Chapter 989 Pyuku's Past
-----
The fifty Slimes desired to become stronger, to become better… And with the help of the demons, they built a huge underground facility, a gigantic magic circle imbued with as many magic materials as they could find or mine in the underground.
Even the Demon King Fragments were used, precious minerals that grow rarely across the Demon Continent, said to be the crystallization of the first demon king's soul. Incredibly rare ores that contain amazing power capable of boosting the abilities of Demons.
And they used whatever small fragments they found for this ritual… Their combination was agonizing, their bodies and souls split into countless pieces as they melted into a single being.
However, their last will remained within the new life born from their sacrifice…
"Become stronger, become better… And once you can finally speak… Ask them, our creators."
"Why did you abandon us?"
This was the only thing these serviceable beings wanted, this little and innocent question. Even knowing full well that the answer would be harsh, they needed to know.
Deep inside of their minds, inside of their hearts, they wanted to hear a definitive answer. As beings that seemed to always work below their every command, they struggled to find a place because they were no longer given one.
They were abandoned…
Slimes were probably the creators of the Gods that suffered the most among all of us. While humans, elves, dwarves, and anima populated the world and created their own kingdoms and legacies.
Slimes felt lost, incapable of building anything, incapable of speaking or creating a proper culture… And they felt lost, they despaired.
They wanted to hear their master's last command.
It is so sad…
"And that is how I was born." Pyuku said. "I had no name, I never had one… But you gave me one, although a bit dumb… I appreciate the name you've given me, Aquarina, Sylphy."
"We gave it to you because it sounded cute and that were the cute sounds you made…" I felt embarrassed. "We would have definitely given you a deeper name if we knew you were so intelligent!"
"Yeah!" Aquarina nodded.
"There's no need, I'm fine with it as it is, even if it might have no literal meaning, to me it holds one." Pyuku smiled. "It gave me a sense of self like nothing ever did… Thanks."
"…"
"…"
We felt a bit speechless after his words, but he suddenly continued narrating.
"When I was born, I was buried by rubble, so the invaders were unable to find me." He sighed. "And, well, it took me a while to get out. I got lost in the underground, finding caves after caves, running away from monsters, and eating whatever I found. It was because of that that I found out about my abilities. I gained the true power of my kin which was suppressed by the Gods, Absorption. With it, I can absorb abilities from monsters I devour, although to a limited extent. And also grow stronger a little bit. My other ability was Shapeshifting, although it is not like Furoh's Mimicry levels of perfection, it allowed me to transform my shape very freely."
"I understand, but why did they call you the Demon Prince?" Asked Ninhursag.
"Ah, that's… Well, as I ran from place to place, I hid my identity, wearing clothes I found or stole." Pyuku sighed. "And I became friends with someone, a Demon Prince by the name of Hellanova. Our meeting was brief, but it still lingers in my heart."
"Hellanova?" I asked. "Who… Who was he?"
"He was a young prince of a small country, that no longer exists anymore." Pyuku sighed. "We became friends through a single week, where I was entering his camp to steal food because I was too hungry. He was nice and feed me food for free, and asked me who I was… It's… well."
Hellanova was an innocent child that found himself in the middle of a war between many small demon nations for territory. Utilizing the Demon King's war as a pretext, they started waging war against one another for resources.
His country was small, and it was easily targeted. He and the royal family escaped with some soldiers, trying to find somewhere safe to wait until everything ended.
In those days, they were being constantly chased down by mercenaries contracted by other countries. Every day was running for them, from one place to another, endlessly…
When Pyuku meet him, his two parents had already died, and he was only being protected by five guards, the very last ones with loyalty to the family.
He described him as a clear-blue skinned boy, with two pairs of skinny arms, and silver eyes. His hair was purple and reached his chest, and he had tiny black horns on his forehead.
Hellanova had a small blue tail behind his back, which ended on a claw he used as a third limb to grab things. The boy offered Pyuku food with it, timidly.
"Are you hungry?" He asked me…" Said Pyuku. "Why are you trembling in the floor over there? Are you okay? You can have this food too, I don't mind… Mama and papa went far away, so we got more food now." He often told me…"
Remembering an old friend, Pyuku started to grit his teeth, his fists clenching really hard…
For a couple of days, Pyuku timidly visited the child, taking the food he offered to him… eventually, he brough things in exchange, shiny rocks the demon boy liked.
And other times, he hunted something and shared the meat with him and the guards that protected him.
It was a brief encounter, but… Hellanova loved him as his friend.
As they talked with one another every night, and as they wandered the endless landscape of the Demon Continent while being chased by danger at every corner, the two wondered what was awaiting for them in the future.
And he often said…
"I want to meet mama and papa again! And once the war is over… I wanna go on a journey with them! And meet many new people and make new friends! Like you!"
It seemed the guards told him they had escaped, instead of revealing the harsh truth of their deaths…
"Such a bright innocence…" Ninhursag smiled faintly.
-----
Visit freewe𝑏n(o)vel.𝑐𝘰𝑚 for the best novel reading experience