Elden Ring, but with Wind Spirit Moon Shadow

Chapter 425 Love is the sharpest weapon in the world

When Bai Shi stepped into the second floor of the official residence, what he saw was a silent scene.

Laya looked at Tanis's back in confusion, with faint traces of tears on her face.

Tanis looked out the window without saying a word. Behind her was the statue-like Cambria and Patch squatting in the corner.

As the footsteps of the two people sounded, several people on the second floor turned their heads to look at Bai Shi and Bernal.

Bai Shi nodded at them and then walked into the center of the room.

Bernal came to Cambria and stood silently on one side of the room like him.

Tanis turned around, bowed slightly to Bai Shi, and then got straight to the point and asked:
"Your Excellency, the Sun King..."

"Now Lord Lakkad has been defeated, and the rebels have been wiped out."

"The existence called Volcano Residence has completely collapsed."

"May I ask how you plan to deal with us losers?"

Bai Shi smiled slightly and said softly:

"Gmir volcano is also part of the border area, it's no different."

"In the future, I will naturally not exclude this place, and the sun's rays will shine down equally."

"I will treat the snake people in the volcanoes equally."

"Even if it originated from a giant snake, as long as it is willing to communicate and interact with other lives on an equal footing, there will be a place for harmonious living on the border in the future."

"It's just that during this period of time, I hope you can strengthen your discipline on them and prepare them for their future life."

"This can be considered as a mission assigned to you. Take on the responsibility of leading these lives to survive."

Bai Shi paused and said with some emotion:
"For those who truly dare to resist injustice, they are still worthy of my serious consideration."

"Of course, you know I'm not talking about those rebels just now. They are just puppets of base desires."

"I'm talking about people like Bernal who are determined, dissatisfied with oppression and manipulation, and who are truly willing to stand up against injustice."

"Unfortunately, judging from the situation at the Volcano Residence, most of the rebels are corrupting much faster than the source of their oppression."

Bai Shi raised his head, looked at the golden tree that only had a shiny appearance, and continued:

“If one day in the future, even the sun’s radiance fades into the evening, stained with corruption and injustice…”

"If that day really comes, I also hope that someone can stand up to me fearlessly and tell me that I was wrong."

Tanis looked at Bai Shi and couldn't help but sigh in her heart, with admiration rising in her heart.

They totally lost.

He is not worried or afraid that his authority will be challenged, but he is worried that the era of autocracy will eventually lead to corruption.

Everything he did was for the future of the border area.

This kind of pattern is probably the bearing that a king should truly possess.

At this moment, Tanis finally realized that the sun's light was so gentle and dazzling.

Even for these losers, they were treated with kindness like the same people.

No wonder Bernard chose to follow Bai Shi so decisively. This is not just a matter of strength.

Bernal must have firmly believed that the border area would be led by the wise and move towards a beautiful world without the need to rebel against the law.

He probably already realized that the brilliance shining on Bai Shi's body far surpassed the brilliance of their heroes and kings in the past.

It is because of the existence of heroes that people believe that there is still love and justice on the border.

Tanis bowed to Bai Shi again, which also marked the end of the Volcano Residence.

No longer dwelling on the Volcano Mansion, which was already a thing of the past, Tanis softened her voice and said earnestly to Bai Shi:
"As a mother, I have a request, please consider it."

"I hope you can take Laya away from the Volcano Residence. That child is too naive. I am very worried about her..."

"Whatever you do with her, please bring her into the light."

Bai Shi nodded, but did not agree directly. Instead, he looked at Laya.

"Of course, but it depends on Laya's decision."

"She is no longer at the age where everything has to be arranged for her."

Facing Bai Shi's gentle question, Laya pursed her lips, her eyes full of confusion.

"I……"

"I don't know yet..."

"This is all happening too fast. I still need some time..."

Tanis sighed and interrupted Laya forcefully.

"Laya, there is not much time left for you to be confused."

"Only when you are under protection will you have the choice."

"If you want to grow and live on your own, you can't hesitate when making choices."

Although she said so, seeing the confusion on Laya's face, Tanis couldn't help but soften her heart.

Tanis also knew that Laya must be extremely confused.

In such a short period of time, the huge changes that took place in the Volcano Mansion made even she, the owner of the residence, feel dazed.

A child like Laya would probably be completely at a loss as to what to do in the face of such a huge change.

Clearly, he was still a child a few days ago, and was well protected in a place like the Volcano Residence, and he didn't know what darkness was.

But now he is forced to leave paradise and face the cruel truth and growth.

Tanis closed her eyes and struggled. After some hesitation, she finally made up her mind and said the words she had prepared.

She took out the items that had been prepared long ago from her arms.

It was a secret potion in a small copper bottle—the secret potion of forgetfulness.

The secret medicine of forgetfulness is a secret medicine that can make you forget all pain and troubles.

This is the item that Lakkad gave to Tanis after the oath of blasphemy, hoping that she would leave the Volcano Mansion and return to normal life.

However, Tanis was unwilling to use it and always kept the item with her.

Handing the secret medicine of forgetfulness to Laya, Tanis said softly:

"If one day...you feel extremely miserable about your own identity and become devastated."

"I want you to drink this secret potion."

"...It can make you forget all the pain."

Laya was confused at first, but then she gradually understood what this meant.

She raised her head in disbelief and looked at Tanis.

For the first time, Tanis avoided Laya's sight and just stated the words she had prepared in her mind:
"I know very well that this is trampling on the feelings between us..."

"But, as a mother, this is the last escape route I can prepare for you."

"If there ever comes a day when the existence of the Volcano Residence and the cruel truth of my origins make you feel extremely painful, then forget everything."

“Forgetting is the cheapest medicine to cure pain.”

Laya silently took the bottle of secret medicine and stared at it quietly.

Then, under Tanis's surprised gaze, Laya raised her hand high and threw the bottle of precious secret medicine to the ground with all her strength.

A dull sound was heard, and the secret medicine began to roll on the ground.

The copper bottle was slightly dented, but did not break.

Tanis stared at Laya blankly. She had never seen her like this before.

Laya lowered her head so that no one could see her expression, only tears dripping onto the ground and onto the tips of her shoes.

She clenched the corners of her clothes tightly with both hands, her voice trembling, but more determined than ever before.

"I do not want……"

"What kind of pain can be compared to forgetting you?!"

Laya's voice became louder and louder, and gradually turned into a shout.

"If I have to escape the pain by forgetting those beautiful memories, then I would rather embrace them and sink in the pain!"

"I'm Zelayas, a member of the Volcano Residence, and your daughter!"

Like a cry from the soul, Laya vented all her true feelings.

Laya gasped for breath, wiped her tears with the sleeves of both hands, turned around and ran out of the room.

Bai Shi picked up the secret potion of oblivion on the ground, held it silently in his hand, and looked at Tanis again.

Tanis remained silent and shook her head at Bai Shi with mixed emotions.

Bai Shi didn't know what the mother was feeling now, but there must be happiness in that messy emotion. Laya didn't want to forget and made the same choice as she did in the past.

Tanis should be the one who understands the intention best.

She wanted her children to be happy, and for that she didn't care about the pain of being forgotten.

But she got a precious gift in return: she got Laya's most determined choice.

Rejecting this escape route that can only be paved by forgetting the past is Laya's love and resistance to Tanis.

All lies are true, all sins are true, but the most precious thing is - all love is true.

Painful, yet mixed with all the good things of the past, an entangled love...

It is because they love each other so deeply that they are hurt by love, the sharpest weapon in the world.

Of course Laya would refuse, because she has actually grown up and she actually knows how to deal with this past and the love in it.

Bai Shi looked at the door that Laya had just run out of, nodded to Tanis, and walked out slowly.

The door was completely closed, leaving only the silent air.

Tanis slowly sat down on the chair, holding up the mask with her palms, clear tears flowing from between her fingers.

This time, Bernard did not follow Bai Shi's footsteps, but stayed in the room.

Taking off his helmet, Bernal looked at Tanis and said with relief:

"This is the growth she will have to go through, and the dark history of Volcano Residence is something she must face."

"But in this dark and bloody mansion, she still remembers the love and beauty after learning the truth."

"Laya has grown up."

Cambria sighed slightly and nodded silently.

Tanis's breathing gradually calmed down, and she finally felt more at ease about Laya's future.

Patch looked at Tanis, and the sly smile was gone from his face. He just supported his head with one hand and was lost in thought.
-

Bai Shi chased out of the room and quickly found Laya's location.

Laya actually didn't run very far, she was just in the corridor on the second floor.

At this moment, she was sitting on the carpet, curled up with her back against the wall, her arms wrapped around her bent legs, and her head buried deeply in them.

Bai Shi walked over and sat on the ground with Laya without caring about his image.

Putting the copper bottle on the ground and fiddling with it, Bai Shi casually said:

"After learning the truth of everything and facing the destruction of the Volcano Residence, you must be feeling very complicated."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you my identity until now."

"The truth... is a very difficult word to face."

"So much so that sometimes even I think that turning a blind eye to some truths is the only way to be happy."

"Because lies hurt no one, the truth is the sharpest knife."

"If you are a vulnerable person, the truth won't hurt you too much."

"But if you are a very strong person, then the truth will penetrate all obstacles like an arrow and hit your most vulnerable heart."

"Unfortunately, Laya, you are also a strong child."

Laya still buried her head. After a while of silence, she uttered a vague voice:

"...I don't think you were responsible for the destruction of the Volcano Residence. My mother has also accepted this fact."

"It's just that, if only I were that strong..."

"In that case, I can face everything calmly..."

Bai Shi looked at Laya. Her performance at this moment was completely different from that in the game.

She was able to accept the forbidden identity and make her own choices about her future path.

Because I am strong, I can use that cursed body to carry those beautiful memories and love.

"No, you don't understand how strong you are now."

Laya raised her head and looked at the opposite wall with a confused look. There was a portrait of Tanis hanging on the wall.

Tanis in the portrait is extremely dignified, a ruler full of majesty.

But just now, beneath her calm appearance, my mother looked so sad and weak.

Laya turned her head to look at Bai Shi, lowered her eyelids, and asked in confusion:
"Mr. Bai Shi, shouldn't I have rejected my mother so firmly just now?"

"I knew clearly that my mother was not at peace at all when she said that."

"She must have been filled with pain and determination to be able to say something like that calmly."

"Will it hurt my mother if I reject her like that..."

Bai Shi reached out and touched Laya's head, then slowly spoke:
"If you can feel your own pain, it only proves that you are still alive."

“If you can feel the pain of others, then you are human.”

"Laya, you have truly become a human being."

Laya looked at Bai Shi blankly, unable to understand the meaning of his words at this moment.

Now there are more pressing issues waiting for her to face.

"Mr. Bai Shi, can you tell me what I should do?"

"I really want a clear instruction or order..."

But in response to Laya's request, Bai Shi just shook his head and did not give an answer.

"If there is no answer now, it doesn't matter."

“No one knows the answer from the beginning.”

“If you feel confused, go find the answers.”

"Whether you stay with your mother, or leave with me, or make any other choice..."

"You have to choose all this by yourself. No one can decide for you."

Laya seemed to be thinking about Bai Shi's words, and after a while she finally smiled.

Laya looked at Bai Shi and said helplessly:

"Mr. Bai Shi, you are really gentle, but also very strict."

"You're willing to comfort me regardless of your status, but you're not willing to give in at all on this matter."

Bai Shi gave Laya a kind smile in response and put away the secret potion of forgetfulness.

Laya no longer needs this secret medicine to deceive herself.

Bai Shi stood up and extended his hand to Laya.

"Before any other identity, I am first and foremost a person who is also confused."

"I get confused and make mistakes. I just don't know what I don't know."

“But it’s a symbol of me still being human.”

Laya chuckled, held Bai Shi's hand, stood up, and brushed the dust off her butt.

Bai Shi looked at Laya, who seemed to have adjusted her mindset, and finally asked:
"How about it?"

"Do you have an answer in mind?"

Laya nodded solemnly and said:
"Well, although there is still no answer, I have decided to find it."

"Please let me say my final goodbye to my mother."
-

The farewell between mother and daughter was very plain, without any tearful scenes, just like they were discussing what to eat in the evening.

It didn't take long for this brief farewell to end.

Bai Shi walked slowly out of the Volcano Residence, followed by Bernal and Laya.

Behind the three of them, the heavy door of the Volcano Residence closed completely with a heavy sound.

Laya suddenly felt something in her heart, and finally looked back towards the Volcano Mansion, and met Tanis's reluctant gaze behind the second-floor window.

Laya immediately raised her right hand high, and waved her hand vigorously for fear that Tanis couldn't see her.

Looking at Laya's silly behavior, Tanis laughed sincerely.

This separation will never be their final farewell.

In the future, when that grand and glorious era arrives, they will meet again only as mother and daughter.

For the first time, Tanis took off the mask that symbolized the owner of the official residence. With a complicated smile on her face, she stretched out her hand and gently waved it at Laya, muttering to herself in a voice that only she could hear:

"This world is extremely cruel, but I still love you..."

(End of this chapter)