Optimistic Game Chapter 75

Edited by: Marethyu, Priapus

– Emerald –

With a sense of anxiety, Emerald glanced back and forth between Cinder and Ozpin's agent, gradually retreating to stand next to Cinder with her weapons directed at the agent. She was uncertain about the how or the why, but she realized this was one hell of a situation. They were trapped in a cave with their backs against the wall as none other than Qrow Branwen stared them down.

It was as if freezing near to death in this hellhole with scarce supplies and dealing with the Grimm's incessant attacks weren't enough. Now, they were found by Ozpin. Which was a matter of when, really, but so soon? Because despite a few Grimm attacks, Salem hadn't found them yet. Otherwise, they'd be dead already, right?

Just what were they supposed to do now? What should've been an easy escape with her illusions turned out to be a disaster because, for some reason, her Semblance wasn't working on Qrow. She tried to make him see or hear things left and right, but he was not responding to anything. What was going on?

And he was unusually fast, too. He effortlessly dodged her attack and even blocked Cinder's magic. Since when was he able to move that quickly? Did something happen these past few months? She wouldn't know. Ever since they failed their mission and Salem decided to 'discard' them, they were cut off from the rest of the world.

Cinder was paranoid. No, 'paranoid' didn't even come close to describing her state of mind. She barely slept, barely ate, and utterly refused to leave this cave, no matter how hard Emerald tried to convince her. She stayed huddled up in her corner, utterly miserable and pathetic. Nothing like the cool and composed Cinder she used to know.

Emerald had to be the one going out there getting supplies from a nearby village two hours from where they were hiding. Through the unforgiving cold and raging storms, cutting through countless Grimm just to go back to her old ways of being a pickpocket. Stealing just enough to last them a week.

The irony wasn't lost on her, of course. If anything, it made her want to cry. All these promises of a better life, a purpose for living, just to circle back to what she used to be? A street rat barely scraping by just to survive? What kind of twisted joke was that? Because Emerald didn't find it funny in the slightest.

It made her ask if doing any of this was even worth it. It wasn't like Cinder was all grateful and nice. She was being mean and insufferable, pretending to be this hard-hearted mistress she thought she was as if she didn't have a mental breakdown every time she woke up from a nightmare.

She was beyond pathetic, Emerald thought. Seeing her still clinging to whatever sliver of control she had left was just pitiful. It made the thief disillusioned. What she thought was a strong and capable woman was really nothing but a weak-minded girl desperate for power.

But despite all of that, Emerald didn't abandon her. Because what else did she have? Getting Cinder's approval was all she had thought of doing since she was recruited. Quitting now didn't sound appealing because then, she'd have nothing.

As it turned out, Emerald was just as pathetic.

"I'm not here to fight or arrest either of you," Qrow said, sword still in hand as Cinder's Maiden magic flared. "Let's not do anything we'll regret, alright?"

"How did you find me?" Cinder questioned with a demanding tone. "Why are you here? This is under Ozpin's command, isn't it?"

"Calm down—"

"Don't tell me to calm down!" She roared. "Answer my damned questions, Branwen!"

Qrow paused.

"I'm here because Astera asked me to get you two." He revealed, surprising them both.

"Astera? The Titan Slayer?" Emerald asked.

"Yes." Qrow nodded. "And he made it explicitly clear that I do you no harm unless it's in self-defense. So put down your weapons, and let's be reasonable."

"Likely story." Cinder hissed. "Why are you really here? And how did you find me? I made sure not to leave any tracks!"

"True enough. You're good at hiding. I mean, Salem hadn't gotten to you yet." Qrow grinned. "But we do have our ways."

As soon as those words left his mouth, a few more people showed up at the entrance of the cave, their silhouettes making them harder to recognize. That was until they got closer, as Raven's appearance made Cinder visibly shocked, prompting her to step back.

With her was a middle-aged man with dark hair and a goatee, as well as a few armored individuals who looked very intimidating. Seeing this, Emerald realized that there was no way out of this. They stood no chance against several hunters, especially when Qrow was apparently immune to her illusions. They had to comply.

Besides, their advantage of Cinder being part Maiden was rendered moot with Raven there since the latter had most of the energy still with her.

"You?!" Cinder's eyes were wide in shock and terror as she stared at Raven. "But how?!"

Raven smirked.

"Should've killed me when you had the chance." She said.

Cinder gritted her teeth, seemingly connecting the dots.

"You used her, didn't you?" She growled at Qrow. "Through the Maiden's magic, we're connected. You somehow utilized that to find me."

The Branwen twins both looked surprised. As was Emerald. All she needed was one look at Raven to figure out something like that. That was impressive.

For a moment, Emerald thought she was looking at the reliable Cinder she always knew.

"Pretty much. Huh. Never guessed you'd figure it out this quick. Then again, being around a witch like Salem must have its perks." He joked.

"Why are you here?" Cinder ignored her quip. "Spill it already before I blast you into oblivion!"

"Like I said, I'm here at Astera's orders," Qrow reiterated. "He's offering you sanctuary."

Emerald froze. Offering them sanctuary? What the hell was that supposed to mean? He wanted to save them? Did the fame get to his head, and now he wanted to fulfill his hero fetish and save his enemies, too? That was gross.

"As if I'd believe that."

"I gain nothing by lying," Qrow said. "We have you surrounded; I've already compromised your little minion's illusion Semblance, and what little Maiden magic you have is not enough to defeat us."

Cinder growled threateningly, but Emerald silently agreed with Ozpin's agent. If they tried to fight, they'd die. And on the off chance they did somehow win…

"Besides, even if you do defeat us, what then?" He asked, saying what she thought out loud. "Where are you going to go next? Are you going to keep running away, going from town to town, continent to continent, for the rest of your lives? Do you actually think you can keep doing that forever?"

For a while, neither woman said anything, confronted with the brutal reality of their circumstances. They had nothing. They couldn't even live. Every day was miserable, physically and mentally. Was this any worse than death?

Eventually, Cinder responded.

"…Assuming I believe this idiotic drivel coming out of your mouth," She muttered. "Elaborate. What does Astera want from me?"

"Simple. He wants to keep you away from Salem." He answered. "Nothing more and nothing less."

"He wants me as a slave, is that it?" Her glare sharpened.

Now, it made sense. Obviously, he'd be interested in someone as gorgeous as Cinder. Otherwise, if he was only interested in the relic, he would've had her killed, so the power returned to Raven. What a disgusting pervert he was.

"No, not really." He shook his head. "But even if that was the case, weren't you Salem's slave until recently?"

Cinder visibly flinched.

"T-that's—"

"You might see Raven over there and think you'd be treated like her, but if anything, you're getting way more agency while working under him than you'd have under Salem or Ozpin. A good salary on the level of S-Rank Hunters, protection of the strongest man in the world, and three free meals a day." He said. "All benefits your former colleague is enjoying."

Former colleague? What did he mean by that?

Emerald's eyes widened as realization hit her.

"Y-you mean Titania is working for Astera?" She questioned in shock.

So all this time, while they were starving and struggling to stave off the painful cold, unable to sleep properly on the hard, rocky floor, Titania was enjoying three meals a day in a nice, warm place, all by her lonesome?

That fucking unfaithful bitch. So when she abandoned them to fend for their own in this hell, she ran straight to Astera, asking for his help.

"She is," Qrow confirmed. "And now, Reid is giving you two the same offer. Come work for him, and you'll forget what it's like to starve in no time."

"And if I refuse?" Cinder questioned.

"In any other situation, we'd just leave you alone. But you have the Maiden's magic." He pointed out. "So, we're dragging you to him kicking and screaming. I'm just trying to be nice here."

"You…" She narrowed her eyes. "That implies you don't want to kill me."

"If I kill you, that dumb bitch gets the magic back." He points at the bandit queen. "Which doesn't help any of us. She'll just run away and get herself killed."

Raven scoffed with an annoyed scowl but didn't argue.

"So what will it be?" Qrow asked. "Are we doing this the easy way or the hard way?"

Cinder didn't say anything, gritting her teeth in frustration as she ever-so-slightly trembled in anxiety, feeling the pressure of that offer. Emerald could see the stubbornness and paranoia slowly winning her leader over, prompting her to act.

Because if Cinder ever needed her to help, it was now. So, after a deep breath, Emerald worked up the courage to offer some advice.

"Refusing it is pointless, Cinder." She whispered to her. "We can't run and hide forever. You know this."

"Silence."

"S-seeking refuge is our only option. Trying to fight them is meaningless, whether we win or lose." She flinched slightly, meekly trying again. "Even if they're lying, this is the end of the line, but if there's a chance they're telling the truth, then it's better than what we have now."

"I said be silent." Cinder glared at her. "I make the decision here. Not you. Your only job is to obey."

Emerald flinched again. Knowing that Cinder might've made up her mind, Emerald went for a last-ditch effort, banking on her thirst for power to turn this around.

"S-seeing that Astera wants you alive, maybe…" Emerald hesitated for a moment. "Just maybe you can convince him to give you the rest of the Maiden's power?"

That made Cinder pause.

"I-I mean, it's clear from the way he described what Titania's doing right now that it is nothing like how they're treating Raven." She added. "Branwen said it himself. Raven is a prisoner, Titania isn't, and we could be in a similar position to the latter."

"…He could also be lying," Cinder responded after a moment, this time with a whisper.

"For sure, but it's worth a shot, isn't it?" Emerald said, pressing all the right buttons to convince her. "Think about it; isn't Astera a teenager? Teenagers are stupid. Teenagers with too much power are ridiculously stupid. With your womanly allure, he'd be dancing on the palm of your hand in no time."

Which could happen. If he was gross enough to pretend to be this supreme savior, then he was probably stupid enough to fall for Cinder easily. That wasn't to say Cinder was bad at seduction or anything. He just wouldn't stand a chance against her, for sure.

"So let's pretend for now," Emerald said. "Act cool and collected, assess our situation, then ruthlessly take advantage of these morons. That's what you taught me, right?"

Seemingly convinced, Cinder slowly lowered her arm, giving Emerald a thoughtful glance before looking back at Qrow.

"…Alright." She muttered. "Take us to Astera."

Emerald let out a long sigh of relief as Qrow grinned.

"Good choice. I'll admit, I didn't expect this, but you're making my job easier, so I'm not complaining." He snorted, sheathing his sword. "Follow us."

Hesitantly, they did as they were told, following Qrow and his group to a bullhead just a few minutes away from the cave. Whether she doomed them or saved their lives, Emerald sure was glad she wouldn't have to see that cold, dank cave again.

She needed a warm shower ASAP.

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– Reid –

Placing the emperor's corpse in the middle of the ritual circle, I back up a bit and stare at his face, not knowing what I should be feeling right now. Well, besides worrying about the elven boy and the urgency of getting this over with, that is.

I never thought things would ever get to this point. Having to revive him for help, I mean. To be honest, I don't even remember why I stuffed his body into the inventory. I wasn't planning to desecrate his corpse by using it in my experiments or anything like that. It just didn't feel right.

Maybe the shock was too much for me then, and I just took him with me without thinking. The thought of reviving him never crossed my mind to begin with. I know he's biologically my father, but I never knew him. It might sound harsh to say this, but I don't particularly care that he's related to me.

Do I regret killing him? I don't know. I don't think he deserved to die, but he attacked first, and I defended myself. Sure, I did it with a terrible mindset I don't ever want to have again, viewing him as nothing less than a boss to be defeated. That's what I truly regret more than anything. Pretending that the people in the dungeon and Remnant were nothing more than EXP and loot.

But intentions don't matter at the time. I either fought or died.

"You look hesitant." Sheekh points out, standing next to me. "Having second thoughts?"

I glance at him, then at the huge ritual circle we're on. Drawn using necromantic chalk and gold dust, it's a reasonable distance from the lodge, about a kilometer or so. The outer edge of the circle works as a lesser barrier that's good enough to block off the infection, as well as an absorbent that'll take all the energy of the Necrosiderous in this area.

However, the ritual itself is a different story. Once we begin, we have little time before we're forced to retreat.

The inner circle is less a circle and more a triangle. In the middle of it is the corpse, surrounded by nine lit candles and three other specific objects. The principal orb, a vial of my blood, and a large mana crystal filled with my magic.

"No." I shake my head. "I'm just thinking about what I'd say to him if this works."

What kind of person was he? The books I had about the Leviathans said nothing about him in particular. Just that the Leviathans were a royal family of heroes. Was he a hero too? What happened to the empire? Why was it in ruins when I went to see it? The books said it was one of, if not the most powerful empire in the sea. What the hell reduced it to such a state?

And if he's revived, am I supposed to apologize for killing him? Seeing that I reincarnated, am I supposed to say sorry for taking his son's body? I'm not really his son. I can't pretend to be. It's just not right.

I look at my hand, feeling a strained smile etching on my face.

"I can't lie, though; I'm kind of anxious." I chuckle mirthlessly. "I killed things dozens of times my size with a grin on my face, but this is what gets me all nervous?"

"You said this man was your father, yes?" The lich says. "Then feeling that way is natural. In fact, I feel rather nervous myself."

"Really?"

"Of course. We will be enacting a very dangerous ritual, after all. Without anything to fall back on in case it fails." He reminds me. "Beyond that, we are reviving a Leviathan."

"That's a problem?" I blink.

"We are not forcing his soul to do our bidding, Reid. That is necromancy." He answers. "We request him to return to life, and Leviathans are very prideful creatures. Chances are he refuses to be given a second chance out of stubbornness."

"He finds pride in his death," I respond, understanding what Sheekh is telling me. "He might think that coming back to life and denying his death in battle would be shameful."

"Precisely." He nods. "If he rejects us, then the ritual fails."

So we have that to worry about, too. But we can't hesitate.

And I can worry all about introducing myself as not his son once we deal with this infection.

"We have no other choice." I insist. "Either this works, or we're done for."

"Very well." He nods again. "Whenever you're ready, step outside the triangle. Remember, I need you inside the circle so the ritual doesn't drain your magic."

"Got it."

I back off a little so Sheekh can start. I feel a sense of unease as he begins whispering something incomprehensible— a language I've never heard before. An ethearal language that feels like I'm hearing it inside my head. It feels and sounds wrong.

"Saem menoitaro iduaxe. Suillun elibuc, soahc eram."

I flinch as my head starts pounding, my sensitivity to magic rearing its ugly head as I feel the wrongness growing more and more. At the same time, the candle flames turn from a warm color to a deep green as the orb begins glowing brighter and brighter.

"Epicsus maem menoitalbo te muroutrom muirautcnas irepa."

The ritual becomes increasingly intense as the sickly color of the infection turns a dead gray. Sheekh's necromantic energy and the power of the Necrosidereus are absorbed into the orb at an exponential rate.

The vial of blood cracks open as its content is then fused with the magic crystal. The light blue crystal turns a deep red, which begins floating above the body, pulsating with energy that shatters it into a million pieces. The red-colored energy is then infused into the orb, prompting the ground to shake violently.

Lightning strikes around us as if divine powers were warning us to cease this ritual immediately. But regardless, Sheekh continues despite the raging storm above us. In fact, the lich's chanting becomes louder as he speaks to the skies.

"Reforp mutirips Eero Delmar te epirra satanmad samina sah! Iucav itinifni enimod engam!"

In that instant, as Sheekh finishes the chant, the energy inside the orb shoots skyward, casting a pillar of immense power that tears everything apart. The skies turn pitch-black as a massive glowing fracture oddly resembling an eye appears, shaking the whole planet to its core.

No. Not just the planet. Reality itself was trembling.

"Tidnopser esse menoitacov. Tnureurepa eatrop." An incomprehensible voice coming from the eye-like fracture responds, prompting a horrible chill to go down my spine. "Itirem hcil, maut menoitalbo tipicca issyba sutroh."

After that thing's answer, a shining orb of light descends from it, hovering a few feet above us.

"What the fuck…" I whisper in a mixture of fear and awe, preoccupied by the giant hole in reality.

I can't even comprehend what's happening. What kind of power is at play here? Because this thing… This isn't a god we're dealing with. It's something more. Something so sinister it makes me want to run away as far as I can.

"Focus, Reid," Sheekh tells me. "If you leave the circle, your soul will be torn out of your body."

I flinch as I hear that, looking down and realizing I'm stepping on the chalk of the outer circle, inches away from leaving it.

"M-my body moved on its own." I stammer out, quivering uncontrollably as fear unlike I've ever felt before tightly gripping my heart. "W-what the hell is this? What's going on?"

"I'm aware how you must feel—"

"This is a mistake," I admit. "W-we shouldn't have—"

"Reid—"

"You have to stop this. Right now." I tell the lich with immense urgency. "That thing is—"

"Astera! Focus!" Sheekh shouts at me, making me flinch. "You mustn't falter now! If you do, death would be the least of our worries!"

The lich's remarks shake me out of my stupor, reminding me why we're doing this in the first place. I take his words to heart and work up the courage to confront this ungodly entity with my feet planted firmly in the ground. I can't let this intimidate me. Even as every single cell of my body is telling me that this is wrong and begging me to run away, I have a responsibility.

"You're right. I'm sorry." I shake my head. "What should I do?"

"Ideally, nothing." He responds. "But as expected, your father is a stubborn one. Look."

He points at the glowing orb floating above us with his staff, prompting me to notice that it's trying to fly back up from where it came from. Sheekh is keeping it from leaving using his own mana as well as the Necrosidereus energy from the region.

"Damn it…" I growl.

"Convince him." The lich tells me. "It may not look like it, but he can hear you in that state."

Suddenly, a powerful roar echoes from the distance.

"Quickly. Before the beast gets here." Sheekh says. "I can't keep this up for much longer, Reid."

I nod and step forward, looking at the glowing orb with conviction.

"Honored Emperor of Poseidra. My name is Reid Astera." I start, making my voice loud and clear but still polite. Father or not, I'm speaking to royalty here. "And I call for you from the living world. I need your help in destroying a great evil."

The soul, as if it didn't even hear what I said, doesn't budge, continuing to do its hardest to fly away.

"I know you wish to rest; I know it's not your responsibility. But I need someone of your strength and experience. I can't let any more innocent people die!" Despite my pleading, I remain resolute. "A great ruler such as yourself has to understand, right?"

For a split second, the orb stills before resisting Sheekh's pull. Even if I'm not doing good at convincing him, this ensures me that, yes, he can hear me.

"Astera…" Sheekh grits his teeth, urging me to do something while struggling to keep the soul in place.

"Please, you have to help me— us! I can't do this without your power!" I continue. "With your aid, many will be saved. I'm begging you!"

Eero doesn't budge, prompting Sheekh to fall to his knees in weariness as he uses whatever he has left to stop the emperor from escaping his grasp. Out of options and in the middle of panicking, I say something without thinking. Something that surprises me greatly.

"If you don't care about these innocent people, then fine! But at least try to help your own son!"

This causes the soul to stop its struggle. But even I'm frozen in place, not knowing what possessed me to say that of all things. Regardless, as much as I hate to do such a thing, I capitalize on it.

"I-it's me, Dad," I add hesitantly, this time with a quieter tone. "It's your son. Alaric Delmar."

The orb remains still.

"I know what I did, and I'm not proud of it. I… I should've tried to help you and the rest of our people." I continue. "What I did was inexcusable. None of you deserved to die. I'm so sorry."

To my surprise, the soul begins to lower itself.

"I'll accept whatever punishment you want me to endure. No matter how harsh, I'll do my best to atone for my crimes." I promise. "But right now, so many people are relying on me. I have to fulfill a promise, Dad, and I need your help to do that."

The bright orb floats to my eye level as if gazing at me. Despite the thundering storm and mighty winds trying to sweep me off my feet, I stare back at it without budging.

"I know what I'm asking for," I whisper. "But please."

At my pleading, the soul slowly floats down and enters Eero's body. I don't even get a chance to ask Sheekh if it worked before he lets go of his staff, gasping and panting exhaustion. The voice coming from the fractured sky speaks again, nearly bringing me to my knees.

"Mutcaf tse mutcaf." It booms.

In an instant, the eye-like fracture in reality closes up, and the skies return to their original color. I blink a few times, trying my best to ignore the ringing in my ears before I help Sheekh back up. In contrast to how chaotic everything was just a moment ago, serenity surrounds the region, almost to an unsettling degree.

But I'm still alive, so I'm not complaining.

"You okay?" I ask Sheekh.

"Yes…" He huffs tiredly, wiping the sweat off his brow. "That was… frankly, one of the worst rituals I've ever done."

"Sorry."

All of a sudden, Eero groans, prompting my eyes to widen as I look at him in astonishment. Slowly but surely, he opens his eyes, still in a daze, as he struggles to even sit up properly. For a moment, I feel hesitant. I mean, I knew we were trying to resurrect him, but to see him alive is still a shock.

Still, I approach him and lend him a shoulder, helping him up.

"W-what is this…" He grunts. "Where am I…"

"Easy there," I say gently.

Eero, still in confusion, looks at me strangely.

"Alaric…?"

I hesitate for a moment before answering.

"…Yeah." I nod. "It's me."

"But that's… that's impossible." He says. "I buried you with my own hands. What is this madness?"

I freeze, not knowing how to respond to that. Thankfully, the roar of the Necrosidereus helps me out of this predicament.

"Astera." Sheekh looks at me.

"Right. Lead the way." I nod, helping the old man up. "I'll explain things later. Let's get out of here first."

Eero flinches but doesn't make this more complicated than it needs to be and complies.

"Wait, the orb—"

I look at the Principle of Life and Death, cold sweat rolling down my cheek as I see several pieces of it littering the magic circle. Oh, you've gotta be fucking kidding me…

Well, there goes my easy way to defeating Salem.

"That's the price we pay for not using proper souls for the ritual." Sheekh points out. "Let's not waste any more time. Quickly now, before the beast arrives."

I nod and follow the lich with the older Leviathan, now seeing just why going an entire kilometer away from the lodge was necessary. There was no speck of purple anywhere near us. Understandably, the amount of energy the ritual took must've been ungodly. That power surpassed everything I'd sensed before it.

Which meant an unintentionally powerful blow against the infection.

Huh. I guess things can go my way every once in a while.

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Standing outside in the lodge's garden, I glance at my 'father', who was resting on a wooden bench with his eyes closed. I can't help but hesitate, not really knowing how he's feeling despite my Observation Haki. I guess after something like that, he wouldn't know what to feel either.

"How are you holding up?" I ask after a moment.

Eero grunts, his face scrunched up in pain, and he puts a hand over his temples. I'm admittedly not sure what to say or do right now, feeling immense awkwardness and a little bit of shame. How could I not? After everything that happened…

I sigh.

Thankfully, the way to the lodge was mainly safe, seeing that most of that area was drained of energy. When we had to cross through the Necrosidereus, Sheekh was there to pave the way with his necromancy so Eero wouldn't be infected.

Luckily, the beast couldn't track us as the immense energy from the ritual pretty much camouflaged the entire region just long enough for us to pass by it without being noticed. But even from here, I can tell that it's fucking pissed.

The biggest problem was Eero fading in and out of consciousness. I'm not blaming him for anything— he was just resurrected, which I imagine is a very taxing endeavor with a ritual like that. I'm just so glad that it worked.

"How are you alive?" He suddenly asks. "I saw you die in my arms that night. I… had to bury with and your mother with my own hands."

I pause. So I— or I guess the real owner of this body died, huh? And I ended up taking it? I think that's better than just me robbing someone of their life. But I do feel kind of curious now…

"…Can you tell me more?" I ask. "I don't really know what happened there."

Eero takes a moment to gather his thoughts before answering.

"Mere months after your birth, a powerful, contagious curse broke out in the empire." He answers. "Those cursed would slowly lose their minds, eventually withering away and perishing."

I wait for him to continue.

"We knew not from where this curse came. It was too sudden, and its rapid symptoms did not indicate what it could be. The empire's most brilliant minds conducted countless experiments to extrapolate the source, but by the time they figured it out, it was already too late." He explains. "You, your mother, and most of our people passed away."

"Oh my god…"

A whole empire— countless innocent lives lost in an instant. How could this happen? What would drive someone to commit such an act?

"It's been fifty years since then." He says, his tone still one of disbelief. "For fifty years I thought you were dead. When you appeared before me that night, I thought I had finally lost my mind."

Eero looks at me with a deep frown.

"How are you alive."

I meet his gaze with one of conflict and uncertainty, even though I know that telling him the truth is the right thing to do. Of everyone I've ever met since reincarnating, he deserves to know the truth above all.

"I'm not your son," I say truthfully. "I'm sorry I lied."

Despite my words, Eero remains composed and quiet, waiting for me to elaborate.

"I may look and feel like your son, but the truth is, I was originally human," I explain. "A normal human from a world called Earth. I don't really remember what happened at the time, but at some point, I died, and I found myself here. Reincarnated in this body."

"Reincarnated?"

"Yes. By a goddess that I don't know the name of." I nod. "She decided that I'd do well as entertainment."

Eero looks down with an expression I don't recognize. My Observation Haki isn't telling me anything— Either he knows how to hide his emotions this well, or I'm just too much of a mess to utilize that ability right now.

God, I fucking miss Gamer's Mind.

"So then, Alaric hadn't survived."

"I'm— I'm sorry." I look away, feeling immense remorse.

"For what?" He asks sharply.

"For lying to you during the ritual." I clarify. "I… I used your love for your son for my own gain."

Eero doesn't say anything for a while. My stomach twists into knots with each second that passes by— the guilt growing nearly too much for me to bear. Eventually, the emperor of Poseidra stands up, towering one foot over me.

"You said you wanted to fulfill a promise, yes?" He asks, staring into the infected forest beyond the necromantic barrier. "A promise of what?"

"The elven child upstairs," I say. "I promised I'd save him."

Saying that out loud makes me realize just how silly that may sound. I don't regret what I did, but to break the laws of the universe and revive the emperor of one of the most powerful societies for the sole purpose of saving a single person is just insane. Obviously it's more than that, but I've put a lot of emphasis into that promise.

Maybe more than I should've.

Surprisingly, Eero doesn't reprimand or even judge me, content with staring deep into my soul as if he's testing my resolve. I don't shy away from his gaze, maintaining eye contact with a determined expression.

"...Very well." He says with a nod after a few moments. "I will help you."

My eyes widen in surprise, not expecting him to be so willing so easily.

"Thank you so much." I bow my head. "I may not be your son, but I promise I'll pay you back as soon as I can."

He doesn't respond to that, and his expression doesn't change either, remaining as stone-faced as I've first met him.

"Here." I take the spear strapped on my back and hand it to him. "You can probably use it better than me."

He takes it and gives me a nod.

"Come on, let's meet up with Sheekh and come up with a strategy." I gesture for him to follow me inside. "That bastard isn't easy to defeat, but with your help, I'm sure we can handle it."

Because him being an 'epic dungeon' boss was one thing. But now that same curse that weakened him isn't present anymore?

Holy fuck, our gamble paid off a thousandfold. He's fucking powerful.

Name: Eero Delmar

Title: The Fallen Emperor

Age: 256

Race: Leviathan

Level: 473

HP: 1,235,000

MP: 890,000

AP: [Locked]

STR: 3851

VIT: 4662

DEX: 3722

INT: 1356

WIS: 1920

CHA: 650

LUK: 25

Even stronger than that dragon's first stage, and that's without aura or any buffs or his Halfborn transformation.

This… this is doable now. So doable. We can do this. With Eero's help, we can defeat that monster, prevent the infection from spreading, and save Silva. Thank you, goddess. Thank you so much for humoring me.

I don't care what I have to do in the future.

I will pay you back.