Mrs. Lily took Lizzy out to buy ingredients for the evening stew, leaving only George, Arthur, and Katerina in the White House. They all sat together on the sofas in the main hall.
"So, you're saying that you're planning to respond to the military summons, is that right?" George asked, tapping his fingers on his forehead in thought after listening to Arthur's intentions.
"Yes, that's right. I know I probably can't change the outcome of the war, but I want to do my part," Arthur replied.
George glanced at Katerina, and his finger-tapping quickened. "Arthur, I don't think you understand the cruelty of war. Did you see today's paper? The reason why people in the North issued a summons is that Brighton City's first encounter with the orcs ended in a defeat—a major defeat. Out of a two-hundred-person squad, only a dozen survived. More manpower will be invested in future battles, and the death toll will certainly increase."
Arthur lowered his head, his mood dropping. "So, George, you're against me joining the army, right?"
George stood up from the sofa, clasped one hand behind his back while the other rested in front, and slowly turned around, saying, "That's right. I don't agree with you going alone."
Arthur's dejection became even more apparent as he looked down at the floor, disappointed. George waited a few moments, then turned around with a smile.
"So, I'll go with you."
"What? Did I hear that right?" Arthur jumped up, excitedly shaking George's shoulders and shouting his name. Katerina, sitting nearby, looked somewhat puzzled. George laughed, gently pushed Arthur away, and continued, "I see you as a brother now, and if you have this determination to protect human territory, how could I, as your older brother, just sit at home and wait for your return?"
Arthur hugged George's shoulder, but couldn't help noticing Katerina, who was biting her lip and gazing dreamily at George. He was about to ask why when George lightly tapped Arthur's head, saying, "The paper says the enlistment office is on that street near the entrance to the North District—the same street we went to last time to buy the quill. Go on ahead, and wait for me there while I get ready."
With that, George half-pushed and half-shoved Arthur out of the door. Glancing back, Arthur saw George talking softly to the slightly taller Katerina. Well, that's none of my business, Arthur thought, walking toward the North District. More exciting to him was the idea of contributing to humanity, even in a small way.
The streets felt much quieter than usual, especially as Arthur moved north. The few people he saw were mostly young, plainly dressed men hurrying toward the North District, with only a handful of suited businessmen or scholars—the type of people who were usually more common here. Arthur didn't fully understand what their jobs were, even though school had mentioned terms like welfare, water management, environment, and finance.
Reaching the North District, he saw a street sign indicating this was Claremont Road, a road that connected the West, South, and East Districts to the North. The recruitment site was at 11 Claremont Road.
Possibly because news of the recent defeat had just come out, there were only a couple of young men by the door, idly fiddling with their hats. Arthur bypassed them and entered the building, where workers were still setting up tables under the direction of a short, sturdy woman in a military uniform.
"Hello, ma'am. Is this the place mentioned in the summons?" Arthur asked.
The woman straightened her uniform, took a brisk step forward, and replied, "Yes, sir, this is the recruitment office. As you can see, we're still preparing."
"How long will it take?" came George's voice from the doorway. Arthur turned and exchanged a smile with him as they stood side by side.
The woman estimated the remaining work. She wanted to urge the workers to speed up, but it was a sudden order from the city lord. She pulled a piece of white paper from her inner jacket pocket, tore it into four roughly equal parts, and handed two to the young men. "Alright, gentlemen, please write down your name, age, and address on these. We'll need to screen candidates tomorrow morning. Bring these slips back to me, and I'll make sure you're prioritized for examination. You can call me Sergeant Annis."
So, they'd have to wait until tomorrow. Arthur took the paper and the quill that Sergeant Annis handed him—a type of quill only used for special occasions at the Charity School. After filling in their details, they handed their information to Annis, intending to return to the White House when Annis called out:
"Hold on a moment. Sir, are you only eight years old?" She pointed at Arthur.
Indeed, he had just recently turned eight. George shrugged and answered for him, "Yes, ma'am. My brother here is eight. Is that a problem?"
"I'm afraid so," Sergeant Annis replied apologetically. "Our subsidiary forces in Brighton City have a policy against enlisting children under sixteen. However, George, you are eligible to join the support corps, where you can help supply resources to Sunset Town while also learning ways to strengthen yourself."
Arthur's disappointment was visible; he hadn't known what military service entailed. George also looked troubled, mostly because he had only intended to accompany Arthur and wasn't yet sixteen himself. "George, how about this? You join the support corps for me. Represent me in contributing to this city," Arthur said, persuading George even before he had decided, then turned back to Sergeant Annis, "Ma'am, what's the minimum age for joining the support corps?"
"Just George's age—twelve. The support corps mainly handles food supply, and it also provides physical training, which is quite beneficial."
Arthur nodded, patting George's back in a brotherly way, though mainly comforting himself. "George, just wait four years. In four years, I'll join you in the support corps."
Seeing Arthur try to look indifferent, George, unwilling to refuse him, turned to teasing him instead, "The war might be over in four years! Who knows, I might already be in the main corps by then. Why would I still be in the support corps waiting for you?"
Encouraging each other, the two boys left Claremont Road 11. As they passed a corner, they brushed shoulders with a well-dressed middle-aged man. The man stopped, removed a monocle from his left eye, and examined the shorter boy's back before smiling, shaking his head, and walking into 11 Claremont Road, changing his expression as he did so.
"Annis, how is the progress?" he asked.
"It should be ready by tomorrow morning, Lord Edwards."
Edwards nodded solemnly. "Let's hope all goes well."