Edited by: Kuro and Lille

The air in the Demon Continent was heavy and dry, making it hard for everyone to breathe. To combat this, Grey gave everyone clean and damp towels to cover their mouths and noses. It helped a little bit but everyone felt like their eyes were drying out. Luckily, there was an eye drop medication that helped with this. Grey had prepared plenty of them for emergencies and it proved to be good foresight because it came in handy.

According to the Heroes who came before them, it would take two weeks to reach the mountain. Especially because there were so many monsters and demons lurking around. They had to take frequent breaks to make sure everyone was well-rested for the fight with the Demon King. 

Much to Grey’s displeasure, System 225 stated that they only were halfway there. 

However, everyone was already exhausted. 

“There are so many demons now,” Evelyn complained as she finally killed off the last one for the time being. 

Even Grey and Azul felt a bit tired of the endless waves of demons that were targeting them. 

Faylan, someone who was born and raised in the forest, groaned as she leaned up against Aeneas, “I want to go back to the forest when we are done and recuperate for the next 100 years.” 

Elves were long-lived species that could live up to 1000 years. She was only 126 so staying in the forest for another 100 years would be like 10 years for humans. 

Aeneas, the one with the least amount of stamina, also wanted to relax at a church and never leave. Who knew assisting the Hero would be so tiring? He couldn’t even say a word and just nodded in agreement. 

Azul sat down on a random rock that was conveniently placed and said, “I think this is a good place to rest.” 

The area had a big open space to the left but a large cliff to the right. 

Grey joined Azul on the rock and laid his head on the other’s shoulder, closing his eyes to catch his breath. He used up a lot of magic power the past week and took every chance he got to recharge. Even his fairy familiars were tired.

Everyone knew that Grey and Azul were engaged so no one batted an eye at them. 

Vincent was the only one who didn’t rest and began setting up a campfire to cook some food. He was the designated cook because his food tasted the best. 

After a while, Grey and Azul got up to set up the tents for them to rest for the night. Actually, they couldn’t tell night from day in the Demon Continent, so they were just going to rest since they felt tired. 

When the food and tents were all set up and done, everyone sat around the campfire with a bowl in their hands. They made sure to get foods that would taste good in a simple dish. It was a hardy soup with lots of vegetables, meats, and rice. 

“I’m grateful we can eat cooked food on this journey. I thought we would be stuck with dried foods… Really hate those things because they are too salty.” Evelyn blew on her spoon to help the soup cool down and then took a bite. It was delicious and perfectly seasoned.  

Everyone agreed with her on that one. Being able to eat good food and rest on a tough journey made it easier and less stressful. This made sure that everyone was at the top of their game. 

Faylan was the first to finish her food. She gazed up at the sky as if to search for a single star. When she lived in the forest, her favorite thing to do was look up at the stars and bask in the moonlight on the tree tops. Now, there were no stars in the sky. There weren’t even any trees for her to climb because the ones in the Demon Continent crumbled to ashes with just the slightest touch. 

Faylan took out a fruit juice that was a specialty in her hometown. Grey had stored it in his dimensional space so whenever she wanted some, he would give it to her. She took a sip and then gave a satisfied sigh. “It feels surreal that we are almost to the Demon King’s lair.” 

Aeneas stated his thoughts while closing his eyes. “I’ve heard stories of the Demon King and the Demon Continent, but being here doesn’t feel real. I feel like it’s all a bad dream and when I wake up, I will be back at the church, attending to my daily duties.” 

“I also feel like I’m dreaming.” Evelyn giggled while cleaning up all the bowls. “Who would have thought a farmer gal like me would become the Hero? I only knew how to use a hoe and sickle for most of my life and then I get told I have to pick up a Holy Sword from the ground and slay a Demon King. I will tell my kids all about it and I’m sure they will think I’ve gone absolutely bonkers.” 

Grey couldn’t help but laugh imagining little kids who looked like Evelyn and their faces of shock and disbelief when their mom told them that she was the Hero who saved everyone from the Demon King. 

He thought it would make for a good story. “We can write books about the farmer Hero for all children to read about. Anyone can be a hero, right?” 

“Oh, I’m really good at drawing so I can make the pictures for the storybook!” Faylan raised her hand in excitement. “I can also imbue them with magic so the pictures can move as someone reads the story.”

Azul thought it was a really good idea and gave a nod. “I can have the Royal family promote the book so that every child for future generations can read the book. I think it’s a good idea to also increase the literacy rate of the country using this book.” The always half-joking Prince sounded serious this time. 

“Hmm, as the future Pope, maybe we can help all children learn to read. Maybe create special schools within the churches so that all children will have the opportunity to learn how to read, write, and calculate.” 

Grey liked this discussion and also gave his input. “After the children finish all the classes in the church, maybe we can try to set up specialty schools that young people can go to. It can be done at a low cost but helps contribute to society. If people lose their jobs, we can give them job training so that they can change fields easily. This way, it can help combat poverty and crime rates.” 

It went from joking about a farmer Hero to how to help the citizens of the country. The discussion was getting a little out of control, but it helped them take their mind off of the upcoming battle. 

With lots of things to look forward to, the group’s morale and determination to make it back home became the driving force that would keep them alive in their epic battle. The legendary battle would be told throughout the ages and remembered for generations... 

*****

It took another week to get to the base of the mountain. There was a cave leading into the mountain. At the top, there was a dense cloud covering the summit. According to the Gods, the Fallen God’s crystal was at the top. The Fallen God’s crystal, the crystal that enshrined the God, was the cause of the dreadful environment in the Demon Continent. 

Grey already told Azul and Vincent about his plans after they beat the Demon King. He felt it was about time to tell the others so that when the time came, they would leave him behind so that he could finish up the job. 

“Before we go in, there’s something I need to tell everyone.” Grey stopped walking and smiled at his companions. 

After almost four months, these companions of his have become good friends of his. He felt they had the right to know what was going to happen when they beat this Demon King. 

Everyone stopped and looked over at Grey. His expression was serious, not the usual gentle and kind smile he always had. 

Evelyn was the first to say something. “Of course, you can say what you need to say.” 

Faylan and Aeneas also voiced the same sentiment. 

“Thank you. This is going to sound strange, but when we beat the Demon King, all of you must get out as soon as possible… and you have to leave me behind.” 

Aeneas was shocked and couldn’t help but question him. “Why must we leave you behind?! You know that the Demon King’s lair will collapse after the Demon King is dead.”

This was true. The Demon King’s lair would also be resurrected along with the Demon King, so it was not surprising that it would collapse when the Demon King died. 

“There’s a mission given to me by the Gods that I must complete. I will be fine. I’m just telling you all now so you will not be surprised when the time comes.” 

“The Gods? You were contacted by the Gods?” Aeneas was now even more confused. He was the Pope’s heir but not once had he heard about this. 

Aeneas looked over at Faylan and Eveyln and saw they were shocked too. Then he looked over at Prince Alastair and Vincent but their faces were neutral. They already knew. 

Grey nodded since he decided to tell them the truth to the best of his abilities. “I was contacted by the Gods. I’ve been in contact with them for quite some time. My purpose for joining the Hero’s group is for when the battle with the Demon King ends. I can’t say too much, but there will be no danger to me and I will make sure that I will meet up with everyone at the base of the mountain when I am done.” 

Aeneas was speechless so he could only turn to Evelyn who was in charge. She was the Hero after all. 

Evelyn saw the others looking at her so she straightened herself up. “Promise me that you will make it out alive and come back to us.” She held out her pinky. It was a little childish, but this was the only way she could be assured that Grey would keep his promise. 

Grey didn’t hesitate and locked pinkies with her. “I promise.” 

“Good, then I trust you.” Evelyn connected their thumbs to seal the deal. “If you don’t keep your promise, I will take your pinky with me.” 

Everyone couldn’t help but laugh a little at that and finally felt a bit more relaxed. They were tense the moment they arrived at the mountain, so it was nice to be able to calm down a bit. 

“Alright Hero team, let’s get moving!” Evelyn pointed her Holy Sword into the cave while posing. 

Everyone’s gotten used to her childish posing and cheered together, “Yes ma’am!” 

kuro_kama: orz I’m sorry Aeneas for I have sinned and keep pronouncing you anus. Just saw an actual person with the name Alastair in uni. I was thinking for two whole days that I knew him but forgot his face. Turns out I remembered the Alastair from here and thought I knew that person T_T

Grandpa Marky: It's okay, Kuro. I've been reading his name like (Ah-knee-us) LOL. probably not right but oh the fuck well. I thought it would be a nice name. 

Also, hello my grandchildren! I got some news. Soooo I don't know if y'all know of Tapas or read on Tapas, but I decided to join in on their writing contest called True Love on Tapas. You submit a new romance novel that isn't on any other sites and you wait for your story to get judged. They will announce the winners in February though. Anyway, the submissions close on December 31st, so I thought I would try it out with one of my new stories. It will only be posted on Tapas until the results come out, but I have another story that I want to share on CG as my next story so wait for that one instead haha. xD if I don't win (very likely) I can see if I can post the story on other sites. 

Anyway, that's it from me! I will see everyone next week :D have a lovely day/night my beautiful grandchildren <3