Chapter 12: End of the War

The Scouts' field was silent that morning. Far too silent.

After learning the truth about his mark and the fate of his parents, Isz had trained harder than ever before. There was fury, fear, and determination swirling inside him, as if the mark itself burned for answers… or for blood.

Two years passed, and at last, the war had arrived. The scouts of Vein and Volny gathered to discuss the battle plan, how they would prevent the enemy from advancing toward the cities.

Commander of Volny: “Many units are out scouting alongside Vein’s scout division. If anyone still has doubts about the type of enemy we’re facing, now is the time to speak. We’ve trained for years for this war. Casualties will be inevitable, but the peace of humankind will be decided today.”

With his arms crossed,

Butcher

stood deep in thought. He remembered how much he had fought in the past , and how he once believed this day would never come.

Hindal: “Permission to speak, sirs. We’ve returned from patrol. We found summoning circles and detected witches and malicious shadows on the battlefield.” (Malicious shadows are shadow-shaped enemies that move quickly and blend into the opponent’s shadow.)

Butcher: “I have a plan for dealing with the witches and the malicious shadows. As for the other enemies, we simply follow the formation we trained for. The cavalry will advance with the alchemists, who will throw illumination potions to prevent the shadows from hiding. Does anyone have anything to add?”

Commander of Volny: “That sounds excellent. I know your reputation on the battlefield, knight. I trust your experience completely.”

Butcher: “Thank you, Commander. If anything else comes up, I’ll be in my tent, I need to speak with my men.”

Butcher left the strategy tent and walked toward the military encampment.

Isz: “Men, there is no need to be nervous. We will all march on the front lines with you. Today is the decisive day for humanity. We annihilated goblins, demons, and devilhands across our continent, and now we’re here to aid our allied kingdom. This is for everyone who died believing in and honoring their friends, families, and comrades. This will be the end of the war.”

Scouts: “That’s right, Commander! Let’s finish them!”

The scouts cheer, driven by Isz’s motivation and overflowing with eagerness for battle.

Hyogo: “Archers, do not waver. Aim for the devilhands’ eyes, and try to hit the witches’ hands so they cannot cast spells. Wear the masks crafted by the alchemists, if you fall into an illusion, it could cost your lives… and ours as well.”

Archers: “Yes, sir!”

In the distance, the enemies approached: riders mounted on horses with their skin flayed off, carrying spears stained with the blood of men and women to be launched as ammunition for their catapults. A soldier from Volny trembled in terror, his village had been near the attack site, and the corpses used as weapons were likely people he knew.

Watching from afar, Harpya muttered: “Miserable bastards. This will be the last time they defile humans.”

Hindal: “I’ll go with Cerberus through the center. We’ll take down the specters.”

Isz: “I’m going too. I want to kill these sons of bitches. I’ll gather a small squad of scouts for support.”

Hyogo sat inside the camp, coughing blood.

Isz: “You alright?”

Hyogo: “Yeah… must’ve been yesterday’s food. Isz, be careful with your scouts. Don’t take them into the field with you.”

Isz recognized it as a prediction and connected the blood to Hyogo’s ability. He told him to stop using it before it harmed him further.

Hyogo: “There are things I can’t stop seeing… and it’s been happening for a while now.” His hands trembled, his lips stained with blood.

Butcher: “Men, prepare yourselves. The enemy is advancing!”

With the Butcher’s command, the battle began.

Devilhands hurled corpses like flaming projectiles and charged with fury. Isz took the front line, decapitating several with a single strike before slamming his spear into the ground, sending bolts of lightning erupting across the battlefield.

Hindal and Cerberus tore through the devilhands, but were ambushed by malicious shadows, saved only by Harpya’s flute, whose resonating sound destabilized the shadows long enough for the alchemists to cast their illumination spell.

The field was soaked, muddy, and drenched in blood. The archers had no visibility, but Hyogo foresaw the enemies’ positions and ordered the volleys, killing many and blinding several witches.

The Butcher, overflowing with fury, slammed his axe into the ground, sending a shockwave that staggered the enemies. Harpya cut down several foes, but then froze, she saw something approaching in the enemy lines.

Harpya: “Fall back! FALL BACK!”

The battlefield fell into silence. In the distance, an enormous silhouette atop a horse emerged.

The Voice of Imponence had arrived, clad in golden armor, wielding a golden sword. He conjured specters and commanded them to slaughter everyone on the field.

The Butcher, who had been engaged with the witches, also noticed him.

Butcher: “I’m going to face the Voice.”

Hyogo: “I’ll support you.”

Both charged forward.

The Voice slaughtered countless soldiers. At first, the scouts had dominated the battle,but once the Voice entered, everything shifted. Specters carved through the lines, and soldiers fell in masses.

Isz finished off the last specter in his path and sprinted to aid the Butcher.

Isz: “Don’t follow me. Finish off the Devilhands and take the wounded back to the camp. If possible, arm yourselves before returning.” Isz is interrupted by specters and engages them in combat.

The scouts fall back and obey the order, while Butcher and Hyogo struggle, but Hyogo predicts an opening in the Voice’s defense.

Hyogo: “Butcher… strike under the helmet!” (coughing blood)

Butcher does exactly that and enrages the Voice, while at the same time leaving it impressed.

Voice of Imponence: “Hahaha… you impressed me quite a bit, knight. In fact, I found two of you who managed to do that. We will meet again in the future. For now, I’ve already accomplished what I came to do.”

The Voice withdraws from the battlefield, leaving the warriors confused. In the mixture of dust and blood, mist and clashing steel, the battle finally ceases.

Almost all the scout units of Vein were killed in the conflict, along with every tracking scout. The feeling of grief was overwhelming,bodies thrown across the ground, dismembered, faces frozen in terror. But the war had ended.

Isz looks up at the crimson twilight sky and takes a deep breath.

Isz: “It’s… finally over. My friends… the orphanage… I’ll stay alive for you. And soon… we’ll meet again.” Isz collapses to his knees—exhausted and relieved at once. He had surpassed his limits and brought the war to an end.

Harpy extends a hand.

Harpy: “Get up, brother. It’s over.”

The two look upon that sea of corpses with sorrow, yet breathe with a faint sense of relief knowing the next generations would not endure the same horrors.

Isz accepts the hand, and together they leave the blood-soaked field, heading toward the camp. There, a royal messenger greets them joyfully with the new, stating the king had died. The soldiers are shocked, but the messenger announces that Princess Zhofia has already taken the throne.

Butcher, worried about Hyogo, tells him to stop using his foresight. Even if it helped, it would eventually kill him. Hyogo agrees and rests.

On the following day, they board the transports back to the kingdom and are decorated in Volny. A grand farewell celebration is held in honor of the soldiers’ victory.

The celebration took place deep within Volny, near the bustling ports illuminated by lanterns and the silver reflections dancing on the restless water. Soldiers from every division were present, including Edward, who moved between the long tables wearing a rare, genuine smile.

Isz watched the scene and spoke quietly to Hyogo:

Isz: “Volny truly is remarkable… Their technology in weapons and armor feels like something from another world. It’s almost a completely different place compared to Vein. They barely rely on magic at all.”

Hyogo nodded, smiling faintly.

Hyogo: “I thought the same…”

He stopped, coughing blood into his hand, but quickly wiped it away.

Hyogo: “I’m fine… I cut the inside of my mouth during the fight. It happens.”

But deep inside, Hyogo knew his end was drawing near.

Before the air grew heavy, Edward arrived, cheerful, holding an overflowing mug.

Edward: “No gloomy faces! Tonight is for celebrating! Drink, eat, enjoy it! You all saved the entire continent!”

The nearby townsfolk thanked each soldier personally, their eyes shining. Many still struggled to believe the monsters had truly been wiped out. Children ran between the warriors’ legs as if they were mythic heroes brought to life.

As Isz drank something strong he couldn’t identify, his thoughts drifted to the orphanage. He imagined the children eating this good food… Imagined them laughing, running, living freely. Imagined himself and his friends finally enjoying real peace, exploring the world beyond blood and battles.

In the midst of the celebration, a messenger brought a sealed scroll bearing Volny’s crest. It was a letter from the king: “Forgive me for not arriving on time. I send my commendations and my eternal gratitude. Whenever you need Volny, this kingdom shall be a second home to you.”

The words stirred pride… and a quiet, lingering weight.

Harpya, seated slightly away from the crowd, thought about writing a letter to Ida. But tonight wasn’t the time. There were too many tears, too many laughs, too many lives being celebrated.

In Vein, people were told only that the war was over. The flags still hung half-torn, and the wind carried the metallic scent of rain and rust. There was no celebration,only a bitter, heavy silence. Some believed it was because of the king’s death, but the truth was far more macabre.

In the castle halls, the real reason for the silence revealed itself. Candlelight flickered over floors stained with fresh blood. The bodies of servants and messengers hung upside down, arranged like ancient offerings.

Gray: -Queen, he informed me, the humans won and now we need to change the plan.

Zhofia lay naked on the throne, her body covered only by soaked crimson robes.

Blood dripped from the steps and ran down to the symbols on the floor, which glowed crimson.

Beside her, a gray-skinned demon and a vampire drank from the same chalice, sharing the queen's throat with kisses and teeth.

Zhofia: -It's alright, there's no need to worry right now, they will be annihilated little by little, now get out of here, you're getting in our way.

Zhofia said this while consuming blood and having sexual relations with a demon and a vampire.

She smiled, and the blood that dripped from her lips formed a perfect circle on the ground.

Gray bowed.

Gray: "As you wish, my lady."

The combatants were unaware of the kingdom's rottenness, but there were warriors who already suspected and planned to leave the church.