Walking through the secret passageway with Richard, Ami, and Estrid—Vance couldn’t help but feel a strange feeling of success at how he now had so many by his side. He started with nothing and no one, but here he was, surrounded by those he could safely call his friends; minus Ami of course. Ami was still someone who’d need to earn his trust yet still, but for now, he was sure he could trust him with all he was about to show. Stepping through the stone arched passage, Vance emerged into the artificially lit domain, nodding with content. Ami, meanwhile was stopped mid step, looking at the Mountain Jewel in awe—much like everyone who first came to lay eyes upon the grand structure.

“Quite the sight, hm?” Vance observed.

Ami just nodded, slack jawed. He didn’t know what to say.

Turning back to the grassy field, he continued on, flanked closely by the others, while Richard dragged Ami by the arm as the Samurai was seemingly unable to do anything beyond gawk at the palace.

It was comedic, in its own way, how everyone seemed to react upon seeing the Jewel. Vance, Lara, William, Estrid, Xen, and all the Dragon Marines had had the same reaction upon seeing the ancient marble castle. Some were able to ask questions while others were as Ami; completely lost for words. Such was part of the experience though, and there was little doubt such would continue to be the tradition for generations to come. Vance even had plans to move the soldiers and families from those regiments founded by him or his champions into the castle town that still lay lifeless. It was only the Palace itself that was starting to feel more lived in, with so many of his friends and officers now dwelling within its mighty walls. Yet, despite how many now called his inherited castle home, there was still a great many rooms left empty and in desperate need of life. Why? Vance couldn’t say, but rather, it felt as though the more people that lived within, the more power would be generated. An odd thing to feel, sure, but one he had no doubt was true given what Julia and her pantheon were like—not that he knew any besides Julia and Mountainhelm.

Such thinking quickly faded however as the group entered the palace.

“Alright, Ami, while Estrid heads to her office here in the palace to draw up some stuff for the army, you’ll be with me and Richard.” Vance said as he came to stop in the middle of the grand hall.

Ami, nodded, not sure what to say in response. Following behind the blonde, Ami was still awestruck as he kept looking at each wall, noting how it was like every stone was a piece of art. Nothing seemed to be untouched by the strange magic that surrounded the jewel. Peering over his shoulder, Vance smirked.

“I know, but you haven’t seen the best part yet.” Vance noted.

Ami raised a brow, “Oh?”

Heading up the spiraling staircase, the trio made no stops, and unlike before where Lara had struggled, Ami was the total opposite. Easily following close behind the horned red head and blonde general. Glancing over his shoulder, Vance wasn’t really surprised to see his fellow earthling able to keep up with their pace, given who it was he was the champion of. The god of war and strategy, Tiberius. Facing the front, he entered the tower and took a moment to admire the first floor of the future champion of war’s rooms. It was much like Mountainhelm’s room, in that it was sparely decorated, and appeared Spartan in the same regard. A few furnishings like simple chairs and tables, but nothing that stood out. Ami seemed a tad upset by how the first room appeared, but was already coming up with ways to change the layout.

“Already thinking up what you’re going to do with the room?” Vance observed, noting Ami’s eyes scan the room.

Nodding, “Something like that. Might set up my dojo here. Gotta keep that flame of war going man!” he grinned.

Richard rolled his eyes as he clicked his tongue, “Great, another crazy bastard to look after.”

Vance smiled, he knew Richard didn’t mean it, but it was Ami who brought the thought to word as he said, “You’re a bit of tsundere, aren’t you?”

“Oh my god! No!” Vance began to laugh at how blunt the raven haired samurai was.

Richard looked confused for a moment not sure what the word meant, and tilted his head, “A what?”

“Nothing!” Vance blurted, “It’s nothing to worry about, just… lets move on, eh?” Vance pressed on, shoving Ami forward and up the next flight of stairs to the next level.

Ami just shrugged, “His loss.”

As the trio went up, everything was virtually like Mountainhelm’s tower, minus the forges, but upon reaching the final floor, it was clear who this tower was meant for, as the whole room was styled like an arena. Arrayed on each of the walls were rows and rows of practice weapons—many of which were made of wood with the odd sword being made of blunted iron. Some armour lay untouched for thousands of years, yet despite their ancient appearance, they looked as though they were crafted just yesterday.

“Oh shit! Now this… this! Is going to be my dojo!”

“Well, I’d hope so,” Vance said as he stood next to a single ancient blade the rested up in a nave near the far end of the circular wall, “But, this… this is what you’re here for.”

Ami stepped forward to examine the blade, while Richard stood a respectful distance near the edge of the stairs.

“Blade looks old, but… still usable. Not sure it’ll suit my style though, Vance,” Ami commented, as he reached out to grab the hilt.

“Just wait.”

Suddenly, as his right hand gripped the leather bound hilt, the room lit up in the same gentle light, the blade emanating the divine power that wrapped around it. Vance watched, more accustomed to the light now after seeing it for the third time, and looked back over his shoulder to see two gods flanking either side of Julia who looked to her Champion.

“Ha! About time!” Grinned Tiberius, “I am looking forward to our meeting.”

Nodding, Vance was keenly aware how he had to meet with the pantheon again, and he found himself slightly curious to see how this conversation would go. Having the ability to talk to three gods was something he hadn’t yet had the chance to do, and it’d be interesting to understand what he was given by Tiberius when he was sent to do the task of uniting Tavaria. As the light faded, so too did the deities, and once again, another champion stood before him, holding the blade that took the shape most suited to them. In the case of Ami, it was a Katana slightly longer at forty-five inches, appearing as though it was made by the legendary swordsmith, Gorō Nyūdō Masamune. Ami stood in awe as he held the sword aloft, he could hardly believe his eyes. It’s black mune seemingly shined in the artificial light, while the hamon itself looked as though it was adamantine coated in a silver finish. Everything about the blade screamed war god. It’s tsuba took on the shape of a Japanese dragon that looked as though it was chasing after its own tail, while the tsuka itself was wrapped in the traditional diamond style, with a gold dragon underneath. The dragon icon wasn’t lost on Vance either, given all the motifs and the literal dragon who stood beside him.

Ami turned to face Vance, and in turn he shot him a smile, “Told you.”

“I-I know now,” Ami stuttered, walking up to Vance, he immediately took a knee before him, “I know now my role. Before I thought of myself as just another isekei character, going day to day, feeling as if this is just a game, from becoming an adventurer to then a mercenary. Meeting you and subsequently getting beaten and betrayed left me in a state of shock. But now, through this communion, I've realized how foolish I was!" I, Ame Matsuo, swear myself to your service, as your vassal, your knight, your general. My sword—my life are yours to do with as you please, my Emperor.” Ami swore, his tone and personality seemingly shifting from the boisterous battle junky to that of a humble man swearing an oath to his king.

Reaching down, Vance helped him to his feet and rested his hand on his shoulder, “You need not call me Emperor, nor would I want you to. All champions, no matter who they are, or what they were are equal to me in my mind.”

Richard stepped up, giving Ami, a bow of his head, “and let me be the first to welcome the champion of Tiberius, you are his son on this plain, and the greatest warrior second to none in the martial arts.”

Ami returned the gesture, his boyish smile soon returning as he returned the bow with his own, “Thank you… both of you,” he replied, looking up to Vance once more, “I felt lost, and now, I feel whole again, and already my mind is swimming with ideas!”

“Just like Lara when she awoke her powers.” Vance noted with a chuckle.

Ami nodded, “It’s… overwhelming, if I’m being honest.” He started, looking down at the blade again, “before I was like a child swinging a blade, but now-” pausing, the look of determination was set upon his face, “now I know everything there is to know about a blade, and the responsibility of having one. This weapon is part of me, and carries with it a part of my soul.”

“Poetic.” Vance remarked

“Heh… yeah. Hey, you, uh, well, you don’t mind if I go ahead and start doing my thing, do you?” Ami asked as he sheathed his new blade.

“Do your thing?” Vance tilted his head, curious to know what it was his future general had in mind.

Ami scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed to say, “Well… I kinda have the idea to start my own regiment. I just—well I know how to form, train, and educate warriors now, and the ones I want to make are based off the ones who wore the haori I wear.” Ami replied.

It was then that it dawned on him, “The Shinsengumi?”

“Yeah! If there’s to be an elite unit tasked with guarding you and all those you deem important, I believe there is no better than the Wolves of Mibu!” Ami’s voice was brimming with excitement now, “I already know what I’ll name them too—The Wolves of Luna!”

At that, Vance couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head given the word play there, “Yeah, by all means. I trust you with founding the regiment, Ami.”

Ami was beaming with pride now, “Thank you! I’ll get started right away, shouldn’t take me long to form either if I’m able to pull a few soldiers from the Marines.”

“Go hard. Just make sure to visit Lara in her forge when she gets back. She’ll help forge the armour and equipment needed for the unit, as I’m sure you’ll have your work cut out for you since you’ll no doubt have to educate each Marine in the way of the blade, as I had the rifle.” Vance said.

Shaking his head, “Not really. I’ll only select those who already have an understanding of the blade, which should make it easier to forge a stronger unit. Plus, given how the entire regiment have faced death and took a life, I’ll not have to worry about bringing out their aggression… main problem with taking green troops and folks off the street is teaching them to be aggressive. But anyways, I’ll shoot Lara a list… once I figure out who that is.” Ami admitted, with a nervous chuckle.

“Ah! Right, you haven’t met her yet. Shit, sorry, well, uh, instead just go meet up with Estrid. She’s in her office,” As Vance spoke, he pulled out a map from behind his cuirass and laid it out on a nearby table before pointing to where Estrid was waiting.

“Perfect. So then, I just let her know then?”

“Pretty much. She’ll guide you the rest of the way. But for now, I don’t think you’ll need to worry so much since Lara is still in Anceburg gathering materials necessary for some new weapons.”

At the talk of new weapons, Ami raised a brow, “Oh? Huh, well, whatever, I’ll just get started with selecting some of your veteran Marines then with the help of Estrid.”

“Sounds good, in the meantime, me and Richard here have some business to attend to. I take it I can leave you alone to find Estrid?” Vance asked.

“Hundred percent.”

“Awesome, I’ll meet you at the war room in a few days then… I’ll show you where once all is said and done.”

After that, the three went their separate ways after some small talk on the way down the spire. Ami had gone from enemy general, to POW, to now a samurai sworn to Vance. As he went on his way to visit Estrid as instructed, Vance stood in the hallway.

“The Wolves of Luna, huh?”