Book 9: Chapter 44


    I looked at Elizabeth, who was examining the city defence blueprint in full gear, and called out to her from behind, Mom.


    Ah, Son, youre back.


    I was surprised that mom reacted very calmly. She smiled, I knew you were back already. Troy City hasnte under attack, yet. Karana has already told me what happened. By the looks of things, it seems that were cleaning another mess that the elves left behind.


    Uhm. However, that doesnt mean that Troy City wont ever be attacked. I looked at the blueprint that Mom was examining and softly said, When I came back, I saw a vige that had been looted by the anthropoids.


    Mom looked at my expression and asked, It mustve been very brutal, right?


    I clenched my teeth and gave an answered, Uhm, very.


    An Emperor doesnt need to grief over the deaths of his people for long, for he needs to work hard for those alive. Mom gave me a pat on my shoulder, and then touched my face. She let out a soft sigh and added, Mommy swears that this time, Mommy will definitely support your attack on the North with all of the nations power. These anthropoids shouldnt appear on ournds. Since they have appeared, I must make it so that they never appear here again.


    I looked at Mom and gave her a nod. Mom smiled then tenderly sped my face. She looked into my eyes, But before that, Mommy needs to defend Troy City from harm for you. Mommy will not let this city fall.


    If it cant be defended Mom, you can leave. I looked at the defence blueprint. Despite me being just a technician that never underwent military training under the military system, I could tell that Troy City, which was surrounded by t ins, wasnt suited for a defensive battle. All siege weapons would be effective against the city. The river ran through the city horizontally; consequently, if they poisoned it or blocked it to drown us, Troy City would be doomed. Furthermore, there are no cities nearby Troy City to assist. Therefore, if we get caught in a siege, even soldiers will be hard-pressed to escape.


    Thats not to mention that we dont have an army in the city. The only defence force is the militia that I made undergo training once a week. Theyre basically just armed civilians. Theirbat skills and their determination in battle are far inferior to a proper militarys, let alone having them fight against the brutal anthropoids.


    The only military team that can fight against the anthropoids are the Valkyries, but there are too few Valkyries in the city. Theyre struggling to defend the pce as is, so asking them to defend such a long city wall as well is unrealistic.


    Honestly, I was very surprised to see that Troy City was still standing when I returned.


    Mom dawdled. I quickly said, Troy City isnt suited for defensive battles. Itll be very dangerous to fight a defensive battle here. We still have time to leave now, since the anthropoids have yet to gather outside the city. Itll be impossible to break out if we get caught in a siege, though. Mom, Im very concerned about your safety. If you get hurt here I I will feel very guilty!


    Mom looked at me in silence. She neither agreed nor objected. I believe that Elizabeth, who has been the God of Battle for a long time,prehends the current predicament. In fact, she must know it better than I do. She must be aware of the chances of victory here and what the wise decision would be.


    Eighteen years ago, Mommy gave birth to you in that small vige on a tattered bed. As a matter of fact, it was the elves that helped me deliver you. You were tiny back then. You had your eyes shut and appeared tiny. Your skin appeared transparent. You have no idea how blissful Mommy felt when Mommy held you back then. Mommy was worried about hurting you when Mommy gave you a kiss.


    Mom suddenly brought the past up from a decade ago. She spoke of things that I couldnt connect with on a realistic level. I looked at Mom with a nk look, clueless as to what she meant by that.


    <em>I remember we were discussing the likelihood of being able to defend Troy City, not how I was when I was born.</em>


    Mom didnt look as though she had any intention of paying me any attention. She wore a blissful and shy smile. She looked ahead as if she could see the bliss that she felt eighteen years ago and the red cape used to wrap me up. She continued, At the time, Mommy had no other thoughts on Mommys mind. Mommy didnt think about eloping with your father, touring the entire continent or finding a beautiful ce to build a home or any of those things. Mommy just thought about living on with you in Mommys arms. Mommy didnt want to take one step away from you. Mommy just wanted to live somewhere peaceful and watch the cute and gentle you grow up.


    Mom!


    But, Mommy never thought


    Mom interjected, and then stood up. She walked up to me and sped my face tightly. She looked at my eyes with a hint of sadness in hers. She resumed, Mommy ran; Mommy ran away and abandoned you, leaving you in an unknown ce. Mommy abandoned you and left alone. Thats why Mommy had to suffer for thosest ten years. Its also why Mommy angers you over and over again. Its also why Mommy makes you feel hopeless. Mommy has always felt guilty and regretful. If Mommy didnt abandon you back then and kept you by Mommys side, if Mommy just beared with the extra bit of difficulty and fatigue, you wouldnt be suffering from the berserk mana condition. Luna wouldnt have died, and you wouldnt have gotten mad at Mommy for these things. Nothing that followed after that wouldve happened, either.


    Mom whats the point of saying all this now?!


    Mom looked at me and raised her voice, No! Theres meaning to it!


    She spun around swiftly and hit me on my face. She looked at the blueprint again and sternly said, Mommy abandoned you once. The pain, despair and betrayal Mommy suffered was rightesouly deserved punishment. Mommy will not abandon you again this time. This citys name is Troy City. Its your home. Son, this is your home. Mommy will not abandon you this time. Mommy will not watch the anthropoids trample on your home. Mommy doesnt have much time left to regret. Mommy will not back down this time. It would be a bliss for Mommy to die here, because Mommy didnt abandon you this time. Mommy didnt abandon Mommys most beloved son!


    I looked at her, and she turned her head to look at me. Her eyes showed determination tougher than steel. Mom appeared as dominant as she did on the battlefield here.


    <em>This must be Elizabeths form during wartime This must be the heroic and dominant way Mom appeared in the war back then.</em>


    <em>I might not be able to convince Mom to leave.</em>


    Son, you should head to the elves now. The elves are the true gate that fends off the anthropoids. Vyvyan should be engaged in battle now. The elves will struggle with their numbers, if the anthropoids are leading a heavy assault. Mommy knows that you want to go to the elves at a time like this, so go. Mommy will definitely defend this ce when you leave. Mommy will defend your home and your wives. Mommy should be protecting Mommys child in the first ce. This is the mission the gods have given Mommy. Mommy is finally able to do something Mommy should do. Mommy is very happy right now, honest.


    Mom looked at me with a consoled, yet somewhat hopeless smile. Her voice was a little shaky and her gaze wasplex to describe. There was affection, determination and more than anything, yearning.


    I couldnt resist the urge anymore. I walked over to Mom and hugged her. I sped her face and kissed her.


    The two of us tightly embraced. Mom didnt resist; she allowed me to hug her, and we clung to each other. She wrapped her arms around my waist and pulled me in tight.


    <em>Sorry, pops.</em>


    <em>You can forgive me, right?! Surely you can forgive me, right?!</em>


    Moms body was so gentle. The Empress that was always tough as steel, had a body as soft as Niers.


    Shes just a woman, a wife and a mother.


    Mom


    A moment after, I reluctantly let go of mom and took two steps back. I looked at her somewhat red face and wiped the corner of my mouth. I sincerely said, Stay safe, Mom. Ill be back. Ill definitely be back to rescue you. Dont let anything happen to yourself before I return. If something happens to you, Ill be very sad. You wouldnt do something to make your son sad, would you?!


    Uhm!


    Mom looked at me with a giggle and nodded.


    So wait for my return. Youre my most important mom. I will definitely return to your side!


    I clenched my teeth to force myself to steel my heart. I turned around then went to the door and pulled it open.


    Oh, right Mom, let me tell you onest time.


    I suddenly stopped. I turned my head around to look at Mom, who reacted slightly surprised. I smiled and said, Consider it the continuation of the mistake I madest time during the fireworks Let me tell you again I love you, too. I really do love you, too.


    I didnt wait for moms response; instead, I gently shut the door. If I continued to look at her, I might not be able to find the determination to go to war.


    <em>Ill definitely return!</em>


    <em>I will not allow my city, Troy City, to fall.</em>


    <em>I will not let Troy City, the city that houses my mom, Nier, Lucia and Freya to fall!!</em>