Join Armed Force

Following what Christos had done. Damayanti and Themis began to gather and build armed forces to dethrone Christos. The Ariadne Tower disciples begin distributing flyers around Absalom, Yorath, and Asvattha to attract the attention of anyone eager to fight alongside Themis to reclaim what he has.

This action infuriates Christos. In his opinion, what Casimir says is correct. Themis will take back the throne, pushing him to increase and strengthen his army. 

Taking back the throne will be difficult because all Aristocrats prepared Christos' rule style since this benefits them greatly in terms of money, and how Christos allows them to use everyone in any way they want, such as through prostitution or slavery, without being punished. 

"Join the Armed Forces of Ariadne Tower!" A voice from the distance drew people's attention in broad daylight. 

"Papa, I need to pee," remarked Adira, who was accompanied and sat alongside her father, who was attempting to sell vegetables at the town market.

"Come back after you're done" Adira smiled and nodded at his father. She then rose and began strolling through the crowd. She took a quick peek at her father, who was busy selling, before disappearing into the crowd.

"She's so beautiful," she observed, admiring the girl who was seated and fanning herself, feeling hot as the sun touched her face. 

"Join the Armed Forces of Ariadne Tower!" exclaims a young man in his late teens. A girl who had been fanning herself softly hits the man back.

"What?" he inquired. The girl simply pointed her head towards the young girl who had been staring at them. She seemed to be saying that Adira had been staring at them. 

The young man looks in the direction the girl is indicating. As he notices the interested child, Adira. He smiled at her and walked in her direction.

"Do you want to join our Armed Force?" he inquired, intending to pursue the intrigued Adira.

"Can it make me strong?" she tentatively inquired.

"Of course! Do you see my muscles?" he stated, flexing them in front of her. The female, who was fanning herself, approached and smacked the guy's head.

"What the fudge are you doing, Mike?" she said, pissed. Mike makes a 'tch' sound and seems indignant with her.

"I'm just flexing my handsomeness, Avra," he stated proudly, before flexing them in front of the girl who smacked him, Avra.

"Handsomeness, your ass. The only nice features on you were your bicep, nothing else," she irritatedly answered, causing Mike to sneer at her. She then looks at Adira, who has been watching them fight like a kid. 

"Hi, you seem interested; do you want to join?" She smiled, soothing away Adira's nervousness.

"Ask her age first; she looks young," Mike urged, seeing Adira's young features. Avra gave her an irritated look before returning her gaze to Adira and cracking a smile.

Mike's presence annoys her.

"I'm twelve," Adira responds, which surprises Mike.

"Unfortunately, you are too young to join," he stated.

"What do you mean she can't?" an irritated Avra remarked.

"I was 8 when I joined the Armed Force of the Palace." 

"However, it is different. This girl's face will be wasted if she joins; in your terms, it's okay even if you get injured protecting the people." He said cynically, making Avra look at him irritated. 

"Are you saying I'm ugly?!"

"The only nice features on you were your waist," he said, taunting her. Avra clenched her fist and whacked him hard on the head. Mike peers at her, infuriated. He raised both of his arms, trying to reach Avra's face, and clenched them before touching her face, refraining from hitting her back.

"Adira!" A familiar voice called out, prompting Adira to look back. Alaric called her.

"I've been looking for you. What are you doing here?" he inquired, apprehensive.

"I-I want to join," she said, gesturing to Mike and Avra. Alaric's gaze focuses on the two. Avra simply smiles, while Mike avoids his gaze.

"I want to be strong like her," Adira says, indicating to Avra after witnessing her hit Mike on the head so hard. It fascinates her how strong Avra is, and she very much wants to be like her. 

"But you're still young, Adira," Alaric replied calmly, concerned. 

"But Papa, if I become strong, Karasi can go out of the house and enjoy exploring the town," She said with excitement.

She wanted her sister to enjoy and explore at least once. Alaric simply sighed and returned his gaze to the soldiers in front of him. 

"What is the process here, and how does it work?" he said, making Adira delighted. 

The two proceed to describe everything about Alaric, including how Adira will dwell inside the tower for training purposes. Everything will be free if Adira joins, including a comfortable bed, meals, and a room. 

After hearing everything, Alaric allows Adira to join due to the comfortable bed and supper he is unable to provide for his daughter. He also concluded that if Adira acquired swordsmanship or magic, Karasi would be able to enjoy going outside without being concerned about her surroundings. 

"See you tomorrow, Adira," she looks back, smiles, and waves her hands at Adira, who waves back. Avra continued to walk with Mike by her side.

Both appear to be still fighting as they hit each other back and forth.

After losing sight of the two soldiers, Adira turned to her father and cracked a smile.

"Thank you, Papa," she said, grateful for his father's decision. Alaric smiles placidly and begins walking back to their selling area, holding Adira's hand. 

"When I get strong, I'll protect Karasi and Papa," she said, making Alaric chuckle. 

"You behave once you got in," he said. Adira only nodded in response. 

The two sat down to begin selling the vegetables they had. 

"Are you sure about the kid?" he asked quietly.

"Did you see her aura? It is uncommon for commoners to have a crimson hue. "

"You have a point."

"With that color, she might become stronger than us."

After a long day of selling veggies, Ayira and Alaric returned home at dusk. They discovered Karasi already preparing their dinner for tonight.

Adira dashed to hug her busy sister. Attempting to annoy her again.

"Will pouring this on you stop you?" Karasi remarked, referring to the soup she was preparing. Adira petulantly releases her from her hug. 

"Let's go outside later," Adira whispered to her before walking towards their father, who was busy counting the money they had earned that day.

"It's enough for tomorrow's meal," Alaric murmurs after finishing counting the few earnings they received. 

Karasi and Adira started putting their food on the table. As the three of them sat down, Alaric began to discuss Adira's plans to join the Armed Forces, prompting Karasi to stop eating. She then cast a perplexed and puzzled look at Adira, who sat in front of her.

Adira grinned at her. Already determined to pursue the Armed Forces.

Alaric continued to explain to Karasi, who was avidly listening.

"For how long?" she inquired. Alaric then looks at Adira, who is busy eating, and simply shrugs at him.

"We don't have any idea"

"But the pretty girl said that I can visit home when I become strong"

"How long can you become strong?"

"Three days." She replied while there was still food in her mouth. Karasi on the other hand just gave her a look of enmity. 

"I will grow strong for you," she added still munching.

Karasi grinned, delighted and grateful for her sister's words. Adira, who was busy eating, noticed her sister smiling.

Karasi smiles, then fades away when Adira notices that she's smiling.

"Papa, Kasi just smiled!" she exclaimed, full of enthusiasm. Alaric, who was already looking at them, noticed Karasi's smile. 

Most of the time, the young girl did not express much emotion in front of them. So seeing her smiling makes them both thrilled. 

The only emotion Karasi shows is her annoyance with her sister. 

After the meal, we talked. Alaric begins making their bed to sleep in, and when he is finished, he tucks his two daughters in.

An hour has passed. Adira, who was sleeping next to her father, quietly sat up and took a quick look at her father, who was sleeping deeply. She then looks over at Karasi, who she thought was already sleeping on her side. She then nudged her, causing Karasi to look back at her.

"Let's go," she spoke quietly. The two rose from the bed and began putting on padded clothing.

The two began to tiptoe like they always do when they sneak outside. For nearly two years, they have always been successful with their sneaks. 

After much walking. The two arrive at the Cabin at midnight, like they always do. Adira begins removing her padded clothes, as Karasi walks towards the door, intending to go outside. As she was about to go outdoors, Adira asked her where she was heading.

"I am not going out; I am just locking the door." She said. She then began locking the door. She had no choice but to quit going out. 

She took one last look outside since she felt they were being followed by someone. 

"What are you looking at?" Adira suddenly appeared behind her, frightening her. 

"Why are you scared?" Adira inquired after seeing Karasi make a frightened expression.

"I just feel like someone's been following us."

"Really?"

"Yeah, every time we come here. I feel like someone is watching us."

"Don't scare me."

"I'm not scaring you."

Adira then looked through the window. She attentively examined every edge of the surrounding area. However, it was dark and the cabin was surrounded by trees, making it difficult to notice someone. 

"Nothing here, Kasi," she said as she glanced at her sister. 

"Don't be scared, I'm here," she boldly stated. The terrified Karasi a while back, only gave her a cringe expression. Not impressed with her sister acting boldly. 

The two then began to walk before sitting down. Adira lies down and closes her eyes, trying to nap, while Karasi begins reading the book her sister purchased last week with Adira's hard-earned money. 

It was a gift from Adira for her tenth birthday.