The grand table in Zeref's office was imposing, its dark wood polished to a shine and illuminated by the soft glow of enchanted candles. I sat alongside Irene who impatiently tapped her nails on the table, her head resting on her hand as she laid back on the large chair. I looked over at Wall, who was fiddling around on a small mechanical device. Our expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation. None of us looked like we cared about it. Zeref stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding and resolute. In front of him on the table I noticed three notbooks.

His eyes scanned us calmly, there was nothing but coldness in them. "My goal in this war," Zeref began, his voice calm yet authoritative, "is to prevent these barbarians from ever posing a threat to Alvarez. They threaten to destroy our empire from within, and we cannot allow that. Two different cultures cannot coexist peacefully. History has shown us that one will always seek to destroy the other."

I glanced at Irene, who sighed audibly and rolled her eyes. "You've lifted this straight from the doctrine of Dragnof," she muttered under her breath. "We never allowed outsiders to set foot in our kingdom. And look how well that turned out for us." She raised her hand up swinging it lightly.

I looked over at her in confusion. "Didn't it work out perfectly? You never had any issue in your country, from its creation till its destruction from the dragon civil war?" I stated and she turned her head to me. "Yes indeed it worked out perfect actualy." She nodded proudly. "Just a shame I failed at the only job I had."

Zeref's gaze flicked to her, acknowledging her frustration but undeterred in his mission. "Alvarez must become an eternal empire, unchallenged and invincible."

Wall, seated to my right, couldn't hide his excitement. His eyes gleamed with anticipation. "I can't wait to see my cannons in action in the south. This war will be a magnificent display of our power."

I noticed his highness expression change slightly and he slighed. "Its never easy to give a speech to any of you." He stated and I chuckled lightly. "Well since we are the best of the best and you give us freedom to do what we want we can always deliver the best results, don't we?" I stated and Zeref's eyes gleamed dangerously. "I know, just don't ever try to betray me. You wont like the outcome." His tone was dark and quite threatening. I swallowed hard. "I would never your highness, I promised Irene to stay by her side and she's loyal to you only." 

Zeref handed each of us a detailed set of instructions, the parchment crisp and covered in precise, elegant script. I took mine, feeling the weight of the task ahead. "Here are the plans for the attack on the southern territories. Follow them meticulously. The success of this operation depends on it."

Irene took her instructions reluctantly, her fingers tracing the edges of the parchment. "And what of the innocents?" she asked, her tone tinged with skepticism. "We have to be thorough," Zeref replied, his voice unyielding. "If we leave any remnants, they will only rise against us in the future. This is for the greater good of Alvarez. This is how we do it, for freedom."

Feeling the weight of the mission, I glanced at Irene. I could see the conflict in her eyes—the remnants of her once fierce dragon-slaying spirit now grappling with the morality of our task. Zeref's reply basicaly meant, there are no innocent people, just targets to be eliminated. Zeref continued, his gaze sweeping over us. "This war is not just about expansion. It is about securing our future. We must ensure that Alvarez remains strong and undivided."

Irene, though clearly annoyed, nodded in reluctant agreement. "Fine," she said, her voice steady but resigned. "We'll follow your orders. But remember, Zeref, there are always consequences. The question is, which of the two evils are you going to have, the lesser or the bigger one." She stated, her eyes cleaming dangerously. I looked back and forth between Irene and Zeref, both of them in a staring contest, how she could act like this in front of him was beyond crazy. Wall, practically buzzing with enthusiasm, folded his instructions and tucked them away. "I'm ready to show those southern barbarians the might of Alvarez."

Zeref smiled, a rare and fleeting expression. "Good. Prepare yourselves. The success of this mission is crucial to the future of our empire."

As we stood to leave, Irene's muttered comment still lingered in the air, a testament to the unspoken doubts and fears that haunted us all. "An eternal empire," she whispered to me, shaking her head slightly. "Let's hope we live to see it."

I gave her a reassuring nod, determined to support her through whatever came next. As we left Zeref's office, the weight of the instructions in our hands felt heavier than any weapon, a reminder of the brutal task that lay ahead.

Irene and I stepped outside into the cool, shaded corridor. Waiting there were Heine, Juliet, and Rose, their expressions a mix of curiosity and impatience. Irene handed the letter to Heine, who snatched it eagerly, her eyes scanning the contents with growing excitement.

"Oh, this is going to be great!" Heine exclaimed, practically bouncing on her toes.

Irene's reaction was swift. She reached out and knocked Heine lightly on the head with her knuckles. "This isn't a game, Heine. Treat it with the seriousness it deserves."

Rose, perched on my shoulder, tilted her head in confusion. "What does this mean, Y/n?"

I placed a reassuring hand on her small back. "It's something you don't need to worry about, Rose. Just stick close to us, okay?" Irene looked at the letter again, tapping with her fingers on the edge of it. "Lets head over to the armory, we need to choose what to use in our assault."

"Sure, we always need to follow the process." With that, we made our way to the nearby armory, the sound of our footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The armory was a vast, cavernous space, filled with rows of gleaming weapons and equipment. The air smelled faintly of oil and metal, a testament to the maintenance of the arsenal.

Irene led the way, her eyes scanning the array of weapons. "We'll need to be fully prepared for what's coming," she said, her voice thoughtful.

As we walked through the armory, I couldn't help but marvel at the variety of weapons on display. Swords, spears, halberds—all meticulously arranged and maintained. But it was the collection of firearms that truly caught my attention. Bellow them I noticed a plaque with the name on it. Precision rifles, shotguns, pistols, and assault rifles lined the walls, each one a testament to the ingenuity and adaptation of magic in warfare.

"What are these?" I asked, my curiosity piqued as I picked up a sleek pipe thing, its cool metal feeling unfamiliar in my hands.

Irene glanced over, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Those are firearms, Y/n. They're used primarily by those without magic. The gun itself is powered by a lacrima, and the bullets are infused with magic to enhance their lethality, some explode on impact, some can cause a fire and others freeze the target."

She took the precision rifle from my hands and examined it closely, her fingers tracing the intricate runes etched into the metal. "The usage of magic has evolved significantly over the years. It's remarkable how far we've come. Back in Dragnof we only had crossbows."

Heine and Juliet wandered further down the rows, their eyes wide with fascination. Heine reached for a pair of pistols, spinning them experimentally before nodding in approval. Juliet, on the other hand, seemed more intrigued by the larger, more destructive weapons, her fingers brushing over a shotgun with barely concealed excitement.

"These weapons are powerful," Juliet remarked, glancing at me. "But do you think they can match our magic in a real fight?"

Irene placed the precision rifle back on the rack and turned to face us. "They have their uses. Against enemies who lack magic or who use more primitive forms of combat, these firearms can be devastating. However, they require a different kind of skill and strategy."

As we continued to explore the armory, Irene explained more about the integration of lacrima technology into modern weaponry. She picked up an assault rifle, pointing out the lacrima embedded in the stock and the runes that ran along the barrel. "These lacrima-powered weapons have changed the landscape of warfare. They allow non-magic users to wield power that was once reserved only for the most skilled mages."

I nodded, taking it all in. The sheer variety and sophistication of the weapons were impressive. "It's incredible how adaptable magic has become."

"But where would you use them." I stated and Irene pulled the breech back, looking inside. "They are mostly used for surprise assaults, but mages can easily overpower their weak magic, which is why these are mostly used against targets with no magic power." 

Irene smiled, her eyes reflecting a mix of pride and nostalgia. "Yes, it is amazing. Magic is a living, evolving force. It changes with the times, adapting to new challenges and needs. It's one of the reasons why our empire remains so powerful."

Heine and Juliet rejoined us, their arms laden with a selection of weapons they deemed suitable for the upcoming mission. Heine's enthusiasm was undiminished, despite Irene's earlier reprimand. "We're going to be unstoppable with these."

Irene shook her head, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "Just remember, these weapons are tools. It's your skill and strategy that will determine the outcome of our battles."

Rose fluttered from my shoulder to Irene's, her tiny wings beating softly. "What about me? What should I do?"

Irene gently patted Rose's head. "You stay close to us and keep an eye out for any threats for reconesance operations. Your sharp eyes and quick reflexes will be invaluable."

We spent a little more time familiarizing ourselves with the various weapons and equipment, ensuring we were fully prepared for the mission ahead. Irene's expertise was evident as she explained the nuances of each weapon, her voice steady and confident. She walked up to a desk with a ledger on it. Taking a pen she began to write into it. "Y/n how many soldiers do you think we need?" He voice sounded casual as she turned around, curiousity etching on her face. I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know, we are invading an entire nation so probably an entire army group would be enough." I stated scratching my chin. Irene chuckled gently, she was clearly humored. "fourhundret thousand soliders, for an invasion that sound a little too much, don't you think?" She stated swaying her hips slowly from one side to the other. "I'm thinking of just taking a company."

"Just twohundred!?" Heine shouted and Juliet too was shocked. "You aren't talking about them are you?" I looked over to Juliet as she looked worried, her hands shook even. Irene's face grew dark and a sinister smile played on her lips. "Oh I do Juliet." She whispered and wrote again on the ledger. "The wild hunt." She stated smirking.

The wild hunt? "What's that?" I asked and Heine turned to me. "Oh that's just the strongest company in all of Alvarez." She waved her hand. "Where they go nothing is left alive, which is why they are only used rarely, they take their time to train combat which makes them the most effective group." She stated and then grabbed a rifle from the wall. "Its rumored that they can fight even while being asleep."

Irene laughed amused. "Now, now Heine don't exaggerate it. They are still humans and risk to be defeated unlike the Spriggans who are the closest to gods you can have." She replied ond crossed her arms. "They are simply versed in every art of combat and weapon, nothing too hard but its difficult to master."

I took Rose onto my shoulder while Irene made her way out of the armory. I still had my doubts why we were doing this attack in the first place. Where these so called savages really that problematic? When Irene taught the subject of history to me she mentioned something once. Some humans act more like animals because they can't help themselves, they give in on their desires completely, with not a care in the world of what happens, to them or anything around them. Would that also mean that they fight like mindless beasts?

We made our way to the army camp, the bustling hive of activity just beyond the palace walls. Soldiers milled about, their armor gleaming in the sunlight, weapons clanging as they trained their skills for combat, even the distant sound of guns could be heard and shouts of the soldiers. The air was thick with anticipation, a tangible excitement that electrified the atmosphere. The camp sprawled out, tents and makeshift structures creating a maze of organized chaos.

Irene led the way, her steps purposeful and unyielding. Heine and Juliet flanked her, their expressions serious, while Rose perched on my shoulder, her eyes wide with curiosity. Wall brought up the rear. He has always been an odd one, whith his main interrests being the mechanical inventions, and the first thing he asked me when I had met him shortly was which bra size I think Irene has. That one question threw me off back then. "Perhaps U cup?" I shook my head trying to get this out of my mind. Still how doesn't she suffer from back pain? Maybe she has the back of a bodybuilder, wouldn't surprise me with her strengh.

The camp was a symphony of sounds – the clatter of armor, the murmur of voices, the distant clang of metal as soldiers honed their weapons.

We approached the quartermaster's building, a large structure reinforced with sturdy wooden beams and canvas. Inside, the air was cooler, the sunlight ony coming in throug the windows and the thick stone walls allowed for the inside to stay cool. The quartermaster, a grizzled veteran with a face etched in lines of experience, looked up from his ledger as we entered. His eyes widened slightly in recognition as he took in Irene's presence.

Irene bowed slightly to the old man. "I need fifteen flying ships for our mission," Irene stated, her voice carrying the authority of a seasoned commander.

The quartermaster straightened, his gaze flicking to Irene's unmistakable crimson hair. "Which unit are you requesting for, ma'am?" he asked, his tone respectful but tinged with curiosity.

Irene gave him a knowing look, one that spoke volumes without uttering a word. The quartermaster's eyes widened further, understanding dawning in them.

"You're talking about the southern mission, aren't you?" he asked, his voice dropping to a hushed whisper.

Irene nodded. "Yes, the rumors are true. We leave tomorrow."

The quartermaster let out a low whistle, shaking his head in disbelief. "The soldiers will be thrilled to hear that. They're hungry for war, especially after all the talk about this mission. You know how they are, when they can ignore the rules and just go at it."

I turned to the quartermaster, curiosity piqued. "Is this unit really as insane as they say?"

The quartermaster's gaze met mine, his expression serious. "If you want to win a war, you take the normal army. But if you want to show no mercy, you take them. They're bloodthirsty, born warriors with no fear. They don't just fight to win, they fight to annihilate."

I glanced at Irene, whose face remained impassive, and then back to the quartermaster. "And they're ready for this?"

He nodded. "More than ready. They thrive on the chaos of battle. But be warned, their methods are... extreme. Once unleashed, they won't hold back."

Irene's lips curved into a faint, grim smile. "That's precisely why they're perfect for this mission."

As the quartermaster scribbled notes and made arrangements, Irene turned to us. "Prepare yourselves. This will be unlike anything we've faced before. We'll need every ounce of our strength and cunning to succeed."

Heine and Juliet exchanged a glance, their eyes alight with determination. Rose, sensing the gravity of the situation, nestled closer to my neck, her tiny claws gripping my shirt.

Wall, ever the pragmatist, chimed in. "I'll ensure the new cannons are ready for deployment. We can't afford any malfunctions in the heat of battle."

Irene nodded in approval. "Good. We need every advantage we can get."

Once the arrangements were made, we left the quartermaster's tent and headed deeper into the camp. The soldiers we passed greeted Irene with salutes and murmurs of respect, their eyes filled with a mix of awe and apprehension. It was clear that her reputation preceded her, and the weight of her presence was felt keenly by all.

We reached a clearing where the flying ships were being prepared. Massive vessels, their sleek frames bristling with weaponry, hovered a few feet off the ground. Crew members scurried about, loading supplies and checking equipment. The sight was awe-inspiring, a testament to the might of Alvarez's military prowess.

Irene paused for a moment, taking in the sight, pressing her hands into the side of her waist. "This is it," she said softly, more to herself than to us. "The beginning of the end."

The air was thick with the sounds of preparation and a cold crisp wind blowed over us. the clank of armor, the murmur of voices, and the occasional bark of commands. We approached a large assembly area where two hundred soldiers stood in disciplined ranks, their presence palpable and formidable. These were not ordinary soldiers; they exuded an aura of raw power and deadly efficiency. One of the most striking differences to the usual army was their armor, it was no doubt personalized by each one. Most had camouflage paterns on it to be harder to see in combat. Something in stark contrast to both Irene and I who wore outfits certain to catch their eyes. The metal clank in each step I took made it impossible to actualy sneak and if I fell down anywhere it would sound more like frying pans falling.

As we neared, their eyes locked onto Irene with a mix of reverence and unwavering loyalty. This was the famed Wild Hunt, the strongest company in the Alvarez military. Even their backpacks looked different. Irene led the way, her presence commanding respect without uttering a word. The soldiers, in perfect unison, bowed deeply as we arrived, their movements precise and synchronized. It was evident they held Irene in the highest regard. "All hail the mother of war."

"The mother of war?"

"Y/n," Irene said, gesturing grandly to the assembled company. "Allow me to present the Wild Hunt. These are the finest warriors in all of Alvarez."

I nodded, taking in the sight of these elite soldiers. Their armor gleamed in the morning sun, each piece meticulously maintained, reflecting their discipline and readiness. Irene stepped forward, her voice ringing out with authority and warmth.

"Captain Darius," she called, and a tall, broad-shouldered man with sharp eyes and a confident demeanor stepped forward. He saluted her with a fist to his chest, his posture rigid and respectful.

"Lady Irene," he greeted, his voice firm yet reverent.

Irene smiled, a rare softness in her expression. "Darius, these soldiers are our key to the success of this mission. Treat them as you would your own brother."

Darius nodded, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Of course, Lady Irene. We owe you everything."

Irene turned to me, pride evident in her eyes. "Some of these soldiers were raised by me. Many were orphans, lost and without hope. I took them in, trained them, gave them a purpose. To them, I am more than a commander. I am their mother."

Her words hung in the air, a testament to the bond she shared with these warriors. I glanced at the soldiers, seeing the truth in their eyes. Their loyalty to Irene was absolute, born of gratitude and respect.

"But why?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. "Why did you take on the responsibility of raising them?"

Irene's smile turned wry, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "As unbelievable as it sounds, I was the only one in the Alvarez Empire with any semblance of knowledge about raising children. The empire needed soldiers, and these children needed guidance. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement."

She looked at me, her expression softening as she spoke. "In time, they became more than just soldiers. They became my family."

The weight of her words settled over me. I could see the depth of her connection with these soldiers, the sense of responsibility and care she held for them. It was a side of Irene that few ever saw, a side that revealed her true strength and compassion.

"Thank you, Irene," I said, my voice sincere. "For everything you've done."

She nodded, her gaze steady. "We all have our roles to play in this. Let's not waste any time."

Captain Darius began barking orders, and the Wild Hunt sprang into action. The sound of armor clanking and the synchronized marching of boots filled the air. We followed Irene as she led us through the camp, where preparations for the mission were in full swing. The cannons Wall had produced were already loaded under the flying ships five of them.

As we walked, I turned to Irene, my curiosity piqued. "How did you come to be so skilled in raising and training these soldiers?"

She laughed softly, a melodic sound that cut through the military din. "I had to learn quickly. These children were like wild animals when I first took them in. But with patience and discipline, they grew into the warriors you see now."

Her eyes softened as she continued, "They are my greatest achievement. Each one of them has a story, a past filled with pain and loss. I gave them a future, a purpose. And in return, they gave me their loyalty."

Eventually, we reached the airships, their sleek forms ready for departure. One of the commanding airships had been designated for our group, and we began the process of settling in. Going up a steep ramp we reached the ships top. the deck was empty with the exception of a table, chairs and a few crates for stoarage. Turning around to the back of the ship I knew could only be the captains quarters. Irene's man o war was massive and even her private room reflected that, but this much smaller air ship could never compare to it. I watched Iren open the double door to the inside. Rose flew inside and I followed her immediately.

The cabin was spacious, with enough room for all of us to store our weapons, armor, and other essential items. Heine and Juliet immediately started organizing their gear, placing swords and daggers in strategic positions for easy access. Rose fluttered around, inspecting every corner with curiosity, her tiny claws clicking softly against the wooden surfaces.

Irene and I worked together, our movements synchronized from years of fighting side by side. She placed her enchanted staff and a precision rifle in a secure rack, her fingers lingering on the magical runes etched into the wood. On her hip I caught a glimpse of a holster for a pistol. "Are you really keeping that one on you?" I asked and she stared down at it, placing her hand right onto it. "It feels kind of nice actually." She came close to me and then tugged on my own holster which I had strapped on the side of my armor chest piece. "And you ware one to talk." She smiled softly. I arranged my own weapons and armor, ensuring everything was within reach. The cabin quickly transformed into a well-ordered command center, ready for the mission ahead. Placing down my removed chest armor I noticed Irene roll out the map for the southern region and study it.

As the others finished their preparations and the hum of the airship's engines filled the air, I found a moment to sit down with Irene on a bed at the back of the cabin. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation, the gravity of our mission pressing down on us. I watched her for a moment, her eyes distant as she gazed out the small window at the landscape below.

"Irene," I began, my voice breaking the silence. "Why do they call you the 'Mother of War'?"

She turned to me, her eyes softening as she met my gaze. For a moment, she seemed to hesitate, the weight of the question evident in her expression. Then, with a deep breath, she began to speak, her voice steady but tinged with a deep-seated sorrow.

"It goes back to a time long ago," she said, her gaze distant as if she were seeing those distant battlefields once more. "In Dragnof, when the Dragons attacked, I led our army against them. I was young, but I treated every soldier under my command as if they were my own children, even though I had none at the time. It earned me the title 'Mother of War'. After I had told the soldiers you see now here when they were children."

I listened intently, feeling the depth of her emotions as she recounted her past. "You treated them like your own children?" I asked softly, my heart aching for the burden she had carried for so long.

She nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Yes. I did everything in my power to protect them, to guide them. But it was a brutal war, and despite our efforts, many lives were lost. One of those lives was Belserion. He was like a father to me, a mentor, and losing him was... devastating."

A small sob escaped her lips, and I reached out, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. The memory of Belserion's death was a wound that had never fully healed. "I'm sorry, Irene," I said softly, my voice filled with empathy.

"Thank you, Y/n," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's a pain that never truly goes away, but it also reminds me why I fight. To protect those I care about, to ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain."