The Ancient Imperial Calendar, Year 1819
When the white light faded, Ricardo found himself in a chaotic environment.
When he saw fleeing people and angry Spirits flying in the air, he immediately realized where he was.
"My wedding day... No... The day my mother died."
Ricardo heard an enraged scream.
"HARLOUMEN!"
That voice belonged to Ahamenna.
Ricardo wasted no time. He channeled his mana into his feet, performed a speed-enhancement spell, and lunged in front of Arlek, Arnheid, and his mother, Seliarnevre.
When Arlek saw Ricardo in front of him, he shouted.
"THE HEIR!"
Ricardo used Light energy to create a shield around the three of them.
"HEIR, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! LET US GO! WE CAN FIGHT!"
Ricardo angrily responded to Arlek's shouts.
"SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH! THE THREE OF YOU WILL STAY PUT! THIS IS AN ORDER!"
According to the strict Hierarchy in the Western Territories ruled by the Kislavein House, an order from a superior cannot be questioned.
Even if it is a death order, an order from a superior must be carried out.
Since Ricardo was the Heir of the Kislavein House, he was at the top of the Hierarchy after the House Lord, Orsman.
The punishment for defying his word was death—and this included his own mother.
Raised under this rigid Hierarchy, the Western peoples would never disobey an order from someone above them; it was something ingrained in their genes.
Arlek, Arnheid, and Seliarnevre remained motionless in obedience.
"As you command, Heir."
Ricardo focused all his attention on Ahamenna.
He concentrated his mana in his hand and spewed fire towards Ahamenna, who was approaching him at a terrifying speed.
When the wave of fire swallowed Ahamenna, Arlek, Arnheid, and Seliarnevre thought the angry Spirit had been killed. But when Ahamenna emerged from the flames, attacking with even greater rage and speed, their morale shattered.
Ricardo created a shield from Light energy to withstand Ahamenna's first attack, but the impact sent him flying back dozens of meters.
He performed a wind spell to keep himself airborne, preventing a fall and maintaining his balance.
He formed hundreds of spears from the earth and hurled them from the ground towards Ahamenna.
Ahamenna shattered the hundreds of spears coming at her with whips made of Light energy.
The shattered earth spears created a dust cloud that obscured Ahamenna's vision.
Ricardo didn't miss this opportunity. Using Light energy, he created thousands of arrows made of lightning, fire, ice, stone, and pure Light.
He fired the arrows at Ahamenna before the dust cloud could dissipate.
Thousands of arrows sped towards Ahamenna at an imperceptible speed.
Ahamenna created a shield of Light energy.
The shield defended her against the thousands of arrows.
"Tsk... So many arrows. If this continues, I'll use up too much Light energy."
When the arrows ceased, Ahamenna forged a sword of Light energy to attack. Just as she was about to lunge forward, she saw Ricardo right in front of her.
"DIE, AHAMENNA!"
Ricardo thrust his Bloodstone sword, filled with Light energy, straight into Ahamenna's heart.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Ahamenna's agonized scream was powerful enough to burst the brains of those who heard it.
Ricardo had learned this through painful experience.
"Did you think I'd let you do it this time? HAA!"
Ricardo covered Ahamenna's mouth with his hand. Channeling all his remaining Light energy into his hand, he barely managed to muffle her voice.
"AHHHHHHH!"
As Ahamenna faltered, Ricardo held his hand and stumbled backward in pain.
"AHHHH, DAMMIT! AHHH, it hurts so much, damn it!"
On the brink of death, Ahamenna cursed Ricardo.
"Curse you, Harloumen!"
Sitting in agony, Ricardo witnessed Ahamenna's final breath.
"Ahamenna is dead. This time, I didn't get to talk to her about the past or end our enmity, but I was able to protect my mother."
Ricardo stood up and first looked at his mother, then around him.
"I've been freed from another regret. Even though I couldn't talk to Ahamenna again, I had already settled my score with her in the real world. Now, just saving my mother is more than enough for me."
Before the white light appeared, Ricardo walked with heavy steps, wanting to hug his mother one last time.
"Just once. I don't care about anything else. Just hugging my mother once is enough."
When the Light energy shield protecting Seliarnevre dissipated, she ran towards Ricardo with all her strength.
"MY SON!"
Seliarnevre took her son in her arms, knelt down, and hugged him tightly, crying as if she never wanted to let go.
"My son, my dear son, my precious child."
Ricardo hugged his mother tightly, exhausted.
"Mother..."
When the white light appeared, Ricardo faced his final regret this time, not caring what awaited him next.