The Ark Of A Laughable Dream, Heroic Acts
Usually, if someone were given the idea and vision of a paradise, they would feel at ease and peace. As if the calm seas have washed away their pains. But for Mavislin, it incited terror as Valokia was supposed to be a paradise, yet it became the center of hell that night when it fell.
Galahad was confused but did not take the chance of launching a surprise attack on the vulnerable Valkyrie. Something in his mind told him that one shouldn't strike a maiden when she's weak. And besides, an eye for an eye since the Valkyrie did sever his chains with the King.
While Mavislin tried her best not to show her terror at the fact, the Knight of Heaven waited patiently for her to catch her breath.
"Hey... Are you alright? I didn't mean to offend you too much; I was stating the facts and what I heard from the King. But, to be honest, I'm not liking the idea either and would rather stay neutral," said Galahad, stretching his arms.
"I'm fine... But I'm angry at your King's choice to turn my Domain into such a laughable thing! What the hell is that damned person thinking?! Did bringing him back to life somehow miss his brain?! What kind of an absurd vision is that?! A place with sin, the distant Utopia of Avalon..."
"The more I ponder about this, the more I want to plunge my claws into the King's head and open it up to see if there's anything in there!" yelled the Valkyrie, slamming the shield down in anger.
"Whoa there... Let's not be too hasty with our words and threats, alright? Maybe you'd like to think it through after a nice cup of tea?" offered Galahad, pointing to a house behind him.
"Are you kidding me?! So I'm your enemy, and you want me to follow you to your base?! And let you kill me?! That's never going to happen, sunshine! And you are my prisoner, so I'm dragging you back to my place!" exclaimed Mavislin, placing the shield in front of her.
"I didn't mean it that way! I was asking if you need to take a break. I've followed you since your victory against the Corrupted One and was interested in how you fought. I didn't see you but had heard rumors from townsfolk that you would be battling the Knights."
"And that you were one of the Founders. Did you know that you are hailed as a hero in the Albion and Urnsfield Domains? And stop hitting me, I'm sorry!" asked Galahad as Mavislin playfully slapped him.
The Valkyrie halted and stared at the Knight of Heaven with wide eyes.
"Wait... Why would I be hailed as a hero in the Urnsfield Domain? Of course, I understand the Albion Domain since I actively led the Infinite Experiment Mission at the place, but why the Urnsfield Domain? What did I do there?" asked the Valkyrie, scratching her head.
"I'm not sure, but most people there like you... They said they witnessed a brilliant display of fire in the dead of night. The people knew you were fighting the Shadow that killed quite a few folks, and they saw you as a hero when you were victorious."
Mavislin looked away as her hair covered her eyes. The Valkyrie swallowed a ball of saliva before speaking her mind as she knew what fight Galahad was talking about.
"I was battling the Marquess, and I killed him. Then, one of the Umbras, those shadows, took over Minwoo's body and tried to kill me. So I caused the people of Urnsfield to lose their Marquess, their leader... I'm not worthy of being their hero, and the same goes for the people in Albion."
"Sure, I may have saved the kidnapped girls and given the children another chance at life, but I couldn't save all of the victims, and the Baron died during the fight. Raiyen and Tomoe kept saying it wasn't my fault, but I still feel guilty... Had I been stronger, I would have..."
The Knight of Heaven gave a reassuring smile as he gently patted the Valkyrie's shoulder, causing Mavislin to jolt and look at him with surprise.
"So you are saying that you don't deserve to be called a hero within those Domains? Because you've killed their leaders?"
Mavislin nodded, unable to say anything because of how painful it was to remember those memories. The Valkyrie recalled that dawn when she lost her friend and comrade in arms.
"Well, you shouldn't. It wasn't under your control that accidents or things happened. The people looked up to you because you saved them. Humans are easy creatures to please. More victims would have fallen prey to the enemy if you hadn't killed the Umbra within the Marquess."