Chapter 30 - Family Issue and Message from the East
POV: Merilien
In the couple of months after Yoichi had came back, Gelion has grown a considerable amount but I hadn’t improved that much.
Everytime I think of this, my heart tightens thinking that he’ll leave me behind sooner or later.
No matter how desperately I tried, I was barely keeping up with his incredible learning speed.
We both started at the same time, but even then Gelion had always been better.
Sometimes I would wish that I was a [Hero] too, so that I could keep up with Gelion and Yoichi, but each time I do the image of Haliel would always appear and laugh at me.
I don’t like her, she came out of nowhere with Yoichi and was then adopted into our family because she was so strong.
For some reason mom was really attached to her, and Gelion was drawn in by her strength.
Even though she took my spot as eldest daughter, I could do nothing while everyone praises her, I hate her.
‘How could I be bested by a half blood!’ [Merilien]
“Big sis Merilien, training is over. Why are you so out of it, c'mon we’ll be late for lessons.” [Gelion]
“Ah. Sorry, let’s go.” [Merilien]
At least I’m still smarter than Gelion, but who knows for how long so I always study more than he does.
Walking to the classroom, our tutor told us there would be no lesson today because dad is having a family meeting and wants us to be present too.
“I wonder what it could be.” [Merilien]
“I’m sorry Princess, his Majesty gave no further detail.” [Tutor]
“It’s fine. Don’t want to keep dad waiting.” [Merilien]
We arrived at the dining room a couple minutes after saying bye to our tutor but there was no maid or chefs present.
When we walked into the room, mom was glaring at dad, a scene I’ve never seen before.
“Eril, why have you been ignoring me these past 5 days? We haven’t even spoken once. Did I do something to upset you again?” [Rinor]
“Why does that matter, wasn’t this a meeting about Haliel’s education?” [Eril]
“Well, yes. But I just wanted to know what I did so I could fix it.” [Rinor]
“Argh, you’re always like this. Making a mistake then asking someone to find the problem for you. Well, if you really want to know, then let me just say the reason I ever talked to you, or even interacted with you, is no longer there. I’m finally free from it.” [Eril]
“What are you talking about? If I didn’t do something wrong then why are you so mad at me?” [Rinor]
Watching from the side, me and Gelion were confused as to why mom and dad are arguing when this never happened before.
“Did you seriously not know about it? Tsk. Know you I guess you really wouldn’t.” [Eril]
“What are you talking about? Know what?” [Rinor]
“Huff. Fine then. The reason I stayed, the reason why I stopped trying to escape, the reason why I even had those kids with you, it was not because I finally gave up and submitted, it was all because that old hag put a spell on me. One where I could only obey her and was not in control of my own body, [Mind Control].” [Eril]
“A-are you serious? You’re joking right?” [Rinor]
“W-what are you talking about mom?” [Merilien]
I didn’t understand, why mom was so mad, and this thing about [Mind Control].
“Mom, why are you yelling at dad?” [Gelion]
“I’m sorry, you two weren’t supposed to hear that… it doesn’t mean I don’t love you. We were supposed to be talking about sending Haliel to Rugia Academy or not since Haliel didn’t have much time to study but then she could already understand the things I taught her so she should be fine. We were originally talking about that…” [Eril]
“Huff. I didn’t want this mess to get complicated but looks like it can’t be kept quiet anymore. Rinor, I’ll just say you are an idiot for not noticing earlier, but I can’t really blame you either. Anyways sweet old Grandmother did mind control mom to stay with you, believe it or not.”
Dad was speechless, and so was I but for completely different reason.
I was simply confused and couldn’t keep up with the conversation but dad was quiet because he was shocked to hear that mom didn’t stay with him on her own.
“Y-you mean to say that…” [Rinor]
Barely having time to say a couple of words, dad was interrupted by a knight rushing into the room.
“Forgive me your Majesty but I have an urgent message from [Hero] Yoichi! The Shades have begun their invasion of the East and has beaten down the [Hero] guarding that area. He wants to meet you immediately!” [Knight]
“!” [Rinor]
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POV: Haliel
In the past five days mom had always been with me while I think about what to do for the future.
Blaze and the others came to visit a few times but aside from that they continued their search for clues about what happened to dad.
Even if that bitch said she wasn’t involved, Blaze still couldn’t trust her so decided to keep on searching.
This morning a guard came to my room and told mom and me that Rinor had something to discuss with us.
Could it be that he found out mom is now freed from [Mind Control] and is trying to silence us?
When we got to where Rinor was, it turned out the discussion was going to be about sending me to Rugia Academy or not.
Since I have reached the age where I could be accepted to the academy, though only to the introductory class since I am still only 10 when the actual teaching begins at age 11 or above.
Honestly I wouldn’t mind going since it is a good idea to be better informed about this world, and it gives me something to do while I think about my future.
As Merilien and Gelion walked in though, the conversation changed into something annoying, the [Mind Control] problem.
From how Rinor was acting I could see that he is too clueless to know anything about it, but at the same time I felt bad for Merilien and Gelion who was confused about the content that was being talked about.
Without more time to explain things to them, a knight suddenly barged into the room and dropped a bomb.
“Let’s go then, sorry this matter will be put on hold for now.” [Rinor]
“I’ll go too. Mom, I think it’s best to tell them now then to wait till they’re older…”
Following Rinor out of the room, only mom was left to tell Merilien and Gelion about things since I didn’t want to do something so troublesome.
Soon, we ended up on the training grounds and saw all of Yoichi’s men running about packing.
“Sorry I didn't come to get you myself Rinor but as you can see I was busy packing things up to depart. I just received words from King Grevis Slodidal that [Hero] Symond has been defeated and his men wiped out by a Shade. He has asked for my return to go and help Symond. As for Prince Gelion’s training, I have taught him all the basics of the [Hero’s Art] and he only needs to practice them now. As for the more advanced spells, since he already has the foundation, he’ll slowing unlock them.” [Yoichi]
“Alright, I thank you for what you’ve done so far, but how was [Hero] Symond defeated? Could it be another high level Shade?” [Rinor]
“Well, he wasn’t actually defeated by the Shade itself, but instead an undead controlled by it.” [Yoichi]
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“An undead you say? But isn’t the [Hero Art] Light based magic? How did he lose?” [Rinor]
“Huff, he was defeated by the corpse of a man known as [The Reaper of Flame].” [Yoichi]
While saying that line, Yoichi looked in my direction with a face filled with concern.
“I myself have not met him, but that’s a name that’s even reached into the depth of the Glaswen Empire. If the rumors I heard are true then I can see why he lost, truly this is a crisis. When will you depart?” [Rinor]
The name that Yoichi said sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t pinpoint where I saw that name before.
“Huff. I want to leave as soon as possible but I would like to supply my men for the journey. So maybe by tomorrow?” [Yoichi]
“I see, I’ll go prepare some things for you as thanks.” [Rinor]
“I appreciate it. Since time waits for no one I have to make haste. Please excuse me.” [Yoichi]
Following the conversation, Rinor called out some of the guards and asked them to go prepare some supply for Yoichi’s group.
As for me, I went back to where mom was but the name [Reaper of Flames] stuck to me and I whacked my brain trying to remember where I saw it from since it seemed important to me.
When I finally came to the door of the dining room, it hits me, the name was one I saw on dad’s [Status Window].
Thinking back, I finally understood why Yoichi gave me that concerned look.
I-it was dad? Shade? A Shade was the one who dug dad out and used him to kill people!? I will fucken kill it!
The next instant Merilien and Gelion came rushing out of the room, both looked at me.
“I hate you! Why did you even show up!?” [Merilien]
After shouting that at me, Merilien went running and Gelion followed her.
“W-wait sis! Calm down.” [Gelion]
Mom was the next one to come out of the room and just looked at them run off with a sad face on.
“!” [Eril]
Looking down mom saw me with a face full of rage as I let loose a ravaging aura.
“Haliel… don’t let what she said get to you… I’m sorry I made them mad at you.” [Eril]
“That’s not it mom. I finally know what I’m going to do. I’m going with Yoichi, I’m going to find that Shade who dared to touch dad’s resting place and I’ll show him no mercy. I will not show mercy as I did with grandma, I’ll rip him to shreds.”
“A-a Shade is using Alan? To kill innocent people?” [Eril]
I said nothing and simply nod my head when I suddenly felt a threatening aura seep out of mom.
“I’m going too. I don’t care if they try to stop me, I’ll go to Alan. I still have to apologize to him…” [Eril]
This is the first time I’ve seen mom mad, but just her aura is enough to weaken my own.
Seeing the look on my face, mom calmed down and the pressuring aura disappeared.
“Mom, Yoichi is leaving tomorrow so I’ll be going to pack my things.”
“It's a long time but I’ll get my equipments ready too. You won’t have to face it alone, I won’t let a Shade hurt my family anymore.” [Eril]
With this said, I went to my room to prepare for tomorrow, finally I’ll be back in actual combat clothing.
While in my room packing things into my [Inventory] and a bag, Blaze and the others walked in.
“Princess, why are you packing… Don’t tell me you’re running away!?” [Laurel]
“That’s not it. Is this about your dad Haliel? You also heard from Yoichi huh?” [Blaze]
“What are you talking about? Her dad’s name is Alan right? What does he have to do with the [Reaper of Flames]?” [Laurel]
“That’s one of dad’s title. I’m not sure how he got it but I clearly remember it on his [Status Window] when he showed it to me while he was still alive.”
“Hah. You have too good a memory Haliel… you were only three.” [Blaze]
“You can’t be serious right? The [Reaper of Flames] is someone who everyone fears but… to think that Empress married such a man...” [Nym]
“Is something wrong with that?”
“!” [Nym]
Hearing how he talked about dad, it pissed me off and I released a bit of my aura.
“I-it’s nothing Princess. Haha.” [Nym]
Ignoring him, I went back to packing when Blaze suddenly came next to me and handed me some potions.
“Here are some. You be needing them, and if you’re wondering about how I got it. I got them while searching for clues, but well… it seems the clues came to us instead, a big one.” [Blaze]
“I’ll be going to fight the Shade, it's fine if you guys stay here. I don’t want to drag you into something you don’t want to.”
“What are you talking about? I’ll always be by your side to protect you, it’s a vow I made to your father.” [Blaze]
“Princess, I pledged my loyalty to you. They’re not just words, I’ll go with you.” [Laurel]
“I suppose I have no other choice then…” [Nym]
“I-if Princess will forgive me and let me come along… I have to right the wrong I did.” [Alissa]
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POV: Eril
When Haliel returned, I had just finished talking with Merilien and Gelion.
Merilien didn’t want to accept it and when she saw Haliel, she lashed out at her before running off.
In the next moment, I could sense a ravaging aura come out of Haliel and I thought that she got mad with what Merilien said to her.
What Haliel said was completely unexpected and I fell into anger just as she had, a Shade has taken control of Alan.
After stating to Haliel that I’ll be going too, we went our separate ways to pack our things and prepare for departure.
Just as I finished packing my old equipment and extra changes of clothes plus other adventure stuff, Rinor walked into my room.
“So you really are leaving? What about Merilien and Gelion?” [Rinor]
“It isn’t for the reason you’re thinking of right now. I heard from Haliel about what happened to Alan.” [Eril]
“What but I thought they didn’t know. That’s why Blaze was running around relentlessly wasn’t it?” [Rinor]
“He’s being manipulated by a Shade. I can’t let this go, I’ll kill that thing personally.” [Eril]
“But what about the empire? It needs its Empress!” [Eril]
“I’ll tell you what I told mother. I. Don’t. Care. About. The. Empire. And she can just take back that spot then.” [Eril]
“A-are you serious!? Eril, I know that what your mother did is wrong but please, don’t just leave.” [Rinor]
“I’ve made up my mind already. And besides, what did I ever do as the Empress? All I did was be controlled by mother. There was nothing to do in the first place… it wasn’t even my role it was sis.” [Eril]
“...” [Rinor]
“You can always just make an excuse for my absence anyways, it’s what you do best isn’t it? Now get out of my room.” [Eril]
“... Fine, but come back alive.” [Rinor]
To that I gave no reply and closed the door behind him as he walked out.
***
PS. I will put in what happened during the conversation Eril had with her child in the beginning of next chapter. Also finals are next week for me so next chapter will be delayed, along with the character stats sorry. Anyways enjoy.