Chapter 667 Monica's Sad Past



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"So, tell me a bit more about that." I said. "You live in Silvertide, right?"

"My family lives at the corner of Silvertide." Monica nodded. "Before the Demon Invasion, it was seen as a rather undesirable zone, but once half of the kingdom was invaded by the Demons, things became much more heated, so many people died, and thousands if not millions of refugees arrived at my territory. We've been struggling since then. The advancement of the Demon Armies, and the Dungeons emerging everywhere due to the Miasma Contamination… It is… a rather hard country to live right now."

"Huh, maybe you should just move to my country instead." Giggled Eduard. "We're free of demons and live near the sea, it is a nice place to be~"

"Hey Eduard, are you intentionally bragging about that?" I asked. "This conversation is not something to joke about."

"A-Ah! My bad, my bad! I was just trying to lighten the mood!" Eduard felt a bit surprised when I said that.

"Go on, Monica." I said, crossing my arms.

"S-So… Well, when that happened to my brother, I was only… about ten years of age." Monica sighed. "A Dungeon had suddenly popped up inside our territory, within the walls themselves. If we didn't do anything soon, the entire city would be overrun by monsters. So my brother and every knight available joined a party and went inside… and nobody ever returned."

Monica started crying as she recalled that moment, Erika quickly offered her a handkerchief.

"And… Once my father was back from his trip to the border between the invaded area and our territory, he managed to complete the dungeon with several other sorcerers…" She cried. "When he finally managed to shatter the core and come back… Big brother… He brought whatever remained of him…"

Suddenly, I noticed Erdrich clenching his fists, his face was filled with emotions. Perhaps he recalled his own lost of his mother, attributing it to the demon cultists behind it all, and most likely the dungeons emerging everywhere as well.

"I still remember that day, when he went to the dungeon with the desire to save everyone…" Monica sighed. "He said that… I should prepare his favorite blend of tea, and a piece of… cheesecake." Monica gritted his teeth, as her big eyes started flowing with tears. "He was… so optimistic, he never really… considered what would happen to him, not for a second. It sometimes feels like he died for nothing…"

"For nothing?" I asked. "Far from it."

"Eh?" Monica looked back at me in surprise.

"The reason the dungeon didn't summoned monsters into the entire city until your father came back…" I said. "Wasn't it because your brother and the knights held them up until the very last moment?"

"T-That's right but…" Monica cried.

"They sacrificed their lives to buy enough time, even knowing that they would all die." I said. "Monica, I am surprised you've not realized this. Why do you think people fight and die? Why do you think others sacrifice themselves for, despite fully knowing the fear of dying? Despite not wanting to die at all?"

I looked at her eyes, as she remained in silence.

"He did it for you." I said. "Your brother relieved you with those words, and entered, fully knowing he might never return. He did this to protect you because he loved you. He didn't it pointlessly, nor foolishly. He did what… was needed in that moment."

Monica suddenly gasped, as more tears continued flowing through her eyes.

"Big brother…" She continued crying. "I'm so sorry…"

"B-Blake, did you had to say that like that?" Sighed Rosen. "The poor girl's already crying herself out!"

"I just wanted to clarify something within her mind." I said. "Sometimes, when we are young, we are rather unaware of many things, we try to seek answers, and when we can't find them or figure them out, we assume terrible things, that are often wrong and far from the actual truth. Only by realizing and learning the truth, we can move on and grow as people."I think you should take a look at

Everyone glanced at me with eyes wide open as I said those words.

"Y-You're right but you really sounded like a grandpa there." Laughed Catherine. "You're around our same age anyways! Don't get so cocky."

"Hah, I guess you're right." I sighed. "Now, Monica. Why don't you finish what your brother was never able to finish?"

"Ah… Right…" Monica nodded. "Y-You're right!"

Suddenly, she stood up, fully motivated.

"I-I'll complete a C Rank Dungeon, for brother! I'll make sure to crush that boss… And I'll make sure to… do what he never was able to. I'll become someone even stronger than him, so he can be proud… wherever he is." Monica sighed.

I couldn't help but smile.

"Well said." I nodded, smiling. "Don't disappoint me, Monica."

"I won't!" Monica said confidently.

"Alright." I nodded. "We'll have the entire month, but for today and tomorrow, let's prepare. I'll help you all prepare properly, from buying potions, more equipment, gadgets, and other useful items for the entire exploration. We'll also buy books and information about the dungeons you'll be visiting, so you can be fully prepared."

"Blake…" Rosen felt moved. "You've become so… so nice out of the blue!"

"What's gotten into you?!" Catherine asked.

"Hahaha, he is indeed quite the nice guy when he wants to." Eduard smiled.

"Blake, that would be greatly appreciated!" Gray said.

"Will you?!" Monica asked.

"Of course I will, and what sort of person do you think I am?" I sighed. "It's not like I am a tyrant or something, give me a break… Hmm, maybe I shouldn't help you after all." I crossed my arms.

"N-No please, I'm sorryyyy!" Rosen cried.

"T-That slipped off my tongue but that's not what I meant!" Catherine giggled.

"Don't be like that!" Eduard laughed.

"Okay, fine… Apologies accepted." I sighed. "Now, let's start. Everyone, let's go."

Like that, we spent the rest of the day and tomorrow preparing not only our Party, but the Parties of the rest to assure their survival.

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