System vs Rebirth

Chapter 1646: Rudrashia Lethas

"Grandfather!" Andreas's tears were flowing out uncontrollably as he rushed to Old Ru and caught his falling body.

A portion of his body had started to disappear, leaving not even a single trace. He was gradually being removed from this timeline.

"Grandfather…" Andreas ground his teeth. He simply couldn't believe what was happening.

"That snake brat. I guess he ended up letting you go." Old Ru smiled while touching Andreas's cheek.

"Grandfather. Please don't die. I…"

Andreas could still remember vividly what had happened in the past.

Back then, he was still just a kid. He was surrounded by fire inside his house.

"Andreas? You're here." Old Ru smiled when he saw Andreas still alive. His body was burned quite badly.

"Grandpa Turtle? What is happening?" Andreas asked. "I can't breathe."

"Don't worry. Nothing will happen to you." Old Ru carried him outside as the building collapsed.

"Grandpa Turtle. Where are Mom and Dad?"

"Your Mom and Dad have to go for a bit. So, you're going to live with Grandpa from now on. Do you not like Grandpa?"

Andreas shook his head innocently. "No. I like Grandpa. Grandpa is good to me."

It was the time Old Ru became a grandfather. Andreas didn't know what happened back then, but as he grew older, he finally realized something.

When he left the house, there were people who picked a fight with him.

There were people willing to throw eggs or even stones at him.

Most importantly, they were calling him the same thing. "Madmen's son."

Every time he went back home, Old Ru would panic after seeing the state he was in. He would hug him, giving him the love that ignored everything people had done to him.

When he grew old enough, he finally figured out what had actually happened. The entire Beast Kingdom was in chaos because of his parents.

His father was supposed to be Old Ru's friend and student. He was hailed like a hero and known for his strength and wisdom just like Old Ru himself.

But something went wrong during his research. It led not only him but also his wife into madness.

They killed so many people in the city. Even the burn Old Ru suffered was because he had exhausted his power to stop them that he didn't have enough spiritual energy left to protect himself from normal fire.

Old Ru had been blaming himself the whole time, believing that it was his fault.

When he learned all the truth, Andreas couldn't help but ask, "Grandpa. Am I really a madman's son? Maybe I shouldn't have been born at all…"

Old Ru was terrified for the first time. He had never looked so weak before. Whenever Andreas was filled with worries, Old Ru would offer him a smile to comfort him.

Old Ru looked like he wanted to cry. He held his tears back while asking, "We don't have to listen to them. Does Andreas not like living here?"

"Mhmm…" Andreas nodded. "The people here are bad to me."

"Then, should we leave? I happen to find another place where we can live. In this place, we don't have to worry about the others."

He furiously nodded. "Un."

"Then let's go."

He later learned that Old Ru had resigned from his post as an elder. After that incident, Old Ru had been doing everything he could as an elder to repair the damage from that incident.

He wouldn't show his worries no matter how much people scorned him.

However, all the people who knew the truth about this matter knew that it wasn't Old Ru's fault. They couldn't do anything when Old Ru personally asked them not to say anything about it and let him bear the burden, not when Old Ru was on his knees.

Other elders knew how hard Old Ru had worked as well as his achievements. They respected him, which was why they were angry that they couldn't say anything about it.

Andreas came to learn all this much later.

While looking at the dying Old Ru, Andreas said, "Grandpa. Please don't leave me. I don't want you to leave me. You still have to see me holding my children. You still have to watch over me as I achieve all the things in life. I want to show it to you. I want to make you proud."

Old Ru closed his eyes. "When your parents came to me in my life, I was tough on them. It might be due to my high expectations of them after seeing how talented they were, but I trained them really hard.

"I never thought it was my fault that they ended up trying to achieve everything. If not for me having such high expectations, they would still be alive.

"I'm sorry. I'm ultimately the one responsible for the death of your parents. I am really unworthy to be your grandpa."

"Grandpa. No…" Andreas ground his teeth. There was no way it was his fault. What teacher would have no expectations of their talented students?

"Andreas. I want you to live the way you want. Don't be restricted by my expectations or other people's words.

"Even if I indulge you with such an option, I know you are not going to make a bad decision. I know how hard you have worked this far and how you have upheld righteousness in your heart.

"However, I implore you not to forget the pride of your race. Treat people with kindness, slash your enemies mercilessly, and don't hurt the innocent. Become the hero that you can be proud of."

After those words, Old Ru suddenly fell silent. Andreas noticed that his soul was waning. "Grandpa…"

Old Ru offered his last best smile. "241 years I have lived in this world. I have seen many people rise through the ranks and many people die before me. I've witnessed all the changes in those years.

"Well… what a long journey it has been…"

"!!!" Andreas's heart felt as if it were squeezed so tight. He knew what was happening before his eyes. Old Ru's body was gradually disappearing.

Andreas's tears burst as he hugged him dearly. "To me, you were the greatest hero, Grandpa. Thank you for everything you have done."

Old Ru's body finally disappeared from this world.

Year 1072… Rudrashia Lethas passed away.