Chapter 148 - Decision
Chapter 148 – Decision
"Not so fast?" Del asked his father for further confirmation.
"Yeah, you aren't supposed to be here, yet. But well, let's just say that your life takes a little detour," Henry said.
Anna and Del stopped eating. The reunion was over? Would they be sent somewhere else? Or would they be sent into a different vessel? As far as he was concerned, his own body was broken beyond recognition. Anna was no different either. Her body would probably be charred or turned into dust.
"Detour? What do you mean?" Anna asked.
"Let's just say, even though you're dead right now, you'll be returned soon enough. Well, to be exact, when you two sleep, you'll be returned," Henry explained.
How did that work? Heck, how did he know about this in detail? It's insightful, but also terrifying at the same time. How did he know about that? Did God tell him about something? Or was it just his prediction?
"How much do you know?" Del asked.
"Jeez, you become more and more like your father," Isabelle commented as she giggled.
"Am I?" Del asked.
"Well, yeah, more or less. Your father's approach to me was quite unusual if I have to say, probably boundary stalker-ish," Isabelle said.
"Really?" Anna giggled.
"Yeah, on one occasion, he stalked me when I went on a holiday with my family for two months. The creepy part is that I only know that six months after our marriage," Isabelle said.
Henry coughed, "Well, I was only concerned about her safety, that's all."
"Let's not get too backtracked, where were we?"
"Your death," Henry replied.
"Ah yeah, that one, so, father, what's your take on this one?" Del asked.
"You haven't told me anything, how can I give you my assessment? By the way, why don't we eat first?"
"Ah, yes, sorry," Del apologized.
He grabbed the fork and knife and started eating the meal. The meal was quite delicious. It could be that the meal was really delicious or he really missed his mother's own cooking. Del finished the meal as he talked with his father about his current affair.
He told him everything that he hadn't told him before. He told him about Pidma and his ability to order any modern weapons at his will in a world that could be considered a fantasy world. His father didn't believe it at first, then again, Del convinced him that it was true. His mother listened to him in silence.
"What did you do to survive in such an unknown world then?"
He then explained about Cassandra and Cole, the two people that were basically helping him to work as a mercenary. His dad just listened to their back story and their background. It was intriguing, but his mother didn't look very happy about it.
She was a nurse, after all, she would be helping people, not taking their lives. Knowing that his son became a mercenary instead of what she had a vision for was more than heartbreaking for her. Henry was understanding though, mainly because he chose a similar path, but not the mercenary one.
"So, you two were separated, and you were reunited because of an emergency quest from a voice-in-your-head which I don't believe to exist at all. Ok, ok, I get it. What happened after that though?"
Del then told everything starting from his coming to Ilbistirum and working as a mercenary again. He then told his father about his reputation of wiping out a segment of the upper echelon in the Imperial Ilbistirum military with a cruise missile and becoming quite a legend with those who knew about it.
He also told him about his reputation of venturing into a place filled with chemical gas. His father couldn't understand that decision, but his mother really gave them a thumbs up for doing that. Still, the loot of war made his father understand why Del did it.
He worked with Salve Group and intelligence agencies and was sent to the Lumbart Academy to find a student which happened to possess a secret document that needed to be retrieved. His father was captivated by that idea of hiding a document with a child, it was risky, but it might work.
Then, he told what he was investigating at the moment and explained how both of them got killed. His father put his hand on his chin then he thought very hard. His mother immediately commented about the whole fiasco.
"So, all of this is because of the idea of revenge?" Isabelle asked.
Del wasn't sure on how to answer that question, "Perhaps?"
"Sometimes, you need to let it go, Anna," Isabelle gave advice to her daughter.
"Why should I give up on killing the person that almost killed me? Why would you say that even though you are my mother?"
"Because he is irrelevant, listen, even basic common sense told me that you are nothing but collateral for them. You have been forgotten for a long time, and I don't think anyone would be sane enough to cross the ocean just to get you," Isabelle gave her opinion.
"Strategically speaking, your mother is kinda right. Even I won't kill a girl unless she really poses a threat to the government. And from hearing your explanation, I don't think you'll be hunted down that much. One, because you're just collateral, and second, they would fear that it would ignite a bigger response from you."
"What do you mean?" Del asked.
"There isn't enough reason to kill her, and the risk is too great."
"Oh, I see," Del nodded. "What do you want me to do?"
"What is your goal, at the moment? Killing whoever you want to kill without any reason? Or do you really want to secure a future for yourself?"
"I… don't know," Del was not sure.
"Look, Del, I get it that you're pissed, but think about it. What makes you think that the Elbanian will come after you, especially since you will stay in Ilbistirum for now?"
Del was silent.
"Yeah, I assume that you also have no idea. With your country is under civil war and your idea of getting an act of revenge seems to be rather irrelevant, why don't you protect your country, just like a true patriot?"
"Why should I do that?"
"Because Ilbistirum Federation is your home, Del. You should protect your home and everyone that you hold dearly, that's including your sister, Cassandra, Cole, or anyone that you know. That's your new home, and you'll be having your future there."
"Well, yeah, I get what you meant, but pa, what kind of future will await a killer like us?"
"Who told you two that you two are killers? As far as I'm concerned, that's just your inner perception. You're just someone who is working as a mercenary as a side-job. Listen, finish your high school and do what your mother wants you two to do?"
"And that is?" Anna asked.
"Become a doctor," Del sighed.
"Correct," Isabelle added.
"How? We are involved in a fiasco that shouldn't be possible for those who have the same age as us," Del said.
"You will be surprised at how old the people our government actually use to reach their objectives. You are quite a common thing for me, to be honest. Hey, I'm just speaking based on my experience," Henry said.
"I see," Anna said.
"So, finish high school, become a doctor, and protect our homeland at the same time, those are what you want both of us to pull?" Del asked.
"More or less, both of us have faith in you two, it's better that you two don't disappoint us. I know this is too much to ask, but let's face it, this might be our only chance to meet before you return to the world of the living."
Del and Anna nodded to their dead parents' demand. It would be years before they would meet again. The best that they could do was to fulfill their parents' expectations. Anna sighed after listening to her mother's advice not to follow the path of revenge.
Del wasn't exactly agreeing with that, but it did make sense. Most of his problems were caused by his desire for revenge. He and his sister could live peacefully in Ilbistirum if not for his desire of revenge.
Still, with the current state of affairs in Ilbistirum, it was not the time to rest, it was the time to act. Without peace, there wouldn't be any bright future for them, especially since Imperial government wasn't exactly fond of keeping things as equal as the Federal government.
They finished the meal. They talked to make up for the lost time. It was the best moment ever since they were sent to another world. Still, it was just a break. They would return to their world soon and they would have to finish their job.
Well, at least, right now, he would have an idea on what he should do and what he shouldn't do.. Hopefully, whatever waiting for him wouldn't be too hard for him to handle.