Episode 494: The day after the apocalypse (1)

… Pot!

A star twinkled in the sky and then quickly disappeared.

Because the starlight flickered for a very short time, most people did not see it.

However, I don't know if it was a coincidence, a good sense of vision, or even just because I was staring at the night sky with sad eyes, tired of the miserable reality, but only one of the defeated soldiers saw the star.

Major Janet, belonging to the 1st Battalion, 207th Regiment, Human Coalition Forces.

She touched her lips, which were stained with burns and knife marks.

"The guiding star is strange today."

Then Sergeant Miryamu, who was grilling bugs and lizards next to him, asked.

"Battalion Commander. "What did you just say?"

"Ah, no. A guiding star... … ."

"yes? Why the guiding star? "It's the same as usual."

Then several soldiers raised their heads toward the night sky.

The seven guiding star constellations can be seen shining brightly.

But Major Jeannette tilted her head.

"weird. There were definitely eight just a moment ago."

"Hahaha - aren't there seven guiding stars? Even a seven-year-old child would understand. … … Well, now, finding a seven-year-old child is like picking a star in the sky."

At Sergeant Miryamu's words, Major Janet looked up from the night sky with a bitter smile.

The era of destruction.

As the river of blood dried up, the war between the human world and the demon world that had lasted for decades seemed to be over.

However, that day when the surviving humans celebrated their victory and engraved the glory on the rock.

The true end has begun.

One after another, terrible things appeared that were so terrifying that the previous disasters were reduced to childish whining.

There are as many as 62 demons with power and evil that far surpasses ten times.

They turned the human world, which had been devastated by the long-lasting monsoon rainy season and the subsequent flood that swept the world for as many as 150 days, into hell once again.

'… … 'I was happier when I was a soldier.'

When Major Jeanette is lost in memories, reminiscing about the past.

"Battalion Commander! It's an air raid! "The monsters are coming!"

I heard Captain Saladin hurriedly running up and shouting.

The orders shouted by superiors from afar also echo loudly.

Lieutenant General Circe, Brigadier General Hayal, Colonel Cubberin, etc... … Veterans who had crossed countless lines of fire were gathering the last remaining survivors of the Human Coalition and preparing for the final fight.

"Battalion Commander! hurry!"

"If this defense line is breached, it's over! Behind are the last remaining humans... … Young children... … ."

Captain Saladin and Sergeant Miryamu rushed to collect the items.

"OK. know. "Everyone go to their positions!"

Major Janet also wore a helmet and carried a sword and shield.

Sergeant Miryamu stood behind him, holding a spear.

She opened her mouth with a trembling voice.

"This will really be my last battle."

"… … "Probably everyone here is like that."

The two soldiers talked a lot while looking at the swarm of monsters staining the horizon dark red.

It was like sisters talking before going to bed.

Suddenly, Sergeant Miryamu asked.

"Battalion Commander. But how can you always be so calm, battalion commander?"

"hmm?"

"Aren't you always calm and not panicked? "It's as if you are receiving some kind of protection."

Now that most of the priests have disappeared, divine protection has become an epic in a vain dream.

But Major Jeanette just grinned.

"God bless you. If it's a blessing, it's there. "I think you need to have at least one corner of your faith to live bravely in this difficult world."

"Huh!? Did you have any special beliefs? What is that!?"

Major Janet chuckled at the encouragement of Sergeant Miryamu, who stayed until the end and became close friends without any fault.

And now, while keeping an eye on the horde of monsters that had gathered right in front of us, he opened his mouth.

"letter."

"… … yes?"

"A letter. "I got it from my old boss."

Major Janet.

She was able to endure until now by using the contents of a letter in her heart as a talisman.

It was a memory of a young junior officer she had met a long time ago, when she had just joined the military, unable to overcome the hardships of life.

"His last name was probably Baskerville, right?"

"yes? Baskerville? "You mean those crazy dogs on the front lines?"

"okay. Unlike the other Baskervilles, he was a really cool person. He was an excellent and reliable hunter. Although he was falsely accused and executed in the middle of the war... … ."

Major Jeannette recalled old memories that now made her feel like she had forgotten her face.

Sergeant Miryamu opened his mouth as he faced the horde of monsters rushing in front of him.

"It seems like you were a very romantic person. "Please leave a letter."

"No, you weren't the type to write letters… … "If you think about it, that's really strange."

"Which one?"

"I mean the letter. "He arrived after he passed away."

"Well, maybe the postman was lazy or something?"

"hmm. The past years have been too long for that to be the case? The letter was written long after he was executed... … ."

But the conversation between the two soldiers could not continue any further.

… Quack!

This was because of the gigantic demon that appeared at the forefront.

The force it gave off was different from other monsters around it.

Two arms, two legs, four wings and a long tail.

Curved horns, eyes burning like the sun, and dense muscles packed all over the body.

Major Jeanette could not help but swallow her silence.

"… … "Dragon Demon Man."

A cursed mixed race born between a dragon and a devil.

Eternal Diaspora.

It is a nasty and evil creature that takes out its anger on all other living things for not being treated properly by both dragons and demons.

[K-Aaaah!]

It roared like a demon and ran toward the human camp.

Even the last of humanity was tense in the face of overwhelming combat power that could tear thousands of humans to pieces with just one person.

"Damn it. Why is this guy who usually lurks in the depths of the abyss here? "Did you crawl out because it was the final battle?"

Major Janet gritted her teeth.

I can't back out of here. Humanity is already in a corner.

If you were pushed back even one step, it was truly the end.

"Stop it! "If the cordon is breached, the refugees behind will be exterminated!"

Major Janet radiated an aura and confronted Yongmain.

Since this is an incredibly strong opponent, you only get one chance.

A blow that disregards life!

Major Janet's sword, swung with all her might, aimed for the gap left behind by Yongmain's fist.

however.

… Taaang!

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity wasted in vain.

Major Janet's sword broke in half as soon as it touched the scales on the Dragon Demon's body.

"… … ."

A shadow of despair appeared on Major Janet's face.

When I looked up, I saw Yongmain's face smiling with the corners of his mouth torn apart.

yet. Yongmain's large fist falls like a meteorite.

If you get hit by that, you'll be killed instantly, or at least a dozen meters behind you will be devastated.

And many people will die again.

'… … Is this the end?'

The moment when Major Jeanette is about to give up on life.

"Battalion Commander!"

There was a hand grabbing her waist.

Sergeant Miryamu. She risked her life by jumping in and pushing Major Jeannette to the ground.

Kwakwakwak!

Major Janet flew next to me.

She couldn't help but jump up and scream.

"M-Miryamu!?"

But no answer is heard in the thick dust.

It was natural.

"Ahhh… … ."

Tears flowed from Major Janet's eyes.

Even I was surprised at how my eyeballs, which I thought had dried up and turned into a completely hard solid, still retained so much moisture.

Miryamu. He is a guy who has followed him exceptionally well since his days as a private.

We went through the battlefield together so that he could become a sergeant.

It was easy to get promoted because so many of his predecessors died so quickly, but over the years, he could only get to the rank of sergeant.

It was because I was so scared that I always ran away.

"… … "That scary guy saved me."

Major Janet gritted her teeth.

You must avenge your subordinates.

I bite my chapped lip tightly once again.

I raised my depleted mana as much as possible.

I held the broken knife tightly again.

"Even if I have to die, I will take at least one of you with me."

Major Janet mustered up every last bit of strength in her life and glared straight ahead.

Eventually, the thick dust settled and a huge shadow was revealed.

Yongmain was looking this way.

For some reason, I just stood still without any defense.

'It's your chance!'

Major Jeanette sensed that this moment was the last miraculous opportunity.

And before I even realized it, my body reacted.

"Aaaah!"

She charged with all her might, imbuing her sword with mana.

The goal is the heart. Insert with a single knife!

Even at the moment when Major Janet leaped with all her might, Yongmain's shadow, which had slowly begun to emerge as the dust cleared, was just standing still.

As if showing generosity to an insignificant insect.

"That arrogance is your signature!"

Finally, Major Jeannette used all her strength to drive the broken blade into the Dragon Demon's heart.

And that moment. She had to face failure once again.

… Pop! Paksak-

The broken sword broke once again.

There were too many cracks in the first place, so it wasn't able to receive all its strength.

There was a fairly large wound on the Dragon Demon's chest, but it did not hit his heart at all.

"… … ah."

Major Janet sensed that it was really, really the end.

Now I had no mana or strength.

Even if I were caught in the hands of that dragon demon right now and my head was crushed, I wouldn't be able to make any excuses or resist.

'sorry.'

I was unable to avenge Sergeant Miryamu.

Also revenge for other comrades who died cruelly.

Major Janet closed her eyes tightly.

And I waited for death to come soon.

I was hoping for a painless shot if possible.

… … .

… … but.

No matter how long you wait, the death you expected will never come.

'what? Is it really over already?'

Does death really come without any feeling like this?

Or did he die instantly without even feeling shock or pain?

"… … ?"

Major Janet opened her eyes, which had been closed in puzzlement, slightly, ever so slightly.

Then, an amazing scenery appeared before my eyes.

"… … !"

Beyond the completely cleared dust, Yongmain still stood tall in front of Major Janet.

He puffed out his chest as if showing off his body, which was so strong and bulky that even a knife could not be inserted into it.

… … The problem was that the shoulders of the Dragon Demon were empty.

Push! Push shoo!

Dark red blood gushes from the cut side of the severed neck.

Currently, Yongmain had lost his head and was being held by someone.

And at the feet of that person, Sergeant Miryamu can be seen sitting with a blank expression.

Major Jeanette did not realize for a moment what had happened.

1 second. 2 seconds. 3 seconds. 4 seconds. 5 seconds. 6 seconds. 7 seconds. And 8 seconds.

The second hand moved according to the number of guiding stars that he was confused about.

Only then did Major Janet dare to look at the face of 'someone' who killed Yongmain and saved Sergeant Miryamu.

he is… … . he is… … .

"Everyone was alive."

A voice speaking in a very delicate tone.

His attitude as if he had just gone for a walk or a sightseeing trip somewhere far away.

Like a soldier returning from a long vacation, 'he' took a long look around the battlefield, which was like his quarters.

"Captain Circe, Ensign Hayal, Sergeant Cubberin, Sergeant Janet, Corporal Saladin, Private Mirjamu… … Everyone was alive. "The 1st Platoon of the 4th Company of the 207th Regiment is still alive and well."

'He' was clearly the face in Major Jeanette's memory. But at the same time, it was a completely different face from what Major Jeannette remembered.

It was a contradictory explanation, but it was anyway.

The burns and knife marks covering his face were gone, and he looked dozens of years younger.

however.

"It's great. "You did a good job."

The energy it gave off was still overwhelming, no, it was even more reliable and trustworthy than before.

Meanwhile.

"Hey, this guy. It fell from the sky. He is from the guiding star."

Sergeant Miryamu, who was lying on the floor, pointed to 'him' and 'you from the stars' with a confused expression.

Then 'he' smiled faintly.

"is it. Private Miryamu. "I was so crazy back then that I don't even remember my face."

"What? Jjamchi? Me? It's me, a sergeant... … ."

Sergeant Miryamu looks bewildered.

But Major Janet's expression was completely different.

She cried out in a tone of joy, with tears in her eyes.

"Company commander! "You're alive!"

"… … Do you recognize me?"

"of course! I thought you were still alive! Where have you been! Why does your appearance change like that? … ?"

"Are you still alive? "Didn't you see my head was cut?"

"yes? Oh, I saw it... … "Have you not sent any letters since then?"

Major Janet, with a puzzled expression, immediately took out the protection she had kept in her arms.

It was a letter written on parchment that had turned yellow after so many years.

-I miss you, comrade. Are you comfortable there?

'He' who saw that had a blank expression for a moment and then muttered to himself.

"… … is it. Was that letter real at that time? "I don't know what it is."

At that time, several soldiers from the Human Alliance who saw the dragon demon dead came running this way.

They looked at Major Jeannette's face and 'him' face in turn, and then they let out a cry of admiration.

"Company commander? "Are you a company commander?"

"Are you alive?"

"Where have you been! "Everyone was waiting for the company commander!"

"I thought you were still alive! Everyone on the front lines agreed that the company commander could not have died... … !"

but. The joy of reunion was short-lived. No, it had to be short.

Kwakwakwak! Woojijijijik!

This is because there was a huge leg that appeared, crushing the dragon demon's body like tofu.

A beast-like demon with huge hooves and a long mane appeared, crushing the corpse of a dragon demon.

[Puh-ha-ha-ha- I am 'Orobas,' the equestrian prince of the Hell of Hell! He is a nobleman ranked 55th in rank! Who is this who continues this futile resistance!?]

At the appearance of a huge demon, the expressions of all humans turn to despair.

"Okay, that's the end! "The 55th ranked person has appeared!"

"Why is this guy here!"

"Wrong. As long as a devil of the level of a demon king descends, everything is over... … ."

however. There was no time for humans to despair.

… Flash! Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwak!

Five pillars of light fell from the sky.

Burning iron skewers, powerful sniping, sacred pillars of light, golden fists, and sharp slashes struck the ground in a terrifying explosion.

[Quaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa al so?

The demon that appeared just now was instantly shattered and scattered.

"Oh my, my waist. I also get motion sickness, wow-"

"Your debut has been noisy."

"This is my first hazing ceremony in this world."

"I thought I was going to die because the clock ticked so loudly."

"The day after the apocalypse was nothing special."

Five women walk out of the pit created when the devil was crushed to death.

All the demons and humans who were fighting fiercely on the battlefield just moments ago stopped fighting.

Then, they all turn to look this way with their mouths wide open.

yet.

Coo-rrrrrrrrrrrrr!

The storm of aura swirled black and swept away dozens of meters around.

A huge black dog with nine teeth appears in the middle of the battlefield.

… … .

Everyone gathered on the battlefield, both demons and humans, stood frozen and swallowed dry saliva.

and.

'He' spoke before all these gazes.

"The devil kills."