Inside a room, there were two people sitting on chairs with only a table splitting them apart.

Both were males and is wearing those clothes of a soldier. They're pretty much alike from a perspective of a person passing by but you can see the difference of the two if you just look at them with a bit of care.

Both were wearing an armor but one was wearing a cuirass while the other was wearing a chainmail.

Both were generals of their respective army but unlike the other one which still has his army intact the other on the other hand was decimated already.

One was called General White and the other is called General Black.

It was a total coincidence that their name was total opposite of each other.

They both became ally at one point, working together for the glorious Empire but became enemies when General White decided to leave the Empire and somehow became a general in the Kingdom of Numero

General Black was the highest general of the Empire of Colis. Over the years of his life, he accumulated achievements and victories over the enemies of the Empire, from the outside and even the inside of the Empire.

All of this accumulation of achievement lead him to become the Light General which is considered to be only lower in rank than the Emperor himself in terms of command of the army.

He was also once a superior of General White back when he was in the care of the Empire.

But today, General Black is just a general with no army.

He was already captured by the enemy and is currently talking to General White which he was once a superior of. Now, he's just a prisoner of war.

General White on the other hand is an Honorary Commander of the army of the Kingdom of Numero.

His tittle is a newly created title created for him specifically by the king of the kingdom.

Most didn't actually know the actual scope nor the limitations of his command but the reality is that he commands no army. His command over the troops comes over a series of chain of command from him, to the generals assigned by the nobles to command their army to the army itself. So unless the nobles lend him their troops or let him lead the army which what most of the other nobles gladly did he was just an ordinary man with an extraordinary title.

You can say that the title itself was all for legitimacy.

Suddenly as the two were talking, the curtains that acts as a door that leads to the exit of the room was moved.

It was moved by a girl now entering the said room.

Because of this sudden happening, the two generals instinctively look at the direction where the girl is entering.

"Didn't I said to!... Isa you're back!"

The name of the girl who entered is Isa, currently working as a guest general of the Kingdom and is in command of the most elite force of the kingdom, she acts as one of the assistant of White.

She, working for the kingdom on its own was unusual in it itself not because she's a woman but because she's an old empire slave.

The Kingdom of Numero doesn't have a Slavery system on their kingdom but they're still a bit reluctant accepting refugee slaves that run away from the Empire or any other countries which have a system of such.

All to more with the Empire now growing in power suddenly from a once thought of as a collapsing power. Just the thought of the Empire being angry at them because of the issue of slaves can cause a heated discussion among the nobles.

Her title as a guest general of the kingdom was given to her by the King himself on the recommendation of General White.

Like General White, it was a never seen before title which was hastily made by the kingdom to recruit this two talented people.

Not one was sure by the actual scope of power a guest general have but by the decree of the king of the kingdom, she currently is the chief commander of the "Sacred Numbers" which is the elite army of the kingdom.

"Sir, I wasn't able to convince Four so I didn't follow the plan of telling the other Generals."

"Shit! Is he going to sound us out?"

"He said that he won't tell anyone and wishes you luck."

"That four! I even made sure to bring him to the front to make him learn yet he did this to me."

"I think that's the reason why he didn't join you sir."

"Shit!"

"What's the matter kid?"

"Ahh, no it's just a small incident."

"Why do you want to tell your plan to your other people? Wouldn't that just fuck up your plans more easily kid?

"Well, yes that's true but, it would be more convincing if they also collaborated.."

"Heh! You don't really need to be that careful you... Never mind."

"Yeah, that's right gramps. Just shut up."

The old man Black as White called him didn't try to continue on the subject and to his surprise, he found out something which is worth a talk.

"Wait, is that girl Isa? She grew up fast! Wasn't she just a small girl the last time I saw her?"

"She's on her sprouting years."

"I don't see her "necklace", did you remove it?"

"Cheh! I should have removed that from the start! It's just more safer for her in the Empire to have it."

"I guess, it's one of the perks of the kingdom. Are you eating well kid?"

The Empire of Colis just years ago have a problem of people getting abducted left and right.

Kids from rich family to even the heirs of a small businessman, as long as they knew that they can take some money, you should already expect that someone is planning on abducting someone from your family.

It all has got to do with the sudden decline of the Colis economy. Which raised the amount of criminals and the criminal activity.

That includes kidnapping for the exchange of money.

Which is to say that slaves which is said to be even lower than servants usually wouldn't go in the sights of the Criminals usually.

Because of this, some even go to the lengths of lowering their pride and even wear the iconic slave collar just to feel more safe and sound.

"Hah? Didn't we just eat Gramps?"

"Not you brat, I was talking to this lady here."

"What? You're a child predator now?"

"Waahh! Don't fuck with me kid, I'll kill you here for real, I'm telling!... "

The girl named Isa instantly moved her body to use it as shield for a possible attack to White.

"Ohhh, no need for that look kid. Well, I see that you're doing fine."

"She earns good money on her own now."

"Yeah... I heard that she became a general of the kingdom. What's with the kingdom hiring some deserters anyway?"

"They have no choice, it's either me or their overly healthy nobles. They don't really have a choice at all if you ask me."

"The kingdom was on its long vacation in battle after all. They were pretty good at negotiations though."

"They're also good at handling their money."

"Yeah.. now that you've said that. Why all my men died in this battle anyway was because the Princess wanting to secure a nice deal out of the kingdom."

"She sent 50,000 troops for that?"

"Even I don't know what that girl is thinking. You don't even worth that much..."

"Ha? I didn't hear you quite clearly Gramps."

"Nothing."

"Didn't she study about Numero, you don't really need to show power against them. Yet she.."

"Of course she knows about that, but somehow... Your king somehow became more stingy than usual in the negotiation table."

"That king? He easily gave me his army.. technically it's to Isa but you get the point."

"In short, the legend is true that they are good at using their brain. They even figured that you're going to win this war after all. But I don't really care anymore. I'm going to die here anyway."

"Ohh that's right. Isa, how's the plan again?"

"The plan is still alright Sir. The doubles are already waiting outside."

"How do you plan to pose them as us boy?"

"They don't really need to. I'll just need to cover up the body and have Isa's helper help us fool the others.

"Isa, what about the helpers?"

"I already fooled them into joining, it should all be okay now."

"Wait kid, how are we going to die again?.. hey, don't look at me like that!"

"Gramps... You're really old now. But okay, I'll tell you again my genius plan."

...

"Hey, hey. Did you hear about our new general?"

"Yeah, I already saw her, she's a beauty you know!"

"But I heard she was a past slave of the supreme commander?"

"Really? That's a shame."

"What are you all talking about?"

"Ehh who?... General Isa mam!"

""Huupp!""

When they heard the one soldier who recognize Isa, they all straighten up their body and saluted to Isa.

"It's ok. Just do your job properly."

""Yes Mam!""

After that short moment of interaction, Isa proceed to go on her destination.

"Dude you're right! She was a beauty! How did she even became a slave in the first place."

"And it looks like she is such a good person too!"

"Her beauty is a crime?"

"Hahahahah, that's a good one!"

"But seriously. With her beauty, don't you think that the supreme commander won't do something to her at night?"

With one person mentioning a certain type of possibility, everyone from the group was stopped at their feet, shocked at what they heard.

"Oh shit... And she looks like a really nice person too."

"Yeah, how did she even get to the military. Not that I don't like it.. hahaha."

"Hear this, our new commander is actually a famous general from the Empire."

"Shit, for real? The kingdom really fished a big guy this time huh?.. why did he leave the Empire then? Wasn't the Empire growing again?"

"Well. Somehow, he deserted the Empire."

"Seriously? Sounds like a dream life to me though."

"Yeah... If I waere him, my nights would be heaven even with just Miss Isa."

"You wish."

After Isa left, the soldiers continue to chat with each other.

This soldiers are part of the professional standing army of the kingdom. They are called "The Sacred Numbers".

The Sacred Numbers are said to be the representation of the original number of people who fought and helped established the kingdom as a country.

They numbered 6900 no more, no less.

This troops are directly working for the king or to a person that the king will appoint to command them.

Because of the professional mindset built in the minds of this soldiers, it is said that they would even follow a kid as long as their King said so.

And it is said that with their strength, even if the said kid makes a big mistake on his decision. The strength of the sacred numbers could even make a miracle and win an impossible battle.

All the soldiers of the "Sacred Numbers" were all trained in the arts of combat which is said to match no one.

Although the kingdom is at peace for a very long time, this elite troops is said to be able to match any battle harden troops of even the Empire.

This is because of the late king that made a reform which ensures that the "Sacred Numbers" would be able to adapt to any types of warfare and strategies.

Through sending researchers into their neighboring country, they would always know how wars and battles are being conducted. Even their strength and weaknesses are reviewed and is applied to their army.

They also send in their soldiers to other battles that includes their allies to make them able to experience battle. This is done so that in times of need, their soldiers would be ready and would be experienced enough to battle any enemy of the Kingdom is going to have.

Their adaptability also didn't just include warfare and strategy but also their weapons and armor which is made sure to be made in best quality.

All this changes are done because of the past events that happened to the kingdom includes loosing against one of its neighbors.

...

In the night inside the camp of the "Sacred Numbers", a group of Soldiers patrolling saw General Isa walking around.

From their perspective it looks to them that Isa somewhat looks uncomfortable which is why they called out to her.

"General Isa Mam, what's the matter?"

"Ohh, it's just you guys, I was just being called by the commander about something."

Although, their status is those of superior and subordinates, Isa made it open how approachable she is that almost all soldiers are pretty lenient with him.

But even though the situation is like this, she and the other officers made sure that the order and rules are maintained.

The officers also took extra steps to make sure that no soldier will try to cross the line with the female general by punishing those who will even try.

"I'll be on my way now. Stay vigilant you guys!"

"Yes Mam!"

Isa continued on her way to go to the office of the Supreme Commander and left the soldiers.

The soldiers which is left right where they are didn't move from their position at all and just look at the back of Isa as she left.

...

Because of the thing they saw, all of them look at each other.

"Dude, you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Yeah! That guy is definitely calling for our General for the deed!"

"Do you think she's forced?"

"Nahh, General Isa is a free woman already. She can't be just forced by commander in the Kingdom even if he is the highest commander."

"But man, you're at the back so you didn't see but the General looks really uneasy."

"Yeah, that's even the reason why I called out to her dude."

"Ehhh? Are you sure about that? What if you're just mistaken?"

"Possible but wasn't she a slave back then? Didn't you know how Empire control their slaves."

"Ohh yeah, someone said to me that they are being hypnotized. Maybe General Isa is being controlled too."

"Seriously?"

"What do we do? Do we report the him?"

The guy that suggested it instantly moved his body after he said that but he was stopped immediately by his peers.

"Stop, dude. Did you forgot already?"

He look at the soldier that stopped him and asked.

"What?"

"Do you not remember that the one who placed him in his position was the king himself?"

"Oh yeah. if I remember, he even made him a special title.. dude, I think we should just leave them alone."

Suddenly, while they were talking to each other. A man shouted at them.

"Hooooyy!! You lot! Back to your duty!"

Their instinct that was drilled into them suddenly moved their body so they answered as hard as they can.

"Sir! Yes! Sir!"