Chapter 5: A Last Chance
"And, there we go! That's the last one!" Wilford said with a delighted voice.
After the speech that he gave to the people of Liebenheit, Wilford proceeded to remove the slave collars that his beastmen servants wore.
The slave collars were a mandatory thing for all slaves, which was created to partially sterilize the beastmen, and stop them from randomly reproducing, and to lock away the hidden power that made them a foe to reckon with.
The collars were made by special materials from the land of titans, converted into one solid metal by the alchemists, crafted into a collar by the dwarves, and magically enchanted by dark art users to give the collar it's handicapping abilities.
After the last collar dropped to the ground, the servants of the mansion, and Kant, began clapping to Wilford from their sheer amazement and respect.
"Wilford, I didn't know that you could do that. But, how? Aren't these collars supposed to be impossible to take off?" Kant asked with confusion and wonder in his voice.
"Well, that is true, considering that these are enchanted by dark magic. However, as a previous member of the Paragons, we all possess an aura that is uncomparable to normal magic practitioners and even those who use aura as well. These collars are made out of a simple spell in my eyes, yet quite unbreakable for most people."
"You're amazingly talented, Lord Wilford. But, doesn't this count as a crime if they're removed?" Kant asked once again.
"Well, I'm sure that you're willing to overlook that, right, Mr.Kant?" Wilford asked, a smirk plastered on his face.
"Haha, of course, Lord Wilford. Also, on that note. Lord Wilford, may I speak to you in private, for a little moment?" K ant requested.
"Of course."
The two men proceed to make their way out of the manor, and towards the front gate, where the crowd previously was. As soon as they reached the gate, Wilford noticed something strange in Kant's expression. The elderly man seemed really nervous before he opened his mouth to speak to Wilford.
"Lord Wilford, there's something that I want to ask you."
"Of course, go ahead."
"Wilford...is it true? What happened back at the capital, is all of that true?"
"I think you'll have to specify what's this thing in particular."
"Were all the beastmen present at the festival captured? Tell me… were they really...executed." Kant asked, expecting for the worst to happen.
Wilford didn't know how to reply, for he knew the tragic truth.
"What you have heard is...unfortunately true. I'm sorry, I didn't know such a thing could happen."
Upon hearing Wilford's words, Kant felt his entire world shatter right before him as his eyes widened in sheer horror and shock. He then pulled his hair in frustration with one hand, while he used the other to tightly grip his shirt.
"Oh...Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness! Hans...my poor boy. I thought he would be safe if I sent him there with a pseudonym and disguise. I thought... I thought that he would finally be able to attend the festival for once in his life." Kant broke down as he struggled to hold himself back from crying. Unfortunately, he failed to do so as a single tear came down from his right eye.
"Wait…Hans?" Wilford asked, disregarding the elderly man's depressive state.
"Yes, he's my grandson and Lucas's brother. I sent him to the capital with one of my merchant friends under a fake name, my name precisely. I thought that he could safely enter and exit the Capital...it was such a great mistake."
"Hans...I think your grandson is alive. Hans Kant, was that his fake name?"
"Yes, but how can you know if he's alive?"
"He's the only one that Engel cared enough about to spare from immediate execution. Kant, tell me, where is the nearest warrior knights' outpost?"
"It's quite some distance away. Precisely, west of the town, near the border. But, why do you want to know, Wilford?"
Wilford stayed silent for a few seconds as he stared at the ground, his eyes wide as a thought crossed his mind.
'Maybe I might be able to save one of them. No, I will save one of them!'
Wilford gazed at Kant with a look of determination, "I know this may be too soon, Mr.Kant. But, I would like to borrow one of your finest horses, for I have a mission to accomplish." He said as a confident smile lit up his face.
…
As the day passed, and the night came, Wilford was leaning on the balcony of his room as he gazed at the beautiful, starry night sky and the ever so lovely and breathtaking sight of the pure moon. Wilford was alone in his room, holding a piece of paper which he was writing on with a quill, while the servants were packing some of the stuff that he will need during his trip to the warrior knights' outpost.
Wilford's moment of focus and tranquility was interrupted by the sound of the door to his room closing ever so gently. As he turned around to see who stepped inside, his eyes fell upon the sight of Evelyn wearing a white nightgown, giving him a partially sad look.
"Going to bed already?" Wilford asked with a simple smile.
"Not quite," Evelyn replied, her voice a little shallow.
Evelyn walked towards Wilford with steady steps. Upon reaching the balcony, the young woman gazed at the full moon before she shifted her gaze towards Wilford.
"What are you writing?" Evelyn asked.
"Oh, it's the letter that I will give to the warrior knights. I know that they can't send my letter directly to the Capital, but maybe if I use the 'Engel' stamp that you still have, it might work out well."
"I see. So, you're determined on bringing that beastman back?"
"Of course, whatever it takes. I may have caused the death of those poor beastmen back at the festival, but life gave me a chance to redeem myself, and I shall gladly take it."
"Oh dear, you're that determined, aren't you?"
"That I am… Evie, I saw that look on your face a million times earlier. I know you're mad, or disappointed, or both."
"Neither. I just wish that you could've used some of that determination you have to raise your children...and care for your family."
"Oh my… Evie, are we seriously going to start this discussion again?" Wilford sighed in frustration.
"Wilford, you don't like this topic because you know it's the truth. You're putting more effort to achieve an impossible dream than you are into raising your kids. I understand why you might not give me much time of your day, but… William and Emilie are your children. They need a father in their life."
"I know, I know, Evie. Just give me a little more time, and I promise you that I will spend more time with all of you. Just give me a little more time."
"How many times, Will? How many times will you keep saying that? Until William grows up and becomes an adult, or until Emilie marries someone, or until I become old and shriveled up?"
Wilford slammed the door of the balcony with the palm of his hand, in a desperate move to make Evelyn quiet down for a bit.
"Evie, you know what kind of person I am… You know that I can't live my life knowing that there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people, my people, suffering out there! I want to spend more time with William and Emilie, but I'm doing this to create for them a better future. I've lived in the darkest eras of Traumiery, so my duty as a father, is to make my children grow up, and live a life far better than I did, starting with this." Wilford said as he pointed at the piece of paper he was holding.
"Will, what will that 'bright' future change in children that lived a hollow, empty childhood? Why did you have to be like this, Will? Why did you prioritize the lives of a bunch of slaves over that of your family, and friends?"
"Friends? Friends?! Do you realize that those very friends are the ones that caused this? Don't you know that those 'friends' are the ones who took our old life away, and made my son hate me?!"
"How dare you say that?!" Evelyn said as she slapped Wilford on impulse, tears racing down her cheeks.
"Do I need to remind you how when you, Raymond, Ludwig, and Julius were the best of friends, before you started drifting away, and hardly speaking to them anymore? Did you know that when you wanted to marry me, I refused to accept your proposal, that's until Julius convinced me that you would be the perfect one for me... Yet, you still dare blame them for your problems, even though they saved you from execution. Do you have the slightest of ideas how great of a responsibility they're carrying right now on your behalf?
I've loved you with all my heart, Will. I truly did. Despite all your errors, I've never once thought about leaving you and going back to the Engel mansion, my home. But, if you don't take your family life seriously if you don't take your fatherly responsibilities seriously, then I'll have no choice but to leave with William and Emilie."
Wilford kept silent as he turned around, gazing at the moon. Suddenly, a small tear ran down his cheek as he looked at the paper he was holding.
"...Life is disgustingly unfair. To make me choose between my life's dream and my family...this world is truly, unspeakably cruel." Wilford spoke in a defeated voice as he leaned on the balcony, resting his head on his hand.
"Will, don't give up on your dreams but don't give up on your family. Don't be like your father...don't be like Philip. You're walking down the same path as him, but you can still change it into a better one; you still haven't reached the point of no return. A man who can't make his family happy, can't make the world happy. So please, Will. Make your family happy, then change the world as much as you please." Evelyn said as she hugged Wilford as gently as possible, trying to comfort the broken young man.
"...Alright...Alright. I'll try to fix what I've broken, at least once in my miserable life. But, before that, I need to finish this, Evie. Before I can make you all happy, I need to redeem myself. I need to save the last one… at least one. Then, I'll make up for all the lost time that I couldn't have with you, William, and Emilie." Wilford said as he turned towards Evie, giving her a simple smile.
"Thank you, Will. Just remember that I still believe in you to the bitter end, because I know that you are able to change."
After they finished their discussion, the couple walked back to their bedroom together, partially resolving the feud between them. And that marked Wilford's first step into a better path in life where he could achieve redemption from his regretfull actions.
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