Chp-55 What Is My Purpose?

Riku Pov.

How..am I alive?

Didn't I Die at that war? Didn't He..Kill me?

So why am I here? Is this my Punishment?

For choosing what I thought was right?

Or Was I wrong all along?

Such thoughts ran in my head as I struggled to reach the Correct Answer. Every time I think the answer was near, It just turned into another question.

"Young Man, can we know your name."

The Oldman, Holms' words broke me out of my thoughts as I contemplated on whether to give them me real name..and then,

"Loyd, My name is Loyd ." I had decided, I gave them an Alias. Using my true name might raise some suspicions or even alert some people I don't want to meet yet.

"Sir, Where is my armour?" I then asked as I just noticed me being covered in bandages on my torso, as I had a pant on me.

"Oh That, It's in the other room next to this. The armour made the room quite unpleasant so we shifted it there, and It was a real struggle you know? That Breastplate took Seven of the strongest men to even lift it up." Holms said as he gave me a questioning look.

"You might be wondering How I could wear it." I asked as they nodded.

"It's enchanted by my friend. Only I ordered the one I give permission to is allowed to freely wear it, if anyone had tried to wear it without my permission, then the Armour would simply shrink rapidly until the their died." I stated as I could see the cold sweat dripping on their heads.

"W-well It's good that none did try. Anyways, Lily will be taking care of you, I have some things I need to attend, so as Father Luther too right?" Holms said.

"Yes, yes. We shall meet again Sir Loyd."

The Priest Luther said as the duo left the room, leaving me on my bed with a shy looking Young girl.

Speaking of, she is maybe 18 years old, same as I was when we met Armin...now...I must be 300. My body hasn't changed a bit it seems.

"Um.. Mister Loyd?" The Girl Meekly spoke as I turned towards her.

"Call me Loyd." I said plainly as I stood up.

"Please rest! You might still have some in..juries.." Lily seeing me moving out the bed spoke quickly, only to be stunned at how easily I stood and moved about.

As if I had just woken up, not like I had been in a 3 year coma.

"Did I worry you? Miss Lily?" I smiled at her concern for my wellbeing.

This girl had been taking care of me for God knows how look. Being nice to her is the least I could do.

"P-please call me Lily.." Lily spoke shyly as a small blush crept on her cheeks.

"Then. Lily, could you take me for a tour of your Village?" I asked her.

"Ofcourse!" My question made her forget her initial shyness as she beamed a smile at me.

'She's very Innocent for her age...'

-------

Walking around the small market of the village with Lily, I came to know a lot of what has happened in the world.

After the Great War, it seems the Empire stopped expanding it's territory. Taking monetary compensation form the loosing Countries and annexing smaller ones.

After that, the following years were observed to be peaceful. No more wars of such a scale ever erupted. But, the whole world did change after that.

The economy of most countries now depends on the Empire for its new technology, cheap magical products, delectable foods and Goods.

And for this Village to have survived the changes is quite amazing. It is a small village that is associated with no particular Kingdom. This village was formed simply by the ancestors of the Village who were refugees of a dying kingdom.

They established this village near the Jura Forest, which provided them with resources and food. Due to being close to the Forest, no kingdom had claimed this area as it's. But this also brings a problem. Every year, monsters keep coming out of the forest to attack them.

But the village has some warriors who are skilled enough to kill the monsters.

"So, Loyd. Where do you come from?" Lily asked me as we walked side by side out of the village market.

"I come from a place that had been annexed by the Empire. My people fought for their country but.. sadly they were killed."

"I..am sorry for bringing that up.." Lily apologized.

"It's fine. I am sure they are in a better place."

"Yeah, but the Empire is not that bad, by what I heard." Lily said.

"What do you mean?" I asked, curious as to how the Empire dealed with its citizens.

"Well, during the meeting my grandpa holds, I heard that the Empire is kind to those who have done their fair share of work. The Empire is said to give away rewards to the deserving and punishs those who slack off.

There is no difference between a peasant and a noble, because you can become a powerful person from your merits." Lily stated in a simple manner.

'It's just like the Government in my world...is he?...But why would he cause a war if he..'

My mind scattered once more, trying to come up with a reasoning to Bael's actions.

"Hey Mom! Look! The Hero!!" A child's voice interrupted my musings as a small 6 year old girl walked up to me, behind her, the Mother worriedly followed her.

"Don't be rude Dear!, I am sorry for my Child's misbehaviour." The mother bowed her head at me as she did her child's.

'They...look fearful of me. Do I look like I will eat them?' Confusing arose inside my mind as I looked at Lily who had been with me all this time.

Then I realised why the mother was afraid of me. In the eyes of Lily I saw my Reflection, which was very resembling of a Noble. Maybe they thought I was one and we're concerned I would do something bad to them.

"Don't worry ma'am. I didn't mind her enthusiasm. Childrens her age should be cheerful." I smiled at the mother as I helped her stand straight.

"Thank You My Lord..." The Mother Once again tried to bow as I interrupted her.

"Loyd. You can call me Loyd." A wry smile crossed my face as I struggled to come up with a reasoning of how to make this woman comfortable with me.

"So, child. Why did you call me a Hero?"

I asked her.

"Three years ago when you came to our village, you wore that shiny armour and although, although you were covered in red paint, you looked like a Hero! My friends said that You are the Hero who Killed the Dragon!" The Child innocently replied, her words sometimes mixed up and mis-pronounced.

She didn't even know what blood was, simply referring to it as red paint. Besides, she doesn't know how on point she was. Except for the last part.

'Sadly, I couldn't kill him.'

"Hahaha, Thankyou for calling me a Hero. But I am not that Hero you guys think. He is .... Far greater and stronger than me you know? " I smiled.

"Really!? Is he very strong?! Can I meet him? I want my friends to see that I know The Hero of Light!!" The child excitedly asked.

"Erina~, Stop bothering sir Loyd. Apologize now." The child whose name was Erina, her mother admonished her.

"Aww. I am sorry Sir Royd." Although she mis-pronounced my name, I still reassured her.

"Don't worry, I promise that One day You will meet him"

"Really!!" The downed Girl quickly regained her Cheerful nature.

"Yes, but promise me, You will listen to every thing you mother will ask of you. If you don't then The Hero will be angry with you and not come. He likes Good Children the most." I said.

"Yes! I promise! I am a Good Child." I girl cutely curled her hands in a fist as if to show her resolution as her mother smiled.

"Is, Is it wise to promise the Girl something like that? " Lily asked as she watched the Duo leave hand in hand.

"Who knows. But one thing is for sure, I never break my promise. And that girl will surely meet the Hero." I said as I walked back to the Village Chief's house.

'And I will fulfill my promise to you too, Misu.'

★★★★★★★