I Became a Tyrant of the Defense Game - Episode 535
◈ 535. [Side Story] Funeral (6)
I pulled out my sword.
sreung-!
With a chilling sound, the sword revealed its blade to the world. I was amazed without even realizing it..
“……It's light.”
Even though I had poor physical strength, which cannot be considered an awakened character who completed the 3rd job advancement, I was able to swing this ceremonial long sword with great ease..
furthermore,
“……You made it so beautifully.?”
The white sword is so transparent that it feels as if it is made of glass. It looks like a work of art, not a sword..
As I continued to admire, Kelly Bay shrugged his shoulders..
“This is the first time in my life that I have made a sword for ceremonial purposes rather than for actual combat. I've already put a lot of effort into making it for a wedding..”
“Awesome, Kelly Bay. Very good.”
“However, since its durability is extremely low, you must use it gently! got it?”
Circling around me, Kelly Bay continued to explain..
“It has all the features you requested, and the blade was intentionally blunted as you requested. I can't even cut vegetables, let alone paper. Just a pretty stick, stick.”
“It's exactly what I hoped for..”
“A bland guy… … And the scabbard.”
Kelly Bay cast a slightly nervous look towards the scabbard in my other hand..
“You'd better handle it with care. Actually, the scabbard is more dangerous than the sword itself..”
I also saw the sheath in my hand..
Pitch black… … A dark, ominous scabbard with a color like the darkness of midnight..
shakily, shakily…….
Suddenly, I felt like I heard the sound of an insect eating away at the darkness..
At the same time, the lights at the base camp shook all at once. As if someone had put their mouth on a torch and blew on it at the same time.…….
“worm mummer!”
“Mom's medicine?!”
A frightened Kelly Bay and Hannibal hugged each other. There was something evil going around us..
“Inhale!”
I strengthened the hand holding the sword sheath, concentrated my consciousness, and infused magical energy into it..
Then the sound of bugs gnawing around disappeared all at once..
The shaking lighting was immediately restored, and the base camp was enveloped in bright light as if it had never been that way..
“I can handle this now..”
I smiled and slowly put the ceremonial long sword [Light] into the sheath [Shadow]..
Not only the scabbard, but this long sword also exuded an unmistakable magical energy..
Not only for its own beauty… … I feel the magic of attracting people's attention on my own..
And when they combined each other into one and inserted the sword into the scabbard, the energy emitted by the two pieces of equipment disappeared as if canceling each other out..
‘If you're not careful, you'll get eaten..’
This is Nightmare Slayer.
Both light and shadow can captivate people..
But humans can also manipulate light and shadow..
I will take the risk, wield this equipment, and advance to the next stage of my strategy. That's what I thought as I strapped my sword to my belt..
“Well, it doesn't end here! I added the ‘transformation’ gimmick you asked for.!”
Kelly Bey was excited and tried to explain further, but I didn't listen and instead activated the locking device installed on the scabbard, the so-called hairpin, and locked the sword..
click!
This lock is unique and was only used on Thresher swords. I ordered it while it was being made to order, and Kelly Bay made it beautifully..
“Huh? Why not try it? transform?”
When I locked the sword, Kelly Bay was embarrassed and asked awkwardly..
What can I say… … Would you say he looks like a father who bought his favorite transforming robot toy for his young son, but is disappointed that his son doesn't actually use the transformation function? … Why is it so specific?.
I smiled bitterly and nodded..
“There's a funeral at Crossroads today. I have to go soon. I think it would take too long to test the transformation gimmick..”
“but… … Umm. Yeah, it can't be helped if it's a funeral.…….”
Kelly Bay respected my work as a lord, but he seemed to be disappointed and continued to taste my waist..
I guess the transformation gimmick was a masterpiece of conversion..
However, there are too many things to test if that gimmick is used. It's a weapon that you have to get a feel for by actually using it..
So, I will postpone the test until next time and quickly prepare for the funeral..
“……Me, Master.”
At that time, Hannibal carefully called out Kelly Bay. Since when did the relationship between master and disciple begin to be called that?.
“Is it okay if I come to earth for a moment??”
“…….”
Kelly Bay, who looked at Hannibal's earnest gaze for a moment, flicked his beard and laughed heartily..
“good night! Let's go together too. I just wanted to get some fresh air.”
“yes!”
I thought to myself as I watched the two of them getting ready to go out..
Kelly Bay, I don’t know about child farming, but I think I’m pretty good at nurturing disciples..
I clapped and took the lead and headed towards the teleport gate..
“great! Let's go quickly. There's not much time left!”
***
West of Crossroads. grave site.
A funeral is in full swing here now..
The choir sings, holy water is sprinkled on the grave, and the afterlife of the dead is blessed.…….
After watching the series of funeral proceedings take place, I turned my head and stared at the graves..
In the past three months, the number of graves has increased again..
From stage 27 onwards, deaths continued to occur, and the scale was increasing. Since we've been attending funerals these days, this scene is now familiar to us..
I hated that..
Getting used to death, becoming numb to sadness, and funerals becoming a natural part of daily life... … I hated it.
After the ceremony, it was my turn to speak..
I stood on the podium, cleared my throat, and recited a paragraph from an English poem..
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Don't take the dark night lightly
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
The withering one must struggle and resist the dying days.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Anger at the dying light, rage again!
After the recitation ended, there was silence..
It was a poem that was somewhat different from the usual funeral tributes. So the citizens looked a little puzzled..
Taking a long breath, I opened my mouth..
“This year, funerals are being held frequently and one after another..”
From stage 27 to stage 30.
Every time a defensive battle is fought, four funerals are held in a row..
“Guys, are you used to funerals??”
When I suddenly asked a question, the people gathered in front of me were taken aback..
Unlike my usual funeral tributes, I lashed out at people in an aggressive and harsh tone..
“Now, after a defensive battle, has it become a daily scene to collect the corpses of our soldiers, gather here, listen to funeral songs, and send off the dead??”
People looked at each other.
“I recite sad verses, give moving speeches, and remember those who have died with tears... … Has it become natural now??”
Some people nodded their heads in agreement, while others shook their heads slightly..
“Otherwise, be honest. Now, isn't it sad that so many people are dying? Has all of this become a normal daily routine??”
And most people were looking at me like they didn't understand the intention of the question..
I exhaled with enthusiasm..
“don't get used to it.”
“……!”
“Don't treat funerals as everyday life. Don't take death for granted. Don't be numb to sadness. Don't give up. don't give up!”
I screamed..
“Be angry!”
“……!”
“To the monster! To death! To this war! Anger, rage again! If a scab sits on top of a wound in your soul that has healed, tear it off with your own hands! Bleed yourself! ruminate on the pain!”
The wounded soldiers gritted their teeth. His bandaged long hands clenched into his fists.
“No matter how powerful the enemy is! No matter how difficult the battle was! Do not give up and move on, thinking that all these deaths were inevitable sacrifices. Think one more time, stretch your arms one more span..”
I also gritted my teeth and clenched my fists..
“There is a way. There is a trick. There is a strategy. We just didn't find it in time.”
“…….”
“Don’t just accept the results, resist stubbornly! Struggling desperately! Fight with all your might!”
I caught my breath. Meanwhile, my voice was a little hoarse..
“……And, even though we fought so hard, if the funeral comes again.”
I looked around at the people..
“At that time, cry.”
“…….”
“Don't be indifferent, don't let go and say you did your best but couldn't help it, but be sad and angry at each and every death of a colleague. don't forget the pain.”
After brushing back my disheveled hair and tidying it up, I continued speaking..
“Currently, our front lines are facing huge challenges. Protecting the human world from monsters. And at the same time, protecting our humanity.”
If you give up the latter.
If we exchange human lives, remove the emotions of soldiers, and operate the front lines mechanically and efficiently..
Maybe clearing it will be easy. however.
That is not the path I will take, and the path we will take. Because I came to a conclusion a long time ago.
“Humanity is not a great thing. That you can still be sad, still be happy, still be angry. That the heart does not wear out. That's humanity.”
I nodded slowly..
“I will find a way to protect the human world from monsters. So please, please preserve your humanity..”
The monster front is in crisis..
The soldiers grow tired, and the hastily gathered groups and heroes collide with each other, creating dissonance..
but, but.
there will be a solution.
And I am the one who finds it.
“Don't just stare at the dulling heart and the fading light..”
I chanted quietly to the people with all my strength..
“Be angry.”
After a moment of silence, I slowly lowered my head..
“The 19 knights of the Kingdom of Vermilion, who take the lead in protecting the world by flying in the sky. Thanks to their activities, the world was able to survive this time too..”
“……”
“I hope that they will forever remember that they flew higher than anyone else and were braver than anyone else. First, I will say a moment of silence for the 19 members of the Sky Knights who returned to heaven..”
I bowed my head first, and people followed suit..
Eventually, the silent meditation ended, and I went down the podium. Evangeline, who was in charge of the funeral, waved her arms wildly..
pop! Bubble bung!
The dry gunfire in honor of the lion rang high..
This was the end of the funeral. However, people could not easily disperse and stayed still in their places, thinking about it..
This death, the last death.
And perhaps, each person's heart has become indifferent to death before they know it..
***
Mikhail was on a hill overlooking the grave site..
Sitting on the exposed roots of a beautiful tree, I was quietly looking down at the funeral..
The boy dressed in black mourning clothes was gaunt. His vivid scarlet hair and eyes had faded as if their vitality had been drained in just a few days..
“Mikhail.”
As I approached him and called him, Mikhail spoke in a hushed voice without turning his gaze towards the funeral..
“……Prince Ash. Thanks for taking care of his men's funeral..”
“Of course it's what I have to do.”
The bodies of all 19 knights of the Vermilion Kingdom were cremated..
The plan was to first build an empty tomb for a funeral at this tomb site, and then send the urn to the Kingdom of Vermilion by moving it..
In front of the empty tomb, the people of Vermilion Kingdom were crying sadly..
But Mikhail was far away and could not be there..
“……How about going there? Everyone will be waiting for you.”
When I cautiously suggested it, Mikhail shook his head bitterly..
“Because I have no shame... … I killed them all, how can I cry shamelessly over there?.”
“Mikhail. You know that accidents during combat are inevitable. Besides, I was the one who gave the instructions.…….”
“Your operational instructions were accurate. My men were perfect too. The only thing that was wrong was me rushing into the enemy camp at that time..”
Mikhail let out a weak laugh..
“I have no confidence. How to hand over the box of bone powder to the families waiting for their return from home.…….”
“…….”
“I have nothing to give in return but death and defeat.…….”
Mikhail washed his face with empty hands and muttered in a quiet voice..
“But, yeah. know. This is also a responsibility I must bear as the crown prince and knight commander..”
Eventually, Mikhail stood up unsteadily and smiled dangerously at me..
“Thank you, Prince Ash. really… … Like you said, I'll go see my people.”
“okay. Everyone will be waiting.”
Mikhail began to walk down the hill with shaky steps..
As I was looking at the back, Mikhail suddenly stopped walking and looked back..
“Oh, the speech was great. 'Be angry'…….”
“……”
“Yes, I should be angry..”
With a smile on his face that seemed as if it would collapse like a landslide at any moment, Mikhail muttered once more..
“I should be angry.”
And then, I staggered down the hill..
“…….”
I watched the shadow swaying like a haze of a boy knight..
I hope that the boy's danger does not destroy himself. While praying earnestly.
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