Alma 79 A Goddamned Idio

Here was a person who had suffered immeasurably — who had lived through eras of strife and had seen the worst that life had to offer.

And yet, despite everything, this man had still not given up on hope — he had not allowed himself to bend the knee to hatred, fear, and distrust.

The endless onslaught of the Infested during the Great Barrier War…

Where does his endless strength and optimism come from?

The horrific slaughter of his kin during the chaotic Unification Era…

Even now, he's a proponent of kindness, understanding, and peace…

Even the cruel and despicable assassination of his beloved wife…

Reed felt deep admiration and respect for this poor, old man who had lived a hard life. He possessed a resilient, unbreakable spirit that shone like a beacon in the night.

That's why he was chosen to lead the East. It was because the people needed someone like him to light up a path out of the darkness…

They needed an eternal, indestructible pillar of resolve. Someone whom the East could rely upon — who could make them feel safe; make them feel hope once more…

"You're truly amazing, gramps… I don't get how someone like you can even exist in reality," said Reed. "Are you made out of diamond or something?"

Velvund heartily laughed and said, "I'm not that strong, my boy. I'm just a bit stubborn and when you've lived as long as I have, you end up having a lot of time to think and reflect about your life, too…"

He stroked his chin and said, "So what did you want to talk to me about, son? About the girl? Your worries? Or something else?"

Velvund grabbed a small stone, handed it to Reed and said, "Feel free to talk to me about anything that troubles you, son. I've seen everything there is to see throughout my life, so I'm positive I'll be able to give you some advice no matter the problem."

"Are you sure about that, gramps? It's real complicated…" said Reed. He threw the stone and it skipped a couple of times on the lake's surface until it finally stopped.

"Nine skips, eh? That's pretty good… but you're a thousand years too young to beat me, sonny." Velvund grabbed a stone himself and powerfully threw it with a deft flick of the wrist.

The stone hurtled on the lake's surface like a speeding bullet until it skipped the entire way to the other side of the lake.

Reed snorted in mock-contempt and said, "Give me a couple of years and I'll wipe the floor with you, old man. Mark my words, there'll be a reckoning for this…"

"I'll look forward to that day then, grasshopper. For now, though, tell me what's wrong and let your old man give you the solution," said Velvund in a haughty, childish tone. "Cough up the details. What did you do, or rather, how did you piss the girl off? There may yet be hope for you, boy…"

"I told you, it's not that… It's a pretty serious problem," said Reed. He scratched his head nervously and said, "Also, I might've hidden a couple of things from you, gramps…"

There was much to explain and the more that Reed spoke, the more Velvund's expression tightened up in response. By the time he had finished explaining everything, Velvund had gone quiet.

The Twilight Children and the Holy Church.

The unification of the entire continent by some unknown means.

Astrid and Sebastian becoming hostages.

The summons he had received from the Holy Pope.

Reed even conceded a bit and had revealed just enough information about himself — his connection to the Ancient Mulians — something that he had not done even for Violett back then.

He'd put all his chips on gramps — that was the least he could do for the old man in return for what he had done for him.

"They didn't tell me what they needed me for specifically but it seemed like I was going to be used for something crucial to their plans. I need to get Astrid and Sebastian out before the shit hits the fan, gramps."

Velvund pensively watched the rippling waves on the lake's surface and said, "We'll save them. I promise. I'll help you get them out alive if it's the last thing I do, so don't you worry. And thank you for telling me the real truth, son. I understand it must have been difficult for you."

I won't have the boy suffer the same pain. It won't happen again. Not while I still draw breath…

"Take it easy and let me talk to my people about this. I know that you're itching to jump into the fire, but you must endure. A single, rash decision fueled by heated emotions could spell the end for your friends and much, much more. …Let me talk to the Ashborn and Dragoncrest families on your behalf and see what I can do to calm down this madness."

Reed shook his head in disapproval and said, "They're religious loonies, gramps. Look at what they're plotting! I don't think you'll be able to get through to them…"

"Perhaps… but we won't know until we try. We should always try to resolve things with dialogue first before resorting to violence, son. In any case, the Ashborn and Dragoncrest families owe me a debt I have never collected. If they still have any honor left, they will agree to speak with me on this point alone and we'll go from there," said Velvund.

"What do you mean?" said Reed. "They owe you a debt?"

"Have you never thought about how two human families have been allowed to exist among the aristocracy in this empire?"

Reed shrugged his shoulder and said, "Well, yeah, but I never put much thought into it. I just assumed it was an odd coincidence and nothing more…"

"During the Unification Era, two noble families protested against the cruel, inhuman tactics that were used against our kind. The day these families heard of the barbaric movement to enslave our kind, they forsook humanity and left their kin rather than stay and be a part of a movement like that…"

"When Emma heard about this, she begged me to take them in as refugees and I consented after much discussion. Many opposed my decision, calling me a backstabbing, human-loving traitor. As if it wasn't bad enough that I, the Sovereign's right hand, had taken a human woman as my wife before that…"

"So, yes, they do owe me a debt. I put myself on the line for them millennia ago and if they have any dignity left in them, these two families will heed my call."

Velvund would die before he allowed another Unification War to begin, especially in his own damn home. He knew that if a second war happened, all would be lost. The continent was not like it was during the days of yore — contenders and conquerors were becoming rarer by the century.

A second Unification War would spell the death of every contender and likely the vast majority of contenders. Perhaps only the Sovereigns would remain after the conflict, but they alone would not be enough against the endless hordes of Infested…

Who'd be left to protect Mulia from the Infested the war?

Would there even be anyone left to protect after the war?

All Velvund saw was a path filled with death and despair — a road he had walked once before and he knew how that path ended. He would not let fate repeat itself once more. Not if he had a say in it.

When Reed returned home, Lacrima said, "Boy, I know that you know more than you let on and... that the girl and I have not been completely clear with you about everything, but please understand that we would never betray you. That much I can guarantee to you with absolute certainty."

It's just that I'm not ready for the truth, right? That's what Lu'um has always told me whenever I ask her.

"For good reason, boy. You are still young, naive and rash — ruled by your emotions. Were we to tell you the truth, who knows what you would do in response or how it'd affect you. We can afford to wait a couple of years for you to mature a bit before we start explaining to you everything we know."

Reed wanted to argue against her, but couldn't find anything to support his case.

He'd run away from home, got himself involved in another empire's affairs and had complicated things for his benefactors in the North.

For the most part, he short-lived misadventure had spectacularly backfired on him. He'd been very, very lucky that Velvund had picked him up. Otherwise, he would have probably gotten himself in a world of trouble…

Simply put, he had fucked up. She was right and he couldn't disagree.

Reed hated how right she was, but at the same hated himself for not thinking everything out. For not listening to the people around him.

He had gotten too full of himself lately and had forgotten how weak he truly was in the scope of the world. Not only that, but he had forgotten how powerful his actions were and the consequences they had on everything and everyone around him.

Astor, Horatio, and Ophelia had warned him about this and despite their best efforts to make him see reason, he had ignored their concerns, insulted them and then left them behind.

What kind of fucking friend was that? Could he even be called a friend?

I'm such a goddamn idiot… and I have apologies I need to make.

Reed tossed himself onto his bed and said, "I really wish I had met gramps a lot sooner..."

Chapter end