The Armed Forces Association was a significant annual event in the Golden Lion Kingdom, taking place after the Golden Leaf Festival.
In simpler terms, it meant "Three days and three nights have passed, now it's time for everyone to clean up, boost morale, and get serious again!"
During this time of year, the imperial city of St. Antis was filled with an air of heroism and grandeur.
The Wujin Iron Cavalry, Red Iron Army, and Bronze Army, mounted on towering horses, brandished their longbows and cold swords as they spread out from beneath the walls of the Wujin Palace.
Their presence was a force of nature, a magnificent momentum that swept all before it.
Unlike previous years, this legion was now accompanied by original sergeants from the Northern Emerald and various city-states, adding to its already formidable power.
The long-standing enmity between the Giant Beast Human Race and the Golden Lion Kingdom had transformed into a great sense of friendship, leading to the deployment of a raptor army to lend assistance.
The familiar faces of Giant Eagle Dan, Shaw, who lay on his back, and the young lion who had grown into a warrior, led the charge.
Even though they did not directly involve themselves in mainland affairs, the Spirit Race residing on the distant island had intentions of bridging the gap with the mainland, particularly with the Golden Lion Kingdom, due to past grievances.
The Great Elder, his power restored, stood at the prow of the ship, his hundred witches gathered behind him, personally led them across the sea.
The wind whipped his robes around him, and his eyes shone like stars. He raised his arms, and the waves parted before them.
The ship sailed on, leaving a trail of foam in its wake. It seemed to fly across the water, borne on the wings of magic.
All in all, this year's tri-military meeting promised to be the grandest in a thousand years.
Countless onlookers from St. Antis and beyond gathered to witness this exhilarating spectacle. They crowded the balconies of second-floor shops, stood on their tiptoes in the streets and alleys, displaying curiosity and excitement on their faces.
The entire tri-military meeting proceeded exceedingly smoothly, fostering an exceptionally harmonious atmosphere...until the end.
Because, at the culmination of the event, the typically composed emperor decided to play a significant game!
Before the conclusion of the gathering, the young emperor made a stunning announcement in front of tens of thousands of people, publicly revealing his relationship with Bronze Army Commander Kevin Fassbender and acknowledging his mixed bloodline.
With the majestic wings of a celestial wolf, he took to the skies, carrying his partner high above, gliding for a while before making a dramatic turn and disappearing behind the palace.
Their gallant display left the rest of the city dumbfounded, taking quite some time to regain their senses.
The giant beasts who had previously crossed paths with Oswald felt as though they had been struck by lightning.
Giant Eagle Dan's mind felt completely blown, causing him to crash from a great altitude with his two burdens, landing with a resounding thud in the army formation.
Everyone was convinced that they were in a dream or sleepwalking!
No one could determine which occurrence had a more shocking impact - the sight of "the emperor transforming into a celestial being and flying away" or "the emperor being romantically involved with the commander."
Countless soldiers stood in bewilderment, their heavy shields crashing to the ground with a loud noise.
Startled by the sound, they swiftly picked up their shields, fearing the wrath of their officers. Yet, stealing glances forward, they noticed that even the officers' shields had fallen.
Everyone: "...…"
Oswald took Kevin to the other side of the Great Rift Valley, where the terrain rose higher than the tallest walls of the Wujin Palace.
Below them, lay the abyss of the chasm, while ahead, the road to the palace and barracks stretched like a path to the gods, offering a breathtaking view of the entire imperial city of St. Antis.
If one had keen eyesight, they could even glimpse distant landscapes.
Kevin lightly tapped the ground with his toes and remarked, "There used to be a temple here, where I once resided."
His words caused Oswald, who had just transformed back into a human form, to nearly slip and fall into the rift.
Turning his head to the north, Kevin pointed to the billowing stratus clouds in the distance, noting, "There, in the mountains, lies the Holy Mountain. It was home to a sacred temple adorned with 126 pillars, each symbolizing a deity."
Oswald followed his gaze, barely making out a small snowy peak emerging from the dense clouds.
For thousands of years, the continent had undergone constant change - mountains became rift valleys, holy mountains became tundras, and the remnants of the gods gradually faded away.
However, Kevin remained the sole witness to it all. He saw the world evolve.
Their very purpose of creation was to enhance the beauty of the continent through the existence of humanity, enabling these living beings to bask in the splendor of this world.
They were born with two legs to experience and appreciate the beauty while standing, not to kneel down...
Standing atop the mountain, the two of them gazed toward the city of St. Antis.
A vast sea of people stretched out before them, bathed in the gentle sunlight that cast a golden glow upon the streets and alleys.
It was an ordinary and comforting scene...
The exquisitely carved statue remains steadfast in the central square of the imperial city, encircled by a multitude of onlookers who have gathered to witness the ceremony, their faces filled with joy and admiration.
In the distance, wisps of clouds drift lazily, obscuring the summit of the once revered mountain, symbolizing the arrival of a new era, as if drawing the final curtain on the age of gods...
A gentle breeze from the mountaintop brushes past the two figures standing at its highest point, cascading down through the somber hanging palace, and whispering through the streets of the imperial city.
The soldiers of the three formidable armies grip their reins tightly, causing their horses to unleash a simultaneous roar.
The weighty, ebony shields strike the ground with such force that even the earth trembles beneath their power.
The enchanting chants of the Spirit Tribe's sorcerers are carried away into the distance by the howling wind.
These melodies convey their wishes for a life filled with beauty and eternity, and their blessings for the righteous and fearless to flourish forever.
In this moment, I am but a mortal as I kneel, but I become rooted as I rise.
Let us display reverence for the world, and honor the valiant souls who protect it.