Book excerpt: It's not the 1930s you were taught. Trench fighting of 'The Great War' has raged on for decades. During the carnage of a German/Russian counter-offensive, Pvt. Pepper witnessed the slaughter of his comrades. When death presses in on him, he is saved by a mysterious Knight with a magical shield. Soon after Pepper finds himself alongside two squires Jonas and Sylvia led by the Knight, Lady Therese. What should be a reprieve from death has its own cruel price with the Order fighting terrifying monsters of lore, a psychotic former member with a grudge, and trying to stop a war that has consumed the world for too long. Is the Order a blessing or a curse? Will they be Pepper's salvation or lead him into damnation? Their allies don't make that a straightforward question, nor does having Sylvia around. Pepper is left to figure it out before it costs him more than he knows he has.