Chapter 821: He Even Lies to Children

After dinner, Henwell brings Ronan to his study.

He has someone bring the boy a plate of pastries and a cup of sweet tea. Only after Ronan relaxes does Henwell begin the conversation.

"I already know what happened to you. We aren't strangers, either. After all, I've taught you quite a few things in your spiritual world."

"But let's get to the point. Do you know that another creature is living in your spiritual world, or rather, inside your body?"

"It is the water demon who looks like a beautiful woman. When she realized there was no escape, she used ritual magic to move her soul into you."

Ronan nods. "I know. She keeps lying to me and trying to make me surrender control of my body."

"But she hasn't appeared for a long time. Has she already left my body?"

Henwell shakes his head. "It isn't that simple. If she could leave, she would have fled long ago."

"She is lying low because she does not dare show herself here in Peace Haven."

"Besides, you've seen that there is something inside me as well. He very much wants to devour the thing inside you."

Ronan asks, "My lord, what should I do?"

Henwell says, "I want to hear what you think. The final choice is yours. We will not force you."

"There are three ways to solve your problem."

"First, you can go to the Arcane Academy, where the Arcanists will use a ritual spell formation to separate the water demon from your body."

"There are risks. Your soul could be damaged. You would survive, but you might lose many of your memories."

Ronan asks, "My memories? Will I forget a great deal? Will I forget Knight Akta and the others?"

Henwell says, "There is no way to know. You might lose every memory you have, or only a few ordinary ones."

"This concerns the soul. No one can make any guarantees, much less give you a definite answer."

"The second option is to study spellcraft at the Arcane Academy, train your spiritual power, and become a spellcaster."

"Once your spiritual power is strong enough, you will be able to suppress the water demon's soul and perhaps even devour it."

"This is the safest route, but it takes the longest. It also offers you the most in return."

"With your talent, you could become a professional within a year. In five years at most, you could wear down and devour the water demon's soul."

"Devouring her would transform your soul and send your spiritual power soaring. You could become an Iron-Rank spellcaster before the age of forty."

Ronan says, "My lord, I choose the third option."

Henwell pauses. "I haven't even explained it yet. The third option is the most dangerous of all."

Ronan shakes his head. "My lord, the first option might make me forget my family. I cannot accept that."

"My family traded their lives for my chance to survive. I cannot forget them."

"If I lose every memory of them, will I still be me? I would become someone else. How would that be any different from the water demon taking my body?"

"The second option is good, but I can't wait that long. I need revenge. I want to become a warrior and kill every one of those monsters."

"Peace Haven paid a great price to bring me here because I have something it needs."

"Peace Haven saved my life and has given me a good home. I have to give something back, or I have no right to stay."

"So no matter how dangerous the third option is, it is the only choice I can make."

Henwell studies the boy in surprise. Ronan is not what he expected. Quiet as he may be, the child has a strong mind of his own.

More importantly, he learns quickly.

In just over half a year, the ten-year-old has gone from an ignorant village boy to someone who understands how the world works.

Henwell pauses before saying, "Even if that is how you feel, I still need to explain the third option."

"It is extremely dangerous. I will draw out both your soul and the water demon's."

"Then the two of you will fight to the death in the spiritual world."

"If you survive, you will devour her soul directly, making your own soul stronger."

"You will also gain access to some of the core intelligence she knows about the Subterranean River Bandits."

"You are talented enough to be worth recruiting and training, but your talent alone does not justify everything Peace Haven is doing for you."

"What we need most is the intelligence in that water demon's memories concerning the Subterranean River Bandits."

"We have captured many creatures like her, but we have never found a way to reach their memories."

Ronan asks, "My lord, is that intelligence important? Will it help Peace Haven's knights kill more monsters?"

Henwell nods. "Very important. It will reduce our casualties, and it may allow us to inflict enormous damage on the Subterranean River Bandits."

"And by enormous, I mean damage on the scale of all Peace Haven, measured in hundreds of thousands or even millions."

Ronan smiles. "My lord, that is exactly what I need. Right now, there is only one thing I care about. If I fail..."

"Will Peace Haven still be able to obtain the intelligence you want from the monster that takes over my body?"

Henwell nods. "Of course. It won't be much, but we will still gain something."

Ronan nods firmly. "Then begin, my lord."

Henwell raises a hand. "Not yet. We need time to prepare. Until then, you will train your will under me."

"I will teach you how to use your spiritual power to fight the water demon in the spiritual world."

Once Ronan is gone, Barbarossa sneers. "Henwell, you truly are a despicable human."

"You even lie to children."

"You know perfectly well that his current spiritual power and soul are no match for that creature warped by divine-abomination emanations."

"A divine abomination is born from a god's will and resentment. Even the spawn tainted by its emanations possess spiritual power steeped in divine hatred."

"That chaotic, violent power, paired with an extraordinary creature's tenacious soul, would tear the boy apart in an instant."

"You intend to wait until devouring the child leaves the creature's soul vulnerable, then rip the memories straight out of it."

"Aren't you the great and merciful lord everyone praises?"

"Aren't you the most celebrated warrior in all the human kingdoms?"

"Aren't you supposed to be a mighty warrior who upholds the finest virtues of chivalry?"

"And now you intend to deceive a child?"

"Henwell!"

"Admit it!"

"You are despicable. Lying to this child is every bit as vile as the way you deceived me."

Henwell replies calmly, "I did lie to him. I am the lord of Peace Haven."

"Hundreds of thousands of soldiers shed blood for me. I am responsible for their lives."

"I am responsible for the trust they place in me, and even more responsible to their families."

"As their leader, I can bear the glory and applause. I can bear the condemnation and blame as well."

"As for you..."

"Deceiving you is only natural."

"After all, neither of us is a good person."