Chapter 1060: 16.106 First Red Star - Before the war.
They were being pursued by a large number of undead birds and barely managed to avoid being surrounded. They were surprised to see so many undead creatures even in the sky, which made them realize how much their world had changed. The former pope, who had fallen from grace, had caused many deaths. Their once-beautiful world was now gone. The children were injured by the attacks from the undead birds, except for Keylan Light, who is immune to attacks by beings other than G.o.ds. Despite the protection of Randall Ruid and Luther D"Arcy, the children appeared to be in poor condition.
As Asher Light and the others approached the Academy, the undead birds disintegrated upon touching the golden barrier surrounding it. Despite entering the sanctuary safely, they bore scratches and wounds on their bodies and emitted black smoke due to the lingering effects of the miasma. Asher Light immediately cast Purification and Healing Spells to tend to the injured. Meanwhile, Keylan Light, a Hod, readied a powerful Sanctuary Spell to eradicate all undead within its range. Infused with divinity, Keylan"s spell was highly effective against the undead beyond the barrier. As he chanted the incantation, his body radiated a golden glow and angelic wings materialized on his back, lending him a holy and sacred appearance.
The others who were suffering from immense fear saw this glow of light as a sign of hope and seeing Keylan Light and the rest of the protagonists covered with the golden veil of light, made them feel hope for a brighter future with everyone surviving this disaster.
Keylan Light just finished chanting, "Holy Sanctuary!"
The Academy was surrounded by a golden ring, with Keylan Light at the center. When the high-level light spell was cast, it burned and eliminated the numerous undead creatures that had gathered outside the barrier. The undead let out a short shriek upon contact with Keylan Light"s spell, and all those within its range were reduced to ashes and returned to the earth.
SSHHRRRIEEEKKK~
Regrettably, the attack only managed to remove half of the undead outside the barrier. Kenan Light easily summoned a fresh set of troops to his command with a wave of his hand. His use of a wide area of effect light spell served as a clear message to the enemies that Keylan Light and his allies had returned.
Mayonaka Yoru saw the result of the spell but still frowned, "It"s not enough to kill all of the undead. We need to go out and actively kill them. Those high-level ones barely feel an itch with that spell just now."
"I agree. We need to gather everyone available. At least we need to widen the area where we can live and purify the land. Slowly regaining territory to protect." Esther Dawn said as he glanced at his younger siblings. "You guys go home first. Inform Dad and Mom about our return. As for tonight, you guys will rest, I and Yoru will handle things for today."
"You two haven"t rested like us as well. Can"t we find someone to take your place so you can also rest?" Amber Dawn said.
Esther Dawn said, "If no one takes the lead, the people in this place will remain complacent. It"s enough that we shift in leading so there wouldn"t be any problems with commands."
"Don"t worry. We can handle it. You need to rest well first before we do so." Mayonaka Yoru said.
Asher Light and three others accompanied Esther Dawn and Mayonaka Yoru to inform their respective families that they had returned. Upon arriving at the Dawn Family mansion, Carnelian Dawn felt anxious about whether his parents would recognize him, as he was believed to be dead. It was difficult to imagine how he could simply return home as if nothing had happened.
Amber Dawn said, "Finally, we are back home. I miss Dad and Mom so much."
"Watch your step. Don"t trip over the stairs, Amy." Asher Light said as he escorted his lover back to her home.
As Carnelian Dawn walks, he suddenly stops in his tracks. He"s unsure if he should go straight home because his appearance has changed drastically from how Athan Vladimir looked. Carnelian knows that he"s not supposed to exist, which adds to his hesitation. Conri Lycaon, his lover, notices his sudden quietness and takes his hand tightly to comfort him. Conri understands what Carnelian is struggling with. After being born, Carnelian had to use his sister"s body and go by the name of Amber Dawn. When he died, he was reincarnated as Athan Vladimir and lost all his memories of being from the Dawn Family. This caused problems for his mother, Earl Thana Daybreak. Especially no one recognized each other, they didn"t even know that the soul in Athan Vladimir is someone connected to the Dawn Family.
Now that his memories had returned, he also recalled all the things that had happened in the past. All the bad things he did and all the events that he caused and did. He felt unworthy of meeting his parents. Conri Lycaon is worried about his lover. He knew his situation yet he couldn"t do anything but accompany him.
Conri Lycaon whispered, his voice full of gentleness and pampering all only for Carnelian Dawn his Luna. "A"Lian, you don"t have to worry. Amy and Brother Esther accepted you and welcomed you with open arms. I"m sure Aunt and Uncle would be very happy to have you back."
"Conri, what if... they don"t recognize me? Look at me like a stranger. I"m... I"m scared~" Carnelian Dawn hugged Conri Lycaon as if he wanted to hide himself within his lover"s eyes.
Conri Lycaon said, "Don"t be afraid. I will be with you. How can your parents not even recognize you as their son? They will definitely know who you are."
Amber Dawn and Asher Light were unaware that Carnelian Dawn and Conri Dawn, who were supposed to be following them, had not entered the house. It wasn"t until their parents asked about Esther Dawn"s whereabouts that Amber and Asher realized the other two were not present. They had informed Thana Daybreak and Luciel Dawn about Esther"s and Mayonaka Yoru"s plans beforehand. Amber excitedly shared with her parents how her younger brother had been revived due to his soul connection with Conri Lycaon being reconnected. However, when she turned to introduce her brother, she realized that Carnelian and Conri had not followed them inside.
"Mom, Dad, see who we brought home! It"s our youngest!! Eh? Where is Car?" asked Amber Dawn as she saw no figure of her younger brother.
Asher Light said, "They didn"t follow us back. Maybe they are still outside the house."
Thana Daybreak and Luciel Dawn"s reaction was unexpected. They seemed to believe that their youngest son had never been gone in the first place. When their daughter and her boyfriend explained the situation with Athan Vladimir and how the soul inside was their lost son, they were overjoyed to learn that he was alive and had returned home with his siblings. The elderly couple was both surprised and grateful that their other child had finally come home.
Thana Daybreak rushed out of the house upon hearing that her youngest child had returned home. Her husband, Luciel Dawn, followed her and also ran out of the mansion to look for their child. They were surprised to see a young man who looked just like Luciel but with his mother, Thana Daybreak"s gentle eyes. When Carnelian Dawn saw his parents running towards him, he couldn"t help but feel scared of being rejected, so he hid behind Conri Lycaon.
"Sweetie~ is that you, Carnelian? Don"t hide, please. Let Mom see you," Thana Daybreak said with her eyes red with happiness and sadness at the same time.
Luciel Dawn also couldn"t move away from the child. This is the son he had begged the G.o.ds to save. He was also the child he had lost all these years and failed his responsibility as his father to himself.
"Child, can you let us see you?" Luciel Dawn said. Despite his stern voice, one couldn"t ignore the hoa.r.s.eness in it as if he was holding back his tears.
Conri Lycaon encouragingly whispered to his lover, "It"s okay. You can do it, A"Lian."
Upon hearing the voices of his parents, Carnelian Dawn couldn"t help but peek from behind Conri Lycaon. With his lover"s support, he bravely faced his parents in a new appearance he had just gotten used to and timidly looked at them obviously afraid of rejection.
Carnelian Dawn was holding the edges of his clothes and didn"t dare to look straight at his parents" faces but light called for them, "M-Mom... D-Dad..."
Without warning, Carnelian Dawn found himself enveloped in a warm embrace from his parents. Thana Daybreak was especially overjoyed to have her beloved son back home, and tears streamed down her face as she held him tight. Luciel Dawn was equally thrilled and joined in the embrace, hugging both his wife and son tightly. Conri Lycaon, Carnelian"s partner, was also pulled into the hug and wrapped his arms around Carnelian"s waist. Asher Light and Amber Dawn arrived just in time to witness the heartwarming scene. Seeing the love and affection being shared, Amber couldn"t resist and joined in the group hug with her boyfriend.
Amber Dawn said, "Unfair! I want to hug my little brother as well!"
After everyone had calmed down, the whole family gathered in the living room of their house. Thana Daybreak sat beside her youngest family member and couldn"t help but stare at him. She had never seen him in his baby form because he was born in someone else"s body. As a result, even living in his sister"s body made him very sick and he was unable to use his real abilities, forcing him to live as an ordinary human being. He desperately wanted to help his family and elder brother but couldn"t succeed. However, he finally returned to his family with his own body and ident.i.ty, which was the most important thing to him now.
Luciel Dawn frowned, "Esther and Yoru stayed out to patrol? They didn"t even rest properly. I will send someone to take their place and have them come home tonight!"
"Let"s have a feast tonight! Invite Lord Keylan as well. We can do the serious work starting tomorrow. You guys should take a rest first before anything else." Thana Daybreak said. "If you are back that means Lord Luther and Lord Randall had also returned. Then things would be okay now even if Lord Fenrir and the Progenitor didn"t make a move. Lately, the atmosphere in the Academy isn"t great. The parents of the students suddenly stopped their children from going to cla.s.s to train. It was as if they"d already given up struggling to live."
"Don"t mind those cowards. They were all waiting for someone to step forward and take the lead but most of them were devastated by just the sheer numbers of undead beyond the barrier. They"ve also started worrying about the extent of the barrier. Fearful that it would just disappear one day." Luciel Dawn said.
Amber Dawn said, "Dad, Mom, don"t worry. I and everyone will help. Lord Keylan had also received permission to make his move. He will definitely do everything to protect our world."
"We will help too. This is our world as well." Asher Light said.
That night after Esther Dawn and Mayonaka Yoru were forced to return home, the whole family had a big dinner feast shared with everyone. Keylan Light was invited as a special guest. But the other instructors didn"t come as they are in need to report to the Lord about everything that happened in the other world.
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At the mansion at the edge of the territory owned by the Genus Academy...
Randall Ruid and Luther D"Arcy had just returned to the world but immediately dropped by to report everything that had happened in the Primitive World. They told everything including the completion of the Ceremony between the other two Sovereign G.o.ds. They"ve also reported that the World Eater had shown no presence in that world.
Fenrir SKoll mumbled, "So he didn"t take the bait. I thought he would come to find that child "Carnelian". He quite likes the soul of that mortal. What a pity~"
Clearly from his words alone that he didn"t intentionally help those children to regain the connection between their souls. His sole purpose in helping them was to use them as bait to fish out the World Eater fragment. Helping them to go to the other place was just something on a whim.
Randall Ruid reported, "Sovereign Ruler Shen said that he didn"t find anything amiss in that world."
"Hmp! Did it go hiding just because I destroyed one of its fragments? How useless... Tsk!" Fenrir Skoll said.
Next to him, Ca.s.sius Ambrosia was sound asleep. Lately, his wife had been sleeping for longer periods of time, even when he was by her side. He couldn"t figure out why Ca.s.sius had been so tired lately, but when he checked on him, everything seemed normal. He gazed at his wife"s peaceful form with loving eyes. He only showed this kind of tenderness to his wife and children, never to anyone else.
Fenrir Skoll said, "Since there is nothing that can be done, you can do as your vessels are destined to do. Help them if necessary but don"t overdo it. Tell the same thing to Yue and Yang. You may leave."
"Yes, Lord G.o.d Ye!"
Randall Ruid and Luther D"Arcy were instructed to leave and disappeared into the darkness. The danger beyond the barrier can only be resolved by the world"s original residents. Fenrir Skoll and Ca.s.sius Ambrosia are the only pa.s.sers-by present to witness the end of this world. Whether it results in survival or destruction, they can only observe it unfold.