I know countless people in this town are here without wishing for my presence. And I know just as many people are here for my protection and guidance.

  The line between protector and inhabitant of their lands, is a very thin line.

  When I sent Jerek off to forge his relic with Fenrick, much like Gravewake — I didn’t want it to be half-assed.

  Rona and myself were the only two likely capable of defending from any Grand Marshal presence if entered town.

  Luckily we still had at least a month until Torian’s attack. Cecilia wasn’t exactly AWOL, it was much closer to something like desertion.

  When the empire lost one Grand Marshal, protocol was to replace.

  However, the system for how they replace is most interesting.

  The first Grand Marshals were directly trained by the emperor. Since then they’ve been trained by Grand Marshals.

  I suppose in a sense I was probably on track to be trained by Torian to become a Grand Marshal rather than becoming one of his Iron Legion.

  The worst part is I didn’t even hate the idea.

  At least I could’ve enacted change that way.

  Without slaughter.

  This new figure that emerged as a Grand Marshal was allegedly trained by Rex, which is fascinating considering no Grand Marshal had ever been trained by him.

  I didn’t even know if it was a man or a woman. Apparently they stay masked all the time, and although they wear armor, it was likely rigid rather than traditional.

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  Traditional armor would highlight based on their sex due to what breastplate they’d wear.

  Perhaps they have a relic of armor instead of a weapon?

  Unlikely, her weapon is believed to have mana amplification to strengthen, or quicken strikes. Or even to potentially hold magic to ignite in possible lucen, morvain or with added elemental exposure.

  Anyway, I walked through town. I had Gravewake on my back and my coat draped.

  Everyone stumbled out of my way when I walked. So many people I could feel, hear, and smell all committing acts of drinking, smoking, partying, sexual activity, and more.

  And all at a time like this.

  Despicable.

  How? How could they watch the world get lit on fire and not feel that fire under their ass to want to put it out.

  Every step I felt the world’s isolation from me alienated me even more than the last.

  As I approached the cadets I snapped my head back into reality and my parents were working with Rona to train them early.

  So I stood about thirty yards from them and just analyzed.

  My father was doing sword training. Awfully reminiscent of my childhood.

  Similarly my mother was training magic.

  And ironically Rona was training competence.

  Although my mother and father were military people, they were imperial military people.

  Not the same thing.

  We had a different way of formulating our forces.

  The very same change I would have been willing to make within the empire, is the same reality I’m setting forth for the cadets.

  They all saw me standing there.

  Arms folded.

  Blindfold wrapped.

  White hair flowing against the gentle breeze.

  The fear, and respect they all had for me ran deep.

  Which was exactly what I was wanting.

  But even then these powers were both a gift and a curse.

  Coupling my powers with my judgement I was feeling intent.

  They all still had their own wants, desires, beliefs.

  They were loyal to the cause and to myself. However, I still felt they were aiming for the end goal.

  They were aiming for the drinking, the smoking, the partying, sexual activity, and more.

  Was I the only one who didn’t desire those?

  I walked away from the training grounds and made my way through town once more.

  Patrolling.

  Anytime anyone was doing any wrongdoing I’d make my presence seen and they’d stop shortly thereafter.

  Occasionally there was a brave soul or two who’d confront me.

  I wasn’t scared to throw a punch or two.

  That was largely the law of the land.

  Just mind your own business and no harm will come.

  But I know that won’t last.

  Even with divine powers, fear and respect from many people, likely the first person to even get this far from the empire's grasp.

  It felt less like reality — and more like a myth. Like Rasputin.