Chapter 117: Pray for Home

The war that started many hundred years ago ended with the humans unable to make a dent on the barriers of the overlord of the north. No matter how much Magic they shot at the barrier. No matter how many methods and weapons, whether conventional or not did not made the barrier moved.

The Humans could only give up seething. The overlord who first declared an expansion, a conquest to the south had locked himself and his land away just like that. No one would be able to curse him with insults. And no one could provoke him about being coward either.

The Elves have perished. Their home razed and painted with their own blood. The strugglers are being hunted down without mercy and will soon be killed with zeal. They are no longer the might beautiful elves. For the humans have taken the place of the mighty now, whether they agree or not can no longer be discussed.

The Dwarves have been buried along with their machines and gold. The mountain rangers they inhabit are now filled with humans and miners from the bank of Brewrael who waited for the chance to claim the lands for themselves. Declaring that the dwarves owe them gold and they shall repay it by having the land.

The Orcs have been butchered. Most of their shamans and priests were thrown down the boiling magma of their volcano. Their totems burned, destroyed hatefully by the Orc Slayer whose flames of anger has been fulfilled by their slaughter.

The war has been dealt with after years of bloodshed. A feat that humans thought would last for more years to come. Yet, to think that an explosion, killing hundreds of knights, leaving only their prized swords would flip the switch of zeal that none of the humans had for years.

A mushroom cloud of dread that made the sun’s crown paused. This explosion led to an order being created. That then turned into a crusade of ashes that has now successfully purge three races within three years of time. A feat, that would be considered miracle if it wasn’t for the fact that they are now standing at the barrier of the overlord who cannot be touched by mere humans.

The humans could only seethe in anger. However, even with a limited lifespan, they will and surely will make forts in this particular land, guarding it with their might, waiting for the overlord who hid along with his entire race, to come out. With steel and grit, the humans will have their vengeance upon the instigator of the war.

The explosion in Dunwich made the humans in the south rabid and ravenous but they will not forget the one that started the fight. The overlord will have his debt paid. And no matter what will happen they will get it. Their lives are short, yet their anger will remain for thousands of years.

And so the war against the demi-humans ended with a victory towards the humans.

...

The crusaders of Ashes were led by banner lords and people from the Empire of Light. Their campaign ended with a bitter note of not being able to hang and torture the instigator of a war that caused many deaths. But they promised that they will someday get the overlord of the North.

The Crusaders made camp or at least some. The tired ones, especially banner lords like Sena Saclea made her way back to the south with eagerness to rest. Behind her was the silver-sword carrying Oswin who wore dark expression. His head was covered with a hood.

The bannermen under Sena followed. They should be celebrating in honor of the victory. The war that lasted for years, even before they were born finally ended with the humans succeeding. But they do not have smiles on their faces. Indeed they celebrated and raised their ales and wines to celebrate.

But in the end, after the war was done. All they wanted now was to go back home. Every single one of them prayed for their home more than anything. Indeed they fought with zeal in honor of their Gods and Ancestors but they also fought for coin in order to feed their children and their family.

Now with the war done, they all wanted the same thing. They wanted to return back to their homes with glee and hugged their loved ones tightly as possible. The slaughter they have done will never leave them. The men of the banner were foolish people who fought for others.

But now they just want to lay their swords down and never tell the tales of what they have done. Most of them have told themselves that what they did is for the benefit of their children and future relatives. They have contributed and made the sacrifice in order to the others not to experience it themselves.

They delude themselves that. They hope that by making excuses like that they will feel less of a monster that slaughtered children and infants that could barely stand in order to quell the fire that might spark and burn if forgotten.

Sena Saclea’s thoughts were simple as she rides her horse. Without her cape, without her gilded armor, and only her sword Astra, she only thought of wanting to back home to her birthplace and stay there for a while. She needs the rest for sanity’s sake.

Meanwhile, Oswin the silver-sword carrying knight wanted nothing else other than being with the princess he admired the most in the world. He has done his best in participating in the genocide. The scars of killing those who could not fight back will stay with him for the rest of his life.

So now he only wanted the comfort of the princess that is the beacon of light to him. That is why despite his body tired and stiffed he endured in order to go back home like the rest of the others.

Praying for home, which was all the slaughters could do. They knew what they have done. And all they want now is just the comfort of home.