I have a strange feeling on the way back. I take my time walking, unable to stop thinking that this selfish behavior of letting the people beneath you die is typical of a monster, but that isn’t true. Many humans are exactly the same.
I’ve never seen myself as a hero or someone who came to this world to eradicate evil. I was simply lucky enough to assimilate and receive a second chance. The idea that I must be some chosen person destined to defeat the creators of evil or something similar has never crossed my mind.
I simply want to live peacefully for many years, be surrounded by the people I care about most, and enjoy this new world. I know my dream is almost impossible. This world is full of dangers. This small monster settlement is a clear example. They could have caused serious damage to one of my towns if we hadn’t discovered them.
I have no intention of getting rid of bad rulers as long as they don’t affect me. People can do whatever they want with their lives as long as it doesn’t affect me or happen right in front of my eyes. I don’t intend to go looking for those people and force them to change. Other “heroes” can do that if they want.
Thousands of people die every day. It’s terrible, but you only truly feel the pain when a single person close to you dies. If one day someone I care about dies because of the decisions or orders of one of those people, everything will change. Then I’ll take it personally.
“Am I being selfish?” I’ve asked myself that question several times.
I have great potential, enough to reach the very top among the strongest and make many diamond-rank powers seem insignificant. Being so powerful and influential, should I be doing more for other people? It’s an internal conflict I’ve been dealing with for several months.
I feel like I don’t owe any of them anything, yet there’s still a small void inside me, as if doing nothing more is the worst thing I could do. I have no intention of overthrowing anyone, just as I’ve always believed. Perhaps I should simply work with what I already have in my hands.
I should focus more on expanding my territory toward the forest regions. Perhaps if I make the effort to found more cities, people will start migrating to my territory and it could change their lives. That could be my way of contributing to this society.
Not by directly taking their hand and leading them to their destination, but by building a path they can choose to walk. The more I think about that idea, the more convinced I become. “I need to talk to my parents, grandmother, and Ritmo to see what they think.” I mutter to myself.
I know they have plans to expand at some point, perhaps within five or ten years as everything gradually settles down. In most of their plans, they don’t count on me. They know I enjoy traveling and experiencing new things. With my help, some of those plans could move forward much sooner.
The strength I can offer now is enough to drive back or eliminate monsters that rule vast stretches of land. Most of them are only grade 5 around us. If I continue becoming stronger, we might have a chance. After my training with Eisty, I should be ready to lead the expansion myself.
I can’t find a better solution than this at the moment. It’s the only one that aligns with my own goals while allowing me to contribute my small part to improving this world.
When everything is ready, I won’t stop traveling across the world to “preach” about a new place where people can live without fear of oppression. Ritmo is a good man, and he’ll raise his children wisely. I don’t know what future generations will be like, but I’ll be alive for hundreds of years, and I’ll be able to straighten out any family member who loses their way.
I hope I come across another option in the near future. I can build a path for others to walk and perhaps even pave it. That’s something Maki from a few years in the future will have to figure out. Right now, I’m busy.
“You don’t need my help, do you? Since when did you become so independent? Or are you just a rebellious teenager?” I ask Glia.
I contacted her as soon as I defeated the king of this mountain. She was still retreating while attacking any monster that got close enough to them.
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“No, we’re perfectly fine. We received help from Rendo and another ruby rank. Together with all the sapphire-rank guards, it was enough to defeat the few monsters that were still alive.” Glia sounds calm, just very tired.
“I’ve always been independent. Most of the time I stay locked up in my room.” I hear a small laugh. “And I’m not a teenager. I’m considered an adult now, thank you very much. Show a little respect.”
“To me, you’ll always be my little sister.” I can feel affection flowing through our connection when I finish speaking. “By the way, who’s the other ruby rank? Is he strong?” The territory has gained several ruby ranks over the last year. They no longer depend solely on my parents and grandmother like they did years ago.
“You know him very well. He’s the one who discovered the anomaly. He’s become even stronger. I wouldn’t be surprised if he reached diamond rank in a few years.” Glia explains.
“Cokue? My prediction was correct.” I could already guess it. If my grandmother requested reinforcements, she would send the strongest person available, and there’s no one more suitable than him. “Maybe I should spar with him a few times. We could both benefit from it.”
If Glia thinks he can reach diamond rank in a few years, that says a lot about how much stronger Cokue has become. Advancing to the next stage isn’t just about raising your abilities to a certain level or becoming stronger and stronger. It also depends on finding a purpose, a reason, and many other hidden factors.
Most talented people remain stuck at ruby rank for many years while searching for that missing piece. Cokue should find his opportunity within the next few years. Even my parents, who are around the same age, could dedicate more time to advancing now that their responsibilities have become lighter.
Who has a greater chance of reaching diamond rank? My father or my mother? My father feels stronger, and from the stories I’ve heard, he has always been stronger than my mother. I don’t know what requirements each of them still lacks, but it probably isn’t many.
I had forgotten about the most talented person I’ve ever seen aside from the monsters from the tournament—my grandmother. That woman could have reached even greater heights if she hadn’t cared so deeply about her people and family.
I’m fairly certain my grandmother could have succeeded and reached her true limit under different circumstances. Perhaps if she had abandoned her responsibilities for a few years, she could have reached diamond rank, but the territory would have fallen into ruin.
At her age, attempting an advancement is extremely dangerous. Her body might not be able to withstand the energy of a diamond rank, leaving her crippled, though it could also go perfectly well. It’s a difficult gamble. The family isn’t willing to take that risk for the sake of a single diamond rank.
There are several items capable of strengthening the body in situations like this... They’re incredibly difficult to obtain and usually very expensive. Should I ask Mirtha? I don’t think her debt to me would cover the entire cost, but I can go into debt if necessary.
I could ask some of my future fathers-in-law. They’d gladly help me and probably wouldn’t charge me anything. No, I don’t like that option. I hate feeling indebted to anyone. I’ll leave it as a last resort.
The current state of the territory gives its leaders much more freedom. It’s true that responsibilities continue increasing every day, but now they’re delegated in an organized and efficient manner. They no longer need to run from one problem to another. They only need to step in when something important happens.
“I should help a little during these next few months...” My voice sounds somewhat subdued. I know I’m helping in my own way. I simply need to take on more responsibilities, perhaps some kind of position in one of the cities.
My family’s idea is to grant Sers a hereditary noble title once we’re able to do so. I’m the second option. I don’t need it. The status of being a diamond rank or higher is enough, but my family keeps insisting, and I won’t refuse. Wait... perhaps I could obtain one directly from the Emperor if I asked. That’s not a bad idea. It would save a position and allow us to grant it to someone else contributing to the territory.
My head hurts a little from thinking about all these matters, especially while I’m being attacked by a giant mole-like grade 1 monster. I haven’t killed it because it looks somewhat cute, and I find it amusing that its eyes aren’t the only blind thing about it. It’s attacking someone three grades above itself.
I trap it with my gravity mana and decide to take it home with me. There are ways to tame grade 1 monsters and turn them into pets. I’ll start with this one.
Brendu is waving at me. Although she looks happy, her eyes reveal how exhausted she is. Glia is standing beside her, equally tired, though in much better condition.
Cokue is standing firmly a step behind them like a soldier. He reminds me of a bodyguard. I have to hold back my laughter because Cokue is shorter than Brendu. He doesn’t look like a bodyguard at all.
Glia enters my cube as soon as I arrive, and Brendu gives me a tight hug. “It’s good to see you again, Cokue. You’ve become stronger.” I say to the wind-and-time mage. “Everything is over. It’s time to go home.”
“It’s good to see you as well, Maki. I think the same about you. You’ve become a completely different person.” Cokue replies. “You heard the boss. It’s time to head back.” Everyone prepares to return. He winks at me.