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Road to Valhalla Chapter 18: Who's the Fool?
"Jack, I don't want to die.""I'm sorry.""Jack, I want to see you smile again.""I'm sorry.""Jack, would you come with me?""Corsen...I'm so sorry.""Chopper-san!", my voice called him back to the now. I had been silently watching him sitting like that in front of the tombstone. I barely had it in me to hold out any longer than this."Chopper-san", I walked closer to him, "We should get going."He had been sitting like a kid in front of whoever's grave that was. The one worded Corsen wasn't enough for me to know if that person was even human to begin with."Chopper-san, should we stop to rest?", I asked him further along the way. We had been silent for far too long."No, let's just go see Lady already."He replied briefly. I don't know how, despite our wounds we made it back so early.The sun was throwing it's first rays on Mercae clock tower when we made it back to the church. As always, it was misty and foggy around the green mound where the cave-like-church was.Opening the door,
Road to Valhalla Chapter 19: Beyond My Horizon
"I believe people cannot stand the idea of not being noticed. They don't realize so often that the race is over. Seraph, have you ever walked in the middle of the road in bright daylight?""Eh?...No...""That's instinct. Even if you were left blindfolded on a road, you would instinctively walk towards a side. That's what's drilled into us. But real freedom is in the middle, where you are exposed and vulnerable. On all sides, there's a world, unknown to you but also fully known by you. It's beautiful, don't you agree Seraph?""Lady...isn't it lonely, though, on this road to freedom?" ******************I have been going around the capital a lot these days. Sight does many chores around town, all on Lady's orders of course and he asked me if I wanted to tag along. I think he'd been wanting to take my mind off of Chopper. Every time I train with his blade, I can't help but wonder what he's up to now.Deli had been helping me train.
Road to Valhalla Chapter 20: Mother of Two
"Lady, do you think people are better at making laws than building logics?""What, Seraph? That's a sudden thought, isn't it? Well I think, people aren't any good either way. Even if they make laws full of logic, when they can't uphold laws like that then why make them in the first place? Maybe, they aren't so logical after all.""But people shouldn't be allowed to do whatever they want, right?""And why not? If they can do something, then they should do that. Aren't we born free? Then if freedom isn't about doing whatever, what's the point of it?""You say that, Lady but isn't it true that you follow some laws as well?""Perhaps more so than anyone else. But then when did I say I'm free?" ************"Deli-san, what...is this?""Seraph, if you keep freaking out at every single thing, people are going to think you are country bumpkin.""But...I am a country bumpkin."Deli sighed, "Well, do you have to show it?""But what a
Road to Valhalla Chapter 21: Dernière
"Deli, shouldn't we check with the orphanage before getting a room? I mean, we should confirm before settling down if-""Chopper is never wrong so we don't have to confirm", Deli replied as she proceeded to check in with the old lady at reception.I wonder if what she said was true. People are dying every day on the border of Ildia. I heard after we had left Ildia that Halen was never recovered. Its people were either captured or killed, though some managed to flee to the capital. I had believed that Halen's destruction was a mistake and the yoke of it fell on both Chopper and me and yet...how can Deli be so confident about Chopper?"Let's go out after we've settled in", Deli proposed as we were putting our luggage in our room.Surprisingly, I wasn't bothered by the fact that she booked a single bedroom.Considering, I had bought nothing with me, except for a coat, I don't suppose there was much for me to do with a room either. Deli had carried a briefcase which now rested on the bed,
Road to Valhalla Chapter 22: The Forgotten Night
I found myself in the middle of the most dazzling place I had seen in my entire life. I can't say it was beautiful but it was blindingly bright. Everyone was dressed in sleek tuxedos and silky gowns that sprawled and fluttered around as they moved. Nevertheless, they were never stepped upon, not even during one of the dances. This was the discipline that Deli had called "utterly meaningless and boring". I stood like a pillar of stone in the middle of that hall. Truthfully, I couldn't tell left from right in that place and had no idea where I should go.I think I got mistaken for a waiter once or twice. I hadn't realized Deli put her fur coat on me before she left. If it weren't for that, I'd have been denied entry into such a place. The saving grace is that the coat was black and perhaps not as fancy as the other ladies had on in Dernière. I picked up a drink from one of the waiters who gave me a surprised look but retained his silence. I don't know what kind of drink it was. I hadn't
Road to Valhalla Chapter 23: Drops of Life
"I didn't want to get married. And I was never happy. But when he wasn't here anymore, life sure got sad all of a sudden. I wonder why that is. Why am I so sad?" **************Deli and I went to the orphanage which was in a secluded and more peaceful area than all of Versailles. In fact, it was on the outskirts of Versailles and there weren't a lot of convenient ways to get there. We practically had to cross a whole forest before we got to that place. I was surprised to see that it wasn't a run-down place like I had been imagining. The orphanage was called Gouttes de Vie and it was breathtakingly beautiful. I haven't been mesmerized by any building in all of Versailles as much as I was taken aback by Gouttes. Deli and I stepped out of our car which we had rented earlier this morning and stood facing the magnificent, moderately-sized orphanage. Unlike me, Deli wasn't surprised at all. I concluded she had seen this place b
Road to Valhalla Chapter 24: Awakened
"You are such a lovely guy, I couldn't just hold it in", a lustrous voice echoed in the darkness of that scarlet room."What...what are you doing...a...?""It's alright. It won't cost you much. I've been holding myself back for far too long. I can't afford to dry up like this or my beauty will..."A figure moved into vision."Amelia...?", the figure which was almost naked had bared its fangs, and was about to dig in.It growled in a low voice as its face moved closer. But just before it could thrust its teeth in, something stopped it."Deli...?!"She grabbed Amelia's neck and flung her aside as if she was a doll."Keep your filthy mug off him, ghoul!"She surely wasn't pleased though it was hard to discern what kind of look she had on her face."Ghoul...?", Amelia spat a gob of blood on her side and tried to stand up, "Who the hell are you?!"She flung forward like a beast to attack Deli who stood as calm as ever. Amelia grabbed hold of her, thrusting her claws into her arms and paws
Road to Valhalla Chapter 25: Stuck in Time
"Why do you think you ended up like this?""...""So you don't have an answer? Or is it that the answer is too hard for you to say? If you hadn't been so full of yourself, you could have saved everything. Well, you are my daughter, after all, we are just the same. Always thinking we know everything, that's in our blood. And this pride isn't something to be resented either. After all you and I...we are living for one singular goal, aren't we? I know...you understand, don't you? And that's why no matter what comes, we have to keep fighting, for our lives and for our children too." ****************Even though I now had the horse with me, I had no idea where to go. I kept going at a steady pace in an arbitrary direction, under the assumption that I had the horse's reins in my hands. Little did I know it was going where it pleased without any regard for me. I wonder why I didn't realize it but it kept on running until w
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- Road to Valhalla
Final Chapter: A World Where They Are No Longer
I would like to think to myself that this isn't the end. But seeing as her story went back to where it all started, I realized that my role wasn't saving her at all. I just made sure she'd continue to exist, eternally.In eternal suffering and forgetfulness and new encounters and the last times, in every world, she'll continue to exist.As for me, I couldn't bear to live in a world knowing she was somewhere out there, helpless and torn, just as she'd been when I first found her.When did I first find her?Who can say? I had always been talking about how I wished I'd met her sooner. In fact, I had always known her. Our existences were intertwined so much that I don't think either of us could just pull away and be happy all on our own without thinking of the other.After I'd returned Lady's power to her, I floated away in an empty space for an eternity. I was foolish enough to think that the sorrow would fade away one day. But no matter how long and far I floated away, the memory and th
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 211: The End is The Beginning
It was the coldest I'd felt in ages, and there was an aching heaviness in my head that I simply couldn't seem to shake off no matter how much I walked. I don't know when, how, or why I was walking through the snow towards the top of some hill I didn't even know.For that matter, I didn't remember who I was, how I'd gotten there, or where I was going.And just like that, before I knew it, I had collapsed in a den of wolves. Luckily, it looked abandoned, so I didn't get eaten off right away. I figured it'd be a long, slow death. I found the idea of such a gentle death appealing, despite the fact that I was walking mindlessly just seconds ago.I must have passed out, for when I came to, I was stiff as a rock. And yet, I wasn't that cold anymore. I lifted my head to find myself covered in a bear pelt. Someone had been so kind as to cover me up. And yet, the pelt was rather old and shoddy. Who cared as long as it could keep me warm?I stood up, looking around, getting accustomed to my surr
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 210: Promise
"I didn't imagine we'd ever come to a crossroads such as this", I let out a puff of smoke, standing opposite her."But, as a matter of fact, I always had a feeling we would", Lady answered with her signature smirk."Sure, you did", I said sarcastically.It was surprising at first. But things made sense soon enough. Lady had sent all of us away on a mission. She'd isolated herself at Valhalla. Chopper had left of his own accord. She'd sent Sight to look for him. Deli had gone to see her children. And she bid Lubbock and June farewell. She'd even given her fur coat to June. Grim was on a mission, too. And I was looking for Jean V. to deliver her letter.It was all exactly as it had been back then. When I'd return from meeting Jean V., Lady would already be beyond saving. Back then, all I knew was that the person who sent her that blank letter was the one who came to kill her. I never ventured to find out much else.It all made sense now as I stood be
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 209: No Bells Ring in Heaven
"Must you leave without fulfilling my wish, Seraph?"He had some guts to ask. I looked up at the red sky. There was nothing but barren, burnt land all around us."What else could you ask for?", I looked back at him."You look so old, Seraph", he chuckled, "What exactly did you give the others?"I looked behind me without answering his question. There was no one and nothing."What? It's a long story", I answered without looking at him."We've got time to kill", he grinned."I don't", I said, but went on to answer him anyway, "I gave everyone what they wanted.""Really?"I glared at him, "Yes, really, Grim. I took a fee, of course."He laughed."And what will you take from me?", he asked, grinning.I looked around and then rested my eyes on him."There's really nothing."He seemed to agree."So how'd you manage?""Well, Grim, you could almost call it travelling back through time. Though, it really isn't that. I split the worlds to create new ones. Time doesn't exist for me anymore. Ever
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 208: A Wonderful World
"I will take death in any way and form it comes to me, anywhere and anytime."That had to be the most brazen statement I'd heard. It took me a bit to take that statement in."You really have no special requests? If I can, I'd like to make it up to you", I sat down and stared at his bloodied face.He shook his head."Make up for what?", he asked.He didn't know me yet to call me "boy" but I suppose that's the way it had to be.I had become better at rewriting the reality. I could write quite far back in certain cases. For example, in Sight's case, I made it so he never met Lady and Chopper on the night he killed the prima donna, Czarna Dalia.Before meeting them he didn't know anything about what he'd been doing. He didn't know what an outcast was, even though he himself was an outcast. Ignorance is indeed the greatest of all blisses. And I thought for Sight, it had to be the biggest saving.Lady was right. People who see things differently are the most dangerous of all. Especially tho
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 207: A World You Deserve
"This isn't what I asked for, Seraph", she complained, fixing her glasses on her tiny nose."I don't get what the hell it is that you want exactly, June", I was beginning to get tired."You don't understand at all", she folded her arms."You're damn right, I don't. What kind of crazy a-""One thing.", she looked at me sternly, "One thing I'm asking for is a place to be happy. Not a mother, not a wife, not a hero, not any of the other things you're trying to come up with.""What'll make you happy, exactly?", I folded my arms and leaned against the wall of Valhalla.Everyone else was off to fend the red sky off. June had been left behind in a protective barrier.She fell silent."How about Lady? Isn't she your favorite?""I could care less about her", she answered, bluntly, "I hate her.""Huh?", I wasn't sure I'd her heard her right."She does everything on a whim. She claims to understand everything when rea
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 206: The Greatest Ordinary Man
"They are waiting for you, Monsieur Lubbock", a dark woman poked her head into the dressing room, "It's almost time for the show."The bajillion young ladies that were powdering his nose scattered away.His face was pink with heat and he wore a long fancy coat. It almost looked odd on his somewhat small figure."I'll be right there", he answered, gussying up in the mirror."Aww, you're leaving already, Monsieur?", some of the girls came up to him.He chuckled modestly."What can I say? The life of the greatest singer in the world isn't so relaxing, my dears.""You might be the greatest singer, but Monsieur is also the life of all women's hearts", one of the cheekier ones commented.Lubbock laughed. He didn't try to hide how much he loved being pampered like this."I'm sorry, girls. My audience awaits!"Saying so, he shot out of the room and hurried towards the stage. Backstage was always heated just before his shows. He was the one star that every theater wanted to have. But he was a
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 205: The Stars in Her Eyes Still Shine
"Do you blame me for mother's death, father?", she asked, placing the empty cup of tea on the little side table.Her father wasn't facing her. He was still locked up in his study, reclining on his chair and looking out of the window at some distance lands.She sat straight, with her back erect. The weight of her gown was enough to tire her but she was made up, as befitting of a noble. She had to look all the more perfect since she was visiting her home for the first time since her marriage."Blame you?", the lord of the house spoke in his grave voice after a while, "I simply don't think you were worth her death. Esme was a wise woman. A level headed, understanding, noble woman."Faye looked at her lap."You refuse to carry out the will of the house of Vlad. You'll go as far as to commit a heinous crime to that end. I'm disappointed beyond measure."Faye pursed her lips. No one but she herself had been hurt the most by what she'd done."Vlad was born to you twice. And yet, you ungratef
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 204: A Nice Dream For Grey Eyes
"Tell you what, Seraph, this one time, I met a girl and she had these enormous scars all over her arms and legs. I couldn't help noticing her, of course. When she told me she did it herself, I couldn't help it. I killed her then and there", he chuckled to himself, "I didn't want to do it, of course. Something just came over me. It wasn't that she told me she did it herself. It was how she said it. She was smiling.""I'm sure she wasn't smiling because she was happy", I answered, with a solemn look on my face."I'm sure of that too. I was sure of it back then too. That's probably why I killed her. But do you know how many people I've saved?"He looked at my face. I stayed silent."I've saved more people than I've killed. I've been counting since the beginning. I know, for sure, that my atonement is over. At least, it ought to be. But does it look like I'm still repenting?", he asked, smiling vaguely, knowing my answer."You do.""That's because I am. No matter how many I save...the ato
