Ephemeral: A Journey To Find The Meaning Of Life

Chapter 16: The Fire of War That Burns Happiness

"You ready, Luke?" Jorgun.

"Yes, let's go." My speech.

I've been staying here for a month. Practicing and learning about this place, as well as mastering magic that I have never developed. The ability to fight and practice concentration by meditating. This time I'm sure, I can definitely protect all my comrades.

Jorgun said I would gain my maximum potential by improving my fighting experience. I realize there are still many people stronger than myself in this world, but I don't care about that. No matter how strong you are, if you can't protect someone you love, you'll feel frustrated. I won't let that happen to anyone else or myself.

Before leaving I said goodbye to them all and thanked them for allowing me to stay in this place. I'll also say goodbye to Gorris at her funeral.

"Have you calmed down there, Gorris? Well... I just wanted to say goodbye to you. After this, I will go back to your village to pick up Helen who is waiting for my return. She must be lonely when I'm not around, hahaha!... Hey, you said you wanted to come with me, right? Too bad, we can't do it... Good bye, yeah."

If we meet again in the next life, will you be friends with me, Gorris?

I know it's useless to talk to you right now. I'd be crazy to force you to come back to life and talk. But, I want to hear your answer, just once.

"I'm ready, Luke." A voice out of nowhere appeared.

I heard his voice, maybe I'm crazy, haha! But I'm glad to hear that even if it's an illusion. Good bye, my partner.

I will try to make people not disappointed in me anymore. It's time to go, there's something I have to do there.

Our departure was welcomed by all residents. They pray for our journey to be blessed. Many also gave souvenirs for the villages of Jorgun and Caris, as well as me. Before leaving, Grandpa Eldryn left me something.

"If you meet him, please give this to him." Gave me a necklace that looked old and paper.

"I'll give it to you." My speech.

After leaving here, I will go to pick up Helen and continue our journey. That was how I said before seeing what had happened in the Elf village.

The village was destroyed, there was not a single person who was here. We found the bodies of the Elves lying on the ground. What really happened, I really did not understand this situation. This scene was terrifying, the forest was burning and corpses were everywhere.

I'm looking for Helen, but she's not here at all. My heart was a little more relieved to know that Helen was not among these corpses. But, what about Jorgun and Caris?

I'm figuring out who caused all this. From the footprints and the marks left behind, the culprit is a group of bandits. Jorgun emotion and swore to kill those who had done this. Caris could only grieve seeing her ruined hometown.

This is the question for me now, what really happened during our time inside that Elf realm. Why suddenly the bandits attacked and snatched from this place.

I am waiting for those who are grieving over the incident. They look very chaotic and desperate. I'm trying to convince them, there must still be someone who managed to escape this incident.

"Then from that, we should look for them right now." My speech.

They were a little relieved to hear my words. I tried to convince them with the plan I was going to do. Then, Jorgun and Caris agree with me, we'll find out about what's going on right now.

......................

We were forced to return to the Kingdom of Amfordia to obtain such information. Right now, that place could provide a lot of information about this.

When I entered the kingdom, I saw a lot of people coming to this place. No exception, the human race is half animal. I went to the adventurer guild place and asked what was really going on right now. One of the adventurers was willing to tell me.

This happened probably about two weeks ago. At that time, there was a commotion among the three great empires caused by a new king of the Maligneit Kingdom. A new prince was appointed as a king because of his achievements in managing the military field. The king's name was Verdal De Vraies.

He proposed to make all kingdoms a unity and he would be the leader of that union. However, the king of the Kingdom of Amfordia and the Kingdom of Rastaig rejected his proposal. It was fine at first, but a few days later there was news that the king of the Kingdom of Rastaig was killed by a subordinate of King Verdal. Right, that was the beginning of the huge commotion that was happening right now.

The prince from Rastaig Kingdom is currently taking over power. Knowing there was a spy sent by King Verdal, the King of Amfordia became vigilant and tightened security. Verdal, seeing the chaos in Rastaig Kingdom, immediately sent an army to attack them. There is currently a major war between the two countries. The Kingdom of Amfordia also had the possibility to engage in the war, because it saw King Verdal who had such great ambitions.

The impact caused by the war made the residents outside the kingdom suffer losses. There have been many small villages that have been the victims of this ferocious war. The trade route became difficult and most resources were given to military forces today. This war will continue until one of them loses or relents.

I was surprised to hear that, especially the many small villages that were destroyed. If that is the case, then the village I live in is also affected. I thought, what about my parents' current situation.

"This place has begun to be full, many are going to the port to sail to the Eshean continent." Said one of the adventurers.

I have set my goal, we will go to Eshean after doing some things. I invited Jorgun and Caris to go to my hometown and check out what was going on there.

......................

It took us several months to reach my village. All the places I've been to have been destroyed, including Helen's village, which has nothing left. What saddens me most at that moment is seeing the lifeless Mother Mary. The commotion between the three great empires was equal to the destruction for this continent itself.

I arrived at my hometown. Yeah, you're right, it's ruined with no leftovers. There are no bodies in this village. I hope they are all in a safe place right now.

After seeing everything that was happening right now, I couldn't just ignore it. There are too many casualties caused by this war. I don't know what to do right now, but I will definitely try to do something.

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