Chapter 550: The Truth About the Gift!
Hearing Imu's attitude, Roy's face immediately filled with shame.
For so long, he had always convinced himself he was doing what was best for Imu.
But they had forgotten the most important question of all.
What did Imu actually want?
If Imu had not spoken up just now, Roy would probably never have realized it.
Guilt pressed down on him like a weight, and his expression stiffened.
"I think they don't want to reclaim what belongs to them at all."
"Boss Jeff, I want to go back to the life I used to have!"
A familiar voice suddenly rang out in the ears of the three of them.
At the same time, half a skeleton appeared before them, dragging itself into view.
The one who arrived was none other than Brook.
The moment Brook appeared, all three turned their attention to him.
"Krul Busurud, what are you trying to do?" Roger asked, staring at him in confusion.
It was obvious Brook had paid a heavy price in his battle with Meliodas just to escape those hands.
Even now, his aura was incredibly weak.
Anyone with a slightly stronger presence could take his life on the spot.
"Give her back to me," Brook said, forcing himself upright before slowly collapsing into a seated position on the ground.
"Whether it's death or whatever comes with it!"
"I've had enough of this eternal curse!"
"Even if the price is my life, I want to bring her back!"
His eyes were steady, filled with determination.
"Where is Keshia?" Roger did not answer Brook immediately. Instead, he asked his own question.
"Keshia?" Brook's voice was weak, but as he spoke, his bones began to recover little by little.
"That crazy woman seemed to run into the Dragon Hunter Pirates."
"She was still fighting when I left."
Roger nodded as if he had expected it.
"Actually, she never truly left."
"Back then, you signed a contract at a price, and after receiving Lady Lilith's blessing…"
"You lost the person you loved most."
"And that person was none other than Keshia, who joined us later."
Brook's eyes widened in disbelief.
He did not want to accept that answer.
But when he thought about Keshia's usual behavior, he could not deny it.
Brook got along well with the other members.
Only Keshia hated him for no reason at all, hatred sharp enough to cut.
Other than what Roger had just explained, Brook could not think of a single reason that made sense.
"What matters most to her is the memories the two of you shared," Roger continued calmly.
"So she no longer remembers the good."
"The only thing left is her hatred of you."
Brook clenched his jaw, silent.
"So if you want to reach her," Roger said, "you need to make her recall her own memories."
"Once those are restored, the contract blessing between the two of you will be lifted."
"The person you need to find now is Keshia."
As he spoke, a strange smile curled on Roger's face.
So called blessings were never free.
Once accepted, they demanded payment from what you cherished most.
Brook chose his lover.
Keshia chose the most beautiful memories she shared with Brook.
Both of them lost what mattered most.
In exchange, they gained eternal life and immense power.
"Keshia…" Brook whispered, as if the name alone hurt.
"How could it be her…"
"No. I want to go back!"
His body recovered rapidly in the next breath.
Then he launched himself straight into the sea and sped away across the ocean.
"Hey, Jeff, are you really not going to do anything?" Roy asked, watching Brook's figure vanish into the distance.
"That guy definitely went to find Keshia."
Every Guardian was a vital part of their force.
More importantly, every one of them carried Lilith's essence inside their bodies.
That essence was critical to their future plans.
If something happened now…
"Stop him?" Roger's gaze was cold.
"Do you think we can stop him right now?"
"If he turns on us, can you put him down quickly?"
"And if we cause too much noise and attract the Dragon Hunter Pirates…"
Roger did not finish the sentence.
He had realized something after the battle with Ryuunosuke.
They could not beat them.
Unless Lilith and Adam's true forms descended here, there was no chance.
So instead of letting Brook go mad here, it was better to let him go.
Roy's expression tightened, then he forced himself to focus.
"Then what's the next step?"
"The Dragon Hunter Pirates are heading toward the next Laugh Tale."
"They might destroy the preparations in all four locations."
"I promise I'll do my part, but you have to promise me something too."
"No matter what happens, if Imu wants to be restored, you must grant her freedom."
Roy's tone was serious, and his eyes did not waver.
If someone did not know who Roy truly was, they might have mistaken him for a devoted man making a clean, decisive choice.
Roger knew better.
But Roy was not speaking for Roger's sake.
He was speaking for the woman beside him.
"Roy…" Imu began.
"Listen to me," Roy cut in, forceful and unyielding.
At this moment, there was nothing left to say except what would move her.
…
"Fine," Roger muttered, finally losing patience.
"You two can keep being lovey dovey."
"I'm going to prepare other things first."
He turned around and vanished.
After Roger left, Roy also left with Imu.
…
Soon, they returned to Laugh Tale.
At this moment, Keshia was swinging her greatsword, clashing against another massive blade.
Her opponent was Diana.
Both of them were wielding heavy weapons that turned every collision into a storm.
Diana's hammer carried power that possessed and created.
Rocks continuously rose from the sea, forming midair and smashing toward Keshia in waves.
But Keshia was no pushover.
Her greatsword tore through stone and force alike, and her strikes carried a vicious fury.
The battle between them was exceptionally fierce.
"Commander, should we go help Diana?" King asked, unable to hide his worry.
"I just feel uneasy letting her fight alone."
Meliodas had promised Diana he would let her fight on her own.
So King could only watch from the sidelines, fists clenched.
"No," Meliodas said. "Not needed."
"If other enemies appear, we assist from here."
"If not, then leave it to Diana."
"She needs this kind of battle to get used to the extra power in her body."
Hearing that, King said nothing more.
He understood.
That extra power inside them was real, and even King himself had not fully absorbed it yet.
"Yohohohoho…"
A peculiar laugh echoed across the air.
Meliodas narrowed his eyes.
"Look. The real show is about to begin."
He turned to King.
"This is for me?" King pointed at himself, genuinely confused.
He had not been with the Dragon Hunter Pirates long, and he did not yet understand what Meliodas meant by this particular kind of favor.
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