Chapter 323: Relatives
The problem with Gaia was resolved, but my heart still couldn't settle down. Should I tell Xi Lu Si and the others? From my perspective, they are still young and currently undergoing Cleric Training. Logically, it would be best not to tell them for now, so they can study in peace.
But alas, I used to be a homebody, and I didn't understand much about human relationships, social etiquette, or reading people's minds. Even after a few years in Diablo, this hasn't changed much. The only thing I can be sure of is that what I think is right isn't necessarily actually right.
What a frustrating Epiphany.
So, naturally, I came to Akara's Tent entrance. She was inside selling Scrolls and Potions to some newcomers. Looking at these Rookie newcomers who didn't even have Normal Cloth Armor or Cloth Caps, walking out of the Tent happily clutching a few Healing Potions and Identify Scrolls, I couldn't help but recall the first time I visited Akara. I'm getting old, getting old!
By the way, from the perspective of a normal Adventurer, I don't approve of these newcomers buying Identify Scrolls, because it's completely unnecessary. Unless they have a Drop Rate as high as mine, dreams are beautiful, Reality is cruel. They will soon regret not using the Money they spent on Identify Scrolls to buy a few more Healing Potions. Of course, Akara won't remind them of this; learning the Principle themselves is the Kingly Way.
"Oh, Wu, it's you."
After smilingly sending off the Guests, I entered the Tent. Akara seemed to have known I was coming and was unhurriedly boiling Spirit-Clearing Water.
"Uh... yes, something urgent..."
I awkwardly chuckled. Running back and forth every few days, looking back, even I feel like I'm not doing my job properly. The title of the most idle and bored Elder is probably going to fall on my Head.
"I came this time to ask for some advice."
Taking the Spirit-Clearing Water Akara handed me, I took a light sip, then told Akara everything about the Matter in Lut Gholein and the problem that was bothering me.
Perhaps she already knew about the messy Matter I handled in Lut Gholein, as Akara maintained a faint smile from beginning to end. However, when it came to Xi Lu Si and Ai Ke Lu, she couldn't help but fall into thought. After all, these two little ones are great talents.
"Nothing is absolute in this world. The key is whether you can handle it well," Akara said slowly after some deliberation.
"Xi Lu Si and the others are still young. Telling them now is indeed a bit cruel and could very likely lead to non-Acceptance or even collapse. But looking at it from another angle, precisely because they are still young, they are relatively easier to comfort and forget. If the Method of handling it is appropriate, that will be the best Result.
Conversely, if you hide it from them now and it's exposed at some point in the future, perhaps by then they will have grown up and have stronger psychological endurance. But have you thought about it? They are separated from their Parents in the Training Camp, their longing accumulates day by day. After a few years, suddenly getting such a Result, if it explodes, it will definitely be harder to deal with. The worst Result might even be their Fallen as a result."
"Uh, your meaning is, if I tell them now, the Fact is cruel, but because of their young Age, they are easier to coax. With appropriate Methods, the best Result will be achieved. If I choose to tell them when they are older, they might Accept it more easily, but because their thoughts are already mature and they have their own views, once they develop extreme thoughts (Blackening) because of this, it won't be so easy to turn them around. Is that what you mean?"
I scratched my Head and sorted it out for a while, summarizing it from my understanding. But listening to Akara's Tone, she clearly favored the former.
"Exactly, that's what I mean," Akara nodded with a smile.
"I understand your meaning, but if I choose the former, how exactly should I coax them? I have absolutely no Clue. How about this, Akara, you are better at this sort of thing, so please help me with this Favor."
I shamelessly voiced my Idea. To be honest, Akara is not idle. Asking her, a dignified Great Elder, to spend a lot of Time and patience comforting two children is really unreasonable.
"Xi Lu Si and Ai Ke Lu are treasures of our Training Camp. Even if you didn't say anything, I wouldn't ignore them. But Wu, since you helped them choose this path, why don't you try to solve it yourself? As an Elder, you should also get some good Training."
Hey, hey, are you subtly implying how embarrassing it would be for an Elder if he can't even handle two ten-year-old children? That must be it, right?
"Alright, since you said so, I'll Give it a Try." I suddenly stood up, gripping my Fist with great spirit, then my old Face fell, and I put on a fawning Expression.
"It's just, at that time, Akara, could you perhaps give me some pointers from the side?"
Akara: "..."
The Plan was quickly formulated. Their Cleric Mentor would inform them of the News – this was Akara's Suggestion. Originally, I wanted to go myself, but Akara said, how could I, the comforter, play the bad guy? Aren't your Feelings very good? Then you should appear with a High-Level Stance when the Twins are heartbroken, so as to maximize the effect.
Hmm, hmm, as expected of the worldly-wise Akara, she speaks in such a convincing manner, and it makes a lot of Principle. On the other hand, is it okay for the Teacher to play the bad guy? That Teacher is too pitiful.
Under my distant Gaze, that innocent Teacher, almost crying, told everything to the Twins. At first, they didn't quite believe it. When the Teacher took out a Silver Ring that had been burned and deformed – of course, I found it in the Ruins of the Twins' Home. Although I didn't know if it would work, for a normal Family, the Status of this Silver Ring should be very important.
As expected, Xi Lu Si and Ai Ke Lu, who took the Silver Ring from the Teacher's hand, stared blankly at the ring in their palms. Suddenly, their Eyes went dark, and they fell down silently. I quickly rushed over and caught their falling Bodies. Thankfully, they had only fainted.
A whole day passed, and the Twins finally woke up. They silently stared at the ring, then hugged each other and cried non-stop. No matter how the Teacher and Friends beside them tried to comfort them, it was useless. It was as if only the two of them remained in the world, inseparable. When they were tired of crying, they would fall asleep, and after waking up, they would again be silent or cry non-stop, refusing to eat or drink. This cycle repeated, breaking one's heart to watch.
Actually, as soon as they woke up, I planned to make my appearance, but Akara, whom I had enthusiastically invited to stand by, stopped me.
"Wu, it's not Time yet. They definitely can't hear anything now. It's useless for you to go."
"Then when should I go?" I looked at Akara anxiously.
"When they've vented enough and are physically and mentally exhausted."
"Isn't that too cunning? Am I supposed to just watch them suffer like this?"
I strongly Refused. This Method felt to me like I was shamelessly breaking up a pair of lovers and then taking advantage of the woman's heartbreak to swoop in. It severely violated the bottom line of my Self-esteem.
"Wu, you must understand. Right now, is your Feelings more important, or is it more important to help them cheer up again? As long as it's for their own good, what does it matter if you use some small Methods?" Akara faced me calmly, stepping aside, as if saying: You choose, is your Face/Reputation more important, or are they more important.
After a pause, I sighed and stepped back.
On the fourth day, at Akara's signal, I finally entered the Twins' Room. They were a whole size thinner than four days ago, with pale, haggard Faces, eyes constantly filled with a hazy White Mist, looking so pitiful that one just wanted to hug them close and gently comfort them.
"Priest Uncle—"
The Twins, hugging each other, weakly turned their Heads. Seeing me rush in anxiously, they called out in hoarse Voices. Like grasping at a last straw, they sat up and lunged towards me.
"Hey, be careful."
The Twins, who hadn't had a drop of water for four full days, underestimated the Degree of their Body's Weakness. Just as they sat up, their Bodies went limp and they fell towards the bed. I quickly took a step, catching one with each hand.
"Wuwu~~, Priest Uncle, Dad and Mom..." Holding onto my arms, the Twins couldn't care about anything else and immediately buried their Heads, crying bitterly.
"Oh, oh, I know, be good, don't be afraid. Uncle will take good care of you from now on, okay? Don't cry."
Holding the two identical Little Lolis, I was at a loss, only able to keep repeating words of comfort. After they finally stopped crying, I remembered Akara's words and quickly brought over the Clean Water placed nearby. While wiping the tear stains from their delicate little Faces, I brought the water to their mouths. Perhaps they were extremely thirsty, as they quickly drank a large cup of water.
Situation good.
I thought to myself, put down the water cup, and then brought over the hot Porridge Akara had instructed someone to send, holding it In Front of them.
"Are you hungry? Come, have some Porridge."
I tried my best to use the gentlest Tone, feeling my Voice trembling. But not a single person took the bowl from my hands. They held onto my Clothes hem with both hands, one on the left and one on the right. They simultaneously raised their Heads and glanced at me, then deeply lowered them again.
Is this the legendary Tacit Understanding of Twins? Seeing their identical Movements and identical Expressions, it seemed even the timing and amplitude of their eyelash trembling were exactly the same. I couldn't help but break out in Cold Sweat – this Situation, could it be...
I carefully scooped a spoonful with a spoon and gently brought it to Xi Lu Si's mouth. Older Sister is more quiet and obedient, oh, be good, open your mouth, just take pity on Priest Uncle.
Indeed, looking at the spoon brought to her mouth, Xi Lu Si hesitated and opened her delicate cherry lips, adopting the "Ah~~" Stance, waiting for me to feed her the spoon.
There's a chance, I was happy inside, and gently fed it into her mouth. Unexpectedly, as soon as it touched her cherry lips, Xi Lu Si pulled her mouth back and lowered her Head even further.
What, doesn't it suit your Appetite? No way, if I hadn't eaten for four days, I could probably eat even Angelic Beast Meat. I put the Porridge from the spoon into my own mouth and smacked my lips a few times. Hmm? It tastes good.
Suddenly, I slapped my Head. It's too hot, you idiot. How could I compare Xi Lu Si's tender little mouth with my thick-skinned, rough, stinky Man's mouth?!!
Realizing this, I scooped another spoonful, brought it to my mouth, and gently blew on it a few times, "Hoo~~, hoo~~," before offering it again. As expected, this time Xi Lu Si swallowed it without hesitation.
Wuwu~~, I got it backwards. I got it backwards, right? Anyone who saw this would feel the same way, right? If it could be reversed, what a scene of overwhelming joy that would be. While maintaining a smile, I was frantically twitching and rolling around in my heart.
"Hoo—hoo—"
Next was Ai Ke Lu.
"Hoo—hoo—"
Come, Xi Lu Si, be good, open your mouth, eat more.
Two bowls of plain Porridge, taking over an hour. Like a tireless mother bird, I took turns feeding Food into the mouths of the two "Novice birds" waiting to be fed. After putting down the last bowl, looking at the Twins Loli who had fallen asleep with faint traces of tears on their Faces, I collapsed onto the Ground, completely exhausted. Ah, ah, I can't do this kind of nanny job anymore, I'd rather fight two Angelic Beasts one-on-one!!
Another two days passed. Although Xi Lu Si and Ai Ke Lu's sadness had lessened considerably due to my appearance, they still looked listless. No matter how hard I tried, their spirits didn't seem to lift much. It was like playing a game with a Speed delay of 100,000. They had clearly run Outside the City and seen Monsters, but the Scene would flash, and they would suddenly reappear in the Warehouse, giving a suffocating Feeling of standing still.
However, what bothered me was that they would occasionally raise their Heads and look at me with Eyes full of Hope when I wasn't "paying attention." Their little mouths would slightly open, as if they wanted to say something, but then they would hesitate and lower their Heads again. This constantly recurring Scene felt like a thorn in my Throat: What exactly do you want to say? Say it, hurry up and say it. Even if you want me to die, just say it, otherwise I'll be suffocated first.
This time, my number one Strategist and superior, Akara, finally appeared. When I Reported the Situation of the past few days to her and asked for guidance, Akara looked at me with a chuckle.
"Don't worry, Wu. First, you need to clarify the key to the entire problem. Think about it, why are they so sad?"
"Their Parents died and they became Orphans." I rolled my Eyes. Isn't that Nonsense?
"Exactly, that's it. Now that you know the key to the problem, use that as a breakthrough. Think again, what do they Hope for most right now?"
"Their Parents didn't die." I continued to roll my Eyes.
"Exactly, but the dead cannot be Resurrected. So, to put it another way, what do they need most right now?"
"Family Love." I seemed to understand Akara's meaning a little.
"Precisely. Wu, although your relationship with them is close, you can't make up for the Family Love they lost. This is the problem with your lack of progress these past few days."
Akara is indeed Akara. Just this simple analysis made me feel like the clouds had parted and I could see the clear sky. Why didn't I think of such a simple problem? God, please allow me to call you Akara God.
"Then what should I do now?" Knowing the root of the problem, I continued to humbly ask the omnipotent Akara God for advice.
"Very simple."
Akara revealed a smile of successful trickery. Of course, in my Eyes now, it was a calm smile shining with the Light of a God of Strategy.
She circled left and right, teasing me, then suddenly stopped and pointed the Cane in her hand directly at me.
"If you truly care about them so much and want to make them happy, then you, Wu Fan, become their Father."
At this Moment, the sky collapsed, the Ground cracked, and my Body seemed to be sucked into an endless dark Space. Countless large characters of "Father" carved from ten-thousand-foot Boulders constantly rotated and lingered in this dark Space.
Father Father Father Father Father Father Father Father Father...
"This... how can this be?" My Face flushed, my Brain felt dizzy, my index fingers intertwined, and I replied awkwardly.
"No, no, no, Father and such, I, I, I... I haven't prepared myself mentally yet, no, no, and... and besides, I... I don't have Experience, how... how should I raise them? Still... still no. Father and such, I... I can't do it, of... of course, it's not that I dislike it, it's just... I don't know how to do it well, you... you see, for cute girls like them, living in a Tent seems a bit inappropriate, right? Should... should I build a Castle instead? And Clothes, Priest Robes and such are too simple, how can I let my Daughters wear that kind of thing? No, I have to go to Lut Gholein immediately and find the most High-Level Tailor to custom-make them. For girls, Clothes they've worn before can't be worn again, let's make a thousand sets first. Hmm, and, and..."
Looking at myself, who had gone from stuttering to fluent and was completely immersed in my own world, even someone as experienced as Akara couldn't help but stare dumbfounded and feel faint.
"Wait, Wu. Where are you going?" Akara, who had come to her senses, grabbed me just as I was about to rush off.
"Need you ask? Of course, I'm going to gather Architects and then go back to Lut Gholein."
I said decisively, leaving no room for Refusal. Even if it's you, Akara, if you try to stop me, I won't be polite.
"Wait, Wu. Listen to me first. Your Mood right now, I can... cough... I... I can understand, but it's not even certain yet, is it?"
Akara quickly stopped me. Even with her deep schemes, she had never expected someone's enthusiasm to be so Fanatic. No, it should be described as having lost Reason.
"Is... is that so? Indeed. They haven't agreed yet?" I stopped, lowered my Head in thought, then suddenly clapped my palm and laughed.
"It doesn't matter, let's get the Castle and Clothes ready first." Imagining Ai Ke Lu and Xi Lu Si wearing beautiful Princess Dresses, calling out "Dad" and Act Spoiled as they both rushed into my arms, I felt my Brain operating at High-Level capacity, already starting to smoke.
"Wait... wait, how about this, I'll handle the Architects and Tailors. I know more people, don't I? Wu, you should focus on solving the problem at hand first."
Akara felt her Brain wasn't enough. Even if she knew Baal was coming to kill her, she wouldn't lose her composure like this.
"You're right, then I'll trouble you, Lady Akara."
I bowed solemnly to Akara, then happily trotted back, leaving Akara looking at my Back View, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"Um, Xi Lu Si, Ai..."
"Um, Priest Uncle..."
The small Room was filled with a heavy, awkward Atmosphere. The Twins sat on the bed, and I sat on the Chair opposite. We all lowered our Heads simultaneously, seemingly brewing something. After enduring for a while, I finally mustered the courage to raise my Head, but unexpectedly, the Twins also raised their Heads and spoke at that exact Moment, as if they had a Tacit Understanding. Our Gazes met, and all three of us blushed and lowered our Heads again.
What is this damn confession Atmosphere? Roar, roar~~
"Cough, cough, Xi Lu Si, Ai Ke Lu, I have something I want to talk to you about."
Finally, I finally mustered the greatest courage of my life and stood up. Outside the window, outside the door, outside the corner of the Wall, if there were any spectators, please Record it for me. This might be the most courageous Moment in my life, Wu Fan.
Seemingly startled by my imposing Appearance, the Twins bent their little legs and looked up at me blankly.
Taking stiff Paces, I mechanically walked to the bed and placed my trembling hands on their small shoulders.
"If... if..."
Pant, I can't breathe, no, I have to continue even if I suffocate...
"If you don't mind..."
My Face, my Face is twitching, hold on, Wu Fan, you can do it...
"You... you can call me... me..."
I can't do it, my teeth and Throat are trembling, I can't speak anymore, is it ending like this? No, all the Fathers in the world are watching you, cheering you on, Wu Fan, go!!!!
"Call me Dad!!!!"
Closing my Eyes and tilting my Head back, I roared from my Soul. That sound of "Dad" echoed throughout the entire Priest Training Camp for a long Time, causing all the Cleric Students to turn their Heads in surprise.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly lowered my Head, opened my Eyes, and looked at Xi Lu Si and Ai Ke Lu, waiting for the Moment of judgment. Yes, or no!
Two pairs of confused Eyes quietly met mine, seemingly not having recovered from my words just now. Then, these two pairs of Eyes became even brighter, shining so brightly that even I couldn't look directly at them.
"Can... can we really... really?"
Older Sister Xi Lu Si suddenly tugged at my sleeve, lowered her Head, and asked in a Voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz. Ai Ke Lu's burning Gaze also expressed the same meaning.
"If you like, whether it's this life, or the next life, forever and ever, you can!!" I gently stroked their two little Heads and answered decisively.
"Dad!!!!!"
With two earth-shattering shouts, two Petite Figures lunged into my arms. Caught off guard, I was actually tackled to the Ground.
Holy cow, two motorcycles!
"Wuwu~~, Dad... Dad... Dad... Dad..."
The Twins, lying in my arms, cried and called out. At first, it was a bit awkward, but eventually, they called out more and more smoothly, warming my heart. Uh... it was indeed very warm, because my Chest was already soaked with Tears. Lying on my back on the Ground, I slowly hugged my two Daughters, my smile as foolishly happy as an idiot's.
And so, on a certain year, month, and day, Druid Wu Fan was successfully reverse-tackled by his two Daughters.