Chapter 445 - Let's Go To War
When Ren saw the crying Lara he was surprised. Ever since a few months ago Lara's emotions seem to be all over the place. The once stoic Lara was now expressing her emotions more often and more vividly. She cried when she felt sad, she shouted when she was angered, she smiled when she was happy. If it was before this, she would never do something like that no matter the situation.
Also before she would only focus on Ren, but as of recently, he noticed that she had acquired some hobbies. She secretly goes out to practice dancing and singing. She also started to take interest in eating, not just eating because it was a necessity, she's now eating more than usual because she actually likes it. This also led her to start to take interest in cooking.
Yet this time it wasn't just a short burst of emotion it seemed like something that was lacking within Lara was filled. Ren didn't say anything as he waited for Lara to finish crying.
It took Lara quite some time to calm herself down. Once she was done crying, Ren looked at her and asked.
"Are you still, Lara?" When Lara heard Ren's question she wiped away her tears and looked at him. Ren had a very solemn expression on his face. Lara didn't know what he was thinking, but she knew that she needed to answer seriously.
"I'm still me, I'm still Lara, but at the same time, I'm also the past versions of me. Unlike you and your past incarnations who seem to have separate memories and personalities, I and all of my past incarnations from Evangeline forwards share the same memories and feelings. I can't really explain it too well, but I'm a continued existence of Evangeline."
"Evangeline?"
"It's a rather long story."
"We've got the time."
Lara sighed as she told the sad story of a woman who just wanted to save the person she loved the most.
…
While Ren and Lara were having a heart to heart, the beastkin were in a panic when they heard what Valdel said.
"Did you say that we need to follow you to war?"
"Yes I did say that, why is there a problem?" Valdel whose mood had lightened a bit was once again frowning. Seeing the expression on Valdel's face the elder who question him gulped dryly as he shook his head.
"…No, there's no problem at all. When will we head out to war?"
"Right now." When they heard Valdel's answer the group of beastkin once again started to panic.
"We can't go right now. If we're going to war, we need to prepare." One of the elders shouted. The other elders didn't voice out their opinions simply nodded their heads.
"How long have you've been living underground?" Valdel suddenly asked. Even though the question was so out of nowhere, one elder still responded.
"We've been living in this place for two centuries now."
"Two centuries… In those two centuries have you not prepared yourself enough?! You're telling me in that two centuries all you people have been doing is hiding in this hole?" Valdel's killing intent was once again in full effect as everyone present was shivering in fear. No one could say anything at the moment and all they could do was lower their heads.
"I don't care about the opinions of cowards, all you people need to do is follow me. I am now your king correct? So you should all listen to my orders and get ready for war… Well, it doesn't really matter if you follow me or not, even if you don't I will go face the enemy by myself if I have to."
All of those present remained silent after hearing what Valdel said. They were ashamed by the fact that all he said was true, but they were also afraid of facing the Holy Kingdom in war. It was true that Valdel and most likely his companions were overwhelmingly strong, but against a whole kingdom such as the Holy Kingdom, victory seems to be nothing but a dream. As Valdel looked at the beastkin who had their head lowered he scoffed.
"So even after I won this so called trial, even after you guys named me your king, all of you still hesitate to follow me and save your kin. Well, I guess it's better this way. I don't need cowering fools on the battlefield, what I need are courageous warriors, but I see that there are none present here. I will go and save your kin by myself, but after that, I hope that you people will never claim to have any relation to the Lycans of old. You are no descendants of mine, nor can you claim to be descendants of my son Katar."
As Valdel was about to leave, someone suddenly stepped forward and with a loud voice declared. "I shall accompany you to battle, my lord!"
It was the head warrior who spoke out, and as if that was a signal the ten warriors that faced Valdel all stepped forward as well. Despite being in pain they saluted Valdel.
"We too shall accompany our lord to battle."
"Heh, so there are still warriors among you after all." Valdel smiled as if he was expecting this to happen. The Chief who saw the eleven most powerful warriors of their tribe volunteering to go to war, made him sigh. Unlike them, he was still hesitating because of his responsibility to his people. If they lose this war it would mean the end. As if able to read his mind, Valdel spoke to the hesitating Chief.
"If you do not face your problems, they will never disappear. I'm giving you a choice now, you either wait for your death here wishing for it to never come, or you charge forward with me and face it head-on."
When the Chief saw the confident expression on Valdel's face, he couldn't help but sigh as his lips curled upward before he responded.
"Then to war we go!"
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