Others Summon Dragons, I Summon Legendary Knights Chapter 398 Mother & Son

His public standing had plummeted, and this situation was further tarnishing the divine image he was striving to cultivate in the minds of the people.

He was currently on the verge of mastering a potent new skill that promised a substantial increase in his power.

To achieve this goal, he absolutely could not permit Godfrey to advance any further.

Abruptly, a fissure materialized within his chamber, and Gabriel emerged.

Saul turned, inquiring, "What business do you have here?"

"You've already lost two summons, confirming your need for assistance," Gabriel responded with a gentle smile. His appealing features, framed by shoulder-length golden hair, lent him an air of innocent handsomeness.

He was precisely the sort of person one would least suspect of treachery.

Yet, his arrival caused Saul's expression to darken. "You brought him here!"

"Naturally. I presumed our Captain could handle a single young man," Gabriel replied, tilting his head, his smile broadening.

Saul sneered, "Are you mocking me?"

"Not at all. You see, our world contains individuals known as Chosen Ones. They possess an extraordinary uniqueness, rendering them virtually unkillable. Have you ever perused stories featuring protagonists? Indeed, that's precisely what Chosen Ones are—the very kind of individuals our world favors." Gabriel began his explanation.

He intentionally omitted any mention of the Favored Ones.

Clearing his throat, he continued, "Godfrey is a Chosen One, explaining his exceptional nature and the source of his numerous summons and formidable strength. However, defeating him is not impossible. After all, our world operates on a principle of balance; even the most overwhelming abilities possess a countermeasure somewhere."

"Get to the point," Saul commanded icily.

"Your own self-imposed rules limit you, otherwise, you could have dispatched both summons to eliminate him. However, that would incur public disapproval. Therefore, lure him away from public scrutiny and then eliminate him discreetly," Gabriel advised, taking a seat on the bed and crossing his legs.

Saul narrowed his eyes.

"It appears you're not following. Issue a threat. Intentionally lose the next match, or I will ensure, without a shadow of a doubt, that you will be burying your mother within forty-eight hours." Gabriel's eyes flashed with a predatory gleam.

"No rational individual would jeopardize their mother's life for a mere match that offers little personal gain or loss," Gabriel stated, rising to his feet.

"Execute this plan, and you will bring the tournament to a swift conclusion, allowing you to pursue him without restraint." With these final words, Gabriel departed.

Saul remained, enveloped by the profound silence of his room and the gentle luminescence of the moon.

Perhaps he would dispatch a missive to Godfrey. Two options were presented, and any sensible person would opt for withdrawal. Victory in a game hardly seemed worth the risk to one's mother.

He resolved to implement both strategies: ensuring Arnold was fully informed of all his summons and cornering Godfrey with the dire threat.

'Chosen One or not, as long as he can bleed, he won't be living for long.'

***

"Frey?" A tender voice called out as Valentina entered her son's room, finding him seated in a cross-legged meditation posture.

She tiptoed to his desk and placed a plate laden with cookies upon it. As she turned, Godfrey materialized directly behind her, his sudden appearance eliciting a startled yelp.

Godfrey let out a chuckle and reached for a cookie. Valentina playfully slapped his chest, fixing him with a stern gaze.

"What did I do?"

"Why would you appear behind me like that?!" Her eyes widened, intensifying her glare.

Godfrey clicked his tongue before biting into the cookie he had taken. His eyes widened, though they remained in their Black-Out state.

"As if I can recall." A genuine smile graced his lips, and seeing his eyes shift to blue, his mother mirrored his expression.

"How is your throat?"

"My throat?" Godfrey blinked in response.

"Even from a distance, I could hear your voice. I can only imagine its volume," Valentina said softly.

Godfrey touched his throat, replying, "It's fine."

"That's good... I've submitted my resignation. I'll depart once this tournament concludes. Your father is quite elated, recounting how you silenced thousands. He anticipates your victory in the next match, and this cookie is for good luck."

Godfrey chuckled. "What about some milk? It's not quite complete without..."

Valentina walked past him, exited his room, and returned instantaneously. It appeared she had kept it nearby, perhaps anticipating his request.

She appeared conflicted, her lips hesitating between a smile and a frown. Was it happiness she felt, or a touch of embarrassment?

Godfrey accepted the milk from her and settled before his desk.

As she watched him consume her offering, Valentina caught a glimpse of her young son. Cookies and milk had always been her customary apology snack for him when her extended work hours left him feeling neglected.

Her eyes began to well up. She took a deep, steadying breath to hold back any tears.

'Do you know… all living things are bound by limitations; that is the fundamental law of existence. A tree can soar to great heights but cannot experience human feelings. Animals possess sensations but lack the intricate, profound emotions we do, primarily acting on instinct.'

Godfrey's pace slackened as the Chief Alchemist's words reached him.

'The mana tree represents a concept, a form of life akin to time, fate, and space. Incapable of developing emotions like ours, when the mana tree conceived, a fragment of its essence was born – a part resembling us. This deviation from its nature rendered that fragment weak, fragile, and utterly without power.'

Godfrey slowly turned his gaze towards his mother.

'The mana tree fractured because of your existence. It was an act of love, a love even the tree itself couldn't perceive, arising from the primal instinct of a mother bringing forth her own child.'

Godfrey's mouth fell open as he watched his mother dabbing her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry…" she quickly apologized and moved towards the door, but Godfrey was significantly swifter.

He enclosed her in his arms, a firm embrace offered without hesitation.

Valentina's arms wrapped around his back, mother and son finding solace in each other's hold.