Nathan


    Year 2851 | Month 2 | Day 31


    The moment the call connects, I find all of my team members together in one place.


    Amelia, Cyria, Sofia, Rebecca, and Aidan. All together at Cyria’s place.


    I find myself stumped as I wasn’t expecting to meet them all again like this so soon. Probably because some part of me was just expecting to talk to Amelia again, or at most Amelia, Cyria, and Sofia. Since she was expecting the other two to arrive soon when we spoke before.


    Not all of them at once like this.


    Before I can say anything though, Aidan just smiles at me and says, “Long time no see.”


    That makes the faintest hint of a smile appear on my face. And just like that, I begin retelling my story once more. Albeit with a bit more ease than the last time. Partially just because of Aidan’s laidback attitude.


    An attitude that hasn’t changed since I met him.


    We continue talking for a while, with only the occasional interruption on both sides of the call. With some of my subordinates knocking on the door and asking for my help for some matters, and some soldiers stopping by or family returning home on their side.


    But eventually we finish the catchup from my side.


    Then they begin their own catchup as they tell me everything that’s happened since we were split up.


    And it’s one unexpected story, if I’m being honest.


    As it turns out, the five of them took a couple weeks off to recover from the shock of losing their teammate. Also known as me. Then they were called back without a choice by the military, with the general only having been able to give them that amount of time off.


    All because of the crappy Chairman forcing the students to work. Even if he didn’t force them onto the frontlines.


    After that, they fought for the military for quite a while. Earning their way up the ranks until they all became officers even before graduating from the academy and being given officer ranks for that alone.


    But they apparently never stopped thinking about me throughout the entire time. And that tainted their view of the Republic even further than how they already viewed it. The fact that not a single person they knew cared about my death.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Although in the case of the two instructors, they pretty much already knew I was immortal. So they knew what was going on.


    They didn’t know that back then though, so they just assumed not a single person so much as batted an eye at my death. Which made them grow a grudge against the Republic.


    One that just continued to grow more and more.


    And when they found out I was still alive, that grudge only grew. Because they knew exactly why I fled the Republic. Making them resent the Republic even more.


    So at the end of their explanation, I find myself rather shocked. Both due to their own experiences, and because of what they ask me after it all.


    “Can we join you in the Kingdom of the Fallen?” Amelia and Aidan ask simultaneously without even looking at each other as they do so.


    One thought after another flashes through my mind at breakneck speeds. About the troubles they ended up going through after my disappearance. And about the possibility that someone could end up trying to use them against me.


    Whether that’s the doctor – although I doubt he would – or the Chairman of the Republic, it’s entirely possible someone could try that.


    And I honestly could see the Chairman potentially trying that. Assuming he even realizes who I am.


    What’s worse is that I know the skeleton would probably just kill them if they end up being successfully used against me. Because he would see it as a weakness and a waste of time.


    So he’d just get rid of them.


    Juan on the other hand would just get rid of the ones using them against me. Then probably ignore their existence.


    My thoughts halt the moment I feel a single tear trailing down my cheek. And just like that I’m frozen stiff.


    A… tear?


    I blink before turning my attention back to the screen as the others start asking if I’m alright.


    Several seconds pass like that, then I feel the faintest hint of another smile warming my face.


    Right. If I ask the skeleton to bring them here then he’d be more than happy to.


    And since he doesn’t need any more hostages, I don’t have to worry about him taking them and treating them like my parents. Especially since they can be used to aide in my combat strength for this war. Unlike my parents who are not combat material.


    Meaning these five will actually be helpful in the war. Which is exactly what the skeleton wants.


    He wants me to lead his nation and become a true son in a sense to him. A true successor.


    I take a deep breath before wiping the single tear and nodding my head at them as I state, “Yes, you can come here. I will ask the King of the Kingdom of the Fallen to pick you up.”


    When I tell them yes, that they can come here, their faces light up like Christmas lights.


    But when I mention the second part? About the skeleton going to pick them up?


    Terror covers their faces.


    Right. I forgot.


    People are actually afraid of that bag of bones.


    Huh. Didn’t really think about that.


    But whatever. Doesn’t really matter.


    He’s the best way to get them here safely after all.


    “Oh, and do you want your families to come with you?” I ask out of curiosity, only for some of them to numbly shake their heads no and others to nod yes.


    Hmm, guess it makes sense Cyria would say no. What with her father being a general from the Republic.


    He probably wouldn’t want to leave after all.


    Anyways, this will be nice.


    And I can expand my inner circle here at the Undying Caverns too. With more people I trust.


    For the first time in a while, I feel rather happy.


    I just hope I can keep this feeling for longer than the last time I felt it.


    Whenever that was.