Old Friend's Last Message

The commander stood up, cleared away the dust from his uniform and then introduced himself. "I am Bahlol, son of Messi Deur."

"What did you say?" Asked Maron with a surprised expression. The moustached commander nodded his head as he looked at Tufail. "Yes, I'm the son of the 3rd survivor of the Mheerio Empire, the fire fate user who fought beside the both of you."

Tufail's facial expression didn't waver as he asked in a dim voice. "Are you injured?"

"Huh?" Bahlol was surprised by such a question, the one who had almost choked him to death was now asking if he was hurt. Tufail didn't say much else though, he merely turned to grab a chair and slammed his ass onto it afterwards, beckoning for Maron after he picked up a glass.

The latter calmly came and filled it. "Aahhhh, it will take more than one glass to get that drunk again... What a shit day." Said Tufail with a sigh after finishing the glass in two loud gulps. After which, his gaze turned towards Bahlol, who had also already grabbed a chair for himself. "So, how's that baboon's arse doing?"

"Baboon's arse? Whom you are referring to?"

"Ha-ha-ha, who else could it be besides your father. I always called him that since his beard was as red as a baboon's arse" He jerked his head at Maron. "This stupid arse, son of a bitc- ahh sorry. This stupid ass, son of sister-in-law doesn't even know the famous name of his father. Ironic, isn't it, Maron? Ha-ha-ha!"

The old Maron sighed, irritated by his friend's constant nonsense. "You never dared to call him that to his face… Ahh what's the point, you're not gonna listen anyways…"

Commander Bahlol, on the other hand, was slightly shocked, but he remained quiet before eventually uttering "He is dead."

Silence once again returned to the bar. The loud Tufail's movements stopped and his eyes gradually turned to Bahlol while Maron lowered his head, holding back his tears. In truth, he had expected it but always held out hope until proven otherwise. Alas, that day had come.

"When did it happen?" Asked Tufail.

"5 years ago, he became very ill and then before long, I found him lifeless on his bed after returning with some medicine." Recounted Bahlol. Hearing that, Tufail sighed with resignation, almost too used to hearing such depressing news by now.

Bahlol took out a strange shell-like object, extended his hand and gave it to Tufail, along with a letter.

It read: "Bahlol, I know you can already guess that my days are numbered. Yet, you have never left this useless father. So, I need to tell you something. Through all these years, you've always believed me to be nothing more than a teacher at a military academy.

However, my son, there's more to me than that, much more. In the distant past, I was once a hero every lord admired and every lady desired. Do you remember the tale I always used to tell you, the tale of a forgotten hero? The Blood Drunk Halberd?

Every bit of that story is true, all those events did in fact occur 200 years ago. Now that I'm not long for this world, I wanted you to know this and I'd like you to seek out Tufail Tigor, the very hero you've looked up to your whole life. I've taught you all the military and medical skills I know. And you've absorbed and learned it all so fast, but of course, that's to be expected of my talented son, hahaha!

But back to the point. Tufail Tigor lives in the distant Kingdom of Moro. Find him. At first, he'll deny his identity but if you mention that thing, he'll respond. Then, give him this shell and he'll tell you the rest. And one more thing, that cocky and arrogant Fire Fate user that you hated in the story is none other than your old father, hahaha."

As Tufail read the letter, his hands shook. After finishing, he gazed at the shell-like object before tossing it to Maron, who caught it with ease and activated it. Strange lights emerged from it whilst Commander Bahlol's eyes widened in surprise. He had tried many times to activate it himself but to no avail and now it was done with barely any effort.

A projection appeared from the shell. Of a fragile man with long, dense, red hair reaching his shoulders and a thick red beard, with a face that resembled Bahlol.

"Hello, captain. If you are seeing this, that means I am already dead. I still can't believe time has come by so fast. All the adventurers we knew, that we fought alongside with, that we shared a drink with are gone. But I know at least you and Golden Leg Maron should be doing well, say hi to him for me."

Maron smiled as a few teardrops fell down his cheeks. "Hi to you too, old friend…"

The projection continued. "Captain, after we all went our separate ways following the destruction of Mheerio, I sustained a grave injury that couldn't be healed. Because of that, I dedicated the rest of my life to uncovering the truth.

I travelled days and nights and explored a myriad of ruins. During those travels, I found out that thousands of other species actually existed in the distand past and that humans were at bottom of the food chain. However, that is not all, for I also found out something even more shocking. That thing is still alive and in hibernation somewhere out there on the continent!

Only you can stop it, captain. Humanity is corrupted. You have to unite this entire continent! Revive Midnight Suns, if not, this continent and humanity will be doomed. The forgotten hero must come back, for only he can vanquish them."

While this was happening, Bahlol stared at the man sitting on the chair. He had never heard his father eulogizing someone so buoyantly before.

"And one more thing, my son is a well-trained young man and he is quite strong if I do say so myself, heh. Please allow him to succeed my place in your party.

Sigh, and with all of that said… Farewell, captain. I hope you succeed."

Afterwards, the projection ceased and the object turned to dust, never to be used again…