Chapter 334 - The Ark Of Rie's Meltdown

"Don't be so weak! Learn to stand on your two feet. Make them look you in the eye and ȧssert dominance against them. They owe you their lives. Are you planning to live amongst the shadows for the rest of your life?! Or are you going to stand up to what is right?!"

Gab widened his eyes as he remembered those words that change his perspective of life forever. It was the turning point for him as he held those questions and words dear to his heart. Even when that was said years ago. It did not change as time went by. It meant more instead.

And as he came back to the present with those words fresh in his mind, the duo came across more rooms with savable children inside. In total, during the time that he recalled his past, the two has saved about a few hundred kids.

It was supposed to feel sad and dreary but with the current circumstance, both were delighted to find that the children were mostly safe. But they weren't sound as they were all underdeveloped in their mentalities.. When they finally reached the end of the hallway, they were met with others.

Back to the other group, Rie was still being interrogated by Mavislin and Bryan.

"What do you mean by that?" asked Mavislin.

"If you mention that blood transfusion from Mage to human is toxic, that would have meant that I've been lied to," said Rie, with tear-ridden eyes.

She then fell to her knees and started to cry. It wasn't loud, it was quite soft. She felt so foolish, she was well-aware of the fact that her child was no longer savable but she didn't want to face reality. Now, cornered with all the facts, her heart and mind gave way to sadness.

It hurt so much to know that her child was gone and that she had been unable to save him. She felt ashamed that she was lied to, even when she was the superior one being the Mage. How could she be so foolish? She continued to cry while the two sat there.

It was a perfect dream, just ignoring the facts and continue doing her work. Be it if it was right or wrong, at least she was working for something. For her baby to be with her again. But life isn't kind, the world isn't kind to anyone. Especially to those who shroud themselves in fantasy.

But Mavislin knew how much it was, losing a child. When she saw Ysabeau that one night crying about her lost children, Mavislin vowed not to let any mother or child cry. It works both ways, if a mother loses her child, she'll cry. If a child loses their mother, they will cry.

It's not just human nature, this was universal. The Valkyrie never wanted a child to grow up without their mother. And no matter what crime a mother does, even if it's unforgivable, she was still a mother. In this case, Rie did all she could to the best of her ability.

Mavislin switched to her mȧturė form and embraced the buŧŧerfly girl from the front. Rie was shocked as she opened her eyes to see the Valkyrie embracing her.

"Listen, I might not be able to bring your child back, but rest ȧssured. If you join us to free this area, no one else would have to suffer anymore," whispered Mavislin.

"Leave her! She's fine, she's good. She's calm but she needs to say what she thinks now," said Mavislin, gesturing Bryan to stand down.

Bryan wanted to protest but could not go against his boss's words.

"Why? What is the point of being a Mage when we can't even protect our children?!" wept Rie as she held onto Mavislin's collar.

Bryan was at the edge of his seat as Mavislin allowed Rie to take her anger out on the Valkyrie. Rie kept shaking the Valkyrie but Mavislin remained unnerved. Her expression remained the same as Rie continued her verbal ȧssault. Soft and gentle eyes paired with a smile.

Because... Those insults weren't for the Valkyrie. It was for herself. She was shouting out all those nasty things because she was angry at herself. She was a failure of a mother in her own eyes. She was a Mage, yet she lacked the power to heal her child.

"That Gladiator was so hopeful that I could finally find my happiness without having the burden to fight in that war... Yet, I couldn't even keep my baby alive... I failed her... I did so many cruel things that were unforgivable and I still couldn't save him..."