Chapter 2071 Aries's Resolve
"I've made my decision back then already. It just took some time to convince this little girl."
Ancestor Aries laughed as she trudged forwards with Ivy Aries's help. On the other hand, Ivy Aries didn't look amused. She was totally against this plan, but her ancestor just wouldn't listen. Feeling aggrieved, she couldn't help but voice out her frustrations.
"Emperor of Death. Why did you have to tell my ancestor something like that? After hearing it, she's so adamant."
Contained in her voice was a bit of blame, causing Davis to shake his head.
"A child like you wouldn't understand the pain of losing a loved one. Maybe I should've come later to rescue you, no? And then, you would've known what it felt like to lose someone close to you."
"..."
Ivy Aries became dumbfounded before regretting her words. Perhaps, she wasn't considerate of her ancestor's genuine feelings? But still, she just couldn't help but worry about this plan. After all, it was crazy and almost a hoax if it didn't come from the words of a person who seemed to have mastered Death Laws.
Davis could feel Ivy Aries's genuine concern, so he didn't keep his mouth shut.
"As I said before, to me, this is both an experiment and a wish to see people I know become happier. There are so many foes I could try this experiment with, even forcing them against their will if I want to, but not everyone, in my opinion, deserves a chance at reincarnation. I will only grant such a gift to those I deem worthy."
Ivy Aries slowly nodded her head, understanding Davis's perspective. She didn't even look at him like he was arrogant but considered it normal for his stature.
"I understand. My point is... would this really work? What if-"
"Your ancestor has only a year or two left to live."
Davis spoke plainly, causing Ivy Aries's eyes to widen in shock. She blinked thrice before turning to look at her ancestor Aries.
"Ancestor?"
"That's right, Little Ivy." Ancestor Aries nodded, "What I used was a sacrificial technique to increase my vitality as much as possible. Even if someone could heal my body and get rid of the poison, my soul is no longer capable of staying in this world. Once upon a time, I was also a Soul Queen, after all. I know what I'm talking about."
Ivy Aries became shocked before sorrow resides in her eyes. She knew that it would be the case, but she didn't want to believe that it would truly be the case somewhere in her heart. Her ancestor had miraculously survived for so long, so why just a year or two? Why couldn't she be alive for more time now that the accursed Shard Family was finally out of the picture?
Tears couldn't help but fall from her eyes as she silently sobbed.
"Don't worry. Even if I could not find Old Man Garvin's reincarnation, letting your ancestor reincarnate isn't a problem."
Davis spoke before he gestured behind, causing them to look at a viridian-robed woman,
"Meet Alia Silverwind. She'll be assisting granny. As for her expertise, using the same method, she reincarnated three times already."
Ivy Aries's mouth went agape while Alia Silverwind shot a shy smile and clasped her hands.
"Greetings. I'm Alia Silverwind and what the Emperor of Death is saying is true."
"Ancestor..."
Ivy Aries's tears flooded her eyes as she saw her ancestor take a bite out of the viridian fruit.
*Crunch!~*
Her old teeth sank and crushed the fruit, extracting its juices as she swallowed. In a few seconds, she completely swallowed the fruit, causing her to collapse and start to convulse.
"Ahhh!!!"
Ancestor Aries screamed with pain as she held her head, causing Ivy Aries to move.
"Ancestor...!"
However, she was held back by Davis, who grabbed her shoulder, "Don't interfere. Now's the time for the etching process to work."
Ivy Aries shuddered as she tried to reach out her hand in support. However, she could only watch as her ancestor screamed. She couldn't bear to watch, tears constantly spilling out of her eyes.
A whole minute later, the Ancestor's scream died, and her body fell lifeless.
Only then did Davis take off his hand from Ivy Aries, causing her to run before she bent and hugged her ancestor's lifeless body, weeping heavily.
Looking at this scene, Davis felt bad. However, he could sense ancestor Aries's soul essence leaving, staying for some time before fading away.
But, his eyes were wide because he saw her soul essence manifest into her image and slightly hug the crying Ivy Aries for a second before she disappeared. It was very subtle, and Ivy Aries didn't react to that hug, almost causing him to think if it was his delusion. However, he was sure that ancestor Aries's soul essence came alive, even if it was just for a second or two.
Nonetheless, he waited for Ivy Aries to calm down.
It took a while before she stood up and summoned a coffin. They did come ready for this, and even though this was the result, she couldn't help but still shed a tear again as she gently placed her ancestor's lifeless body inside the coffin, sealing it to preserve the body.
"Ancestor, please come back alive and anew as you wished... I'll take care of you..." She caressed the coffin, appearing hopeful.
"All is fine. You have my word that you'll see your ancestor, although, having died now, she'll be reborn as a baby a few minutes or months from now..."
Alia Silverwind smiled and handed over the Viridian Afterlife Path Tree's branch to Ivy Aries, causing the latter to force a smile.
"Mhm~"
She tightly held the branch of that fruit, knowing that she couldn't afford to lose it. The moment it started glowing, she was supposed to contact them and follow the trail together to find the reincarnated ancestor. Only when this branch makes contact with that baby's soul would the baby regain back its previous lives memories.
She looked toward Davis and bit her lips.
"I have no words to offer since I'm already indebted to you, but... thank you... again."
"You're welcome."
Davis chuckled before he turned around and left.