Ephemeral: A Journey To Find The Meaning Of Life

Chapter 19: I Will Never Forget.

After several times in the war. The first division commander started to glance at me, he said that I was very talented in a fight. He became interested and said he would introduce myself to the main commander.

I continue to show the performance that made me have the biggest contribution in this war. Just for the sake of one goal, to meet directly with the main commander 0.

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

"Luke, tomorrow you'll meet Mr. Lucca. Be proud of yourself! He is someone who rarely takes time for others." He said it to me who was talking to Ria.

"You're great, Luke!" Ria.

Ria praised me endlessly, she was like a proud mother to her child. I can't see her as a soldier right now, she's just a girl in general.

"Luke, I want to tell you something. But, just be quiet, okay?"

What'd he like to say?

There are some very surprising things in this world. No exception, the words we say can affect a person's life. I've been aware of it all this time, I know what's really going on. But maybe silence is better, right?

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"Welcome, Sir." A servant welcomed my arrival.

Today I'm going to meet someone I've been chasing all this time. A commander of the main force, Lucca. He was waiting for me in his room and would speak four eyes with me.

I remember everything I went through to get to this place. A precious comrade, a struggle to fight on the battlefield, and a female warrior who hides her gentle nature from others.

"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Lucca." My speech.

I sat right in front of a main commander, someone who held complete control of the military forces.

He told me about what he heard from the first division commander. Drink and eat with a commander, discussing the political matters of this kingdom. I dug up a lot of information from him.

He always raised the name Verdal. The reason being, he had respected her since Verdal was only ten years old. Have a strong mind like a leader and not afraid of anyone. Lucca, who at that time served as Verdal's bodyguard, was amazed by him.

Lucca had never seen a Verdal man's weakness in her life in all this time. Verdal has always dealt with problems very strongly. Clever in terms of managing war strategy, a cruel and intelligent dictator, and a leader feared by his people. Lucca could not help her admiration.

Because of Lucca's belief in Verdal, Verdal made him a commander-in-chief. Verdal was very sure that someone who had always admired him would never betray him. Lucca also uses the thoughts owned by Verdal, Lucca currently trusts me very much.

He really appreciates what I've been doing all this time. I feel good about it. After all, who is not happy if he is given a compliment. Yeah, but it was a waste.

"Mr Lucca. Can I ask you something?" My speech.

"of course! say."

I don't want to put it off any longer.

"True, trust will make the relationship between subordinates and leaders good. But, there's one thing wrong with that..."

"What is it, anyway?" Ask Lucca.

I quickly took my sword and killed him.

"Sometimes, the one who wants to kill you the most is the one you trust the most." My word.

I hid Lucca's body, then left her palace in secret. Report to Caris that the mission has been completed. Despite spending a few months, I was satisfied with this result.

Before actually leaving, I tried to return to headquarters. To invite Ria to retreat from the war together. He was my friend during my time at this base, no I might I just ignore him.

When I got to the headquarters, I woke Ria up slowly so that everyone who was there was unconscious. Ria woke up feeling confused to see me. I tried to take him straight away from the base.

Ria refused and told me to explain what really happened. I explained what happened before. Ria was very surprised and did not believe that. I told Ria to trust me.

"You're nuts. Why would you do that?" Ask Ria.

"Didn't we both want peace?" My word.

"It's not like that, you idiot.... Go."

"Wait, listen to me first!" I'm trying to explain it again.

"Stay away!" Ria pushed.

Suddenly someone said something very loudly.

"important news! There is important news, everyone! Commander Lucca has been killed in his own castle!"

As he was leaving the place, Caris said something to me. Something that makes me speechless.

"Luke. You are now, not the real you."

His words made me think of something. What I've been doing all this time. Letting my own friend get killed, acting very coldly to the people around, forcing Caris to always work. In fact, forcing someone to obey all of my selfish wills.

I managed to stop the war. Because when Rastaig heard this news, they would immediately attack with full force to beat Maligneit who was depressed because of the loss of the commander, Lucca.

But what does that mean after this. I've forgotten everything, even myself. Killing like that is something that a human being would normally do. All the problems, I solve them by killing. I really don't know who I am right now.

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This is a story from Ria's point of view.

I enlisted in the military because I didn't want to be considered a child who only ate my parents' groceries. They also said that I was a strange girl. No man will come to marry me.

I feel good when I am in the military. They always praised me because I was so strong. I am very much respected as a great soldier. But they stayed away from me for a few things. One of them is because I am very strong and I am a woman.

Compliments I get very often. But why, no one wants to be friends with me. That's when I thought my parents were right, I was a weird kid.

Until that day came, a new soldier approached me. Luke is someone who wants to think of me as his friend. He was always willing to spend time with me.

He did not care much about the views of others towards him. Stay with me so I don't feel lonely.

Over time, I felt something strange start to grow out of my feelings. I'm in love with Luke. Right, I love him so much. He is someone I trust a lot.

When the commander of the first division said that he would meet with the main commander, I felt proud of him. I wanted to tell her that I actually liked her at the time. But, I felt like I was about to explode and suddenly ran away from her.

Later that night, I overheard Luke's conversation with a female Elf. They seem to be planning something, but I don't really care about it. Although actually... I knew from the beginning.

Luke never once sided with the Kingdom of Maligneit. I can feel it, but I can't say it. I fell too deep for him.

Last night, he suddenly invited me to leave the base. I was surprised to hear what he had done. I really can't believe that he would actually do that. I wanted to apologize for rejecting him so rudely back then.

But, it's useless, right? After all, why in the fight I even think of such things. Luke doesn't really care about me, does he?...

*there was a soldier who tried to kill Ria back then.

Luke, am I gonna let him kill me? Haha, what a pity. I really want to spend more time with you. When you said that there was a woman you liked, I gave up right then and there.

I want to cry, I'm spoiled, I want to be hugged and I want to kiss like girls do. I want all of that, even in times like these.

Hey, Luke. If we meet again, can I say that to you?... Thank you, you wanted to spend time with me at that time. I will try my best to survive this moment.

Let's hope Miss Elf tells you, Luke. That I...

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The kingdom of Maligneit suffered a defeat in just one moment, which gave the Rastaig soldiers the chance to break through to the Maligneite army's defenses. King Rastaig ordered not to harm civilians from the Kingdom of Maligneit.

King Amfordia recognized the kindness of King Rastaig. They decided to unite and create the greatest empire the Eurean continent has ever seen. King Verdal became a prisoner because of his actions that harmed many people. Most of the troops from Maligneit Kingdom have been killed in the raid.

I'm not proud of what I've done. Everything feels so empty at the moment. Caris comes to pick her up, in order to continue the search for Helen who seems to be no longer on the Eurean continent. While getting ready, Caris said something to me.

"Luke, there's a message she wants to convey from him" Caris intended to point to Ria.

"What?" I asked who was packing things. I stopped for a moment to listen to him.

"What he said was..."

I don't know what's going on. But obviously, I cried very hard at that moment. I cried while screaming, like venting the pain I had been feeling all along.

I wanted to thank Ria directly for reminding me what the warmth of a feeling felt like. There's nothing else I need to regret right now.

After saying goodbye to my parents, I continued my journey. While looking for Helen who disappeared because of the incident. Eshean is our next destination.

I still remember the words that Caris said earlier. Something Ria wanted to say. It felt like the sky was telling me this time.

Luke, I'll never forget you. It never will. Would you like to always remember me? <--- Rome.

Yes, Ria. I won't forget it, be it you or those memories. If we meet again, I promise to spend more time with you.

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