Book 17: Chapter 58


    The ze on that day burnt for an entire day. In spite of it being daytime, the mes and cinder was clearly visible from Hilles City. I stood at the edge of the hot spring and looked up at all the cinder floating in the sky simrly to a ck snowstorm. What resembled ck snowkes were actually the final traces of burnt corpses. The colourful dye flowers squirmed with all of their might as if they were trying to get out of the ground and leave the hell on Earth. The ashes pelted down on every petal; the beautiful flowers couldnt prop up.


    I sat down on a boulder and looked up at Troy City, which was aze and softly said, If God truly exists, God would have viewed me as a demon from hell from a long time ago, wouldnt he?


    Mommy Elizabeth sat down next to me. She took a light hold of my hand then looked into my eyes: I would be the demon from hell, then. Not you. Son, its all right. You dont need to me yourself for anything. It wasnt your fault. To the contrary, you released them from their misery and protected the entire continent. You didnt do anything wrong. Sometimes, nheless, theres a price to pay. Mommy understands. What youre going through is the same as what Mommy went through back then. As long as you know and ensure that youre in the right, then you have nothing to take responsibility for.


    I didnt respond. Mom helplessly smiled then rubbed my head: Mommy will help you rebuild Troy City. Its Mommys present for you. Its named after you, my most beloved son; therefore, Mommy will never allow it to disappear. No matter how many times Troy City is destroyed, Mommy will rebuild it. Your name must go down in history. Your name must remain standing there.


    I shook my head and, in a sombre mood, responded, Theres no need to do that, Mom. I will personally rebuild Troy City. The fault is mine; it had nothing to do with you. Theres no reason for you to help me. I must rebuild Troy City bit by bit with my own strength. Ill rebuild it brick by brick. Even if our alliance is no longer withstanding, Ill run back and forth between Duargana and Hilles City to let you be together again. I could sacrifice thirty thousand lives for this continent, so what else cant I sacrifice?


    Son Mom went onto her knees and straightened up her back to pull my head into her chest. She affectionately stroked my head and gently heaved a big breath: Son, thats precisely why Mommy feels a little lonely. Youre Mommys son. Right now, Mommy only has worthless pride. Mommy only knows how outstanding you are as a person and King; however, Mommy doesnt have a sense of satisfaction. In front of Mommy is an outstanding King and child, but why? Why does Mommy not have any memory of raising you? That feeling makes Mommy feel very lonely.


    Mom


    I epted Moms kind gesture this time. The warmth of her embrace allowed me to ignore the ck smoke outside for a while. Moms embrace was my impregnable castle. Only in her embrace could I momentarily forget everything I did, and everything I was worried about. All I needed was her embrace.


    I thought something happened when I saw the huge ze at Troy City. I never expected to witness this scene when I arrived, right, Elizabeth? When will you ever learn to stop stealing, you thief? First it was my brother, and now its my son? Provide me with an eptable exnation. What exactly happened at Troy City? Why has Troy City been reduced to <em>that</em>?


    Mommy Vyvyan aggressively pulled Mommy Elizabeth aside out of the blue. Mom screamed as she was hurled into the hot spring behind us. My voice went unheard due to Mommy Elizabeths big ssh in the water. Mommy Vyvyan immediately hugged me: Did something happen inside Troy City, Son?


    Yeah.


    I recounted what happened to Mommy Vyvyan, I dipped my hand into the hot spring to pull Mommy Elizabeth out. Mommy Elizabeth pulled off her soaked cape and lividly threw it aside. She howled, What was that for?! If we were in humanitysnds, Id kill right now!!


    Think about it: If you saw a rodent steal your food, shouldnt you throw it into the water to drown it to death?


    Im not that cruel!


    You can kill so many of us elves without batting an eye, yet you cant bear to kill a rodent? Youre using your kindness in the wrong ce, arent you? Son, Im d to see you so calm. I thought youd feel guilty, but raise your head. You did the right thing. Not everyone will agree that you are right. You just need to keep the end result in mind. If its better for the majority, then your decision is correct. You may be a King, but a Kings job isnt to make everyone happy. Its to make the majority happy. And thats all you have to live. It seems youveprehended that. Your gaze no longer shows that youre lost. Son, dont worry, and do what you believe to be right.


    Mommy Vyvyan cheerfully rubbed my head. I looked at my two moms: Thirty thousand people died and a city was destroyed. Why do you two look so happy? You make me feel stupid for feeling down. Thirty thousand peoples deaths are covering the sky, yet youre smiling? Thats everyones ashes, you know?


    Think about it from another perspective. You saved the entire continent, you know? Its in the past now, Son. Dont think about it anymore.


    Just as she was speaking, Mommy Vyvyans smile suddenly vanished from sight. Next thing I heard was a scream and a loud ssh of water. Mommy Elizabeth stood where Mommy Vyvyan just stood with a smug look. She gave Vyvyan, who was struggling in the water, a grin: Now you know how it feels, right?


    What did you just say? How dare you do this to me?!


    There was a thickyer of ash on the ground, all of which came from Troy City. When the ash littered the hot spring, I think I tasted ashes for the first time. The ashes were bitter and tasted burnt, bringing me to tears