On The Other Side: I Quit Being Human

[Storyteller's POV]

As the moon retreated, the sun came forward. The dark sky was illuminated, hiding the bright stars decorating the sky and accentuating the milky-white-coloured clouds covering it. The day that every citizen of Antares had been anticipating had come. This day would be the day when the war that had lasted for two centuries would end.

Everyone that remained in the Antares Kingdom was extremely worried. They were well aware of the significance of this day toward their fate. Many of them wanted to flee the Kingdom but couldn't. They were forced to stay and fight against their will by their rulers, producing a bunch of lifeless and spiritless soldiers.

The betrayal of the three powerful Dukes was a hard blow to the morale of the people already; knowing that even their Holy Maidens had abandoned them dealt heavy damage to their mental health. They would like to be optimistic but what happened so far made them even more sceptical; they were sure of their deaths and utter loss.

"Is this the end of our Kingdom?"

The King of Antares, Dulorand de Antares shared the same sentiment with his people. He could barely see any light ahead with how things had been going. He was willing to fight to the death yet he knew it wouldn't change a thing. Even if they won, the Kingdom still perished since it would no longer have its King and its people.

"It is so unlike you to be pessimistic," someone interrupted the King's thought.

"You tend to behave like me when you find your family also standing against you. Didn't you feel the same when our Holy Maiden left us, Mark?"

The Last Hero of Antares, Mark Lane looked at Dulorand silently before shaking his head faintly. "I was stunned, sure, but I don't think it is unfortunate that she left. My fondness of her and your fondness of your daughter is different, Your Majesty."

Curious, Dulorand turned to face Mark. Not far away from him, the Hero leaned against the wall with a confident smirk. He looked brighter than he had been a few days ago. His body had grown bigger and taller. Although he was not as tall as Layland was, he was half a time bigger than Layland.

This was possible because he had received a heart transplant. He replaced his heart with the modified heart of a deceased Hero from the past, which had been the Royal Family's heirloom until it was transplanted into his chest.

The heart barely looked like a heart. It was shaped like one but didn't have the consistency of one. Almost three fourth of it was made out of Magic Stone. It beat like a normal heart yet it produced and pumped Mana into one's blood like a Dragon's. Because of these reasons, Mark had been growing massively for the past three days.

"You don't need to worry, Your Majesty. I will kill that bastard Layland. He is the only threat that our Kingdom should be careful of. He is the only individual in the Demon King's Army that moves sneakily and is hard to find. Once he is dead, we should be able to maintain the status quo."

"It matters not, son." Dulorand shook his head. "What is the point of killing him if you also die in the end? We will live yet we will never be able to stand up again for we have lost our feet. It will be just a matter of time until Ilschevar deals the finishing blow."

"He won't," Mark said decisively, surprising Dulorand. "Brianna told me about the reason why none of the Demon Kings has ever hunted Heroes as soon as they are summoned. It is God. God protects our land and he shies them away. This is why they prefer Heroes coming to their lands--so that God won't intervene."

"Still, son, it won't matter. We are going to mobilize everyone in our ranks in this war. We will be out of our land, so Ilschevar will still be able to do what he likes."

"When was the last time Ilschevar recorded to leave his throne?"

Given the question, Dulorand found himself unable to answer. "That is...quite a long time ago, I am sure."

"He is rumoured to be the strongest Demon King among the Nine Demon Kings, isn't he? Don't you think it is weird that someone as strong as him stays on their throne forever?" Mark smirked as he noticed Dulorand's pondering look. "I won't let you think hard. I will give you the answer--he is everyone's mutual enemy."

"Is he...?"

"Yes. Even his brethren are targeting him." Mark nodded his head. "He can't move carelessly, which is why he has people that he nominates as Demon King Candidates. He cultivates these people, so they can grow strong enough to do things he wants to do but he can't. Layland is one of these people; therefore, killing him will deal heavy damage to Ilschevar."

It was amusing as it was disappointing that a Hero knew more than he did about his world, yet Dulorand still smiled brightly. This information was acquired from the Temple which was very tight-lipped about matters regarding Demons, so he wasn't surprised that he didn't know.

He wondered why the Temple even bothered to keep it to themselves and if they were on his side. It made him doubt that the Legions of Paladins that the Temple promised to send to aid them would ever come.

When his religiousness kicked in, he soon cleared any thought about that. He even felt disgusted at himself for daring to think about it.

Thud!

Suddenly, a guard came inside the throne room, alerting Mark and Dulorand.

"Your Majesty, the six Legions of Paladins that the Temple sent us have arrived!"

Hearing that, Dulorand got up from his throne. Mark stopped leaning against the wall and immediately walked outside, ready to lead the Legion of elite soldiers entrusted to him.

....

Contrary to the citizens of Antares, the citizens of Verniculos were extremely hyped about the war. They were absolute about their Kingdom's victory, so they couldn't wait to celebrate the pathetic fall of their nemesis.

Sitting on the edge of his bed with nothing covering his upper body, Layland recalled what had happened to him and what he had done for the time he had spent in this world. This day, he would have a risky fight and he wondered if everything would end when he won.

When he still didn't enjoy life in this world, he wasn't afraid of this reality being merely a dream. Now that he was starting to enjoy it and feel grateful for it, he slightly worried that he would wake up from his extremely long dream after his revenge was fulfilled.

"You shouldn't think about something so silly."

A smirk crept up his face when he felt a pair of soft hands hug him from behind. His mind was cleared of any silly thoughts as he opened his eyes.

Putting his hand on the hands that were on his chest, he said, "Well, it doesn't hurt to be cautious. Who knows if there is a sick higher being playing with me for his source of amusement?"

"Be strong enough to defy and conquer him."

"That is why I am aiming."

The person hugging him from behind, Valeria let go of him and got out of bed. She then stood before him, showcasing her bare heavenly figure. He understood that she was teasing him, so he intensely stared at any parts of her body but her eyes. This made her give up, prompting her to wear her clothes.

Layland stood up, gave a warm hug to Valeria and stayed like that for a few moments. He hugged her like it would be the last time they could hug, which prompted her to hug him as if she would never let him go.

Kissing her forehead tenderly, he said, "Wait for my return--it will be quick. We will spend more time together at the end of this."

"Hm. I will always for your return."

The room turned silent as they stopped speaking to each other. The silence was not awkward, however, since they enjoyed spending quiet time bathing in each other's presence.

"Kuhum!"

Someone cleared her throat, prompting the two to slowly let go of their hug. As they turned their heads to the person, they found Millonia standing in the doorway with an irked look.

"Everyone is looking for you, bastard. We are about to leave. Come on, move your ass--"

Millonia's speech was cut short as Layland threw her on his shoulder like a potato sack and teleported away with her. They appeared in the gathering field, which was before the Barrack, at the same as Valeria did.

Millonia glared at Layland when he put her down but she didn't seem like she was unhappy about what just happened; on the contrary, she looked like she enjoyed it. Turning his attention away from her, he looked at Winerva and Lunea who were standing on his left. Both of them had solemn looks on their faces and it made him unconsciously smile.

They weren't nervous--they were determined to put an end to everyone that came at them.

"My Warriors, today will be the day when a big event will forever be remembered in the history of our Kingdom. Our nemesis of two hundred years shall fall today!"

"Hooh!"

Every Warrior cheered as they thumped their chest in excitement after hearing what Ilschevar said.

"Still, my Warriors. Forget not to be careful for one is not tripped by a boulder but a pebble." Furtively gazing at Layland from the corner of his eyes, Ilschevar smirked. "The fall of Antares will not be the only event that will be written down in history. I can tell that one of your fights will also be an event worthy to be remembered."

Spreading his hands, he exclaimed, "Do your best!"

A blinding light filled everyone's vision, making their body feel light. When they regained their visions, they found themselves standing on the battlefield.