Chapter 396: Sacrifice [2]

Time passed quickly. After that first battle ended, Damien followed that elf into countless other battlefields.

In what seemed like an instant, 10 years had passed.

"This is getting out of hand! We've been doing everything we can to resist all these years, but their forces never seem to die out! It's hopeless!" An elder of the alliance shouted in rage and helplessness.

And those around him couldn't help but agree. Currently, they were in a meeting to strategize for a pivotal battle, one that could determine their fates, but none of them had hope.

"It doesn't matter. Even if it's a battle of futility, we still have to fight. What, are you planning to die a dog's death? Or maybe you are thinking of turning yourself over to those scum who have murdered our families and people?! Even if I'm fated to die, I'll take a thousand of those Nox with me to the underworld!"

The elf shouted in response. His eyes were burning, an almost palpable pressure radiating from them.

"Haa...it's not that we don't share the sentiment, but what does it matter? Haven't you heard the news? This time, they even plan to mobilize a Demigod."

Over the past ten years, the scale of the battles had increased. It was no longer just the mindless 3rd class Nox that were being sent to war. The 4th class beings of their race were also fighting.

"I don't understand how there can be such a difference. Whether it be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class, those Nox are simply mindless beasts who act on their desire to kill. How is it that, after achieving 4th class, they can gain such a degree of intelligence?! It isn't possible for such rapid growth to happen naturally." Another elder sighed.

It was a strange thing. Every 4th class Nox they had met had spiritual intelligence on par with or even greater than their own. And it wasn't as if it was a gradual process by which they gained intelligence like beast races, it was instant.

Even after decades of war, they had yet to understand fully what the Nox actually were, or how their species functioned. It was said that information was the greatest weapon in warfare, but the information they had was scarce.

On the other hand, the Nox could gain as much information as they wanted through the defectors that were constantly joining their side.

"I don't care. This kind of talk is useless. We're only lowering our own morale and making it easier for those bastards to slaughter us! So what if they send a Demigod?! If you are all too afraid to confront him, then I'll do it myself!" The elf proclaimed brazenly.

"Nonsense!"

"What the hell are you saying?!"

"Do you even understand the implications of a Demigod?!"

"And so what if I understand it?! Does that mean I should just sit still and accept my death?! Hmph! You are all pathetic! You don't deserve to be called leaders of this alliance."

"You...!"

"Enough!"

A new voice entered the fray. It was the voice of an old man who sat quietly in the corner of the room. His eyes were focused on the elf, unwavering and stern.

"Do you mean what you said?" He asked solemnly. "I know you. I've heard of your feats on the battlefield. You are infinitely close to entering the realm of Godhood yourself, so if it's you, you might be able to stall that Demigod for a period of time. So I ask again, are you confident in carrying out your words?"

The elf stared back at the old man with the same unwavering eyes.

"I am."

"You might die. No, you will surely die. Can you still say for sure that you will carry out your duty without fail?"

"I can."

The old man looked into the elf's eyes as if trying to peer into his soul. In the end, he sighed.

"Very well. I'll leave the task to you."

"Elder!"

"That's a Demigod, for god's sake! Even if he is almost at that realm himself, the difference isn't something that can be overcome without Divinity!"

"Do you think I don't know that?!" The elder growled back. The fury in his voice silenced all opposition.

"The Nox aren't the only ones with Demigods on their side. Our Demigods have been stuck in the Ancient Battlefield staving off the main forces of the Nox this entire time. It was the only reason we were able to survive this long.

"However, upon hearing that the Nox have mobilized one of their own, they have sent us aid as well. As long as we can hold out until that Demigod arrives, we can survive this ordeal!"

The elder's words brought some light back into the eyes of those alliance leaders.

"Right, if we have a Demigod on our side...!"

"It might be possible!"

The elf's eyes were also wide when he heard the news. Inwardly, he let out a sigh of relief.

The meeting soon ended, and all the gathered forces went their separate ways to prepare for the battle that was on the horizon.

Night fell upon the alliance camp. On the roof of a small building, the elf sat and stared at the two moons that decorated the night sky.

Countless memories flashed through his mind. Children playing happily with the spirits that gravitated towards them, families smiling and enjoying their days, they were scenes he saw constantly in his homeland before the start of the war.

But there was one scene that played on repeat, standing out even amongst the vast array of memories in his mind.

A beautiful woman with light blonde hair, her presence seemed to be one with nature. She stood in front of the World Tree with a warm smile on her face.

"Come back safely."

Those were the last words he had heard from her. After that, his life had been a constant hell.

"Elvira...I wonder how you are doing now? Perhaps you've already moved on and found another love..."

My life is destined to end in tragedy, so I truly hope you have. He wanted to say those words, but he couldn't get them out of his throat.

He clutched the jade pendant that had hung around his neck from the start of the war until now. Just like those two moons in the sky, they were so close yet infinitely far apart.

'You told me not to be a hero, but in the end, I couldn't stop myself...' He sighed lightly.

Being only a few hours away from guaranteed death, he oddly didn't feel dissatisfied at all.

He had lived a good life, all things considered. The first few hundred years were filled with happiness and joy.

And even though he had spent almost 25 years on the battlefield now, he didn't regret his decision to join the war.

Because those happy smiles that he used to see on a daily basis, those families that would cherish each other and live in peace, that woman who shouldered the responsibility of all elves with a smile on her face...

As long as he was here, their smiles could never be taken from them by the cruelty he had witnessed from the enemy.

He stood up and stretched his tired body. His ambition was far greater than he had let on at the meeting.

Even if he was fated to die today, he would make sure to save as many lives as he could before he did so.

And maybe he could take down a Demigod while he was at it.