Episode 128: The End of Tension, the Road Back to Peace
The battle outside the fortress was nearly over. The enemies on the field had vanished one by one, and the Elysian army had finally solidified its defensive line, beginning to encircle the fortress. Leon, still unable to let his guard down, was confirming that no enemies remained. But just then, the ground vibrated, and an intense energy burst forth from the fortress's center.
"What is happening...?" Leon said in alarm, looking toward the epicenter of the vibration.
Soon after, a new command came down from a high-ranking officer. "All Guardian Commanders, enter the fortress, deal with the remaining forces, and converge at the center. We will witness the true end of this battle."
Leon, along with the other Guardian Commanders, entered the fortress with resolute expressions. The dark and silent interior was filled with a few remaining enemies determined to resist to the end. Leon and his men moved organically, eliminating the last remnants of the enemy one by one. The fatigue of battle weighed heavily on their bodies, but they pressed on toward the center with all their might. This was the final destination of the battlefield, the place where everything could be brought to an end.
The moment he reached the heart of the fortress, Leon was at a loss for words at the sight before him. There stood Princess Lia, a symbol of Elysium, and behind her, the traces of a massive magic circle still glowed faintly. The circle's power had already dissipated, but the residual energy left in its place was still intense. Leon instantly sensed that this was no simple defensive measure, but a sealing magic of immense scale, one that dealt with ancient powers.
Prince Rian stood beside her and explained, "The threat of the ancient god has finally been sealed here. Their grasp will no longer reach Elysium and Luminaria."
At Rian's words, the tension among the warriors slowly began to ease. Leon, too, felt the tightness that had long gripped his heart begin to loosen. He exchanged glances with the comrades he had fought alongside, melting away the fatigue and strain of the long battle.
Princess Lia smiled and said, "Everyone, you have worked hard. Today's victory is thanks to all of you."
Leon bowed his head in respect. "It is thanks to you, Princess Lia and Prince Rian. I hope we may enjoy the peace we have protected for a long time to come."
Lisa immediately gave the order. "Everyone, prepare to return. Your families and loved ones are waiting for you."
The moment he heard those words, Leon thought of his wife and children waiting at home. His heart began to flutter with excitement once more. A sense of relief, the knowledge that he could soon return comfortably to the embrace of his family, seeped deep into his chest.
As the Elysian army gradually organized for their withdrawal, Leon looked back on the final moments of the battlefield. This had not been just a war, but a fierce struggle to protect life and peace, and a journey for him to fulfill his duty as a guardian.
"It's really over now," Leon said, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with his comrades. His voice was laced with a peacefulness, as if the tension of the battlefield had been washed away.
**
Epilogue: The True Hero of Daily Life
Leon, carrying the weariness of battle, completed his mission for Elysium and finally returned home. Under a quiet evening sky, as his familiar footsteps drew closer to his house, the tension in his heart slowly unwound. Memories of countless battlefields surfaced, but all those moments seemed to fade away before the sanctuary of home.
Standing at the door, Leon paused to catch his breath before knocking. When the door opened, Serena stood before him. She looked at him without a word, then was overcome with emotion. Tears of gratitude and relief welled in the corners of her eyes, and she whispered in a soft voice.
"Welcome home, Leon. You've been through so much."
Leon took her hand and smiled. "Thank you for always waiting, Serena."
In that moment, the children, realizing their father had returned, came running out from inside. "Daddy!" They rushed into his arms with joyful shouts, and Leon laughed as he embraced them. He, who had been stronger than anyone on the battlefield, became endlessly gentle and warm in this moment. The pure sound of his children's laughter seeped deep into his heart, making him forget all his fatigue.
Leon realized what it was he truly had to protect. The glorious victories on shining battlefields, the fierce combat—it all seemed to exist for this single moment. He understood that the image of the hero he had pursued was not, in the end, about great triumphs on the battlefield, but about protecting his precious family and their daily life.
Leon stroked his children's hair and murmured, "A true hero is someone who protects his family and preserves the everyday... I think I finally understand that now."
And so, Leon welcomed a warm evening with his family, and his heroic tale came to a quiet end.