Tales of Astora: Legacy

Chapter 73: Those who died

Chapter 73: Those who died

The next morning, after a brief farewell celebration from Zen, Alastor's group was now on their way back to the capital of Zagon, together with the elven refugees they have recently added to their kingdom. Before he departed, Alastor has asked the Beast King to contact him if any more refugees were to be found. Certainly the group they had now could not be all of the elven survivors. Some could have fled toward other parts of the frontiers or even Zagon already. A few hundreds knights of the Millennium Regiment have also been dispatched to stay with Zen in assisting the reconstruction but also in case they needed to help transporting the refugees back through the Gates. Furthermore, some of the leftovers artificial monsters could still be around and these soldiers would prove to be a valuable asset to have.

Unlike the skillful and well-trained zagonian army, most of the remaining elves were civilians, unfit to make such a long journey as nimble and swift as the army so many stops were required on the way. Accompanied with them was also the ambassador's crew which consisted of the human refugees from Caelum who came to the Whispering Forest with bishop Maxime. Leading them was of course the beastman's Champion Viviana who was served as the main ambassador of the Beastmen in their alliance with Empress Morrigan. After a thorough discussion, it was decided that it was in their best interest to accompany Alastor back to Zagon as they were once citizens of Caelum, meaning rightful citizens of Zagon now since Caelum has been integrated as a province of Zagon.

The war might have been over but there were still many obstacles, many unrests waiting up ahead on the path Alastor has chosen. The fact that both Caelum and Malatas were now considered territories of Zagon would certainly provoke some tensions in the last remaining neighbor country: Ceadric. For long, the two nations have already been on bad terms with each other. Taking in account the recent events, Alastor would not be surprised if Ceadric saw Zagon's actions as an act of provocation for war. It was like saying "You are next to them!". But considering Morrigan's plan, that belief might not be that far-fetched from the reality.

And what about the dragons and the celestials? The later was currently in Ragna, under the supervision of Azureus and the rest of the demon guards but that could not stand for long. Sure, they might number only a few thousands, nothing compared to any other race but if Alastor was seeking a true peace, he must take them in account too. And Alastor could not confine them forever anyway. Nothing might have happened now but tension would rise one day and something must be done before that day came. However, would they listen to the voice of a demon like him? Surely not. Yet, perhaps there might be something he could do, maybe not him personally but someone by his side.

Ikarus has informed Alastor that upon returning to Eisenheim, she wanted to go back to her people, to convince them to join his plan. They had no leaders now and while she might have been exiled, the girl believed that not all of them were bad people. With Alastor's instructions on how to treat the celestials carefully, some of them must have realized by now that the demons might not be as bad as people claimed them to be. Certainly, the path would be thorny and difficult but not impossible. Either way, she had to try or else she would never know. She didn't want to feel hopeless, unable to do anything. Alastor's change has triggered something inside her. Watching him made her aspiring to do the same thing. A new era was coming and the blue haired celestial desired to be a part of it, not just her but also her people, to be there when that door of new possibilities opened. It was quite a surprise for the girl to say such thing, especially when you thought about how attached she was to Alastor. But right now, as disheartening as it may seem, there was things more important than their relationship. Each had their own part to play for the upcoming challenge. And it was not like they would never see each other again or anything like that, just simply a short time of separation before a tender reunion. In a way, this would be a small test of their love.