Others Summon Dragons, I Summon Legendary Knights Chapter 385 You Saw The Future

"You have glimpsed what is to come," Valentina stated, her gaze shifting away. He observed the profile of her face, noting that purely white, unseeing eye.

A heavy dread settled in Godfrey's chest. The future they saw was a horrifying origin, a nightmare beyond his worst imaginings: a mana tree as his progenitor.

A sigh escaped her. "Do you feel hatred, or is it fear I perceive from you?"

Godfrey remained silent.

Valentina rose. "Shall we take a walk?" she inquired, beginning to move. He watched her for a moment before falling into step beside her.

"I know all that you intend to say. There is no need for words; simply return my mother," he declared.

"But I am your mother," Valentina countered. "This vessel was created solely for your birth. I possess the authority to discard it at my whim. Would you not wish for me to remain and witness your growth?"

Godfrey’s jaw tightened; his scowl was barely concealed. Was it to watch him mature, or to keep him under unyielding surveillance?

"Had I not chosen your birth, this other persona would never have come into being. You should not look at me as if I am not your true mother. It was I who conceived of your existence," she elaborated.

"Why reveal yourself now? Nothing would alter if you remained hidden, so why now?"

Valentina extended her palm, displaying a precisely folded sheet of paper. She opened it with delicate care and offered it to him.

Godfrey accepted the paper, his eyes scanning its contents.

ANCIENT GODS;

Monarch 40.1—49.9

Sovereign 50.0—59.9

Godkings & Queens 60.0—70.2

Primordials 70.3—83.5

True Ancient 83.6—100

A smile touched her lips. "This was penned for your benefit. Soon, others will receive revelations and insights through various means."

"True Ancient. That is the zenith reachable by ascended worlds. Across ten generations, from zero to the ninth, none have surpassed it. I present this to you prematurely so you may comprehend the scale of what you must overcome to fulfill the purpose of your birth."

"Can you not cease this?" Godfrey's gaze met hers, his expression grim.

"Can you cease?" Valentina retorted. "You are unable. The same applies to me."

Observing Godfrey's expression, she raised an eyebrow. "I am not cruel; I have never been. My pursuit of evolution was a personal endeavor; I compelled no one to slay another. Power was merely dispensed, and individuals chose their paths. I am not unjust; strength is bestowed upon the weak, the adult, the child, the victim, and the aggressor alike. Anyone can ascend to godhood — even an ant, for to me, gods are but numerical values. You perceive the world as cruel, yet it is not. This is the very definition of fairness."

"This?... This is what you deem fair?!" Godfrey’s voice cracked with rage, his body trembling as he fought to quell the sudden outburst. Valentina remained unmoved. "You gained the strength to vanquish your tormentors, to resurrect Isolde. You possess the means to forge your existence and repel authorities. You consider yourself righteous, yet you kill. Why do you not scrutinize your own actions? I have witnessed the tears of those who suffered because of your 'justified' deeds. Are you truly fair?"

Her eyes narrowed. "You were unaware, but your conflict with Saul resulted in injuries to six bystanders outside the structure. Though unseen by you, their suffering stemmed directly from your actions. Does that render you unfair? You persist in seeking greater power; at your caprice, thousands could perish. Is your very existence not an unfair burden?"

Drawing a step closer, Valentina gazed intently into his deep, gold-flecked black eyes.

"You are no paragon of virtue, Godfrey. The greater your might, the more you resemble the untamed forces of nature. Do not emulate your father; your birth was not intended for such a path. However, should you falter…"

Godfrey's pupils darted. "You will deliver my soul to Cain."

Valentina met his gaze. "Indeed. Your essence is too valuable to be squandered in the afterlife."

A smile flickered across Godfrey's lips, though his teeth were clenched so tightly he was uncertain if it registered as pain. He strode forward decisively, encircling Valentina with his arms.

Despite his deep desire to sever ties, despite the profound impact of her words, the mother he knew resided within this form.

He was determined to alter the predetermined future.

And so… he embraced her.

"Frey…" His mother's voice, laced with concern, reached him as her arms returned his embrace. "What is happening? Are you alright?"

"I am well." Godfrey's clasped hands opened, and he gently patted her back.

Let this suffering cease with you. She is still your mother.

Arthur's voice echoed in his mind.

***

Upon their return home, as he sat before the island counter, his mother busied herself with preparing tea. A peculiar observation was her lack of inquiry about their absence.

Shortly thereafter, she presented the tea, placing it before him. Godfrey cradled the ceramic cup, feeling its comforting warmth radiate into his palms.

"I apologize for causing you concern."

He uttered, gazing at her. Godfrey was compelled to accept the harsh reality that his mother and the mana tree were one and the same entity. The mana tree, a necessary evil, could not be destroyed.

Would this mean his own growth would cease? That his existence would become even more perilous or transform into something unknown? He contemplated this for a time.

The answer, once more, was in the negative.

It wasn't as if he had a choice in the matter of stopping.

His soul was destined to be surrendered for another's use.

His contemplation was interrupted when Godfrey unexpectedly found his mother by his side. She cradled his head against her chest, offering gentle pats on his back.

"What is troubling your mind? I have been speaking, yet you were clearly not paying attention. Now… pay heed." She gave a soft laugh.

"You fought valiantly to shield Victoria and myself against the odds, and I have witnessed your capabilities firsthand. It is daunting to consider, but I am certain you will not be defeated by Saul. There is a crucial piece of information you must possess. Saul intentionally modified his most recent summon, Dax, with a relic. I was tending to him during this process as he integrated a relic with his summon, compelling it to attain demigod status. This fact remains unknown to everyone else."

Godfrey's gaze intensified. "He equipped Dax with the Soul-Piercing Rod?!"

Valentina responded with a shake of her head, "No. It was a type of book. A tome."

'Another relic. Just how many secrets is Saul concealing?'

At that precise moment, a knock echoed from the door. Godfrey turned towards the sound, approached it, and as he reached to open it, his hand trembled slightly.

Despite the years that had passed, memories of his experiences in Manhattan would sometimes resurface when faced with situations bearing a resemblance to that fateful time.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he opened the door.

"Dax."

"I wish to converse with you," Dax replied, his hands casually resting in the pockets of his hoodie. It appeared Saul, feeling uneasy, had dispatched his newly enhanced and now most unpredictable summon to probe the situation.

Or perhaps… to eliminate him.

The confrontation had never been a fair one… had it?