Forward! My First Conquest. (Epilogue)

In the heart of a distant place, a place where the sun cannot reach, lies a chamber veild in perpetual darkness. Within its confines, where whispers and secrets hangs heavy, a lone figure enters amidst the gloom and rest upon his seat.

*flick*

And in that eternal night, a single source of light flickered and cast upon the walls like a dance of embers, casting fragments of the past upon those who enter to witness. The light weaves upon a conflict, those who watch with bathed breathe can only wait at the edge of their seat as the battle rages upon the war torn land and depicts an unmatched female warrior with a mask cutting through the mighty walls with a single swing. Many who watch this tale have their heart captivated, have their eyes filled with trepidation and itching with impatience.

The key to holding their power have finally reveal themselves once again. This dimly lit sanctuary of shadows begins to stir, and the whole chamber fills with whispers before one voice overtakes them all.

"She holds a gift."

One individual speaks.

"She holds the key to the answers we've been seeking for!"

*murmur*

Another shouts without hesitation and everyone agrees.

"Not long ago we have lost a very special key. He is one of many mysteris the lady limit us from studying, and now fate has given us a chance."

*MURMUR*

The crowd inside the chamber clamour with whispers before one shouts:

"She holds similar powers to him, and it would be foolish of us to ignore it. While the lady busy herself with another key, let us set to fill the hollow lock he has left behind."

"I agree."

"I agree."

"I agree."

The whole group seems to reach an agreement and their colourful eyes shining like myriad of gems beighten the dark chamber like stars. In this dark hollow where no sun shines, the colourful lights turns towards the seated individual closely watching the projection.

"What say you, young supreme commander? You seem to view him with affection. Will you not take this chance?"

Slowly emerging from his resting place, a young man with crystal blue eyes and long black hair brings his face closer to the screen. As if his eyes has betrayed him he wonder if he have started seeing things and pulls away.

"I..."

His black feather cloak flutter with each step he takes before the multitude of rifle blades upon special sheathe tremble with his hands.

"You will be granted command of the Sacred Champions. Bring her alive."

Covering his face with regret, he looks back at the myriad stars replying:

"I'll get it done."

*************************************

[Side Story: How to Cure Boredom].

*Caw* *Caw* *Crash*

In the tranquil embrace of azure skies, to a paradise where the seagull flies. Whispers of trees leaves with the warm breeze, to an eternal summer, where my soul finds ease.

Beneath the golden sun, kissed by tropical breeze, where worries simply disappear. Upon shores of pristine sands, where waves softly crash from the seas, a hidden gem to roam and please.

Time dances lazily, in a tranquil trance, where all dreams is given a chance. In this hidden tropical island, far from the known, back to my paradise, back to my summer home.

(Finally some sun light).

*whistle*

"Welcome home, Mr. Popular. Look at you, effortlessly swaying all those humans to your cause. If I didn't know any better, I would have mistaken you for a cunning villain who is the one behind everything."

Jacky who's still eating with her feet continues to watch the soap operas I've watched from my memories. Flicking the TV with her hands and swaying back and forth on her janging bed.

"I'm back, Jacky. You seem to be more comfortable."

"Of course~ I am the master of this realm, I am the God who manipulates the reality to this world! How can I not be excited to create and lucid dreams all around. Also, you humans sure do a lot of things to cure boredom. I don't remember this "Soap Opera" stuff back in my time.

Back during the Owlian invasion, people do have technology like this but most of them are used for war and nobility, rarely for civillians and the poors to create culture. Reminds me of the trend of how the Karhmirz would hunt Jusawars for fun and wear their head as a hat. It was a dark time... For humans of course, for us food it was a time where food just rain everywhere. Its sad you weren't there, you could have seen a real cloudy with a chance to rain meatballs."

"Sigh... This seem to be a good time, you seem to remember something so why not tell me more of what you remember? What do those people back then do to cure boredom?"

"Hoho, sit tight Mr. Owner, let me show you how stupid humans were back in the days."

The whole scenary changes and blurs into a different place. The feel of the wind, the smell of the earth, and the sensation I precieve truly feel different as we arrive somewhere.

*fuuurr*

It is a time where there's barely any touch of human civilization and teeming with nature's embrace. Overgrown trees wrapping itself to mounds of pristine sands, a maze of glass caves emerging from the dunes, burrowing predators waiting on the shallow sands waiting for prey to come. We now stand at the shores where a massive wriggling amalgamation of what seems to be seaweed is floating upon the shallow waters, taking upon the crashing waves to catch coral reefs.

(Is that suppose to be Jacky? That doesn't even look like a living creature).

Yet despite such scenery, the dark clouds have followed me here as well.

"Say, is the weather back then horrible too?"

"Hoo boy, you bet it is. Before those lower rank Libera clergy secretly started tempering with [Origin]. Before the Owlians scientists sent their satelites to space to perform the terraforming protocol, most of the known world was still recovering from the [Filter] and the recent world invasion. Many of the known lands are still uninhabitable by human standards, and even worse more of those livable lands has turn unhospitable thanks to the War.

Heck, from the geographical evidence left behind in the mountains we're now in around ten of thousands of years ago, the whole peninsula and the Indara frontier is not even above water. It was only around 8000 years or so that the latitude change and the different oceans converge by the multiple moons to lower the sea level giving us the current indara continent, black sentinel islands, the Nyungtak continent and where we are, the twin peninsulas (Those names probably changed). Also, those flat mountain lands those mountain folk built their cities upon are once the shores around 3000 or so years ago, that's why you can find salt deposits inside cave lakes here despite being so inland and high up."

"I have no idea what you just said and I think my mind is completely fried by that sudden information. Cause... You're telling me the whole continent doesn't exist back then!? You're telling me that huge chunk of land is once a vast ocean!? Wiped from the maps!?"

"Yeah, go learn geography owner. Like Iberos is not actually a single continent but multiple mega continents crashing together and separating again millions of years ago. That's also the main reason inspiring ancient mages get the idea of building floating cities to not be bothered by the shifting plates... Until the Owlian World Invasion happened- Anyways, I'm sure you remember how those nobles tell you how Silla was once uninhabbitable as well right? How it is an endless land of swamps and marshes where you can't even have any place to stand."

"Y-Yea, you're right. At least's that's something I know. I can only imagine how much people suffer back then."

"Huhuhu~ you silly owner, this is why I love humans as emergency food instead. That's because they're everywhere! No matter how or where you are, you can always bet humans will always find a way to turn even the most hostile land into their home. Just like flipping a rock or scratching the bark of a tree to find some insects, you bet you will find them! Resilient creatures they are!"

Jacky dances clumsily before she points toward the distance shouting:

"Behold!!!"

Slowly emerging from the distance, what seems to be a group of travelers carrying heavy bags and carts full of goods comes to view. From elders to babies, this whole expedition looks more like settlers more than anything. All of them have dark brown skin and long black hair, the thing differenciate them is some have different eye colours but most of them have jade green eyes...

(Oh? Are they perhaps ancestors of those Tenjarah people?)

"Are we in... I can't remember what's the name this frontier is called because of what Jacky said. But the only thing I remember this is where the Tenjarah people are from right? The same people who use Prana to stop the world invasion in their place."

(Still I guess something that big is worrhy to be remembered... Right?)

Jacky, who is circling around her old, wrinkling self, looks at me with intrigue as she replies,

"Oh? It appears you know something, but sadly it seems you're getting history mixed up. Prana didn't exist back then during the World Invasion, nor did the Tenjara people. They were called the Tanu Exiles during this time, and as you can see, they're nothing but nomads who have not only lost their homes but have also been forced to leave as refugees."

"Wait, what!? D-Do you realize what you just said? You could pretty much rewrite history- Oh, now I think I realize how they feel when I said the same thing."

Jacky runs back to my side and hold my shoulders, squeezing them tight as if she's waiting impatiently like a child before presents.

"I couldn't care less what's written as history owner, all I care is the moment I have experienced. Well I haven't experienced those geographical shifts since the Monster King wan't even born yet when it happened, but I stand true to believe it since I have first hand experience knowledge."

"Still, is this truly the same people who would create the predecessor to the largest nation north of Rucina?"

"I guess, don't remember that part. But I do remember something else..."

Jacky lets me go and walk closer towards the settlers to get a better look. She shows a smile as she see those people traveling closer to the shores. Remebering how she keeps talking about humans, I can't help but ask,

"Don't tell me they're gonna be your snacks."

"Fufufu! Sadly, not at this time. I was a different back then you know."

Watching her closer, I notice her smile is a gentle one, not one of malice or greed. Like a mother seeing their children coming home...

"So, what is it then?"

As the settlers saw Jacky still trying to catch corals by the crashing waves, one of the kids rushes towards Jacky with bloodshot eyes. Before I could see what happen to the kid the whole scene simply blurs.

"W-What happened?"

"Shhh..."

Jacky places her finger on my lips as she gestures me to keep watching when,

*creak* *creak* *clang* *clang*

"Sriva, we truly have come so far."

"(Wait what?)"

The whole scenery transition to a unbelievable scene. In a place where no humans once step foot in this ancient world, now lies a glorious wonder. Like a jewel among cities, this place is a gateway to the endless seas. Here, mighty vessels from distant lands unfurl their sails, their proud prows cut through the cold black seas like blades of destiny. The air is alive with the hustle and bustle of merchants, sailors, adventurers, and all people alike, be it the lowest of servants to the highest of nobles. Their voices mingling with the salty breeze that whispers exotic tales of lands and untold riches.

At the water's edge, collossal stone docks rise from the depths of the dark seas, their imposing presence shows testament to how far humanity has overcome nature and harness their power. From this masive structures, this labyrinth of wharves and piers stretches out into the harbour, embracing ships of every shapes and sized, from humble fishing boats to the grand galleys adorned by the familiar symbol of the Tenjara Empire.

Above it all, towering above everything else, is a collosal statue of a lady holding a massive torch. Acting as a lighthouse it stands sentinel, its torch acts as a beacon, casting a guiding light upon the restless waves. Her light gyudes ships safely to port even in the darkest of nights. And beyond the harbor's bustling quays, this city of wonder will always stand the test of time, rising majestically no matter what era comes. It was once a land of nothing but sand, now its a bustling metropolis where its walls are crowned by ornaments, and its streets are teeming with life. Truly a testament to human potential and their preserverence.

"It was around... Well, when I was still a todler I tried to eat your seaweed hair. Now, I'm still hungry for it and they still haven't explain how a culinary order turn to a popular fashion trend instead."

Despite speaking in an ancient and definitely foreign language, I still understand the words he conveys. My heart wells up as I behold the sight of that decrepit old man clad in royal garb, adorned with golden ornaments from head to toe. His long grey hair cascades to the floor as he sits facing towards the seas, yet the shimmering emerald eyes he possesses still burn with passion.

His gaze is fixated on a single person, a lady who is a spitting image of the colossal statue lighting the sea. Her green curls cascade so far down that they almost touch her feet as she stands, she is an older lady with sun kissed skin, her figure resembling a goddess emerging from the sea, visible by the thin fabric she wears. She watches the bustling harbor beside the old man with a silent but passionate gaze, her eyes filled with a quiet intensity as she accompanies the old man in this private spot.

"No matter how many times I spent with you, you're always a weird human."

"Ah, I have no regrets Sriva. If I got sent back in time I would gladly do it all and suffer again if it means I could meet you. Hrrrgh..."

His trembling hands holding a golden staff ornate by countless jewelry shake as the old man stands slowly, the lady's curly hair move to give the old man support and provide a more stable crutch to stand.

"You're already too old, Aslan. A human like you should've died hundreds of years ago."

"Hahaha... You think something like age is going to stop me? Aslan of Prana? The Ruler of Gahmad? Your chosen champion? Among many things. They would need to send an alliance of both Shakranda and their western rival Zvkrad to have a CHANCE to fight against me!"

"Yes, yes, you do realize both of them are your vassals right? You already subjugated them around 80 years ago. And now, the Sakasani and Pzrsai are the new rising nations that's the talk of everyone."

"I did? Uh... Well, it wouldn't hurt to do it twice! Then we can conquer both Sakasoso and Pershi or whatever their name is!"

"Mm... I see, you did say humans must do things twice to make sure something is working."

"(They both don't make any sense! Someome stop that geriatric ruler and his aide!)"

As the two enjoy their retirement days, I look back at Jacky who seem completely immersed. Not wanting to disturb her precious recollection, I decided to leave but Jacky holds my hands to stop me. With glistening eyes she looks at me saying:

"(Don't you think its funny, how humans would even call a monster King Vessel like me a Goddess? Creating holidays and traditions over me. Hilarious isn't it? But, a very welcoming one. This just show how much humans would do to do cure their boredom)."

"(Jacky...)"

I can only imagine what happen when I brought this information outside.

"(I'm not laughing but I'm happy. I get to see glimpse of the outside world with you, even if its from the past... Thanks, I'll be sleeping now)."

"(Mm... Good night, owner... I think I'll stay to watch a little longer)."

Seeing Jacky watching the two enjoy the seas, I leave her alone to her luminous memory. Seeing this, I start to regret making her lose parts of her precious memory. Next time, I'll do it right. Maybe I should visit this place and look up some information as well and see what change, maybe that can brighten Jacky's day...

(Where is this exactly though? I know it's probably in Indara- Ah now I remember its name... Maybe I'll ask someone who knew when I wake up).