"I heard the King is going to speak on the platform."
"Yeah, I wonder what he has to say today."
As the news of Gilgamesh's upcoming speech spread, the soldiers across the drill grounds began to whisper, the sound like the gathering of a storm.
The new Faunus recruits from the Southwestern Mountains were filled with curiosity, eager to hear a speech from this legendary Golden King. Meanwhile, the veterans of the Immortal Battalion who had followed Gilgamesh from the Alluvium wore expressions of intense excitement. The sharper minds among them were already guessing—today was the day they looked North.
Soon, after the commanders of each battalion had assembled their troops, Gilgamesh turned to look at Ur-Namu, Siduri, Enkidu-Sa, and the other generals standing behind him. They, too, were casting expectant gazes his way, waiting for him to step up and say the words they had all been longing to hear. Seeing the anticipation in their eyes, Gilgamesh gave a small nod. The morale is high; the time is now.
Under the collective gaze of the army, Gilgamesh slowly ascended the high platform. He looked out over the vast crowd with a calm, steady eye.
"Men! I have a few words; I ask that you listen closely!"
Facing the massive throng, Gilgamesh projected his voice with the resonance of a great bronze bell, ensuring his words reached every corner of the drill grounds. The previously noisy crowd fell instantly silent. Every eye was fixed on him.
"As you all know, several years ago, we were relentlessly hunted by the Imperial Palace. Though we won victory after victory, their pursuit never ceased. Thus, we chose to temporarily abandon the Alluvium and undergo a grueling trek to reach these mountains."
As Gilgamesh spoke, a complex mix of emotions flickered across the faces of the veterans. He described the relocation in simple terms, but they were the ones who had lived the reality of that arduous journey.
"Here, we formed an alliance with the Faunus, who were also oppressed by the Court, and we successfully integrated them into our legions!"
At this point, the Faunus serving in the ranks lifted their heads with pride. Gilgamesh was the first person to truly treat them as equals to the people of the Alluvium. For this, they supported him without reservation.
"Now, the scouts I sent back have returned. They tell me that the heartland is plagued by disasters and that the Palace is spread thin, struggling to suppress uprisings everywhere. The time has come! We must seize this opportunity and launch our Northern Expedition!"
Gilgamesh paused for a beat before shouting with stirring passion:
"The Northern Expedition! Back to the Alluvium!"
The moment the words left his lips, the veteran soldiers broke formation, raising their power-spears and cheering in a frenzied, emotional response.
"This expedition is to drive out tyranny and rescue the people! In the name of the Sovereign's Mansion, I order the entire army to prepare for departure. The Northern Expedition begins today!"
The entire field erupted in a roar of triumph that shook the mountain peaks! Behind him, Siduri, Ur-Namu, and the other generals stood in solemn agreement, the path home finally open.
"Congratulations, Lord. I didn't expect us to recover so quickly—that after only a few years of rest, we would be ready for such a grand undertaking!"
Following the speech, every department of the Auric Reclamation became a hive of activity. Under the orders of their officers, the soldiers busied themselves gathering weapons and dismantling the structures of their mountain base.
Inside his quarters, Gilgamesh was packing his belongings when Enkidu-Sa entered.
"Enkidu-Sa, you've come at a good time. I intend to advance by both land and water. The heavy baggage can be carried by the river fleet, while our land forces can march light. This way, we can strike back as quickly as possible.
Time waits for no one—whether a new hero emerges from the other rebel factions or the Palace successfully suppresses everyone else, either outcome would be disastrous for us."
Gilgamesh spoke while sketching lines across the map on his table, his strategic deployment already clear and decisive.
"Since the King has already made his decision, I have nothing more to add," Enkidu-Sa said, bowing with cupped fists, impressed by the meticulous nature of the plan.
"I still worry that I might have overlooked something, which is why I need you to check my blind spots," Gilgamesh replied, stepping forward to offer a comforting pat on Enkidu-Sa's shoulder.
"Father, the horses are ready! You can mount up whenever you're ready!" Siduri said, pushing the door open and saluting her father.
"Good, very good," Gilgamesh nodded. He turned back to Enkidu-Sa. "Then, it is time to head out. I've already had your scrolls and tablets loaded onto a pack-beast. As a scholar, you should ride a steady, gentle horse."
Enkidu-Sa blinked in surprise at the thoughtful gesture. "Ah... thank you for your consideration, King."
Gilgamesh chuckled, then strode out of the room to where the soldiers held his warhorse.
"Then, let's go!" he cried, swinging himself into the saddle.
"Yes, sir!" the others replied in unison.
"Forward!"
Gilgamesh snapped his crop, and his horse broke into a steady trot. Siduri and Enkidu-Sa mounted their own steeds and followed close behind. Behind them, the square phalanxes of the army began to move, marking the official beginning of their long journey back to the heart of the empire.