CHAPTER 143 – A NEW WORLD OF PEACE

LYSANDER FARADEISS

Hiraya and I melted into each other's arms, a silent language of reunion and longing. Her embrace, like a summer breeze after a cold winter, enveloped me in warmth. As we finally parted, our eyes locked in a shared understanding that transcended words. Glancing around at our comrades, a mix of old friends and new allies, we found ourselves caught in a moment of recognition and change.

Kate, with a playful smirk, flexed her biceps teasingly. "Look at you, all grown up and rugged now."

I chuckled at her antics, noting the familiar banter that still lingered between us. "Kate, always the same, aren't you? Though perhaps a tad kinder."

Gaeun's eyes sparkled with genuine warmth as she observed me, her words carrying a gentle sincerity. "You've transformed, Lysander. Not just in appearance, but in the way you carry yourself. There's a newfound confidence in you."

I nodded in acknowledgment, struck by the subtle shift in her demeanor. "Gaeun, you've changed too. You seem more at ease with yourself."

Charlotte, ever the provocateur, tossed her hair with a smirk. "Despite the upgrade, you're still the same scruffy peasant we know and love."

Rolling my eyes, I couldn't help but retort, my words laced with equal parts amusement and exasperation. "Charlotte, some things never change, do they? But maybe try a little less sass next time."

In the background, I caught sight of Hiraya approaching Johnny, a soft smile gracing her lips. His response was a small grin, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. Hiraya extended her hand in gratitude, a gesture laden with unspoken emotion.

"Thank you for bringing Lysander here. Without you, none of us would have made it," she said earnestly.

Johnny clasped her hand gently, his expression solemn yet resolute. "It was my duty, Hiraya. I only did what was necessary."

A flicker of anger danced in Hiraya's eyes as she spoke again, her tone tinged with reproach. "Was torturing Lysander part of that duty too?"

The tension hung heavy in the air, a silent reminder of the shadows that lingered beneath our shared victories.

Johnny's grin twisted into something unsettling, reminiscent of a snarling dog caught between anger and amusement. "Blame is a funny thing, isn't it? Both of you had a hand in Maggie's demise. But I've managed to forgive Lysander for his transgressions. You, on the other hand..." His voice trailed off, laden with a veiled threat. "You've got a laundry list of sins, Hiraya. Let's not forget, you've ended me in more than one timeline. Forgiveness takes time, you know."

Hiraya's smile turned brittle, her grip on Johnny's hand tightening with restrained fury. "Forgiveness? From you? Spare me, Mister Johnny." Her voice dripped with sarcasm, barely concealing her anger. "It's a shame I won't get to relive the satisfaction of kicking your head off your shoulders, but I suppose I'll manage."

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Johnny's retaliation was swift, his grip on her hand becoming vice-like. "Ah, but you were always more appealing to me when you were in tears, especially when Alris was mind-controlled, or when I snatched Lysander away right in front of you. Those were the moments worth cherishing."

Hiraya's facade crumbled, replaced by a raw surge of fury. "You despicable, low-life scum!"

"Come at me, you elven wench!" Johnny shot back, his taunt dripping with malice.

Sensing the escalating tension, I quickly interceded, stepping between them and forcibly breaking their grasp. In my haste, my hand brushed against Hiraya's chest and Johnny's abdomen, a fleeting contact I tried to ignore.

"Alright, enough!" I commanded, my voice strained with urgency. "Let's calm down, both of you."

"We are calm!" They bellowed simultaneously, their hostility still simmering beneath the surface.

<><><>

The aftermath of the Purge of Humanity left a scarred world, weary from the relentless conflict between humans and dragons. Despite lingering animosities, the toll of lives lost demanded a ceasefire, as civilians from both sides clamored for peace and reconciliation.

With only 30% of the human population remaining and 40% of the dragonoids surviving, the devastation was palpable. Starvation and exhaustion plagued the survivors, casting a shadow over the once-thriving civilizations.

The Empire and the Republic lay in ruins, their leaders and heirs lost to the carnage. In this vacuum of power, the Five Dragon Lords emerged as pivotal figures, their dominance solidified by victory in the war. Renaming themselves the Council of Five Lords, they appointed Hiraya as their chairperson, ushering in a new era of governance.

Utilizing the remaining bell towers, the Council channeled their Dragon Lord Commandment, issuing a directive to forgive humanity's transgressions. Yet, despite their efforts, deep-seated resentment lingered among human survivor groups, fueling chaos and unrest.

In a bid to establish order, the Council drafted a new constitution, delineating territories for humans, dragonoids, and various other races. Under this framework, each nation and race operated under a unique governmental system, all ultimately answering to the Council as the global authority tasked with maintaining peace.

Though the system was experimental, there was a collective resolve to rebuild from the ashes of war. With the Council of the Five Lords at the helm and the reincarnation of Goddess Exceria by their side, hope blossomed for a world founded on principles of freedom, equality, and peace.

As the curtains fell on this chapter of history, it marked not an end, but a new beginning—an era defined by resilience, cooperation, and the unwavering pursuit of a better tomorrow.

<><><>

Amidst the fragile peace and newfound hope, a lingering unease gnawed at the edges of my consciousness, a puzzle with missing pieces that refused to be forgotten.

The obsidian-faced mermaids haunted my thoughts, their enigmatic presence a lingering mystery that eluded explanation. What role did they play in the grand tapestry of events, and what secrets lay hidden beneath their inscrutable visages?

Equally troubling was the specter of the Corrupted Dragon Lord, a shadow looming over the fragile peace. What darkness lay dormant within its depths, and what sinister machinations awaited revelation?

The prophecy of Gazelle echoed in the recesses of my mind, its cryptic words whispering of a destined King of Humanity and the ominous summoning of a Foreign God. What fate awaited those touched by the prophecy, and what cataclysmic forces would be unleashed upon the world?

Yet perhaps most troubling of all was the specter of Regression Magic itself, a double-edged sword that wielded the power to rewrite destiny. I could still hear the echoes of Hiraya's desperate cries from a timeline erased, her words a haunting reminder of the consequences of tampering with the fabric of reality.

"Lysander, no! You don't understand what you're doing!"

Her plea reverberated through my consciousness, a chilling reminder of the weight of my actions and the potential ramifications of my choices. With each passing day, the memory of her anguish clawed at my conscience, a silent reproach that refused to be silenced.

As I grappled with these unanswered questions and unresolved mysteries, I couldn't help but wonder: was there more to the story than met the eye? And if so, what truths lay buried beneath the surface, waiting to be unearthed?