Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: A Person Who Protects Even More People
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Sometimes, when people suffer injustice,
or lose those they desperately wanted to protect through no fault of their own, it's only natural for them to crave power.
If she had the ability to make everything she desired happen, like that Demon King Grimudo, Roca wouldn't have lost her homeland or been sold into slavery. The world is full of tragedies.
After going through such things, a greed for strength naturally arises.
I don't want to deny that greed. I just hope this child doesn't lose her way.
Because I know one pitiful soul who became obsessed with growing stronger, only to lose sight of their original goal, turning strength itself into their sole purpose without any greater aim.
"Long ago, there was a man who suffered a great wound. Someone who was probably betrayed by those he trusted."
Recalling the story of his own past that he once shared with us, I began the tale.
Humans are foolish, and history repeats itself. But while the foolish learn nothing even from experience, the wise gain insight from history.
I'm not saying Roca is foolish, but I hope she becomes a wise person.
"When even his most precious companions turned their backs on him, he pursued power so that it would never happen again. In the end, he became stronger than anyone else, but now there's no one by his side."
If he wanted to gather people under his command, there'd be no reason he couldn't.
If he wished for it, finding those eager to submit to him wouldn't be hard at all. Yet he doesn't. He has no desire to interact with others.
Why? Because compared to his power, we're all less than ants?
I sensed something else. He was constantly absorbed in his research, with no time to spare even to reach out to others.
"I don't know what he's so diligently studying up there in the North Pole. But he was clearly obsessed with it. He didn't care about anything else."
I have no idea what he's so passionately researching or training himself for.
Is the power gained from that research the only reward in his life? But is devoting your entire existence to research solely for yourself truly worthwhile?
The ancient Demon King is truly a stranger the more you learn about him.
At one point, I thought of him as absolute evil.
I believed he was the most twisted and depraved being born from wickedness itself, more horrific than all the evils of this world combined.
But the ancient Demon King I met was just a lost soul.
No matter how he wields endless mana and countless techniques, his essence doesn't change.
He's someone who has amassed power without knowing what he should even do with it. He probably hasn't even properly defined the purpose he wants to achieve with that power.
Perhaps after living through countless ages, he's forgotten whatever goal that power was meant to serve, and now exists solely for the sake of growing stronger.
I truly hope Roca doesn't end up like that. It's fine to build strength, but I wish her motivation were something grander than just protecting me alone.
"Research should be just a means to an end, but it became a ghost that dominated his life, turning into his purpose. Roca, power is merely a tool. I hope you always keep that in mind."
I explained further to the bewildered child.
"Becoming stronger is good. But it shouldn't become the purpose that defines your entire life. I'm curious what else you want to achieve with that power. Roca, what kind of person do you want to be?"
"Someone who protects Master."
I patted her and told her to think more carefully, since she answered without much hesitation.
Making just one person the purpose of your life is truly warped. I'm grateful that it's me, but it can't be that way. If I disappear, her purpose in life vanishes too.
"Hmm, I don't know. Roca doesn't know about that stuff."
It's not that she doesn't know; she doesn't even seem to want to think about it. I wish she'd at least pretend to ponder it.
"What kind of person does Master want me to be?"
Is she following me so blindly because I'm the only precious person left in her life? If so, resolving that root cause might naturally fix the result too.
"Then, how about becoming someone who can protect not just me, but many more people?"
That's what I said. The child's eyes widened in surprise.
"Roca, I'm always grateful that you want to protect me, but..."
Stroking her head, I smiled at her.
"Sometimes, I wish you'd think about protecting not just me, but even more people."
Roca's expression hardened. I know it's a tough request.
Roca suffered greatly at the hands of people—humans in particular. I haven't pried into the specifics, but the fact that she doesn't blindly hate all humans is brave in itself.
For a child whose childhood memories were trampled by humans, asking her to become someone who saves others is indeed a difficult ask.
But I hope she doesn't shut out every other human based solely on her past misfortunes. I want her to have others she cherishes besides me.
"I'm not saying you have to include humans in your circle. Your own kin would be fine, or anyone else. Someone other than me, no matter who it is..."
Long ago, someone told me this: Better to have a friend you'd give your life for than one who would give theirs for you.
Whether friend, lover, or family, I hoped this child would have someone else she could love that deeply.
If I'm the only one she's let into her circle, that would be too sad.
If she's clinging to me and craving affection because I'm the only precious person left, then I hope she finds more people to share her happiness with—no need for that desperation.
I wish Roca could make friends, but I wonder if there's anyone suitable here in the capital. On the way to the North Pole, maybe we should stop by the eastern plains where beastkin live?
"I hope you find someone else, besides me, whom you love enough to want to protect like this."
Without such a person, what's the point of growing stronger?
It would just pile up into purposeless power, turning you into a being like Grimudo.
"......"
I comforted Roca as she silently bowed her head. Ultimately, the answer is hers to find.
No one can walk your path for you. Wanting her to become someone who helps their neighbors is just the path I've suggested.
Who can force her to take it? The Lord? Or me?
I can only recommend it; if her heart doesn't move, my words are just hot air.
I hope she helps someone and experiences their gratitude. Is there a chance for that?
"Pardon the interruption. I am Alber, butler of the imperial palace. May I enter for a moment?"
Just then, there was a knock. When I said to come in, a middle-aged man quietly opened the door and strode forward.
Dressed in ornate livery that could rival any noble's, he introduced himself as the imperial palace butler and stood before me, proclaiming,
"Priest of the Ancient Gods, Kyle, you have been summoned by His Majesty's will. His Majesty wishes to see you in person. Please follow me."
An imperial butler would be nobility with considerable influence, yet he spoke to me politely. Of course, it was less for me and more for the One behind me.
I'm the same as always, and so is the Lord.
But just thinking of Him as an Ancient God changed how people treated me.
In the past, even if I'd sought an audience first, I wouldn't have met people like Archbishop Armata or the prince. Now they're coming to me with such honors.
Knowing that admiration isn't truly for me, I didn't get carried away by the treatment. I know how pathetic it would be to bask in worship meant for the Lord. Instead, I needed to think about what to say to His Majesty.
'If I can find the meaning of the cycle here in the imperial palace, I might not need to go to the North Pole, but it probably won't be that simple.'
It's just my intuition,
but things likely won't resolve so easily.
Whether the Lord is guiding this, or it's my fate, or perhaps that man in the North Pole already holds the key to what I seek.
I have a feeling I'll have to face him at least once. Just a hunch. With the Star Dream Observatory gone, there's no evidence to back it up.
But if I dare to speculate,
meeting him again might be inevitable.
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