“Ah, ‘Pearl of the Western Seas,’ ‘Prosperous Orway.’”
“I’ll make you shine brighter than ever, and your name will be spoken with envy across the world.”
Using every ounce of my family’s connections and wealth, I managed to restore Orway within four years.
§§§
“What’s all the commotion about?”
“Oh, a supply ship from Orway has arrived.”
“That’s nothing out of the ordinary.”
Lucas, dismissing the excitement, glanced over as Godran, grinning, spread out a large piece of fabric.
“Look at this. It’s a new battle standard.”
In their last fierce battle, the army had been caught in a treacherous trap, nearly facing annihilation. Many unit banners had been burned, but the main banner was heroically defended by a standard-bearer who lost his life in the process.
While Helios’s daring counterstrategy ultimately led to victory, the banner had been left in tatters and was no longer usable.
“I requested new standards for all units, and these turned out better than expected.”
“Well, it is ‘Orway the Beautiful.’ There’s no way they’d send anything less than the finest for their governor’s army.”
Godran, overseeing soldiers from Orway, looked proudly at his unit’s new flag.
“Such a striking crimson. The central emblem is impressive too. Did you design it?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t have an eye for aesthetics. I provided the list of unit names and leaders, but I left the design choices to them.”
“The emblem depicts a mythical unicorn from Shajabal’s old legends—perfect for a charge unit like ours. They know us well.”
“What about the main force’s flag?”
“A blue hawk.”
The “Blue Hawk” was Helios’s moniker. The deep blue flag featured a bold hawk emblem, beautifully executed.
“They also sent ceremonial cloaks with matching designs for the officers. For the upcoming triumph parade, we might as well wear them.”
“A triumph parade?”
“Yes. We’re returning to the capital for a time.”
§§§
The triumph parade held in the capital was a grand spectacle. Crowds roared with excitement as the hero led his magnificently adorned army through the streets. However, the hero’s wife was absent.
“What does she think she’s doing? Isn’t it a wife’s duty to greet her husband when he returns from war?”
“She claims she cannot leave Orway. It’s unavoidable.”
“Helios! You’re far too lenient. You’re the governor of Orway, not her! Why let some decorative wife act as if she can undermine her husband and lord?”
Lucas, fuming, watched as Helios responded with a wry smile.
“We’re hardly a proper couple, having barely met. I’ve left Orway entirely in her hands. It’s natural she wouldn’t think highly of me.”
“I’ve heard all about her! She’s been squandering the vast rewards you’ve earned, spending it recklessly!”
0 Comments