I woke up before the sun had even risen.
For a few seconds, I remained lying down, silently staring at the ceiling of the room. The air felt different that morning. There was a strange sensation I couldn't ignore. It wasn't fear. Nor was it anxiety.
It was something simpler.
The certainty that things had changed.
For months we had fought monsters, explored dungeons, defeated demon generals, and overcome challenges that once seemed impossible. But now it was different.
The war had finally arrived.
I slowly got out of bed and walked to the window.
The first rays of sunlight were beginning to appear on the horizon.
Outside, the city of Vailor was already awake.
The streets were far busier than usual, much earlier than normal.
Soldiers marched in organized groups.
Wagons transported supplies.
Blacksmiths worked without rest.
Merchants carried crates of food.
Messengers hurried through the streets carrying information from one place to another.
The entire city seemed to be preparing for something inevitable.
I crossed my arms as I watched everything.
The information we had received over the past few days had been confirmed.
The First Demon General's army was advancing.
There was no longer any doubt.
There was no more time.
The war had already begun.
I heard someone open the door behind me.
When I turned around, I found Scarlett entering the room.
Her hair was still slightly messy.
When she saw that I was already awake, she smiled.
"You're up early."
"So are you."
She walked over to stand beside me.
For a few moments, we simply watched the city.
"Thinking about the war?"
"Yes."
She let out a small sigh.
"I figured."
I looked out the window again.
"Today it all begins."
Scarlett remained silent for a few seconds.
"Are you worried?"
I thought about the question.
"It would be strange if I wasn't."
She gave a soft laugh.
"True."
Soon after, we heard footsteps approaching.
The door opened again.
This time Liriel, Elara, Vespera, Rai'kanna, and Lyannis entered.
It seemed that none of them had managed to sleep much that night.
Liriel was the first to speak.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
Elara walked over to the window.
"Has the city already started moving?"
"Yes."
She observed the city for a few moments.
"There's more people than I expected."
Lyannis stepped closer as well.
"Practically the entire city is helping."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"That's normal."
I looked at her.
"You think so?"
"Of course."
She shrugged.
"The demons aren't coming just for the army. They're coming for everything."
No one replied.
Because she was right.
If the demons won that war, it wouldn't just be soldiers who died.
It would be cities.
Families.
Entire kingdoms.
Vespera, who was leaning against the wall, spoke calmly.
"They won't win."
I looked at her.
Her expression remained serious.
"You're that confident?"
She nodded.
"We have you."
I shook my head.
"Don't place all your hopes on me."
Scarlett answered immediately.
"That's hard to do."
"Scarlett..."
She simply smiled.
Liriel took a step forward.
"She's right."
I sighed.
"It seems no one is going to let me escape this responsibility."
Lyannis let out a small laugh.
"You're the hero. That happens."
"I'd rather just keep taking guild quests."
"Liar."
I looked at Elara.
"Why?"
"Because you always end up running toward danger."
The others immediately agreed.
I couldn't help but laugh.
Maybe they were right.
We talked for a few more minutes until we heard knocking at the door.
One of the mansion's servants entered.
"Lord Takumi."
"Yes?"
"The castle has sent a message."
My expression immediately turned serious.
"What does it say?"
"His Majesty requests your presence immediately."
I nodded.
"Understood."
The servant bowed and left.
It seemed it was time.
I returned to the center of the room.
"Let's get ready."
Everyone agreed.
About an hour later, we left the mansion.
The streets were even more crowded.
As we walked toward the castle, I noticed many people watching us pass.
Some bowed.
Others simply waved.
Some children pointed in our direction.
I still hadn't completely gotten used to it.
When we arrived at the castle, we were immediately allowed inside.
The guards cleared the way.
We walked through the corridors until we reached the main hall.
The king was already waiting for us.
Alongside him were several military officers.
Generals.
Commanders.
Messengers.
Everyone looked busy.
As soon as he saw me, the king smiled.
"Takumi."
I bowed.
"Your Majesty."
"I'm glad you came so quickly."
"I received your message."
He nodded.
Then his expression became serious.
"The situation changed during the night."
The entire hall fell silent.
"The demon army advanced farther than we expected."
I crossed my arms.
"How long until they arrive?"
"Soon."
The answer was direct.
"The main confrontation should begin very soon."
I looked at the enormous map spread across the table.
Various markers were scattered throughout different regions.
Some represented human troops.
Others represented allied forces.
And there were also the red markers.
The demon forces.
Even just looking at the map, it was possible to grasp the scale of that war.
The king continued.
"The allied nations' armies are already on the move."
He pointed to different regions.
"The elves have sent archers."
"The dwarves have sent heavy infantry."
"The demi-dragons have sent their elite forces."
"The cyclopes are marching as well."
I nodded.
It was good to know the alliances were holding.
The king then looked directly at me.
"But there's something else."
I immediately realized it was important.
"What is it?"
He took a deep breath.
"The adventurers from every guild in Vailor have been gathered."
For a moment, I remained silent.
I already knew what was coming next.
"I understand."
The king nodded.
"As previously planned..."
He rose from his throne.
The entire hall fell silent.
Then he spoke in a firm voice.
"Takumi."
"Yes."
"I officially place the Adventurer Forces of Vailor under your command."
The entire hall froze.
Even though I had expected it, feeling the weight of those words was different.
Three hundred adventurers.
Experienced men and women.
People who would entrust their lives to my decisions.
It was no small responsibility.
The king continued.
"You will be responsible for leading them during the battle."
I slowly nodded.
"Understood."
"I trust you."
I looked at him for a few seconds.
Then I answered.
"I'll do my best."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I know you will."
The meeting continued for some time.
We discussed routes.
Troop movements.
Defensive positions.
Supply lines.
Rally points.
By the time everything was finished, it was already close to noon.
When we left the castle, we found many adventurers gathered outside.
Many of them recognized me immediately.
Some waved.
Others bowed.
Some simply smiled.
I looked at all of them.
In just a few hours, I would be leading those people.
The war had finally arrived.
Scarlett approached.
"Nervous?"
"A little."
She smiled.
"That's good."
"Why?"
"Because it means you understand the responsibility."
Liriel nodded.
"And because you care."
I looked at all of them.
My companions.
My friends.
The people who had stood by my side throughout this entire journey.
No matter what happened from that point onward, I knew I wouldn't be alone.
And that made all the difference.
I raised my gaze to the sky.
The clouds drifted slowly.
The wind blew across the city.
In the distance, bells began to ring.
The official signal for military mobilization.
People stopped for a moment.
The soldiers began to organize.
The adventurers prepared themselves.
And I knew that this was the true beginning.
Peace had been left behind.
Now there was only one path.
War.
And soon I would step onto the battlefield for the first time as the leader of an army.
With that thought, I began walking toward the adventurers' barracks.
The march to the north was about to begin.
And there was no turning back.