"Thank you, sir. I’ll stop by again soon."

With that, Tave turned around and stepped out of the smithy, letting the door close behind him as he exhaled a long breath, the heat of the forge still clinging to his skin.

Whatever item Fokil was working on, whatever it would become. Tave could only hope he’d get his hands on it before his next Rift Expedition.

It might be a long shot, but if it could be ready in time, it could make all the difference.

But first, he had to make sure of one thing. That his position on the expedition was secure.

Now, he needed to meet Panpan.