Humanity's Hero Of Despair

The sunset creates a soft glow of light orange over the Grand Duchy of Pedgas.

It is so beautiful you wouldn't have known that a couple of hours ago there was a massive battle. To be fair, you can hardly see the grind this high up. Ivy and I sit next to each other on the highest rooftop of the Pedgas Castle.

I know. It's not exactly safe.

However, I am pretty good with my wind magic. I'm confident we will be fine. Plus, Ivy is smart and made a barrier of stone to prevent us from falling off the roof in case we slipped. Simple problems require simple solutions. Well, that's what I think at least.

"It's so beautiful, isn't it, babe?"

Ivy says to me as her shoulder lightly rubs up against mine as we hold hands. Our fingers interlaced with each other. I nod to her and smile.

"It's very beautiful. Not as beautiful as you, my princess."

Ivy smiled back at me and gave me a kiss on the cheek which I playfully tried to avoid. We laugh for a bit and continue to look at the sunset. The light orange turns darker as the sun dips below the horizon more. The breeze is fairly cold up here as it ruffles both our hair. I cast a small fireball in my free hand to keep us warm. The breeze becomes slightly colder. I take my jacket off slightly and wrap my arms around Ivy as I cuddle her.

I think this way would make us warmer.

"Sometimes I think I am changing too much too fast. Like, I now own a Grand Duchy, lead an entire personal army of magic knights, own the Wand Of Origin, and now the Elemental Sphere of Darkness, etc."

I say to Ivy as the words come out slightly hollow. I am happy for everything I have, but it feels like so much pressure at times. I don't want to seem like I am the one being power-hungry or accidentally do something bad with my great influence.

"Love, it's okay. You are doing great. It's not your fault you were given so much responsibility so fast. It is simply because you are amazing and everybody trusts you. I know it's a lot of pressure, but that's why I am here, as well as all of your friends. I am with you, baby. Not leaving anytime soon. Remember? I'm yours."

I nod slowly in response as I hold her tighter in my arms.

"Thanks, honey. I needed to hear that. I will be alright. Just trying not to lose myself in all of this."

I hear a noise faintly in the distance. An imperial castle guard is shouting to me from the highest window of the Pedgas Castle.

"Your Imperial Grace, please come down. The Emperor and King Grey would like to speak to you."

Sigh. Ivy and I get up from our comfortable spots on the rooftop and head back down to the main floor of the Pedgas Castle. Once we make it back down to the main floor, the Emperor and King Grey are waiting for me.

"Sorry to bring you down here, Nico. King Grey and I would like to have your official permission to declare martial readiness across all GA Alliance territories?"

I stand there for a moment thinking as I process the words. They are asking my permission to mobilize hundreds of thousands of people? If they want to, then it's probably a good idea. I think about it. Quillen is nearby, and I get him to give me advice.

Once I know the rundown of the situation, I reply back with a "yes, whatever it takes."

The Emperor and King Grey immediately spur into action as they command the necessary people to rapidly send elite messengers across territories to spread the message.

Elite messengers are specialized wind mages who are the few who know how to fly extremely fast and for long periods of time.

Quillen explains to me that all of the magic knights and regular magic soldiers of the Kingdom of Taronar, the Veltheria Republic, the Oriventh Empire, and now the newly commanded Ryndoria Republic will mobilize their troops to be on the ready when the enemy attacks.

"That makes sense. We will be ready for them."

I say firmly. I know I am more than capable of being a good leader and winning this war against the very ones who killed my parents. I thought we defeated them long ago, but I couldn't be more wrong.

I won't make the same mistake twice.

I walk around the Pedgas Castle as the entire castle becomes alive in the night. Magic knights are training in training grounds. Some are fixing and polishing armor, others are preparing supplies just in case. I walk around and help out where I am able to. When I see someone I know in the magic knight squadron, I wave to them and call their name.

Ivy and I go around and introduce ourselves to people, getting to know them. This seems to make them happier, as they look slightly surprised we are talking to them. It's nice and fun to get to know people. Especially people you are leading in battle.

Eventually, we run back into the Emperor and King Grey. This time, though, the Emperor has a new letter in his hands. He smiles as he hands the letter to me to read out loud.

"Dear my great friend Hadrian the III,

I would be honored to join the GA Alliance. We believe Grand Duke Lotus to be the savior of the Seylora Theocracy as well. His unique powers are transformative and can save us all. We leave our faith in all your hands. We will save humanity together. Note, once you get this letter we will be arriving at your location very soon.

Forever, The Divine One"

I look up at the Emperor and King Grey. We all sigh in relief. Thank goodness the Seylora Theocracy gave confirmation about them joining the GA. Now the entire continent is united together. I ask the Emperor how the travel party of Seylora will find us. He says The Divine One and he have a homing magic stone which allows each other to sense each other's mana.

We all celebrate with a few drinks to this achievement and then we all head back to bed.

We are making progress.