Alcar was once a member of the Praetorian Guard. More precisely, he held the prestigious title of " Flagbearer," a rank reserved for the cream of the crop.
Ordinary citizens might not fully grasp the significance of this title, which signifies absolute strength and unwavering loyalty. It is an exceptional honor earned through fierce competition among the legions. Among all the Praetorian Guards, there can be only one Flagbearer.
"Surrender is never an option! We do not retreat, we do not yield! Raise your weapons! This is loyalty to the Emperor, this is a Vow of Honor!" Alcar once declared.
"We're an impregnable force, standing steadfast at the frontlines."
"We embody courage and the victory."
"We shall protect the Emperor, even at the cost of our lives!"
Time and again, Alcar revisited the moment he was appointed Flagbearer in his dreams, only to be pulled back to reality by the biting cold of the wintry night. At the sound of hurried footsteps, he instinctively tightened his grip on his weapon...
"They only send us because they think there's no chance of winning! You need to know that, Alcar!"
"Exactly! I'm sure the empire's already a lost cause!"
"I don't believe it... His Majesty wouldn't just stand by and watch this happen..."
"For heaven's sake, where's the Emperor now?! The empire's a gone case, and the power's fallen into other hands."
"We have to win this impossible battle to have a chance to see His Majesty."
"But..."
"I'm b Egging you, Alcar. I know this is tough, but that's the reason we're sent here..."
Alcar couldn't remember who convinced him to fight back then. The Empire's fate seemed to have nothing to do with the Praetorian Guards, who lived by loyalty, but at that moment, none of it mattered anymore...
Alcar endures the agony of surviving while his comrades fell and the torment of betraying his own beliefs. When he removes his armor, it reveals a body marked by scars—not only from the battles he survived but also from the pain he inflicted upon himself in his search for redemption.
Now, this former Flagbearer has been given a new lease on life in this small town. His past fame no longer binds him. "I've long given up on changing the world. Now, I only strive to stay true to myself,' he said.
