<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><div style="text-align: center;">Day 9: Palaugrim - Sharen (afternoon cont.)</div></span></span><br/><br/><br/>The rest of his morning was spent with multiple reports, requests, documents, and devising countermeasures. Guilford was just informed that Dock/Port Rieds has fallen back to Sin control. On top of that, Dock/Port Ereck had also sent word that they had a skirmish too with the enemy forces, though they were able to drive back the enemy, a thing Guilford was grateful for. As if the bad news was not enough, he also had to deal with complaints and several unreasonable requests from other knight commanders who wanted to retain more of their forces. Just looking at the amount of work before him was strenuous enough, dealing with them is an entirely different matter. He was not about to complain nonetheless. The Crests and his squad watched Guilford work the hours away inside a warded room the town's knight commander graciously provided.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"We will have to deal with Dock/Port Rieds first. The fact that they wanted that port back means something important to them is there. What's the status of the main forces in Rasova? Have they established our foothold? If so, I want them to stage an operation to reclaim Rieds and conduct a thorough investigation."</span><br/><br/>The Scouts patiently waited for the new messages they were to spread across the land. The Scribes worked as fast as they could jotting down Guilford's orders word for word.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"We'll need to have the border towns tighten their patrols, we cannot afford to let the enemy sneak past us at this point. What's the status on reinforcements from the main island?"</span><br/><br/>"We just received the reinforcements a while ago. They are docked in the South and Southeastern ports."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"And the headcount?"</span><br/><br/>"Five thousand strong, another fifteen in reserve and another twenty tasked in defending both Lindelan and Glessian borders."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Good. Have four thousand of the reinforcements deploy immediately to rendezvous with the main forces in Rasova. Split the remaining one thousand in half and deploy them to support the captured docks. The ones headed for Rieds should synchronize their time with the forces coming from Rasova for a joint offensive. We'll need those docks to secure a supply route for our forces. Any other significant enemy movement?"</span><br/><br/>"They seem to be consolidating majority of their forces in Luciano and are also tightening their border control. Skirmishes break out every now and then but no major losses on our side so far except for Dock Rieds. They also seem to be in the process of gathering supporters."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Hmmm... that's not good. We need to keep the pressure on them without having to move recklessly. I want our own border defenses to widen their perimeter, any request for reinforcements from them is granted but keep realistic allocation figures, we cannot spread our forces too thin. Order Knight Commander Sigfried from Kaiser Outpost, as well as the other outpost commanders to mobilize their troops, they will serve as our border strike teams. They are to whittle down any enemy forces that attempt to breach into our area of control."</span><br/><br/>"As you command Master Guilford. What about the supply requests?"<br/><br/>Guilford sighed, reinforcements was one thing and yet supplies are another. Those need to be well protected during transport. Devising a strategy to safely transport supplies, Guilford spent another few hours discussing urgent matters with the scouts and the town's knight commander before finally getting a chance for a break. His break however was updating the Crests on the current situation. Guilford spent whatever was left of his afternoon break in briefing the five individuals as best as he can. It was already half-past eight when they finally finished.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">_________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I knew you'd be up here. You alright?"</span><br/><br/>Guilford was a little startled at the voice who joined him up on the bell tower of Sharen's church. He was not expecting company. The Seraph always had a love for heights, it somehow gave him a faint sense of freedom if nothing else. Being up high was also the only place where he could actually stop and take a break. Lance perched himself beside the Seraph, dangling both legs down the bell tower walls. He took a peek at the exhausted man beside him, noted the black lines underneath his eyes and chuckled.<br/><br/>"Man for a Pristine Knight, you look like crap! But I have to admit, that's some serious stuff you got going on back there--the Seraph stuff I mean..." Lance paused, contemplating on how hard could it be to fill in Guilford's shoes. Guilford pulled out a conversation ward from his pouch and activated it between them. He cannot be too careless now. Turning to his puzzled friend, Guilford smiled.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Want to trade places?"</span>Guilford chuckled back at him.<br/><br/>"Oh no mister, you're not pushing that burden on me. I'm retired remember? Push it on your Lieutenant instead." Lance countered and the two shared a moment of laughter.<span style="color: #0080FF">"He'd have his mouth foaming before making it through day one."</span>Guilford added and the other laughed even harder.<br/><br/>When the laughter died out, Lance put on a contemplative look. "It's that hard huh?" he asked even while knowing what the answer was. He just needed to hear it from the man who carried the burden for ten years. Guilford shot a quick look at him and then turned back to the moonlit vastness of Palaugrim.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Harder than how you think it is."</span>he finally answered.<br/><br/>"Heh..." Lance snorted. "One thing I don't understand though, why do you keep doing it? Knowing you, it's not for recognition."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"You really want to know?"</span>Guilford asked and earned a nod from his companion.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I do it because those who can... chose not to."</span><br/><br/>There was a long silence between Lance and the Seraph. The words Guilford said had a bitter taste to them. After the fall of the God of Sin, the Pristine Knights have been disbanded. However, when they were reformed, many knights both young and old, both capable and amazing chose to retire from duty. While most of them probably thought that the battle was finally over, a lot also thought of their own lives, and a select few disagreed with the High Council's way of doing things. He was one of the select few.<br/><br/>When the four islands were raised, Lance foresaw what the High Council wanted to happen. They would turtle on one island and leave the rest. It was probably because of Guilford and the other Seraph's efforts that the Immaculate's influence managed to reach as far as Lindela. While he wasn't wrong, Lance wasn't entirely right either.<br/><br/>"Not all of us have been favored by the Divine Light Gil. Not all of us have been granted you and your partner's strength."<br/><br/>Guilford sighed and turned to face Lance.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Are you referring to the High Council?"</span>he asked and earned another nod from his companion. "They were supposed to be our leaders, the Immaculate vowed to protect the people, but what they have displayed by allowing ten years to pass without doing anything for Palaugrim and Tethel serves as proof of their weakened will. I simply cannot see myself following such cowards."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Lance, you cannot blame the High Council or anyone. People changed after the first war against the God of Sin. You know how bad it was back then, things like that could easily warp a normal person."</span><br/><br/>Anger suddenly flared within Lance. "How can you say that!? How can you defend those old wimps!? After what they have done!? Even after knowing of their so called<span style="font-style: italic">Salvation Plan</span>you still choose their side!?"<br/><br/>Guilford smiled faintly and gazed at the moon.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I am not defending them, nor am I justifying their actions. If I were to think on it now, I would say they are slandering my name right this very moment. I am not taking their side Lance, I chose to side with the people. All I meant to say is that we are all victims of the aftermath."</span><br/><br/>The anger within him subsided just as quick as it rose. Lance read between the lines and finally understood his old friend's intention. He laughed as hard as he could. "For Light's sake Gil, why do you have to be so complicated? You could have just said that you're going to use<span style="font-style: italic">Liberation</span>to stop the<span style="font-style: italic">Salvation Plan</span>right from the start!"<br/><br/>Guilford chuckled at his sharp but simpleton friend.<span style="color: #0080FF">"If only it was that easy my friend. My former captain Abel told me all about it. The <span style="font-style: italic">Salvation Plan</span> was never meant to be public knowledge. It was by chance and probably a little intimidation that a Dockmaster showed it to Abel. If knowledge about that leaked into the public or even among the knighthood, there would be discord and then a revolution, and all that under the threat of Sin. If that happened, it will mark the end of the Immaculate, then we would have truly lost."</span><br/><br/>Lance shook his head, trying to absorb everything he just heard. "Then why did you tell us something as sensitive as this earlier?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Just so I could crush your throats after."</span><br/><br/>Lance's eyes widened. "Are you serious?!"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Light no, you dumb lion! It's because I trust all of you! So far, its just me, my squad, the Crests, the Council, Abel, and probably several Dockmasters who knows of this."</span><br/><br/>"Your Seraph partner doesn't know?" Lance asked, head tilted to one side.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Her faith in the Divine Light is strong. The High Council represents the Divine Light and all that we believe in. If she learns of this, she would probably break like I almost did."</span><br/><br/>"So you have no plans of telling her?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I... don't know yet. All I know for now is she deserves to know this but I have to make sure that she can take it first before I tell her."</span><br/><br/>"Hmm... I see. By the way, where in the Light is she?"<br/><br/>Guilford nodded to the vastness before them.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Out there. Doing what she can and what she does best... to save people."</span><br/><br/>Lance could slightly tell from Guilford's tired yet duty-filled eyes that he was missing the female Seraph. Somehow it pained him to see his good friend unable to chase the one person who can actually make him happy. All because he chose to sacrifice yet again what little he had remaining for himself for the greater good of this scarred world. In his mind he had decided, the Lion would help this Seraph carry even a little of the weight he bears if it would mean that his friend could once again find the pieces of himself he had long thrown away.<br/><br/>"Get some rest Gil. If all goes as I had planned, we could put an end to this sooner than we anticipated. Tomorrow you ride to Bastille, then make way to Luciano and strike at the heart of the enemy. We of the Crests will do everything in our power to aid your forces. You can count on us that we will not let you down."<br/><br/>Guilford closed his eyes and took a deep breath after hearing the words of his friend. He was truly thankful from the bottom of his heart.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Lance, this means a lot to me. Thank you."</span><br/><br/>"No sweat! But I'm not gonna kiss you Gil, you can count on that! Anyway, good talking to you again Gil. Goodnight buddy..." he trailed and jumped down from the bell tower screaming like some adrenaline rush freak.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Heh... neither will I you dumb lion."</span><br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">_________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><div style="text-align: center;">Day 9: Gless - Grand Cathedral - Cornelius' office (night)</div></span></span><br/><br/>Cornelius pulled on one of the levers that operated his office's curtains; they were also the wards of this small space. The gesture alone indicated that the Council Leader had very important matters to discuss. Laith followed the old man as Cornelius made his way over to his desk, taking a seat on the chair behind it. His expression foretold of what Laith could only perceive as an off the record topic. He frowned in distaste of such... inappropriate discussions.<br/><br/>"What is it that you want to talk about? I was hoping to catch on my reading before going to bed. Can you make this quick?" Laith scowled, still displeased at the Council Leader's oversight.<br/><br/>Cornelius inhaled sharply, also displeased at the other councilor's demeanor. They had been together in the council for so long yet he can never get used to Laith's personality. Nevertheless, it was getting late and he too needed to retire for the night, his head felt like it was about to explode.<br/><br/>"I wanted to discuss the next leadership of the council. I have you in mind as my successor."<br/><br/>The words elicited a raised brow from the other councilor, not of confusion but more on surprise. Now Cornelius had his full attention. What could this man be scheming now? "Go on." Laith urged.<br/><br/>"This of course will not be effective immediately. I plan to step down as Council Leader after the<span style="font-style: italic">Liberation</span>campaign."<br/><br/>Laith was already in the process of connecting the dots. As much as he hated politics, he needed to sharpen his skill in it for the sake of the people. Now the raised brow turned into a quizzical look. "Why would you want to step down Councilor Cornelius?" he questioned, formality in his tone intended.<br/><br/>Cornelius didn't answer immediately. His eyes rolled over to the model of the four islands displayed on his table. His thoughts drifted to the day two young knights knelt before them, accomplishing a feat none of them ever thought possible in their time, defeating the God of Sin. It was on that same day that they gained hope, but that hope was taken away just as quick when the land began to rot. They resulted to raising the four islands, in hopes of saving what was left of humanity.<br/><br/>However that too proved to be a task too great for their weakened state to accomplish. Sin was still around and it sapped the remaining glimmer of hope in their hearts. Where there is Light, there will always be Darkness, it was a sad truth of this world. The people opted to rebuild, regain what had been lost. Little by little everything slowly returned to normal, until Tethel and Palaugrim rebelled against the Teachings. With dry hope and sapped will, the High Council forced themselves into a fight they already knew they could not win. It was at this time that they remembered the two who gave them hope, Guilford and Lethe.<br/><br/>Charged with the rank of Seraph, the High Council passed the baton to the two. Cornelius placed everything they had left in them just like that, ultimately leaving the entire fates of the people in the hands of those two individuals, tasked with accomplishing what they could not. They showed promise, putting Lindela back into the Divine Light's guidance. However, despite the two Seraph's best efforts, Palaugrim and Tethel still remained an illusive dream. This further sapped the council's already dim hope, and thus the birth of their<span style="font-style: italic">Salvation Plan</span>, to crash both Palaugrim and Tethel back into the rotten land.<br/><br/>But now that one of them had began to move as was originally intended, Cornelius couldn't help but dream once more, the fire of hope that he had long thought dead in his heart flickering if only a little. However, Guilford's actions will not come without repercussions, war will always leave a bad aftertaste. The people would need someone to take the blame for all of the blood that will be shed. The poor boy had already done so much for them, the least Cornelius thought he could do was to be the person to take responsibility.<br/><br/>After that long moment with his thoughts, Cornelius spoke. "I will take full responsibility for Guilford's actions."<br/><br/>The other councilor's gaze sharpened. Why would the Council Leader do such a thing? What lies in it for him? What does he stand to gain by doing that for his pet? "That's implying you think there's something guilty about his actions is it not? After all your pretty words, could it be that there truly is a selfish motive for this campaign?"<br/><br/>Cornelius didn't appreciate the sarcasm and bite in Laith's words. Does this man for once ever tried thinking selflessly? Everything to him always had an ulterior motive, a reason, a fault. There was nothing he ever took at face value. Yet this is one of his qualities that earned him a seat in the council. This man can never be too careful.<br/><br/>"I am not implying anything nor am I trying to gain something out of this. For once Laith, try putting yourself in their shoes, though I personally think you're not even close to being qualified to handle the burden of a Seraph. You will fail to grasp what those two are going through right now." Cornelius paused and looked at Laith with disappointed eyes. "Taking responsibility for his actions is the least I can do 'in return' for Guilford's service. This will be his last after all..." Cornelius trailed, thinking back to the personal letter Guilford sent him.<br/><br/>"Hmph!" Laith scoffed, disregarding what he considered a senile blabber. "Just because he claims to be doing this for the good of the people doesn't mean he gets a free pass for all the innocent people that will die." he added.<br/><br/>The disappointed look in Cornelius' eyes turned to rage. This man doesn't know how to shut up. "Laith, do not think for a second that you have the right! None of us have the right to judge that man! You may not have consented immediately to the<span style="font-style: italic">Salvation Plan</span>but I damn well know you considered it just like the rest of us!"<br/><br/>"Will that be all Councilor Cornelius? I am tired." Laith commented, once again disregarding the statement of the other.<br/><br/>Cornelius then tossed a small rolled paper towards Laith. "Read that and try to understand."<br/><br/><div style="margin:20px; margin-top:5px"><div class="quotetitle"><input class="button2 btnlite" onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = '';      this.innerText = ''; this.value = 'Hide'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerText = ''; this.value = 'Show'; }" style="text-align:center;width:100px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" type="button" value="Show"/></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">To: Councilor Cornelius<br/>From: Retired Knight Abel<br/>Postmark Location: Palaugrim - Bryn, formerly Jenault<br/><br/>Councilor, what I am to tell you may be hard to swallow. I know you have entrusted me to be the High Council's eyes and ears here in Palaugrim but I found out something that I shouldn't have as per your intent. However, my heart grieves and rages as I am writing you this letter. The <span style="font-style: italic">Salvation Plan</span>, why does the High Council even have such a plan prepared? Have you truly decided to forsake the people of both Palaugrim and Tethel? What happened to everything we have fought for up until now?<br/><br/>You don't have to answer. I have already found mine in Guilford, I told him everything. He grieved and burned in anger just like I did but do you know what he said? If you people decided to give up, then he would gladly pick up your slack. He intends to use <span style="font-style: italic">Liberation</span> to stop the High Council from executing the <span style="font-style: italic">Salvation Plan</span>. What you have done by devising such a plan, I may be able to forgive in the little time I have left. But what you have done to Guilford with this, that I cannot forgive even in my grave. This man had given so much, how could all of you... it's better I do not finish this.<br/><br/>Forgive me Councilor, but I can no longer remain loyal to you. I will however, still be your eyes and ears. I chose to follow Guilford. Right now he has tasked me to protect Lethe with my life until this is over. He also humbly asks you not to subject his fellow Seraph to this farce of your plan. She believes in the Light greatly and respects the Council's ideals, the only thing you could do for her is to not shatter her faith.<br/><br/>Rest assured Councilor, I will keep the <span style="font-style: italic">Salvation Plan's</span> existence until my dying breath comes to pass.<br/><br/>[Abel's Seal]</div></div></div><br/><br/>Laith could only keep a sour expression after reading the message. He placed it back on Cornelius' desk and slowly stood up, making his way out of the Council Leader's office. Before he walked out of the door however, he turned to glance at Cornelius and spoke. "Do as you will Councilor."