Haruhime shuddered as she stared at William with eyes wide open..
'I don't deserve to be saved?'
'Why?...'
'Is it because I am not good enough?'
'Is it because I was disobedient?'...
'Is it because I am not pure?..'
The light in Haruhime's eyes dimmed as her thoughts reached this point.
'Yes he is right why would a prostitut----'
"Sanjouno Haruhime"
A strong voice brought Haruhime back to reality.
"Why do you want to be saved"
William asked as he looked down at Haruhime.
'Why do I want to be saved?, Why is he asking something like that even after knowing everything.....', Haruhime thought with a lost look.
"Let me rephrase my words...."
William became silent for a while and then continued.
"Why do you want someone to save you"
Haruhime was stunned as she heard William's words.
"Tell me Sanjouno Haruhime why do you, someone who left her home, someone who was forced to surrender her dignity, someone who is going to be sacrificed want to be saved by someone"
Haruhime was at a loss of words as she heard William's angry voice.
"Tell Me!!"
"I-it's because I-In the stories the H-hero always saves----"
"So you are waiting for a hero to come and save you then"
William scoffed after he said that.
"So you are waiting for a hero to one day pop up from somewhere and come save you?"
"And then what?, You are going to depend on that hero of yours to take care of you?"
"Then what is the difference between now and then?"
"Right now you are being forced to work against your will....."
"But tell me this, Won't you still have to listen to that hero of yours after you are saved?"
"Won't you have to still depend on him for your daily needs?"
"Won't you still be as helpless as you are right now? Always doing what others are telling you to do?"
"And what if that Hero one day decides to leave?"
"Will you just wait for another one to pop up again?"
"Will you once again keep waiting for someone that you don't even know, to help you out and selflessly take care of you?"
"If you are then....let me tell you Haruhime that you need to Wake Up"
Every one of William's words dug deep inside Haruhime's heart as tears came out of her eyes.
Seeing her shaking figure, William went on one knee as he used both of his hand and harshly tapped on Haruhime's shoulders.
The pain from her shoulder made Haruhime focus on William's face.
"Sanjouno Haruhime.....",William said in a calm voice as he moved his right hand.
"The only hero you need is right here"
With her eyes wide open Haruhime saw William pointing his finger towards her.
"The only one who can save you is you yourself"
"B-But I am not strong enough...."
Hearing Haruhime's rebuke, William lightly shaked his head as he stared right in Haruhime's eyes and said.
"You are wrong Haruhime"
"You are by far the strongest person that I William Green Leaf had seen in his life"
Haruhime was stunned as she didn't believe her ears.
How is she strong? She is just a weak lvl1.
"Stop underestimating yourself Haruhime", William said in calm voice.
"You want to know why you are strong?"
"It is because you have nothing to loose"
Haruhime looked at William with a confused look.
"Your family, your dignity and your life. Two of those things have already been taken away from you and the last one will be gone next week...."
Haruhime shuddered as she heard about dying.
"If even the most important thing to you, your life is at risk then why do you still sit here waiting to be saved!!!"
"Pick up your weapon and FIGHT!!!", William said in a thunderous voice.
"If you can't use a sword then use your hand, if your hands are broken then use your legs, If your legs stop working then use your teeth, If your teeths are broken then smash your head against them!!! If you are Going to die anyway then you might as well try till your very last breath!!!"
Haruhime became afraid as she heard William's words.
'How can I do that?'
'C-can I even beat someone like that?....'
Seeing her hesitant self, William said in a calm voice.
"You are not weak Haruhime"
"You're ability to exceed levels is a gift from god"
"Sanjouno Haruhime...."
"Become the Hero that you need!!"
William took in a deep breadth and released it as he said.
"I ask you once again..."
"Do you want to be saved?"
-
William and Eldest Lackey made their way back to the Soma familia.
None of them said anything as they quietly walked under the cover of the night.
"Boss is this really alright...", Eldest Lackey said as he remembered how William came out of Haruhime's room and directly told Aisha that they won't be helping them.
William stayed silent as he remembered what happened a before.
'Do you want to be saved?'
After William asked, Haruhime stayed silent and didn't gave a reply.
Seeing her like that after all he said, William decided to give up and leave.
"Boss--"
"Feel free to go and save her yourself if you want to"
Eldest Lackey released a sigh as he once again looked back at the pleasure district but then he shook his head and followed behind William.
-
Aisha stood near the balcony and looked at Haruhime silently staring at the moon.
Walking forward Aisha arrived near Haruhime and extended her hand.
"Haru--"
Aisha stopped mid-way when she saw Haruhime lightly shake her head.
"Please leave me alone for a while....."Haruhime said.
Aisha was hesitant at first but then she nodded and left her alone.
As Aisha was walking down the hallway she thought.
"It dosen't matter if he didn't agreed....I will save Haruhime myself like planned", Aisha's eyes shone with determination.