Chapter 81: Most Pathetic Person [End]
For a few moments, no one said anything. The space in the room returned to normal.
Arthur sighed in relief.
Edward then looked at Arthur and said in a serious tone, "Notify the Immortal Walter that he is to leave the border for some time and head to Elyndor Academy to check on Asher’s condition and see if anything is truly wrong with him."
Arthur did not say anything. He simply nodded and left the office to send the message to Walter Astrean, an elder of House Astrean.
After Arthur left the room,
Edward looked at the door for a moment and then muttered, "Asher was really right. I am strong, yet also the most pathetic person. I could not protect anything, and I still can’t."
Edward then closed his eyes. A smile appeared on his face, only to be replaced by a sad and pained expression, as if he were remembering a happy memory that had now become a source of sorrow.
Then Edward opened his eyes and said, "I was afraid that Asher would become weak and would not be able to survive in this cruel world."
He paused before letting out a soft laugh.
"And now he is the strongest person I have ever seen. Not the strongest physically, but the strongest in his beliefs and will."
He looked outside the window at the world beyond and continued,
"Strong enough to smile even if the whole world stands against him, yet also lonely, but still happy, as if he had accepted that loneliness long ago."
A complex expression appeared on Edward’s face as he said,
"A kid who wants peace, yet keeps getting dragged into trouble, as if the world itself cannot tolerate his very existence."
Then he muttered,
"I wish I were as strong as him. Then maybe I would not have lost everything to this cruel world."
Edward let out a crazed laugh, as if he had gone insane, and muttered,
"I really am the most pathetic person. A father wishing to become as strong as his son—what could be more pathetic than that?"
The Southern Border of the Human Continent.
It is the border that lies in the same direction as the Demon Continent, Desoloterra.
This border has been protected and watched over by the Astrean Family for centuries, and most wars have also been fought along this very frontier.
Louis, a Master-rank mage and a Captain-rank officer in the army, was one of its defenders.
Masters were usually Captains, while Grandmasters held the rank of Major. Colonels were generally Initial Immortals, and experienced Immortals served as Generals.
Louis was a forty-year-old man from a common background who possessed enough talent to reach the Master rank. He had been serving on the Southern Border for over a decade.
Today, he was heading toward the quarters of General Walter Astrean. However, before he could enter, the guards stationed at the gate stopped him and respectfully asked,
"Captain Louis, what is the reason for your visit today?"
Louis looked at the guards and replied calmly,
"Inform General Walter that there is an order for him from the Head of the Astrean Family."
The guards simply nodded and went inside the quarters. A few minutes later, they returned and said,
"You may go inside now."
Louis gave a slight nod and stepped past the gates.
The quarters of General Walter Astrean were far grander than those of ordinary officers. Built from dark stone reinforced with numerous defensive formations, the building stood as a symbol of the Astrean Family’s authority on the Southern Border.
The guards opened the main door for him, and Louis entered without hesitation.
Inside, the atmosphere was calm and orderly. Several projection of maps of the Southern Border were spread across a large table, marked with military positions, supply routes, and enemy sightings. Standing beside the table was a tall man with silver hair and a stern expression.
General Walter Astrean.
Despite being over 120 years old, his posture remained straight, and the pressure he unconsciously emitted was enough to make most officers nervous in his presence.
Walter raised his eyes from the map and looked at Louis and said."You said there is an order from the Head of the Family?"
Louis simply handed a mobile device to Walter. It contained a message that could only be opened using the fingerprint of the person it was sent to.
Walter scanned his fingerprint and looked at the message.
A strange expression appeared on his face.
Louis noticed the change in Walter’s expression and asked,
"Is there something wrong with the message, Sir?"
Walter glanced at Louis and said,
"No, I’m just getting a little break from my duty here at the Border and have been asked to go back and rest for a few days."
He paused before continuing,
"But I have to go check on that kid. I thought that kid would have died by now considering his tongue, but I guess I was wrong."
Walter shook his head.
"And now I’ve been reduced to a babysitter. Why do I need to go check on him? If he’s really that worried, he should just go himself."
Louis became confused, not understanding a single thing Walter was saying
Louis remained silent.
He had no idea who Walter was talking about.
However, if the order came directly from the Head of the Astrean Family, then it was clearly not something a Captain like him should be asking about.
Walter looked at the message once again before putting the mobile device away.
Then he stood up from his chair.
"Looks like I’ll be leaving the Southern Border tomorrow."
Louis was slightly surprised.
"Leaving, Sir?"
Walter nodded.
"The Family has already arranged for someone else to take over my position temporarily."
Louis nodded.
Since the Astrean Family had already made arrangements, there was nothing for him to worry about.
Louis then asked,
"Sir, what kid are you talking about?"
Walter looked at Louis and replied,
"Just an insane kid, nothing more."
