Apocalypse respawn

Roaes had a well-trimmed beard, graying at the ends, and clothes comparable to the good people of the town. He was accompanied by a woman and a young girl.

When Rargnes observed Roaes, he saw a peaceful man, quite different from the man he remembered. His second thought was tied to his age in his forties: if his visions were correct, if there was a previous life and he met this predecessor, would he still be alive now that he was pressing sixty?

Rargnes approached with a smile, trying to escape the warnings of his thoughts. He embraced the man with great warmth, comparing it to the ardor with which he gave warlike speeches on the danger of people coming from another world as if to justify his place. Perhaps he preferred this battle, these thoughts to those that could break his family and situation.

A wealthy farmer claiming to become a minor administrator, it wasn't so bad. But did he expect to live forever?

"I haven't introduced you; this is my wife and daughter."

Perhaps he had found his own way to feign immortality. It was just a facade, but it was better than nothing. Thoughts could sometimes be cruel and achieve the opposite of their existence.

Roaes greeted Yurs and the rest of the group, and they walked on.

"Still on expeditions? You know, I find it honorable, gaining energy that will ultimately be returned to the king."

A kind way to announce their future deaths.

"Oh, I think it's time we took a good retirement," said Rargnes. "All these fights are tiring, and after the king's baptism, it's harder to orient oneself; there's always new fights, new difficulties, unknown losses."

The king's baptism was the loss of memory from the last wasteland. It was considered a concrete adoption manifested by the absence of an accent. It was the reward for those who had fought for energy and, thus, for the king.

"Yes, I see," said Roaes. "I think it's an excellent choice. Now, we must bequeath this success and make it last over time."

He gave his daughter an affectionate look, and Rargnes willed his power of thoughts to be active in a circle around him.

"And how are the others?"

"Noah, Jean and Redstar are gone... I fear that..." He scratched his head. In reality, according to his visions, even Sengrar must have died. It represented a one-in-two survival rate in three meager years, and Roaes had left in the first year.

"Ah, I hope they survived..." he said in a disappointed and sorry tone, then in a lower voice: "At least their energy will not be lost."

Rargnes remained silent. Deep down, he wasn't sure of their deaths. It was a slim hope, but it was one. He felt a deep sense of nostalgia and sadness. If Redstar had survived, he would return the favor for his help.

"And Sengrar and Heszer? Are they doing well?"

"Sengrar has built himself another band, while Heszer," he hesitated on the name, used to calling him Truckdriver. "Heszer is a mercenary who earns a bit of money solo. He tries to avoid places that are too dangerous and looks for objects."

"Oh yeah? Are there many there?"

"Yes, very chic rugs, magnificent portraits, and lots of other prized objects."

Like the class upgrade tokens.

"Oh, that's just nice... as long as he doesn't take weapons from their world."

There were sometimes rumors that the elites increasingly liked objects from the wastelands. A large goblin mafia had been created around the resale. A large amount of money would be needed to finance the war against the noble.

"And so, you want to become an administrator?"

"We're working on it," said Roaes proudly. Most administrators were goblins because they were considered more trustworthy. The others were often either eunuchs taken from poor families, owing their entire success to the king, or the companions and close associates of the noble. "It's true that it's difficult, but it's an honor to participate in the awakening of the king."

As they made their way to the residence, a rider arrived at a gallop, looking radiant.

"Ah! Roaes! Today is a glorious day!"

"What is happening?"

The villagers next to him gathered around.

"The second wasteland has been destroyed! The king is about to awaken!"

Upon hearing the news, Rargnes felt his body's energy soar, increasing by at least a tenth. From the expressions of the others, they had obtained the same result.