"Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory." -George S. Patton
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GENERAL LUNA|
I'm now at the balcony of the castle, watching this country's people live their lives in peace. The threat of the demon army is still out there but instead of fearing for their lives, they decided to live in happiness.
I was staring at the statue of a man holding a sword and on his back is a woman with wings supporting him. The young magician, Merlin told me that they are the country's greatest hero, so I wonder, just how strong the Hero of Light and his wife is?
They left a huge effect on the hearts of everyone who lives, not just in this country, but in the others as well. They remind me of a certain someone I know.
It's also been four months since I was summoned in this world. I still can't believe that another world truly exist, I always thought that another world only exist in people's fantasy, who knew they truly exist? I guess the universe still has much more to offer.
"It seems like you're thinking about something, General?" I heard the young magician's voice behind me so I turn around and there, I saw her standing at the entrance of the balcony.
I took a deep breathe and return my eyes to the statue of the great hero, Roland.
"Yes, I was just wondering just how great of a hero, the Hero of Light was." She walks towards me and stand beside me as the both of us stare at the statue.
"They're the greatest heroes we could ask for, General. They sacrificed their own lives for this country." I can feel the pain in her voice, I heard it's been seven months since the Hero of Light passed away, but I can see that the pain inside their hearts remains the same.
"On that day when the demons attacked, they commanded their army to retreat for they already know that it was a battle they cannot win." She's suppressing her tears, and with just that, I understand how much she cares for the fallen Hero and his wife.
"Against the hundreds of thousands of enemies, the two of them rises and stopped the demons' invasion which cause them their lives." She added and reach her hands towards as if she's touching the statue of the heroes.
"Their death left an everlasting grief, sorrow, and love in the hearts of the people they protected. All that is left to them is their weapon and scarf, but they also left a memory, noone can forget."
After that, there is a deafening silence between the two of us. I can now agree that they are the greatest hero I have ever known. Even I, the a general who fought countless of battles is not brave enough to do that heroic deeds. I wish I could've seen them atleast once.
"Moreover, General. This might be too insensitive for me to ask, but what happened to you in your previous world?" She asked me that made me reminisce the past. It was an unpleasant one.
"I am a Commandant General of a certain country called, Philippines. A country that was colonized by other countries yet it still remain standing." I said with a proud heart as a Filipino, yet I still can't suppress my rage for what happened that day in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.
"I commanded an army and we've won and lose many battles. They are brave, they are fearless, they are strong. But not all, for there are others who value their self interest over the country's freedom." That's right... Those sons of a bitches value their selves over the lives of their fellow Filipinos...
I can feel the gaze of the young lady beside me full of worries so I looked at her and showed her a faint smile.
"I thought as long as we fight, we can drove back our enemies. But I was wrong, because on a certain day, I was betrayed and killed by my own people..." I can still remember the feeling of that slashes and gunshots that my body took from my own people...
"I know that they didn't like the way how I handle things, but I only did those things to protect them and our country, and to earn the freedom that we are yearning for a long time."
"I don't fear death, I'm always prepared to die. I just can't accept the fact that I died in the hands of my own people, and not my enemies."
I can still feel the rage inside me, I wanted to release it. I wanted to burst out. I want to go back to that country and kill them. But I know it won't change a thing, for their enemy is their selves, and they lost in that battle.
I feel the warm hands of the young lady beside me as she holds my hands that made me looked at her, and she's also looking at me with a faint smile on her face.
"You had it rough, General. You did your best yet noone appreciates it. And now that you're here with us, we will repay the sacrifice and bravery you showed us. This is your new home, and you're one of us now. You will never experience the pain of being betrayed again..."
I... I can't utter a single word... She said the things I wanted to hear from my own people... I can feel the burning sensation in me eyes, anytime, tears will fall from it...
"Thank you, young lady. You gave me one new reason to fight and end this war." I said and messed her head as I looked up in the sky.
I still din't know if I could lead them, the way I used to. The pain of betrayal still lingers inside of me, but I know I could trust them, the same trust they put over my shoulders.
"By the way, general. Have you heard about the report of Sir Tristan?" She asked that made me remember what I, the tall guy with a bow, and the american looking guy with a giant sword talked about.
"Yes, it's about the heroes driving out the enemies with ease right?"
She smiles brightly at me and her aura of happiness is overflowing.
"That's right, General! I'm so surprised! Before you came here, we're having a hard time repelling them! But with you as a commander, we're winning almost every battles!"
I was happy because of her words, but that's not all there is to it. They are all strong, specially the four heroes. They will do their best just to protect this kingdom even if they cost them their lives.
"It's all thanks to everyone, young lady. Including you." This young lady, Merlin is like a daughter to me. She's sweet and always wearing a smile on her face.
"But young lady, we still can't end this war." I uttered which caught her attention. I want them to learn what it means to be in a war. "We can't win if we just kept on defending. We have to advance and eliminate their leader."
I know she knows what I'm talking about. She's the Grand Sorceress who holds unparalleled magic and powers, in addition, she's a smart kid who's been involved in war since the very beginning.
"I know, General. The heroes' powers are not enough. We must make another decision."
To be honest, I already have a plan on how we will win this war. The problem is, will they be able to handle it's true purpose?
I looked at the sky and thinks if what will I be doing is the right decision. Will they be able to handle it in a peaceful manner? Will they not abuse it? But in order to win this war, I must trust them, for they are my people now. Ain't that right, old friend?
I draw my sword that was placed in my waist and hold it with both hands and stared directly at the eyes of the young lady infront of me.
"Young lady, do you know what's the name of this sword I'm holding?" I asked her but she remains silent. I know she doesn't know the answer, but she has to know the purpose of this sword.
"This sword is called, Espada de Felipina, the sword who was set to free my people from the foreign oppressor."
"In our world, we, too have a hero of our own. Fighting for our freedom, and a certain man opens the eye of many to fight, including myself." I can still remember his face. The face of my old friend who died by the hands of the conquerors.
"He never hold a sword to fight, instead he used his vast knowledge to open the eyes of every Filipino to fight for ourselves, our family, our friends, and for our mother lands." I uttered and return my sword to it's scabbard.
"That man is my old friend, Dr. Jose Rizal." I added and took out my revolver, the weapon of war that we're going to use to win this war.
Merlin eyed the gun full of curiosity. In this world, I don't think that guns are invented yet, we can use it as our advantage.
"The sword I showed you was indeed the symbol of peace, but it's not our main weapon. This is." I said and showed her the gun I'm holding.
"This weapon killed hundreds of millions in my world. Weapon capable of changing the phase of this world. This is called a gun." I said and pointed my gun at one of the vases here in the balcony and shoot it.
I saw Merlin's shocked expression because of what she saw. The loud firing sound from the guy left her mouth open in disbelief.
"T-That thing... It's very dangerous isn't it?"
I returned my revolver to my waist and looked at Merlin.
"It can kill millions of people, but I trust you guys that you won't abuse it's power. There are different types of gun, and that's what we're going to use to win this war."
This might be a risky move for me, but as a general and a soldier, I will lead them to victory no matter what I must sacrifice.
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MERLIN|
I was walking around the castle while thinking about that weapon the general showed me.
It's way different from the weapons we usually yield. It's size is small yet it possess a strong firepower and speed that surpasses a bow.
I had the weapon which is called a rifle stored in my mind after reading the general's memories. It possess the same characteristics but different in size and fire power.
It might be a dangerous weapon but it's our only way to win against those demons.
I must ask Brother Luther first regarding the matter, and using my skill called 'cloning' I manage to replicate the weapon using the general's memory to have a physical sample.
This is not as good as the original but it still functions well. In order to make this weapon, I will ask the best blacksmiths in the kingdom to mass produce it once I received the King's approval.
But there's still a problem, if we wish to annihilate the demons, we must strengthen it's firepower. This weapon can kill one demon at a time, but what if I apply magic to it?
While I was thinking on how to improve this thing called rifle gun, I bumped unto Sir Tristan who looks like he just returned after a mission and landed on my butt.
"I'm so sorry, Lady Merlin. Are you hurt?" He asked and helped me stand on my feet.
"I'm okay, Sir Tristan." I said to him and smile-oh wait... Sir Tristan also used long range weapon, right!? What if I let him test this gun!? That's right! It'll be worth a trying, am I right!?
"Is that so? Then I'll be going-"
"Wait Sir Tristan! I would like you to try something first before you leave!" I dragged him to where the archers usually train their marksmanship and handed the gun over him.
"What is this, Lady Merlin? Some kind of bladeless sword?" I don't know if I should laugh at him because of the stupid thing he said but I realized that this is his first time seeing a gun so I tried holding it in.
"No, Sir Tristan. This thing is called a gun, a long range weapon similar to a bow." He looked so confused because of what I said.
Well instead of explaining even more, I just though him how to use this rifle gun just like what the general taught me.
"So I will pull this thing to reload it, and the aim before pulling the trigger right?"
"That's exactly how it is."
He did just exactly what I told him to and aim for the target. I loud bang echoed all over the training grounds that even surprised the hero.
"Damn, it's a loud weapon isn't it? But it's firepower is good, even better than a normal bow. Where did you get this, Lady Merlin?" Sir Tristan asked while carefully analyzing the gun he used.
"It was proposed by the General, he wants to use it as our new weapon against the demons and I'm going to ask for the King's approval."
Sir Tristan seems to be enjoying the new weapon trying it in every target, but he seems a bit confused when the gun stopped firing.
"There's a limit on how many times it will be used?" I can't helped but to laugh when I saw him banging the gun and pulling the trigger to make it fire again.
"Idiot, you must reload it with bullet first!" I said to him while laughing and helped him reload the gun with the small metal thing called bullet that it used as ammunition.
After reloading the gun, Sir Tristan started firing at the targets again like a madman when I stopped him. I must test it now if it can be improved if we applied magic to it.
"Sir Tristan, can you apply magic on the gun this time when you fire it?" He nods at me and starts to apply some magic power inside the gun and prepare to fire it.
The gun shines brightly and when Sir Tristan pulled the trigger, a loud deafening sound echoes all throughout the grounds five times louder than the sound without magic! The firepower is so strong it destroys not just the target, but also a small area around the wall!
Although the gun breaks in the process because of the low durability of the materials used, it's firepower is terrifying. If we can maximize the potential of this weapon and increase its durability by using a stronger material, we can definitely fight against large number of enemies...
This is definitely the best weapon to ever exist! We can win this war!
Now prepare yourselves you lowly demons, it's time for our payback... You took too many people we loved from us including our heroes, now it's time we take away everything from you...
It's time for you to taste the wrath and anger of humanity... This is our revenge!
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End of Chapter 17