Rise of the Rejected Deity from Chaos-Chapter 174 - 173: Akimitsu Enmei [2]
"You heard me," Kaeliyus smiled brightly like he didn't just dump the most unexpected request at the man.
"I did but I don't think I did either, so please repeat," the man said, everything seeming to fly beyond his comprehension.
"I want you to adopt a child, have him under your care, give him your last name. Basically, ne his dad," Kaeliyus explained, while the man simply stared in awe.
After a moment, the commander spoke. "Do you know the weight of what you're asking?"
"I clearly do."
"You want a child to come under me whose life isn't guaranteed to see the lights of the next day?" He asked, clearly in disbelief.
"Precisely," Kaeliyus responded calmly.
"You're well aware that not only am I sick with an incurable illness, but I've got people seeking my head, I'm sure?"
Kaeliyus nodded casually, unbothered.
"My wife even left me because of my illness, saying she doesn't want to be a widow at such a young age," the commander sighed, his countenance dropping heavily as melancholy hit him.
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"Damn that woman, she only wanted your property which she got after the separation," Kaeliyus remarked.
"No, she was right to take it. I was the fool hoping to lead a normal life, build up a family like everyone else when my survival isn't guaranteed," he sighed, sadness washing over him as he slumped forward on the desk.
"I prefer your shameless self to this," Kaeliyus said.
"Yeah? It's not being shameless but logical," he defended.
"Hmm? Being too compassionate to use the HS to protect yourself, and basically leaving yourself to face harm. Only relying on a demon when you've got the assets."
"They're too young to die for someone whose life isn't even guaranteed."
"But I am fit to die for you? I'm fit to be used a shield?"
"Well, to be frank. You're a demon, and you must've lived a very long life so…"
"See? Shameless!" Kaeliyus remarked, and the commander chuckled softly.
The commander, known by the name, Akimitsu Enmei, is the current leader of the Humaity Savior Association after so many. Born into one of the biggest clans in Japan, he had succeeded the role from the previous leader, despite being born weak, and sick from a young age.
But in a clan big as his, competition is like a second nature. Many other than him had been fighting for that post, proving their strength and ability through impactful ways—all to be chosen.
But be it luck, the insight of the previous leader, or his strength, Enmei was the chosen leader. This sparked conflict among the clan, some harboring anger, while some, hatred, jealousy, and malice.
They all felt they were more capable than Enmei, questioning why a sick person should be the chosen leader.
Among them, Enmei's older cousin, and his nephew, seek to end his life even before his illness can. Enmei's health deteriorates each passing day, and there are days when he's confronted with assassins seeking after his life.
Being so compassionate, Enmei saw no need in using the HS as his shield to protect himself from the killers his family send—for what use should they sacrifice their lives when he is bound to die?
Even his wife left him, and this, Enmei saw no fault. For he believes no one would want to stay by a dying man.
Fate, however, crossed his paths with that of Kaeliyus. Words also reached him about a demon, a powerful one that everyone was trying to own.
With no selfish desires like the others to possess the said demon, Enmei sought Kaeliyus out, asking him to be his shield. Kaeliyus, however, refused blatantly. For anyone who wasn't strong enough to challenge him, had no rights to make demands.
Despite being refused and almost killed by Kaeliyus on their first meeting, Enmei didn't relent. He came day after day, bearing goods, hoping to convince the demon.
His persistency turned into annoyance to Kaeliyus, and God knew how many times he bore thoughts of killing the young man. But for some reason, he didn't, and from there, their friendship was built.
Thought not strictly a deal or anything serious, Kaeliyus had somehow agreed to protect the young man. But after not hearing from Kaeliyus for so long, the commander decided to pay him a visit in his cavern, of which he found ruined on that day—claiming he was deceived.
Akimitsu Enmei, though kind, he lives, treading carefully on a time bomb even he is unaware when it'll go off.
Yet this demon, after loosing contact for so long, appeared so casually, asking the young man to bear the burden of raising a child.
"Is it that you don't like this child, and you want him killed with me?" The commander asked, his expression stern.
"Far from that, it's the opposite," Kaeliyus responded.
For a demon such as Kaeliyus himself to agree to care about someone, the commander concluded the said child was the same race as Kaeliyus—a demon.
"First, we both know this isn't ideal as it'll endanger the child's life. But that aside, how do you expect me to raise a demon when the association is about slaying demons?" He asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Who said anything about the child being a demon?" Kaeliyus asked, taking the commander aback.
If the child isn't a demon, does that mean Kaeliyus cares genuinely for a human? The revelation was intriguing to the commander, he felt curious to see and know the child. Just who was able to move Kaeliyus' heart? How?
But the commander wasn't one to let curiosity get the best of him. He'd rather not endanger a child for such selfish reasons.
"I'm surprised, I'll admit. However, I can't accept your request," the commander said with finality, giving no room for argument.
"Even I say I'll agree to be your personal guard for however long you want?" Kaeliyus asked, peering slyly at the man.
To the commander, it was a attempting offer. For even when death isn't far from him, he knows he he has a lot to accomplish before he succumbs. And those relatives of his quickening his death are obstacles he want cleared.
The commander remained silent, weighing his options: Secure his life to accomplish more or endanger a child's life?
