章 63: Chapter 31 - Eolantas
Lilly looked at the two siblings silently confronting each other. Eolantas wore an expression of quiet judgment and resignation, while Eolande had a nervous smile.
The first to break the silence was Eolantas. "So, you finally managed to get rid of the one who denied your vision. Are you happy?"
Eolande shook her head. "I am. But this had nothing to do with my vision for the clan. Grandfather was never the man we saw as children."
"Oh sure, he was an evil monster who had to be killed, is that it?" Eolantas replied sarcastically, seemingly not very open to discussion.
"He murdered an entire family tree because of a small possibility; what would you call him? His methods were outright monstrous, regardless of his goals."
Eolnatas shook his head with a derisive smile. "I never thought you were unable to see why our actions are justified." He looked at Lilly with sharp eyes. "The last time we spoke, I gave you a promise to leave this girl alone. On two conditions, which obviously haven't been met."
"Try it," Lilly responded, puffing her chest out. She felt nervous, but after beating Eolanathel, she didn't fear someone so much weaker.
Eolantas sneered. "I see, so you only bought time for her to grow. I never knew you to use dirty tactics like that, Ande."
Eolande seemed offended. "It's not like that! She figured everything out on her own after I told her more about the clan. And Grandfather would have escaped if he hadn't killed her grandfather in revenge first," she said, pointing at Lilly.
"... I'm sure you can prove that, right?" Eolantas responded, not convinced.
Lilly felt her emotions threaten to take over again. She responded in anger, "Proof? Go check the ashes in the ruins of my home, or the gaping wound on your daddy's corpse, or the crater I created in blind rage!" Her voice turned into shouts at the end as she gestured to the blackened crater nearby.
Eolantas seemed taken aback by the sudden outburst, but one particular point caught his attention. He looked back at Eolande. "... What does she mean, 'my daddy'?"
Eolande nodded carefully. "His name was Eolanathel, it seems. I'm only guessing, but it's very likely that he's… our father."
Eolantas seemed lost in thought, his eyes shifting as he searched his memories. "But he's… It could be…" He looked back at where Eolnathel's remains lay. "I guess we're… somewhat similar... And we both got some extra attention during training, but I thought that was due to our talent."
"Tas, don't forget what he forced us through. He was no father."
Eolantas looked back at her as his expression turned somber. "... No. No, he wasn't. But that only makes his goals more noble, to even use his own children."
Eolande burst out in anger. "Tas, use your damned heart again for once! He would kill the entire world if he could for that cursed 'peace'! I know you still have the love in your heart to understand this!"
Eolantas just looked numbly at her. "What heart?"
Eolande seemed to be on the verge of tears. "The one you used to take care of me, Tas. The one you felt beat again the last time we spoke. The one that would cause you untold pain if I were to die. It was numbed by his brainwashing, but I know it's still beating."
Eolande walked over to him and bent down to lay her head on his chest, listening for the beat. "Look at her, Tas. Do you see the powder she had to put on her face after crying for hours? Do you see the pain still reflecting in her eyes? The clothes she had to borrow from me because her house was lost?"
She looked up at Eolantas, who had been thoughtfully studying Lilly. "Ask yourself what really happened, and then why I'm so happy about the result."
Eolantas seemed deep in though, silently staring at the ground. "... I… I guess his methods weren't quite justifiable. But what's next? What do I do from now on?"
Eolande stood back up, looking him straight in the eyes. "You lead the clan in a new direction. One that doesn't make you spill innocent blood, but still lets you fight for peace."
Eolantas started slowly nodding before looking at Lilly again. "How do I maintain peace between us, then?"
"As long as you do as Elly said, and whoever attacked Selene comes to offer her a sincere apology, I think we're good. There is a good chance that a demigod will come after you in the next few centuries if you don't," Lilly responded, hoping they would decide to take the right path.
"Right, the threat Eolanathel tried to avoid in the first place. He only made it worse in the end…" Eolnatas reflected. "I'll send Rantas to apologize to Selene properly. But I have to ask, in the interests of peace, what are your intentions for the king?"
"I've teamed up with Princess Adelia to find a diplomatic solution to his betrayal. We're planning to confront him after the war ends and have him abdicate his position. Depending on the suitability of the other candidates, we might ask that Adelia become the new ruler, but that remains to be seen."
Eolantas seemed satisfied. "We can certainly support a diplomatic resolution, and might even be of help. We have no concrete evidence of the plot to sacrifice Thundrel, but my testimony can get you a long way."
Now Eolande seemed surprised. "You're planning to step out into the light? Even if the clan is to stop hurting innocents, you might need to keep people from knowing of your existence."
"Well, if the plot is to be revealed, we might have to. And it might be for the best; people will think twice before doing anything stupid if they know we exist. Also, the password will be harder to guess if we operate in the light."
Eolande chuckled softly at the last part. "You've got a tough road ahead of you then; I doubt convincing the rest of the clan will be simple."
Eolantas sighed, showing a hesitant expression. "It has to be done. Although, It would be a lot easier if our most respected member helped." He looked at Eolande with hope in his eyes.
Eolande shook her head in doubt. "Oh, I think their respect has much more to do with my strength than my ideals."
"I wouldn't be so sure. As I said last time, you changed some of us before you left. If the two of us together were to lead them, we could change their hearts much faster."
Eolande seemed hesitant still. "... I won't be returning there to stay any time soon, but I could show up from time to time, as an elder of sorts."
"Well, it only makes sense that the oldest child inherits the duties of her father."
"Please don't joke about that," Eolande said, looking uncomfortable with the thought of inheriting anything from that man.
He seemed genuinely regretful after seeing Eolande's reaction. "Apologies, Ande. I knew having you back as the leader was unlikely, but I do feel a lot better knowing you would be there to steer my replacement on the right path if I was to die."
"... Who would be capable of threatening you?" Eolande asked, looking displeased with the thought.
"Once I step into the light, there will be a target on my back from every large player in the country. I'm not naive enough to think nothing might happen, so… My heart, which is still beating, mind you, would be a lot more at ease with you behind my back."
Lilly felt this was a good time to interject. "Elly will be fine leaving sometimes, especially now that the main threat is taken care of. I don't want anything to happen to you though, Uncle Tas."
After being called such an affectionate name, Eolantas had an odd smile on his face, and he stared at Eolande. "You put her up to that, right?"
The wide smile on Eolande's face was answer enough. "I'll come to the fortress in a few days, there's a funeral I have to attend first."
Eolantas turned back to Lilly. "Right, my condolences. I'd like to apologize for the trouble my clan has given you until now. And to your ancestor," He knelt on the ground in front of her, showing his resolve. "I'm deeply ashamed of the atrocities we committed to your family. We were blinded by my fathers words, but nothing excuses what we did. I shall do what I can to make up for it."
"I appreciate the words, Uncle Tas. Unfortunately, I'm not speaking to my ancestor anymore, so you might have to deliver that message in person instead. Whenever that may be."
Eolantas rose from the ground, patting his knees free of dirt. "Ahh, that's a shame. I had hoped to tell her before we meet, since I'm afraid I won't have the time then."
Lilly looked up into the sky with a tired expression. "If she's learned anything from today, I think she will act calmer the next time she's confronted with you guys."
"... That's good to hear," Eolantas said before turning to Eolande. "We will hold a funeral in four days for Grandfather. I hope you'll be there so we can tell them the truth, and guide them into the future."
Eolande nodded. "I'll be there, don't worry. He gave me the spatial ring he was wearing, so I'll bring anything I find to be relevant."
"That sounds good, we might find some more evidence. I'll see you then. It was nice to meet you, Lilly." He waved as he was about to leave.
Eolande and Lilly waved back. "Nice to meet you too Uncle Tas!" Lilly shouted right before he disappeared from view.
Eolande chuckled. "You've really taken a liking to calling him that."
"Yeah, his response is funny. And he kind of is like an uncle to me, considering he's your brother."
Eolande hugged Lilly forcefully after hearing that, lifting her feet from the ground. "You're as cute as ever Lilly! I promised I would never leave you, and I mean it!"
Even in the overly tight hug, Lilly felt a deep warmth. 'Gramps was right again, I do still have a family.'
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