Chapter 277: 276 True Strength Chapter 277: 276 True Strength “…”
Shane fell into silence.
Because he didn’t want his gaze, expression, or tone to reveal even a trace of sympathy.
It wasn’t that Shane lacked compassion; he simply believed that his compassion would not only fail to cheer up Tielle but would also be an insult to her.
And indeed, it was true.
“I don’t have many thoughts about my mother’s murder,”
Tielle said in a tone so calm it almost didn’t seem human as she spoke to Shane.
“Objectively speaking, she wasn’t good to me, and our relationship was anything but close. Moreover, she was a spy from a neighboring country, a traitor to the Kingdom, and the main culprit behind the significant damage to the Royal Capital. Not hating her is already quite generous of me, let alone feeling angry about her death.”
It was very realistic and objective.
“The only thing I could do for That Person was to repay the debt of having been brought into this world.” Tielle continued indifferently, “So, at that time, I asked someone for help for the first time.”
Nothing significant, just a request to build a grave for her mother.
If it hadn’t been for Tielle’s request, how could her mother, a criminal, have possibly received a grave?
And naturally, the only people who could have fulfilled this request for Tielle were Luoqi or Riley, one of the two.
This made Shane recall what he had seen Tielle doing in the graveyard before.
At that time, Tielle shedding tears over her own mother’s grave surely couldn’t have been out of sorrow for her mother’s death, could it?
Her tears, and the grave itself, were nothing more than a remembrance of her own past.
And because of that, she didn’t need sympathy.
However, at the same time, Shane truly felt that Tielle had faced too much unfair treatment.
Mere because of a Unique Skill, she was ostracized by her family and feared by her own race, never knowing freedom, happiness, or joy in her childhood.
She was controlled by the arbitrary decisions and values of adults, forced to live a desolate life, all alone.
Even in the end, because of the issues between her father and mother and the power struggles between nations and races, she became an unjustly blamed sacrifice.
Those so-called Nobles, under the condition that the mother, who was the main culprit, was adjudicated, and unable to exact revenge, cruelly transferred all their hatred onto Tielle, forcing her to bear the retribution meant for all the victims. It was utterly unreasonable.
But what could be done when Tielle was the only one related by blood to the criminal?
Whom else could those who lost family members to the Old Demon Clan Faction because of Tielle’s mother hate, if not Tielle, the criminal’s offspring?
Therefore, Tielle had to leave that home.
But on the day she left, Tielle also acquired a goal.
That goal was to defeat her own father–Aridia Elbein.
Not to avenge her mother, nor herself, but simply because she couldn’t stand the sight of that indifferent man.
“If my mother’s gaze made me feel like a piece of filth, then That Person has never even glanced at me properly,”
“While I was being feared by my family and my race, he just coldly watched, never interfering or voicing any opinion,”
“When I started to gain some freedom and was brought alongside him, he continued to watch coldly, never vigilant of me, nor focusing much attention on me. It was as if he was merely carrying out a mission, utterly devoid of emotion,”
“He is an emotionless weapon, a tool for maintaining the honor of the family. His only apparent purpose seems to be to protect the Royal Family and the Kingdom. Calling him cold and ruthless is almost praise.”
“And when my mother’s crimes were discovered, he didn’t show much emotion or feeling. Just in front of me, without saying a word to me or to my mother, he suddenly drew his sword and beheaded her–mechanically and numbly carrying out his duty and role.”
At this point, Tielle’s tone finally betrayed some emotion.
“I can’t fathom That Person’s heart, nor his thoughts.”
“But precisely because of this, it’s undeniable; I’ve come to resent him,”
“Not for his indifference, but because he is more of a monster than even I am.”
In Tielle’s eyes, Aridia was an unfeeling monster, powerful and numb.
But such a monster was nevertheless revered by everyone around, earning all praises, and ultimately standing at the pinnacle of the knights.
Tielle couldn’t understand, and even less could she come to terms with it.
What exactly was the difference between her and him?
Or was it spirit and heart?
Tielle kept pondering these things.
Hence, Tielle set herself a goal.
“To defeat that man, to step over him, to surpass him, and to shatter all his pride and dignity.”
“If I don’t, I won’t be able to see his reality, to see into his heart.”
He was a person who used strength as a barrier to wrap himself in an invulnerable facade.
If that were so, to see his true self, the only way would be to defeat him, to end his strength and perfection.
“If one day, I could even defeat that man, then perhaps I could achieve true freedom, true strength.”
Tielle murmured softly.
“When that time comes…”
By then, perhaps, Tielle would no longer need to fear the “Ghost” within her.
That was Tielle’s true purpose.
For this, she had worked hard up to this day.
Shane listened to it all, without offering any comment.
Not because he didn’t have a stance, but because he didn’t dare say he understood Tielle’s thoughts.
After all, as far as Shane was concerned, his power came very mysteriously.
Even if his opponent was Aridia Elbein, with the Sealing of Holy Sword fully released, Shane had the confidence to fight and win.
But Shane’s strength came easily, effortlessly, one might even say without much hardship.
He, who was truly favored by nature, had no right to judge Tielle’s pursuit of strength.
How could he, who had obtained so effortlessly what others had strived for, have any right to criticize?
So, Shane felt conflicted and didn’t know what to say.
It seemed as if Tielle had noticed this.
“Don’t worry, I’m not disparaging you, nor am I complaining about the unfairness of fate, it’s just that I feel, if I don’t clarify these things, you might misunderstand,”
Tielle said softly, looking at Shane.
“Besides, you’re different from that person; even though you’re equally strong, I feel secure by your side.”
Presumably, after Shane had stopped her rampage, Tielle really felt a lot more at ease, hadn’t she?
It meant that from now on, she finally had someone by her side who could stop her, to prevent her from making mistakes.
“I have a feeling, you’ll be the key to breaking through my current predicament and seeing a new path.”
Tielle gazed at Shane, starting the conversation.
“So, I want to bet everything on you.”