The Stupid Cannon Fodder is Stunning Today

Chapter 17: Stay and Die

This chapter is brought to you by Soldier, Poet, King by The Oh Hellos. 

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Early daybreak, Bel left the Monttevi compound and made his way to the Tower of Truth. Lord Eartha awaited him at the entrance. Standing beside him was Tobus, who looked at him with half-lidded eyes. 

Bel swallowed and greeted the city lord with a slight bow.

"Good morning, Lord Eartha. Pardon my lateness." 

Lord Eartha waved a hand. "No, you are just on time. Let us get you and Cat briefed for the mission."

Bel was confused by the mention of cats until he realized that was Tobus' codename. 

He turned to the other boy and saw he barely batted an eye. 

"Your uncle has informed me you opted for the name Peacemaker. Is that correct, Lord Belwyn?"

"A-ah." At the mention of his chosen name, Bel stuttered and felt his cheeks turn hot. "Yes. That is correct, Lord Eartha."

The man nodded, having confirmed the information he needed, and made a gesture to follow.

"Let us go. Time is of the essence." 

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Agents of Vesna were elite guards, assassins, and soldiers the city had to offer. Men and women of Vesna's Houses all strived to reach the levels of a Vesna agent. 

Heir Protectors such as Tobus Arcadia and Belwyn Monttevi were expected to be a part of the ranks, though, in the history of Vesna, agents have never been younger than eighteen. 

It all started with Lord Calypto sponsoring his nephew to join the ranks. 

He had come to Chambers armed with a scroll the length of three men. The missions his nephew had taken since he had become a mercenary were many, and his success rate was nearly 99%. 

"What about the 1%--"

"We docked a few points in the last one when he brought back children." 

"..." 

The man believed his nephew was ready to become an agent. 

The rest of Chambers couldn't accept this, of course. 

The boy had only turned thirteen. What kind of prodigy did Lord Calypto foolishly believe his nephew was?

Then they met this Tobus Arcadia once more. They had not seen him since the infamous Calypto Ball held in his honor. 

No one knew what happened behind those closed doors, but Tobus Arcadia had become an agent of Vesna the very next day with the approval of Lord Eartha. 

The Monttevis were, of course, furious by the decision. It was simply unfair for the Calypto's Heir Protector to join the ranks of Vesna's agents at such a young age. The boy still had spots!--the boy, did not, in fact, have spots. His skin was quite clear from the blood of his enemies. 

He demanded that his own nephew be given a spot as possible. 

It was unfortunate, however, that Belwyn was not a natural-born killer. His heart was good, and he was more of a soldier than a sneaky killer. He worked best in groups and thrived when given the chance to lead. 

He had his talents and was proficient in the claymore. He was young and had skill, but comparing him to Tobus, who was once an executioner of The Arena, was horribly unfair. 

Lord Monttevi vowed to the Chambers that his nephew would be a Vesna agent in a year's time, if not sooner. His pride and dignity relied on. 

He would not let Valerius fucking Calypto, that unruly cat, the satisfaction of having a prodigious heir protector in the ranks so soon.