Ariel, back in his past life as Michael, couldn't remember the last time he cried. It had been so long that he felt he had never cried once. Even when he reincarnated, there was either laughter or boredom on his face.
But for the first time in years, Ariel, mentality of a thirty-something in a child's body, broke down. He cried so heavily that his parents and sister were stunned.
This was the first time they had ever seen truly Ariel cry.
Because of it and the situation around them, they also began to cry.
"I killed people! Hwaha!!" Ariel sobbed, tears streaming uncontrollably.
The guilt inside him weighed so heavily that his heart pounded hard, and even Huston could feel it.
Huston had never wished for this to happen. He had wanted to protect the innocence of his children before they began to face the hardships humanity had suffered for centuries.
Using his callous, strong, big hand, Huston rubbed his son's head, trying to calm him down as he said,
"You did nothing wrong, son. You did nothing wrong. You were just trying to protect what you hold dear in your heart."
But those words only made Ariel feel more guilt. He had killed others to protect his family.
"What if you don't see me as your son anymore and look at me like a killer?" Ariel asked between sobs.
"Killer? Why would I look at you like a killer? You protected your mother and sister in my stead. And I'm truly grateful for it, so please, son, don't feel guilty for it.
"If it wasn't because I'm so weak mentally, this wouldn't have happened. I'm the one who should beg for forgiveness," Huston said, guilt mirrored in his own expression.
There were many times he had wished and could have escaped, but he was afraid it might backfire and put his family in danger, which was why he had never summoned the courage to do so.
But now… it was time to leave. They couldn't stay there anymore, unless they wanted to face the full retaliation of the dark elves.
"Eyla," Huston called his wife.
Eyla, still holding Uriel in her arms, answered.
With a guilty, weary, yet bright smile, Huston said, "Let's leave."
Eyla understood immediately. Remaining here meant death. She stood up with Uriel still in her arms and went to pack the little things they had into a bag.
Huston immediately entered the house.
Ariel just stood there, looking at the damage. As someone with a strong mentality from early on, he was able to adjust, even though remorse and guilt still weighed on his mind.
For his family, he had to be strong. He couldn't break down now, the danger from the escaped general overseer was imminent.
His mother and sister came to his side, the bag in Eyla's hand.
She dropped it and used her free hand to draw Ariel into a hug, saying,
"I'm sorry as well that you had to do something like this. It's just… ju…"
Unable to hold it in anymore, Eyla broke into tears. Uriel, seeing her mother cry, began to cry again.
"You don't have to worry, Mother," Ariel said with a smile that seemed genuine, hiding his own guilt. "I'll keep protecting everyone with all my strength."
His voice was thick with determination.
Somehow, he knew this was just the beginning and he had to get used to it, or his own guilt would kill him before he could even protect what he wanted to protect.
Seeing her seven-year-old son, who should still be breaking down with guilt, remorse, and fear, now encouraging her, Eyla calmed down a little.
It didn't take long for Huston to return, but there was something in his hands.
A long, straight silver staff.
Seeing it made Ariel remember a famous mythical character from Earth who used a staff as his main weapon, a very powerful one.
"Let's go now," Huston said, reaching to pick Ariel up.
Ariel shifted back and said,
"I can run myself. Rather, help Mother carry Uriel, and I'll carry the bag."
Huston nodded. Without wasting time, he carried Uriel from Eyla while Ariel picked up the bag.
Somehow, it felt light. Ariel knew it was because of his strength, though he didn't know how he had suddenly gained such power. Now wasn't the time to think about it.
Immediately, without hesitation, they ran, but they didn't use the open road. They ran into the forest, using the trees to cover their escape.
Elsewhere, in a place filled with many races except humans, a dark elf woman ran forward.
"Oh! It's the vice-general overseer! She has returned!" a goblin said excitedly.
"Gree…" another goblin began to greet her, but she shoved them aside and ran on hurriedly.
She dashed into a building that looked like a castle, winding through many curved passages before finally reaching a specific office with a huge door. She knocked urgently.
"My lord, it's me, Sie. I have urgent news to report before it's too late."
Immediately, the huge door opened just enough for her to pass.
Inside, she entered a large office with libraries filled with books of all sizes. At the front stood a long desk, and sitting on a chair was a man with long pointed ears, dark skin, and green eyes, dressed in a black and white suit.
He was just sitting, doing nothing, but looked annoyed that his rest had been disturbed. He spoke in a threatening tone:
"If what you want to say has no meaning, I'll put your head on a stake."
Halan, the real general overseer of Asan Town.
Sie gulped deeply. She knew he wasn't joking, but she truly had news to report.
"Yes, sir. I heard a report that there were unregistered children in our town. I went to check and confirmed it was true," Sie began.
"Wait! Is that the news?" Halan asked sharply. The atmosphere in the office turned cold, freezing Sie in place.
"N… no, sir. That's not all!," Sie quickly said.
"Then go to the major part of it and stop wasting my time," Halan said.
"When we were trying to apprehend the children, the male child…" Remembering Ariel, Sie gritted her teeth in anger. "…killed my men. He has awakened his bloo…."
SWOOSHHH!!!!
HUEKKKK!!!
BANG!!!
At incredible speed, Halan had stood from his seat, now holding Sie against the wall, spider-like webs forming around her.
Pressure radiated from Halan's body as he said,
"You mean to say that a human has awakened their bloodline? I left the overseeing to you since you claimed you could handle it, but now, under our nose, a human has awakened their bloodline."
His voice was thick with calm anger.
"Sie, how will you be punished?" he asked.
Sie, choking as Halan held her tightly by the neck, trembled in fear.
"Pwease! Dil me on m…ore cha…ce," she pleaded. Words barely came out, but Halan understood her.
(Please, give me more chance)
He released his grip and let her fall to the floor.
"This is your last chance. Find that bastard and bring him here. Take as many men as you want. You know what I'll do if you fail."
Sie immediately bowed in servile urgency.
"Thank you for this grace, General Overseer. I promise to perform my duty without failure."
"Now get out of my sight," Halan said, returning to his seat.
Sie, not wanting to wait another second, immediately stood and ran to fulfill her order. Her eyes and face twisted with fury.
"Damn kid… just you wait. I'll make you regret disgracing me."