Chapter 381: Calming down

Valdel who was in a shocked state was woken up by Ren's question. Valdel couldn't help but feel even more irritated as he made a motion to pierce Ren's abdomen. Ren easily diverted the attack and even had a chance counter but did not. This action only aggravated Valdel even more.

Each of Valdel's sword slashes were easily deflected by Ren. After a few more swings, it was painfully obvious that Valdel was nowhere near Ren's level of skill. Valdel hated to admit it but in the back of his head, he was also consenting that Ren was the superior swordsman. The moment he thought of that Valdel shook his head and intensified his attacks.

'It would seem that Valdel's skills have degraded, I should probably retrain him. So for now I better finish this already.'

Ren took some distance from Valdel and lightly tapped the hilt of the sword. He then evaded Valdel's attacks, left, right, duck, then right, duck, left, it was easy to understand Valdel's pattern, after evading for a few more times, Ren passed by Valdel.

In that one second that Ren passed by without anyone seeing him draw his sword, Valdel's armor and clothes have been torn asunder. That was the other technique he got from Edge, 'Moon Edge Style, Moonlit Dance.'

"Give this guy a new set of armor and clothes," Ren spoke to one of the soldiers. The soldier in question looked at Henrietta seeing if he should comply with the order. Henrietta smiled before nodding her head. Seeing Henrietta nodding her head, the soldier quickly went to the nearby barracks.

As the soldier was dashing away, everyone was looking at the butt naked Valdel with some awkwardness. On the other hand, Ren was rather surprised that even after the battle Zwei and Nika remained in their weapon forms.

"Hey, why don't you two change into your human forms?" Ren asked but Zwei and Nika didn't respond.

It was not like they didn't want to turn into their human forms to communicate with Ren, but Valdel had ordered them using the contract to remain in their weapon forms until he said otherwise.

"Hmm, you don't want to change or you can't change back? Also, that holy maiden, what was her name again, oh right, Natasha. What happened to her?... Nothing, well I guess I can only ask this guy once he wakes up."

"What are you planning to do Ren?" Lara asked with a bit of worry in her voice. Lara was able to calm herself down as she was watching the fight, and listening to what Valdel had to say. The things he was saying weren't something the normal Valdel would say, in fact, most of what he said seems to be nothing more than a child crying to his parent wanting to be praised for his hard work.

"If this guy still isn't properly awake later, I'll beat him up again and again until he fully wakes up." Ren shrugged his shoulders as he answered.

"You guys better get things in order and deal with the aftermath of the Primordial Demon's attack. Also, you better not let anyone get close to the arena, I'll be bringing Valdel there." Ren spoke while looking at Henrietta. Seeing that look on Ren's face Henrietta sighed.

"I really wanted to immediately head to my lab and study these monsters you have given me, but I guess seeing as I'm the current head of this country, I will do my best to stabilize the situation."

"That's my girl, also you better send some people to see what's happening in the other Kingdoms."

"Very well."

Seeing Ren giving Henrietta such orders made Lara feel a bit jealous, but for now, she set that aside as she was more worried about Valdel. Lara was rather surprised at herself. This was the first time that she was more concerned about Valdel than Ren.

'Hmph, I guess the delusional Valdel, wasn't that delusional after all. When he snaps out of his berserker state I'm going to treat him better.'

...

While waiting for the soldier to come back, Ren started talking to Tsukiko. "Hey Tsukiko, you better head back to the tree of life so that you can regrow that hand of yours."

"... There's no need, how about we go together after your done with what you're doing." Ren shook his head as he replied

"I know what you're thinking. Don't worry I'll head straight back to you. Also once you arrive in the eternal forest, there is someone there who would want to meet you."

"Who?"

"That's a surprise." Ren shrugged his shoulders as he replied with a mischievous smile on his face. Seeing him act like that made Tsukiko giggle.

"Even though the core of your personality remained the same, there are many things that have changed. Seeing you act like this, makes me truly feel that time has truly passed."

"No matter how strong one is, no matter how great his beliefs, time can change all."

"The battle junkie actually sounded a bit philosophical for a second. It truly has been a very long time."

"Let's have a long talk later, I will meet you under your favorite tree." When Tsukiko heard what Ren said she had her eyes wide open, then she smiled.

"I see, so that person has awakened as well. Then I better not keep her waiting like how you made her wait."

"See you later, Tsukiko." The Golden-Haired Tsukiko smiled ever so sweetly at Ren, and without anyone noticing went close and kissed him on the lips. Ren could smell a pleasant scent coming from Tsukiko as she kissed him, and her lips taste like sweet strawberries. Tsukiko then parted lips with Ren and activated a teleportation spell. As she was about to teleport she whispered in Ren's ear.

"You better not keep me waiting for long. I've already waited for thousands of years, if you come to me late again, I'll play a trick on you." After saying those words Tsukiko disappeared.

...

A few more minutes went by before the soldier returned with a set of armor and clothes. Once the soldier was done dressing Valdel up, Ren picked up the unconscious Valdel and headed towards the arena.

As he was walking, Ren stopped and spoke to the two following him. "Afeus, Lara, you two shouldn't follow me. You two better head back and help Henrietta in calming the citizens down."

"... As you wish, master." Afeus hesitated for a bit before leaving. Now it was only Lara left that was standing behind Ren.

"You too Lara."

"... Ren, were the three of us really friends?" Lara suddenly asked. Ren didn't turn around and thought for a bit before answering.

"If something happens to me will be worried about me?"

"Of course," Lara answered without hesitation.

"Despite knowing how strong I am?"

"Yes."

"Then how about Val will you worry about him too?"

"Of course, I will." Once again Lara answered without hesitation.

"Then if I ordered you to kill Val will you do it?" When Lara heard Ren's question she was stunned and was unable to answer.

"Lara, will you kill Val if I ordered you to do it?" Lara clenched her fist until it bled. She couldn't answer the question.

"That hesitation of yours is the answer."

"I'm sorry Ren, even if it's you, I don't think I can do it." Lara lowered her head. After a few seconds of silence, she suddenly felt Ren's warm hand patting her head.

"Nor do I want you to. I would never ask you to do such a thing. But now you should know, the answer to your own question." Lara lifted her face and saw a gentle smile on Ren's face. "The three of us have always been friends."

When Lara heard what Ren said she could no longer hold it in and started tearing up. The one called the silent death, the iron maiden, and the stoic princess, was showing an expression that no one who knew her would expect to see.

Ren who was holding Valdel on his right shoulder came closer to Lara and hugged her. He continued to do so until Lara was able to calm down. Once she was done crying Lara parted ways with Ren and wiped her own tears away.

"Ren, can our Val come back?"

"Leave it to me, I'll bring him back no matter what." Hearing Ren's usual confident answer made Lara smile from the bottom of her heart as she nodded her head.

"Yeah, of course, if it is Ren you can do everything. This is not were our adventures as friends end. I'm sure big sis Lisa, would not want to see Val like this. So for her sake as well, he better come back." After saying her piece Lara left. Ren then proceeded to head towards the arena. Once he was there he spoke to the person he was carrying.

"You've been awake this whole while, right, Val?" Ren tossed Valdel's body forward. Valdel quickly extended his free hand to the ground and pushed himself upward so that he can land on his legs.

"So you heard what Lara said, are you awake now, or do you still need me to wake you up?"

Valdel simply glared at Ren without saying anything. Yet unlike before he was no longer emitting heavy bloodlust.