Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 208

Chapter 208: In Their Name, We Rise
I awoke slowly, my head resting on something soft—warm.

Lyra’s lap.

We were inside a resting tent, the gentle glow of lanterns casting flickering shadows across the canvas walls. She sat with her back against the tent pole, still asleep, her arms loosely cradling me as if afraid to let go. Her face, even in exhaustion, radiated beauty… but something felt off.

Tears.

Thin, glistening trails stained her cheeks — she had cried in her sleep.

My chest tightened at the sight. I reached out, brushing away her tears with trembling fingers, careful not to wake her. She stirred faintly, but remained asleep, her body completely drained.

With slow movements, I rose and gently lifted her into my arms. She was light — far too light — and I laid her softly onto the nearby cot. She didn’t even stir. Just how much had she given to save all of us?

Watching her sleep, I whispered with heartfelt gratitude, “Thank you… Lyra. Truly.”

And then—

“Well, well, Sleeping Beauty’s finally up. I’m impressed. Wake up from near-death and your first move is to cradle a lady in your arms? You scoundrel.”

Envi’s voice echoed inside my mind with a signature blend of sarcasm and amusement.

“Master… are you planning to attack Miss Lyra in her sleep?”Runa’s telepathic voice chimed in curiously.

I groaned inwardly. “What?! No! Gods, Runa—don’t let that cursed system corrupt your mind with his perverted nonsense!”

“Understood, Master. I shall ignore everything Envi says moving forward.”Runa replied firmly, like a loyal soldier reporting for duty.

“Bahaha! Oh come on, Runa, you’ll never grow with that attitude. Nao here? He’s a damn casanova in disguise. I’ve got charm, sure, but he’s got women tripping over themselves. I surrender, man. You win.”Envi said dramatically.

“Hmph. You’re a corrupted system. I will not listen to a word you say.”Runa dismissed him with cold finality.

Their bickering gave me a headache. I stood, rubbing my temples, and stepped out of the tent for fresh air.

Outside, the cool night breeze greeted me. I saw Freya and Luna standing guard near the entrance, alert but visibly tired. Their eyes widened when they noticed me.

“Naoki! You’re awake?” Freya gasped, concern painting her face.

“You should be resting still,” Luna added, voice flat as always, but her tone gave away her worry.

I gave them a reassuring smile. “I’ve rested enough. You both look exhausted—go get some sleep. I’ll take over the watch.”

“But—” Freya objected, frowning.

I reached out and gently patted her head. “I’m not letting two worn-out girls stand guard in the middle of the night. Go rest. That’s an order.”

Freya turned red, looking away, still hesitant—until Luna gently tugged her arm.

“He said it’s fine. Let’s go, Freya.”

“…Alright. Good night, Naoki.”

“Good night, both of you.”

….

As they walked back into the tent, I turned toward the edge of the camp, where Marius and Leopold stood in the distance. Their expressions were somber, heavy with something unspoken.

I approached them quietly.

“Where are the Patriarch and Princess Aria?” I asked.

“They’re inside the medical ward,” Marius said. “Theresia, Cain, and Silvanya are watching over them with a few healers who’ve recovered their magic.”

He added that William was there too, still injured but now stabilized.

We were set to return to Braveheart Kingdom at dawn. Everyone was too exhausted to move tonight. The demons had retreated. The overlords, injured and forced to withdraw, wouldn’t be returning anytime soon.

And something miraculous had happened.

The seal of Mount Archanis — the great barrier holding the demon horde at bay — had begun to mend itself. The cracks had closed. It was almost as if the mountain had responded to something.

I remembered striking the seal with the [Power of Incarnation]. Was that what repaired it?

Envi speculated that it might be because the seal had originally been created by Hiro von Blackmore, the first hero of my bloodline — my ancestor. He, too, wielded the Blessing of Darkness. By some twist of fate, perhaps I had unknowingly triggered its restoration.

A small relief—but temporary.

Because no matter how long the seal held, the demons would find a way to break it again. Especially the Overlords… monsters whose power defied reason.

Marius mentioned that a small squad would remain to monitor the region after our departure. Cain von Flamemore offered to stay behind, but Theresia shut that down immediately. He was still too injured. Besides, an Alliance Summit was being convened at Braveheart, and all heroes were expected to attend.

That reminded me — Serena had been traveling with someone. A powerful figure I had seen before in the Trial of Sacrifice.

Could he be the ruler of Gildoria?

It was likely. That would mean the alliance would consist of Braveheart, Gildoria, and the magical kingdom of Solara.

Finally… some good news.

And yet, despite the hope, Marius and Leopold wore no joy on their faces.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

They exchanged a glance, then gestured silently for me to follow.

We walked through the quiet camp until we reached a wide field — and then I saw them.

Rows upon rows of shrouded bodies. Knights of Braveheart. Mages of Solara. Lives lost in this brutal war.

Death had claimed them in silence.

It never got easier. No matter how many battles I fought, how many friends I lost — the sight of war’s toll always pierced my soul.

Even Envi and Runa fell silent, their usual chatter drowned by grief.

Marius and Leopold approached a specific row, kneeling down. They slowly peeled back the cover of one tarp.

And I braced myself… for what lay beneath.

“No… it can’t be…”

My voice trembled as the tarp was lifted. My heart froze.

“Hendrik… Falken… Linda… Why are you here…?”

Their lifeless bodies lay before me — broken, bloodied, and mangled beyond recognition.

Hendrik’s body was torn clean in two, demonic claw marks still etched into his flesh. Falken had been completely drained of blood, his face pale and hollow. And Linda… her head had been severed, her body brutally mutilated.

I stumbled back, my knees threatening to give out. My hands clenched into fists as sorrow and rage twisted within me.

These weren’t just comrades. They were my classmates — people I laughed with, trained with, dreamed with.

Marius’ voice came low and sorrowful. “You probably didn’t know, Naoki… Their unit, Division 7, was originally assigned to the western front to fight the Mercenary Kingdom of Gildora. But we were short on troops here… so their division was split, and they were reassigned to this battlefield.”

Leopold added bitterly, “At first, we were all together. But when Nosef the Overlord launched his assault, everything descended into chaos. We were separated… And when the battle ended, Marius and I found them… like this.”

Marius dropped to his knees, his large frame shaking. “If only we were stronger… If only we hadn’t gotten separated… maybe—maybe they’d still be alive. I’m sorry, Naoki… I’m so sorry…”

He wept openly. Leopold looked equally shattered, guilt carved into his features.

I steadied myself. The grief weighed heavily on my chest, but I couldn’t let it crush me.

“This is too cruel… They were so happy during the graduation trials. They always said they wanted to catch up to me someday, to grow stronger…”

My voice cracked.

“But Marius… Leopold… they wouldn’t want us to drown in guilt and sorrow. They’d want us to rise. To become stronger. And to avenge them.”

I stepped forward and gripped their shoulders firmly, looking them dead in the eye.

“We will become stronger. I’ll train every one of you—every hero still standing. I’ll stand at the frontlines myself. And together… we’ll hunt down that bastard, Nosef. He will pay for what he’s done!”

Their sorrow gave way to resolve. Slowly, they straightened up.

“Then train me, Naoki,” Marius said, clenching his fists. “I want to be a shield no demon can break. I want to protect everyone!”

“I’ll get stronger too,” Leopold growled, fire burning in his eyes. “Strong enough to burn those demonic bastards to ash!”

“Good,” I nodded. “Prepare yourselves. Once we return… training begins.”

And just as the moment burned with new resolve, a voice cut through the air — low, steady… and familiar.

“Make me stronger too, Naoki… Strong enough to kill my brother — Lucius.”

It was Julius. He stepped out from the shadows behind the trees. He’d been listening.

Until now, he had isolated himself, consumed by the betrayal of his own blood. But now… there was something different in his gaze — a sharp, steeled resolve.

“Julius… Are you alright?” I asked cautiously.

“I’m fine now,” he answered, jaw tight. “I’ve had time to think. My brother… Lucius… didn’t just betray the Braveheart Kingdom. He spat on everything the Starlight family stood for. Everything we gave him. He even tried to murder his fiancée — Princess Aria. I won’t forgive that monster.”

His voice rose, shaking with fury.

“I’m the one who’ll end him!”

I stepped forward, locking eyes with him. “Are you sure you can do that?”

He flinched. “W-What do you mean? Of course I— I…”

But his voice faltered. Doubt flickered in his eyes. He still hesitated. I could see it — Lucius wasn’t just his brother. He was his hero.

I sighed gently. “I understand, Julius. The pain of betrayal cuts deepest when it’s by someone you loved. But don’t let rage control you. Breathe. Steady your mind.”

Then I placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I’ll train you too. That’s my responsibility — as the strongest hero of Braveheart. We’ll all rise together.”

“And when the time comes… I’ll be right beside you when you face Lucius Valzareth, the Demon Overlord — Rank Two.”

His eyes widened. Then, slowly… his doubt faded.

“You’re right, Naoki… I’ll give it everything I have,” Julius said, his voice clearer, stronger. The fire in his eyes now burned with focus.

Marius and Leopold stood beside him, placing their hands on his back.

“We’ll get stronger together.”

With that vow, the grief in the air began to lift. It didn’t vanish — it never would — but it was no longer suffocating.

We said our prayers for Hendrik, Falken, and Linda.

And we swore to carry their bodies — and the fallen knights — home to Braveheart. They deserved honor. They deserved peace.

….

The Next Morning

Night faded into morning. I stayed awake the entire time, watching the horizon brighten.

Despite the fatigue, my body felt light. My energy had returned. My mana surged within me — stable, strong.

Perhaps it was the healing magic from Lyra… or the Blessing of Protection from Miranda.

As the sun rose, the surviving forces gathered.

Theresia, Cain, Magi Silvanya, and I — the last of the commanding heroes — stood before the troops.

It was time.

We would lead them home.

…