*Three weeks later*
"Uwaah!" I gazed at the majestic city of Al-Fiore, the capital of the kingdom of Cantawarabur as I sit atop my horse.
The city is located between two giant mountains serving as barriers. The city walls span a distance of 2 kilometers. The city has tall reinforced stone walls that reach up to 20 meters tall, a huge iron gate is located at the center of the wall that functions as the city's entrance.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Said Gellard.
"It truly is, even though we're still quite far from it, just by gazing it from here I can already tell that the city sure is beautiful."
"True, my father told me that behind the city is a giant port, different trading ships and battleships stop on the city's docks often. If what my father said is true, then I can say that the city is prosperous." Said Gellard.
"Ohh! We should check it out then!"
"Don't worry, once we enlisted in the army we will depart to Elyon by ship, Elyon may be a neighboring kingdom. But what separates our kingdom from theirs is a series of steep mountain ranges. Horses can't traverse the steepness of the mountain range, so I'm sure we'll travel there by using a ship." Said Gellard.
"Oh, the more you know…"
Gellard and I continued our way to the city of Al-Fiore, on the way we traversed farmlands filled with crops and the occasional creeks that waters the crops.
Nearing the city's entrance, I saw how huge the gate is. The gate is as big as a three-story home! The walls are patrolled by a large number of soldiers which is not that surprising since it is the kingdom's capital.
"Hold! Please state your identity and what business you may have inside the city." Said by a Gate Guard.
"We are adventurers seeking to join the kingdom's military."
"Oh, more greenhorns eh. Alright, you may enter, you can enlist at the barrack found near the docks." Said by the guard.
"Okay, thanks!"
We entered the walls of the city, at last, what greeted us is a bustling city filled with stone homes and tall buildings that span up to 6 stories tall.
"Uwaa! This city is amazing! Hey, look! There's a giant lion over there! Let's go check it out!"
*Cough!*
"Ahem! We're not here to sightsee Noel, we're here to enlist! C'mon, let's go to the docks." Said by Gellard as he grabs my hand.
"H-hey! Let me go! I wanna pet the lion~"
"No can do Noel, stop whining!"
"Uwuuuuh~ Fine!"
We went to the city's center and asked for directions on where the docks are located. After asking a random passerby, we went west of the city where the docks are.
When we arrived at the docks, we saw a long line of people entering the barracks. The barracks are filled with people going in and out as some are directed to the tents behind the barracks with happy faces whilst others are heading back to the town square with sullen expressions.
"Woah, look at the long line. It'll take us quite a while to enlist." Said Gellard.
I nodded at his comment, but then I suddenly remember the emblem given to me by Old Man Hubert. I took out the badge engraved with a rose.
"Hm? What's that?" said Gellard.
"It's the badge given to me by Uncle Hubert, he said if I ever need help in the capital, I just need to show this to one of the guards."
"Ohhhh, that token can be useful to us then. Wait… did I hear that right? What���s the name of the uncle you said again?" said Gellard.
"Oh? Ah, he isn't really my uncle, he's just an old guy that I met before I started being an adventurer. His name is Hubert, at least that's what he told me."
"Hubert huh? Hmmm, Hubert, Hubert… OHH!!" exclaimed by Gellard.
I raised an eyebrow as I looked at the shocked expression of my companion.
"What?" Questioned I.
"Noel, you just met a Legendary figure!" said Gellard.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"You, my friend, have met a person of high renown and status! Look at the token that the 'Uncle Hubert' you've been talking about gave you, check if there is a name." said Gellard.
I looked at the bronze emblem as I examined it carefully, the badge is made with stainless steel and a rose with thorns is engraved on the badge, I flipped the badge as I check its other side, on the other side are engraved letters of H.F.
"Hmm, the badge has the initials of H and F at its back, do you know what that means?" said I.
"H and F? N-Noel! I knew it! You really did meet a legendary person!" said Gellard.
"Huh? Legendary person? Who?"
"You just met the captain of the Knights of the Black Rose, Hubert Fordragon!"
My eyes went wide at the information I've received.
"What! Really?! The Hubert Fordragon? The Wolf? You're kidding right?! I-I've actually met such a person…"
Lord Hubert Fordragon, Captain of the Knights of the Black Rose, The Might of Cantawarabur, The Demi-God, The Lone Wolf, etc. Lord Hubert Fordragon is a figure of imaginable status and power, he is born in a prestigious noble family that served the royalty of the kingdom of Cantawarabur since the first war that occurred two hundred years ago, the house of Fordragon. A lineage of exceptional warriors.
"Hahahaha! Who would've thought that you personally met the legendary Wolf! Not only that, you even received an emblem from him! I envy your luck, Noel!" said Gellard.
'So that old man is actually the legendary Lone Wolf… If he's the Lone Wolf, then what's the status of Libera?'
"Hey, Gellard, Do you know a girl that goes by the name of Libera?" I asked.
Gellard places his hand on his chin as he ponders.
"Hmm, Libera, Libera… I don't know a girl with such a name. Why do you ask?"
"Well, it's the name of a person that traveled with uncle Hubert. She has brown hair and has tanned skin."
"Hmmm… I don't know who that is, but I think we could just ask later." said Gellard.
"Alright. Let's try using this emblem then, we'll see if we can enlist faster using this badge."
"Good Idea! We might get preferential treatment with the badge that the Wolf gave to you." said Gellard.
We skipped the long line as we headed to the entrance of the barracks on where a man with full-body armor is sitting in front of the entrance writing down on a piece of paper.
"You know skipping the line is an act of misconduct, if you want to enlist go to the back of the line." Said by the man as he continues writing on a piece of paper with a quill.
I approached the armored man with the band on hand.
"Uhm, we're here to enlist in the army… I was wondering if this emblem can help us." I placed the stainless steel emblem on the table.
The man stopped writing as he looked at the emblem with a face filled with incredulity. He grabs the emblem as he questions me.
"Where did you get this?" said the man.
"It was given to me by an old man named Hubert. He said If I needed help I just have to show this to one of the guards since as we are enlisting in the army, I was wondering if this can help us enlist quicker."
"It was given to you by Lord Fordragon?" said the man with disbelief.
The man stood up from his seat as he motions us to follow him.
"Sergeant, you replace me for now. I'll just have to escort these two inside, I'll be back shortly." said the man.
"As you wish, Lieutenant, sir." said the soldier as he made a fist on his chest.
"Come, follow me. I'll lead you inside to where my commanding officer is." said the Lieutenant.
We followed the man as we entered inside the barracks, inside we saw many soldiers talking and competing at each other. We went and climbed up the stairs as we arrived on the third floor of the barracks, the floor's hallway is wide as we walked towards two wooden doors.
The Lieutenant opened the door and entered the room as we followed him. Inside the room is a black haired middle-aged man with a robust body wearing a leather vest as he writes on a piece of parchment paper. We approached the man as the Lieutenant spoke.
"Captain, we have two adventurers who want to enlist in the army." said the Lieutenant
"You could've enlisted them on your own, Jeinu, now go and stop bothering me." said the Captain.
"Well, Captain… One of them brings an emblem of the Knights of the Black Rose, it is also the emblem of Lord Fordragon." said Jeinu, the lieutenant.
The Captain stopped whatever he was doing and looked at us with a serious face.
"Are you sure, Jeinu?"
"Yes, Captain. Here's the badge that they showed me." said Jeinu, as he gave the badge to the Captain.
The Captain examined the badge as he flipped it over.
"Hmmm, this is indeed one of Sir Hubert Fordragon's badges." said the Captain.
The Captain looked at us as he examined both me and Gellard from head to toe.
"You may join the military, but first you two must be assessed by one of the trainers to see if you are fit for the military, I'll report your arrival to the high command, and before I forget, my name is Lyarn Blacktyde, Captain of the Eaglefire Company. Lieutenant Jeinu here, will escort you to the training grounds on where you will be assessed based on your combat prowess, I wish you luck. Lieutenant, if you may."
"Yes, Captain! Follow me you two." said Jeinu.
---End---
*Additional Information*
Company= A company is a military unit that consists of 80-150 soldiers.
Barracks= Barracks are buildings built to house military personnel or laborers. In the story's current situation, the barracks houses military people.