The sound of clashing metal rings in his ears as the lieutenants lead Justice through the newly built training grounds.

It's turning out nicely. It has racks that include a large variety of weapons, multiple well-structured sparring rings, and a few dozen sturdy dummies. Previously, all they had were handmade stone circles, so this is a strong improvement.

That's odd. They passed the training grounds.

"Where are we heading? You're making me feel like you plan to mug me," Justice says with a playful smile.

"I've thought about it," Gavriil responds, his delivery making it hard to tell if he's joking.

"Although, it would put a damper on our entertainment," Filib adds in, covering his lower face to hide the growing amusement.

Gavriil strokes his chin. "That's true... guess I'll postpone my plans for now."

"I'm beginning to believe you two are more of a threat to me than the shades," Justice says, staring up at the towering cyclops.

Gavriil's mouth curves up slightly. "Took you long enough."

Filib suddenly stops. "We've arrived."

Up ahead, Eileen drags a spear across the ground.

She's using the newly steel-plated weapon that was previously her husband's. She rarely uses that spear unless... oh.

"You called for me?" Justice asks.

"Ah, there you are." After carving a circle into the dirt, she turns to meet him, placing the blunt end of her spear on the ground. "I have a request for you."

Ever since she pulled herself out of depression, seeing her is always a pleasure. As a counselor, he loves to see anyone recover, but the incredible amount of improvement he sees in Eileen makes Justice feel the light of Hikari shine upon him. The growth in confidence brings such strong flames in her hazel eyes.

"You coming? Or are you just going to stare all day?" Eileen says, moving her hand to her hip.

Justice glances at the carved dirt, the circle confirming his suspicion.

He turns to his lieutenants, "that's why you two were excited."

Their malicious smiles return in response.

"I'm glad I don't have to spell it out to you for once." Eileen twirls her spear, ending her performance by aiming the tip at Justice.

Entering the sparring circle, Justice shakes his head and grabs for his rapier. "You all have such bloodthirst..." His pose oozes cockiness as he enters posture. "Think you can win this time, Eileen?"

"Oh yeah. You're going down, you confident prick." She charges as soon as he gets into place. Starting strong, she swings with a multitude of wild blows.

She's been practicing. Although she attacks viciously, there's a clear precision in her attacks, giving him very little time to counter. But he knows however much she's improved she will become overconfident soon. He just has to wait for the right time.

The metal clashes, sparks flying in every direction. The fight transforms into a dance as they dash across the field. Her spear thrusting out, dragging in, swinging left, slashing right. His rapier stabbing forth, stepping back, blocking right, parrying left.

The lieutenants couldn't help but stare in amazement at the beauty of the duel.

"I didn't know Gavriil could teach someone to fight so precisely," Justice says, ducking under an attack.

"You knew?" She asks, her blade slashing down at his head.

He rolls out of the way. "It wasn't hard to find out. He's constantly around you."

"I like his presence, he reminds me of my husband." She thrusts her spear forward, cutting his cheek. She pauses her attack. "Oh, you probably know, because of your supreme intelligence and all, but I've been getting lessons from Filib too."

He lets out an "Ah" as he stares at the spear's blade parallel to his face. Knocking the spear away, he flips backwards, gaining distance and regaining his form.

Waiting for her to get overconfident might take longer than usual. He's going to have to push her to the edge.

Once again charging at him, she swings the metal shaft. He dashes towards her, a loud clang sounds throughout the village as he blocks the middle of the spear. "They've taught you well. Your skills have improved immensely." The words cause her to pause.

He's been preparing for this moment. Just in case of a situation like this, he always held back words of encouragement, so when the time comes he can create an opportunity to strike.

She recovers much quicker than expected, but not soon enough. She throws her fist at his face, hoping to push him back, but he dodges to the side and kicks at her heel, bringing her off balance. Before she falls, he spins around and slams his foot into her chest, flinging her back.

She falls hard onto the ground, grunting in pain. Still grasping her spear, she tries to get up but stops when she sees the rapier at her throat.

"It seems I win again," Justice says teasingly.

"Don't be so sure of yourself. I'll wipe that cocky smile off your face one of these days," she responds, picking herself up to her knees. She glances at Filib, who nods in response.

"We will see," Justice responds, eyeing the centaur, before sheathing his blade. He looks down at the dirt covering his clothes. "Why'd you create a sparring circle instead of using one we have? Dirt isn't really known for its high quality."

"Oh, I have my reasons..." Her face twists, bursting back into action as soon as Justice looks away. She slashes the ground, the dirt shooting into his eyes.

The Lieutenants cheer at her revival.

With the momentum of the upward slash, she leaps into the air, raising her spear. With the light of the sun shining behind her, the gleaming spear strikes down upon him.

He blocks just in time, the tip of the spear inches above his face. "You are very persistent."

"I'm persistence personified," she responds, the fire in her eyes burning like a wildfire.

"Well done." A familiar figure appears.

Seeing the man, all four salute. "Thank you, Viktor..." Justice's eyes widen, and he awkwardly corrects, "sir."

Talking to Viktor always put him on edge. He's used to understanding what people think and feel, but with the inexpressive general, he's left completely in the dark.

Viktor pauses momentarily at the use of his name, then moves in front of Justice and Eileen. "I have seen a lot of growth in both you and this village, Captain. You have both brought attention to and brought out the untapped potential from the chieftess and the rest of the inhabitants. Because of that, I have a mission for you."

"Thank you, sir, but… is it fine to leave the village?"

Viktor's cold blue eyes pierce through him. "Do you feel like they need you to survive?"

"No," Justice responds, his head dropping.

"Then they will be fine."

Justice looks to his lieutenants. "Will I keep the same team?"

"Due to the terms of the mission, we can only send four people, the rest will stay here. Your team will include yourself, first lieutenant Filib, second lieutenant Gavriil... and chieftess Eileen."

"But the village needs a leader. Isn't she needed here?" He asks, raising his voice more than intended.

Eileen places a hand on his shoulder. "Relax, Justice. Viktor's mentioned this to me before. I've already prepared Jorges for the role."

Right, Jorges, Eileen's right-hand man. He had an exceptional boost of his own over the past few months. After the attack, he was riddled with guilt for his weakness and vowed to become a guardian of the village, like Lander was.

He wasn't bluffing.

He practiced relentlessly with the spear, his previously scrawny frame now encased with muscle. He has the mental capacity to take care of the village, and Justice's men will be here too, so everything should be fine.

But what worried Justice was the possibility that there were some parts of Eileen's mental state that she's hiding. While miraculous recoveries can happen, he doesn't think it is possible for her to have healed completely.

"Jorges would be a good chief... but..." His tone becomes grim, filling with compassion. "Will you be fine?"

She stares at the ground for a while, before responding, "thank you for worrying about me, Justice, but I'll be alright." She points to the two lieutenants, and her voice lightens up. "I got those two, for one thing." Then points to him. "And I got Professor feelings himself. I'll be fine."

After staring her down for a while, Justice gives in. "Alright, fine. But if there's any sign of reemerging problems, as your counselor, I'll have to send you back."

"Works for me," she says, her words holding just enough sincerity for him to let it go.

"With that out of the way... Are you ready, captain?" Viktor asks, a slight hint of impatience in his voice.

"Yes, sir!" Justice jerks back into a salute, causing Eileen to crack a half-smile and Gavriil to snort in the background, quickly regaining himself after noticing the side glare from Filib.

Viktor's sharp gaze moves to the lieutenants. "Come, I will tell you all of your mission's details."

With a, "sir," they move to the captain's flanks.

Viktor paces in front of them, his arms behind his back. "You all have a very important job. It's a vital diplomatic mission in keeping our advantage over the shadow empire... one we've been trying to accomplish for a long time."

"You are going to create an alliance with the minotaurs."