Chapter 157 - The True Beginning (End)

Beverly Inn, Danver City, Crownveil Dukedom.

This inn was the place where Thompson's party members were currently waiting for his and Steven's return, and also the place where they stayed themselves in.

Even though the County they were living in was also in Crownveil Dukedom, it was quite far from where the gathering was taking place.

They couldn't just let Thompson went back and forth to the County they were living in. Therefore, they had to follow Thompson to Danver city, the capital of Crownveil Dukedom.

In one of the rooms that the Knights of Hauler occupied, Sylvia was lying on the bed, while looking at the ceiling emptily.

"Hey, Effie ... Do you think 'he' is really dead?"

The person in question, Effie, turned her head to Sylvia, before massaging her forehead helplessly. She didn't wear her hoodie currently, so her pointy ears were bare for the world to see, signifying her identity as an Elf.

"Sylvia, I know how smitten you are with that guy, but you need to accept reality." Shaking her head, she continued, "He has sacrificed himself for us, and that is the end."

"I know about that, Effie." Sylvia frowned. "It's just ... His expression, his tone, and his demeanor back then—all of them indicated he was confident in his survival."

Effie sat herself on the bed beside Sylvia "He held an unnatural amount of confidence in himself, and you are aware about it." Patting Sylvia's head, she continued, "I know you have survivor's guilt—all of us who were saved by him do."

Effie exhaled softly to herself. "However, we need to accept the reality in front of our eyes, no matter how bitter it is. We have to keep living, and not waste his sacrifice ... Just like what we are going to do: saving the lives of people."

Sylvia turned her head to Effie. "Are you staying in our party because you want to pay your debt to Basil too, Effie?" Sylvia asked curiously.

"No, I'm not." Effie smiled. "I stay here because my home is here; you and the others are the only people who accept me for what I am."

Right after the Dungeon incident, Effie had explained herself why she disguised herself as a human Knight. Her story had shocked her party so much they didn't know how to respond.

Effie was not a pure Elf; she was born from an illicit love between a male Elf and a female human. Her mother had died right after giving birth to her, and her father had taken her to his home town to raise her there.

Years of peace had passed, before it had been revealed that Effie had only inherited the appearance of an Elf; she didn't inherit the trait that every Elf had to communicate with Spirit.

Her father didn't mind it in the least bit, but the others did. Upon knowing that Effie was, in fact, a "cursed" child due to her mixed origin, every Elves in her father's home town had been eager to kill her.

She had been only 6 at that time, and she could do nothing but cry on her father's shoulder. Luckily, her father had loved her so dearly, he had been willing to forfeit his life for her; her father had been executed to guarantee her safety.

Although her life had been saved, no one had accepted her due to her origin. When she had become 12 years old, she had learned a disguise Magic, and left her father's home town.

Ever since then, she had lived as human, and eventually becoming a Knight. After a few years, she had met Thompson, and joined Hauler.

Sylvia looked at Effie apologetically. "I am sorry to remind you of something unpleasant," she said. Effie smiled, and shook her head faintly. "It's okay. I know you didn't mean it."

Sylvia got up from the bed, and held Effie's hands tightly. "I am sure those stupid Elves will regret their decision when they see you. Look at you now, you are already a Blue Core Knight!" Sylvia said enthusiastically.

Apparently, Steven wasn't the one who had become a Blue Core Knight.

Effie merely shook her head in amusement at Sylvia's quick change of mood. Still, she was glad Sylvia could take the thought of Basil off of her mind.

They talked a little bit more, until the knock on the door stopped them from talking any further.

Effie quickly wore her hoody, and got out of the room with Sylvia. Upon getting out of the room, they were met with a stiff faced Steven. The others were also there, and they also had a stiff face.

The two girls turned their puzzled gaze at Thompson who was behind Steven. He stepped forward, and gave them two things: their participation tokens, and a bewildering information.

An unsuspected massive horde of Monsters had gotten out of Death Howl Dungeon, and was heading to Raneil Barony.

...

Death Howl Dungeon, Lone Plain.

More than two weeks had passed, and Caesar finally felt the Magic Barrier he had set was broken. He was sure it hadn't been caused by the appearance of a strong Demon, but the ridiculously massive horde of Demons.

Despite so, he wasn't bothered by it in the slightest. His Young Master, Basil was currently undergoing the completion of the ritual; he couldn't let his concentration stray from the ritual, unless he wanted to kill Basil.

Therefore, he didn't mind about the destruction of his Magic Barrier much—he didn't care about what would happen to the people outside. He paid more of his attention to the ritual.

In the early stage, he might not have the need to pay much concentration in the ritual.

However, the more of his Magic Circles got combined with Basil's, the more he needed to concentrate on the ritual.

As more of his Magic Circles were forfeited, the harder it became to control the Mana that he and Basil shared.

If he were to commit a slip in his control over the Mana, he would end up disrupting the whole ritual, and waste Basil's effort. Not only that, both of them would die uselessly to the explosion of their hearts.

Caesar looked up at the three Magic Circles that were currently in the process of combining themselves. He didn't know how long it would take until the process was finished, but he was sure it wouldn't be that long.

More than two weeks he hadn't eaten, and his vision started to blur. He knew starvation wasn't the reason; as long as the ritual was ongoing, his body was sustained by the Mana the Array attracted.

However, his mind needed something to distract itself from the thought of his death cause—his decision. Looking at Basil, although his body weakened by each seconds, he felt his body became even stronger.

A flash of memory ran through his head. It was the memory of the first time he had encountered his one and only Lord—his saviour. At that time, he had been nothing but a snotty brat who had known nothing but charge at the Demon army like a mad dog.

The result of such action was predictable: he had ended up becoming a Demon Fodder A, who had been quickly taken down at the beginning of the war.

He had felt the time of his death had been so close back then, he had been shaken to his core.

Fortunately for him, his Lord had descended the world, and showed himself to the world for the first time.

He had been coincidentally right under his Lord's feet, and it had been also the reason he had been the very first person his Lord had saved.

"Ha-ha-ha," his Lord laughed while picking him up. "My child, thy heart is too big for thy body."

His Lord's smile at that time was something he could never forget. Even his nickname, "The Lord's Doormat," was something he always proudly carried.

"What name thou hast, my child?" He had ended up shaking his head at his Lord's question, due to the powerful feeling the smile had conveyed. "Ha-ha-ha. Very well. Since thou hast a long hair, I name thee Caesar!"

Since then, he had changed his name to Caesar. He had never felt unsatisfactory of his name. However, the name his Lord had given him was far more precious than the one his betrayer of a family had given.

The memory of his Lord's death was recalled, and his vision immediately blurred due to the tears. Sorrow and rage mixed into one, and he didn't know what do.

Soon enough, his mind was soon awakened from the deep recollection of the countless memories of the past, and realization dawned upon him.

Looking to his front, he was bewildered the person he was looking for wasn't there.

"Caesar."

At the voice he turned his head, and widen his eyes did.

Caesar was seeing a handsome man with shining golden eyes. The man was standing at 2 meters tall, and he was looking down at him with a stern face. However, a faint smile could be seen on his face.

"Ah, my time has come... My Lord... I can finally see my Lord!"

Caesar tried to stand up, but his body that was bereft of Magic Circles were to weak to follow his command. His attempt to stand failed, but luckily his Lord was there to prevent him from falling.

"My... Lord..." He tried to touch his Lord's cheek, but his Lord's hand stopped him before he managed to. Widening his eyes, he said, "Pardon this lowly servant from his impudence."

His Lord shook his head, and smiled faintly. "No, I mind not thou touching me. However, thou needst to look for thyself. Look at how weak thou art, Caesar." His Lord slowly sat him down on the ground.

Caesar cried silently, and stared at his Lord deeply.

"Ah, my Lord. I had terrible parents, not descendants. My wife and children were killed, due to their choice of siding with me, and I still failed to avenge you. What good do I have as a servant?" He bowed his head in shame.

"Thy life is the best thing thou hast, Caesar." His Lord smiled, then put his hand on his head. "Thy sacrifice will not be in vain, Caesar."

"What sacrifice have I done for you, my Lord?" He looked up, and instead of meeting his Lord's face, he was met with someone else's. "Thou hast sacrificed thy life for me, and I am forever grateful, Caesar." It was Basil's.

The Pacifer seal on Basil's forehead was shining intently, and he was currently looking at Caesar with his shining golden eyes decorated with a strange pattern.

"Ah, Young Master." Realization dawned upon Caesar. "You have succeeded in your endeavor..." A smile decorated his face.

His body turned weaker, and his eyes turned droopier. He knew his time was coming close to an end. However, instead of being afraid, he was rejoicing with the fact that he had helped Basil.

He felt his body fell to the ground, but it was so gentle, it felt like someone was helping him to lay down. He tried to see, but nothing entered his eyes.

However, his ears were still functioning properly, and he could feel the warm hand on his forehead.

"My blessing shall accompany you, Caesar."

He didn't know whether it was his Lord's or his Young Master's, due to the eerily similar voice. However, which was it didn't matter to him; he was just glad he could finally go in peace.

Before long, his heart stopped beating, and soon, Caesar was reunited with his wife and children.

Basil looked at the lifeless body of Caesar with his shining golden eyes. He didn't know what was happening to himself, as he felt a strong compassion toward Caesar.

At this moment, he realized the more he paved his way, the more he experienced changes. Followed by that was the uncovering of the world's mystery.

Still, such thought was unnecessary for the current situation; he had a better thing to do.

Flicking his hand lightly, fire was produced, and it slowly engulfed Caesar's body. Basil knew he couldn't bury Caesar, and so he decided to cremate Caesar.

When Caesar had completely turned to ash, Basil controlled the wind to gather Caesar's ash, and kept it in a jar he had brought with him in his Spatial Bracelet.

Taking out the Dungeon's Sealing Sword, he quickly brought himself out; he couldn't stay idle.

He knew what was about to happen was the true beginning of everything.