Chapter 140: Finale (2)
One of the most important keywords in Apocalypse Mode was “on.”
A massive sign heralding an even greater calamity.
The appearance of Gates was a clear on. It wasn’t just here—Gates must have opened in multiple locations.
At the very least, three regions would have been caught in disaster.
It was certain that we had faced the largest enemy force among them, but the others must have suffered considerable damage as well.
Once large-scale reports began, the general public would start to grasp the severity of the situation.
If they concluded that the existing ruling class and defensive systems were inadequate, the citizens would try to change the current state of affairs—even if it ant revolution.
Even if it resulted in the collapse of the Empire’s system, they wouldn’t hesitate.
Because survival ca first. That was human nature.
In any case, one thing was certain—
“A calamity, once begun, never stops.”
The grace period ranged from a minimum of six months to a maximum of three years.
If we didn’t complete everything within that ti—
There would be no world after salvation.
Saving everyone only to have nothing afterward? That made no sense.
‘…Still, things have been going fairly smoothly so far.’
We had managed to rehabilitate Karen Rosefield, whom I had thought would be the most difficult.
At the sa ti, Rubia Magnus and Francia Brida had grown trendously.
Especially Rubia—her awakening could only be described as miraculous. If she continued training and learned to maintain the power of her succession for extended periods, she could beco the strongest all-rounder in Duel.
What remained were Michel Bernhardt and Edel Ribenia.
Both were insiders of the Imperial Household and their respective families.
Their enemies were the Empire’s ruling class.
We would tear those people down, fill their positions with those truly capable, and proclaim the birth of a new Empire.
That was what we—what I—had to do moving forward.
But before that—
We had to finish things properly.
“Now then… before preparing for what cos next, we should properly handle the aftermath.”
I spread my arms wide, looking between Karen and Betty.
“Who will declare the end of the war?”
Though this war had taken place within the limited space of Duel—Mallet, those gathered here were among the Empire’s finest.
Excluding the Mallet apprentice mages and Karbenna’s lower-year students, these were forces that would have perford anywhere.
And yet, despite their fierce clash—
The result was a draw.
If the Beasts hadn’t intervened, one side might have won.
Karen and Betty, the ones involved, knew that better than anyone.
That was why this proposal could be made—
And had to be made.
It may have been a trivial conflict within the Empire, but war was ultimately fought by soldiers.
No matter what justification the higher-ups had, it was those on the battlefield who bled.
“What the Empire needs now are comrades to fight alongside—not outdated rules.”
“…….”
“You’ve known it for a while, haven’t you? What truly matters.”
“Enough.”
Karen Rosefield spoke, looking at .
“If it were a relationship that could be cut off so easily… I would have severed it along with my life that day.”
At her words, Betty averted her gaze as well.
Even so—
It was clearly a ti when change was necessary.
Karen did not avoid answering.
“…I’ll make the declaration. Do you have a recording artifact?”
At that mont—
“May I assist with that?”
An unfamiliar voice ca from the entrance.
“It seems you have sothing to say to the world.”
A young man who looked barely past twenty stepped forward.
Setting down the bundle he carried, he looked at us with determined eyes.
“My na is Stefan Taurus. I work as a war correspondent for Ribenia Spiegel.”
“Taurus…?”
“Wait, a war correspondent?”
“Yes. I apologize for the sudden request, but…”
He firmly grabbed my right hand and asked—
“Would you consider making use of ?”
---
“The Imperial Special Task Force, Karbenna Academy, Duel—Mallet, and Dellowell of the Orthodox Church. Even clashes between forces of this scale happen maybe once a decade—but now Beasts have intervened in this war. And in the end, those four forces joined together to drive them out! This is a massive event. We need to report it to the world imdiately—exactly as it is, without any distortion!”
Brimming with excitent, Stefan pulled out his recording artifact and began setting it up on his own.
Watching him, I called over Michel, Gustav, and Belfor.
“Please each say a word as representatives.”
“…….”
Michel and Gustav nodded as if they had expected it, but Belfor shook his head.
“How can I represent the Special Task Force? I’m not qualified—!”
“You’re as qualified as anyone who fought here.”
I pulled him closer.
“Don’t you see? This is an opportunity, Belfor. A chance to make yourself known.”
“What? No, that’s not why—”
“You’re not soone who should stay a re colonel. Aim higher. That benefits too. Right?”
“But…”
“If you can’t think of what to say, tell . I’ll write you a script.”
After being pushed this far, there was no way he’d refuse.
In the end, Belfor accepted, and the representatives were decided.
Stefan quickly finished setting up and placed a table at the center, lining the four up.
From right to left: Belfor, Michel, Karen, Gustav.
“All set! You can begin anyti!”
Artifacts placed around them emitted a faint bluish-green glow.
I stood behind them, quietly watching the end of this war.
After a brief silence—
“The Dellowell called us an evil organization that worships demons. That was their assessnt of Duel—Mallet.”
The first to speak was Gustav Hauzeger, Master of the Magic Tower.
“We denied it. And we fought against those who labeled us evil. Though we cannot agree on the cause, one cannot judge right or wrong in a battle to uphold one’s beliefs.”
Next, as the representative of Lieutenant General Alvin Caldwell, Eric Belfor spoke.
“In a battle once begun, there are neither winners nor losers. That is the law of the battlefield.”
“But before we are mbers of different factions, we are proud citizens of the Ribenia Empire.”
“We have a duty to share the rights of victory. For that, we fought the Beasts that surged forth—and in the end, we made them the defeated.”
Then ca Michel Bernhardt, Chairwoman of Karbenna.
“Before being citizens of the Empire, we are human. Who could argue against humans joining forces to protect one another?”
Her words were also a declaration toward her true enemies.
“Before interests and ideologies, there is the value of life. Beasts are the enemy of humanity. We killed them to survive. That is all.”
And finally—
Karen Rosefield, the symbol and representative of Dellowell and the Ribenian Orthodox Faith, struck her halberd lightly against the ground.
“On behalf of Archbishop Dominico Nimbus of Saint Dominico Cathedral, and Heinrich Peregrine, Head of the Dellowell Inquisition—”
She declared firmly—
“As of 9:00 AM, Friday, April 1st, I hereby declare the end of the war.”
And so—
The continuous battle that had lasted nearly 30 hours—
Ca to an end.
---
After carefully reviewing the recording, Stefan Taurus nodded in satisfaction.
“This alone is more than enough for a report, but… if you have anything else you’d like to say, feel free to tell .”
“In that case, I have one request.”
Lowering my voice so only he could hear, I whispered—
“…….”
“…….”
“…You understand, right?”
“Ah… yes! I understand perfectly.”
They say repeated coincidences beco inevitability.
I didn’t know what purpose this man had in spreading this war—
But it was unlikely to be a disadvantage to .
This ti, I grabbed his right hand instead.
“I’ll be counting on you, reporter. For both of us, this is a once-in-a-lifeti opportunity.”
After securing that arrangent—
I turned toward Michel.
She was listening to Frederick and Dale as they reported the damage from the battle.
“…Understood… Do you have sothing to say, Carter?”
“Nothing urgent. Please continue.”
Frederick grabbed my arm.
“You’re the instructor of Class 2-3, aren’t you? You should hear this too. Go on, Dale.”
“…Mm.”
Dale glanced over a hastily scribbled report full of numbers and continued.
“Out of 54 participants, 31 were injured, and 2 were killed. Compared to the other forces, the fatality rate is significantly lower… but we couldn’t avoid death entirely.”
And then—
“One of them was your student, Carter.”
“…Who?”
“Chloe Weiss. Student number 3, it seems.”
“……Was recovery completed?”
“…….”
As Frederick and Dale fell silent, Michel began walking outside.
“Since we’re here, let’s go. The morial will likely be held much later.”
Two of the three open areas between the Forest of Delusion and the main tower had been designated as ceteries.
Agent riel and six First-Rank Believers, who were leading the recovery effort, wore complicated expressions throughout their work.
With half the bodies too damaged to identify, their primary task was preventing further decay.
Following the mages and believers, we helped with several tasks.
Since individual identification was difficult, the graves were divided into two large sections, with markers placed accordingly.
“We plan to request proper tombstones from headquarters later.”
riel spoke calmly, then turned her head slightly.
Seeing her trying to hide her tears, I stepped back.
Watching the scene, Michel spoke in a cold tone.
“Even if it’s the best possible outco, if it’s war, sacrifice is inevitable.”
If that was unacceptable, the war should never have been started.
“The fact that one-sided, misguided decisions lead to mutual tragedy—and yet those who made those decisions bear none of the responsibility—that is the greatest contradiction of war.”
To prevent such aningless sacrifice—
That responsibility must be returned to those who made the decision.
After stating her thoughts, Michel pulled aside into a forest path between the clearings.
“It must not be a surprising sight to you, Carter. You’re more accustod to human death than anyone.”
“…I wonder.”
Even now, the countless deaths etched into my mory lay in wait, ready to shatter my mind.
The original Eugene Carter had chosen to turn away from them.
During his isolation, he had drowned himself in alcohol and drugs, forgetting everything.
And so—
Only now was I facing it.
So would collapse under it.
So would deny reality itself.
But I wouldn’t.
My answer was a utilitarian one.
For the salvation of all—
So sacrifice was inevitable.
“…Or maybe I still just want to turn away.”
“…Perhaps.”
Michel responded with a faint smile.
“To you… I might be able to tell it.”
Why they want to kill .
And what ‘card’ I hold.
“…….”
She suddenly reached out toward the wind that began to blow.
Grasping sothing unseen, she walked forward slowly.
Following the light that began to shine ahead—
I walked as well.
A new act was about to begin.
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