Novel Full Chapter 869: Gods And Guests - Part 2
Chapter 869: Gods And Guests – Part 2
Alas, he stood before the gathered guests. Their eyes all turned to him with familiar faces and close friends smiling at him. From his closest companions to the allies he’d gathered throughout this journey, they were all present, and in that moment, they were waiting for him to lead them further into a future dark before helping them come out into the light.
However, before he spoke, Raven wanted to soak it all up. Who knows if some of the same folks would return from this final push–a push into the unknown to the end of the world and to stop the end of their world. Such a burden, laden on their shoulders…
’Well, the time to speak up.’ Taking a step forward, he extended his hand.
“I’m glad that all of you could make it,” heaving a sigh, he replaced his tired expression with a smile. “A lot has happened in the last two to three years; we’ve made quite the progress, but the road ahead is only going to get more difficult.”
Taking a brief pause, he looked over to the battalion leaders from the army that had already gone to war twice. He’d led many of them through the worst of battles, some even passed away, and though their memory lives, they didn’t. Even so, steeling his heart, Raven loosened the nose on the monster within him.
“As if that would stop us!” Stomping his feet forward, he charged himself with a dose of adrenaline. “Those monsters, those demons, those gods can try all they wish, but they will fall! We didn’t get this far to give up! To lose hope! Isn’t that right?!”
A primal roar erupted through the crowd. The soldiers showered their zeal through a raised toast and screams, the rest joined more subtly by rising from their seats and clapping. But then there were those like Helga, Markus, the god of time, and a handful of others–all of whom have experienced many such speeches.
In their eyes, the roars would soon turn to screams, the ale to blood, and the last thing the soldiers would see wouldn’t be the face of their companions, but that of the enemy.
“Now, I must thank the talented queen of Elenaris and her subjects for making the flying vessels possible!” Pointing at Mono standing by her own crowd, Raven clapped his hands a few times, and the others quickly joined. “Linkle, Shamisha, and everyone involved were of greater help beyond measure. So allow us to return the favor by saving this world from that tyrannical threat of the demon lord.”
Courteously waving back with her free hand, Mono couldn’t help but smile. She tried to jump around on the spot to show off her dress, but held down by Grace, the queen wasn’t allowed to show herself for the child she was at times.
Moving on to the next topic, the hero’s eyes met the citizens and his friends from before his adventuring times. As orphans, they were taken in, and the city–the lower city at least–had welcomed them with open arms.
“Once the war is over, a better world awaits. One without war, any conflict, rest assured that if we get through this, there is a reward that would ensure no suffering comes to you or your children.” The thought of being a demi-god was never exciting to Raven, but the powers that may come with it–the power to realize that dream of an ideal world—was enough for him to keep chasing that burden.
“I know that sounds…Idealistic.” Lifting his head, he faced them head-on. “But if a city can sink to the hells, if angels can be made into mortal servants, and if dragons can be tamed and ships can soar through the desert and the skies, then who are we to set limits to our ambition?”
Another cheer erupted throughout the mansion’s garden. The soldiers psyched on zeal, tossed their glasses and turned to talk. Sharing stories about their fights in the desert and then the burning of the demon general’s forest and turning it into charred. Athenia herself had whisked them away to safety, and so if they had the blessings of a god, then what harm could befall them? Such a sentiment was already quite prevalent in the army, even extended to the holy order, though their fanaticism had granted them far more blessings and armors from the goddess herself to protect them.
“And finally.” Conjuring himself a staff with corruption, Raven stomped its hilt on the ground and took a deep breath with his head raised high. Staring into the heavens, he heaved and chuckled. “To the one sane goddess who didn’t abandon us all for power.”
Raising the staff closed his eyes to the cheers. Boosting morale was one of the many duties of a general, and even if he himself wasn’t too fond of Athenia, he had to cater to the soldiers.
“Let’s hope she keeps her senses to the very…” Whispering that under his breath, he lowered the staff and looked at the crowd again. “Now you’re free to enjoy the night as you would. There’s food, there’s drinks, and best of all, good company. So mingle!”
And with that, he turned around to head back into the mansion, fully hoping to get some rest, but fate had other plans. As the clapping sound came from amidst the crowd, he turned yet again. The clash of hands was nothing out of the ordinary on their own, and yet something about the way it sounded made him turn and look.
To his surprise, there stood a woman–a woman he’d never seen before. Dressed in a dark gown with a dragging hem, she walked closer to the stage with her deep violet eyes peering right at him. Stars glistened throughout her clothes just like Elenaria, but that sharp look in her eyes was anything but like the goddess of absurdities.
“What’s the rush to leave, young hero? I’ve only just arrived, won’t you at least say hi?” Tilting her head with a mocking smirk, the dark-painted lips of the woman stretched wide. Her skin was as pale as wax, and her contour sharp and regal–quite reminiscent of a rather skinnier Helga.
With all eyes on her, the woman stood six feet tall and kept staring at the hero until he asked…
“Who are you?” The answer, however, nobody was prepared for.