Vol.2 – Chapter 0 – The Dark Lord is Dead

That day, humanity triumphed over the dark power. We, the hero's party, ventured through their territory and destroyed the dark lord. We did everything we could to win, especially the true hero, Albert. It was not easy, yet we emerged victorious.

"Theo, hurry up! You're slowing us down!"

Niel shouted at me, that stupid brat. Can't you see I'm carrying all of your baggage? But I don't feel like arguing with her since today is a very peaceful day, my heart filled with nothing but delight. We have won, and that's all that matters to me. Humanity will live in peace for another thousand years.

We are on our way to Georlia. It might be easier to ride some vehicle carried by a horse, but we decided to travel by foot and be in the moment, enjoying every second, experiencing the world, touching some grass.

The leaves were green, the sunlight penetrated through the trees, touching the woods, and the roughness made me feel at ease. The soil that touched the sole of my feet felt otherworldly. I couldn't help but smile as the birds sang for us. I hope this peace will last forever.

And knowing that someone is waiting for me at home, there is no greater excitement to be felt. I have a lot of stories to tell Archie, and finally, we could celebrate her birthday together without worrying about a big disaster looming in the corner.

However, after a brief moment of the sensation of calmness, I felt something eerie, I felt hate resonating with me. It's something malevolent and familiar, like I knew these emotions all this time, yet it was my first time feeling such. I look for the source in panic. I don't know, but... I felt fear at that time. Then my eyes met a tear in space, a portal in the corner of the forest, a crack that distorted time.

Something is coming out of it... I unsheathe my sword and breathe. I prepared myself to kill whatever it is... only to found out it's just a goblin.