Chapter 501 - Thank You
Chapter 501 – Thank You
“Yes, of course, I’m willing,” Valdel answered immediately. Lara then grabbed hold of Valdel’s hand.
“Valdel, I know that you think the death of my sister was your fault, but it’s not. Even if you are able to resurrect her using this method she would never forgive herself.”
“I know that already. I’m not as idiotic as you think I am. Even so, I want to do this.”
“So you’re leaving just like that? After telling me that you would follow me to the upper realms.” Ren who could still not move and was laying on Tsukiyomi’s thighs spoke. Valdel looked at the fallen Ren and sighed.
“I know, it’s pretty selfish, but this is what I want to do. Well, you should understand this feeling the most, right, Ren? We were both once Demon Lords, and you, yourself once said that Demon Lords are the most selfish of them all, as selfish as the heroes that fight them. Even now that we’re human, you haven’t changed and are still quite selfish, right?”
“I can’t argue with that. Still, it would become a little more boring without you here. You’re one of the few whose strength and potential I approve of.”
“Heh, that’s quite the honor.”
“… Truth be told, Val, I do have something that could change the situation. It’s my final trump card that I’m saving for when I face the ORIGIN in battle. It’s a one-use item, and I was actually thinking of using it now to open that door, but many of my past incarnations keep on nagging about not using it now.”
“That’s interesting, what is it?”
“It’s an item that could summon all of my past incarnations into the world. Though it does have an unknown time limit after use.”
“I see… I guess you can’t really use something like that for this… Well then, it’s been quite fun, Ren.” Valdel smiled and so did Ren.
“Yeah, it has been a blast. From the moment we fought our first battle as Kir and Kretos. To the time we met again as humans, were I trained you. To our many adventures, it has been one fight after another, one crisis to the next. It has always been you, me, and Lara facing them all head-on. Knowing you won’t be there little pup will be quite lonely.” Everyone present had shocked expressions on their faces when they heard what Ren said. Valdel who was also momentarily shocked started chuckling.
“Hehehe, who knew that the all-powerful Ren would actually feel lonely… Don’t worry Ren, I’m sure that someday we will meet again. Since we have met in this life as well as the last, who’s to say that we won’t meet in the next as well.”
“Yeah, who’s to say… Thanks for everything Val, it truly has been a fun journey.”
“Not only did you say you’re lonely, but now you’re even thanking me. I guess dying has its perks too.” Valdel jokingly spoke, as he forcefully laughed trying to shake away the fear he was feeling. The truth was, Valdel was truly scared, he might have the memories of one of the oldest demon lords, but his base still remained that of a twenty-two-year-old man.
” Are you scared little puppy?”
“Yeah, a little bit.”
“That’s pretty honest of you.”
“If you are afraid, why force yourself? You don’t have to do this, Val,” Lara interjected. Valdel looked at Lara who looked a little bit sad. Seeing that changing expression of hers, Valdel could not help but remember the emotionless expression she used to have
“You’ve changed Lara, I don’t know if it’s because of those memories you inherited, or something else, but the you of the past would never even care this much. All you saw back then was Ren.”
“… You too have changed Val, all you wanted before was to be a hero of justice, that will protect everyone and everything. Now you don’t even think about that any longer… I take back what I said, what you’re doing now is something those stupid and selfish heroes would do. Selfishly saving someone who doesn’t want to be saved by sacrificing your own life, you’re truly living up to the title of hero.”
“Still as sarcastic as ever, I guess that hasn’t changed… I know you really want to see your sister again. This is our only shot in doing this.” Lara shook her head as she responded.
“I do want to see my sister again, but not in this way. If you follow through with this, you’re giving my sister a life filled with guilt. Even if she smiles by our sides, even if she will act like it’s not bothering her, the memory of you who sacrificed your life for hers will forever haunt her. Even knowing this, are you still willing to continue?” 𝙗𝙚𝒅𝒏𝒐𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝙘𝒐𝒎
“Yeah, I am. Even though she might be guilty about it, even though she might not want it, but you would be there with her to help her through it. She would be there to experience what life is. I already have memories of life as an old demon, I already have experienced a ton as a human. Yet she died there in that village of ours, the place where we left her, unable to see the majesty of the world beyond. I want her to have that chance to go on that journey, that we denied her.”
Valdel smiled gently at Lara who had bit her lip. “So you really won’t change your mind?”
“Yeah, I won’t. Thanks, Lara, for worrying about me, but I’ll be alright. I might be a little afraid of dying, but I’m even more afraid of not taking this chance to save her.”
“… Fine then, let’s do it your way.”
“Thank you for understanding.” As he was about to tell Silika he was ready, Valdel suddenly remembered something.
“Oh Ren, can you tell Zwei and Nika that I’m sorry about this. Surely like you and Tsukiyomi, I would be able to meet the two of them in the next life. Also, please tell Kuro that she’s free now.”
“I will.”
“…Can you also tell Natasha… Can you tell her that I said, maybe in a different life.”
“Huh?”
“She will understand it if you say that those were my parting words for her.”
“Alright then, I promise to deliver those messages for you.” Hearing Ren’s response, Valdel nodded his head and looked at Silika with renewed resolve.
“I’m ready.” Silika nodded her head in response as she lifted her death scythe. She then swung it downward at Valdel.