Chapter 460: [Dystopian Elven War] [36]
“Himl.” She said, her voice gentle. “I have a favor to ask.”
I frowned but nodded nonetheless. “Please speak.”
Hm?
Before she could reply, my phone vibrated.
I took it out as I saw the number.
…It was Aries.
My body imdiately tensed up as I was well aware why he was calling now.
‘So, they are back.’
I thought as I stared at the screen for a long second.
Before Elife could interrupt, I picked up the phone and placed it to my ear.
“Soren’s team…I think they will attack us soon.”
Aries didn’t waste any ti as he imdiately told the news.
“Where?” I asked.
“On the Northern border.” He replied. “If I had to say…We only have an hour at best.”
“I will be there soon.”
I replied and hung up the phone as Elfie kept on staring at .
“You have a favor to ask.” I said, looking into her translucent body. “Speak.”
Elife drew in a deep breath as she remained silent for a while.
Finally, she sighed and said,
“I want you to rember your past.” She looked into my eyes. “To rember what happened back then.”
I tilted my head in confusion. “Why should I?”
“I-I don’t know—.”
“Don’t say that.” I cut her off, extending my hand. “Don’t try to feed lies.”
Elife looked more conflicted than ever as she stared into my eyes.
Her lips trembled, but no words ca out.
I could tell…whatever she wanted to say, it wasn’t easy.
And I could vaguely guess what she was trying to achieve.
“So, you want to rember what tragedy happened with the World Tree, Nyria and Liam?”
I asked and sure enough she looked visibly uncomfortable by my words.
It wasn’t hard to guess that I was also sohow involved with the incident.
Maybe Liam’s death had sothing to do with .
Or perhaps I killed him.
I know those mories of my childhood aren’t good.
There is a reason why Yennefer asked Esray to seal them off.
I let off a loud tired sigh. “Are you doing this so I could grow more sympathetic towards the elves and help them?”
Elife’s translucent form flickered faintly, as if the question itself made her waver.
“…It’s not just about the elves,” she said quietly. “It’s about you.”
I arched a brow. “?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “You think you’re fine without those mories. That you’re… safer without them. But you’re not. You’ve been walking forward all this ti, Himl, but with half of yourself missing.”
I rubbed my temples as I felt a sudden headache creeping into my mind.
Urgh, I really hate this feeling.
“So, let get this straight.” I said, looking back at her. “You want to live with the pain and guilt of my past?”
“No.” She shook her head in response. “I want you to share your guilt and pain with others.”
Saying so, she looked past and I turned my head as well.
Nyria silently stood there staring blankly at the World Tree.
‘Tch.’
I clicked my tongue as I turned away.
“I don’t want to talk anymore.” I said to Elife. “And I hope you are free from your duties as the guardian now.”
“I can never be free.”
Elife whispered more to herself than .
“…..”
I chose to ignore her words as I walked past Nyria.
She also turned back and began to walk with .
There was a silence between us as we rushed back to the royal palace.
Nyria turned her head to look at .
I frowned. “What?”
“Always the ungrateful one.” She replied. “Aren’t you?”
I scoffed under my breath. “And you’re always the noisy one.”
God, I hate this stupid face of hers.
[]
Nyria didn’t stop there as she asked, “Is Himl your real na?”
“Why do you care?” I scoffed. “Just shut up already.”
She didn’t reply, but I caught the faintest sadness tugging on her face before she looked away.
‘….What’s with her?’
The palace gates ca into view, guards already moving in and out in a flurry.
I found Mariam standing at the front gate, seemingly waiting for .
As soon as we reached her she imdiately placed both her hands on my chest.
“Himl.”
She said, her voice soft,
“You don’t have to do this—.”
Is she talking about Soren’s team?
“I have already told you, haven’t I?” I replied, removing her hands. “I will be the one to kill them.”
Mariam’s lips tightened, but she didn’t move to stop again.
“You don’t have to interfere in the matters of elves—.”
“It has nothing to do with elves.” I cut her off once again. “Now, please…step aside.”
She let out a sigh as she moved away, leaving a clear path for .
I didn’t say anything else as I walked away.
But, just as I turned I found Siersha walking along with .
“I will—.”
“No.” I cut her off before she could say anything. “I am going to the battlefield, not on a picnic.”
“You need soone to watch your back.” She replied, looking into my eyes. “You can’t be sure if you would not get injured.”
But I am sure though.
There is no way they can kill unless they got much stronger than before.
“Wait, what are you guys talking about?” Nyria asked, frowning in confusion.
I glanced at her but didn’t bother to reply; instead I looked at Siersha.
Much to my annoyance, she looked pretty determined to follow even if I was to jump into hell.
“Urgh, fine.” I said, rubbing my temples. “I don’t have ti for all this.”
She just gave a quick nod as I began to walk.
Nyria was also following us but I had no intention to talk to her.
I just need to reach the Northern border as soon as possible.
—
[Northern Border, Alfheim]
Unlike the plain central border, the northern one was much more secure.
There were hundreds of soldiers rushing around the place as I walked down the rough pathway.
Even though we spent a lot of ti travelling, looks like we aren’t late.
A soldier quickly rushed towards and bowed. “Sir Aries is waiting for you.”
I just nodded and gestured for him to lead the way.
The soldier moved past a myriad number of tents before he reached the middle one.
When we stepped inside, Aries was talking with a few of his soldiers.
He quickly stood up when he saw . “Sir Himl.”
I gave him a nod as I asked, “Where are they?”
He walked towards . “There is movent in the front.” He replied. “Let lead you.”
I nodded before I looked at Siersha and Nyria standing behind .
“Stay here.” I ordered and I was in no mood to hear no.
Siersha seed reluctant but she nodded nonetheless.
Aries walked out of the tent and I followed right behind him.
“They’re not hiding,” Aries muttered, his tone sharp. “They want us to see them.”
I narrowed my eyes.
Yeah… that was Soren’s style. Loud, cocky, and always convinced he was in control.
“Any changes in their numbers?” I asked.
“A small team,” Aries replied. “No army with them… like always.”
“They’re confident,” I said flatly.
We descended the slope until the ground leveled out near the forward barricades.
Soldiers straightened as we passed, weapons clutched tighter.
So whispered my na. Others just stepped back.
The sll of death and decaying soil mixed with the faint scent of smoke.
The tension in the air was almost visible.
“How far out?” I asked.
“Half a mile, maybe less. They’ll be here soon.” Aries adjusted the straps on his armor. “You want to engage first?”
“No.” I said, stepping forward past the barricade. “Take your soldiers and get out.”
Aries frowned but didn’t argue. He knew better.
“I will be close by in case you need help.” He replied with a deep bow.
I didn’t reply as I kept on walking further into the empty land.
A flicker of movent caught my eye and then another.
…They were here.
Phenex erged first along with Imri who quickly hid as soon as he saw .
Dagan followed, resting his axe on his shoulder, grinning as if he’d been waiting for this.
Valerius ca next, his mouth set in a grim line, still favoring the side I’d struck last ti.
And finally… Soren.
He strolled out of the trees with that sa infuriating calm.
“We et again, Himl.” he said, as if greeting an old friend.
I looked at him with a smile. “Why are you not nervous?”
“We are.” He replied. “But we are also confident in killing you this ti.”
I chuckled at the absurd words that ca out of his mouth.
Behind , I heard soldiers shifting nervously.
‘…These stupid fuckers.’
Even though I told them to get away, more and more of them were gathering to look at the show.
‘…Urgh, whatever.’
I relaxed my body as I took out the halberd and ford a sword with mana.
“Hey Soren, I will give you a head start.” I said, as I looked at him. “Open your kingdom.”
He tilted his head. “Why should I?”
I leaned forward as I stared into his eyes. “I don’t want you to run like before.”
He laughed at my words as he replied, “It won’t happen this ti.”
“Why are you taking so much ti.” Imri chid in from behind Phenex. “Just kill him.”
I gave Imri a flat look. “Keep barking, flower boy. I’ll deal with you soon enough.”
His jaw tightened, but Phenex put a hand on his shoulder before he could spit more words.
Soren, on the other hand, kept smiling. “We have given enough courtesy.” He said. “Your death—.”
I exhaled as I completely subrged my mind with mana.
A clear path appeared in front of leading to their weakest link.
The place shifted in a purple flash, and I appeared just beside Phenex and behind Imri.
Imri barely had ti to widen his eyes before my hand clamped around his throat.
His scream was muffled as I crushed his entire neck.
Bloody and crushed bones dripped down my hands as Imri’s body fell down.
“HIML!!!”
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