n

n

nThe minister of War gave an encouraging speech to the soldiers and after that it was the Award giving function.

nAwards were given to soldiers for different kinds of contribution like for soldiers who had shown extreme courage and patriotism in battles etc..

nDror could see the aura of the entire area was different after the award ceremony started, whenever a widow or children come to collect the reward for their dead husband or father,

nThe whole area would become gloomier.

nDror could only give a sigh at the situation, the number of rebel soldiers that died or got captured was much more than any of the achievements that the rebel army made.

nFinally it was Dror's time. His different achievements were announced in a beautiful manner, Dror could feel the change in aura when this announcement was made.

nIt was like the people gained hope and courage after hearing his achievements.

nThis was because it was only in Dror's case that without any causality the alliance army was defeated completely.

nThe Minister of War carefully observed the soldier standing in front of him from toe to head, The minister had a smile and spark in his eyes after observing the young man.

nDror was a little taken aback by the intimacy in the Minister of wars aura.

nHe was thinking in his mind.

n

" hey I am not interested in men… why are you hugging me after pinning the badge on me…. This is a misuse of the authority…

"

nDror quickly escaped the platform after receiving the rewards. The commander who was also sitting on the platform was finding it hard to keep his laugh inside.

nThe commander very well knew the attitude of the minister of war towards good soldiers and geniuses whom he thought great of.

nHe would become intimate with them more quickly than the other person could respond.

nDror had received the Red Valiant Hero medal, which was a high ranking medal for great achievements in war.

nHe also received 30000 contribution points and 500 mid grade crystals.

nAfter the ceremony Dror was invited to the commander's office.

nWhen he arrived he saw that the commander was in a heated discussion with the Minister of War.

nThe minister had a little gloomy face but when he saw Dror, brightness returned to his face and he spoke with enthusiasm.

n

" Congratulations on your achievements young man, take a seat…

"

nDror took a seat and looked at the commander.

nCommander knew what Dror was thinking and answered

" It's not me who invited you, it is the minister of War. He wanted to get to know the new young hero of the rebel army….

"

nThe minister evaluated Dror again and said

" Young man you haven't yet reached 30 and are in the true warrior realm, You also have the courage and intelligence …. why don't you come to our Air base, the facilities and training equipment in there will help you cultivate much faster…

"

nThe commander also nodded at this and said

" Dror you should consider what the Minister is saying it is a great opportunity for you… I won't lie to you, In truth our Earth base is the weakest among the five bases and also has the least amount of training equipment and other facilities. I will be happy for you if you can train in the Air base …

"

nDror knew the commander was an honorable man and he wished well for him.

nBut Dror knew if he was to transfer he would be appointed as Major in the air base and do his duties there.

nHe was not interested in this as he had started liking the Earth base after living here for a while.

nMore than that, much of his future plans for revolution were based on staying here.

nDror spoke

" I am thankful for the invitation minister, but I would like to decline…. After staying on the Earth base, I have gotten used to this place … so maybe later..

"

nThe minister was not at all disappointed but felt happy he thought.

n

" it is good that this person has loyalty towards his friends and doesn't get easily swayed… I wonder if he would volunteer to go to the War challenge.. hah .. I shouldn't get this young man involved due to my personal emotions, he has a bright future ahead…

"

nThey had discussion on different topics in the room, but the discussion soon ended as it was time for the minister to return.

nDror got to know a lot of information relating to the current situation from the minister.

nThe minister was kind enough to answer almost all questions raised by Dror as he had summoned Dror especially to befriend him.

nThe minister also explained the details regarding the young dragon battalion, Dror was the only person to become a dragon major from the Earth base.

nSpace base had three dragon majors and the rest of the bases had two each.

nAs a new and special battalion the major of the battalion enjoyed very high authority and discretionary powers, he could personally choose the soldiers for the company from the army.

nThe soldiers recruited would also be provided with special aid in cultivation.

nAfter leaving the commander's office Dror had planned for a small celebration at a restaurant, the only people that were invited was Levi, Alexander, Chaow, Rutna and the commander.

nThe commander couldn't make it as he was busy.

nBut the rest arrived on time and they started having drinks and meals while discussing different things.

nSuddenly Dror interrupted their current discussion

" I want all three of you to join my Company… what do you think..

"

nThe rest were surprised by Dror's proposal.

nUsually the base itself will select the best warrior's available to join the young dragon company.

nIn Fact the commander had also come up with a list for dror to select from.

nBut Dror's opinion was entirely different, what he wanted was not strong warriors but loyal comrades who will wholeheartedly fight for the cause.

nLevi was handicapped, Chaow didn't have much fighting experience as he was mainly a driver, Alexander was just another historian.

nThe three of them tried to persuade Dror to go with the formal list provided by the base as they knew their own weakness very well.

nIn the end Dror was able to convince Chaow and Levi.

nAlexander was still not swayed and he said

" fine I will give you a chance to recruit me, I will ask you a question and if I deem your answer worthy I will join you..

"

nDror replied

" sure..

"

n

" Tell me why you really want to form this company and fight the alliance government..

"

nDror thought of giving different reasons but after calming down he thought of just speaking what was in his heart..

n

"I will speak the truth, Levi knows this . I am not from this planet unlike you people, I don't feel much patriotism or anything towards this planet.

nIn truth I don't care if the planet is ruled by the king or the Alliance government…

"

nRutna who was filling her mouth non stop like a little glutton coughed and spit out what was in her mouth after listening to what Dror said.

nWhat Dror said was blasphemy in the ears of any rebel. Only Alexander had a slight smile on his face.

nDror continued

" you might think I am saying heresy, but as someone from the outside this is my truth.

nThe only reason why I want to fight is because I don't like the current situation.

nI value my freedom above everything, if it comes to it I would rather die than lose my freedom and whenever I see someone taking away someone else's freedom I feel something more than anger.

nWhat can I say, I just don't like it .

nSo if you ask me why I am fighting I am not fighting for any king, I want to fight for those people whose freedom has been taken away.

nThose people who are weak to fight for their own freedom.

nI want to fight for myself to end this dislike that I feel when I see a fellow human being lose their freedom and dignity.

nIn a way I am also gauging myself whether I am worthy….

nI won't stand by and watch when a wrong is happening in front of my eyes even if I am weak, Much less will I hold back when I am strong..

"

nAfter hearing what Dror said Alexander slowly muttered

n

"... Dharma…

"

n

" this is your Dharma…. You are fighting for your Dharma

"

nDror was taken aback but he was more confused, he had heard the word Dharma but it has been used to mean righteousness and following the laws .

nDror replied

" maybe you got a little confused, More than righteousness this is something I feel I should do. I don't care about the laws or righteousness in this matter

"

nAlexander

" You are thinking of Dharma as just a word and its meaning.

nBut the Dharma that I am speaking about is beyond right and wrong, it is not constrained by the definition given by the society or others.

nThis is something a person follows throughout his life, it is like his faith, his belief, It doesn't matter whether it is wrong or right in others eyes.

nThis is something that is closely related to your very existence.

nMy master had said that only people who follow their Dharma can reach the apex of the warrior path…

"

nDror and the rest were taken aback by this explanation, they have never considered Dharma like this.

nAlexander continued

" I don't know much about this, but from what I understand. Your Dharma seems to be something hard, in the future it might be really hard to walk on this path you have chosen…. It is better if you change your Dharma, while you are only still beginning to walk this path

"

nDror could understand what Alexander was referring to. If there comes one day when a real powerful being was his enemy and he couldn't stop something that he deemed to be wrong, If he retreated his dharma would be broken or he would have to die fighting.

nFor this reason most warriors choose something much more simple as their Dharma, like I will only speak truth throughout my life or I will never go back on my word.

nBut Dror didn't have a master to guide him on these matters.

n