Chapter 479: Karp's Christmas present
Before anyone knew it, December was drawing near.
Karp was just an ordinary sixteen-year-old boy. Though he had once been somewhat rebellious, most children would grow more mature and sensible after living through the horrors of the past year.
The weather was especially clear that day. He headed to the hospital to bring his mother and sister, who worked there, muffins and strawberry pie he had made himself.
In the past, his mother and sister would never have dreamed of such a thing. They would have thanked their lucky stars if the boy simply stayed out of trouble, let alone made pastries.
But in truth, many people had changed considerably. Almost everyone knew someone who had died in the disaster. Seeing how cheaply lives could be lost made it easier to cherish the happiness they still had.
To residents of certain important rear-area cities in the major core nations of the World Anti-Dark Tide Convention Alliance, the war was gradually receding into the distance.
During the first few months, everyone had felt fear and unease. No matter how safe a place in the supposed rear might be, gunfire and artillery could often be heard, sometimes in intense barrages.
Now, however, some of the firing platforms atop the city's high-rises were already being dismantled, and many previously closed areas had reopened.
Even the curfew and martial law were things of the past, with all restrictions lifted at the end of November.
More private cars were appearing on the roads, too. Their permitted range was still limited, but whereas they had initially been confined to their own city, they could now travel to neighboring cities.
News that Earth had won the war was already all over the internet, and no national government had stepped forward to deny