Frontline Empress

"So… uhhh… when was the last time you worked out?" Alexandra nervously chuckled as she saw Ophelia raise one of the Holy Knights's longswords.

"I cannot remember," Ophelia grit her teeth as she picked up the longsword and took a familiar stance, however… it had been way too long. Taking into account her life before regressing, it must have been around seventy years or so since she last wielded a weapon.

"How exactly did you become a lieutenant again?" 

"Please don't make fun of me and let us start the lesson immediately," Ophelia grunted as her arms gave out and the longsword swung down into the dirt below. 

"I-I'm being genuine. Like… shouldn't there be some kind of bare minimum for somebody to become a lieutenant? I'm not well versed with the militaristic hierarchy, but I'm sure lieutenant is quite a good rank, is it not?" 

"Well, it is better than a foot soldier." 

"Sigh… alright… if you have no intentions to tell me, let me see your stance. Just show me what you remember for now." 

Ophelia gritted her teeth, her semi-blank expression displaying just a hint of strain as she lifted the longsword again. Her arms trembled slightly under the weight, but she forced them steady, determined to reclaim the muscle memory buried beneath decades of disuse. 

With deliberate care, she planted her feet in a wide base, her hands gripping the hilt of the blade firmly. The tip of the longsword wavered for a moment before aligning directly with Alexandra's chest.

Alexandra tilted her head, her golden eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she studied the stance. The positioning of Ophelia's body, the angle of her arms, and the precise point of aim all suggested a style meant for a completely different weapon. Alexandra's brow furrowed, and her mouth cracked open. 

"A spear? It seems you used a spear, right?"

The question hung in the air, and Ophelia's grip faltered slightly. Her lips pressed into a thin line as her mind reeled back through the years, memories of long battles fought with a weapon she could wield almost effortlessly compared to the cumbersome sword in her hands.

"Dammit," Ophelia grunted, letting the longsword slice back down again into the earth. 'If I could use the parasite, this would be so much easier, but I cannot reveal such an important card to anybody right now… especially in front of Holy Knights,' she then thought.

"I guess we have a lot to work on…" 

"Hey! We're departing!" Captain Edwin called out to the two women. Glancing at each other for a moment, they proceeded to pack up their stuff and get ready to head out. 

Over the next three days, Alexandra trained Ophelia rigorously, pushing her through a series of grueling workouts early each morning and again after they set up camp at night. The exercises ranged from basic strength-building routines to endurance drills that left Ophelia's muscles burning and her limbs trembling. 

Ophelia despised every moment of it with every fiber of her being, but not once did she voice her displeasure. Her expression remained as calm and unreadable as ever, showing no hint of frustration or complaint, much to Alexandra's growing admiration.

In addition to the workouts, Alexandra dedicated time to teaching Ophelia the fundamentals of swordsmanship. Although Ophelia's muscle memory from her past battles seemed almost entirely gone, she was a quick learner. Her sharp mind allowed her to grasp the basic techniques with remarkable speed, and as the days went by, fragments of her former skills seemed to surface. Her movements became more fluid, her grip steadier, and her stances more confident. 

During these sessions, the two women began to grow closer. While Ophelia remained distant and guarded, there were small moments where Alexandra caught glimpses of the person behind the wall Ophelia had constructed around herself. A faint smile here, a subtle nod there—it wasn't much, but it was enough for Alexandra to feel like she was slowly chipping away at that barrier, piece by painstaking piece.

By the night before their final day of travel, the bond between them had noticeably strengthened, even if Ophelia's coldness persisted. That evening, the camp was quiet, and the other Holy Knights were either asleep or keeping watch. Ophelia sat alone in her tent, a lantern casting a warm glow as she meticulously examined her equipment and reflected on the progress she had made.

A soft knock on the fabric of her tent's entrance drew her attention. "Come in," she said.

Alexandra stepped inside, her presence filling the small space as she held a pair of mugs. "I figured you could use something warm," she said, offering one of the mugs to Ophelia. "It's just tea. Nothing fancy."

Ophelia accepted the mug with a nod of thanks, taking a small sip. The earthy aroma and subtle sweetness of the tea were a welcome comfort after the exhausting day. She glanced at Alexandra, who had seated herself across from her, cradling her own mug.

"I wanted to say…" Alexandra hesitated, her golden eyes flicking up to meet Ophelia's. "You've been working so hard these past few days. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect when you asked me to train you, but… you've surprised me. You're relentless."

Ophelia's expression remained neutral, but there was a faint flicker of something in her eyes—appreciation, perhaps. "Thank you," she responded simply, her tone giving nothing away.

Alexandra smiled, leaning back slightly. "You know, you don't have to keep everything so close to your chest. I get it—trust doesn't come easily, especially in your position. But…"

Ophelia looked down at her mug, her fingers tightening around the handle. For a moment, the silence stretched between them, and Alexandra wondered if she'd overstepped. But then, Ophelia spoke, her voice quiet but firm.

"Just drop it." 

"S-Sorry, I didn't mean to-" 

"There are more important things. I am sorry if this comes off as cold, but there are some things that take priority right now. I enjoy your company and I really do love you, so I hope you can understand." 

Her words were cold, but so utterly genuine that Alexandra couldn't help but agree.

"No… no… I understand," Alexandra nodded, scratching the back of her head as she fully regretted what she had just spoken. 

"But… thank you," Ophelia lightly smiled, rubbing Alexandra's cheek. Alexandra leaned into it, closing her eyes to feel her partner's warmth. 

SNAP 

As if a chord within them broke, the two shot up from their seated position, seemingly scanning the tent around them, but in reality, they were sensing much further. Deep into the surrounding forest. 

"Shit," Alexandra cursed under her breath before rushing out of the tent, Ophelia following her. 

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the camp as the other Holy Knights rushed toward Alexandra and Ophelia. Their expressions were grim and rigid and one of them soon called out to the two.

"A horde of monsters is heading this way! From the east!"

Ophelia's brow furrowed. "Why would—" she began, but her words faltered mid-sentence. 

Her lips pressed into a thin line as her gaze drifted toward the forest's darkened edge. Her posture stiffened, her head tilting slightly as if she were seeing something no one else could sense.

The Holy Knights exchanged confused glances. One of them muttered, "What's she—?"

"She senses something," Alexandra interrupted, her voice quiet but firm. Unlike the others, she didn't question Ophelia's sudden silence. Alexandra had witnessed her uncanny awareness before, earlier in their journey. It was sharper than even the most experienced knights' instincts.

Ophelia's focus didn't waver as she whispered, "It's not just a horde. Something else is driving them."

The tension thickened as Captain Edwin stepped forward, his tone commanding. "Form up! Defensive crescent to the eastern edge of the clearing!"

The knights moved with precision, assembling in a protective arc. The eastern tree line loomed ominously, its shadows deepening as the moonlight struggled to pierce through the dense canopy.

Golden energy began to shimmer around each Holy Knight, taking the form of a lion-like aura. The ethereal glow pulsed and solidified, flowing like a mantle of light that draped over their backs like capes. Their presences grew more imposing as the aura empowered them, exuding an air of unwavering strength.

Captain Edwin turned, his gaze locking onto Ophelia. "Stay behind us. Do not engage."

Ophelia nodded obediently before taking a step back.

The forest seemed to stir unnaturally as the first signs of the horde emerged. At the edge of the clearing, glowing red eyes pierced the darkness, dozens of them gleaming like embers. 

Then, they came. 

About twenty monstrous wolves surged from the tree line, their grotesque forms illuminated by the moonlight. Their sleek fur was marred by jagged spikes protruding along their backs and twisted demonic horns jutted from their heads. Their gaping jaws revealed rows of jagged teeth, dripping with saliva as they charged, a clamor of snarls and howls filling the air.

"Hold the line!" Edwin's voice cut through the chaos. "Protect Ophelia at all costs!"

The ground seemed to tremble as the wolves broke into the clearing, their speed terrifyingly fast. The Holy Knights, unyielding, braced themselves. With a collective surge of energy, their lion-like auras flared to life, igniting into flame-like bursts that roared around them.

"STEEL YOURSELVES KNIGHTS! THESE ARE DEMONIC BEASTS! DO NOT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN FOR EVEN A SECOND!"