The following day, George, accompanied by Arthur, Katerina, Mrs. Lily, and Little Lizzy, went to the temporary military registration office at 11 Claremont Road. Unlike yesterday, today saw a long line of people of various ages holding registration forms. Mayor Edwards had always been a considerate leader for the residents, and with Sunset Town at risk, the orcs could soon advance to Brighton City's southern towns like Rye and Ford, and even further into Brighton City itself. If they couldn't be stopped at Sunset Town, the safety of Brighton City's residents would be impossible to guarantee. For this reason, Edwards had set up security measures for those who temporarily left work to enlist or were only children. In case of death, families would receive cash compensation and welfare, while safe returnees could resume their former roles.
Due to the recurring threat of orc invasions, many young people joined the logistics unit or cadet corps during their schooling. The logistics unit was where George was headed, while the cadet corps served as a training ground to improve physical fitness. This necessity meant most of those waiting in line already had some basic military skills. As a result, many workers and gentlemen put aside their suits to wear military uniforms, including assimilated dwarves, orcs, elves, and goblins, who had also chosen to defend Brighton City by going to the front lines.
George passed the medical check-up easily; his physique could be described as intimidating for his age. Soon, he would travel south to the military stronghold of Rye Town, joining other children under sixteen under the command of a sergeant. George's only luggage was a small wooden box with a few of his clothes; the military would provide the rest.
It was now time for farewells.
They stood outside, away from the line, gathered on the corner of Claremont Road. Today, the entrance to the northern district was bustling with residents discussing the call to arms and people finishing their registrations before joining the queue. Mrs. Lily held George's hand tightly, repeating the reminders and things he should pay attention to in the military, again and again, until her eyes filled with tears. Then she turned to embrace Katerina, softly sobbing. Katerina, while comforting Mrs. Lily, kept her gaze on George, who looked back at her calmly. They had already said what needed to be said the day before, so now, when the time came, there was no need for more words. Thus, George's real farewell was only with Arthur.
George wrapped his arms around Arthur, a head shorter, gently patting him on the back. Right there in the busy street, the two brothers seemed to stand alone in a silent world.
"Arthur, I don't know how long this war with the orcs will last, but I'll wait for you to join me in the military."
"Of course. Just four years. I'll be stronger, even tougher than you are now."
George rested his hand on Arthur's shoulder, smiling, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Four years later, open my pillow. I'll recommend you to a place."
"And what is that, George?"
Just then, a sergeant leading the children who had passed the physicals began calling out the names to form a group, his voice rising as he called George's name.
"Alright, no more from me. You'll see four years from now. Just don't open it early. If I come back and find it's been opened, I'll give you a real beating—not like the little scuffles we've had."
"George!" The sergeant called again. George responded, then turned to the family who had become his new home since joining the Enforcers. "Goodbye, my family. When the war is over, I'll be back!" Mrs. Lily and Katerina covered their faces as they wept, and Little Lizzy cried out loud, while only Arthur, holding back, waved back to George as he joined the logistics unit's line.
Arthur took Mrs. Lily in his arms, held Little Lizzy's hand, and, with a nod to the tearful Katerina, said, "Let's go home."
...
The war, however, did not end as quickly as George had hoped when he left. On the contrary, it became a war of endurance, testing the patience of both humans and elves.
After increasing forces, the human-elven alliance still couldn't defeat the orcs as anticipated. Instead, both sides engaged in small-scale skirmishes, neither able to deliver a decisive blow. This raised suspicions among the military leaders of Brighton City, for in previous smaller battles, the orcs had never attempted to fight a prolonged conflict. Nor had they shown such tactical insight, even employing a flanking strategy against the human and elf alliance in the central battlefield of the Tally Plains in the southern continent.
In past minor battles, Brighton City had never requested substantial support from the human alliance, only relying on a few observers from the four main human cities of the Eastern Continent to relay messages. After receiving reports of a gathering of orc chieftains, Edwards took the unprecedented step of reaching out to the human alliance for reinforcements. He called back several generals who had once served under General Horton and requested support from the allied elven forces in the south.
Yet despite this, the previous clear advantage of humanity was no longer present. Fortunately, Edwards had managed to keep the situation stable, containing the conflict to the Tally Plains and the area surrounding Sunset Town.
Thus, in Brighton City, life continued relatively undisturbed except for restrictions on travel south of Rye Town. Factories were running, though with fewer workers; finance was operating, though with fewer employees; schools were open, with restrictions on students' movements to the south. This was unlike the orcs' previous style.
Inside the military department of the Wollers Manor in the northern district of Brighton City, Edwards stood silently, gazing at a map marked with flags representing key military positions of both sides. In the room were General Horton, his subordinate officers, and Duke Jamies. Though Edwards held a lower title than the other two, he commanded the highest authority in Brighton City.
"Gentlemen, don't you think the orcs seem to be fighting with a strategy beyond our expectations?" Edwards adjusted the eyepieces hanging from his glasses, ensuring they didn't fall on the map table.
Horton observed how the orcs had encircled the alliance's major military points with either flanking or surrounding tactics. "You mean, there's an unknown force assisting them?"
"Or perhaps a military genius has emerged among these foolish orcs."
"Shall we consider using the Enforcers' Gaia Relic?"
"That's the Gaia Goddess, General. But I agree with your suggestion. Duke Jamies, your thoughts?"
Jamies stroked his curling mustache, understanding that in moments like these, a duke's perspective held little military value. But Edwards respected Jamies' position, so he asked.
"Commander Edwards and General Horton, I'll leave it to you to decide. I'm merely a businessman and politician, not a military strategist."
"With Duke Jamies' support, we will surely crush this orc coalition. Whatever they're planning, an alliance of orcs is always trouble." Edwards swept his arm across the map, toppling a line of flags representing the orcs. "Let's teach these brainless beasts who truly rules the southern continent."