Book 8: Chapter 42


    Theres nobody to wake me up anymore, because the one who could wake me up is no longer here.


    However, I wake up on time every morning with Nier lying next to me. Nier had my arm locked in hers as she took soft breaths. I touched my face and discovered traces of tears.


    <em>I dreamt of Luna against night. She looked so cheerful. Lunas smile was so bright. The sun in my dream was so bright, so why did I have traces of tears all over my face when I woke up? Why did I cry so painfully in my dream? Maybe its because were no longer together.</em>


    <em>This isnt a mother and son quarrel. It wouldnt be an issue even if it was a mother and son quarrel. I argued a fair bit with Mom when I was young, but I wasnt arguing with Mom this time because I was wilful or didnt understand her; I was arguing with her, because of Luna. Its clear as day that Luna was brutally killed. Her heart got dug out for crying out loud. I cant even imagine how much it hurt when she died. Why did Alice get to die with a smile, be put to rest in the royal familys cemetery and enjoy the treatment of a hero? Are you telling me my child has to face her tombstone and call her a hero?</em>


    <em>I cant take that. Theres no way in hell I can ept that.</em>


    <em>I hate her to the core. I want to grind her bone to powder, and then scatter it.</em>


    <em>I cant kill Alice now, but I still want topletely annihte her. I want to erase every single trace of her existence in this world. She cant feel it anymore. I want to make it, so that nobody will remember her in the future. I want topletely erase her meaning in life. I want everybody to remember Luna. I want to them to remember the beauty that died for me.</em>


    <em>Id die to make that a reality. I dont intend to just sit here on my ass waiting for Mom toe and apologise. If thats what my n was, I wouldnt have left. I must bring Luna back. I dont want anyone, but me, to send her home. Im going to personally bring her home.</em>


    <em>Ill make sure to bring her back if its thest thing I do. I cant take this shit. Luna is my personal servant, my vassal and the girl I love. I honestly cant take this. If I just watch this all happen with a nk look on my face, then Ill still be the powerless version of myself.</em>


    <em>I could traverse the desert, so I can march my army to the South. I need to do this even if I must pay the price with my life. Lorana was right. I am, indeed, angry that Mommy Elizabeth took away my right to mete out punishment, but Im still going to go and do something, because Im angry.</em>


    I sat up and gently kissed Niers cheek. I lightly ran my hand on Niers abdomen.


    <em>Sorry Nier. Its not that I dont love you or dont want to be next to you, but theres something that I must go and do. I have a gamble I need to make. If I can make it back, Ill be sure to love you sincerely.</em>


    Sorry Nier, there are some things I have to go and resolve


    I got dressed slowly. Im much slower without Luna. I was able to sit up today; but nheless, Im still feeling slightly weak.


    <em>Ive made up my mind. I made up my mind when I returned to Troy City. Its just that only now am I able to act on it.</em>


    I stood up and lightly walked over to the door. I pulled it open and took onest look at Nier before gently shutting the door.


    I didnt see the tear that ran across Niers face


    Your Highness, where are you going?


    As soon as I left the room, Lucia walked up to me in the corridor. I looked at her face, but didnt reply. I, instead, pulled her into my embrace to hug her tightly. I gently stroked her head, and then kissed her forehead. She jerked her body then responded with a gentle hug without asking me anything further. She just tightly hugged me.


    Come back soon, my husband.


    Ah, I know. Ill be back.


    Lucia released me after a moment and wiped the corner of her eyes while looking at me. She then touched my chest and quietly said, You havent recoveredpletely yet, so dont overextend yourself. Also, if you die, Ill never forgive you. Ill raise our child then go looking for you, and then Ill cling to you forever.


    I know, I know


    I kissed Lucias forehead onest time, and then went down the stairs. I resisted the urge to turn around multiple times. I descended the stairs without letting myself get distracted then walked out of the pce.


    Your Majesty!


    My guard unit was coincidentally gathered right now and just about to break off. Philes saluted me when he saw me. They regathered when they saw me and looked at me with gazes of excitement. I looked at my soldiers then looked at Philes and nodded.


    Did something happen?


    Philes was somewhat unsettled when he noticed that I looked very serious. I didnt answer him; instead, I turned to face the soldiers in front of me. I cleared my throat; then loudly dered, Brothers, I dont know if youre tired or not, but we have our next target and need to head out now. Bring your weapons and get ready to march!


    They didnt hesitate for a moment. They responded loudly, Roger!!


    Your Majesty, where exactly are we going?!


    I turned my head to look at Philes, who was next to me, and replied, To do battle.


    Philes lingered for a moment before saying, Do battle that is fine but is this not a little bit too sudden? We do not know the enemys numbers or their weapons How are we supposed to fight like this?


    Ill answer those questions for you.


    I turned to face the soldiers in front and loudly announced, Gentlemen, our target this time is the Royal Pce located in Hilles City to the south. They have a few hundred who we will be up against. Their main weapon is a long sword. All of them are skilledbatants. So lets go.


    Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait!!


    Philes covered my mouth with his hand. He had shock written all over his face. He looked left and right nervously before eximing, Your Majesty! Have you lost it?! Are you attacking Her Majesty?! This is treason! This is a serious crime! This is going overboard, dont you think?!


    Who said that Im rebelling against Her Majesty? Im Her Majestys son. Why would I attack my mom?


    But you just said


    Im talking about the Valkyries, get it?


    I clenched my teeth, and then looked at my soldiers with a violent look. In an aggressive voice I said, That Valkyries killed my personal servant. They killed my one and only personal servant, and yet the culprit is enjoying the treatment of a hero in the royal familys cemetery. I cant ept it. I cant ept somebody who made an attempt at my life and killed my personal servant to get off in such a carefree way. My personal servant, my Luna, is inside the royal familys cemetery. Thats not where her resting ce is. Shes my personal servant. I should be the one who puts her to rest! That Valkyrie shouldve been killed by me, but I didnt get the chance to. I didnt get the chance to kill her. Gentlemen, can you give me a hand? Im not revolting, nor am I trying to harm Her Majesty. I just want to bring my Luna home. I want to grind the bones of the one who killed my Luna to dust and throw it into the winds! This is my bottom line! Nobody will get away with killing my people! Nobody! If someone tries to stop us, charge through them. If wee under attack, retaliate. We just have to ughter our way back to the Royal Capital, storm the Royal Pce and bring my Luna back! Thats all I need!


    Philes looked at me with a nk expression in silence for a long time. Maybe what I said gave him too big of a shock, and he was still trying to process what I said.


    Of course, this isnt an order, because what I said is a little too foolish. I know that you all worship Her Majesty, and I know that you dont want to make enemies out of the royal family, so Im begging you for your help this time. Of course, Ill still, personally, go there even if you dont help me. Ill go there alone if I have to, in order to bring my Luna back!


    I looked at my silent soldiers and chuckled. I then turned to walk to the stables.


    I wasnt lying. Those were my honest thoughts.


    <em>Ill go whether I have assistance or not. But Im not going back there to apologise or cry. Im going back there to storm the cemetery and rescue my Luna.</em>


    Just as I mounted my horse and rode to the city entrance, I turned my head around to hear the sounds of horse hooves.


    <em>Nobody will stand up for me this time.</em>


    <em>From now on, I must stand up for myself!</em>