Chương 45: Calculating Losses

I watch as the camp is quickly packed up and everyone readies themselves. Hundreds of people gather up in what is now an empty park. Across the city, people are locked in fierce battles for their lives. Many have died, but more than a few are still surviving on. Humans are extraordinarily resilient, after all. At least, that is the conclusion I have come to from observing them in this world. Back in my old world, I wouldn't call humans weak. But they are also quite incomparable to those of this world.

Heck, I am a key example of this, there is no way I could do the shit these people do. To just push through such a horrible tragedy like this… But I must try, for if I am to lead them in some way, I must be just as resilient. So, I put on my best 'I am perfectly calm face.' Then I reach towards my command skill and click send on the orders that Carla and the other commanders came up with. The first part of the message is basically telling people not to panic.

My earlier message was definitely not thought out well, and the situation is bad, but we can get through it. We just have to work together and figure shit out. And by we, I mean the commanders that gave me detailed plans and strategies. Mostly around the allocation of higher level warriors that can help protect people. While the elites are busy occupying the dragon and other ridiculously strong monsters, there are still tons of high level warriors.

These are the key pieces to this puzzle, they can cut through the monsters and create safe passages. We don't have enough to fight off the surge. But we just have to get out as many people as possible. Plus, fighting all those monsters is certain to only strengthen the survivors, both mentally and numerically. I cannot possibly foresee the future of this world, but I know that will be important. Just as I have to get stronger, everyone else will too. But first, survival.

I can feel the message as it sweeps across the city. Glancing at the projection, the effect is almost instant. People see a logical order in the middle of chaos, and latch on, as is natural. People start forming together, clustering. Higher levels protect those weaker, and in return get helped by the healing and resources that the lower levels can provide. Ever so slowly, I watch as the masses start evacuating outwards. My group with the commanders too, of course.

We march through the city streets, picking up smaller groups, slaying hundreds of monsters that try to attack. Sure, there are losses. Too many of them. Be it from those strong fucking up and dying, simply getting overwhelmed, or ambushes that manage to pick some people off. It feels really fucked up to think of it, but it was calculated that we would lose them. Through all the planning, the only common theme was that people would die. There was no if, it was always how many.

We can just hope that the plans that were made truly were the best ones available. Naturally, I am not doing nothing the entire time. With the higher levels distracted, I am able to do something combat wise at least. Though I barely manage to get a few hits in on some monsters around my level. Most of my role is relegated to the backlines. Luma's healing aura is really fucking powerful, as it turns out. The range has also grown quite a bit, easily reaching fifty meters now.

The bonus has also improved to multiply natural healing by about three times. It doesn't seem like much, but healers are always shorthanded. Plus, around level fifty most people get some sort of strong skill choice. Apparently it can define the style of a person for the rest of their life or something, tied to their corestone's affinity. Though it is different from the abilities that I have awakened, I think. Those are things that usually don't appear until one's star level increases…

so yet another benefit of being a hero I guess is getting some early on. It just so happens that one of these skills is often a form of improved self regeneration. Naturally, it is a very popular choice, as healing is either hard to come by, expensive, or slow. So, when we figured out that Luma's healing aura boosts regeneration skills, morale rose massively. Dovey just slept through most of it though. The stupid bird tired himself out earlier with the whole 'not dying to dragonfire' thing.

So, in the phylactery he shall rest for a while. Which is fine, there are people that have far better scouting capabilities than even a dove. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. With all of that in mind, the plan was executed almost flawlessly. Failure points were expected, and I am trying really hard not to think about how every one that failed means tens of thousands of lives lost. Shit, I just thought about it, and there are far too many of them.

I know it was all calculated. They showed me the projections in a bunch of graphs and charts that I could glean some information from. A lot of the math stuff went over my head, like what the fuck kinda magic is stochastic calculus? Apparently with enough brainpower, one can just predict just about anything. A nerdy looking guy kept on bragging the entire time too, saying it was far better than literal divination magic. All of that work, for them to just end up telling me sixty percent.

That was the projected value. Sixty percent of people in this city are likely going to die before we leave. Based on my skill's estimated population, that is roughly six million people. This math shit is scary. I shall have to remember to stay as far away from it as possible in the future. Despite how scary it is, they were right. By the time the evacuation process is complete and everyone is at least outside the city, we got a final tally. Fifty seven percent were lost. Three percent below the calculations.

While I know that is a great thing, I can't seem to be happy about the whole thing. —"Boyo I know that look." Carla says as she comes to stand beside me.

"Is it that obvious?" I say, blankly staring out at the endless grassland stretching out to the North of the city.

"Self-loathing is kinda hard to hide. Especially when you let the weight of the world just rest on your shoulders like that."

"Well, it's kinda hard to not let it weigh on me. After all, the weight of the world does quite literally rest on my shoulders." Carla clicks her tongue, "Nope, you are wrong. You are young, weak, and a hero. The weight is not yours to bear, at least, not yet. Someday, perhaps." She pauses, remembering something.

"I don't know what of the ancient legends are circulated publicly, but due to my proximity to the council, I have learned quite a lot." I lean in closer to listen, sensing the secrecy.

"Oh really now?" Carla smiles, "The heroes start off weak, a universal truth that has been known for as long as the cycle has existed. When the heroes emerge, it is not they who will hold back the malice, but the people." She gestures to the group gathering behind us.

"It is our job to hold back the malice, to protect this world. The purpose of the heroes is not to fight on the front lines, but to dive deep. To excise the very roots of malice, and free us."

"Hmm." Is all I can say to that. It does make sense in a way. Even if I gain the power to shape entire battlefields some day, this world is vast. With five realms, each one more vast than I could possibly imagine. There are only nine of us heroes, and while I am no math person, nine people cannot defeat an enemy at such a scale, no matter the individual power.

"I know that look as well. I have seen it on many young soldier's faces."

"And what look is that?" I ask, my brow furrowing in confusion.

"That of one who has realized the path before them. Be it victory, or death, all of us in this world have a clear path in life. That of dying to protect this world." She turns to look out at the world.

"To protect this vibrant place, full of life. The way that we travel the path differs greatly. Some choose the hammer, some the pen, some the sword, and some the magics." She pauses for a moment and reaches her hand out, as if trying to touch the world itself.

"But, we are all willing to lay our lives down. That is the covenant that we live under. The one that you are sworn to uphold, boyo." I follow her hand as she points out into the distance. I can just barely see where the grasslands turn into rolling hills. No beasts roam nearby, for just beyond those hills lie monsters. Beings bent upon destroying this world, for no reason other than destruction itself.

"No pressure then, huh?"

"Oh fuck no, you've got all the pressure on ya." She says, but turns and slaps me on the back.

"But don't worry about it, go live, feel this world. Figure out your own reason for wanting to protect it, not one thrust upon you. Then, don't seek to fulfill your obligations. Nor out of some silly desire to be a hero. Do it because you want to." Somehow, I find a laugh inside me, despite the circumstances.

"You know, for being a military commander, you sure are wise." Carla guffaws, "Kiddo, I never said I commanded the soldiers. I was General of the Medical Corps. Trust me, when you've got dozens of people complaining that their troops are dying and your healers aren't doing shit about it, you get wise fast."

"I see. I will take your word for it." I don't really understand it, but I am a healer. Perhaps I will learn it someday, though hopefully not as the commander of something that large. Carla takes a step back and a scroll appears in her hand.

"Take this, you probably can't learn it yet. But it'll come in handy when you can." Taking the scroll, I identify it. [Scroll of Lesser Healing - Apprentice Light Magic], it says very clearly.

"Thanks." I say, and Luma adds in a few yips from my shoulder, not that Carla can hear them. Carla smiles at me, "Don't thank me yet boyo, first go slay a dragon and use it to heal your injuries. Then you can thank me with the tale and a mug of ale."

"Ha, well I'll take that deal any day." I say and then turn away from her. Without wasting any more time, I start running. Plane Step quickly carries me across the grasslands as I head back towards Claire's. With the goal of convincing her to summon her elemental wrath or something upon that damn dragon.