After that day, Askyros and his newly appointed aides departed to meet his new troops. Upon arriving, Askyros couldn't help but notice the state his headquarters was.
"...Is this place deserted or something?" [Ryse]
Their base was a large run-down cobblestone fort. Moss grew within the seams of the stones, and the wood used for the large wooden gate was splintered and seemed like it would break at any given moment. The only thing somehow holding it together were the rusted nails and plates of steel used to stick the wood together.
"Let's just get inside first." [Tida]
She looked up at one of the towers near the gate, and cleared her throat.
"Soldiers! Your Hestatus Cefalis has arrived! Come greet Sir Askyros!" [Tida]
There was no reply.
"Is there no one standing guard?" [Tida]
"There should be. The Sovereign of Faith granted Askyros command over five hundred troops. There's no way none of them heard you." [Ryse]
"...Maybe we went to the wrong place?" [Tida]
"Can't be…" [Ryse]
As the two began to question the authenticity of the location given to them, Askyros approached the worn down gate.
"Um, Askyros? What are you doing?" [Tida]
"..." [Askyros]
"Oh no, he's gonna do the thing." [Ryse]
Upon reaching the door, Askyros placed a hand on it. He then began to knock on the door randomly, as if he was searching for something.
"...Ryse? What's the thing?" [Tida]
"Tida. You need to get back. Like, right now." [Ryse]
Immediately after saying that, Ryse began to fumble around for his shield.
"...Found it." [Askyros]
Without a moment's hesitation, Askyros kicked the door. The gate completely shattered on impact. It was like dropping a pane of glass on the floor.
"Tida! Get down!" [Ryse]
He rushed over to Tida's side, raising a shield to defend against bullet-like splinters that flew at them.
"Ngh! Why do they hit so hard?!" [Ryse]
After the moment had passed, and most of the dust had died down, Ryse lowered his shield to see the wooden gate completely knocked off walls.
"Askyros! Why did you do that?!" [Ryse]
"..." [Askyros]
Remaining silent, he pointed into the building.
"What the hell was that…?!" [???]
"Are we being raided?!" [???]
"Where's my sword?!" [???]
Many voices echoed inside the fort, and soon, many people gathered in front. Each of them wore plated armor with engravings of a cross on their chestplate, clearly indicating that they were soldiers of the Sovereign of Faith.
"Oh, that's quite a bit of people…" [Tida]
"That five hundred wasn't an exaggeration, huh…" [Ryse]
The soldiers gripped their weapons, taking slow cautious steps towards the three.
"I'll uh… Leave this to you Askyros." [Ryse]
"..." [Askyros]
As the troops inched closer, one of them worked up enough courage to speak.
"Who are you? You do realize that you've attacked a fortress under the banner of The Sovereign of Faith!" [Soldier]
Askyros observed the area after hearing those words.
"..." [Askyros]
After taking a good look at the state of the building, he turned his attention to the soldier.
"A fortress? You're overexaggerating." [Askyros]
"What?" [Soldier]
"This fort is run-down. Barely usable. Unclean. Trash. Garbage. I'm surprised that you're shameless enough to associate the Sovereign of Faith with this place." [Askyros]
"You…" [Soldier]
He glanced at his allies, armed himself with a spear, and pointed its edge at Askyros.
"You're talking an awful lot like you own this place." [Soldier]
The soldier scowled, clearly angered by Askyros' words.
"...What do you think, Ryse?" [Askyros]
Looking over his shoulder, he nodded towards his right hand man.
"Erm…" [Ryse]
Clearing his throat, Ryse stepped forward.
"Well you see… He does own this place." [Ryse]
"..." [Soldier]
The soldiers glanced at each other, immediately breaking out into laughter a moment later.
"You're delusional!" [Cheery Soldier]
"What other jokes has he got!" [Snickering Soldier]
"..." [Askyros]
The soldiers took it well. They laughed until they were satisfied, and saw the three in a better light.
"Alright, alright. That was pretty funny. Just because of that, we'll let you go if you leave now." [Soldier]
"...We really can't. My friend owns this place." [Ryse]
"Yeah, yeah. The same joke ain't funny twice." [Soldier]
"It isn't a joke." [Ryse]
"And neither is this." [Soldier]
Pointed the tip of his spear at Ryse, he aimed to intimidate them.
"...Fine. I guess we'll make it simpler for you guys." [Ryse]
"Oh? You're finally gonna leave?" [Soldier]
"Askyros, could you turn around for a sec?" [Ryse]
"..." [Askyros]
Heeding Ryse's request, Askyros turned around. As soon as his back faced the soldiers, the color from their faces drained.
"Th-That's…!" [Soldier]
Pointing at Askyros' back, they were left in awe by the blue cape Askyros was bestowed by the Sovereign of Faith.
"Yeah, that's right. It's the cape of a Hestatus Cefalis. And you all pointed your weapons towards someone of a higher rank. Doesn't that call for punishment?" [Ryse]
The soldiers became frightened. Pointing a weapon towards their superior was a serious offense, enough to be executed.
"Pl-please spare us! We were ignorant!" [Soldier]
"Hm… Should we? What do you think, Askyros?" [Ryse]
Askyros turned his body back to the soldiers, taking another look at the building before staring the soldiers down.
"I've decided. I'll pardon you all." [Askyros]
The soldiers' faces beamed with relief after hearing his answer.
"But on one condition." [Askyros]
Then the soldiers' faces turned to being anxious.
"M-May I ask what the condition is?" [Soldier]
"Clean up this fort until I approve of it. Then it'll be water under the bridge. If not… then you all understand, correct?" [Askyros]
The soldiers nodded with all their might, frightened by the "If not".
"Good. Then have at it." [Askyros]