District 42-Chapter 388: The next, and final, step

Casper walked under those lights and shouts of the crowd. He felt like some sort of celebrity, not that it was something that he liked but it didn’t feel that bad.

He was a bit sorry for them, though. For a moment, he wouldn’t be the hero that they thought he was. In truth, no matter what others said, Casper never thought of himself as a hero. He was nothing but a soldier, someone who devoted his life to fighting for what he thought was right.

’No... maybe I can’t call myself a soldier anymore. That’s not how a soldier should be. A soldier must obey their superior’s orders at all costs, a soldier must fight for the elite of his folk, believing that it will be the best for all the others below them. A soldier fights for what others think is the right thing. Now, I am just acting by myself.’

Casper couldn’t look to the sides. His eyes were glazed at the man and the woman that were standing in front of him, several meters away. Each step of his made them get closer and closer, and it made him feel kind of anxious.

The King wasn’t in that position in the hierarchy for nothing, and the same goes for the Queen. They were figures of authority and power. Casper could feel it.

Their eyes were cunning, their stare was sharp. Casper thought for a moment that they might have discovered everything but that was impossible.

’Just keep calm and maintain your cool. No one else must know what’s going on in your mind.’

The soldier sighed.

’Up ’till now, everything is going smoothly. I think that most people of District 42 are gathered here. That’s a good thing. The more people, the better. I just need to make things right and root to be comprehended.’

Gungnir was in his right hand. Its white color seemed to shine under the strong light of that afternoon’s sunlight. People looked at it as if it was some sort of relic of the gods. Indeed, it could be seen as such. That was the card that had access to the masks and could control it as its wielder wished. That was the very thing that the King used to dictate the destiny of his folk.

A lot of commoners were tempted to go here and try to get it back, but their masks wouldn’t allow them even to look at it for too much time. The Frelsis weren’t in a situation where they could retaliate, so they just kept quiet and accepted their defeat.

All of them looked at him with hatred. Everyone... except Camilla who just kept her head lowered, her face covered by her silky black hair.

Casper stopped in front of the King and the Queen, looking at them with nonchalant eyes.

"What’s with this expression, White warrior?" The King narrowed his eyes.

Casper didn’t answer. Instead, he just bowed deeply to continue the ceremony.

Leif found it strange but followed his game.

"Everyone!" He opened his arms widely, drawing the crowd’s attention. "This day, in the history of District 42, is a very important one. From now on, there won’t be any wars anymore, nor struggles. We finally can work to reach the perfect society that we dreamed of for so long. I won’t get in details about the previous events that happened since it is well-known by everyone at this point, but I wanted to emphasize one particular figure that made all of this happen..."

The King looked solemnly to Casper, pointing both his hands at him.

"The White Warrior is the very core of our victory. He led us to the right path from the start and fought to the very end, even though he doesn’t have the same abilities and knowledge that we have. He saved my daughter, he freed me and my wife, and took Gungnir back, as well as making other feats before these. For this, and for everything that he might do in the future, may Odin bless his life with the power of a true warrior and bring him to Valhalla when the time comes."

Due to the King’s speech, everyone was silent, just looking at them. Chills went down their spines upon hearing his deep voice echoing through the plaza.

Leif sure was an imponent figure.

"White warrior, I bestow you officially the title of Aesir, the first eighth Aesir to appear. Also, I declare you the Knight that will defend my daughter for the rest of her life and give my blessings to your love towards each other. And may any other wish you have to get fulfilled as long as it is within my reach!"

He gave a step closer to Casper, his eyes shone as he asked:

"Now, my knight and Aesir, give me my ultimate weapon again and see this district turn into the so dreamed utopia that my past generations always desired!"

The King stretched his arm towards him, opening widely his hand.

His gaze seemed to penetrate Casper’s soul and see the truth behind it. The solder felt even more anxious at that point, but he didn’t let it get the better of him.

Instead, he inhaled deeply, remembering the smile that Vick just gave to him, recollecting the approbation that he received from the Aesirs themselves, the promise that he made to Camilla and Javir, the sacrifice of Sionnach, the words and farewell of Olaf, Alfar’s selfless actions... Every single person that crossed his life appeared on his mind and helped him to take the next, and final, step!

"No." The soldier strengthened his grip on Gungnir. "I won’t!" He shouted, and his voice echoed across the plaza just as clearly as Leif’s voice did.

Everyone looked at that scene with their jaws dropped. Some were exasperated, others flabbergasted, and even enraged.

The King himself just kept his hand stretched and looked at the White warrior with dumbfoundedness.

The confusion on Leif’s eyes changed for realization, then wrath...