V2 C15 Passing through.

Alain stood before the command center, silently observing it. A large white tent a dozen meters long and large. He expected it fancy, well this was his mistake. For his defense, its backward location didn't give him any chance of watching it.

He approached slowly, warning the 2 bored guards. Above his level but not yet Knights - he found it surprising. Hadn't the explosion freed some of the prisoners? He remembered hearing some of them attacking the night before they came - the exact reason for the soldiers' rounds.

''Halt! This is the command center! No one allowed!'' 2 flashes of lights shone as they both unleashed their sword. One slower than the other though - he had to get up from his seated position.

He immediately stopped. Their glare made him recall the risk he took by coming there. What would happen if somehow someone discovered the artifact? 'No, much likely, if someone does take action it'd be related to them.' What if one day the village was to be destroyed because of it? Could he still forgive himself? 'No, don't ask you that. You took a decision you had to do it, no matter the end.' He took a deep breath - trying to relax all of his pressure. 'Remember Louis' way, it'll be fine.'

''Alain from Nirl, my pleasure.'' Awkwardly putting his left fist to his energy center he saluted in a bow. ''Please do not be worried, as I am here to deliver vital information on the war.''

Glaring at him from toes to top, they seemed to wonder about something. He had noticed they had put slightly more time on his missing right arm.

''Important information, huh? You look like a smart guy but I should still give you friendly advice. If you're trying to get to a better position, then back away now. Such lies might cost you dearly, and there are relatively no ways of getting information - all passages being guarded.''

''I do have information.'' he blurted out, then remembered he better should think more before speaking. They were glaring at him suspiciously ''I came back yesterday, good sirs, I was thrown away by the explosion.''

''Come back yesterday....?'' he now standing soldier repeated. ''You're from Cleppe?''

''Affiliated to Cleppe's'' Alain rectified ''And I'm serving under them for this war.''

''Then you must have been lucky. I heard it was a massacre.''

'Lucky?!' There was something about this voice that angered him. About his attitude. It was as if he was saying he had let them die. For the space of a moment, anger filled his mind. He wanted to tell them, bark at them what he thought. Even if he had to fight for it. His fists tightened, his teeth squeaking.

''We could say so. Not a good day to remember for sure.''

''Hey!'' The interrogating guard spoke to the one he had first seen sitting. ''Did you know something about the situation?''

'' 'bout what?''

The other soldier gave an exasperated sigh ''About Cleppe's report, obviously! Why were you even put to guard there?''

''Don't know and don't care.'' He shuddered when meeting his comrade's cold eyes. ''Though a Knight from Cleppe did make a report.''

''He certainly did.'' Alain cut in ''But he might not know everything.''

''Why didn't you directly provide your information to your superior?''

''I wasn't sure - the Paladin's speech somehow motivated me.'' He received a nod from the cold-looking soldier. Still, he seemed hesitant. A few seconds passed in silence.

''Why bother? Just let him pass. He's no danger, shouldn't ya feel it?'' he didn't let the other cut him. ''Hiding vital information is a serious crime. At worst, he takes.'' he grunted, muttering softly ''Not that it'd change anything anyways.''

''Fineeeee....'' he seemed irritated. ''Please use some impure energy.''

Alain did as said. The ground quickly revealed a tiny hole as grey energy stuck it.

''You may pass.''

...

The interior was a whole other new world. It was still frugal: Other than the food stored nearby probably energized - gleaming inside the sacks - a lone table stood in the middle. Then there was a map, used by a two-major stars strategist, gaining their attention from his speech. He probably had been speaking for a long time - his voice appeared exhausted, a voice he couldn't hear from outside.

This made Alain frown. Weren't barriers detectable as long as one passed them?

''-quick response. To overwhelm them in a few minutes with highly mobile-''

''Please do rest for a bit, we have a guest.'' A grandmaster Knight said, glaring at Alain. They all did, the strategist needing a few seconds to understand the situation.

Time during which Alain could observe them more deeply. Most of them were wearing the army uniform, a mix of grey and green privileging efficacity. It paled compared to the brightness of Cleppe's uniform - he had heard their representant had been elected by the soldiers themselves. Well, she looked strict. The only similar point - besides the suppressed pressure - was their high-quality demonic sword.

''So? Why gave us the pleasure to have you come here?'' Her sharp voice did not fit her words.

''I've something that could be useful, honored knights'' he saluted, bowing his head, mimicking Louis' manner that he had always loathed - typically he preferred to influence people with his ideas, not his person.

---

Knowledge: All know of the tragic fate of Knight Charles. Passioned by the Paladins, he tried to break become one while only a Master Knight. He failed. He re-tried while being a GrandMaster Knight but still failed. But he didn't give up. Each failure began to worsen his situation and his last tried made him weaker than a child. This was the proof not all could actually become Paladins.

Twin-Knowledge: The failed revolution was a mix of multiple things: the Paladins' arrogance, the foolish use of sacred contracts, and the corruption of the dark one - his words had such impact. He was only a knight yet challenged the emperor supported by Paladins. His head was the first to fall - mask finally falling - with the arrival of the new emperor. Most forget - want to forget - that he was once known as Knight Charles.