NOVEL NEXT Chapter 815: Failure
As Branden, Esmeralda, Orcis, and Lorene listened to the revelation of Rain's return and the details of his revival, an air of incredulity hung palpably in the air. The story sounded like a fantastical tale, a narrative defying logic and the laws of nature.
The idea of someone resurrecting after such a prolonged absence, especially following an encounter with the dragon god, seemed utterly implausible.
However, amidst the disbelief and skepticism that shrouded the tale, the undeniable prowess displayed by Rain and Terra in their healing abilities served as a sign of plausibility in the midst of the crazy narrative.
The extraordinary healing skills they possessed were something tangible, a testament to their incredible capabilities and something that, to some extent, supported the implausible tale Rain had shared.
"The dragon god… he didn't show up or do anything after that massive meteor fell," Orcis said. "The dragons didn't do anything major either. We only killed a few of them, and so did the magic people. Since then, they have been the only ones who cause us trouble."
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"You can say it if you want, that that the dragon god only made his move because of me," Rain said. "You guys are also thinking that since I returned, the dragon god will return as well and bring another age of strife to the world."
As the weight of Rain's words settled among Branden, Esmeralda, Orcis, and Lorene, a weird tension took over the atmosphere. Rain's return, once a hopeful prospect, now loomed with the realization that it might indeed bring forth unforeseen challenges and turmoil.
The conversation about how to navigate the potential issues introduced by Rain's sudden reappearance left the group filled with uncertainty.
Amidst the contemplation and the shared concern about the implications of Rain's return, a sudden movement caught Rain's attention. He glanced over his shoulder and caught sight of the children belonging to his friends — two families that had once comprised merely two members each, now expanded to more than thirty individuals.
Over the course of one hundred years, these families had flourished and multiplied, and their numbers had grown significantly.
What caught Rain's eye the most was the transformation these children had undergone during their growth. Trained rigorously to emulate Rain's fighting prowess and equipped with skills that mirrored his own, they had evolved into formidable fighters, each possessing a semblance of Rain's abilities… and they were ready to fight him if they had to.
"What are you going to do about that?" Asche asked.
"I am not sure yet. I at least wanted to find everyone and make them know that I am alive," Rain replied. "I will apologize to them and then make my choice. Between preparing for an inevitable battle against the dragon god or just disappearing again. I know of a place where he will have a hard time finding me."
"You definitely aren't the Rain that we know. He would' talk like a weakling," Liss said.
"I guess so," Rain said and then shrugged. "I don't want to become the king of depression, but I don't want to cause problems to others, and it is clear that I am not fit to lead after things end like this. I can't make up to you all, but I at least can make sure that I won't cause more trouble to you all."
"Ugh, such annoying words… you think that your ass is the center of the world?" Liss asked. "Things ended like this because we were all too weak to fight against something that was impossibly strong. Don't belittle our resolve, trying to take all the blame on yourself. Don't make fun of us."
"I guess saying sorry wouldn't change things here, but I wanted to at least apologize once to everyone," Rain said.
"Terra, Danny, Annie, and your parents seemed resolute in having their revenge, so it would be helpful if you could stop them before they start another war," Branden said. "We have been increasing our strength, but since we can't even defeat the magic people alone, we can't face another war agaisnt the dragons yet."
"I will see what I can do," Rain said. "Still, I was thinking that it would be better to bring the others here, the ones that were left behind in the first hideout."
"Well, about that…" Branden said.
"Unfortunately, that can't happen," Esmeralda suddenly said. "Increasing the length of the island will mean more mana that we will need to use to make it move, and things will become less efficient. At the same time, the magic people will be able to chase and attack us if we become slower. They will do that until we run out of resources."
Over the past few decades, Esmeralda seemed to have obtained a newfound outspokenness, her once reserved demeanor gradually giving way to a more forthright and direct approach, which made sense given that she was the head of the royal family.
Esmeralda's willingness to voice her thoughts and concerns, without the hesitation that Branden occasionally displayed became more evident. She didn't shy away from expressing her viewpoints, even on matters that Branden might have been hesitant to address.
However, despite her increased assertiveness, there lingered a troublesome sentiment underlying Esmeralda's stance. There was a notable reluctance on her part to extend their aid or assistance beyond those currently within their circle.
Esmeralda's hesitation to expand their help to a wider range of individuals stemmed from a concern about inconveniencing those already under their care.
This reluctance to increase their assistance, while understandable to maintain the stability and balance within their current group, also indicated a potential limitation in their ability to extend support to a larger community outside their immediate circle… that was quite egocentrical considering that all of them came from the same group.
Still, Rain couldn't say anything regarding that since his failure was what forced them to live like that… it was his fault.
"I see," Rain said and then sipped on the tea again.