V2 Chapter 72
“The Desolate Plain might be a Forbidden Land of death by many people. However, there is still the Desolate Cave. The land we have inhabited has been demarcated as uncharted territory for generations. Thus, many people might have forecasted that it contains abundant resources to match its time."
Arfa said with a narrowed gaze, as he stared at Zarda who glared back.
"... And of course, we, the people living here, know that it’s the truth. Zarda. Whoever can control this place, would certainly be able to spin many profits from it. Which profits, humans would never ignore. For this case, the humans might have come here to seize control over this land.”
“Perhaps,”
Zarda nodded her head, giving an expression of considering something. But then, her cold expression didn't lessen at all, and instead look at the Lion King with a suspicious gaze.
“However, be that as it may, they can and could do it anytime- be it in the past, or in the future. It's nothing new. But, why did they appear just after Rain had arrived in this place? How can it be such a coincidence?”
“… …”
The Monster King Arfa considered it as well and thinks it might actually not just be a coincidence after all.
Zarda hissed coldly. And even if her suspicion was proven wrong, she would still not let any human wander around this place. For many reasons...
“..whatever the case, Arfa. I would not take chances at all. Especially, if it involves my beloved child. Whether their reason for coming here is him, or something else entirely, I can’t let them waltz in here just because they wanted to. This is not the world of man, this is...my world.”
"If the humans declare invasion on the Desolate Cave because of this, then the other Monster Kings will make their move against you, Zarda. You know how stubborn and narrow-minded the other Monster Kings are. They would put this on your head, and you will..."
"I'm prepared,"
But Zarda was not the least bit fazed. Her lips curved into a fearless smile. And murderous intent gathered in her beautiful, ruby eyes.
"Rain is the living manifestation of our Destiny, and we would do anything to keep him ourselves."
“That's funny...you had always stayed indifferent to anything that happens in the Desolat Cave. And now, seeing your expressions, I thought you had finally treated this place as your Home, becoming territorial. But to think that the reasons you gave all centered around that human boy... Are you that afraid that the boy would be tempted by them and leave this place, back to where he should belong? That’s why you are feeling panic, and frantic, as you are right now?”
Arfa stared at his old friend with amusement.
“You’ve changed, Zarda,”
"... ..."
"I had just slept for a little while. But in that short amount of time, I didn't see you, you've changed a lot...fascinating. Mhm, rather, what an incredible thing... is this the power of that human boy?"
Zarda turned her head towards the side so the Monster King couldn’t see the pain in her eyes. She leaned against the couch and set the wine cup on the table. After calming down, she turned back to Arfa who was now watching her with a queer gaze.
He could probably tell she was upset about something. And this made him even more amused, his eyes almost turned crescent. And if a beast could smile, perhaps, this was how they look when they are grinning.
Zarda was annoyed. But she didn't say anything, knowing the Monster King's character. The more she displays her feelings, the more it entertains him. She looks at the ceiling and lets out a sigh.
“For a long time, we have conceded many things to other people. Gave up many precious things to the humans, to avoid being hurt. We laid our arms down and exiled ourselves in this horrifying hell to avoid any unnecessary bloodshed.”
“… …”
“… Many times we almost give up, wanting to leave and return to where we should be. But we know that the moment we do, we will be once again subjected to war, and blood will resume to shed for some nonsensical reasons again. Thus, we held on. And thankfully we did, for in this hell-like place, hope had dawned upon us. We have found our treasure, one that we have been longing for, a long, long time ago. But this time no more. We would do anything to keep it…no matter what happens.”
“Interesting... I cannot believe that you of all people, will, and accept a human. More so, desiring him like this- this really startles me.”
“You have missed many things Arfa,”
Zarda shook her head, her expression turned gentle and affectionate.
“Rain is different from other humans. You will understand why when you know him for long,”
“I can indeed sense some differences. And most of all, I’m quite intrigued by the power he was releasing…a smell of a familiar mark was embedded in his soul, and it gives a warning when I had, almost get into a fight with him. Though, I couldn’t remember who…”
Zarda stared at the Monster King with a somber expression. Her crimson eyes narrowed into a slit, and all the slender snakes on her head stood up and glared at the casually lying Monster King, watching her in curiosity and interest.
“Arfa, I know you could have killed the humans before Rain could have a chance to appear. Why did you not do it? If you’ve done it already, he would not have met with that bunch,”
“It’s not like I wouldn’t. They have quite a few impressive people among them, that’s why I know that they are not simple at all. They bear the symbol of the Delouria Kingdom, and most of all, one of the Zodiac Protectors. Even if I wanted to kill them in an instant, the people they sent are quite praiseworthy, they were able to let the human female escape as they held me down. And besides, it’s not like I would ever expect for this kind of situation to occur in your hand, Zarda. I would have never thought, you would hide a human lad, and desperately prevent him from meeting other humans...right?”
“… …”
“Did you take him away from the humans, and now they came with a reason for taking him back?”
The Monster King Arfa watched Zarda, fascinated by the changes in her eyes. She seemed to be calming down now, and her eyes were returning to their normal shade of pink-red.
Zarda inclined her head. Her voice was deadly soft, “We didn't do something like that.” She replied while giving him a sheepish look.
“We found Rain already in this place, left to die perhaps.”
Rage simmered inside her. The Monster King detected anger and pain in her sharp red eyes, although her voice remained soft and calm. Zarda turned at him, and continued, “Furthermore, we found out that there was a curse inside of him. Someone wants him to die a gruesome death. Fortunately, the mark that you said was inside of him and was keeping him alive. And now, do you still think that we can give him up to those damn humans?”
“Vorga spera,” (That’s unexpected) The Monster King muttered.
“But that boy doesn’t seem that bad to have someone wants him dead, that badly.”
To the Monster King, Rain Revert was the very personification of humble, strength, honor, courage, bravery, and many more which would become an entire list if mentioned. And that’s only after he had a bond with the boy, converse and talk a lot of things along the way into the village.
It was even to the point that Afra was able to understand why the Lamians, who should have extreme hate for humanity was able to accept him and even treated him as their most precious treasure. He felt kindness. Acceptance. And more so, Familiarity.
The boy was truly a unique existence that accepted monsters whole-heartedly. And without any prejudice of some kind.
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“I know, but haven't we already understood how far humans can do to preserve their own benefits.” Zarda sneered in contempt.
“Envy…I see… indeed the talent that human boy possesses, and the potential that he was exuding was extremely alarming, even for me. He is strong and powerful, that even though I can kill him with but a swing of my paw, I can’t help but have this passing wonder of what he would become in the future if he grows. This sudden expectation, made me hesitate...and it intrigues me to no end. Stange, isn't it?”
The first time Arfa saw him, he had already caught his attention, more so, when he noticed his presence and bizarre aura. His expression, the fire in his eyes that had been, quite a rarity in this world, a vestige of the heroes of the ancient past. The monsters of humanity that made even the most powerful monsters tremble. In his long life of living this strange world, he met a few that caught his attention, and each of them made his blood even shake in a thrill.
Not the most powerful, nor the smartest, nor wisest. Not even the old ones that sharpened the powers through time and become nigh invincible. But rather, those damn lunatics, the fools that would challenge anything that would appear before them with but idiotic confidence and luck on their side.
Lunatics that go against the logic of the world—but, fools they might be, the fires burning within them were much brighter, and blazing than anyone ever has. He had met a few in his life, and despite most of them weak compared to truly monstrous powerhouses, but compared to the latter, they are the ones that made him tremble and shiver in delight...and fear.
Though, quite a few of them, but those that managed to engrave their footprints on history were now being hailed as Heroes.
To Arfa, those incredible fools were much more scary than any powerful experts that live in this era. However, sadly due to the passing of time, they had dwindled in numbers and had been extinct. Now, humans lack the sense of foolish adventure and bravery that they ought to have and had been quite drowned by their materialistic pleasures that this world can offer.
He thought he would never meet anyone like that again. Not in this life. Not in his age. But when he was dragged from his seclusion by those foolish thieves, he encountered quite a sight.
A human boy having the smell and aura of those foolish adventurers- it delighted him—one that saves others, plunged themselves without any care of their own life for some measly, human morals and emotions, and even dared to stand against an invincible foe.
It made his heart move for the first time in a while.
In this warring world, a kind of human like him appearing—what does it entail?
This is one of the reasons why Arfa wavered for a moment. As it vaguely sensed in his heart that not far off into the future, Rain would inevitably become a nova in this world.
Based on everything Rain embodies, and that foolish bravery that made him stand against him despite knowing their power difference, as long as he didn’t lose his will and determination along the way, he would surely shake the entire world one day. And this was what made him shiver in the thrill of expectation... as well as look at the future that is coming to them.
Nature birth Heroes with purpose.
Their existence is something like a symbol- a beacon that something that can change the world is coming in the near future.
...and that's what he felt from Rain.
Arfa looked at his old friend with a complicated expression. He knows how stubborn a Lamian could be. And Zarda was no exception to them. She was the type who couldn’t be stopped once she was on something. And most of all, she was the type of individual when loves, she loves in entirety. Even though she was always eccentric, but she will give her everything, willing to go any length for those she views as her own.
My old friend, as expected, one can never betray the blood flowing through their very veins.
I just hope that this human lad would be different from others just what she claimed. And the love that he gave is as pure and true as the bright spring.
The bloodline of Gorgon and Lamian had always been filled with nothing but betrayal and tragedy. And that had started ever since the first Hero and the first monster. The destiny woven by tears and blood. And I think it’s already enough. Fate had already given them enough sufferings. So I hope, Rain is not a Hero similar to what I am imagining.
Looking at his dear friend, the great Monster King couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
“…humans now appeared, what are you gonna do?”
Zarda smiled coldly, “…that’s something already decided,”
… …
“Dammit, Celia, you scared me!”
A panic voice rang out and the moment Celia walk through the woods, she was suddenly hugged by a crying beautiful girl that almost looked similar to her, well, actually very similar to her. Like peas in a pod, they look just the same, facial features, hair and eye colors, height, and everything.
As they face each other, they look like just different sides of a mirror.
“I thought I lost you!!”
It was her twin sister, Celis. They had always been together, and they loved each other since they were born. Though their interest and personality were the total opposite, it didn’t matter as they saw each other as a part of them. The happiness of the other was the happiness of both.
“I’m alright,”
Celia chuckled, and her expression softened. She knows that she must have really scared her. There was a powerful connection between them. A connection of mind and soul—meaning there would never be secrets between them. And what the other sees and feels was laid bare for the other. This dangerous night was not an exception.
Celis must have caught her dangerous situation, even though she was miles away from their location at that time.
This is also the reason why she knows that Celis and the others must have been frantically looking for them. Unfortunately, the circumstances tonight have just been too close—they were almost annihilated, especially after the appearance of the Monster King. Luckily, that unknown stranger had saved them. If not, Celis would surely lose her forever. And she fears whatever her sister would do in sadness.
Between them, she was much stronger in spirit, and her sister; Celis had always been gentle but weak. If she disappeared, she feared that the gentle Celis would break down.
That is something she never wanted to happen.
Celia hugged her sister back, feeling the trembling of her body.
“…Are you all right?”
Another voice appeared.
The voice was soft and apologetic. Celia turned towards the source. She saw a beautiful woman clad entirely in plate armor walking towards them. Her silver-golden holy armor and blond hair made her look like sunshine in the midst of darkness. Indeed, a beautiful woman with a long mane of golden hair that seemed to have been molded strands from the ray of the sun, demurely cascading down her shoulders, creamy skin, golden hawk-like eyes, and standing over 2 meters tall.
A claymore on her back, clanking melodiously against her armor whenever she moves.
“I’m sorry, we were late.”
Her eyebrows furrow in concern as she speaks with that beautiful voice.
“We are having a hard time locating your position, as even with Celis psychic image, all the places she saw were almost identical to everywhere. And most of all, monsters keep on coming at us, and we were delayed. I apologize.”
“It doesn’t matter Elder Sister. I’m fine… though, many had sacrificed their lives for me.”
Celia bit her lips and almost burst out into tears. Though, she was able to stop herself from crying after seeing her sister cry like a little child. Thanks to her crying first, she somehow managed to choke back her tears. And the pure, warm, and gentle emotions jumped into her heart, gently wrapping her trembling and horrified heart.
The Princess let out a pained sigh. However, she immediately recovered and said, “The sun does not stop rising and setting because a few are dead. The many must still be cared for, Celia. Although we grieve for the loss, we grieve only for a moment, as they would surely be happy if we can stand up once again- to never waste the life they had protected. We will honor them as heroes, and that’s what we will do.”
“Elder Sister…”
Tears filled her eyes, but when she heard the sniffing and sobbing done by the one hugging her so tightly, seemingly afraid that she would disappear in an instant, Celia felt her tears choked up instead. And her fears and pain were then replaced by helplessness and warmth.
“Celis, I’m fine so stop crying...” she smiled helplessly.
Thanks to her, she managed to calm down slowly. It wasn't like the fear of death had vanished, but she managed to recover from the shock of losing many comrades in exchange for her life. Although it sounded horrible, she was glad she was alive and she was grateful for those people who lose their lives for her.
Her clothes were dyed red with blood, showing the experience they went to during their way over here. And tears streamed down her cheeks like a broken dam. Her body shook and her voice was desperate.
Celia reached out and touched her twin sister’s cheek. She gently wiped her tears away. Relieved to see Celis finally calming down, she let out a sigh of relief.
“Let’s go, you lot need a rest,”
The beautiful woman said with a gentle smile. Then, she turned towards the three courageous Knights and smiled warmly at them.
“Thank you for protecting her. You did well,” she nodded at them in appreciation.
The three Knights immediately did a salute, feeling overwhelmed. After all, this was the princess who they had admired for a very long time, commended them, and acknowledged them. They felt as their sufferings on the trip were all worth it.
“I’m really happy that you are alive and well, Celia. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if something happened to you,”
The Princess said as they walk through the woods, surrounded by fierce and strong-looking Knights in great armors.
“In fact, I already resolved myself to death. We had never expected that there would be a Monster King guarding the Tree of Aramoth. We thought that finding the Fruit of Aramoth, despite it not yet fully matured was a miracle.”
The Fruit of Aramoth was a very rare and valuable treasure in the entire world. In fact, it was even already classified as extinct in the mainland. It’s one of the materials known to make a legendary Lv5 Revival Potion. A Potion that can revive someone from death.
It’s a legendary, Miracle Potion. One of the materials said, to be already extinct in the modern era was the Fruit of Aramoth. But now, it actually existed? Furthermore, it’s almost already matured and ready to pick. Who is not tempted?
“So that’s why… Celia, you know that it’s a very rare and precious treasure, so of course, there would be a terrifying monster guarding it. My Lord, you didn’t even account for the fact that this is the boundary of the Wasteland of Death, the Desolate Cave, home of the most horrifying monsters on the continent. One mistake and you would have been…”
The Princess let out a deep sigh and looks at Celia as if she wanted to scold her but couldn’t and she, in the end, could only let out a bitter sigh.
The Princess had been with the twins and has spent more time with them than her own siblings, Hence, she trusted them wholeheartedly, and without an ounce of doubt. And because of that, she knows the character and personality of the two.
Celis was the gentle side, with almost having a pure and holy persona, while Celia, the twin sister was the one having the most adventurer side of them. Unlike Celis who always thinks twice or more before doing something, meticulous and always careful in everything she did. However, Celia can be rather, rash and reckless.
She tends to do things in a direct manner and often faces trouble and danger.
To the Princess, Celia was a very troublesome, but adorable sister she just couldn’t get her eyes off even for a moment.