Chapter 396 Discussion With Melfina

396 Discussion With Melfina

"I heard it. You've destroyed my city again," Melfina grumbled, her voice laced with both fatigue.

She was lying on a bed, still recovering from the fight against my father at Edenis Raphiel. Her normally vibrant presence was dulled by exhaustion, and the dim light in the room only emphasized her frailty. I was sitting in her room, watching over her as the darkness outside deepened into the inky blackness of night.

"It wasn't intentional, and there were no casualties," I replied, trying to sound reassuring as I sat in a chair beside her, arms crossed.

"No casualties, perhaps, but you'll still have to ask your dear sister to cover the damages," she scoffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

I grimaced at the thought. Christina was going to scold me again, and I wasn't looking forward to it.

Melfina's sharp gaze pierced through the silence. "What are you doing here?" she finally asked, her voice soft but probing.

"I came to see how you were faring," I answered, though the words felt hollow.

Melfina's eyes narrowed slightly. "Boy, I'm old enough to detect lies."

I sighed heavily. "I just... I felt a bit off," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

The truth was, I couldn't bring myself to face Celeste after clinging to her like a frightened child for what felt like hours. The memory of that embarrassing moment still made my skin crawl. I needed time to recover some kind of calmness.

"I heard from Celeste that you were looking for a weapon from Randor," Melfina said, changing the subject with an air of nonchalance.

"Yeah," I replied, nodding slightly. "By the way, you should keep him here for a while, under strict security. You never know when those bastards might come after him again."

I had a hard time believing the Iris Project would simply give up on getting their hands on Randor, and the uncertainty gnawed at me.

Melfina chuckled softly, a sound that was both weary and amused. "I should thank you for saving him—and my daughter—again."

"There's no need for that..." I muttered, looking away.

In truth, it was Celeste who had saved me. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"How was he?" I asked after a moment of silence, my voice tentative.

Melfina turned to look at me, her expression unreadable. She knew exactly what I was asking, and for a long moment, she just studied me, as if weighing her response. Then, she looked away, her gaze distant.

"As lively as ever," she finally said, her voice tinged with something I couldn't quite place.

I couldn't help but smile a little.

Despite how exasperated she was of my mother, she clearly cared for her.

"No, I'll handle it myself," I replied, shaking my head.

The truth was, involving too many people would complicate the rescue. The more hands in the mix, the higher the risk of failure. Alone, I had a better chance of slipping in and rescuing my mother without drawing unwanted attention.

Still, I hadn't expected her to be in such a place. Elyen Kiora.

Elyen Kiora was the last place I'd imagined finding her. Reaching that place, let alone surviving there, was nearly impossible for someone like me. It wasn't just a hidden corner of the world—it was the Capital City of the High Elves of Utopia, a place steeped in ancient power and guarded by defenses erected sine centuries by their ancestors.

It seemed my father had taken her there, though I couldn't understand his reasons. But whatever the reason, it now presented a unique opportunity. The ongoing war could serve as the perfect distraction, allowing me to slip in unnoticed and rescue her. It sounded simple enough when put into words, but deep down, I knew it would be anything but easy. The obstacles would be immense, the risks high, but I had no other choice.

"If you're that confident, then I should be reassured," Melfina said with a chuckle, though it was interrupted by a faint cough.

I glanced at her, concern flashing across my face. I wanted to bring up the subject of Dereck—my brother—and his mysterious ally, but now wasn't the right time. She needed to regain her strength first, and there was no need to burden her with more worries.

"So, without you, it'll be Professor Harvey leading Zestel into war? Good luck with that," I said with a sigh.

"You've got some nerve saying that," Melfina glared at me, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.

I shrugged leaning casually against the back of my chair.

"You should be careful about Celeste," I said, my tone turning more serious. "She's undoubtedly one of Utopia's targets. I'd suggest keeping her out of the war, but there's no way she'd agree to that, is there?"

"What do you think? You know her quite well by now," Melfina laughed softly.

She was right. I couldn't see Celeste hiding in the castle while the world burned around her. In the game, her father had tried to force her to stay behind, safe within the castle walls, but she had defied him, escaping to join the battle on the front lines. A move so typical of Celes—brave, stubborn, and determined.

And in the end, she had been right. Her presence on the battlefield was crucial, a key factor in winning the war. From what I had seen when she saved me, I knew she could hold her own. I could let her fight in the war without worrying too much about her safety. She was strong, more than capable, and she understood the stakes better than anyone.

Zestel would have powerful allies, and they wouldn't need my help. Victor, too, seemed stronger than before, his sudden closeness with Selene pushing him to new heights.

I could focus entirely on rescuing my mother now. I don't give a damn about the war.

I will save my mother.

No one will die anymore from my family.