Ch.38Mom Protected Me

# 1.

It was all a coincidence.

Luna unknowingly finding and wearing Mother’s mask when cornered.

The weakened Mother, falling with a thud, slipping down Lactea’s priority list of threats and crawling toward Nahan.

Regaining consciousness at that precise moment as trauma awakened from being strangled.

Even being able to perceive Mother from afar when her mental world connected with reality the moment she barely opened her eyes.

It was truly coincidental that these two people met—people who, according to the original story, should have lived their entire lives in lingering regret without ever reuniting.

Of course,

【”Nahan. Walk a different path than mine.”】

【According to the contract between <Black Wolf(Ex)> and <Aria(???)>, the world assists you.】

【<Mother(S-)>’s memories are flowing in.】

Some coincidences in this world had someone’s intervention.

“…Mom.”

“…!”

Regardless, unlike in the original story, the two were able to face each other once again.

And that wasn’t all.

-Shameless as it may be to ask, I hope you can show her what an ordinary life is.

-Not doing dangerous things, making friends, finding love. Having children and raising them, living happily with everyone… Please let her know that’s what a normal life is.

Since Luna had been connected to Mother and gone berserk, she could hear everything Mother had said from the moment she awoke until now.

Though questions surged within her like a massive wave, Luna swallowed them down and looked at Nahan.

“Captain. I’m sorry, but just a moment…”

Normally, she would have apologized profusely and tried to take her own life, but now Luna didn’t avert her gaze.

Nahan was puzzled.

Even if she knew the whole truth, Mother’s crimes wouldn’t disappear.

Even if there were reasons for abusing Luna, the excessive cruelty couldn’t be justified.

“I-I’ll accept punishment for my wrongs, but please, just this once…”

Why would she want to talk, putting aside even the <Black Wolf> she feared most?

-That’s what family is. No matter how terrible, you can’t easily let go.

…Well.

I still don’t understand it myself.

But it wasn’t something I could prevent anyway.

“I’ll wait.”

Nahan quietly stepped back.

Finally, a moment for just the two of them.

Two people who had lived their entire lives in darkness now stood together beneath the moonlight.

“……”

“……”

A heavy silence settled.

Among the dust particles floating around them, Luna hesitantly and painfully opened her mouth.

“…What happened?”

Literally, Luna couldn’t properly understand the current situation.

“Mom… Mom definitely…”

Died four years ago.

You died right before my eyes, killed by the intruders who attacked the <Grayish Wasteland>.

As Luna hesitated, unable to speak these words, Mother took a step back.

“I’m not your mother. I’m just the lingering consciousness that a woman named Mother left inside you because she didn’t want to die. A kind of parasite.”

“…What?”

“You didn’t know, but I’ve been parasitizing you, extending my life. I was consuming you, storing power, planning to take over your body someday and come back to life… Unfortunately, I was discovered just before awakening.”

A monotone voice.

Mother continued, stepping backward toward the shadows without showing the slightest emotion.

“So go back now.”

Step, step, step…

Mother kept walking as she spoke, and just as she was about to disappear into the shadows—

Luna quickly approached and grabbed Mother’s wrist firmly.

“You’re lying.”

“…How foolish. This is why you couldn’t escape from that monster of a woman.”

“No. I’m not stupid anymore.”

Luna calmly continued, staring into the ashen eyes behind the mask.

“If no one else knows, I know for certain. That day, Mom, you protected me.”

# 2.

That day was still vivid in her memory.

Criminals dying all around,

The thick scent of blood wafting in from outside,

Intruders finally breaking into the nomadic camp.

-They’re just kids?

-So what?

-…Tsk, heartless bastard. You heard him, kids? He’s telling us to kill you.

The children were killed one by one, and finally, when it was Luna’s turn, who was in the farthest room—

-Luna!!!

Mother, covered in blood, came running down with a pale face, slaughtered all the intruders in an instant, and embraced Luna.

-Over here!!

-Damn it, how many times did I tell you Mother was here!!

-Forget it!! Just swarm her and kill her!!

But what Mother had faced was just the beginning, as intruders poured into the underground cell after hearing the commotion.

-Ah…

Seeing the malicious powerful figures crowding in, Luna unconsciously began to give up on life.

-It’s okay, Luna.

After whispering those words, Mother pushed Luna back into the cell and faced them.

A battle that lasted for hours.

-Kill her!!

-Even if you die, take something from her!!

-Everything is for Him!!

Intruders who kept coming no matter how many were cut down,

-My, my. This is the first time we’ve met outside of an auction, and I have to kill you. Not a pleasant situation, Mother.

And the late arrival of Bidder No. 1.

The regular intruders were quite strong, but Bidder No. 1’s strength far surpassed Mother, who was ranked 10.

Therefore, the result was,

-Any last words?

-…Kugh, run…, run away, Luna!!

Mother’s defeat.

-…Well, this is exciting. Such melodrama. I quite enjoy it.

After the battle ended, Bidder No. 1, regaining composure, made an offer to Mother.

-I won’t pursue that merchandise while you’re alive. But if you scream or faint, I’ll send pursuers each time.

-…

Mother nodded.

Confirming this, Bidder No. 1 looked at Luna and grabbed Mother’s finger,

Crack!

-Begin.

The cell opened.

But Luna didn’t leave.

No,

She couldn’t leave.

-M-Mom…

Because Mother was there.

-Good girl, Luna.

-No, I…

-Luna…!! Please come to your senses and run!!

-Ahhh…

Despite Mother’s desperate cries, Luna, paralyzed with fear, couldn’t move.

Even if she had chosen to run away, this was still inside the Grayish Wasteland.

A tomb for the living, shrouded in thick fog that made people lose their way.

-I’d rather die with Mom…!!

Having made a decision, Luna rushed out of the cell and charged at Bidder No. 1.

Whoosh!

A small, clumsy fist thrown.

-My, I don’t like being touched.

In that moment, she realized.

The moment that fist made contact, Luna would lose her life on the spot.

So Mother,

-I’m going to be a strong mercenary like Mom!

-…Mom?

-If you want, I can be that for you.

Recalling these precious memories, Mother used all her remaining strength to push away Bidder No. 1.

-Run, Luna!!

-But—!!

-Please!!

Crack,

Crunch.

Even in that brief moment, one of her arms was shattered into pieces, but Mother smiled at Luna and whispered:

-Good girl, my daughter.

Just as you consider me your mother, I consider you my daughter.

-Run away, Luna.

Finally understanding something, Luna clenched her small fist and nodded.

-I love you, Mom.

There was no answer.

Crunch.

Because Bidder No. 1 had crushed Mother’s entire lower jaw.

-Sigh… I’ll keep my promise.

-…

…Click.

Mother put on her mask.

She hoped that if Luna escaped and later returned to find her body, she wouldn’t be saddened by today’s events.

In the end, Mother succeeded.

-…How brutal.

Though she was broken beyond recognition, she had bought enough time for Luna to escape the nomadic camp.

Of course,

-Bring her back. I want to show that child to this person before she dies.

-Yes, Proxy!!

She was almost caught by the pursuit team that started late, but,

-Please help me!! I’ll give you anything!! Even my life if you want it!!!

-?

-Should I kill her, Captain?

-Leave her be, Lactea. Let’s hear what she has to say.

Luna grabbed onto a miracle faster.

After that, everything happened quickly.

-Clear them out.

-Yes, Captain.

The silver woman annihilated all criminals, including the attackers, along with the entire area.

When they returned underground following Luna’s directions, Bidder No. 1 had fled, and only Mother’s terribly shattered corpse remained.

Luna cried for a long time.

Good girl, my daughter.

Remembering those gentle whispers and the plea to survive—the only things left behind by her only family.

At the same time, she made a vow.

-I will…

.

.

.

“…become someone just like Mom.”

After becoming a member of the <Black Wolf>, Luna worked hard, thinking of Mother.

-Smile brightly, that’s how you survive.

-That’s right, smile a little more.

-Brighter, smile until your mouth tears.

-That’s how you survive.

To someday become someone who could protect others like her mother.

-Don’t tremble, that’s how you survive.

-When it’s too hard, wear a mask and cry.

-Work hard, and then work harder.

-So that someday you can smile even while wearing a mask.

Putting aside her own sadness and pain, to become someone who could protect those she loved.

And if she ever had the chance, to use the power Mother left behind before dying and her own awakened abilities to take revenge on those intruders.

Only because of Mother,

Holding only Mother and the Captain in her heart,

Missing her every moment.

But why would Mom…

“…Why are you trying to leave me behind again this time?”