Commader Helgen waked down the brightly lit corridor, the walls were decorated with paintings depicting battles, the atmosphere was that of wealth and luxury. Something that suited the minister of war extremely well. Helgen was called for by the minister of war from his station in the west, he hadn't heard anything about it since he was originally sent for. This said this was something he could not decline as it was from a minister, one of the countries leaders. Everyone in the Republican army trusted the minister of war more than any other as in their eyes he was the most competent out of them all when it came to tactics, the only reason the Republic is as strong as it is now is because of the minister. The Reich was unbeatable due to their tacticians being equal to the minister and didn't have to seek the agreement of a minister of defence.
When he reached the ministers door, Helgen could hear arguing inside, as he had never been to a place like this before he assumed it was normal. He knocked twice, both heavy with a slight pause in between, after he knocked the arguing went silent.
"come in"
He immediately opened the door, entered and stood at attention "Minister Versai, I've come at your request sir" he wasn't sure how to act exactly but he knew that he had to act in this way or along the lines of that. The room was even more luxurious than the hallway, the room had two massive paintings of a medieval battle, the two armies led by Kings, one on a pale white horse the other on a pitch black horse with black armour, ministers were stood in front of it.
" stand at ease commander, you don't need to do that here, please take a seat while i talk to my colleague real quick" the minister of war look around sixty with a long white beard, with a cigar protruding from the beard. Helgen sat down im front while the two ministers talked, he could hear what they could say every now and then.
"The Reich continues to grow its army we need to build defences along the western theatre. Only then can we have a chance to hold out against their infantry and mage battalions." The two sounded stressed as they conversed about it, the topic sounded urgent yet only one of them was distressed. The minister of defence was not concerned, he had a serious look on his face when he said" those imperial dogs wouldn't dare mess with us, they have learnt by now that they cannot win, i don't care what you think about them you need to stop expanding the military."
Helgen knew that he wasn't supposed to hear what they were talking about as he was only a commander of an old fort in the east. In the terms of republican army ranks he was just below a colonel but apove a major and therefore still doesn't have the privilege to be able to listen to these sorts of conversations. It was important that he didn't annoy the minister otherwise he could lose his job, Helgen has been in the army for over 20 years dedicating the majority of his life to fighting for his country. He doesn't know what else to other than fight. "sir, im sorry but i really shouldn't hear such confidential information" the two ministers stoped talking and looked at Helgen, they looked suprised but not angry, it was like this for a good few seconds but to Helgen it felt like a lifetime.
"Commander Helgen, do you wish to know why you want to know why you were summoned here. Your here because your being promoted. From now on your a colonel and have the privilege to be able to listen to this information, this decision was made due to your strong loyalty to our nation, and the deeds you have done. In the eyes of many soldiers your a hero and so you should be honoured "
Helgen was suprised, he couldn't comprehend what had happened. "Colonel, damn, i didn't realise that's why I was here" Helgen thought to himself, he's never been out to earn a promotion he has only ever done what he thought as right, he would fight but only because he thought it was right.
The minister stoped clapping and then became serious as he stated" we don't have long before war breaks out between the a Reich and us we have to prepare, what do you think about this colonel, where would you put defences and how would you go about planning." Helgen thought about it for a good few minutes before he explained what he would do "I believe that we should increase our defences along the border, this would serve as a defence and an intimidation method, if the Reich sees that we have strong fortifications along our border then it should back down." with this the ministers contemplated what Helgen said, they were there for a good few minutes thinking over this. Helgen guessed that they just needed a trusted third opinion on the matter. As he waited for the ministers to finish thinking about it, he looked outside through the window, he could see all the ciry lights from the capital, to him they looked just like stars in the night sky, Helgen always thought that the capital, Parie, was the most beautiful city on the planet. As long as this city stands the republic would never lose.