The Church bell rang out through the streets in the bright daylight.
Teenagers run through the road and following the same path.
A varying amount of both young boys and girls.
All of them going in the same path.
I looked at the same letter since the day it was sent.
Telling me to go at the community hall for conscription.
Such bullshit
"Lukas! Over here!"
I looked up and saw Tomas and my friends waving.
I hurriedly rushed over to them.
"So, Lukas, how did the go?" Tomas asked as we walked together.
"Not too great." I said.
"Expected, first it was your sister and now you? That must be devastating for Sabine. I honestly feel quite bad for her."
"I know...
By the way, how did it go with your parents?" I asked.
"Same thing, overwhelmed." Tomas said.
"My father was really proud when he heard I was getting conscripted. Said that I was going to be a man when I return home." Wesley said.
I gazed at Gideon and asked.
"How about you Gideon?"
"Huh? Oh well, it was rather...complicated to say the least. Well probably not complicated but she wasn't very happy. I guess it was just like your situation with your mother." He replied.
"How about Amelia?" Tomas asked.
"Surprisingly, she was actually very supportive of it. I was honestly shocked by her amusement over it." Amelia answered.
"Come on guys, we're almost there at the community hall!" Gideon said as he rushed forward at the building in front of us.
"Wait for us, Gideon!" Wesley soon followed.
Amelia and Tomas also ran but right when I was about to.
Something caught my eye.
A truck? I haven't seen a car in a year.
Soldiers in uniform picked up and dropped crates stuff with something.
It almost look like uniforms.
"Lukas! What are you doing just standing there!"
I reverted my attention to Amelia who was screaming at me.
Before I came over.
***
"You stand here at the center of the universe. Where we stand here right at the gaze of our lords! Remember this moment as the greatest thing has ever happened to you all!"
The speech echoed through the empty hallways.
"You are our lords chosen! The protectors of our people! In the years to come, you will be known as knights! The Iron youth of Nathland! You will be judged by your actions based on the path you chose to stride on! But at the end of that path! Is your salvation!"
I stood in the middle of a crowd as I heard the loud speech done by a man.
The crowd made out of young boys and girls.
"My children, your decisions will pave a way. A hopeful future filled with nobility for our people! I am certain that I will see all of you returning home before Christmas right here at the very grounds you stand on!
Your armor in display in full glory!
Your helmets defining who you were!
Your swords returned to its scabbard!
With all of the honor and respect you deserve!
A Medal crafted from the iron used in our steam paladins! In graved with your name written in blood and sweat! Proudly displayed for everyone to see!"
How bullshit.
"However, take these words. In the most desperate of your time, you will be doubtful.
But do not let that take over your minds. In the most harshest time, you must endure and fight for hope! Just like our ancestors did, annihilating our greatest threat!
This is our moment right here! Driving away our enemy!
Every cowardness you make is a betrayal to our lords, so do not disappoint them.
You have the chance to wear a uniform with the highest honor you'll get.
Marching to the frontline, at the east. You will break through the enemy and in under a week.
Walk on the streets of Villux!"
"YEAH!"
Everyone yelled in unison.
Tomas, Wesley, Gideon and Amelia celebrated together whilst I just stood there.
Not caring a damn word he said.
"The future of our people lies in the hands of the greatest generation of our time...
My children, it is you! All of you!"
"YEAH!" Everyone yelled.
"So, what are you waiting for! Off to the camps to fulfill your duty!
Our emperor, our lords and our great nation!"
And yet again, celebration came.
As I watched everything unfold.
***
I stood behind a row of people.
Slowly, one by one, we move forward as the front.
Everyone around me did the same.
In a row waiting for their turn.
"Next."
I looked forward to see it was my turn.
Stepping forward, the recruiter handed me a folded uniform.
"Congratulation soldier. You'll be a man when you return home."
More like a dead men.
"Um, thank you sir." I said.
I left the place carrying my new uniform I am suppose to wear for a long time.
Passing by multiple young men waiting eagerly to get their designated uniform.
Getting inside a private large room.
It was filled with people removing their old clothes to be replaced by that uniform.
Looking around, I tried to find my friends.
Until I saw Tomas changing clothes.
"Damn, these wools are nice. So much better than the clothes I used to wear." Wesley said.
"I know, It feels so warm and comfortable and we're going to wear this until Christmas? Unbelievable." Tomas said.
"Hi guys, how are the clothes?" I asked as I also took off my clothes.
"Clothes like these could definitely get us in great shape." Gideon said.
"It is for long nights outside." Tomas said.
"Oh? Well, I'm gonna be captain."
"Captain? What a coward, you trying to avoid a battle or something? I'm of course going to be a shock trooper! Or maybe even a flag bearer. That's where the real fun begins." Wesley responded.
"Pfft, shock trooper? I'm gonna be a steel knight or even better be a squire for a steam paladin! What about you Lukas?" Tomas said excitedly.
"Well I'm gonna be a Scharfschützen. I've always had a fond for sharp shooting." I replied.
"A sniper? Isn't that where you stay at the backline and pick off enemies at long distances?" Wesley said.
"You're damn you are. I'm gonna be known as the greatest sniper ever known!"
We collectively laughed.
"When are we getting the guns?" Wesley said.
"Well, we're not getting them in a long while." Gideon answered.
"A long while? Well if they want us to be soldiers than they must train us on how!"
"Swordsmanship is what I want. Many steel knights and paladins commonly use swords." Tomas said.
He then roleplayed as sort of a swordman plunging his sword right at the enemy.
"You just won a medal with that." Gideon said.
Tomas smiled and said.
"Well you're gonna see me fully covered in it."
"Look at the shoes! They fit right in. And the leather as well. I've never seen like this before." Gideon said.
"Well we should feel honored wearing these." I said.
"Attention!"
A loud yell was heard near us.
turning to the direction of where it came from.
I saw a woman wearing in high rank uniform.
"Line up everyone!" She commanded us.
Quickly, we gathered together in a straight line.
The woman slowly walked forward.
"From this point on. You will address as me sir. I will be your drill sergeant from today until the day you are sent to the frontlines. You will know every piece to be a soldier.
I will personally train you into a fine servicemen that will even impress the higher ups.
So do not disappoint me with your clumsiness.
Salute!" She yelled.
Immediately, we straightened our back, head forward and legs and arms straight.
"Follow me." As soon she turned around and left.
All of us followed to outside.
In the camp, recruits were already being trained.
It doesn't matter if it were a men or a women, you had the same treatment as everyone else.
All treated equally. Exhausted.
Yet again, we lined up against the wall.
"Look, there they come." Someone said.
Looking at my left, I saw group of women wearing their uniforms.
They also lined up against the wall right beside us.
When I was focusing on them, I heard someone behind me.
"Is that you?"
"Huh?"
Looking behind, I saw it was a boy.
But not just any boy.
But someone I recognized.
Someone I met years ago.
"Hermann?" I said.
"Heh, I guess it was fate that brought us together." He scoffed.