Can't think.
Cleon was in tears.
Cleon couldn't think anymore. In his heart was only filled with hatred and anger to the owner of The Curse.
The one who killed Chloe.
"Hades.."
In front of the tombstone, Cleon bit his lower lip, his gentle gaze is now no longer shown.
"Hades.."
Again, again. He mentioned the name of the Lord Of The Depths, The Lord Of The Abyss, or the death. All the people who participated in the funeral ceremony had already dispersed, leaving only himself, Hestia, the captain, and a few white carnations neatly stored above Chloe's final resting place.
Even though this kid was fine yesterday, did she just hide his pain—behind her smile? Not only was Cleon devastated, but people close to her were also deeply bereaved. Like Captain and Hestia. They know each other well.
"Come on."
He stood up, leaving the funeral with eyes red with tears.
He really wanted to curse Hades. 'Cleon -' Hestia wanted to try to comfort him, but her mouth didn't seem to open. The Aura issued by Cleon is able to silence his partner who obviously often fights with her.
"Boy, do you want company? Don't get too down." The captain touched his shoulder Yes, I know. Even as I prepared for today, I knew this day would come, one day. But captain, Hestia, let—no, I mean, give me some time."
Cleon did not lose his sharp gaze, he still hated Hades very much.
'Father, mother, Big Sis, and now—Chloe. Why am I the only one immune to the curse..' Cleon walked away from his two adventure companions.
"I have to be stronger. Yes, that way, I can kill him, I can eliminate all human suffering."
He opened the door
"Brother! Welcome!!"
"I'm home, I'm home... I am.. ho..me.. Chloe.." words are not enough, he can't be strong with words. "Cleon, wake up." A familiar voice sounded stern.
Usually this voice he heard sounded relaxed, not as assertive as this.
"Are you mourning your sisterr's death?"ask the person, her tiny body is like Chloe's age. "Aaru.."
"Answer me, Are you crying over the death of your sister?"
"Yes."
"You're sorry?"
"Yes."
Suddenly Aaru chuckled, staring at Cleon's low self-esteem with her bluish-green eyes. "You want me to kill you, right? Huh?" She pulled on Cleon's shirt collar, which looked demoralized.
"I can't die now."
"Then! What do you regret?! You did nothing wrong!" strictly speaking.
"I failed to protect her, I failed to heal her—and I failed as an older brother."
PLAK!!
A slap landed on Cleon's face. "Come on, you haven't failed a bit. You did your best. But this is a game of fate, we can't deny death, all you have to do is train yourself, get stronger. And kill him." Aaru smiled.
"Because you're a hero to me, if you hadn't saved me that day—maybe I wouldn't have slapped you today. You have to be a hero to everyone, make your sister smile there." She continued, her tone softened. There was nothing for Cleon to think about anymore.
He would only follow what Aaru had just said. "The rest I leave to you." Without Cleon realizing it, behind him there are 2 people he really knows. I don't know when they were there.
"Sorry to Bother you, Miss Aaru" The captain touched Cleon's shoulder from behind. "You should be fine, boy."
Cleon stood up. Take a deep breath as possible and turn around to look at his comrades. "Captain, Hestia, I'm sorry to trouble you. This time, I'll be more serious, I'll make him pay for everything." A big smile was plastered on Cleon's face. Although his gaze remained not as gentle as before.
"Now that your face looks like a man's face, I admit this time you look cool, huh-only this time!"Said Hestia.
"Hehe, Aaru, sorry to trouble you, thanks to you I got my spirit back. You're right, I just need to make Chloe smile there, she's already with Mom, Dad and sister. But I couldn't catch up with them right away. Because I want to see Hestia grow old and wrinkled."
"Uh-wait, it feels like your body is getting a little bigger."
Cleon just realized one thing. Aaru is not as small as before.
"This is my human form, I use it to mingle with humans. But it's actually easier for my real body anyway. AND! Why did you just realize that?!"
Even now Aaru's voice also sounds relaxed again than before.
"Alright alright, since we're already at Cleon's house, how about we just eat?" Hestia suggested, she ran towards the kitchen.
"The kid, hey, wait."
Cleon ran after Hestia.
"Captain, I leave them to you, in a moment, I'll do the Mana release, so I can't get close to Cleon just yet." Aaru said so as she said her farewell and disappeared into a grain of light.
"Wow, that's a lot of food! All right! I'll show you my cooking skil-KYA!!"
Suddenly Cleon pinched Hestia's slender waist. Her face flushed, angry or something.
"W-why are you suddenly-"
"It's your own fault for entering people's houses, but if you want to cook for us it's okay, as long as you don't overdo it."
'What the hell am I, happy?!'
"I'll go to the living room first, let me know if there's anything I need." Cleon smiled at Hestia, walking up to the captain who was lighting a cigarette.
"Your Mood is improving, yes." The captain offered him a cigarette that was still intact, but he quickly turned it down because he thought he was not old enough for it. "I have to go, captain. If I keep falling, I won't be able to be strong, will I?"
"You're right, Cleon. You'd better resign from the Kingdom Soldier, you can become a Conqueror completely if you don't become a soldier." Suddenly the captain's discussion became serious.
It seems that he has already considered everything, but not with Cleon. He doesn't know what to repay.
Cleon is a person who is highly desired by the Kingdom due to his rarity. He has immunity to the Abyss curse, so he can become the best army. But it's true, becoming a soldier will only hinder him,
"I'll consider it, Captain. Thank you very much." Cleon Answered. Daydreaming for a while, thinking about what to do next.
"What's wrong with you guys? Come on! I'm ready!"
The young witch waved her hand from the dining table with a simple dish in front of her.
"You really-like grilled tuna huh." Cleon smiled stiffly when he saw that on the table there was only grilled tuna.
"Hehe, there's nothing wrong with trying my grilled tuna, right?"
**
"Team, I have a great proposal for both of you, I don't care if you accept it or not, but I'll say it right now. I hope you don't mind."