Published: March 2, 2025
The end of life will erupt with a blazing intensity like flames.
And war is the fuel that feeds that flame.
As the deputy minister of the quality inspection department in District 58, a core city group of the Demon Realm, Mr. Winter has been at peace for too long. To him, the word "war" was merely a term, lacking any real feel.
However, adult thoughts are, after all, different from those of children.
Perhaps some teenagers, with their youthful spirits burning brightly, harbor great aspirations for war—achieving great accomplishments today! But for someone like Mr. Winter, he understands deeply what war truly is—a terrible thing…
Yes, especially when war descends upon oneself; that terrible thing becomes a guillotine, tightening around one’s neck, waiting to strike the final blow at any moment.
Sitting in the tent, with his son sound asleep beside him and his wife mumbling incomprehensibly in front of him, Mr. Winter looked up at the tent's ceiling, lost in thought, until Little Winter turned over, kicking the blanket aside. Only then did Mr. Winter quietly tuck him back under the blanket.
Looking at his son’s tender face, Mr. Winter finally sighed.
"What are we going to do..."
As a civilian, Mr. Winter didn’t know how to deal with the impending war. However, under the mobilization order for the zero war, such trifling matters didn’t require Mr. Winter’s concern.
"Gather! Gather!"
The voice of his squad leader exploded outside the tent, startling Mr. Winter. He hurriedly picked up Little Winter, ignoring his son’s sleepy eyes, waved to Mrs. Winter, and rushed out of the tent.
What met his eyes was a spacious clearing filled with countless tents.
From within the tents came a cacophony of sounds. Soon after, a large group of demonic creatures, looking like refugees, emerged in a panic. They looked at the squad leader standing upright in the center of the clearing, momentarily exchanging glances.
Seeing these "armed refugees," the squad leader couldn't help but let out a sigh. He paid no mind to their non-military stance; instead, he shouted loudly.
"The higher-ups have completed the combat plan. We will be the 865412th squad to enter the Demon Realm Gate, with a relatively early position. The transport time is set for three days from now. Please prepare yourselves."
"Now, I will repeat the additional terms in the zero war mobilization order."
"Three days from now! Everyone, gather here! After gathering, I will lead you all to depart. Anyone who misses it or deliberately refuses to come will face severe punishment."
After saying that, the squad leader relaxed his stance. He looked at the many pale-faced demonic creatures in front of him and couldn't help but slow down his speech and lower his tone.
At that moment, the squad leader’s voice was unexpectedly gentle, but what he said was certainly not pretty...
"You all should know the zero war mobilization order, right? Although this thing has never been activated before, once it is, it is our demonic clan's clans' war. Now the core city group has been completely emptied. From one-year-old children to old demons bedridden, all have been driven to the war zone and are about to step onto the battlefield. I don’t want to say that we will definitely win this time, nor can I guarantee that everyone here will survive. But believe me, being a coward and dying on the battlefield is more terrifying..."
"This is an experience summed up by countless cowards with their lives... So I will leave it at that. Please prepare yourselves."
Once he finished speaking, the squad leader turned to leave. As soon as his figure completely disappeared, a piercing cry suddenly rang out!
"Mom! Mom!"
Mr. Winter turned around and saw a Little Ancient Demon, slightly larger than Little Winter, wailing loudly—like a fuse, the Little Ancient Demon’s cries instantly ignited the bad emotions of the “armed refugees.” In an instant, cries of despair and angry curses filled the air.
Mr. Winter’s expression also turned extremely grim. After pondering for a long time, he still held Little Winter, grabbed Mrs. Winter's hand, and turned back into the tent.