War breaks out in the far north, as the Empire's oppression of the mountain people results in a terrifying backlash. With the one competent leader in the Northern Garrison assassinated, the ignorant garrison commander flings the troops headlong into a highly defended, mountainous position, with disastrous results. Ikta and his friends are kept as part of the reserves for now, but it won't be long until they're thrust into the war as well.