MTLNOVEL Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Paul's Future, Words That Were Too Late to Say
After Paul patted his forehead and assured Mrs. Somar that Allen did not bully that boy Somar, the wife finally left with a satisfied, blushing face under the scorching gaze of Senis.
Well.
He truly is worthy of being the only pure-love God of War in Buena Village—in all aspects.
Then, under Allen's instigation, and because Loki was not good at rejecting people, it didn't take long for several people to form a circle and start testing Sylphy's magic control and magic level in the yard, which also attracted the attention of Senis and Lilia.
"Okay, Sylphy, release a water ball spell. Ah—be careful not to hit the tree that Mrs. Senis has carefully cultivated."
"Okay! Water Ball Spell!"
"Hey! Sylphy, you poured the water ball spell on my head! Where are you looking?!"
". . . No. Sorry, Rudy!"
Sylphy apologized absentmindedly and flustered, but her eyes kept wandering toward Loki.
The latter looked at the two helplessly, scratching her face.
At this time, Lilia had returned to the house and took out a dry towel, wiping Rudy's hair.
Senis, meanwhile, stood by, showing a helpless and doting smile as she quietly watched the children's mischief.
This scene was like a painting, engraved in Allen's pupils. He smiled happily.
'Ten years later, Rudy settles in Sharia in the Kingdom of Lanoa, and perhaps there would be a similar scene. I feel like I can vaguely see the future.'
He blinked, took two steps back, and looked at the five people again.
'Rudy. Lokisi. Sylphy. Lilia. Senis.'
The summer sun was dazzling, reflecting the faces of the five clearly.
Allen's smile slowly faded.
'These are the characters present in the current plot. Those who should be in Sharia and Rudy's house in the future are all here.'
'People who should not be absent from the future.'
Allen turned and looked behind him.
Not far away, Paul leaned against a tree trunk. The shade of the tree acted like an umbrella, hiding his figure in its shadow.
He and Senis and the others were not bathed in the same sunlight.
The leaves were dim and shadowy. Allen felt that Paul's eyes were always on the people in the sunlight, but he could not see his expression clearly.
He squinted, walked into the shadow beside Paul, and turned to look at his face.
Paul leaned against the tree quietly, arms crossed, a smile on his lips, silently watching his wife and children in the sun—as if he were completely at peace. He did not turn his head to look at Allen approaching but continued to gaze ahead with a smile.
"Oh? Why are you here?"
Allen looked at Paul's profile, was silent for a long time, and finally spoke.
"Uncle, to be honest, I don't have the concept of family, so I've always been curious. If I died, what would my family think?"
Paul was stunned. He tilted his head toward Allen, hesitated for a long time, and then sighed.
"Well, I really want to make up some nice words to tell you, but I'm sorry, Allen."
He glanced at Senis and Rudy in the distance, then looked back at Allen apologetically.
"To be honest, I can't empathize with you. But I think—"
Allen interrupted.
"What if, just hypothetically, you put yourself in those shoes? One day in the future, you die unexpectedly. In your final moments, would you have any regrets about your family? What would you want to say?"
Allen looked into Paul's surprised eyes and finished his thought.
". . . Or, in the end, would you just say nothing, quietly watch your family, and then accept death?"
'Just like in the original plot.'
Paul seemed a little annoyed at first but softened at Allen's serious expression. He realized they were alone and sighed inwardly.
He was silent for a moment, then finally replied.
"If it were a few years ago, back when I was still an adventurer, I might have said nothing and died calmly. Honestly, I've always had one regret—wanting to talk to my dead father face-to-face and untie that knot in my heart. So death never really meant the end for me. Adventurers live with danger daily. Everyone is mentally prepared to die suddenly."
Allen blinked and was about to speak, but Paul looked up at Senis and Rudy, smiling gently.
"But if it were now, I wouldn't be so calm. If I really died in an accident someday, if possible—before I die—"
"I want to see Senis and Rudy one more time."
Allen looked up at the tear mole near Paul's eye.
"Take a look?"
Paul's smile faded slightly.
"Yes. Just to see if they're okay. If I saw they were safe, I might feel a little relieved. Haha. And then, there's my own selfish little wish. I might think. . ."
"Maybe they'll cry for me, this useless head of the family."
Allen looked down at the scabbard on his hip.
Paul's voice continued.
"If Senis, Rudy, and even Lilia cry for me. . . that would be great."
A moment of silence passed between them.
"But if it's just a glance, I won't be satisfied."
Allen didn't look up. His eyelids lowered slightly.
Paul smiled, self-deprecating.
"Everyone can say noble-sounding things. But maybe, when the time comes, I'll just try to accept reality and act calm. But inside, I'll be screaming that I don't want to die. Because—"
". . . I still have too many things to do."
". . . I can't bear to leave Senis. Maybe we'll have more children in a few years. I can't bear to leave Rudy either. I want to watch him and the other children grow up. Will they study well? Will they be bullied? If everything goes smoothly, when I'm old, I'll hear my grandchildren call me grandpa. . . That would be wonderful."
"Yeah. I really don't want to die. Just thinking about it makes me feel nostalgic."
Allen subconsciously rubbed the knife at his waist.
"Then, if you and Rudy were in a dangerous situation, and only one of you could survive—or, if you had to die to save him—what would you do?"
Paul was stunned, Rudy's figure reflected in his pupils.
He didn't pause or choose his words carefully this time. He just blinked once, then turned to Allen.
"Although there are still many things I want to do—if I had to choose between the two, then forget it."
He smiled.
"I'd rather die."