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Return of the Fallen Volume 4 Chapter 101

Author: Blue_Rat

ch101

The announcement left the citizens of Gentis city floored and overwhelmed with emotion.

The city lord, Thakriss had died in battle far away from the city. Many residents were left wondering just when in the 7 realms of hell there was a battle to be fought in the first place. Most didn’t care about that though, instead, they celebrated Thakriss’s death. Such a corrupt fellow was better off dead than ruling over them, crushing them, stealing their hard-earned coins just to fill his fat coffers that could never be spent in a single lifetime. 

Everyone knew from young to old just what type a man Thakriss was and rightfully so, most of them were overcome with joy at the news of his death. The second announcement that echoed up and down throughout the streets put the residents on their collective asses once again.

It was said directly after the news of the city lord’s death, that Degra the snake and Triska the strongest warrior in Gentis has taken the city and would split it in two, ruling one side each. The people of Gentis didn’t know what this meant exactly but it was something they were willing to accept. Especially if it meant no more Thakriss. 

The ones most concerned over this piece of information were none other than all the medium-sized and small gangs running around in the shadows. They needed to come to a decision fairly quickly. Either they all join forces and go against Degra and Triska and try and grab the power now or submit to the two. Some clearly objected to following beneath the two and found this to be a grand opportunity but why would Degra and Triska give these fools a chance to turn a dagger on them. 

Triska and Degra came to an agreement swiftly and the first operation they pulled off together was to eliminate all leaders of the other gangs. The two controlled their own subordinates as well as the soldiers of the city and delivered a decisive blow, and within an hour all leaders of criminal organizations were dealt with. The gangs had no chance to fight back and were divided between Degra and Triska then and there.

Finally, the two headed to the city lord’s mansion, where most of the officials had gathered. They wanted to try and come up with a plan but there was just no time. Triska Degra and Castion broke down the doors and with pointed blades at these cowardly officials’ necks, they could only tremble and fall to their knees. To conquer a city with such ease could go down as one of the easiest and most simple in all of history. Degra and Triska had taken over smoothly and now it came down to splitting everything down the middle.

The two gave out a few orders here and there before shutting themselves away to discuss the finer details to a T.

—————————————————————————-

The very next morning.

The sun had already risen and the morning birds sang peacefully around the city. Although the city had just changed hands, instead of a feeling of paranoia and unease, an odd calm fell over the city. The day was just like any other. People awoke when it was time to wake and started getting ready for the day like always. They did their chores, cooked breakfast, and set off for whatever it was they do.

Everything seemed good and pleasant. A pressure, nay a weight had been taken off of the citizen’s shoulders and everyone seemed to walk a little lighter today.

This is how life should be a few of them thought.

—————————————————————————-

*Knock knock Knock*

Nunully slowly opened the door and entered but found no one on the bed.

“Where is he? Kazuki”

Kazuki stepped out of a bathroom, a towel around his waist and another already wiping down his hair. A little surprised to see her, Kazuki asked.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Nunully’s eyes scanned Kazuki’s wet body and landed upon his six-pack and she couldn’t help but quietly swallow.

Kazuki suddenly squatted down so his eyes met hers, causing her to release a small.

“eeep!”

“My eyes are up here ya know. Don’t tell me you came here just to check me out?”

“I..I…I only came to make sure you were ready. We have to leave soon or we’ll be late. That’s something you should never be late for.”

Kazuki went from a teasing smile to a somber mood. 

“I know. I’ll be ready in two minutes. Go check on Mei and Tsura. Make sure Tsura’s ok. If she doesn’t think she can handle it, she doesn’t have to go there. I would understand.”

A bit of gloom seemed to fill the room. Nunully said nothing else and simply nodded and left.

Kazuki sat on the bed for a moment and slowly closed his eyes.

(Danny, your sacrifice was not in vain. Because of you…)

Kazuki opened his eyes and let out a heavy breath.

*Haaa*

(It’s time they say goodbye to you.)

—————————————————————————-

Kazuki walked out of a small house. Degra insisted on letting Kazuki stay in one of his luxury hotels or his own mansion but after the battle, Kazuki was in no mood and told Degra he just wanted a simple and quiet place to stay. Degra was quick and prepared a place almost immediately.

The house wasn’t particularly big but it could fit 4 easily enough. Degra was nice enough to prepare a second house just down the street. One for Kazuki, Nunully, Mei, and Tsura to stay in and the other for Asuna, Sam, Kimi, and Shin.

Shin and Sam didn’t really care all that much and were just glad to have someplace warm to sleep but Asuna and Kimi were different. As soon as they went to the prepared house, the first thing they did was jump into the bath together. Washing the accumulated filth, they had to clean the bath of over a month’s worth of grime right after just so they could do a long hot soak. By the time the tow came out, they looked as if they would float away at a moment’s notice.

In front of the house, a large ordinary carriage sat in front with a coachman waiting. It was an older gentleman wearing all black. When he saw Kazuki and the others step out of the house, he climbed down as fast as his old body would allow and opened the door for the four of them.

Mei’s eyes lit up. She thanked the old man before hopping into the carriage. She felt that having a stranger drive them around meant they were special people. Usually, it was Kazuki or someone else that had to do it but today a nice looking old man would do it for them. She was excited and began jumping around the inside of the carriage carelessly. Tsura gave the old man an apologetic bow and followed in right after Mei.

“AH AH AH! Mama my ear my ear!”

“Serves you right, now settle down. This isn’t your play pin. Have you already forgotten what today is?”

The carriage became quiet just like that. Tsura was in no mood for Mei’s behavior, not today.

Nunully stepped inside and so to did Kazuki. Kazuki stuck his head out the small window and reminded the man.

“You remember where we’re going right?”

The old man tipped his hat.

“My master has informed me, the city cemetery, correct?”

“Yes.”

Hearing that word, Tsura became stiff and her face began to drain of color. Even though she just reminded Mei a second ago. Hearing mention of the cemetery made things feel to real. Nunully saw this and traded seats with Mei and sat next to Tsura. Holding her hand she comforted her as best she could.

“We’ll get through this. We just have to stay strong.”

Tsura squeezed Nunully’s hand back but she couldn’t say anything back. Right now, she couldn’t even think clearly and her mind was a jumbled mess.

The coachman climbed back up and snapped gently with the reins. The horses slowly made their way down the long road. They had just started but after only a minute or so the carriage had come to another stop.

The door opened and Shin climbed on followed by Kimi. Kimi glared at Kazuki but when she saw Tsura’s pale appearance, she looked at her with sympathy before sitting down opposite Kazuki and on the other side of Mei. Sam soon followed and sat next to Kimi and Asuna lastly came on and sat on the other side of Tsura to comfort her.

The whole ride was silent. Even Mei stayed quiet as she thought about her mother’s words. She knew what today was and she felt sad and bad that she had forgotten until her mother reminded her.

Even Shin who would normally joke around stayed eerily quiet.

Nobody spoke and barely anyone even glanced at one another. This lasted nearly thirty minutes until the carriage stopped and an old voice came from the driver’s seat.

“Ladies and Sirs, we’ve arrived.”

Everyone made their way off the carriage and the coachman spoke once more.

“I’ll be waiting just over there. When you need me, I’ll be there waiting for ya no matter how long.”

Kazuki was going to pay the man but the old fella simply waved him away before climbing back aboard the carriage and leading the whole thing away off and out of the way to clear up the road.

“Kazuki, it’s time.”

Nunully softly called out to him.

Turning around, Kazuki stared up at a large open gate. Above it was a long arch with a sign that simply read. 

[Gentis Cemetary]    

        [May your soul find everlasting peace.]