The next day, the atmosphere inside the Altavis family mansion in the capital felt calm. Evening sunlight pierced through the large glass windows, illuminating the living room. There, Kazien sat opposite his aunt, his face serious yet full of hope.
"Aunt Elisa..." Kazien said, starting the conversation, his voice steady. "Please make us another adventurer card without the Altavis family name. A card that we will always use when traveling in secret."
Elisalva placed her teacup down slowly. She looked at her nephew with a scrutinizing gaze. "Are you sure about that wish, Kazien? What is your reason?"
"Yes, I am very sure!" Kazien answered firmly. "I don't want my identity exposed in the capital, especially at the academy. All the teachers and Dean Claus have also agreed to keep my identity a secret."
Elisalva fell silent for a moment, digesting her nephew's words. What Kazien said was true. The case of Marquis Delfilian's arrest had shaken the entire country. The curious public was now aggressively trying to find out about the mysterious figure capable of moving the King.
In her mind, Elisa thought about the worst consequences. If his identity as part of the Altavis family were exposed right now, not only would his comfort be disturbed, but all the mature plans he had neatly arranged would become chaotic and messy.
Elisalva sighed, then gave a faint smile. She understood that secrecy was the key to Kazien's strategy.
"Very well, I will make you another adventurer license card with a disguised identity!" she agreed. "Rest assured, that license card is a genuine license registered at the center, only the data will be specially encrypted."
Kazien felt relieved and happy because his aunt was willing to grant his wish. The burden on his shoulders felt slightly lighter.
However, that tranquility did not last long.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The sound of heavy knocking was heard from the main door of the living room, echoing all the way to Elisa's workspace.
Kazien, who was closer to the exit, immediately stood up. "Let me get it, Auntie."
He hurried toward the main door of the mansion. When he pulled the handle and opened the door wide, the sight before him made his heart pound.
In front of the door stood the figure of Undead Borris wearing a cloak covering his body. And right by his side stood a boy of about thirteen years old in simple clothes.
The boy stared sharply at Kazien. His bright purple eyes radiated overflowing emotion. Kazien immediately realized that gaze was not one of admiration or fear, but a gaze of deep anger.
Is this the child named Arken? Kazien thought, swallowing hard. Did he come here to vent his anger on me?
Kazien tried to act calm. He turned slightly toward Borris. "Borris, have you—"
Before Kazien could finish his sentence, the boy moved with surprising speed.
Shiinnggg!
Arken lunged forward and immediately pointed a sharp dagger right at Kazien's neck. The cold iron tip pressed against the skin of Kazien's neck, ready to scratch at any moment.
Kazien did not dodge. He did not use his protective magic, nor did he parry. He just stood still and chose to slowly raise both hands as a sign of surrender.
Arken's hand trembled violently holding the dagger. Tears began to pool in his purple eyes, which were filled with rage.
"Why..." Arken's voice trembled. "Why don't you fight back? Aren't you strong? You should be able to defeat me easily, right?!"
Kazien looked into the boy's eyes gently, full of regret. "I don't want to fight you, Arken. I am aware of my mistake in killing your father when he became an undead, and I am ready to accept your anger. If you want to stab me, do it."
Arken's defenses crumbled. The boy suddenly burst into tears while still pointing his dagger with an increasingly trembling hand.
"Even though I am angry at you... Even though I hate you..." Arken sobbed sorrowfully. "My father won't be able to live again! Right now he is just an undead! Do you know how sad I am to see him like that? Do you know what it feels like to lose the only person you have?!"
Kazien's heart felt squeezed hearing Arken's desperate cry.
"I know I cannot bring back his life." Kazien said softly but firmly. "But I promise... I will take responsibility for your life! I swear to you, Arken! I will not let you suffer alone!"
Arken's grip weakened.
Clang!
The dagger slipped from his hand, falling with a loud ring onto the cold ceramic floor.
Arken fell to his knees, covering his face with both hands. He sobbed, pouring out all the pain and grief he had buried. He wept for his father's death, wept for his fate, and wept for his helplessness.
Seeing that, Kazien knelt down as well. He looked at Arken's tear-streaked face with full empathy.
"Forgive me, Arken." Kazien whispered. "If you want to be angry, just be angry. Hit me, curse me. I will accept all your anger without argument."
Arken just kept crying. His sobs grew louder, sounding so heartbreaking. He ignored Kazien's words, drowning in his own grief.
The commotion made Elisalva approach Kazien, followed by Alvin and Allen arriving later. Their steps halted when they saw the heartbreaking scene.
A boy was crying hysterically in front of Kazien who was kneeling resignedly, and beside them was Undead Borris standing stiffly with a sad expression on his pale face.
Kazien ignored the gazes of the people around him. His focus was only on Arken.
"Arken?" Kazien called softly. "Do you want to become my adopted brother and live here with me?"
Arken's crying subsided slightly. He lifted his swollen face, looking at Kazien with his wet purple eyes. "If I become your brother... will you take good care of me like my father did?"
Kazien nodded firmly. His eyes were glassy. "I swear I will be the best brother in your life! I will protect you, love you, and ensure you grow up happy. From the beginning, this was my mistake that killed your father, so let me make amends by taking care of you as best as I can."
Arken stared intently at Kazien's face. He saw the same sincerity and sadness in the young man's eyes.
Kazien spread his arms wide, offering a warm hug. "If you are willing to forgive me and want to be my brother, reach out to me and hug me, Arken!"
Initially, he hesitated, but in the end, Arken's last defense crumbled. Crying loudly, Arken rushed into Kazien's embrace. He hugged Kazien's neck tightly, as if afraid of being let go.
Kazien immediately returned the hug just as tightly.
Unconsciously, tears also flowed down Kazien's cheeks. He felt the trembling of Arken's body crying against his chest.
"Forgive me, Arken! Forgive me!" Kazien whispered repeatedly.
"My father... My father has told me everything." Arken sobbed on Kazien's shoulder. "I understand... Father said it wasn't entirely Big Brother's fault. It's just... I still can't accept his death happening so quickly!"
Kazien released his embrace, then he looked at the boy's face which was soaked in tears. Gently, his thumb wiped the tears from Arken's cheek.
"If you still want to be angry at me, go ahead. Don't hold it back." Kazien said softly.
Arken shook his head slowly. "No... I won't be angry at you."
Kazien smiled emotionally. Truly a very strong boy! he thought. I feel so sad seeing the grief he is experiencing at just 13 years old. Losing a parent in adolescence is a devastating blow.
If I were in his position, I would surely feel the same way. Broken and angry. But, I might not necessarily be as strong and tough as him to forgive his father's killer.
Kazien looked into Arken's bright purple eyes again. "Arken, listen. If you still want to be with your father, I don't mind if you want him to stay here with you as an undead. I won't send him back to meet the Goddess if you aren't ready."
Arken turned toward Borris. He looked at his father who was now in the form of a living corpse. His gaze was full of affection, but also full of acceptance.
"No, Brother." Arken answered quietly but firmly. "I don't mind if my father goes home to meet the Goddess now. I have accepted it! Rather than him living in torment as an undead and not being able to rest in peace, that is far more painful for me! Just let my father rest in peace."
Kazien was stunned to hear Arken's maturity. He then looked at Borris's face. Although the face was stiff and pale, Kazien could see lines of sadness and pride in the undead's eyes.
"Are you ready to go, Borris?" Kazien asked.
Borris nodded slowly. "I am ready, Master! But, to be honest... as a father, my heart breaks and I feel very sad having to leave Arken alone in this world."
Kazien stared at Borris sharply, full of conviction.
"You don't need to worry. He will not be alone," Kazien said loudly.
Then, Kazien continued his words. "I swear upon my name, Kazien Altavis, I will guard and take care of Arken well, just like my own biological brother! I will not let anyone hurt him. If I ever break this oath, let Goddess Nirfelia punish me severely!"