Episode 120: Witnessing Great Magic
Escorting Prince Rian and Princess Lia, Leon, weary and battered, finally reached the gates of Elysium. The kingdom's defensive lines were collapsing, and with a heart full of anxiety, he waited for the gates to open. A palpable tension hung in the air, the feeling that this was the moment upon which the kingdom's fate rested.
Then, the gates began to open slowly, and a brilliant light poured forth. From within that light, King Muscling emerged with a dignified presence. Beside him stood Lisa and Elena. The moment Leon saw King Muscling step forward, a wave of relief washed over him, and he realized the king's presence was a source of immense strength not only for him but for everyone.
Shouts erupted from the soldiers and citizens around him. "King Muscling has come forth! Victory is now ours!" They encouraged one another, fanning the flames of hope. Muscling's majesty stood firm even amidst the chaos of battle. He advanced slowly and raised his voice.
"Who dares to threaten Elysium!"
Muscling's resolute cry gave new strength to all who heard it. Powerful magic spread from his fingertips as he began to chant a wide-area spell.
"Stones of the sky, sleeping fragments of the stars, fall upon this dark horde in flames. Awaken the ancient power and shake this land. Answer my call and become a shining fire."
As his incantation echoed, the sky turned crimson, and dozens of flaming meteors appeared. They fell silently, yet with a pressure more terrifying than any thunderous roar, descending upon the battlefield. The steel shells of the golems melted and crumpled like ice cream before the burning rock. The earth shook violently, and with each impact that swept through the field, great pillars of dust rose silently.
"This is the true power of Elysium!" Leon murmured in awe. Muscling's magic was astonishingly powerful, and the advancing Noktus golems were being destroyed one after another by his spell. But the forces of Noktus did not give up easily. The shattered golems began to reassemble and launch a counterattack. However, Muscling was unshaken. He was the 'one who defeated the Titan,' and he was ready to fight again alongside his comrades.
Muscling formed a field of force around himself and confronted the golems. His gaze was intense as he raised his voice once more.
"There are many forces in this world. Four of them constitute the universe. The strong and weak forces, electromagnetism, and gravity. The weakest among them is gravity. But I will show you just how powerful that force can be."
Muscling reached his hand toward the sky and continued his incantation.
"Gravity Collapse, Macro-Gravity!"
Leon was witnessing the powerful magic of a great mage, the one who had defeated the Titan, right before his eyes. The hero he had admired so much in his childhood was now a reality unfolding before him. In his heart, along with a deep sense of reverence, a new resolve began to burn—a desire to become such a hero himself.
As the battle raged on, the prepared armies of Elysium advanced, beginning to bring order to the chaos. Leon felt a surge of hope, knowing that with their added efforts, they would protect the kingdom's future. The emotion and awe of that day would remain an unforgettable memory.
After the battle, Leon looked at King Muscling and made a vow. "From now on, I too will protect my place. As a Guardian of Elysium!"
**
Episode 121: A Temporary Dispatch, the Start of a New Journey
After Elysium's victory was secured and the war with Noktus concluded, Elysium decided to dispatch several units to aid in the recovery and stabilization of the Luminaria Kingdom. Guardian Commander Leon was informed that he was also on the dispatch list.
For a moment, Leon looked at the dispatch order with a complex heart. "Luminaria..." It was the homeland his parents had left behind when they followed King Muscling. The thought that he would now be returning to help rebuild that kingdom brought a wave of complicated emotions.
"Leon, a dispatch... I expected it, but hearing it now still feels a bit strange," Serena said, quietly coming to his side.
Leon looked at his wife and smiled. "But it's only a temporary dispatch for a few years. Once the mission is over, we'll return to Elysium."
Serena nodded at his words. "Yes, I'm relieved it's not a permanent move. The institute has been getting many research requests about the ruins and ancient artifacts of the Luminaria Kingdom, and I've been given the opportunity to go and research them directly."
Leon was surprised by her words. "Really? Then you're being dispatched to Luminaria too?"
Serena smiled and nodded. "Yes, this opportunity arose when I was promoted to deputy director of the institute. There are important tasks waiting in the fields of artifact restoration and magic research. The institute has high hopes for me on this dispatch."
Seeing his wife so confident in her role, Leon felt a mix of relief and pride. "So, we'll be stationed at the same place. It's a relief that we can rely on each other."
The children also ran over upon hearing the news. "Mommy, Daddy! Are we going to a new school in Luminaria?" The children looked at their parents, their faces full of excitement and anticipation.
Serena gently stroked their heads. "Yes, you'll probably make new friends and learn many things. But it might be for a short time, maybe only about a year, before we come back."
The children looked a little disappointed for a moment, but they quickly brightened up and exclaimed, "It's exciting to have a new experience!"
A few days later, their preparations for the dispatch were complete. Leon exchanged brief farewells with the soldiers heading to their posts, renewing his commitment to the mission. The soldiers under his command were also ready to faithfully carry out their roles for the stability and recovery of Luminaria.
Serena meticulously packed her research tools and materials, envisioning the topics and goals for her upcoming studies. Her objective was to restore the historical artifacts and magical knowledge of the Luminaria Kingdom, thereby contributing to its reconstruction.
"Honey, let's make this a good trip. We'll be coming back to Elysium, so we can cherish the experiences we have there," Serena said to Leon in a strong voice.
Leon, renewing his resolve once more, said, "Yes, let's complete our mission to the best of our ability until we return to Elysium."
And so, Leon and Serena set off for their temporary post, heading to Luminaria with new missions in hand. The two were filled with anticipation and resolve for how much they would grow and learn during their time there, and what new experiences and challenges they would face.
**
Episode 122: The Mission to Rebuild Luminaria and Secure Safety
After the war, the Luminaria Kingdom bore deep scars. Cities lay in ruins, and the kingdom's defensive facilities and main buildings were in urgent need of restoration. Elysium pledged its support to help Luminaria rebuild and stabilize, and Guardian Commander Leon was dispatched to the kingdom. His mission was twofold: to ensure the security of the reconstruction projects and to neutralize any risk factors that might arise in the process.
Upon arrival, Leon immediately assessed the status of the most urgent reconstruction work. A phased plan was essential to secure the structural integrity of buildings, protect civilians, and rebuild the villages and strongholds ravaged by war. Leon's role was to practically lead and command these efforts.
Leon traveled through the major cities and villages of the Luminaria Kingdom, meticulously inspecting the condition of each area. Collapsed defensive walls, destroyed military bases, and residential districts all required immediate restoration. In cooperation with the remaining soldiers of the kingdom, Leon reinforced patrols to prevent any recurring attacks from remnant forces.
"Guardian Commander, we have a report that some intruders have approached the northern border," one of the soldiers, battle-ready, reported to Leon.
Leon spread out a map to grasp the situation and prepared an immediate response. "Contact the nearby garrison and establish a defensive line to prevent the enemy from crossing. And reinforce our troops in the reconstruction zones to ensure the civilians can continue their work safely."
Throughout the Luminaria Kingdom, residents began to move stones and materials, starting to rebuild the ruined structures. Leon, considering the potential dangers in this process, established defensive measures so that civilians and workers could operate in a safe environment. He frequently made rounds of the reconstruction areas with his soldiers, checking on safety conditions and maintaining a thorough state of alert to preemptively block any possibility of an incursion.
At one site under Leon's direct supervision, a bridge under reconstruction was suddenly on the verge of collapse. "Everyone, be careful! Halt all work near the unstable structure!" Leon quickly ordered the stabilization of the structure and, along with his soldiers, carried out an immediate rescue operation. Thanks to his swift response, a major accident was averted, and the residents breathed a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Serena, dispatched to Luminaria with the support of her institute, was also playing a crucial role in the reconstruction. The artifacts and magical materials excavated from the kingdom's ruins became the subject of her research, and she supported the rebuilding efforts by studying the magical tools and technologies needed for restoration. Serena's research was not merely about unearthing past artifacts; it was a practical contribution to Luminaria's revival through magical support related to the reconstruction.
Serena worked alongside Leon, delivering necessary supplies to key reconstruction points and continuing her research and restoration work within the safety net he provided. She felt a great sense of pride that her research could contribute to the kingdom's recovery and growth, and she was glad to be playing an important part in the rebuilding effort.
"If this research is successful, Luminaria's defensive walls will become even stronger," Serena said.
Leon smiled and replied, "With you, I know we can do it. And helping the people here live in peace again is our responsibility, after all."
Leon's activities were not limited to fortress defense. He sensed that enemy remnants were still lingering nearby. They continually tried to approach Luminaria to disrupt the reconstruction, and it was his vital duty to stop them and prevent any new threats from befalling the kingdom.
As reports of minor skirmishes at the front became more frequent, Leon ordered all his soldiers to adopt a heightened state of defense. "Build a denser defensive network in preparation for enemy incursions, and reinforce the troops at all frontline checkpoints." His soldiers responded to his command with resolute will, their eyes showing a deep trust in Leon.
Now, Leon was undertaking a new role amidst endless battles and vigilance to secure the stability of the Luminaria Kingdom and protect its people.
**
Episode 123: A New Beginning, Family and Mission at the Reconstruction Site
For Leon and his family, dispatched to rebuild the Luminaria Kingdom, this mission was more than just reconstruction; it was a profound journey of retracing the time his parents had lived on this land before leaving for Elysium. The stories of Luminaria he had heard from his parents as a child had now become the reality he had to protect.
Leon's days began with intense work. He commanded the soldiers from a key fortress in Luminaria, pouring his energy into securing the region's safety. He spent his days suppressing sporadic enemy groups and overseeing the proper restoration of destroyed walls and facilities. Yet, no matter how busy or difficult the day, he never neglected to spend time with his children.
One evening, dragging his exhausted body home, Leon felt the fatigue melt away the moment his children ran to him, shouting, "Daddy!" and throwing their arms around him. His son waved a toy soldier in his small hand and exclaimed, "I'm going to be a strong warrior like you, Daddy!" while his daughter simply leaned against her father's chest with an innocent laugh.
Serena also returned home after a busy day at the Luminaria research institute. Studying the local magical resources and materials, she was filled with anticipation for the important results her research would yield. That evening, after putting the children to bed, Leon and Serena shared a quiet cup of tea, talking together for the first time in a while.
"Have you been busy here?" Serena asked with a smile. Leon nodded. "Every day is different here. But having you and the children nearby gives me strength. Just knowing we're together is enough to keep me going."
Serena looked at him and said in a warm voice, "I hope this time on dispatch becomes a special time for us. And I want to make sure the children have lasting memories of the time they spend with their father."
Leon took her hand and made a vow. "I want to make this time precious, too. I'll make sure our life here becomes an unforgettable memory."
On the weekend, Leon took the children to a nearby walking trail. He taught his son some light sword training and walked with his daughter through a field of wildflowers, sharing simple stories.
His son swung a small branch and shouted, "I'm going to be a cool warrior like you, Daddy!" and Leon smiled in encouragement. His daughter held his hand, pointed at a flower, and said with a bright laugh, "I'll give this flower to Mommy!" These small moments of daily life were precious respites for Leon, allowing him to briefly set aside the tensions of the reconstruction site.
The reconstruction work in Luminaria was a different kind of challenge from the battles on the front lines. While trying to balance his duties and his family, Leon felt a desire to become even stronger during his time here. Serena supported him from his side, taking care of both her research and their home, and Leon, in turn, resolved to protect both his family and his mission with all his might.
Late at night, after the children were asleep, Leon looked out the window at the reconstruction site and made a promise to himself. 'Here, I must protect my family and Luminaria together. The time we build here will become a special memory for us.'
He felt that his life at the reconstruction site would hold a unique meaning for him and his family, and with that peaceful thought, he fell asleep