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Mardal, northeast of Gandion, was once a vibrant hub, second only to the capital. But recent turmoil stripped its bustle, the great former king's death sending shockwaves through tiny Gandia.
Leongand, the first prince and rightful heir, lacked public trust. Many openly claimed his reign would doom the nation. Rumors baseless ones like him poisoning his father, or plausible tales of nightly revelry spread beyond Gandia, tanking his already low repute.
Thus, Setsuna questioned his choice. Too late to turn back, though. He'd decided. He was here, at Mardal's massive gate, the fortress city. Before him stood the dignified Leongand Rei-Gandia; to his right, Faria Belpharia, clad in travel gear.
Days of jostling in a carriage from Karan weren't pleasant, but the journey yielded insights. Leongand and Faria's tales, though not fully retained, were invaluable to Setsuna, ignorant of this world and nation. Even trivial details mattered.
Gandia's dire state and worsening regional tensions clouded Leongand's smile, painting Setsuna's chosen path as a sinking ship. Mardal's towering walls, sturdy as they seemed, felt fragile to him.
Sensing his unease, Leongand asked casually, "Nervous?"
"Kinda, yeah."
"Haha, I like your honesty."
Unsure if the king meant it, Setsuna glanced at Faria. Her forest-green cloak framed a reassuring smile, easing his fears. To rootless Setsuna, Faria's kindness was his anchor.
Days earlier, in Karan's dawn-lit street, the trio ended their talk and drifted to Setsuna's tent-turned-bedroom. There, Leongand proposed Setsuna join him in Mardal.
"Me? Why?"
Surprised yet intrigued, Setsuna questioned the king, who sat regally on the simple bed. A golden offer wandering this alien world aimlessly, without purpose or knowledge, was dizzying. He wasn't an explorer, just a student, despite being seen as a summoner.
"You've lost your memory, right? Forgotten why you're in Gandia, your purpose?"
Leongand's mischievous glint suggested he saw through Setsuna, who nodded vaguely. "Yeah, I guess…"
(Busted, huh?)
Guilty, he stole a glance at Faria, who shrugged, clearly unconvinced by his lie. His flimsy "amnesia" excuse was transparent.
Did he even need to lie? He'd feared revealing his otherworldly origins, though it might've been dismissed like his amnesia claim. The lie was just to get by, no malice intended.
Still, he truly didn't know why he was in Gandia or what his purpose was.
"Then join me. Until your memory returns, your purpose resurfaces. Lend me the strength that felled Lankain."
Leongand's words resonated, seeping into Setsuna's heart, igniting a surge of impulse that shook his soul with vivid light.
(What…!?)
Overwhelmed by emotion, Setsuna couldn't look away from the king's earnest gaze pure, sincere, no mere platitude.
It clicked. (Right. That's it.)
Understanding why he felt such elation, yet unable to quell the tidal wave of passion, Setsuna surrendered to the joy, locking eyes with Leongand.
Joy undeniably, a profound thrill.
"Lend your strength to Gandia's rebirth."
"Yes…!"
Setsuna's voice, quivering with emotion, answered Leongand's call.
Mardal. The trio dismounted at the gate for a reason. Normally, carriages entered freely, but heightened security demanded inspections, forcing them out.
The gate guards, realizing their king was among them, shrank with such embarrassment Setsuna pitied them.
Impatient, Leongand suggested walking into Mardal. Passing the heavily guarded gate, Setsuna entered the fortress city, nearly forgetting to breathe in its tense air.
Mardal dwarfed Karan. Thick walls enclosed it, with fortress-like buildings lining the streets. Armed soldiers, radiating hostility, dominated the roads an atmosphere teetering on war's edge.
"It's the front line," Leongand said.
Setsuna nodded, understanding the oppressive air. He'd heard in the carriage: Mardal's fortification was born of necessity. North lay Barse Fortress, Gandia's iron shield, blocking invasions from Logna and Zalwarn beyond. Its fall to Logna's assault, ten days after the former king's death, had forced Mardal's transformation.
"Retake it?" Setsuna asked.
"Or this country's done," came a sharp, blade-like voice from above, not Faria's.
On a stone building's roof along the main street stood a woman, gazing down resolutely. Young, perhaps Faria's age or slightly younger, her golden hair shimmered, her pale skin a mix of envy and awe for women. Sharp eyes, framed by long lashes, held jade-like irises elements of her striking beauty.
A beauty, undeniably. Flawless.
Clad in silver light armor, a sword at her waist, she declared, "I dislike this script: Gandia's fool king dies a fool, the young princess sold to Lusion mocked by the masses."
Her fierce gaze fixed on Leongand.
Setsuna frowned, sensing her face resembled someone's, the answer soon clear.
"We'll win," Leongand said, his resolve firm, stirring even Setsuna.
But the woman Rinon was unmoved. "How? You know our chances are slim. Even with our Lusion White Holy Knights, the gap's too wide. Have you forgotten Zalwarn backs Logna?"
Her cold, logical words sent a shiver through Setsuna. (Brother…!?)
She was Leongand's sister. Why this shocked him, he couldn't say, but he compared their faces, nodding inwardly. Near-twins, despite an age gap.
"I doubt Zalwarn will join this fight," Leongand said.
"Why?"
"…Rinon."
Setsuna first saw Leongand sigh, perhaps exasperated by his spirited sister, who glared solely at him.
"What?"
"Let's talk inside. Setsuna and Bel are struggling."
Leongand gestured to them, prompting Rinon's gaze to shift, her icy expression softening.
"Oh, Faria!"
"It's been a while, Lady Rinon."
"Really, good to see you well."
Rinon's genuine joy was evident, her earlier edge gone, replaced by warmth. Her bright eyes turned to Setsuna.
"You?"
Not Setsuna, but Leongand answered, "He's Setsuna Kamiya, armed summoner—our trump card."
His booming voice startled Rinon and drew soldiers' eyes near the gate.
Setsuna, overwhelmed, could only yelp, "What!?"