Chương 172: The Will to Become Stronger

Felicity approached Elion, using her staff for support and gritting her teeth against the sharp pains shooting through her bones.

"Have you decided what you're going to do?" Elion slowly stood up and looked at her with a resolute expression.

"Yes. I've decided…if it's not a problem for you, I'll come with you".

"It's not a problem. We certainly won't mind having another skilled swordsman with us". Makena stepped forward.

"Are you heading to Aqareth's port?" Felicity nodded.

"Yes. We'll take a ship from there and leave the city".

"If we wouldn't be in the way, could we come with you? We intend to leave this city as well. We came here because we'd heard terrible stories about the slaves, but now the situation seems to have been resolved", Sven replied. Ethan approached Sven.

"Of course you can come with us. Without you, Agnes would have been enslaved, and I probably would never have found her again".

"We only did what any decent person would have done", Sven replied.

"That's true, but there aren't many of those in this world", Ethan said.

"Unfortunately, I agree", Sven replied.

"And do you already have a destination in mind once you reach the port?" Makena asked.

"Yes, the capital. We intend to reunite with two of our allies, and if they've reached the same conclusion as us, they'll be heading to the capital as well", Felicity replied. Makena crossed her arms.

"The capital…I see. That's fine by me. Sven?"

"Me too", he replied. Their gazes met. The decision had been made. Their next destination would be Virelia. That afternoon, Ethan decided to return to his mother's home to say goodbye one last time before leaving. He reached the poorest districts of the city and entered the house. But as soon as he crossed the threshold, he realized his mother's corpse was gone.

"Young man, are you looking for Ester?" Ethan turned around. The speaker was a slightly hunched man with slicked-back black hair and humble brown clothes.

"Who are you? How do you know my mother?"

"I was a friend of hers".

"A friend…I didn't think she was capable of having friends".

"She was a tough woman, but she wasn't completely emotionless". Ethan took a step forward.

"Where did you take her? Her last wish was to rest here".

"I know. She told me the same thing. But I couldn't". You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Why?"

"Do you have any idea what kind of horrible people roam these streets? They would have desecrated her corpse in every way imaginable. I couldn't allow them to keep her from resting in peace. So I had her cremated".

"Cremated? Where is she now?" The man pointed toward an old, rotten wooden cabinet. On the shelf sat a blue urn containing her ashes, beside a letter. Ethan approached and opened the urn. Inside were his mother's ashes. He carefully closed it again and picked up the letter. It was the one he had written as a child. His eyes grew moist. Back then, his mother had called it a stupid letter, yet she had kept it for her entire life. He opened it and began to read.

"Dear world, You are a magnificent place, full of beautiful and fun things. But you are also a world full of ugly things. And I don't like those ugly things. I don't like seeing other people suffer. I want to help everyone. I want to save others. And that is why I will become stronger, strong enough to reduce the ugly things in this world. That is my dream: to help make the world a better place". Ethan closed the letter and placed it beside the urn. Then he turned toward the man.

"Thank you…for taking care of her while I was away".

"Taking care of her? Don't be ridiculous. That woman was a force of nature, even with her illness". They both laughed. Then the man stepped closer, and the two of them stood in silence, their hands held in front of them as they looked at the urn and observed a final minute of silence for her. At last, Ethan looked at the urn one final time, as well as the home where he had spent his childhood.

"Sir…if it's not too much to ask, I'd like you to keep visiting her and taking care of this little altar".

"It would be my pleasure, Ethan".

"She told you my name?"

"Oh, your mother talked about you all the time. She insulted you often, but there was no hatred behind those insults". Ethan smiled through his tears, then said goodbye to the man and left the house. That evening, he was outside the shelter, training with his sword. His movements were precise, but different from before: stiffer, more controlled. Fortunately, he wasn't left-handed, so losing his left arm hadn't completely hindered him. Even so, having only one arm drastically reduced a swordsman's abilities.

Ethan would have to train and adapt to his new condition. Becoming stronger so he could better protect Agnes—that was his goal. The girl herself approached him.

"Is it difficult to train with only one arm?" she asked. Ethan stopped for a moment.

"Yes…it's a major change". Agnes watched him. Even though she would never admit it, seeing him without an arm because he had chosen to protect her made her feel guilty.

"Just look at you…you ended up like this because of me. How stupid are you?"

"I'm not stupid. I'm weak. If I'd been strong, I wouldn't have lost my arm", he replied seriously, lowering his gaze toward the missing limb. Agnes snorted.

"Stop being so serious. I'm joking. But things have to change". Ethan stopped, letting his sword fall to his side.

"What do you mean?"

"I've always told you I don't want you to protect me, but you never listen. So I've decided to learn how to fight too. I'll learn how to use a sword. I'll become strong enough to stop you from being so obsessed with protecting me. What do you think?" Ethan sheathed his sword and looked her in the eyes.

"Swordsmanship isn't a game, Agnes. Once you learn how to use a sword, you have to be prepared to kill as well. I doubt you're capable of that".

"If I have to kill to protect myself, you, or anyone else who's in danger…then yes, I'm capable of it". Her gaze was proud, and her green eyes shone with pure determination.

"I suppose becoming stronger won't hurt you, but it won't be an easy path".

"I know. I'm ready for anything".

"I understand. But Felicity will be the one training you, not me".

"Why?"

"Because I only have one arm now. Besides, she's more technical and faster than I am, and she's also more disciplined and extremely controlled. With her, you'll become an excellent swordswoman". Agnes smiled.

"Listen to how much you're praising her. You're not in love with her, are you?" Ethan sighed.

"Stop it. I'm just describing the situation as it is. Now go to sleep. We'll leave at dawn, and I don't want to have to struggle to wake you up tomorrow". Agnes yawned.

"Fine, boring man…but I'll train with both of you. I think I can learn different things from each of you, and by combining your teachings, I'll become even stronger", she exclaimed enthusiastically. Ethan nodded, happy to see Agnes so determined.

"All right. Good night".

"Good night", she said, turning around and returning to the shelter. Ethan remained still for a few moments before resuming his training. Morvath appeared before Seer Aelira.

"Seer".

"Morvath…we're almost there. Now that Xarath has been sealed, reclaiming the lands he took from us will be a walk in the park. We'll reach the capital soon".

"Exactly, Seer".

"But it's still too early to celebrate". Her voice grew more serious.

"I cannot move from here. I cannot afford to be wounded, and as a result, I will not be able to fight. I'll entrust you and Nikos with command of the operation against the capital. Is that clear?" Morvath nodded.

"Of course, Seer. Thank you for the honor. When the time comes, we will conquer the capital. At any cost". Aelira stared at him in silence. The war was entering its final phase.