Valerian, The Legendary

Chapter 389: Released From The Ties.

Valerian finished greeting everyone, and Fragrantia said, "Val, there is someplace you need to go with us."

The young man asked with his gestures, and then the lady told him about the worsening condition of the Saintess. Valerian asked if there was a way to save and prolong her life. Fragrantia shook her head and said, "The bloomkin had offered her some drops of the life essence, but the lady refused. She said that someday life would end, so she would rather go away sooner to avoid the attachment to the mortal world."

Valerian smiled and said, ’That is very much like her.’

The Empress nodded and said, "We just received the word she is not at the peak of her health, and her condition is worsening."

The young man sighed and nodded, asking, ’Shall we leave now?’

Fragrantia nodded, and Fortuna said, "I will take you."

Valerian nodded, and Azula said, "Do not worry about your friends. I will look after them."

The young man passed her a smile and nodded to her. He did not worry about the people here; they were all his own. Fragrantia and the rest prepared their luggage, and the young man waited for them in the garden with Fortuna. The two people had a lot to talk about.

Soon, Fragrantia arrived beside them with a set of shirts in her hands. She said, "I will not have my son present to the world like this."

The young man smiled faintly and took off his shirt before the people. The armor he took off earlier when they were talking inside. When he took off the shirt, the ladies were surprised. His torso lingered with a lot of scars.

Fragrantia could not help but gasp, and Valerian said, "Do not worry so much. These are all memories I earned from the dungeon in Avarium. After meeting Grandma, I wish to see that thing called Tyrant Immortuous."

Fortuna nodded and said, "I also want to meet him."

...

Fortuna jumped into the void and shape-shifted to her original shape. Valerian held Fragrantia’s hand, and they flew up to the sky. The two people landed on the back of the Dragon. Just then, they heard a girl whining from the ground. Valerian looked below and asked, "Do we need to take Valerie?"

Fortuna nodded, Valerian made another trip, and the group flew up. The young man did not say much along the way. He was looking around and breathing the wind filled with mana. Fragrantia asked, "Val, what will you do about the tear of Vita you took?"

The young man raised his hand and, looking at the black dot, said, "I will do it after meeting my grandma."

The people nodded, and Fortuna showed her speed to Valerian. They crossed the distance that took them seven days of travel was covered in two days. The people soon arrived at the northern continent. The staff of the Temple of Mercy was shocked to see Valerian.

They bowed to him, and the Dragon Queen said, "You can flatter him later. Can we go to meet Her Holiness?’

The staff led them to the garden, and Valerian met a lot of old acquaintances. One of them was High priestess Solaris. She was surprised to see the young man, and he greeted her with a smile.

Soon they were led to the inner sanctum of the high temple. In this part, there was a room where the Saintess would live. Valerian waited for his turn to meet her. He did not enter the room that quickly.

When everyone was done, Valerian took a deep breath and entered the room. He saw the old lady sitting against the headrest of the bed. She sensed his movements and a smile appeared on her wrinkled face.

Valerian walked closer to her and was about to embrace her when he stopped. Misericordia was old, and his agitated actions could harm her. The lady sensed his hesitation and blinked at him with a smile. She patted the spot next to her, and Valerian sat there.

The old lady observed his face with great longing in her eyes. She sighed and said, "It is good that you have returned, my child."

Valerian gently leaned against her shoulder and sniffed her scent. The Saintess gently patted his back; her touch was so soft, yet it reached Valerian’s heart. She said, "Soon, I will go and meet your parents. Do you have anything to tell them?"

Valerian shivered but calmed down. He shook his head and touched her shoulder to say, ’They already know.’

The lady nodded and replied, "Indeed, they know. What do you intend to do from now on?"

Valerian thought briefly before he replied, ’I will work for the welfare of orphans and abandoned. They will not suffer like I did. Every one of the people who have no one to rely on will be my family from now on.’

Misericordia nodded and said, "Good, I will watch over you from the skies."

Valerian asked, ’Why don’t you accept the aid of the bloomkin and consume a few drops of the life spring?’

The Saintess said, "The truth of life is death. Eventually, we all have to leave this world. Why shall I waste the precious resource that could be used to save a life with more potential and a longer future?"

Valerian could not counter the old lady; she was very stubborn with her points. Valerian stopped advocating his opinion to her as well. He waited silently, and the two people talked. After several hours, the Saintess said, "I will sleep now. You go."

Valerian shook his head, and he could sense the aura of death around her was increasing. The tear of Vita resonated with this aura. Misericordia smiled, brushed his face with her palms, and said, "Do not worry. I will be in a better place. Also, tell them not to cry."

Valerian nodded with a heavy heart. He was shivering, but that was all he could do to express his grief. He helped the lady settle in the bed and stood at the foot of the bed as he watched her fall asleep.

Her breathing gradually faded, and just when Valerian was about to clap his hand to call someone, he found that the body of the saintess was glowing, and soon it turned translucent and vanished into the void as if it was never even present there.

Surprised, the young man checked the bed and heard a voice, "I am within you, Val. Why are you looking for me outside?"

Valerian shivered, and he realized that the saintess had left. He turned around and left the room to convey the event’s details to everyone. He mentioned it specifically not to cry over her passing.

The group stayed till evening when a portal opened in the garden, and the people saw Bootoo appear. They all bowed to greet her, and Valerian said, "Your Excellency, I want to meet him."

Bootoo smiled and said, "I knew you would say that, but before you meet him, you must put the Tear Of Vita back in the death ravine."

Valerian nodded, and after informing everyone, they left the garden. Solaris sighed at the portal’s closure, "I hope these two can keep their temper in check, especially Her Majesty Fortuna."

The people nodded.

...

The trio appeared in the world of bloomkin, and Bootoo said, "A few things you need to know before you meet him. You will not kill him, and you will not destroy anything to vent your rage. This is especially for you, Fortuna."

The silver-haired girl nodded and said, "I abide by your rules."

Valerian asked, ’Have you been violent lately?’

Fortuna glared at him and said, ’I have been very calm and residing on the island only.’

Bootoo shook her head and said, "Do not lie this much, Your Majesty. Shall I tell him how you slaughtered the entire eastern continent army? Even when the people were willing to surrender?"

Fortuna clenched her fists, and Valerian patted her shoulder. He said, ’Your Excellency, how can you read my thoughts?’

Bootoo smiled and replied, "This world of bloomkin, you cannot hide anything from us here."

Valerian nodded in understanding, and soon they arrived at the ravine of death. Valerian did not waste any time and jumped inside. He used his magic spell to cast a gust and softened his landing. After that, he came to the center of the crevice and controlled the Tear Of Vita in his palm.

The black dot flew out of his flesh and fell to the ground; the next moment, his body was sucked inside, and the supreme Dragon appeared before Valerian.

The young man bowed his head, and the dragon said, "You fulfilled the terms of this deal. You are an honest human."

Valerian bowed and said, ’Thank you, Your Excellence.’

The golden dragon said, "Go, finish what you must do. However, beware, soon the world will face a threat like never before. Make sure you are prepared."

The next moment, Valerian appeared on the cliffside beside Fortuna and Bootoo.