Chapter 924 A Decision
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This is one crazy of a question! What do I even answer to her?! Do I let her go or do I just tell her to stay with me?
In one case, I selfishly want her to stay with me, and I also know that deep down, she might also want to hear that from me.
But in the other case...
Strength.
It is something we all need in a world like this, especially those like us, marked with the divine protection of the gods, forced to become the prey and targets of their enemies.
We become pawns for their wars, wars they don't want to do themselves, so they leave fragile mortals do it for them instead.
And when we die, they simply retrieve back the power they gave to us, repeating the cycle again as they give their powers to someone else in the future.
An endless cycle of the World fighting against the Gods.
The World creates their Demon King to fight the Gods, and the Gods create their Heroes to fight the World, both representants of these two factions fight to the death.
There is never a really clear winner, because even when heroes and demon kings die, little changes around the world... Even as the Demon King was slain, his disciples constantly come back, threatening our lives.
And even as several heroes were killed, more are chosen and blessed, against their own will, just because the Gods say so.
In a chaotic world of wars and battles, strength is the thing most needed, even in this peaceful country, if it weren't for the many powerful members of the government, the strongest being my grandfather, we wouldn't be able to enjoy such peace.
So she can live longer, survive much more, and stay at my side for much longer than just those two years we might lose...
It's a worthy sacrifice, isn't it?
"I would love to just say that you should stay with me..." I sighed. "Honestly, that's what I want deep down but... I know that it is also something that I shouldn't say."
"Sylphy..." Aquarina glanced into my eyes, as I gave her a gentle smile, trying to hide my sadness.
"I want you to grow stronger, and as tough as your mom... So even in the worst-case scenarios, there can still be a chance for you to live, to live at my side..." I started crying. "My greatest fear is losing you... Even with all the strength you have, even with the one I hold... there are so man things that could happen that... every little thing counts."
"Yeah..." Aquarina started crying, as we held hands and cried like dummies. "Y-You're right... I knew this was also the right decision but I just... I couldn't accept it; I didn't wanted to be away from you... I love you so much, you're... just everything to me. Since we were kids that you've always been there, you are like the pillar of my life and all!"
"Geez, so corny." I giggled, caressing her cute face. "You're also everything to me, dummy... But we've gotta grow up too. Sometimes, we won't be able to get together all the time. And this time, you need to learn about responsibilities, and about prioritizing things above others, for the greater good of those you care for."
"R-Right..." Aquarina sighed, hugging me again, and rubbing her face on my shoulders.
"See? You just had to tell me, it wasn't THAT bad, right?" I sighed, caressing her head. "Everything's going to be okay. Your mom will be there to guide you and protect you... She loves you a lot. I saw her on her genuine regret for hitting you... Other parents might have not even felt bad about that, but she loves you so unconditionally that even doing something that seemed still... reasonable to stop your tantrum hurt her so badly she felt like she had committed the greatest sin."
"I know..." Aquarina cried. "I love mommy a lot... I'm sorry for going on a rampage, I could had endangered so many... I'm so stupid... dummy, an idiot..."
"You're maybe a bit of that, but not THAT much." I giggled. "You're, as I said, a smart, brilliant, cute, and strong girl!" I smiled, lifting her chin gently. "And I love you for that!"
"Sylphyyyy... Sniff... Buwaaah! What did I do to deserve such a cute girlfriend?!" She started crying on my shoulders again. "I'm sorry... I will try to do better!"
"Geez, you're such a crybaby today... There, there." I sighed, comforting my crybaby girlfriend. "Once you're finally back, two years will have pass, and the two of us could have changed a lot but... I know that it will be for the best. You will be much stronger, like your mom, and I too will be super strong! We'll be the strongest pair ever!"
"Ever!" Aquarina smiled, her smile filled with sorrow and happiness made my heart beat faster, as I embraced her in a hug, and then gave her a little kiss in her lips.
Once we were done with this, we walked back with everyone else, and we explained a few of the things we talked about, everyone finally understood, although with mixed reactions.
And when we were back to Auntie Aina's manor, Aquarina and Nepheline had to apologize a lot with everyone... And Ninhursag also apologized with me, saying she shouldn't had said those things.
"I'm sorry, Sylphy. I guess... I am not too accustomed to these things myself. I guess... sometimes its fine to step in, sometimes... people do need the help of someone else." Ninhursag sighed.
"It's fine, really." I smiled. "I know you said it because you were also worried deep down. Nepheline is your friend and all after all."
"Yeah..." Ninhursag sighed. "I'll have to reprimand her for this too, she should have told me about this to begin with! Hey, come here!"
"Eeep!" Nepheline quickly recoiled as she saw her friend walk towards her, about to reprimand her for her recklessness and lack of trust to not tell one of her best friends something like this.
My mom was also there, the two began to quickly reprimand Nepheline, as the Amazoness lowered her head, accepting it all.
"I'm so sorry..." She cried.
This might be the first and last time I ever see my strong mother-in-law in such a state...
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