CHAPTER 14: A HERO'S RETURN

Let me guess, Jules called me to his garden once again. For all I remember, I was already getting ready to sleep, after an entire day’s work reorganizing the territories under our control, as well as approving a proposal about a railroad linking Malvette and the Cherwind-Chersea ‘crossing’. And now, after my consciousness drifted into Dreamland, I was here.

“…”

Compared to the last time I talked to Jules, the atmosphere was lighter. In fact, there were a lot of festive decorations hanging by the Corinthian columns, the shrubbery, and even the chairs and table as well. And wait…

“Is this a balloon?”

“What’s wrong with that?” Jules asked me from where he was sitting. “I’m celebrating.”

“Celebrating? What for?”

The former god got up from his chair and stood beside me. Then, from my view point, he directed my gaze towards another set of balloons that was hanging on the Corinthian columns. Those were golden ‘letter balloons’ that spelled…

“Congratulations…Kuro the God-King? Wait, did I just get a new title?”

“Well, from what came to me, the people of Cherwind—both beastman and human—are calling you that way, even behind your back,” Jules gave me a bottle of beer. “Goes to show how much you’ve done to those guys. They look up to you as some sort of a living god.”

“This is a mistake; I’m only human!”

“Look bro, I know you’ve come from a place with a different take on divinity, but this is Cherwind. A different world. With a different perspective on how a god should be. So I guess, if you’re thinking you’re usurping the heavens, it’s not. You’re not even agreeing to it, so there’s no committing of any sin.”

“Even so, Jules…I think the people is giving me too much credit.”

“What can you do? No matter how much you tell for them to stop, the masses would think what suits them. So if I were you, I’d stop worrying and just enjoy the love and adulation they are giving me.”

“But…I’m uncomfortable with this.”

“Bear with it; you’ll soon be a god.”

“Again, I don’t want to.”

“Ah! You also healed your right hand! You’re Kuro the two-hands again!”

“I already fulfilled my promised to the people of Cherwind, so yeah, I healed it.”

Jules only laughed. Then he pulled a barbeque grill from somewhere, complete with food and some garnishes cooking over it. Once he fanned it for some minutes, he took a stick and handed it to me.

“Listen, the people of Chersea sees you as their savior, their ‘rock’; the people of Cherwind, their god-king. No matter what you do, Kuro, you can’t run from your destiny forever.”

“I’m just a simple man, Jules,” I took a bite from the stick before continuing. “I’m not fit to be a god. And, come on, who the hell decided that I’m going to be a god?”

“Well, ask Cassandra David. She’s the one who thought of the idea.”

“What? She knew about me?”

“Well, let’s say that she knew someone like you would come. Then, she paved the way so that you would fit into that ‘destiny’ she chose for you, and then takeover so she becomes god herself.”

“So everything that has happened to me has something to do with her!”

Jules nodded.

“So, if I think of it, it’s like I’m a puppet being moved according to her whims!”

“Whoa! Whoa! Wait there, mister, you’re overthinking things,” the former god chuckled. “Okay, let’s say that she’s making you her puppet. Isn’t it the reason I’m talking to you right now? I’m Cassandra David’s enemy, and I’m guiding you so that you won’t make the same mistake as I am, and then eventually ascend the heavens as a new god of this world without her intervention!”

“And take revenge against her, no?”

“Exactly. If you become a god without her influence, then I can finally claim victory over her,” the former god gave me another stick, as the old one was already empty. “Revenge fulfilled, her plans ended.”

“Alright then…and since you’ve helped me come a long way, I’ll give it a thought.”

“Becoming a god?”

“No, but fighting against Cassandra David.”

“Oh, come on!”

“Hey, at least if I’m out of the equation, her plans would be in disarray. Then you can choose a new guy to take over. I’m not the only person in this entire world, and the others, who can be a deity!”

“Well, but you’re someone who can use words to turn everyone to your side…” Jules countered. “Isn’t that your original ability, even before you came to this world?”

“I’m a teacher, so it’s normal.”

“Not all teachers of your world can do that. Some might be treated with courtesy; but behind their backs, their students abhor them.”

I was silent when I heard that. It’s true; there were some of my co-workers before that demands respect, yet they don’t earn it. So, when they talk to their students, what they get was courtesy; but the moment they turn around, the students call them insulting names.

I know because my students tell me. As much as I try to convince them to do the otherwise, one can’t dictate someone to accord respect to a person who doesn’t deserve it. Respect is earned, not given.

“Ah, in any case, I’d like you to really think about it, Kuro,” Jules tapped my back. “You’re not someone different to me anymore, so I’d really want to see you succeed.”

“Th-Thanks…” was all I could say. I mean, as much as I try not to be flattered by his words, hearing that from a former god was pleasant and encouraging.

“In fact, I’d help you now, so you can also rescue your girl back in Chersea.”

“Chersea? Maddie? What’s happening to her?”

“Well…a small conflict had broken out in that place, after she sent Lady Henristone and Chancellor Bellingstein to find you,” the former god sighed. “You know the human heart is vengeful, and Lady Rubinforth is no exception. She ordered the arrest of hundreds of people who took part in the conspiracy to eliminate you, but three of them—the most influential ones aside from the Nerfes king—escaped and formed an army trying to escape to Cherflammen.”

“My god, Maddie…is she in danger?”

“For now, she’s not. But once she resumed her attacks, she will. I’ve heard from my friends in heaven that someone gave her enemies some modern weapons…what do you call this, uhm…bolt-action rifles and howitzers?”

“W-What? Those weapons are from my world! How did it come to them?”

“Beats me how it came to their hands; I mean, those who gave it to the conspirators. But let me tell you something, Kuro. Chersea, Cherwind and the other worlds connected to these lands are not short of enemies…both known and in the shadows, can use magic or not. If you’re not careful, you might end up getting the short end of the stick.”

“Alright,” I could myself shivering at the thought that Maddie was in danger once again. “Thanks for the warning, Jules.”

“Yes, hurry now, and rescue your main waifu!” the former god laughed, “And don’t worry; I’ll get to the end of this. Once I picked something, I’d summon you back here to tell you.”

I didn’t even get to finish my second barbeque and beer when my vision turned white. But no matter; what’s important is that I save Maddie!

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***The border crossing between Chersea and Cherflammen***

For several weeks now, Lady Rubinforth’s forces built an increasingly complex ring of siege works around the small area of the Chersea-Cherflammen boundary under the control of the conspirators led by the Count of Hermon. Many times they stalled the negotiations with the Human Saint, and repulsed her attacks meant to capture them. And now, with their new weapons, they aim to conduct a ‘breakout’ through the human armies, choking them, and the demon forces blocking the portal entrance. They intend to continue their run across the ‘crossing’ and into the land of Cherflammen.

Time is running out for them, for this is the last attempt of the Human Saint to bring their conflict to a peaceful resolution.

“…”

The ‘bolt-action rifles’ they received were only few, enough to arm a handful of men for the escape. However, it was in the ‘howitzers’ the conspirators were putting their trust, for the person who gave it to them claimed it could fire and hit targets several leagues away from their location. Their plan called for a barrage of the ‘howitzers’ firing on one location, and once the defenses there was pierced, the rifle-armed soldiers would lead the ‘breakthrough’ and into their freedom.

“…”

The Count of Hermon surveyed the trenches below their fortified positions, to determine where to fire their weapons. He wished to use it against the Human Saint’s breastworks in the direction of the crossing portal—the shortest route, but he found that the area had the thickest concentration of defenses, as well as numbers of men. He could tell that by her arrangement, Lady Rubinforth had expected him to attack that direction.

“…”

The other side of the breastworks had considerable defenses as well, though not as many as the one near the Cherflammen portal. Also, the concentration of soldiers on those parts were fewer, but still formidable. If he attacked there, he knew he would only whittle his men’s lives away, trying to reach the crossing in vain.

“…”

And so, the Count of Hermon chose the middle area, where the breastworks and concentration of men were the same as the farthest side of Lady Rubinforth’s defenses, yet, the distance they had to run to reach the portal (once they broke through) was considerably shorter.

“Sire,” a soldier came to him, “the howitzers are ready. Waiting for you command to begin bombardment.”

The Count took one last look at his hourglass and said, “Do it.”

Three powerful explosions rocked the Human Saint’s side at once. It was around one in the morning, four hours into the ‘long sleep’.

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***Maddie’s main camp***

Maddie was awakened by faint sounds of battle, as well as gentle tremors of the ground. Sitting up on her bed, she also saw Lily awake—on the other bed—looking at the entrance of their tent. The head maid then noticed that her friend was already awake, and threw a confused stare at her.

“Seems like cannon fire,” Lily quipped.

“Let’s check it then,” Maddie suggested.

“Well, put on your armor and—”

That moment, a paladin barged into their tent. She was pale, her armor broken, and was bleeding at her side, “Y-Your Holiness…th-the enemy is…advancing!”

“Lady Reese!” Lily was quick to catch the injured paladin as she fell down unconscious after delivering her report. Maddie moved to heal the wound, which she determined was caused by a gunshot. Soon the paladin was back in her normal skin color, and her breaths were at regular intervals.

“Lily, did we place the trenches too near the enemy fortifications?” she asked.

“Not that I know,” the head maid replied. “I ordered the men to build our siege works at a considerable distance, far from the reach of a well-aimed ‘demon weapon’. Why? She was shot?”

“Yes, but I guess it’s a lucky one.”

“Well, in any case, let’s put her to bed and don our armors. Looks like we’re needed at the siege works.”

----------

The Human Saint, her chief maid Lily, and several of their paladin escorts move towards the frontlines once they were ready. Along the way, they encountered a lot of injured soldiers heading back to the rear, as well as some of the dead. The Human Saint wasted no time in healing those she could heal, before returning to her horse and marching off to the trenches.

However, when they finally appeared near the battlefield, they were not prepared for what they saw…

“Goodness…” Lily exclaimed in horror, as she watched the enemy shells fall way beyond the siege works they built. The enemy cannon fire kept on hitting the supply lines, evacuation routes, and even the command posts for the field commanders.

“Your Holiness, watch out!” a paladin shouted just as a shell was about to hit them. However, Maddie was quick to chant a barrier magic that repelled it.

“Maddie!”

The two ladies saw the former king of Nerfes—and present commander of the vanguard forces besieging the conspirators’ armies, James Walter Reed II, rushed to where they were. Following him were several soldiers; some injured, others were frightened.

“Thank goodness you two are safe!” he greeted. “But what are you doing here? It’s dangerous!”

“What’s happening, James?” Maddie asked, dumbfounded at what they were witnessing.

“I’m confused as well, Maddie. Our enemies suddenly started hostilities and we’re surprised that they can hit us from this far. Also, reports were coming in from the siege works that they were shooting at our lookouts and sentries with deadly accuracy. Imagine, all of our men’s wounds are well-placed shots in the head. It can’t be a coincidence, considering the ‘demon weapons’ are hopelessly inaccurate from that distance! Someone insanely good at using those weapons must be among their ranks!”

Lily and Maddie exchanged worried stares.

“If they took out our lookouts and sentries, then they must be planning for a breakout,” the Head Maid surmised.

“Well, if it has come to this, then the frontlines must’ve been worse! Let’s go!” the Human Saint, in utter disregard for her life, prodded her horse forward and fast, much to the shock of everyone with her. They wasted no time in trying to run after their liege.

----------

Maddie was right. It was way worse at the siege works itself. The enemy cannon fire was so concentrated in the middle area that it was pockmarked with craters, and not a stone left unturned. Severed body parts, like limbs or heads, lay scattered around the destroyed trenches. The cries for help of those injured and still conscious echoed across the battlefield, mixed with the sounds of the cannons firing, and exploding shells.

Horrified at the carnage, Maddie—with disregard for her safety—dashed from her horse to the nearest injured and called out to her paladins, “Quick, help me get him off here!” She uttered a spell that healed the man, but as he was still in a daze, she had him carried out to safety.

The paladins did as they were ordered, though they were having difficulty of standing up because of the incessant cannon fire of the enemy. Then, without waiting for the first injured soldier brought out, she moved to the next one, and Lily was pleading to her.

“For god’s sake, Maddie, let’s stay away from this place!” James was pleading to her, “It’s dangerous for you!”

“I won’t leave these people behind!” Maddie screamed amidst the explosions. “They’re fighting for my name and for Kuro’s honor!”

“Stop it! Kuro himself would be worried if he learns about this!” Lily was trying to get a hold of her friend and put some sense into her actions. “Get a hold of yourself; this is war! And you’re the Human Saint now; you shouldn’t be here!”

As they gathered the casualties into a nearby crater to assess their injuries, another barrage fell near their location. James pushed the two ladies out of harm’s way and into the blast hole, jumping in with them. Maddie ordered her stunned paladins back to safety, while she and Lily shielded the injured soldiers from the falling soil and debris.

“Teleport us out of here, Maddie,” Lily suggested. “We can’t stay here much longer!”

“Alright! Hold on to this man,” the Human Saint then uttered the spell for teleport. But, as she was about to activate it…

“!!!”

The clang of her armor was so loud and sudden, Lily and James could do nothing for the first few seconds. They only watched Maddie fell to her side, gasping of air. The Head Maid and the former king were frozen as they realized that the Human Saint got shot before their eyes.

“Where did that come from?” James was raging. “Where the fuck did it come from?”

“Maddie!” Lily screamed as she cradled her fallen friend in her arms. “Maddie, stay with me! Don’t close your eyes, please! Maddie!”

“L-Lily…I-I’m good,” the Human Saint tried to speak, but she was having difficulty in breathing. Upon examining her chest armor, the Head Maid found it was dented, but not pierced. Lily and James sighed with relief; Maddie narrowly escaped death, but she was still shaken.

At once, Lily removed her friend’s damaged armor and embraced her, thankful that she’s alive despite of injuries. However, they had to keep their heads down in the ditch, as the enemy marksmen began to shoot towards where they were. It was so strangely precise that whenever Lily tried to take a peek, a hail of bullets would fall in her direction.

“Maddie, they’re shooting at us accurately!” James took out his sword. “I’ll distract them from you two, then you guys escape!”

“Don’t do it, James!” Lily stopped him, “If they could shoot from this far, then you’re surely die. Stay put!”

“Well…” he smiled at them. “At least, let me repay for the sins that I committed.”

“James…” Maddie pleaded, “…don’t d-do it. I’ll…teleport out.”

“Heh, it’s the first time in a while I saw you look at me that way,” the former king smirked, and chuckled. “It’s painful to see your eyes, you know that?”

“Hey, guys…” it was Lily, noting the skies above. From the bright azure earlier when they hurried to the front, the clouds began to darken, and soon, it was raining. Then, the Head Maid also observed the enemy had stopped their fire. The trio exchanged confused looks.

“What?” James asked. “Why did they stop?”

“…”

“I don’t like the sound of this silence,” Lily admitted, as she pulled out her own sword. She was about to take another peek from their position, when James and Maddie pulled her back.

“Don’t you dare show your head!” the former king warned. “Didn’t you get shot at earlier? Don’t tell me you forget that!”

“But it’s awfully quiet, James,” she countered. “I need to check on what’s going on.”

James threw Lily a long stare and, taking a deep breath, he produced a mirror from his pocket, tied it to his dagger and exposed it to their enemies’ line of sight. From their position, they could clearly see their foes sally forth and marched towards them.

Lily and James knew they had to act as soon as possible.

“I think they’re coming for us,” the Head Maid whispered to Maddie. “Can you hurry with your incantation?”

“I-I’m…trying!” Maddie attempted to sit straight, but a sudden pain shot through her chest. “Gah! I think…I got a few ribs broken.”

James looked around and picked the nearest ‘demon weapon’ he found. Then, after making sure it’s loaded, he lit up the slow match, “Well, if it has come to this, then they’ll get Maddie over my corpse.”

“I’m with you, James!” Lily readied her ‘Bloodbath’ spell and sword.

When their enemies were only a few distances away from them, they broke into a wild run, attempting to capture the Human Saint. Seeing that Maddie was still in a daze and would take time to complete the activation of the teleport spell, the former king and the Head Maid emerged from their hiding spot, and counter-charged to defend their Saint friend from their foes, as well as to avoid being shot.

As the space between them got smaller, Lily and James braced for the worst…

“!!!”

A whistling sound echoed throughout the battlefield, then a loud explosion tore through the ranks of the charging enemy forces, turning a good number of their men into red mists. Then, it was followed by another whistling sound and explosion. Then another. And another still. The Head Maid and the former king were thrown off their balances as their foes vanished before them.

“!!!”

Confused at where the explosions were coming from, the enemy advance faltered, and they routed. Lily and James searched around for the source of those explosions. Much to everyone’s surprise, a falcon tribesman swooped down the opposing forces and dropped another pair of what looked like exploding barrels.

The trio’s eyes unwittingly turned upward, where a large army of Falcons and Eagles appeared in several ‘V’ formations at the skies, high above them. On each of those beastmen’s hands were an ‘exploding barrel’, with which the Avinus attacked the enemy with impunity. Maddie’s foes were forced to scamper back for cover inside their fortifications.

“What’s happening?” the Head Maid exclaimed.

“Well, if you’re wondering what are those, those are the bombs we invented back in Cherwind, carried over here by our soldiers, the Red Feathers.”

James, Lily and Maddie immediately turned to the new arrival, who appeared beside them along with a huge army of beastmen and humans wearing strange, yet identical clothes, and armed with ‘demon weapons’. At first, they were confused—for the man had a well-defined beard and moustache, as well as a moderately-long hair, tied at the back. Nevertheless, he wore the turtleneck and jeans Kuro had on him the day he disappeared, and his voice sounded exactly like Kuro’s.

“You’re…” Maddie stood up with much difficulty, “…K-Kuro? You’re Kuro, right?”

The guy smiled as he took hold of the Human Saint and cast a healing spell on her, “I’m home!”

Though it took them a few moments to believe what they were witnessing, the two girls soon dropped any pretensions and just hugged Kuro, never intending to let go. There were no tears; only overwhelming feelings of happiness and the desire to hold their beloved for as long as they could. Amidst the explosions and chaos of the battlefield, the hero that the Human Saint and the Iron Princess longed for had returned.

----------

However, for Kuro, he still had some unfinished business…

“Ah, please let me off for a bit,” he told them. “I wanted to tell something important to these fuckers fighting against you …”

“Hm? What is it?”

Kuro’s hands turned golden-yellow, and the bad weather turned even worse, “That it is a mistake to hurt my beloved girls, and get away for it!”

“!!!”

At that moment, a powerful thunderstorm whipped up over the enemy defenses and blasted all the men inside, including the conspirators. Amidst the heavy downpour, hundreds of lightning strikes pulverized the opponents’ breastworks. Then, it was followed by a hailstone that killed anyone who got caught in it. And, as if he wasn’t done yet, Kuro called down several whirlwinds that completely thrashed the place.

The King of Cherwind’s fury was so intense and complete, that everyone who witnessed his abilities were terrified and astonished at the same time. By the time Kuro put a stop to his rampaging god-powers, the enemy camp and its surrounding fortifications were utterly flattened and the tents burned to ashes.

“…”

Maddie, Lily and James fell silent as they watched him shook off the dust from his clothes, after it picked dust and soil because of the furious winds he cast. The combined human and beastmen warriors of Cherwind were kneeling behind them, and the rest of the Human Saint’s coalition forces were cheering at what they just witnessed.

“With that, it’s all done. I’m sorry, guys,” a smiling Kuro turned to his army. “Can you please check for any survivors in that camp? Thanks!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” At once, they obeyed their king. The trio watched in awe as the warriors from Cherwind marched in perfect unison towards the ruins of the enemy’s defenses.

“Y-Your Majesty?” James was bewildered when he heard that.

“Kuro, what do they mean?” Lily asked, her eyes were round in surprise. Maddie, however, was silent. She just stared at Kuro with a dreamy expression.

“Ah, sorry…” he was scratching his head, “…it seems that I became their king when I was in Cherwind. Ahahahaha!”