This time, Renn was not lying; the state of his body could not be deceived.
This “weak and sickly” condition had plagued Renn for ten years.
For the past decade, Claude had not only been searching for a way to awaken Lita’s magic source but had also been trying to treat Renn’s illness.
However, according to the physicians, Renn’s strange malady seemed to be a hereditary disease.
It was extremely difficult to deal with, and they estimated he only had ten or so years to live.
Claude had even petitioned the Church several times for Holy Water, which was said to cure all ailments, but Renn showed no signs of improvement after consuming it.
In reality, the illness afflicting Renn’s body was much more troublesome than Lita’s situation.
The dormancy of her magic source merely prevented Lita from using magic; it did not cause any harm to her physical health.
Renn was different.
This “weak and sickly” state would eventually take his life.
The ten-year limit had arrived.
Even if Renn had not been accidentally killed by Lita today, he only had a few months left to live.
Earlier, because he was facing death directly, Renn’s adrenaline had surged, and he had felt nothing.
Now that he had calmed down, he only felt a hollow sense of weakness, as if his body had been emptied.
He could clearly feel that his body was already terminally ill.
However, this did not stop him from continuing to play the emotional card.
Claude had been unable to find a cure for ten years.
At this moment, Renn hoped Claude would let go decisively and allow his son to fly free during these final days, so he could use the knowledge of the game in his mind to find a slight turning point.
“It has been ten years, Father. I have seen everything you have done for me, and I have more or less come to terms with it. Perhaps this is just fate.”
“Renn, I…”
“Father, please listen to me first.”
Renn raised a hand to interrupt Claude, signaling for himself to speak first.
“Originally, I intended to use this life, which was already running out of time, to trade for the awakening of Lita’s magic source. It was just my good luck that you arrived so timely, Father.”
“Since I fortunately survived, I want to try again.”
Renn’s eyes burned with intensity.
“Father, please allow me to leave home… and go to the Royal Capital!”
“I do not want to die. I want to make one last stand.”
The Royal Capital was the main stage of the game.
Lita, having already awakened her magic source, would travel to the Royal Capital with Milia to enroll in the Magic Academy.
As the center of the entire game world, the Royal Capital was hailed as the Land of Miracles.
Its grandeur and magnificence were simply beyond description.
From Renn’s memory, the setting materials described the Royal Capital as being nearly the size of an entire country.
Claude’s territory could not compare to the prosperity of the Royal Capital, and the gap between their medical capabilities was like heaven and earth.
Rather than staying in the territory, it was better to take this gamble.
Although Claude had gone to the Royal Capital to seek medicine for Renn before, that was merely the tip of the iceberg and did not represent the true medical standards of the city.
Of course, Renn’s main purpose for going to the Royal Capital was not to seek treatment, but to find a powerful helper!
A dragon!
A Cloud Dragon that had lived for a thousand years.
She was a powerful teammate whom the protagonist Lita would only encounter in the late stages of the game, and she was also one of the romanceable characters.
As long as Renn could find a way to sign a contract with the Cloud Dragon, he could borrow her power to temporarily suppress his mysterious illness!
As for the specific details of how to accomplish this, Renn had not yet thought it through.
He planned to meet the Cloud Dragon first to test her attitude.
After all, in the game’s progression, the dragon only joined the party after being invited by Lita.
“The Royal Capital? Your body cannot handle teleportation magic. Going there by carriage from here will take over a month.”
Claude understood Renn’s thoughts—the boy wanted to take a gamble in the Land of Miracles.
Even though he knew the chances were far too slim, he could not bear to pour cold water on Renn at a time like this.
This child had suffered so much!
For Lita’s sake, and for the sake of a single promise Claude had made years ago, Renn had silently endured for ten years.
Thinking of this, Claude’s Adam’s apple bobbed heavily.
Thick red veins instantly flooded his eyes, and his figure, usually as steady as a mountain, trembled slightly.
He raised his hand, wanting to touch Renn’s cheek, but his fingertips hovered in mid-air before gently dropping.
Ultimately, he just pressed his hand firmly onto his son’s shoulder.
The warmth of his palm carried an unspeakable heat and guilt.
“Your father is useless.”
“Over these ten years, I searched for every physician in the territory and every member of the Church’s clergy. I paid massive sums to seek out those reclusive warlocks, yet I could not even slightly alleviate this strange illness of yours. You should have had a carefree childhood like anyone else, but I kept you trapped in this small space, accompanied by medicinal soup every day…”
Pausing, Claude’s gaze swept over Renn’s pale face, the guilt in his eyes almost overflowing.
Quickly, he adjusted his mindset and took a deep breath.
His gaze gradually became firm, and the strength in his palm increased slightly, as if conveying silent support.
“The journey to the Royal Capital is long and the dangers are unknown, but since it is what you want to do, then do it. Tell the butler whatever you need prepared; he will satisfy your every request!”
Feeling Claude’s unreserved care, Renn actually felt a bit embarrassed.
‘Old Claude is being so sincere with me; was it really okay for me to lie to him like that?’
The thought flashed and vanished.
Renn knew that sometimes the sharp blade of truth was more piercing than a kind lie.
There was no need to dwell too much on certain things; as long as the final outcome was acceptable to everyone, the truth or the lie did not matter.
In any case, the debt of the original owner of this body had been paid in full.
From now on, Renn would only be Renn.
—
The father and son discussed the details of the trip to the Royal Capital for a while longer.
Renn stated that there was no need to travel with Lita and the others, as they could reach the capital through the teleportation array.
At the very end, Renn spoke with a hint of mischievousness:
“Father, please do not tell Lita the truth. I did not do these things because I wanted someone’s gratitude. If anything, I am the one repaying a kindness. I am very grateful to you for bringing me here and giving me a new place to belong.”
“This is the only, and last, thing I will do for Lita as her brother.”
“If my trip to the Royal Capital fails, telling Lita the truth will only add to her troubles. Let her face a brand-new future while carrying her hatred for her brother.”
Upon hearing these words, Claude’s heart trembled again.
How could he not understand Renn’s good intentions?
“But, child… this is too unfair to you. You do not need to sacrifice so much for Lita…”
“There is no ‘why,’ Father.”
“I admit I never viewed you as my true family, but that does not stop me from doing something for you. In fact, from the moment you adopted me, a bond had already been planted, had it not?”
Renn smiled, his face full of easy grace.
“If I manage to survive, I will explain everything to Lita personally when the time comes.”
Speaking of which, Renn actually looked forward to the moment he would reunite with Lita in the future.
At that time, he would definitely poke his little sister’s forehead and say that classic line with great gravity—
‘My foolish sister!’
At this moment, Claude’s affection for Renn reached its peak, and he silently made a decision in his heart.
As long as Renn could return alive this time, he would no longer be Lita’s brother.
Claude would accept Renn as a true member of the family!
Family through marriage!
‘My dear daughter, we have to keep the best for ourselves. Such a fine young man shouldn’t be allowed to go to another family!’
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.