Chapter 1153. Operation: Dawn (2)

“Operation: Dawn.”

“...”

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

“...”

“Operation: Dawn... I really hope the light of hope will shine and ascend,” Kathy said.

“I agree,” Jonia said.

“Actually, based on how things are going right now... I’m worried...” Kathy added.

“I agree,” Jonia repeated.

“I think we only have three days to really prepare—no, he really did say three days, but I honestly can’t remember the lessons and training that we received,” Kathy said.

“...”

“

Ah

, there’s one thing I remember. Our commander,” Kathy said.

“Stop it, Kathy. In a time like this—”

“What? I’m right, aren’t I? Who was the one who couldn’t see because she was excited over the commander? Should I snitch on you?” Kathy asked.

“Kathy!” I[1] yelled and sighed.

‘Even in a situation like this...’

I couldn't help but think that there was a reason people called her "Arhendel’s Seductress." I unknowingly turned my head and saw the comrades I spent time with every day.

Arhendel’s Seductress Kathy sipped the rum she secretly packed in her canteen while making crude jokes. Elite Gambler Jonia[2], whose mind was unreadable as always, simply nodded at her every word.

“I wouldn’t say that he looks sexy, but he does seem seductive. You know masculine guys are my type, right? Aleria? But you know what I thought as soon as I saw our commander? Wow, this guy is seducing me. You know what I’m trying to say, right?” Kathy asked.

“Who’s seducing who? Stop talking nonsense...” I told her.

“No, I’m not saying that’s what he actually did, but that’s just the feeling he gave off. I’m sure... everyone else thought the same way, not just me. I’m sure that he’s a... seducer... He’s seducing... with that innocent and naive look of his.

"It makes me want to dirty that white canvas—that’s the kind of feeling he’s giving off. You know what I’m saying, right?” Kathy asked.

“

Whoo...

” I sighed.

“You remember how he trained the day before, right? He insisted on training with the soldiers and started sweating—”

“You’re being thoughtless, Kathy. Do you have to say things like that during times like this? The commander only trained with the soldiers to boost their morale.

"And your words are a violation of the military code. How could you say such a thing to the commander... What if someone hears you? You have no excuse even if you get punished on the spot,” I interrupted Kathy.

“I’m just saying it because it’s just us here. You think I would say this to anyone? If you keep talking to me that way... I’m going to get upset, Aleria. Jonia, say something,” Kathy said.

“I agree,” Jonia said.

“Say something else,” Kathy urged.

“...”

“If he works as well as he looks, I won't ask for anything more...” Kathy said, changing the subject.

“You’re overthinking it, Kathy,” I said.

“You really think I’m overthinking it?” Kathy questioned.

I wanted to deny what Kathy said, but I couldn’t really say that she was overthinking it.

Even if the Flower and Fertility Familia were supporting him, some things made me feel worried. Of course, I wasn’t saying that Operations Commander Mr. Lee Ki-Young wasn’t a genius. The higher-ups had already announced that Operation: Dawn was his work.

Before he was appointed as the commander, there were already many stories about him.

‘Genius Commander.’

Wisdom and beauty bestowed upon him by the heavens.

‘The saint chosen by the Goddess of Flower and Fertility.’

He graduated from the tutorial with a record-breaking score, and thanks to that, many had their eyes on him, including the Academy. The leaders of the familias who had witnessed his mock battle at the Academy couldn’t hide their surprise.

It was to the point that people started saying Rohen would completely change because of him.

All the rumors I heard about him were baseless rumors.

The rumors were about how he could memorize the entire battlefield with one look or that he could simulate the battlefield that was changing in real time.

When I first heard that, I questioned whether Rohen was trying to create a hero. It was actually pretty common for rumors to be exaggerated and spread by gossipers trying to earn coins from GENIUSES.

If someone were to ask me if he hadn't shown any of his abilities during the past three days, I would deny it, but...

‘How can I be comfortable?’

Training and actually being on the field were different. I had no doubt that he was going to succeed someday and that he would change the continent, but joining his first battle was completely different.

He was a rookie who was summoned here less than a year ago. In addition to being a rookie, he was only twenty-three years old. I would gladly train with him whenever he wanted, but I would be hesitant if someone were to ask if I was willing to entrust my life to him.

It was so absurd that there were rumors about how William, the leader of the Flower and Fertility Familia, had gone mad.

“If we’re lucky... we’ll be known as the ones who fought alongside the hero who will lead Rohen forward. If we’re unlucky, we’ll be remembered as the dumbest people in history, but William will probably be remembered as the dumbest out of all of us...” Kathy said.

“...”

“Actually, that might not be so bad. This might even be the end for Rohen...” Kathy added.

“This mainstream event... is just

that

dangerous. I’m nervous as well,” I chimed in.

“...”

“I’m sure he’s talented, but I don’t think he needs to prove his abilities right now,” I added.

“You’re right.”

“But on the other hand, maybe he has to do so because of the current situation. There’s clearly something different about this mainstream event. We don’t even know if the players who went ahead are alive or dead, and there are rumors that the Flower and Fertility Familia are not feeling very keen about this expedition,” I shared.

“Really?”

“Yes. It appears that the commander still thinks there are potential risks,” I answered.

“What made him change his mind all of a sudden?” she asked.

“All I know is that the Ashen Sunset is heading north, but I’m sure there are other reasons. The higher-ups aren’t sharing any information... so nothing has been announced. I’m sure the commander believes that’s a good chance of succeeding,” I replied.

“Well... he doesn’t seem like the type to play with other people’s lives,” Kathy commented.

“He seems weak, but he definitely doesn’t seem like the type to do that. If anything, the commander position might be fitting for him,” I said.

“A person can’t be too kind-hearted when they’re in that position. Apart from being young and not having much experience, his heart will probably be tested as well. No one wants to be used as a pawn to be discarded, but sacrifices are bound to happen during war. I’m sure everyone will agree with me,” Kathy explained.

“...”

“Aside from being a genius, what worries me the most is that he’s still fresh and inexperienced,” Kathy added.

My heart was denying it, but my mind agreed with her.

That was probably the reason why the lined-up soldiers were nervous.

“They’re doing a ceremony before departure. I really hate things like this. I don’t even understand why we’re doing this," Kathy mumbled as people moved busily on the stage.

It wasn’t that I couldn’t understand her, but...

‘They need to boost our morale.’

“I’m sure he’ll say something like how we can win or something,” Kathy mumbled.

“Silence!”

“Silence!”

Someone shouted. The place became quiet, and the flag bearers raised their flags. I heard loud

booms

and saw spearmen striking the ground with their spears.

When the mood reached a crescendo, I saw Commander Lee Ki-Young.

“

Ah...

”

He was quietly walking down the stage while covered in holy power.

The holy power around him was like a wreath made out of light, and I felt like it was purifying my nervousness, fear, anxiety, and worry.

‘What the...’

I couldn’t take my eyes off of his graceful steps and hand gestures. He was walking down together with Mr. William and Miss Emilia from the Flower and Fertility Familia, along with the leaders of other familias, but all I could see was him—the commander.

Even their eyes were fixed on the Flower of Rohen.

They looked like Holy Knights in the stories who protected the saint. Flower petals made of light covered the sky and fell on the ground, and the flower of Rohen left footprints as he approached the soldiers that were lined up.

It was like everyone was speechless under the overwhelming atmosphere.

I didn’t even think about why he immediately walked down the stage. All I could do was step aside, and the soldiers parted like the Red Sea. The saint of flower and fertility moved naturally toward the open path, and he looked at everyone as he moved.

I know it was nonsense, but it seemed like he was trying to make eye contact with everyone so that he wouldn’t forget anyone.

It was like he was trying to remember the ones who were going to die for Rohen.

It was like he already knew. He was aware that many people were going to die and many were going to be sacrificed. He was trying to understand all of that, and he was trying to... endure it.

‘I-I made eye contact with him.’

He looked as if he was trying to hold back his tears, and I thought he wasn’t going to say a word.

And that was when he said, “A long and endless darkness has arrived, with no end in sight.”

“...”

“A gray shadow that threatens our everyday life has come."

“...”

“This war... this fight... isn’t a fight that can simply be described as a mainstream event. Our life, family, and lives are on the line.

"Even though I have recently arrived in Rohen, I can feel... the kind of emotions you feel while protecting this place, the battles you have to fight to regain your normal life, and how hard you're working to ensure that Rohen will remain a safe place to live for everyone."

“...”

“I’m sure it's going to be a painful and tough fight."

“...”

“I’m sure it will be a lonely and agonizing fight,” he said.

“...”

“The battles you'll fight to protect the things you cherish, and your burning passion for Rohen is burning so intensely that it's hard for someone like me to comprehend it,” he said.

“...”

“Everyone, this place is not our hometown, but it has

become

our hometown. Rohen has become our hometown, as the blood and pride left by those before us have been absorbed into Rohen.

"Rohen has become our hometown because you fought to protect it,” he added.

“...”

“Rohen is not a place for games for certain gods, and it’s definitely not a playground for demons to instill fear and slaughter us. Rohen is the place where our existence truly thrives. That might’ve not been the case before, but this has become the place where our lives start and end.

" We must also shed our blood just like the people before us. We must raise our swords to protect our hometown,” he explained.

“...”

“Of course, it’ll be scary. Who isn’t scared of war and battles? I’m scared as well. I’m really scared about losing many things, but what’s scarier than that is losing our place to live. I’m scared of losing the place I consider my hometown,” he added.

“...”

“Let’s fight together. All of us can illuminate Rohen,” he said.

“...”

“I have no doubt that all of you will illuminate Rohen that has been tainted by the ashen light,” he said.

The Saint of Flower and Fertility looked forward.

After looking at everyone, he looked at the Ashen Sunset as if he no longer felt hesitant.

I knew this was funny, but it felt like the flower of Rohen was growing.

It was to the point that I questioned whether he was the same person as the one who walked down the stage earlier. The doubt in his eyes gradually turned into certainty. It wasn’t just us who gained confidence from him. He also gained confidence from us.

“I have no doubt that all of you will become the light of hope and the dawn that will illuminate Rohen,” Lee Ki-Young said.

“...”

“Please fight with me, whether it’s in front of me, behind me, or by my side. Raise your swords so that the light of hope will take root in Rohen,” he said.

“...”

“I’m sure we will survive,” he added.

“...”

“And we will reclaim our everyday life and our way of living!"

I could hear the confidence in his voice, and his voice echoed in my head as flowers of light started falling around us. When a radiant light exploded, goosebumps broke out all over me.

“

AAAAAAAHHHH!

”

“

Kyahhhhhhhhh!

Commander! Commander! For honor! For honor!”

“Kathy... you..."

A thunderous cheer slowly erupted from all of us as if it were contagious.

1. Aleria’s POV ☜

2. Veela: I-Is this you, George?! ☜