Chapter 99: Departure!

"Granny Lauren...."

Unable to say any words, Ethan remained silent, and the other veterans looking at him fell silent as well.

Indeed, they could tell what kind of pressure their Patriarch was facing.

It was why, whenever they were around him, they tried to laugh and smile as much as possible, hoping to lift his mood.

After all, in this world without order, just as Lucian’s monster hoard collapsed once he was taken out, the Smith Shelter and everyone else would fall without Ethan.

He was the source of their strength, the Mage System, and their hope. Absolutely nothing could happen to him.

And Christian, seeing his grandson like this, even though he knew making him the Patriarch was the right choice, wished at times like this that he could help more, even if he could just lighten the burden a bit.

For a while, all the veterans wished they could do more to help the young man in front of them.

"Ethan, you know at times like this, you’re just like your grandfather. He was never one to ask for help," Lauren said softly. "

Even when he was at a complete disadvantage, he would rather carry everything by himself."

"And while sometimes he was able to carry it successfully, other times that pride of his cost him dearly."

Hearing this, Christian’s eyes flashed with a flicker of pain, though it passed too fast for anyone else to notice.

Only Lauren, who had brought it up, caught it, yet she didn’t say anything to him and continued talking to Ethan.

"Ethan, kid, why did you help us become mages? Wasn’t it to overpower an enemy you felt was too much?" She paused, letting her voice sink in.

"Although Lucian turned out to be no trouble, think about it: couldn’t you have done it by yourself?"

She looked into his eyes with sharp, weathered wisdom.

"Listen, kid. In many aspects, it’s fine to be like your grandfather, brave, commanding, all the good traits. However, when it comes to pride, drop it. Otherwise, you’re going to end up regretting it."

Hearing this, Ethan wanted to refute her.

"Grandma Lauren, I’m not proud—"

Before he could finish his sentence, she lined up her sniper rifle nozzle directly at his forehead.

"If it isn’t pride, then why do you think you can do it all alone?!"

"I heard you’re going out to hunt for crystals. Do you understand your position? Although it might sound harsh, right now you aren’t just Ethan Smith; you are the Smith Patriarch!"

"You are the head of the Smith Shelter with hundreds of people under you! Do you understand?! If one thing goes wrong with you, everything goes wrong!"

Calming herself down slightly, Lauren gestured to the sprawling shelter below them.

"Look below! The kids sleeping at your feet, the farmers who grow the crops, the guards who man the watchtowers, your sister... what do you think would happen to them in this crazy world if something happens to you?"

"At times like this, your safety is above all else!"

"So even if you want to go, at least take someone with you. That way, if anything were to happen, at least they can sacrifice themselves for you to escape!"

"Listen to me, Ethan Smith: do not undervalue your importance, and never forget you are not alone."

"Remember these two things, and you will have far fewer regrets in the years to come."

As her words echoed through the night sky, Ethan turned to look at the faces of everyone present, and what he saw stunned him.

On every single veteran’s face was unwavering determination, an unprecedented resolve to follow and die for him.

As the person who had given these old soldiers a second lease on life and real purpose in this ruined world, they had completely resolved themselves to protect Ethan, no matter the cost.

For a while, Ethan remained silent. His throat felt choked as a strange, overwhelming warmth swelled up from deep within his chest.

At this moment, he realized it once again, he was truly not alone.

This was no longer his past life, where he had to scrounge and scavenge by himself in the dark.

Here, he had people who cared for him. He had family. He had real allies.

Not "friends" who only spoke to him to use him, but true companions ready to stand by his side.

"Hic... hic... Everyone, thank you..."

Holding back a sob, Ethan let out a bright, genuine smile beneath the shining moon.

"Haha! Don’t worry about it, kid! Now tell us, who are you going to take with you?" Darius interjected, his teeth exposed in a boisterous grin.

"Take your pick! Also, it has to be at least two of us!"

Darius’s words instantly pulled everyone’s attention.

Yes, who was he going to pick? That was another crucial matter to settle!

Seeing everyone’s eager, competitive expressions, Ethan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"Relax, you guys! First off, I can’t take any of the twenty-five of you who are currently instructing the Awakeners. Their training comes first!"

"So Kenjiro, Darius, Grandma Lauren... sorry, but I can’t choose any of you."

Hearing this, the twenty-five instructors who were excluded couldn’t help but look gloomy, while the other veterans chuckled and pointed fingers at them in triumph.

At times like this, Ethan realized why his grandfather was so close with them. In more ways than one, they were all cut from the same cloth.

"As for who I’ll take... I’ll take Grandma Maya and Grandpa Dragunov."

Without overthinking it, Ethan made his decision.

First off, Maya Sterling, otherwise known as the Maid of Orleans.

Growing up as the personal maid of an army general, after he was killed in battle, her brilliant tactical adjustments turned the entire tide of the conflict.

She later formally enlisted, becoming a natural commander capable of reading the flow of battle like a map.

When it came to tactics and reading people, if Maya said she was second, no one dared claim first.

And the other veteran, Viktor Dragunov, the Aggressive Conqueror.

A heavy weapons and polearm specialist who, unlike Kenjiro’s focus on precision swordsmanship, dominated the battlefield with sheer momentum and a spear.

Adding the fact that Maya was also highly skilled in combat triage and field support, Ethan effectively secured both tactical support and a heavy vanguard for his journey.

The other veterans, though envious, had no choice but to accept the pick and step back.

"Alright then, Grandson. If you’ve made your pick, I’ll trust your decision," Christian said,

Reaching into his coat he tossed a smooth, black faceless mask to Ethan, as well as two more to Maya and Viktor.

"Here, wear these. After all, your face was quite famous before the world ended."

He then turned to Maya and Viktor with a mock-glare. "You two better watch over my grandson, or you’re dead—!"

Bang!

"Damn it! You old lady, stop hitting me on the head!" Christian cursed, rubbing his scalp as the familiar butt of Lauren’s sniper rifle connected once more.

The scene brought a warm smile to Ethan’s face.

"Alright then, I’ll be off. Everyone take care, and if any issues arise, use the Magic Web; I’ll be sure to rush right back!"

"Be safe!"

Saying this, with Maya and Viktor stepping onto the air directly behind him, the three of them activated Air Walk and glided swiftly into the distant night sky, leaving the rest of the veterans watching over them from above.