Chapter 2655: Chapter 886: Three-Day Miracle: For Whom Does the Hall of Valor Open? (Part 2)

"Norman, don’t do this!"

As the witch hunters rushed towards the interception point, Porter was still desperately pleading with his brother, who was resolved to die, speaking in a begging tone:

"You can do it, you can start a new life. I have many houses on my farm, damn it! You can move in and live with us. Our squad only has a few of us left! Kande is dead, Old Luke is dead, Shudel is dead, we can’t lose you too, Ambo will curse me to death...

Don’t do this! I’m begging you.

We can find a better way."

To this, Norman said nothing and kept moving forward until they saw that convoy advancing through the swamp.

Over fifty large carts pulled by Roth Beasts were filled with crates of Dwarf Dynamite, looking like a long black ugly snake about to bring more disaster to the Maginot Line. The convoy was so numerous that all the witch hunters fell silent, and this wasn’t even counting the large force of Blood Scar Clan guards surrounding the convoy. They saw many Hunting Priests riding on small war chariots within the convoy, and just seeing those flying Hyena Warrior Flags revealed they were elite vassals from the Blood Scar Clan.

Rather than a convoy, it’s more apt to say it was one of the main forces sent by the Blood Scar Clan to the front line.

This was only half of the quantity, the other half was sent in the direction of Klim Fortress, evidently signaling the kind of destructive power Huggesen’s imminent decisive battle against the line would entail.

Now, even Old Porter couldn’t utter the words "find a better way" anymore.

He’s an old soldier.

He knew that once such a force reached the front line, it would undoubtedly bring more uncontrollable variables to the already pressured Lord’s position, which meant he could no longer deceive himself; Norman said this is the only way.

It truly is.

"Norman..."

Porter still wanted to make a final effort, but Norman had already unbuckled the sheathed Longsword from his waist. He had been fighting with this sword over the past few days and now, he handed it to Porter.

He said:

"Return this sword to Governor Milian for me; it’s a good sword, having drunk the blood of enemies will make it sharper, and after I’m gone, this sword can still protect the Governor from harm.

And tell her I’m sorry.

I lied to her that I would definitely return, but when I left Crimson Castle, I knew I couldn’t go back.

In the past few months, I protected her in a way as if she were family, but until the war happened, I realized that she is not my daughter.

Even though I wish she were.

I don’t want to experience the feeling of loss again, Porter, you see, if I don’t go now, young people like Milian will have to step in during more dangerous times, and that’s a responsibility I cannot evade.

We’ve done a lot of bad things to survive, so we should perish in the battle that belongs to us as the Ten-Year War ends.

Now is just a belated farewell.

I am grateful to fate for giving us more time to glimpse the scenery of the future, and what I’ve seen and heard over the past few months convinces me that my sacrifice is meaningful, so there’s no need to feel sad for me."

The young witch hunters behind Porter witnessed this farewell.

Some emotional ones have already shed tears, while others gripped their weapons in a heroic farewell posture to show their respect to Captain Norman, but among all of them, only Old Porter couldn’t accept this.

For others, Norman was a hero about to die, but for him, this was a brother who had endured a decade of turmoil together, sharing countless life-and-death experiences, with a relationship that has long surpassed blood and friendship.

He couldn’t accept losing his brother today.

He grabbed Norman’s collar and questioned:

"Why? You were the bravest among us, I still remember when we were trapped in Sax’s mountains, exhausted of ammunition and food, you were the one who kept encouraging us. You said the war would eventually end, you said everyone could lead peaceful lives!

I did it, I followed your description to try to start anew away from the past struggles, but you’re the one who chose to give up willingly!"

"You’ve started a new life, fumbling along the way but I’m happy for you, Porter."

Norman grasped Porter’s mechanical hand, holding it as he pulled away, he removed his mask to reveal his severely burned face, he said:

"You bravely took that step, but I’m a coward. I had many chances to move forward with Transylvania like you all did, but every midnight when I wake from dreams, I find I couldn’t.

The past entangles me, the past calls to me.

We lost family in that disaster, Porter, you are strong enough to move forward, but I’m not!

During the past war, I talked with you all about the future because I was afraid someday I wouldn’t be able to bear the pressure and choose to end my life in despair.

I’m not the bravest among us.

So let me live in the past, be buried with it, and you all move forward beyond my corpse, my departure will exchange for many things, this is the best ending among all I chose for myself.

My family is waiting for me!

They’ve been waiting for me in Avalon’s Divine Kingdom for ten years.

After seeing a glimpse of the future in people like Murphy and Milian, I was finally able to convince myself to relinquish my stubborn suffering and offer my weary life for that bright future, I’ve dreamed more frequently about the past lately.