The sky turned clear, leaving only a line of long, thin clouds across the heavens. Beneath the sky, the Narcissus plains changed its landscape with the seasons, welcoming the return of warmth. Farmers' houses, with red tiles littered among the seemingly endless, rolling fields accompanied the caravans filled with farm workers about the green grape farms, the sounds of their bells ringing crisp and distant.

Tanbetoth City was the largest town located at the west border of Narcissus County. It was the main hub for the trading of goods produced in the Andrews' land and local places within the Empire. It was also the final destination of Titan Empire's east highway.

This city was built in the late fourth century of the Church Calendar, using white granite. The very first Duke Andrew built the large market to exchange goods in the Empire. After countless years, Tanbetoth was still a market, but its function had expanded into a base used by the soldiers, a training grounds for reserve units, and the center of economic culture, which directly conversed with other locations across in Titan.

On the old, greyish walls of Tanbetoth City, the marks of weapons were seldom seen. The Percians had never set foot here ever since the Andrews set their base on the east border. The Andrews had treated Tanbetoh as its strongest reserve unit suppliers and army base. This was because the economy here was thoroughly advanced. The towns and villages nearby had never been attacked by the enemy, and so the population was the densest in this part of Narcissus County.

In the middle of the 3rd month this year, the Narcissus all knew this was not the traditional season for conscription. However, the arrival of Red Tiger had undoubtedly excited the bored young men on the streets. When the infamous Red Tiger Assault Corps opened the gate, the young labor near the area all flooded the streets. They wore very little and intentionally showed off their pectoral muscles and thick arms.

"This is not a beauty contest, you know!" The commander of Red Tiger Corps said to his companions helplessly, but he knew how important this conscription plan was to the locals. It was, after all, specially permitted by the Head of Family. If it were not for the local Military Personnel Bureau doing a good job controlling the people, surely the conscription would have descended into duels. The young men who came from all places would not let this chance go away easily.

This time, the men below 24 years old would be disappointed. Lieutenant General Murat had already announced the conditions for the conscription plan.

First, the soldier must be above 24 years old and below 35 years old. In other words, Red Tiger only wanted old soldiers. Secondly, retirees and retired soldiers were allowed. After proper assessment, they could be assigned as officers to lead the soldiers in positions such as platoon commanders. Thirdly, the soldier must have good conduct and a strong body. Fourth, women were not allowed...

"So... Miss, you will need to go to Andrew Haila's main base for a chance to be enlisted!"

The old soldier glanced at the tall and thin young girl kindly.

The girl could only nod with disappointment. Then soldier shouted to the crowd loudly, "Next!". It was a tall fellow with a buff body and a cruel look on his face, but, unfortunately, his left eye was covered with an eyepatch.

"What is your name?" Upon the questions' end, the officers nearby all gathered around. They all noticed this over-2-meter-tall person; the way he carried himself made it apparent that he was a good fighter in war. They did not understand why he was here.

"Derula Han! Joined the Buchwald Front before retiring in the Year 798 from the Desert Encirclement War due to heavy injuries!" The huge guy said as he pointed to his eyes.

"Derula Han?" The old soldier repeated in confusion. He had already put down his record book and said, "Where have I heard your name? What position were you in when you served at the Buchwald Front?"

Derula Han raised his chest that was as strong as the mountain, "Before retiring, I was the Division Commander of the Rangers First Division of the front." "Buchwald Front's Rangers First Division... Division Commander?" The old soldier was even more confused.

He had definitely heard of this name before, but his companions were already exclaiming in surprise, "O God of Light! You are Derula Han... The Commander, Desert Fox!"

All the officers had left the crowds lining up in front of them. They heard that they would be able to get some good ones during this conscription, but no one would ever have thought that they would be able to meet the infamous Dessert Fox from the east at the west border of Narcissus County! The young men nearby and all the officers surrounded this huge guy and stared at this legendary Rangers commander as if they were observing some sort of rare animal.

"I heard that General Darula was heavily injured!" "I heard that the general had been enlisted by the main base already!" "No! The general got married and made a great fortune out of his business in Anatolia!" The people whispered in each others' ears. Only the Commander Desert Fox still stood at his original spot, unfazed.

"Alright... You are Derula Han!" The old soldier sighed. He opened up the registration book while deliberately exchanging a glance with his companion beside him. An intelligent messenger immediately understood the command. He went out of the crowd and ran towards the Red Tiger's temporary command unit.

"How's your eye?" The old soldier glanced at the guy worriedly. At that time, if it were not for his heavy injuries, the Buchwald Front or the main base would never have let such an intelligent and courageous commander go.

Derula nodded, "It's fine... I have a good wife!"

The soldier immediately understood. He rubbed his hands excitedly, "Alright. Even though you used to be a general and a hero before, this is conscription. You still have to go through the due process here!"

Derula did not say anything. He knew the officer needed to check his body now and proceeded to take off his clothes to reveal his muscular upper body. The crowd around him exclaimed once again! The strong body of the Desert Fox was covered with scars of all sorts of weapons and arrows. The old soldier, who had already seen his fair share, did not even need a second look to know the weapons that caused those wounds.

"God... Persian war ax, a machete with a blood slot attached, triangular arrow, quadrangular arrow, and also bone fractures... To be honest, big guy! How did you survive?"

Derula did not answer. He put his clothes back on, "Well? Do I pass?"

"Pass! Of course, you pass!" said a voice suddenly. The knights who were responsible for the order only took a glance, then they shouted loudly, "Officer! Attention... Salute!"

Murat and a group of Red Tiger officers arrived. Derula Han wanted to salute his past companions but was stopped by Murat, who took hold of his arm. The Corps Commander cheerfully looked at his towering friend, taller than him by a full head. To be honest, when he heard that the Desert Fox had come to the conscription, Murat was so happy that he almost jumped onto his desk.

"Do you still remember, old friend? The last time we met was in Year 794. My front commander invited you to Neruda's base to explain rangers tactic to rookies like us!"

"Heheh..." The huge guy laughed awkwardly. Murat was indeed still a rookie then, but time had passed by relentlessly. Murat was already an infamous general in the family, while he had to start again from conscription.

"Come with me, old friend! I will arrange a difficult job for you. Are you up for it?"

Derula Han's face finally flashed cruelly with a smile. He knew the chance he dreamt of had appeared. Thanks to Red Tiger and Head of the Family of O'Neil, the Desert Fox, the world's most extraordinary Rangers Commander, would return to the world filled with blood and fire. Even though he had to bid farewell to his beautiful wife and children, some men belonged to the war. Not even the God of Light could change his fate and destiny.

Until the middle of the 4th month, Murat found in surprise that Red Tiger already had the scale and strength similar to a front after adding a large number of replacement soldiers and reserve units. The only things lacking were actual battle ability and an excellent commander that could effectively make use of the people in short amount of time.

However... Besides Murat, the former Rangers Commander Derula Han was holding an executive order by the highest leader of the Knights Marshal Figg Andrew Tibotty. The Desert Fox was already the Ranger Division Commander of Red Tiger Front. Also, the small guy who had big ears, a thin neck, ugly teeth and curly hair was also holding the document issued by the Marshal. This document was, however, an amnesty order to pardoned this ugly fellow's seven incidents that violated the regulation! Oh right! He was the most famous problem in the Knights, the 'Mad Cat Nubes'. You could call him 'Lazy Cat' or even 'Hungry Cat'. Only that... no matter if it was 'Lazy Cat', 'Hungry Cat' or 'Mad Cat', he was called a cat for his agile movement, quick attacks, sharp claws, and was extraordinarily alert! He was now the Division Commander of Red Tiger Battle Division. Kamille Rayen, who was not promoted to be the Corps Commander, was his direct officer.

After that, there was also General Griffith, the famous war strategist in Andrew Haila base, beside Murat. According to sayings, the war planning that swept the whole of the Anatolia Plains was prepared by this guy, but... Because he had a complicated relationship with a few ladies, Marshal Figg told him to stay at Red Tiger for a while.

If one looked properly, all generals present here were all well-known, or had come from famous hero units; all except for one. This lady had joined Red Tiger using her connections. She was the daughter of the Chief of Military Personnel Bureau, General Laura Croft, and was also the sister of Madam Tracey in Marshal Figg's family. This lady was the most wanted military affairs secretary in the Andrew Haila main base. She applied to join Red Tiger, so they had no choice but to take her in despite their rules against female soldiers.

Just when the Front Commander and the bored men were chit-chatting, Colonel Nerotty Croft smacked the table impatiently.

"Sirs! It's time to be serious!"

Murat opened his mouth, but he did not know what he should say. He had never worked with women before. Seeing that the commander was speechless, the men present then swallowed their naughty words back in their mouths.

Colonel Nerotty blinked her lake-blue eyes and pulled her short, golden hair back. At last, she tidied her black military uniform before spreading her documents on the table wide open.

"Let's start with a few numbers!" The Red Tiger Military Affairs Secretary scanned the people in front of her, "Currently! There are 20987 active soldiers in the front, 304 clerks in the front's commanding unit, and 2207 people in the construction and supply groups in every corps. In general,..."

"Colonel! Tell us the problem!" Murat rubbed his forehead. He had all of these numbers by heart.

"Yes, General!" Nerotty gave a military salutation properly and continued, "The problem is obvious! Especially the two army groups that were formed recently!"

The secretary turned to the Paladin standing in a corner, "General Kamille Rayen's battle group has a division of reserve soldiers. That means time is still needed until these two divisions are ready to be sent to war. Or else... The overall combat ability of the battle group will be compromised."

"Then..." The young lady turned to a middle-aged general, "General Odysus Nadburry's rangers group has two division of reserve warriors as well. Training them to become warriors like those under Colonel Loran Julier will take even more time."

"Excuse me, I'd like to speak!" A deep voice suddenly interrupted the secretary's words. Everyone looked to the tall Derula Han.

"We don't need that long to train a Rangers group into maturity. I think six weeks will suffice!"

Murat nodded in satisfaction. Since the most renowned Rangers Commander in the Narcissus Knights had set the timeline, this matter was as good as done. When it came to training and commanding Rangers, no one was more qualified to speak than the Desert Fox.

"Then, one last question remains!" Nerotty raised her cute nose, "General Barbara Schubernate's First Heavy Cavalry Brigade has always been an individual unit. However, now we have Second Heavy Cavalry Brigade that originally belongs to Abbaniya Front and led by General Jonker Voffeur to aid us. Then, the problem is... are we combining two brigades to form a Heavy Cavalry Corps, or maintaining the individual brigade?"

"This problem has to be discussed with the two brigade commanders!" Murat sat properly on his seat. He knew he was facing a difficult question. Combining two brigades to form a Heavy Cavalry Corps would naturally increase the combat ability of Red Tiger, but one of the two brigade commanders would have to step down from the position.

"I agree to combine two brigades into one!" General Barbara Schubernate spoke up first. The officers present all nodded lightly. The purpose and meaning of merging two heavy cavalry brigades into one heavy cavalry corps was obvious.

"Yes! I also agree with combining the two!" General Jonker, who came from Abbaniya front also agreed, but he was not fond of speaking. So, even if he spoke, his words would not exceed three sentences.

"Then who will be the Corps Commander?" Murat stared into both of their eyes.

"Him!"

"Him!"

The Two Brigade Commanders pointed at each other at once.

"Please! There can only be one Corps Commander!" Murat could not help but laugh. Even though in his heart, he wanted Barbara Schubernate, whom he knew well, to be the Corps Commander. Still, the quiet Jonker was a good one!

From the resume sent from Andrew Haila main base, Jonker Voffeur had participated in all sorts of battles, big or small. He had directly commanded a few and was truly a well-experienced general. Even if he had a few losses in these 136 battles, it was rare to see a commander not heavily injured or sacrificed after their battle count numbered the hundreds. In Murat's eyes, there was only Jonker who had such a result amongst former Narcissus Generals!

"So... the both of you don't have to do this!" The Chief Commander of Red Tiger finally made the decision.

"Major General Barbara Schubernate will be the Corps Commander of the new Heavy Cavalry Corps. As for General Jonker... I am sure you know, Red Tiger still needs a Chief Commander of Knights to lead all its units ."

"Yes, Sir! I will not disappoint you!" The quiet Jonker finally got uncontrollably excited. Before this, he was a simple brigade commander that commanded a five-hundred-man unit to attack. Now, he was the Chief Battle Commander of Red Tiger's approximately 3000 warriors. This promotion was definitely a leap in his career.

"Then... It's decided!" Murat clapped his hand and turned to the delicate secretary, "Colonel Nerotty, are there any more problems?"

Nerotty breathed as she nodded, "We just received the confidential letter from Head O'Neil... The final decision of the Lighthouse Strategy!"

Murat carefully took the scroll and scanned the soldiers with him now. Then, he turned to the secretary, who was full of anticipation.

"Reply to our Head of Family... The Red Tiger Front has completed its conscription!"

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Oscar slowly came to and looked around strangely. Then, it suddenly hit him. This was his office in Southern Military intelligence Bureau. He had been living in a daze these days. The information analysis meeting and complicated local affairs every day had almost broken his nerve. No matter what, military affairs was still Titan Prince's forte. Oscar would not be defeated by this matter. For half a month, he had been discussing the final decision of the Lighthouse Strategy with the related departments, even if there were still variables in the final proposal. Oscar must admit this. For example, the fearful Slovenia Royal family had prepared numerous runaway routes. The Military Intelligence Bureau could not confirm which was true or false. Also, Slovenia's Royal Army had expanded by approximately seventy thousand people. They even received aid from the Kingdom of Arabah, who always opposed Andrew on the sea.

The Titan Prince shook his head. He tried not to think about these troublesome things. However, as soon as he thought about anything, he would find that all he thought about was war.

"I can't be like this..." Oscar knocked his slightly throbbing head. It seemed that he had not left this office for three consecutive days.

The Titan prince searched around; he pushed the map and all sorts of documents on his desk away. Then, he found the dining plate hiding below them. There was a steak left overnight still on the plate, with only a few mouthfuls gone from it. Oscar said 'Ola', then dug into the steak.

Heavy knocking sound suddenly came from the door. Oscar yelled, "Enter!"

Colonel Muktha Singh entered the room. He was a Military Intelligence Confidential Secretary who just got promoted, and he moved to the sides to let a few servants enter with the dining cart.

"I knew you've woken up after hearing sounds from the outside! And, I also know that you will need this!" Colonel Muktha said as he opened the silver cover on the dining tray for the Prince.

"Ola..." Oscar looked at the warm smoked meat with pickled celery on the plate and the cold, hard steak in his hand. In the next moment, he threw the latter away.

The servants proceeded to wear the bib around the Prince's neck and placed his cutlery beside him. Oscar then immediately picked up the fork and knife and focused on his meal. Alas, this scene would not go on for long; the Prince had suddenly thought of a problem. He then searched in the heaps of documents on his table. After he found the document he needed, he looked through it while having his meal.

The confidential secretary by his side subconsciously looked at the clock. After making sure of the time, he had to roll his eyes. Under Oscar's strange gaze, Muktha took his document away, then placed the authentic smoked meat with pickled celery to one side.

"What is this about?" The Prince glanced funnily at the blank-faced confidential secretary.

"Your Highness! You tell me what this is about." Muktha spread his hands helplessly, "You are not a prisoner in Southern Military Intelligence Bureau. You have worked here for three days and nights. You've only had eleven hours of sleep for these days!"

"I slept for eleven hours?" Oscar widened his eyes in shock, "O God of Light! How much time have I wasted?" The young Prince said as he snatched the important analysis report back.

"Oh..." Muktha groaned and snatched the report back, "Sir, the carriage is ready! You need to get out for a walk. You can't keep working. Exhausting you is one thing, but this threatens your health! Also..."

"Also what?" Oscar was a little confused.

"Also, you need to think of for your subordinates!" Muktha spat awkwardly.

"The people in the Southern office have requested for you to leave. Everyone has been working continuously for sixty hours with you here. Even the strongest person would die of exhaustion! Normal people don't work like this!"

"Ola..." Oscar could not help but smile, "This is my first time hearing a boss getting fired by his workers!"

Muktha took the Prince's coat, "There's a first for everything!"

Oscar smiled as he nodded. When he tried to stand up, he fell back down to his seat.

"Look! You're so weak it's as if you just got out of jail!" The confidential secretary glared at his direct supervisor furiously. He hated the Prince's way of working. He would be so absorbed he would not care about other things at all

"Alright, alright! I was wrong! Quickly, get me up..." Oscar said as he reached out his hands to his secretary. When he first saw Muktha Singh, he knew that this was a good kid.

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On 1st day of the 5th month was Vielonna's 'Straw Knot Festival', something that was always talked about about excitedly among Vielonna's citizens.

The so-called 'Straw Knot Festival' originated from a shocking war story. Three hundred years ago, the Titan Imperial Family, who controlled Vielonna, fought a terrible war with Southern Faran. The Faran people surrounded Vielonna and closed off Rayne River, stifling the defense army and citizens in the city of water and food. Not long after, they surrendered to the invaders.

In the midst of crisis, a young madam who made a living by knitting straw stood out. She suggested to the army general that the straw rope she knitted was long and strong. When the night was quiet, the defense army could sneak to the field using her rope, then launch a surprise attack at the enemy's rear. The officer, who had hardly any options left, accepted the madam's strategy. The woman then returned to her home and knitted a long and strong straw rope with her children in one day and one night. That night, Titan's warriors climbed the strong rope and sneaked down the city wall, around to the back of the invaders and launched an attack at dawn. This sudden attack naturally brought them victory. The panicked invaders thought aid had arrived. They soon retreated to the other side of Don River. The intelligent madam then used a straw rope to save her home and people.

Vielonna's people could not forget this incident. They then set the day the madam knitted the straw rope as a public holiday for the city, in remembrance of the miracle created by the people. Slowly, the public holiday on the 1st day of the 5th month turned into an extravagant festival that promoted the traditional virtue of hard work, courage, moderation and so on. In other words, this was the rare festival that did not involve nobles and religion – a festival that celebrated the people.

Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette's beautiful carriage was on the street. Through the window, he could see the cheerful citizens and small vendors doing their business by the roadside. All the windows of the houses had a long straw rope dangling downwards, with flowers and green vine knitted into the straw rope. The ropes would sway lightly along the breeze, bringing the aroma of flowers to each corner of the city. It was a magnificent scene to behold.

Rope knitting was just one of the activities of the day. Citizens who came from the villages nearby had already prepared all sorts of knitted products, from baskets used in homes to straw hats loved by ladies and children, the people used their delicate trades to knit the beautiful dreams in life. Even Prince O'Neil, who seemed to not understand happiness, bought a pair of straw shoes. He excitedly tried it on repeatedly in the carriage.

"These are so much better than boots!" Oscar shook the large straw shoes on his feet, but soon a decomposing stench immediately reached his nose.

"O God of Light! What is happening to my feet?" Oscar covered his nose.

The confidential secretary held the impulse to throw up and took hold of the laces of the boots. He threw the 'source of air pollution' of the Prince into the carriage's cabinet.

"Oh..." Muktha took a deep breath, "Sir, your feet have not gone out of those huge boots for a long time. Even a person might turn into that smell!"

"Ola!" Oscar only thought about another thing. He took his collar and smelled it... The mixture of sweat and the sour smell of soiled laundry almost made him pass out.

"We head for the nearest bath!" Oscar issued the order without hesitation. His carriage immediately turned into a noisy street. Oscar, who had never gotten himself that dirty, even shook his collar at the King of Assassin's nose without embarrassment. Paul immediately frowned, "You stinking bug... Get away from me!"

Speaking of the bathing, the Westland people had never known the enjoyment of bathing throughout much of history, because they would not take a bath unless it was praying day of the Church.

Along with the rise of intelligent civilizations like the Persian Empire and the introduction of all sorts of luxury goods, bathing had entered the realm of western nobles before the second century in the Church Calendar.

In Vielonna, the baths that were the costliest, had the most beautiful decoration and best service was managed by Persian or West Percian businessman. After the previous cleansing-like religious purge, these baths were gone. Only the 'Hermes Troy Bath' was still in business. However, of course, the owner was a West Percian businessman who learnt the authentic bathing culture of Persia. A southern Marquis also held shares in this 'Hermes Troy Bath'.

It was well known that Prince O'Neil did not really go to public places. His life was limited to an extremely small space. There was not even a good friend who could smoke, drink or sleep with women with him in this space. So, when Prince O'Neil walked into the public bath that was as majestic as nobles' club, he was completely mesmerized by the place.

A team of servants helped the honorable Prince to take off his shirt. Then, a white-faced female slave led the Prince into the widest bathroom available. Sky-blue tiles were fixed on the walls of the bathroom, and there was even a huge dormer on the ceiling. A bundle of light fell from the dormer and lit all golden instruments in the bathroom.

Oscar sat into the huge five-by-five-meter bathroom. The women's massage made him mutter his catchphrase. The King of Assassins, by his side, glanced around. The bathroom was well lit, without any places to hide a person. The women workers only wore a thin satin cloth; there was no way for these women, barely covering themselves, to have weapons on them...

"Then... I shall wait for you outside!"

"Aren't you joining me?" Oscar opened his eyes and looked strangely at Paul.

Paul shook his head, "This place gives me the feeling of an emperor's palace. I can't take it!"

Oscar heard the King of Assassin's footsteps getting further away and closed his eyes once more. The women's movements made him sleepy. Just that... Paul's words just now had brushed the Prince's sensitive nerve. Oh right! It was that sentence 'This place gives me the feeling of an emperor's place'..

Familiar footsteps sounded again. This time, it was a whole group of people. Along with the laughing of the women and the cheerful voice of the man, Oscar opened his eyes slightly. A familiar face appeared amidst the steam in the bathroom. The Prince groaned helplessly, "O God of Light! Bring this heresy to hell..."

Marquis Glenn Alpre was still the same as usual, his yellow beard joined to his temple.

He was wearing a rope that only a poet would wear. The middle-aged man sat in the water. The servants who followed him took off their thin clothes respectively and mixed with the others in the bath, just that their movements were much more skilled than those in the bathroom.

"Your Highness... Is this how you treat your old friend?"

Oscar felt relaxed like never before, but he still cleared his mind with his will.

"We are not friends. Moreover... I know the reason you've become what you are!" The Prince stared at Marquis Alpre, who was, in reality, younger by half a century than what he looked like. He said, "If you are still like before, only ghosts will believe in you! With this friendly face now... at least it is easier for people to accept you and let down their guards!"

"This is one-sided!" Marquis Alpre nodded slightly. He curled his body and carefully glanced at his reflection, "Everyone longs for eternal youth! If I had known I'd become this old and ugly form when I turn sixty, I would have ended my life earlier." "Ola" Oscar splashed a stream water towards the poet, "Now you've said it! This is the imaginary world you created!"

The water went through the Marquis's body and fell onto the granite floor. Oscar was stunned. This sort of visual shock was more or less a jolt to the normal person.

Alpre smiled without care, "Your Highness... Why do you hold so tightly to reality and imagination? You can treat our meeting as a way of communication."

"Spiritual Media?" Oscar was extremely confused, "As far as I know, it's taboo to communicate with devils."

"Oh no! No!" The poet shook his head, "That's what Light Religion says. Do you think those scholars who study the religion so well would know what a world made of spirits truly is? That is simply their random guess. Then, they simply the people with any sin of their -->>

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