Mira and I walked through the camp, and for the first time I truly noticed how much the atmosphere had changed.
Not respect.
Not admiration.
Fear.
When we came closer, people stepped back—one step, two… some grabbed their swords, hid behind their comrades, looked at me as if they were seeing the very monster that had torn an army apart.
Their whispers cut at my ears:
— That’s him…
— The killer…
— That kid…
— He’s a madman…
Mira slapped my shoulder—loudly, so everyone could hear.
— Well? Go on. Say it.
I took a breath.
— I’m sorry… please.
Silence.
Like before a storm.
— I know an apology isn’t enough.
— I killed people.
— I… couldn’t control myself.
— I did terrible things…
And immediately—a burst of voices.
— Nothing to apologize for?!
— He killed his own!
— What’s the difference—demon or human? He cut down everyone!
— He should be bound!
— He should be judged!
Their hatred was cold.
Simple.
Understandable.
Mira spoke quietly, but loud enough for those nearby to hear:
— Strange… the moment a weak boy stands in front of you, heroes swarm in at once.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Where were you ten minutes ago, when Zen alone was holding the front?
The noise died down.
People didn’t like being reminded of their cowardice.
And then the commander-in-chief stepped out of the crowd.
He raised his hand silently—and all the sound vanished, as if it had been cut out of the air.
He spoke loudly, confidently, so even the farthest ranks could hear:
— If not for Zenhald Helvard…
— The demons would have broken into the camp.
— We would all be dead.
He slowly swept his gaze over the crowd:
— The war is not over. And if you want to survive—respect the one who stood between you and death.
The people fell silent, but their looks…
They didn’t change.
They were still full of fear.
Fear of me.
I wasn’t angry.
I understood them.
Haras.
He shook Mira’s hand.
— I’ve heard a lot about you. And seen even more. True power.
Norris followed:
— Thank you. If not for you… I don’t even want to think what would’ve happened.
Seteya simply nodded, but there was respect in her eyes:
— If not for you… everything would have been much worse.
Mira laughed:
— Oh, relax. I just fixed my little brother.
— Doubt he’ll break again. Well… at least not in the next couple of months.
Everyone laughed.
Even Haras.
But my friends…
They came closer slowly.
As if approaching a wild beast.
And all they said was short, quiet:
— Thank you.
They didn’t have the strength for more.
— So, Zen, — Mira said. — Let’s take a walk by the forest. We need to talk.
We moved farther from the camp, where the fog still lingered between the trees.
Mira started immediately:
— Zen.
— Your girl is afraid of you.
— That needs fixing.
I nearly choked on air.
— What girl?! It’s just Elinia! She’s… a friend!
Mira smirked:
— Yeah. Sure. I can see it—you don’t care about anyone’s opinion except hers.
I blushed. She noticed.
— Elinia and her sister… yeah, they changed, — I muttered.
— No surprise! They saw you almost become the next demon lord, — Mira laughed. — They’ve got their own Helvard-related trauma now.
Then she turned serious:
— Tell me about the elves. Arlis. Reima. Everyone.
I told her.
Everything—from start to finish.
She listened carefully, sometimes laughing, sometimes shaking her head.
— Alright, — she said when I finished. — Well done, little brother. It was hard, but you made it.
A pause.
— What are your plans now? — I asked.
Mira shrugged:
— If they call us—we’ll go wipe out demons.
— And until then… — she smiled warmly, genuinely, — I want to spend time with you. A lot. Before you get a girlfriend.
— MIRA!!!
— Hahaha! You blush so adorably. Alright, alright.
She stopped and looked into the distance.
— And now…
— Let’s go to our village.
I smiled.
— Home?
Mira nodded:
— Yeah. Home.
And in that moment I felt—for the first time in many months—that I truly wasn’t alone.
