Chapter 90: A Shocking Truth
Lyrith, along with several Ant Bees she had chosen, and Marie, were already outside the hive. Five level 10 Ant Bee Mages were prepared, hovering above Lyrith and Marie. Their size was as big as two palms. Quite large, but their bodies were not too heavy.
Three perched above Lyrith, while the other two rested on Marie’s shoulders. They glanced toward the other Ant Bees. When the five Ant Bees nodded, the others followed suit.
"Don’t even think about it!" Lyrith scolded. She knew exactly what the Ant Bees were planning. "If you dare to follow us, I will kill you."
Instantly, the Ant Bees retreated backward. Their plan had been completely exposed by Lyrith, even though they hadn’t said a single word.
Lyrith looked at Marie. She nodded. "Get on!" she urged.
Marie hesitated a little. She was going to be carried by Lyrith. Of course, the situation made her feel awkward. They already knew each other fairly well, but they weren’t that close yet. Marie stepped slowly toward Lyrith. She swallowed hard, still reluctant.
"Are you sure?" Marie asked.
"If we just walk normally, we won’t reach Alvaric’s place in time," Lyrith replied.
But Marie still looked uneasy. Lyrith grew slightly annoyed because too much time had already been wasted. She stepped toward Marie, grabbed her hand, and disappeared from the spot in an instant. They left with the power of the Ant Bee Mages.
Dion, Lisse, and the other Hollow Fang members exchanged glances. They shrugged their shoulders and returned back into the hive.
***
Time passed for quite a while, but Alvaric still hadn’t woken up. His eyes remained closed. Blood from the wound in his body continued to seep out every few minutes. The Great General and Velka were still seated in their places. The atmosphere was heavy with silence.
Neither of them spoke.
Until finally, Velka turned her head and opened her mouth. "Why did you—"
Before she could finish, the General suddenly spoke at length. "My name is Ramiel, from the city of Ramhorne. I am a general."
Velka was stunned by those words. "I know. We have met several times before."
Ramiel paused for a few seconds before he suddenly chuckled. He let out a long sigh. "I have grown forgetful, for I am nearly 200 years old now. You could say I am the oldest among the other generals. Forgive me," he said softly, sounding like an entirely different person.
The arrogance, intimidation, and commanding aura he once had disappeared. Ramiel now looked like an old grandfather—wise and kind.
Velka froze for quite some time, shocked. At last, she asked, "Why didn’t you kill us? You could have done it so easily."
"I already lost in battle. I no longer have the right to continue fighting. This is not about winning or losing, but about principle," he explained.
Velka could not understand. His words made no sense to her. "I don’t understand." She glanced at the unconscious Alvaric. "I truly don’t understand the way you think, but I am grateful that you didn’t kill us."
She took a deep breath.
"He looks so sad. He carries many burdens on his shoulders. He reminds me so much of Lady Serya," Velka added.
Ramiel glanced at Alvaric and then at Serya alternately, but he did not feel what Velka felt. Ramiel then turned toward her.
"My empathy has long disappeared. I’m sorry, I do not understand what you mean," he said.
Velka nodded. "No need to apologize. This alone is enough."
Velka stood, climbed onto Alvaric’s body, and sliced her own hand. She let her blood drip into Alvaric’s mouth. As the blood slipped down his throat, Alvaric’s face brightened, though only for a few seconds before paling once more.
Velka continued to let her blood flow from the cut she had made. Her head began to spin, but she forced herself not to collapse. Saving Alvaric was her top priority.
"This is all I can do," she whispered.
After a long while, Velka slumped onto Alvaric’s body. Her face had grown pale from losing so much blood. Her blood could aid the healing process, but only assist—it was not like a potion or medicine that could instantly heal.
Watching her, Ramiel suddenly recalled something. "You are a descendant of Lord Mose?"
Velka turned her head, startled by that name. "He is the ancestor of our family."
Ramiel nodded. Now he understood why Velka could serve as the guardian of a ruler like Serya. She was not just any demi-human rat. She was a special descendant—one who possessed a strong body and blood that could help heal wounds.
Moreover, they carried extraordinary empathy and loyalty.
"Mose was my mentor when I was young," Ramiel remarked.
Velka, hearing that, was utterly shocked. She had never expected this at all. Her eyes even widened in disbelief. She had never heard such a thing before, but it was understandable, for it might have happened more than a hundred years ago. The lifespan of rat-type demi-humans was far shorter compared to other demi-human races.
"Mentor?" Velka asked.
"When I was 22 years old, I had not yet become a general, and I almost ended my own life. I had lost both my father and mother—executed by the royal court for attempting a rebellion. When I was about to commit suicide, Lord Mose appeared. He gave me advice, and then began to train me.
He taught me many things. Nearly sixty percent of all that I have mastered now came from his teachings. I owe him greatly and... it was from that point on that I was accepted into the royal court. My family’s life began to be recognized, and the discrimination against my kind slowly faded away. One could say he was a hero to us," Ramiel explained at length.
Velka only listened, unable to speak. The truth Ramiel revealed was far too shocking. She knew her ancestor was a remarkable rat demi-human, respected by many others. Yet, in the end... he was executed by the royal court.
After Mose’s death, the downfall of the rat demi-humans had begun. They were hunted and slaughtered. In the end, their numbers dwindled until Velka might be the only one left alive today.
This was also why Velka so strongly supported Serya’s assault on the royal court. There was a deep vengeance buried in her heart.
Ramiel stood and gave a bow. "I never had the chance to thank Lord Mose." Then he bowed deeper toward Velka. "Thank you!" he said.
"Why thank me?"
"Because you are his only descendant," Ramiel answered.
Velka wanted to say something, but both she and Ramiel suddenly turned their heads. They sensed someone approaching. Velka immediately stood up, though her body was weak. Her hands trembled in fear. She swallowed hard.
"Damn it. Not again," she muttered.