Chapter 2 – The Order

Unbeknownst to her, a disconcerting shift was taking place in the royal capital, but amidst the desolate, ice-covered expanse of Voltern, a triumphant cry erupted. Swords gleamed high in the sky, and military boots stomped exuberantly on the blood-soaked earth. After two and a half grueling months of battle, the enemy was finally retreating, victory within reach.

The azure banner of the Knights of Ventus, mirroring the sky’s hue over Theorin Kingdom’s Southern Voltern, billowed proudly in the wind, accompanied by jubilant cheers. Yet, the faint smile on Irene’s face, as she observed her subordinates’ jubilation, abruptly vanished, and a tense unease gripped her.

“Something is…”

The retreating enemy commander had halted his steed to cast a backward glance. Removing his helmet, his golden hair shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight. As he brushed his tangled locks aside, they caught the sun’s rays, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Even from a distance, Irene discerned his gaze fixed upon her. His clear green eyes sparkled, and his lips curved into smooth arcs.

“Did he just… smile?” Recognizing something in his gaze, Irene was seized by a sense of déjà vu. Overcome by urgency, she shouted, “Something is amiss, Gerrard!”

“Yes, Commander!”

“I need to go see my father— I mean, the Commander.”

“Why the sudden change?”

“Lady Irene.”

Irene’s urgent gaze, much like the blue flag fluttering in the wind, darted around until it landed on the approaching figure of a man.

“Clad?”

The unexpected appearance of her subordinate, who had been stationed far from the front lines, caught her off guard. However, her gaze sharpened when she noticed he was accompanied by a group dressed in attire ill-suited to their surroundings.

“News has arrived from the royal capital,” Clad reported.

“Something must have occurred.”

“It’s a matter best discussed in private.” Clad shot a meaningful glance toward the men behind him, wearing tunics bearing the kingdom’s crest.

“Understood. Gerrard, wait here.”

“As you wish,” Gerrard replied with a slight bow.

Leading the group to a more secluded spot, Irene roughly discarded her blood-caked gloves and turned her attention to the men.

“Please, read this first,” Clad said. As he watched Irene unfold the parchment and peruse its contents, he continued, “Lady Irene, your suspicions were justified.”

“The capital should have been aware of this.”

“Nevertheless, Duke Groin’s scheme to plunge the country into chaos through war with the Empire and seize the throne has failed.”

“It’s fortunate that we successfully rescued the third prince.”

“Your swift judgment made it possible.” However, after commending Irene’s achievements, Clad’s expression darkened.

“Judging from your demeanor, it appears not everything is resolved.”

“Unfortunately, we failed to apprehend the duke.”

Irene released an irritable sigh, her face contorted with disgust. Setting aside the fact that Duke Groin was her eldest maternal uncle, his evasion could only spell trouble in the future.

“Though we’ve resolved the matter of rescuing the prince for now, there’s still…” Clad’s voice trailed off as he hesitated. Acting out of character, he turned to the group behind him and said, “Perhaps it’s best you convey the news to her.”

As Clad stepped aside, the group approached Irene, and a man stepped forward. He seemed vaguely familiar, and upon closer inspection, she recognized him from previous encounters. In fact, there were a few other faces she could place in the crowd.

“I am Helink F. Burgun, aide to the third prince,” Helink said politely, offering a letter with both hands.

Irene scanned the group behind Helink as she accepted the letter. Then, she glanced down at the parchment and, upon reading its contents, her grip tightened, crumpling the paper as she exclaimed, “What does this mean?”

The words on the parchment caused Irene’s amethyst eyes to glisten and quiver. She had always maintained her composure as she pursued the path of knighthood, locking away her emotions. But today, that composure had finally wavered.

“The Empire must have realized that Voltern was not easily penetrated,” Helink began.

“If that’s the case, then what were the capital’s officials doing?”

“The imperial army launched a surprise attack by sea, infiltrating the vulnerable northeastern region. The assault on the capital happened almost instantly…”

“Excuses! The mainland’s forces outnumber Voltern’s by several times!”

The men standing before Irene could offer no answers. They stood in somber silence as Irene struggled to suppress resurfacing emotions she believed she had long discarded. “We’ve lost. A crushing defeat.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper, but only Clad seemed to catch her final words. Although Irene sounded composed, the heavy sigh that followed betrayed her anguish.

“And now, the third prince has—No, my apologies. These are the orders of our new king, His Majesty.”

Irene felt the intense gaze of her subordinates, awaiting her command. It was stifling. She lowered herself, kneeling, and adhered to chivalric etiquette as she replied, “I, Irene M. Voltern, shall obey His Majesty the King’s orders.”

“By His Majesty’s decree, Irene M. Voltern is hereby ordered to renounce her title and depart for Perkan—”

“What nonsense is this?” Clad fiercely interjected. It was evident that this news had blindsided him.

“Clad!” Irene cautioned.

“While it may not be explicitly stated, isn’t His Majesty essentially sending her as a hostage?”

“Enough! I haven’t spoken yet,” Irene scolded.

“But you’ve dedicated so much! If this isn’t abandonment by the kingdom, then what is it?”

Clad spoke the truth. Irene had to admit it. All this time, she had followed the absurd command to defend her country, giving her all and risking her life to fulfill her duty as a knight. Now, at the end of it all, she received an irrational decree.

But when have I ever had time for emotions? Irene had always focused on following orders and lived accordingly.

Amidst the vanity and shallowness around her, Irene had upheld the code of knighthood. She intended to continue until her last breath as a knight. When she opened her eyes after shutting them tightly, her gaze was unwavering.

“Fulfill your duty as a knight. Now, be silent and kneel,” she ordered.

Clad clenched his jaw and closed his eyes, his face burning with anger, swallowing bitter tears.

“Irene M. Voltern is hereby ordered to renounce her title and depart for Perkan. Your actions shall henceforth represent the kingdom. Consider the Empire’s commands as my own and obey them.”

“I shall obey the king’s will.”

Irene had always followed orders almost reflexively, but this time, there was a swirl of emotion in her eyes. Seeing this, Clad could only suppress his own tears, worried that one day Irene’s pent-up emotions would consume her faster than others.

As Irene slowly rose to her feet, she let out a long sigh. She glanced back at her knights and mumbled, “What about them…?”

She averted her gaze from them and focused her attention on Helink.

Now stripped of her knighthood, Irene had no need for her armor. She removed her helmet, revealing her waist-length silver hair with a hint of purple. It cascaded like moonlight, matching her amethyst-like eyes, giving her a unique and mysterious presence.

“Wow,” one of the knights exclaimed.

Irene sneered and let her helmet fall to the ground. Next, she discarded her blood and soil-stained gloves. Her armor followed suit.

“Lady Irene!”

Irene tore off the armor plates encasing her body with brute force. Her palms were soon stained with blood, but she paid no heed to the pain. In this moment of overwhelming anger, she could not be restrained. Under normal circumstances, it would have been impossible to tear the armor plates apart so easily, but this was no ordinary situation.

“Lady Irene, please…” Clad pleaded, reaching out a hand to stop her.

She refused his hand and firmly said, “This is reality.”

“It can’t be… Not like this.”

The sound of each piece of armor hitting the ground was heart-wrenching. Irene felt as if her heart was breaking along with her armor. All the emotions she had buried throughout her life were now surging forth.

“Commander, what’s happening?”

“Who gave you permission to move?”

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, the Voltern knights had started to gather around Irene, but they all froze in response to her stern tone.

“But, Commander…”

“Do you intend to defy orders? Do not forget that disobedience is punishable under military law! Remember this—no matter what transpires, we are Theorin knights. Do not tarnish the name of the Knights of Ventus! Now, go!”

“Yes! We understand,” the knights replied obediently.

Irene couldn’t help but laugh inwardly at herself. These were words she had often spoken to her knights, but saying them now felt more peculiar than ever. “Return to your posts. Do not cause confusion among the other knights. Maintain your composure,” Irene added.

“We will follow your orders.”

Satisfied, Irene removed the Order of the Garter medal from her calf and handed it to Helink. “Take it,” she said, brushing off his objections.

“You don’t have to…” Helink stammered.

“Clad, we are leaving. We must make preparations.”

Without a word, Clad untied the handkerchief from his scabbard and carefully wrapped it around Irene’s injured left hand. The white fabric quickly turned a deep red. Unable to bear the sight, Clad turned away.

“I have a request,” Irene said softly.

“I know what you wish to ask. I will settle my affairs here and prepare to depart for the Empire…”

“Do not come.”

“Pardon?” Clad remarked in surprise.

“My brothers are still young, and my father’s injuries will take time to heal. They will need you.”

“I… accept your command.” Knowing that this could be Irene’s final order, Clad swallowed the words he wanted to say, straightened himself, raised his right arm to his chest, and bowed his head.

A cold wind swept through the camp. The acrid scent of blood soaked into the earth pierced Irene’s nostrils and filled her lungs, but the taste of her own blood in her mouth was even more intense. Irene, unable to accept or deny her fate, could only bite down on the inside of her mouth as her emotions surged forth.