For Her(5)
Fifty years had passed since the war, and finally, the Harmonic Convergence had brought unity to the continent. Throughout these years, I toiled relentlessly to stabilize and govern the vast territories under my command.
My mind was consumed by the countless issues that demanded resolution, leaving me little time for any interactions with my family. Strangely, I felt no desire to visit them, as if my purpose had reached its culmination and there was nothing more to be said.
From the vantage point of the window, I beheld a sight many would consider breathtaking.
The vast expanse before me was adorned with millions of jubilant Asuras, their voices resounding in a harmonious chorus of pure bliss. Their collective cry echoed across the land, reverberating through the air like a celestial symphony.
"Prime Harmonic Ren!" they hailed, their fervor and devotion casting a radiant glow upon the scene. It was as if their joyous celebration was born out of a deep-rooted fear, an apprehension that the world itself might overlook my presence amidst their revelry.
But amidst their joyous cries, I couldn't help but wonder
'Will I ever experience that same happiness?'
It was a rhetorical question, one that I didn't expect to be answered. And true enough, silence enveloped me.
As exhaustion settled in, I awaited the sweet embrace of slumber. Yet, an unexpected interruption disrupted my solitude. Without asking, a prompt materialized before my eyes, courtesy of Lucy.
Annoyance flickered within me, but as I read the contents of the message, something within me changed.
The lifelessness that had plagued my gaze for so long dissipated instantly.
If anyone were to witness the transformation, they would observe my eyes transitioning from a deep blue to a vibrant cyan.
[After approximately 686 years, Lucy managed to depict Ais Wallenstein as the Host requested]
Her emotionless voice conveyed the message, yet it brought me immense comfort.
Inexplicably, tears welled up in my eyes. The most grueling of training had failed to elicit a single tear, yet now, I found myself weeping uncontrollably. My hands trembled as they reached out to 'touch' the image that portrayed the Ais Wallenstein I had longed to see for so long.
"Yes... I cannot yield now. I have come too far for a reason" I declared, my voice resolute.
The flames of motivation that had dimmed within my weary mind reignited with a fierce intensity. Only sixty years remained until I would depart for another world, and although I possessed an abundance of information, it was not enough to satiate my thirst for knowledge.
From that day forward, the Prime Harmonic could be found in every library across the continent, engrossed in books of all kinds. The Asuras questioned his motives, but he paid no heed, for his sole focus was to learn and understand, hoping to glean even the slightest advantage as his departure date drew near.
---
Once again, I gazed at the picture of Ais Wallenstein from roughly sixty years ago, feeling its lingering warmth seep into my soul.
"I hereby resign from my position as Prime Harmonic. Peace!"
I proclaimed, allowing my voice to reverberate across the entire continent. The mana required for such a feat was negligible, thanks to the strength of my Mana Core.
Naturally, everyone was taken aback by this news. Some deemed me mad, questioning my reasoning and intentions. But they failed to grasp the significance of my decision. Meeting Ais Wallenstein was worth countless times more than any wealth, fame, or fortune I could amass as the Prime Harmonic.
Before departing to the designated location, where I would make my exit from this world, I found myself once again in the Seraphis mansion. Like a stealthy intruder, I effortlessly infiltrated the premises, disregarding the need to request entry from the guards, who remained oblivious to my presence.
----
"...You are here, my son."
Her sudden voice caught me off guard, as I believed my concealment techniques were foolproof against mortals...
I turned around to behold a woman with violet eyes and hair, her fair skin untouched by the passage of time. She was as beautiful as ever.
...Yet, she was not Her.
"...Mother."
I called out to her. Though I couldn't fathom how she recognized me, I welcomed the opportunity for a brief conversation as that was my aim in the first place.
"Don't make that silly face. You forgot I carried you in my womb for nine months. How could I not know you were here?"
Her words left me perplexed. What kind of expression was I wearing to evoke such a reaction...?
Though, such matters ceased to concern me as she closed the distance between us and enveloped me in a tight embrace.
"I am overjoyed...to see the fine man you have become..."
I expected her to question my recent announcement or doubt my sanity, yet she seemed unperturbed. It was as if she had anticipated this day all along.
I hadn't spoken a word, yet it felt as if I had. As I reciprocated her hug, basking in the warmth of a mother's embrace, perhaps for the first time in its entirety.
"...You have found your path, your purpose in this life, haven't you?"
Her words held an enigmatic quality. How could she possibly know?
...Perhaps I had underestimated a mother's understanding of her own child. Outwardly, I simply nodded.
Lucy, I want you to preserve a detailed image of my mother and father.
[Understood, Host.
Processing the request...]
One day, after I have accomplished everything in the Danmachi World, I will return here and introduce my family to them.
How can I be so certain that I will have a family? Well, perhaps it's a touch of arrogance, but at this moment, I want to believe it will come to pass.
For even if I make Ais Wallenstein mine, there is no guarantee that she will truly love me. She may only use me to further her own goals. Yet, even that would not be undesirable, as long as I can claim the place by her side for eternity.
As a multitude of thoughts clouded my mind, I momentarily forgot that I was still locked in an embrace with my mother, prompting a soft chuckle to escape her lips.
"You truly love your mother!"
Her happiness was infectious, almost coaxing a smile from my own lips, though I refrained from doing so to avoid any awkwardness.
"Indeed, I do."
I savored these words, preparing to release her from my embrace. However, before I could do so, her cheerfulness waned, replaced by tear-filled eyes and a smile that carried the weight of unspoken emotions.
"...I am sorry, Ren, for not being a better mother to you. I hope your journey is filled with joy and happiness. Before I pass on, please bless me with a grandson. I promise to shower both them and your wife with love!"
Did she even know about me leaving? Truly, what a formidable mother I have...
"What are you saying, mother? You have done everything in your power for me. I, too, chose to undergo rigorous training even before the Harmonic Elders intervened. They merely aided me..."
The thought of those geezers brought a flicker of amusement. I longed to witness their reactions when they realized I had snatched the coveted position of Prime Harmonic and made them wage war against an entire continent, only to defect from that position...
'Well, that Honorary Harmonic Elder will assume the role for me. Despite his excessive pursuit of personal gain, he is not a bad man. I can entrust this continent to him.'
My decision to step down from my position was not impulsive. It was part of a long-term plan, carefully considering who would be capable of replacing me and safeguarding my family in this world.
The only viable choice was that man. Although he is weaker than me, we established a pact long ago, granting him the title of Prime Harmonic in exchange for his eternal protection of my family.
The Seraphis family serves as the vanguard of our faction, so it is unlikely they would face harm. However, having multiple layers of protection is always preferable to none at all...
Lost in my thoughts, a peculiar sensation of lips on my cheek snapped me back to reality. I looked to see my mother beaming at me with a smile that perhaps only a mother could wear.
"Go, my son. I will also inform your father that you are safe, as he is currently absent."
I nodded, my steps becoming noticeably lighter for reasons unknown...
---
[Are you prepared to depart, Host?]
The journey to the Danmachi World was not particularly arduous. When the Goddess Eve entrusted Lucy to me, she also imparted invaluable information, including books and more. Of course, nothing that contained divine power or knowledge I should not possess.
Amidst the multitude of information I had to sift through, we obtained the coordinates of a "Teleportation Point." These locations are areas where the planet's mana has accumulated over time, resulting in concentrated energy.
It is at these points that I can create a portal to the Danmachi World without depleting my own reserves too much. Goddess Eve even provided a precise formula for calculating the required amount of mana, with minimal margin for error.
This knowledge proved invaluable, as attempting to summon more mana than one's body can handle can lead to dire consequences...
As I recollected the various details in my mind, I performed the arcane ritual necessary to open a portal, the coordinates leading to a forest just outside Orario to avoid unnecessary attention.
"Finally, the moment to see you, Ais, has arrived!"
My voice reverberated with anticipation as the portal materialized seamlessly in the air, the rest of the tale unfolding as it had been foretold.
---
Author's note:
(I swear, it's a coincidence that the longer chaps all have 5 parts...)
And with this, the backstory pretty much ended. I had several small things to point out, but they're not as useful to know. Maybe I will create a side story in the future with some of the left-out stories.
Though, if y'all aren't interested, then I won't bother.
Some additional info:
1. Most of it would be from Catherine's perspective.
2. None of it would influence the current plot
3. We also have Ren's siblings. Little trivia: He actually does have a sister and two brothers.