Book 9: Chapter 37


    Tanya!


    After Tanya killed theirmander, I led a heavy assault, causing the anthropoids to flee. I didnt pursue them; instead, I dismounted to grab Tanyas shoulder, as she was going to go after them.


    Tanya looked at me, feeling slightly surprised, but she didnt say anything; instead, she lowered her head with a nonchnt look.


    Your Majesty, Tanya is Socina Citys hero, please do not


    Dont speak right now, Karana.


    I had no idea how violent my expression looked, but I saw Karana take two steps back, with a terrified look on her face. That made me realise just how frightening the expression I just looked at Tanya with was.


    I took in a deep breath to ease my expression. I looked at Tanya and stroked her cheek, only to end up getting my hand covered in blood. I sighed, and then raised her small head up. Tanya resembled a doll that let me do as I pleased. She looked at me with her lifeless eyes. She didnt show the disappointment or mellowness that I was worried shed be feeling.


    Perhaps she has no other thoughts other than to kill the anthropoids.


    She was more simr to a machine than a kid.


    I wiped the blood off her face without saying anything. I just wiped away the blood that covered her face. Karana and Ling Yue looked at me strangely, but they didnt say anything, either. Tanya let me wipe the blood away until the end where she revealed a confused expression after.


    Sorry, I was too aggressive with you just now.


    I stroked her head under her hat and sighed. I said, How should I put it? You are, indeed, Socina Citys hero, since you broke the siege on the city, but you cant charge forward the way you did. If you failed to kill them and got in danger, what are we going to do? Your father entrusted you to me, so I cant let something happen to you when weve just gotten together. You are very brave; that said, you need to learn to protect yourself when you act on your bravery.


    With my hand on her head, Tanya softly replied, I just want to kill anthropoids.


    You need to protect yourself when you kill as well. Youre no longer yourself anymore. Since your father entrusted you to me; youre my soldier now, my Tanya. You must protect yourself. That way, you can be of more assistance to me.


    Im just a tool


    Tanya raised her head and looked at me with an odd look. She softly exined, My parents were killed by the anthropoids I was adopted since I was young. I need to kill anthropoids. I need to kill them. They were the ones who destroyed my family. They destroyed us. I must kill all of them


    I stroked Tanyas head and responded, Youll get to kill enough of them if you follow me, Tanya. However, I need you to live to do that. I shall now give you your firstmand as your currentmander. Your order is to make sure you learn to protect yourself. You are not to charge before I give themand. But I also promise to give you the chance to get revenge. Ill give you lots and lots of opportunities. Ill let you kill more and more anthropoids.


    Tanya seemed to feel a bit puzzled. She looked up at me with an odd gaze and replied, I dont understand the point of that order. Your Majesty I just want to kill anthropoids. I dont care about whether I live or not I


    I care!


    I gave Tanyas head a firm rub. I crouched down and looked into her eyes with sincerity. I exined, But I care! Youre my Tanya. If you die for a pointless kill, Ill be very sad. Youre my Tanya. Your life belongs to me from now on, and so, I wont let you waste your value.


    Understood, Your Majesty. I will not do that again.


    Tanya looked into my eyes. An iparablyplex gaze appeared in her eyes for the first time. I nodded then stood up. Somebody then suddenly tugged my cloak.


    I turned around to see Tanya grabbing my cloak with a light grip. She softly apologised, Sorry


    Uhm, its all right.


    I lingered for a moment, and then scrubbed Tanyas head with a smile. She shuddered then held onto my cloak without letting go.


    I looked at Ling Yue. She had kept silent the entire time. She lowered her head to look at the corpses on the ground and spaced out. The anthropoids didnt put up much of a resistance, but they did leave behind a field of corpses.


    Ling Yue looked at the corpses in silence. I walked up behind her and patted her on her shoulder. I asked, Whats wrong, are you a little sad?


    Uhm.


    It was the first time Ling Yue responded so docilely. She looked at the corpses all around with a sad look. She softly said, There was no way I would ever have interacted with these lowly anthropoids; but, they are mypanions, living on the same continent, nheless. Now, however, they want to kill me, while I also want to kill them This feeling really really makes me feel ufortable.


    I dont know what happened on that side, and you wont tell me what happened, but what I see is them trying to kill you and invade mynd. That makes them my enemy. Since they want to bring war to mynd, Ill be sure to take the war back to them.


    I looked at Ling Yue and solemnly said, Theyre no longer yourpanions. Theyre now your enemy; therefore, you dont need to show any pointless kindness. Ling Yue, Ive always wanted to ask you something.


    What?


    Ling Yue turned her head. There was a hint of sadness in her eyes. She looked as though she was particrly small in the moment despite her usual proud and conceited self. She resembled a young girl, who got abandoned at a department store, with the massive department store behind her. Shed be standing in the ground shaking, but was too small for anyone to notice.


    I looked at her and asked, Are you willing to help me?


    She looked up at me with a dumbstruck look. Her long ears shook, and then in a shaky voice, asked, What did you say?


    I looked at her and replied in a serious tone, I said, are you willing to help me? I want to get revenge. I want to go to the North. I need a map. I need to know the races there. I need to know much more, and then more. You hold that information, so I want to ask you to help me with all sorts of things.


    Ling Yue looked at me. Tears slowly formed in her eyes. She looked at me with her crescent-moon eyes. She suddenly extended her hands out and grabbed my cor. She thumped my chest with her head as she sobbed, Please help me I want to return. I want revenge I will provide you with my knowledge, my body, my soul I can give you everything, but please I beg you Let me get revenge Let me avenge my father Let me avenge my tribesmen


    I looked at her and sincerely responded, I guess its a deal, then. You provide me with your knowledge, your body and soul. Ill avenge you, and give you to the revenge you want, and Ill avenge your family.


    Uhm!


    Ling Yue nodded then released my cor. Her reliable confidence and pride was restored to her red eyes, Lets go with that, then. Ill give everything of mine to you, and you must give me the revenge I deserve.


    Uhm, promise.