Piece 10 (part 2)

"At the end of the second war, I used many starting businesses that could act as a trade to the four kingdoms and empires. Because there was money on the line, the four did not have much to complain about.

This time, we are taking back the stuff that they have taken from us since our downfall. The lands, the riches, even the people. Negotiation isn't exactly something that we can do, at this moment."

Dad explained the difference between the past negotiation and the current situation, which is incredibly different indeed. However, I just feel like there's a simple solution to this.

"But, those lands were ours to begin with. Those people too. So, why can't they just give it back?" I asked rather plainly, and the four of them chuckled.

Yeah… that does sound like a stupid question. Obviously, the four countries will not give back those things as it wasn't at all beneficial.

But,

"Those things were ours. Why should we bother giving anything in return? The negotiation I have in my mind wasn't about making a deal that can benefit both sides."

I completed what my earlier question was about, and the four only looked surprised. They all turned to me with horrified eyes, and I can't exactly tell why they look so shocked.

"W-What?"

"Nothing.…it's just…" Dad shook his head while trying to accept it, but Uncle Althorn only started laughing.

"Haha!! Yeah, 'nothing' my ass! You're really just like your mom and dad! At least when they're younger!" Uncle Althorn laughed loudly as he got up from his seat, and I can sense that he is the only one who looked so satisfied.

Mom and Dad are both closing their eyes while facepalming, and it looks like I have done something that has disappointed them greatly.

"Have I done something bad…?"

"You did the best thing anyone can do, Millis." Next to me, Miss Fiona said as she sat on the chair on my right, and I turned to her with a confused stare.

"The reason why we're having such a tough time right now is because your mother and father refused to use their strengths to bring the empire back. They keep trying to find roundabouts that can avoid anything that can involve them to fight.

However, the greatest part about the empire's existence is their strength. We have the strongest military in the whole world, and we have defeated every single one of those countries even when they all ganged up together on us. It is what kept Veldonia a highly respected country aside from its riches.

And the biggest part of that strength are these two. They've won us the wars in the past, yet they seem to refuse lending their hands. Because if anything, what kept Veldonia standing so strong is our strength."

That is indeed… what I thought as well.

Veldonia is a powerful country. It's a rich country, but that's not what makes it so special. It is an undefeated country which fought many wars against all the other kingdoms and empires, and they have won it all. It is what makes them such a highly respected empire, and it is why they are the greatest in the continent.

So, why… can't we use our strength?

"Give us a couple more days, Althorn. Fiona." Dad said with his head down to the table, and I realized it might've been much more serious than I imagined.

Uncle Althorn and Miss Fiona understood, and the two decided to end the conversation there. Instead, Miss Fiona turned to me and asked some questions about my life, considering we have only just met today.

About half an hour after that discussion ended, the three of them, including Miss Noire, left the house. Grandma arrived back at the house and found how messy it was, but she did not yell or get angry like I expected. Instead, she noticed how gloomy both Mom and Dad had become.

"So, a war?" Grandma asked the two who were still sitting by the table, and the two nodded with sadness.

Meanwhile, I was a little too slow on the uptake. I realized that I have made a mistake that has disappointed the two of them, and I'm wondering if there's any way I can undo that.

"Mom… Dad…" I tried calling out to them, but Dad only got up from his seat. He didn't even look at me as he headed straight to the bathroom, and Mom was the only one who lifted her hand to wrap it around my neck.

"Milly.…we're sorry. We didn't want to go with that option because we're worried about how you might think of us." Mom said with honesty to me, and I realized that they didn't want to fight anyone because they're afraid of how I will act towards them once all of it is over.

A war is… a place where many people died. It is a place where the strong take down the weak. It is where only those who can survive will survive.

But to the two of them, it is an entirely different reality. They are strong, possibly the strongest of them all. And yet, they don't wish to shed blood. They will have to fight in a war that they don't want to be in, and they will have to kill people who they don't want to kill.

Most importantly, they don't want me to see them doing it.

I see… I was selfish. I didn't even think that they were doing it because of me. I didn't even try thinking about it.

Because the moment they fought in the war… I will for sure react to the things they've done.

"You two are so sentimental. Why do you care about what a child like her thinks?" Grandma, on the other hand, seemed to be incredibly blunt with her words.

Mom turned her annoyed glare, and I noticed this time it's not the usual one she kept towards Grandma. She is genuinely enraged.

"I don't want Milly to see me take the lives of other people."

"Even when she herself has taken lives?" Grandma suddenly said, which shocked Mom to oblivion.

Ahaha… Why would you tell them, Grandma?

"W-What?" Mom turned to me with a surprised look, but I only grinned awkwardly while shrugging the back of my head.

"Uncle Althorn… had me on a mercenary mission once."

"That bastard Althorn--!!"

"It was under my command." Grandma suddenly said, and Mom turned her gaze back to Grandma with so much hatred. However, Grandma remains unwavered as she keeps her cold glare to Mom.

"Mind you, you two were dead. Milly had to live on her own. She needs to learn to survive on her own, so I had Althorn teach her everything he knows."

"Even taking the lives of people!? How can you teach a child like her--"

"You killed your sister at the age of fifteen. Don't act like that girl right there isn't your daughter, Elizabeth.

She needs to be strong in order to survive. You and your husband weren't there for her when she needed you both, so she had no choice but to be there for herself."

Grandma's words were like a stab to Mom's chest. Mom turned completely speechless, and she turned her annoyed gaze away from Grandma onto the table.

"M-Mom…"

"I'm sorry, Milly… I'm so sorry…" Mom started tearing up again, and I realized this time, the reason is very real and genuine.

I hugged her straight away, and Mom returned me with a hug as well. Grandma ignored us and continued walking to the bathroom, where she noticed someone was currently occupying it.

"Woi!! Stop crying in the bathroom!!" Grandma shouted while slapping the door a couple times, and Dad's surprised voice was heard from the inside.

It's weird. Our family is just too weird. Nothing that we are concerned about right now should ever be in the minds of a normal family.

However, it is what makes us special. It is what makes us stand out more than everyone else.

"Mom. It's okay. You just have to do what you need to do. I will always be there for you, and I won't ever turn away from you no matter what you do." I said to Mom to try and encourage her, and Mom wiped the tears on her eyes as she nodded to me.

"Thank you. Now, do you mind telling me the things Uncle Althorn had you go through when you trained with him?"

"Sure thing! My adventures with Uncle Althorn were quite the fun ones."

And so, I began telling Mom about my time training under Uncle Althorn. It only lasted for about a month, but it was still incredibly important for me as it bears some beautiful moments that I can never forget.

Moments like saving a village from bandits, and how those villagers cheered at me after me and Uncle Althorn saved them from harm. It was an incredible experience.

It was also when I learned my sword skills for the first time, and Uncle Althorn, who was my teacher, taught me all the sword skills that he knows. And in just under a month, I was able to obtain all the must know regarding holding a blade.

Mom was definitely surprised, and she mentioned that it should've been impossible for me to learn everything from Uncle Althorn. After all, that guy was a White ranked mercenary, one of the strongest mercenaries there is.

I guess... that's just how talented I am? I am my mom and dad's daughter, after all!