Alex's Point of View
"Oh, Alex! How are you feeling?"
The moment I arrived at the work field, Hex greeted me with a familiar grin.
"I'm alright just a little sore," I replied, rolling my shoulders.
"Ah, I see. Then let's get to it."
That day, our group had been assigned to plow one of the newly harvested fields.
The sun was already climbing, and the soil was dry and stubborn. Another long day of labor had begun.
When lunchtime came, we all gathered under the shade shelter where the Labor Guild provided simple meals for farmers.
Each of us received a piece of bread and a bowl of thin soup—barely enough, but it was free.
"With Alex here, plowing's a breeze!"
Some of the men chuckled as I bit into my bread and sipped the soup.
Hex soon joined me, settling down beside me with a quieter expression than usual.
"You know, Alex… do you remember the knight commander from yesterday?"
"…Yes."
"His name's Willson. He asked me to speak with you to see if you'd be interested in joining the army."
"…No thanks," I replied without hesitation.
Hex leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"I'm not sure if we can trust him, but…" Hex glanced around, making sure no one was listening.
"He said there's going to be an invasion soon. The Kingdom of Eshmore is planning to strike this town, and Willson was sent from the capital to scout and inspect the area."
But it was what Hex said next that made my blood boil.
"…Alex, I heard the capital wants to make a change in this place after the invasion. Meaning… After this town is destroyed, the kingdom plans to take it back and rebuild it."
I nearly choked on my bread when I heard that.
So that was their plan all along?
Let the town fall, let the people die—and then sweep in to 'reclaim' it for the kingdom?
This town may be full of slaves, ex-criminals, and forgotten peasants, But to the kingdom, we were nothing more than a small sacrifice.
After hearing that, my hatred toward the kingdom—and the aristocrats who ruled it—flared to life once more.
It reminded me too much of the day my village was overrun by goblins…
And no one came to help.
"However… Willson wants to help this town," Hex added.
I froze, I couldn't believe what I'd just heard.
Willson?
A knight—probably from some noble family—wanted to help this place?
This forgotten town, filled with slaves, criminals, and peasants the kingdom considered disposable?
I narrowed my eyes.
It sounded too good to be true.
"Anyway, you should think about it and let me know tomorrow!" Hex said as he patted my back and stood up to leave.
"And what about you, Mr. Hex?"
I asked, my eyes narrowing and my ears tuned for his answer.
"I'm joining him," he replied with a grin.
=====================================
"I'm home!"
I arrived late, as usual.
Grandma was already setting out some food for me, and Lis sat by the window, reading by candlelight.
"Big brother, welcome back!"
She looked up and greeted me with her usual warm smile.
"Ha! How's every—"
"Big brother, are you really feeling okay?"
She cut me off before I could finish. Her voice was gentle, but I could hear the concern behind it probably because of yesterday.
"Yes, I'm fine! Really."
I smiled and made a quick fist-pump gesture to reassure her.
But then… I noticed something different in her expression.
There was a trace of worry in her eyes something she was trying to hide.
"Umm… is everything alright, Lis?"
I asked as I slowly walked closer to her.
It felt a little awkward. I wasn't used to standing this close to her like this, not after all these years of distance.
But I couldn't ignore the look on her face.
"You know what, brother?" she said with a warm smile, her eyes shining with excitement.
"I was able to use magic."
My eyes widened.
Magic?
That wasn't something just anyone could learn.
From what I'd heard, only those with noble blood could naturally harness divine energy—the source that made magic possible.
For commoners like us, it was nearly impossible.
Only a handful of scholars or sorcerers, after years of intense training from childhood, ever managed to use magic at all.
Ever since we came to this town ten years ago, Lis had always loved reading and learning.
She had been helping and studying at the small church in the center of town ever since we arrived.
I guessed she must have spent all her time there, quietly learning and practicing her magic.
And if she could really use magic especially without noble blood then she could live a much more comfortable life in the capital someday.
Far away from this town, somewhere she belonged.
"Amazing, Lis! What kind of magic?" I asked, barely hiding my excitement.
"It's healing magic," she said with a smile.
The joy that surged through me was indescribable.
Healing magic, one of the most sought after forms of magic in the world. With that, she could become a cleric, a priestess, maybe even a white mage.
"I also learned how to compound herbs and make medicine," she added, her voice soft but proud.
"That's really amazing, Lis!" I said, unable to hide the admiration in my voice.
"Hehe… I just wanted to be a little useful to you and Grandma," she said quietly, glancing between the two of us with a gentle smile.
Her words struck something deep in me.
However, she looked really down after she said all those.
"You know, big brother…"
This time, her voice was quiet. Sad.
"…The head sister of the church nominated me to one of the academies in the capital."
"How did it go?" I asked quickly, leaning in.
"I got accepted," she said, almost in a whisper. "And… I received a sponsor from the church in the capital."
For a moment, I just stared at her.
"Wow… that sounds almost too good to be true!"
I smiled, forcing down the knot in my chest.
"I'm so happy for you, Lis."
"…But brother, should I accept this?"
She looked at me with trembling eyes, tears beginning to form.
"I don't want to be far away from you and Grandma…"
Before I could say anything, our grandmother gently stepped over and wrapped her arms around Lis.
"Don't you worry about me," she said warmly, brushing Lis's hair back.
"I'm already at this age… and you've got a long, bright future ahead of you."
At that moment, only one thought filled my mind.
That Lis deserved a bright future. A peaceful life.
This town might not exist for much longer, but if she could leave…
If she could live somewhere safe, where she could chase her dreams…
Then I would do everything I could to make that happen.
But still, my heart ached not for myself, but for Grandma. Lis had always been closest to her.
Their bond was stronger than mine with either of them. And the thought of them being separated was harder than I wanted to admit.
"…They told me I could only bring one person with me…"
Lis's voice broke as she began to cry.
"…In that case, Alex"
"No."
I cut my grandma off before she could finish.
"Grandma, please… I want you to go with her."
She turned toward me in surprise.
"You've lived here your whole life," I said, my voice trembling.
"Even after Grandpa passed, you stayed strong. You looked after us when we had nothing."
I smiled, even though my chest felt heavy.
"I just want you to experience something beyond this farming town… even if just once."
"But what about you? You'll be all alone?"
Grandma asked gently, holding Lis close as she cried in her arms.
"Don't worry!" I replied with a forced grin. "I've already quit working at the farm."
"...Are you coming with us?"
Lis asked quickly, her eyes filled with hope.
I smiled softly and reached out to pat her head.
"Your big brother's… gonna become a soldier."
"...Eh?"
Both she and Grandma froze, stunned by my words.
"But why? I don't want you to—"
Lis's voice cracked as she stepped toward me.
"It's the only way I can change my fate," I said quietly.
"The only way I can earn the right to leave this town on my own terms."
Because we were peasants, we were bound to this land and forced to live and work under the authority of our local lord for the rest of our lives.
Working the fields and paying taxes wasn't a choice; it was simply what we had to do.
But Lis, she was different, ever since we arrived here, the church had taken a special interest in her because of her sharp mind and eagerness to learn. They even make an exception for her not requiring her to work in the fields like the rest of us. And for that, I was truly grateful. Now, they nominated her for the capital because of her knowledge and skills, something I never had.
Unlike me, she wasn't "just a laborer." I never learned to read or write. I was never good with books. Still, with this chance, Lis could change her fate, from a peasant to a respected commoner, maybe even marry into a noble family, if she was lucky.
As for me, if I could make a name for myself on the battlefield, I could probably break this stupid chain.