Chapter 29: The Problem P7
~29.7~
*****
"You're really her?"
Lana sighed as she brought over three cups of milk tea for herself, Lane, and Luma. "You have asked that question almost nonstop since the duel." Luma giggled as Lana teased Lane.
"Because it's that freakin' unbelievable!" Lane's expression hadn't changed at all since Luma forced him to put on the ring. He hated the idea of wearing a ring, but it was made with manasteel, so it could be morphed into another shape. Luma taught him how to change it, and he switched it to a wristband. Lane was happy and angry at the same time, and his face did nothing to hide either.
"Well, believe it. The illustrious Lady Luma is our mother."
"What about our father?"
Luma looked away, not wanting to answer.
Lana didn't want to answer either, but she knew she would lose the war of attrition with her mother. "Dead."
"Hmph." Lane down his milk tea in one go. "I guess starting the day with no parents and ending the day with one isn't bad." He eyed Luma, who returned a smile. "Will you say something?"
"I love you, son."
"Something that isn't obvious."
Luma giggled. "I'm proud of you."
"I said something that isn't obvious."
"Pfft." Lana barely held herself back.
"Lane, what do you want to do after the Slayer Academy?"
Luma's question ended the mixed expression on Lane's face. "Long term? I plan to do what Lana does. Minus the evil guy that was pulling her strings before."
"Bounties?"
Lane nodded. "That's right. I'll travel and take on bounties that others can't do." He looked up at his mother, and was taken aback at the face he saw.
Her expression told him she was serious. "Lane. You know what I am, yes?"
"A transmigrator."
"Before that, I am a Sword Saint and Grand Duchess of Elysium. Before even that, I am the Sword Saint of Alexandria. My entire existence has been filled with combat. I've killed countless people and monsters alike." She paused for a moment and looked down at her cup. "Son, listen. Before you so haphazardly decide that your career will be taking lives, I want you to consider a few things." She looked up again. "There is one thing the academy doesn't prepare you for. Nothing can prepare you for it. Taking another life will have an impact on you. It doesn't get easier with practice. You will have to carry the weight of every kill with you for the rest of your life. And you will make enemies. You will live with a target on your back."
"You've lived for a long time with a target on your back."
Luma shook her head. "That part is different for me. They say that no matter how strong you are, there's always someone stronger."
"That's a common phrase, yes."
"Lane, I am that someone stronger. There are only a handful of people who can defeat me in a death match. All of those people are the royalty I am sworn to. It doesn't matter if I make enemies. None of them can touch me. The only way they can hurt me is by harming the people I care about. Though, perhaps you wouldn't have to worry about enemies because of me." Luma gave him a confident smile. "But Lane, even if that part isn't an issue... the weight of taking a life is not small. I want you to think about it very seriously. You'll have to take lives. And you will make enemies. There may be a day when I'm not here to protect you. I will prepare you for everything if this is what you truly want. But I want you to be sure that's what you want. Will you think about it more?"
Lane sighed and looked away. "Yeah."
*****
The next morning, Kye stirred when the sun peeked through the window. She felt weight on both arms, a redhead on either side. Careful not to wake them, she slipped out of bed and joined her pink-haired partner, who was already awake and enjoying tea with Liliana and Aliana. She smiled and sat with them as Aliana prepared her a cup.
"Good morning, Princess," Liliana greeted. "Did you have fun last night?"
Without the slightest reaction, Kye took a sip of tea. "Whatever do you mean?"
Liliana giggled lightly. "Indeed."
After a few minutes of silently enjoying tea, Kye glanced out of the window.
"Love?"
Kye looked back at her pink-haired partner. "Hmm?"
"What's on your mind?"
She looked back out of the window. "I'm thinking about several things. The meeting, Aisha's father, the Rogue Slayer... she's Luma's daughter, by the way."
Alethea's eyes widened. "Huh?!"
"You noticed the resemblance, no?" Alethea nodded, and Kye pulled up the system menu. She found the profiles for Luma, Lana, and Lane. "One big, troubled family. A mother who has held a great responsibility for centuries and must sacrifice time with her children to protect both them and the world. A daughter who had to do the heavy lifting in raising her brother, and ended up having him used against her to force her to commit atrocities against her will. And a son who grew up without a mother's love, cares deeply for his sister, and wants to prove himself."
Alethea instinctively reached for her neck.
"Do you want to forget that memory?" Kye asked, having noticed Alethea's unconscious gesture.
Alethea shook her head. "No. It's not the first time I've had my neck severed. It's just fresh." She smiled hesitantly. "I expect I'll be uneasy around Lana for a while."
"That's fair. Even if she was only acting against her will, that doesn't mean it didn't happen. The girl is quite powerful. To have overpowered you like that is incredible."
Alethea sighed and pouted. "And then you turned around and put her in her place like she was nothing. You've gotten so much more powerful since you recovered your body. I feel left in the dust."
Kye smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, love. I never meant to leave you behind like that. It's just... you know what Elysia Athas was capable of." She looked down and clasped her hand. "My body is recovering quickly, and I can feel more and more of my speed and strength each day." She smiled. "I'm just glad I could stop her without hurting her."
"You mean more than just that."
"Yes." Kye nodded. "I don't want to bring harm to anyone, and harming her would harm multiple people at once. My power was never meant to be used against anyone, only for them."
Alethea stood up, stepped closer to Kye, leaned down, and kissed her forehead. "You are the most noble of souls. The love you hold for the people is unfathomable. You sacrificed yourself for an untold number of souls."
Kye smiled and waved her off. "Come, now, you know me better than that. I'm quite selfish."
Alethea sat down with a light smile. "You're just being modest with that excuse. You're trying to say you do things for people for your own sake. That you want them to be safe, not for their sake, but because that's what you desire. But I don't buy that. I never have. You genuinely care for the people."
Kye shrugged and went back to her tea.
"Princess, have you decided when to send Miss Alexandra's group back to Realm 9?"
Kye perked up. "Oh! No. I finished preparations a few days ago, but then things got complicated for a few days. Hmm... would you arrange a meeting for me?"
"As you wish." Liliana opened her system menu and set to work.
Kye looked back over at the bed and smiled as she watched Adele and Michelle cuddle up in their sleep. "Maya."
"Hmm?" Alethea looked up and followed Kye's eyes. She giggled at the sight.
"It's things like this I want to protect."
"Yeah."
*****
Revision: 2024-9-17