297 An Illusionary Peaceful World [1]
"Huaa~"
Rubbing my eyes, I woke up just before the break of dawn. I lay still for a while, not at all wanting to leave the warm embrace of the blankets on this cold morning.
However, after a bit of internal fighting, I let out a heavy sigh and sat up straight.
As the morning cold greeted me, I shivered and readied myself to leave the bed. I knew I had a long day ahead.
As I was about to leave the bed, a slender arm reached out from under the blankets and grabbed me by the waist, caressing my firm muscles.
"Last night was amazing."
I smiled at those words and grabbed the arm of my girlfriend. Pulling the blankets down, I looked into her deep emerald eyes and said:
"Get up, M'lady. You know today is going to be tiring."
My girlfriend rolled her eyes and groaned, contorting the expressions on her pretty little face in exasperation.
"I don't wanna!" She cried out like a child throwing a tantrum for not wanting to go to school. "I want to sleep… with you!"
I giggled at her cute antics and gently brushed my fingers through the length of her silky long black hair.
"I know, but since the long war has finally ended, we have to appoint new leaders, set new borders, and enact new laws."
Hearing my reasons, she made a dejected face and rose up to sit straight. After a few seconds, she pouted and said, "Fine."
I sat there motionless, idyllically enjoying the bewitching sight of the beauty I had somehow managed to coax into dating me dressing herself in my oversized hoodie.
Well, I didn't exactly coax her. I'm good in bed, or so she says. Heh.
Putting on her pajamas, she turned to me and said, "Come on them, get dressed."
"You're wearing my hoodie."
"Your fault for tearing off my jacket last night."
Heh, that was worth it.
Staring at her with a stupid smile on my face for a few seconds, I finally sighed again and got up from the bed.
To shrug off the cold, I cast a warm layer of Fire Aura around me and let the warmth embrace me again before putting on a thin silk shirt.
Who knew my once formidable Elemental Aura would one day be reduced to being used as a mere replacement for a heater, huh?
Well, to be honest, I'd rather prefer this than using it to kill. Fortunately, my wish had been granted.
The war was now over. Vampires were defeated and Kalis were all exterminated too.
The world was at peace once again. All the races could now finally live in peace and harmony.
There was no need to forcefully deploy children in wars anymore. We didn't need to worry about terrorist or vampire attacks.
There were no borders we needed to defend nor were there any space stations we needed to guard now.
After all this time, we had achieved peace.
It would be at least a few hundred years before the world's inhabitants start to fight among themselves.
Not our problem, since we would be dead by then.
Our generation has done our part by ending the centuries-long war, now we will enjoy our time in this mortal realm and leave everything else to future generations.
Of course, while the soldiers had done their part and were free to rest now, the duty of the leaders was just beginning.
As one of the war heroes who brought peace to this world, my girlfriend had a myriad of tasks that demanded her attention.
Obviously, since I was her most trusted second-in-command and her life partner, I would have to be there to help her.
Turning to me, she flashed me an arresting smile and said, "Let's go."
As soon as we left our luxurious quarters, the servants, who were already at work to prepare for the day, bowed respectfully and greeted us with warm voices.
Walking beside my love, I read through a holographic screen that was open in front of me and recounted all the tasks she had to tackle today out loud.
"We'll have to see what we can do about the Sinoath family. All of their members are dead so their territory is open. Same with the Wiseman family. At least there is a Goodwill left. The council will have to decide on what to do about military rule. Since the war is over, democracy can be employed into the system again."
"Council members won't be happy with that suggestion," she replied. "Even I think it's a bit early to restore mass freedom."
"So, will that be your stance in today's council meeting then?" I asked, curiously.
She didn't reply to me immediately. As she lingered, we arrived at the well-maintained garden of our mansion.
Visiting the garden first thing in the morning had become her daily routine by now.
Plucking out a fresh rose, she turned to me and answered, "No. I fear if not today, then liberty will never return to this world. It's time to employ democracy."
I looked into her bright green eyes for a moment and smiled brightly. Nodding, I proceeded to ask another question.
"And how do you suggest we bring up this topic to the Council–"
Before I could finish, however, she intercepted and chipped in her own question.
"Wake up."
"...Huh?" A frown appeared on my face as I stared at her with a confused look. "What? I'm dead awake."
She shook her head, her emerald eyes staring into mine. "Do you remember who you are? Can you remember your name?"
The frown on my face deepened as I responded, "What are you talking about? Of course, I know who I am. I am… ahh… huh?"
Slowly, my eyes began to widen as my jaw dropped in bewilderment.
"Who… am I? I… I can't remember… Huh… I am… Who?"
Panic started to slowly seep into my voice as I gradually realized that no matter how much I tried, I couldn't recall my identity!
As soon as she asked me for my name, my mind completely blanked out. Grabbing my shoulders, she peered at me and said:
"Remember! You are the second-born of the Crimson Wolf, Reynold Morningstar, and the Ice Monarch, Yennefer Morningstar! You are Lucas Morningstar!"
Something suddenly clicked in my head and I soon remembered everything. Right, I was Lucas! Lucas Morningstar!
But… where was I?
Before I could even understand what was going on, suddenly, the clear blue sky above us split open and a tear appeared in the very fabric of space itself.
A colossal ebony Dragon emerged from the spatial rift. Almost instantly after that, a thunderous voice boomed throughout the world, raging:
"You just had to remember, you fool! Couldn't you have just enjoyed your long-awaited peace?!"
I could only widen my eyes as in the next instance, the mighty Dragon opened its maw and unleashed a sea of incinerating white flames, setting the world aflame.
Soon, my consciousness faded and I fell into eternal slumber.
