298 An Illusionary Peaceful World [2]
"Huaaa~"
Exhaling a tired yawn, I sat up straight on my bunk bed and gazed around with bleary eyes.
Around me, I saw several soldiers and military officers running around, going about their duties and rushing to their posts.
I checked the dial of my cheap watch and found out that it was around [4:34 PM] by now already.
Biting my thumbnail and suppressing another yawn, I left the warmth of my bed and headed out of the barracks.
I was dead tired. In all honesty, I just wanted to fall flat right here and slip into the inviting embrace of a long slumber.
However, I had a long and tiring day ahead of me. The war has ended. The heroes were successful in their final struggle.
Peace has been achieved.
The world leaders must be trapped in a ton of work now. After all, the responsibility to manage the new world has fallen on their shoulders.
Haaa.
But what does all that have to do with me? I am nothing but a small, insignificant foot soldier.
Despite coming from a renowned noble family, my mana core potential was mediocre at best.
I didn't possess my mother's wits nor my father's strength. I was not a brilliant strategist nor a good fighter.
I just knew how to survive. Like a roach, I survived on the battlefield for seven hellish years.
Finally, I could stop now.
Maybe I'll return to my hometown, the capital of the Western Continent, and build a small, cozy home there.
I'll spend the rest of my life in peace.
I just wish my friends could've gotten a chance to see this peace that they had sacrificed themselves for.
Coming out of the barracks, I took a deep fresh breath.
Anyway, even though the war was over, there was still some time before I could enjoy the peace that the heroes had brought.
Thinking that, I moved my feet toward the vending machine to get myself a can of fresh, hot morning coffee… even though it was already evening.
"Oh?"
However, I abruptly stopped right in my tracks upon seeing a woman in her late twenties standing there.
The woman was wearing a military robe with several stars embedded on her slender shoulders – a reminder of her heroic deeds much like the several medals pinned to her chest.
I knew this woman. She was my superior. She was the Lady Commander of the field army I served in.
She, along with a few other heroes of our generation, was the reason why peace has finally returned to our world.
Four years ago, two field armies held back the vampire forces while one field army, in which I served, went to space and battled Kalis.
After eradicating those aliens under her direct command, our division returned to Earth, merged with the other two field armies, and defeated the vampires.
Unfortunately, by that time, the Vampire Monarch was awakened. Luckily, we had numerous heroes in our generation who defeated the Monarch after a year of continuous battle.
Most of the world's habitat was destroyed in that war. But finally, at least, the Monarch was killed and we were spared extinction.
This woman right in front of me was one of the heroes I mentioned who fought the Vampire Monarch directly.
To fight that godlike being and not only survive but also win… I couldn't imagine just how strong she would be.
After a bit of hesitation, I straightened my back and greeted her with a firm salute, "Commander Black!"
Startled a little, Commander Black, who was fetching a can of coffee from the vending machine, turned to me.
As I locked my gaze with her and looked into her peering, bright green eyes, which sort of reminded me of a lush, sunlit forest, I felt my heart skip a beat.
Soon, however, I shook my head and pulled myself out of my daze.
Idiot. She's way out of your league! I told myself, my cheeks turning red in blushing embarrassment.
Popping the cab of coffee in her hand, Commander Black pressed another button on the vending machine and said, "Easy, soldier."
Collecting another can from the machine, Commander Black extended it to me. For a moment, I looked at her hand with a blank expression.
"Is there a problem?" She asked.
There was indeed a problem. The can she was handing out to me was of almond milk, but I was here to get a coffee!
However, since it was Commander Black herself who was offering me the can, I hurriedly took it with a shake of my head.
Just when I thought it was the end of our interaction, she asked, "So, how are you ready for today, Young Wolf?"
I blinked a couple of times in surprise, completely at a loss for words. After a bit of time, I managed to form a sentence.
"You remember me?" I asked.
"Of course," she shrugged nonchalantly. "Weren't we in the same academy? You also served under me in the EDF Space Station when we were up against Kalis, didn't you?"
Woah… I must be dreaming…
Co-Commander Black remembered me?
Yes, we were indeed from the same academy but I never expected her to remember me.
"You also remembered my codename," I murmured in a hushed tone.
Young Wolf was a title given to me during my days in the academy. Eventually, after I joined the army, it evolved into my military codename.
I barely ever heard it, of course. Why? Well, a foot soldier has no need for a codename, after all.
"Of course. You come from the Family of Wolves, after all. Your father would have been proud that you survived the war… even if he didn't," she replied, a tinge of sympathy visible in her profound gaze.
A few minutes passed in silence.
My father valiantly held back three Vampire Kings alone while Commander Black and her allies were fighting the Monarch.
Even though he died, he didn't let even one of those bloodsuckers pass him.
As for me, I… I struggled to even hold my ground against a mere foot soldier from the vampire ranks. I offered nothing to their final struggle.
In truth, my role in the Final War was so insignificant that it wouldn't even have mattered had I not participated.
Slowly, I shook my head.
"I doubt he'd feel proud. I couldn't do anything to help him or you. The blood of heroes might be running through my veins, but I did nothing to honor their heroic legacy."
Commander Black remained wordless for quite some time, eventually exhaling a deep sigh.
"Your father was on the War Council. So believe me when I say, he loved you. Listen to me, history might not remember your name or the names of millions of other foot soldiers, but be assured. It was your collective effort that protected us from threats behind our lines. You all were the reason we were able to bring this war to its end."
As Commander Black's words settled in, a rush of conflicting emotions surged within me.
My father fought against insurmountable odds, while I struggled against mere foot soldiers.
The stark contrast between his legacy and my pitiful performance left a mark on my conscience.
Commander Black's words offered me some solace – our collective sacrifice had held the line, which in turn helped the leaders to strategize and strike back.
Tears welled up in my eyes and a mixture of guilt and gratitude washed over me.
Right… She was right. My contribution was not as great as her or the other heroes.
Yes, I was shadowed by the heroic achievements of my family. Yes, I couldn't ever hope to match their valor and greatness.
However, I did contribute. I did fight. And I did survive to witness the peace in the stead of my friends who died fighting.
Holding back my tears, I looked at Commander Black, my voice steadier than before. "Thank you, Commander. That coming from you… means a lot to me."
She smiled, a mixture of pride and understanding in her eyes. "Good. Now, go and get ready for the night, soldier. We will have to hunt any remaining vampires by the end of the month. It's going to be a tough week."
I nodded and turned around, popping the can and bringing it to my lips.
"Ahmm," I let out a satisfied moan. "This is good, I should cut on coffee and start having almond milk instead."
Just as I was murmuring that and walking away, a slender hand grabbed me from behind.
"Argh!"
Startled, I looked over my shoulder and noticed that it was Commander Black. I furrowed my brows, and asked, "Uh, is something the matter, Commander?"
"Yes," she replied in a serious tone.
The next words that left her lips stunned me. My feet felt anchored to the ground and my heart started to beat like funeral drums.
She said, "Wake up."
"...Huh?"
The frown on my face deepened as she continued. Her soft, gentle voice reached my ears in whispers, asking:
"Do you remember your name?"
"Y-Yes… I am… Eh? I… I… Wh-Who am I?"
I… couldn't recall… What was my name?
Suddenly, at that moment, all my life turned blank and I was left questioning my existence. I couldn't recall my name!
It was on the tip of my tongue but I couldn't get it out.
The evening's orange sky above us transformed into a deep black at the approach of night.
Countless stars adorned the ebony expanse, resembling a river of molten silver that flowed through an empty canvas.
Under the starlit night sky, the beguiling woman behind me whispered into my ears again.
"You are Lucas Morningstar! You're the second-born of war heroes Reynold and Yennefer Morningstar. You are the Fallen Angel! Wake up, Lucas!"
My eyes widened as something clicked inside my head again. Yes! How did I forget?! I was Lucas Morningstar!
I was about to turn around to question the woman behind me on what was happening. However, before I could do that, the night sky above us split and a rift tore through the fabric of space.
In the next instance, several humanoid creatures flew over to our world from the rift. These creatures were tall and gaunt, with obsidian scales covering their skin and long, round crystal horns shaped around their heads like crowns.
On their backs, giant bat-like leather wings thunderously flapped, keeping them afloat in the air as they looked down on the very world beneath them as if they were some mythical beings descended to impart divine will on this mundane realm.
I started to panic, my eyes fluttering in unknown horror and terror under the crushing pressure these creatures radiated.
But the woman behind me held me in place and shouted into my ears, "Wake up, Lucas! It's all a deliberate illusion! You're still inside that cafe!"
As other soldiers noticed the unfolding supernatural event and began shouting and running in chaos, her voice sounded slightly muffled, yet I managed to discern the meaning of her words.
Right after she spoke, a booming voice reverberated throughout the whole world, proclaiming:
"Just stop this! Just stop resisting and remembering yourself! Why can't you surrender? I'll grant you the peace you've yearned for so long!"
Before I could even understand the situation, the demonic creatures extended their hands downward toward us.
Soon, bright, ominous orbs of violet energy formed in front of their open palms.
In the following moments, the orbs burst forth into beams of destructive energy and rained down upon the world, obliterating it entirely.
In an instant, my vision plunged into darkness, and I fell into yet another eternal slumber, welcoming the cold yet inviting embrace of death.
