Epic of Caterpillar
chapter-1522

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"Y-You invaded Athetosea?! When?!" Sol asked desperately. He wasn't furious or anything, just shocked.

"After like a hundred years since I was born, I think." I said while thinking about it.

"Huh?! You were not even a year old? What sort of joke is this…" Sol muttered in disbelief.

"Hahaha! I guess it is like kind of a joke, huh?" I sighed. "But yeah, I conquered it because I was greedy and I wanted more power and food… Haha, I was quite the hungry beast back then, quite sinful too. Well, I am not saying I've become better."

"I-I see… Did the Athetosea Kingdom do something against you beforehand? I know they had corrupt nobles…" Said Sol.

"Yeah, I would be lying if I said they didn't do anything against me, they invaded my Grand Forest with a massive army and heroes, so I felt it was my duty to get them down before they were to become even bigger of a threat to me." I said. "Anyways, don't worry, I didn't really killed any civilians, that's not my style. I defeated their army rather swiftly, invaded, took over. And then I decided to make the people's lives there more prosper using my magic and other stuff I've created or made up myself by fusing up Skills and stuff."

"I-I see… So my family…?" he wondered.

"They're probably safe! I don't remember seeking your family or anything, but after I became a Supreme Goddess and the entire new Era began, things got too dangerous for mortals, so I took all the mortals from the Realm of Vida inside my Divine Realm, an internal space we gods have, and they're all living in peace there. I transferred this space to Rimuru, the person I trust the most. She must be protecting them right now." I said.

"T-That's a relief! I guess if we go together, I could truly met my family then…" Sol said.

"But… do you really want to?" I wondered.

"Ah…" Sol muttered. He quickly fell silent. He had become slightly excited about everything so he wasn't thinking straight, but wasn't he being a bit too hasty with everything? I thought he said he wanted to start anew and everything else, but I guess that was also just not him and just his nervousness talking.

"You want to?" I wondered.

"Yeah, I do…" He sighed. "I want to go back… I died so bitterly… I want to go back…" He sighed, slowly breaking down and showing me his true nature. He seemed rather sorrowful for a hero that represented the radiance of the sun itself.

"Calm down, kid, don't cry on me now." I sighed.

"Kid…? Aren't you technically younger?" he wondered.

"I forgot to tell you I am actually a billion-year-old child of an ancient Primordial Deity, so yeah, no, I am way older." I sighed. "I've seen stars be born and end through my toddler years."

"W-Wha…!" Sol muttered. He was believing everything I said, I guess he's very gullible, or he really trusts me a ton.

"Anyways! If you really want to come, there's no helping it, I'll bring you along. As long as you fight for it though. We'll have to oppose the demons trying to take over the land of your summoner, you know? They want to kill the elves, same as the humans. We'll launch an attack back to them, eliminate their army and leaders, and then when everything is done, we can go back." I said. "You're okay with that?"

"More killing…" Sol muttered. "Just so I can go back home… Wow, that's ironic, isn't?"

"Kind of. No matter the universe it seems that killing is always a way to get through problems or reach a goal." I said with contempt. "Nonetheless, can you talk me more about this other personality you got? What was that about? Who are you for real, Sol?"

Sol took a plate with stew and a piece of bread, as he began to slowly eat. He remained in silence for the most time, but I could easily notice he was enjoying the meal.

"Who I am…" He muttered, looking at the bonfire. The reflection of the fire illuminated his eyes. "I don't know… That's a hard question to answer, you know? It's unfair you ask me that."

"Hahah, sorry then! It wasn't my intention." I apologized.

"No, it's fine… I… Just as I said, I put on this façade of being heroic and brave, gentlemanly, and even charming… I… It just comes out naturally from me at this point. After many years of pretending to be what I am not…" He said. "It is like a defensive mechanism I use when I am nervous and I don't really know how to act or react, I just fake being someone I never was."

"Huh…"

The more I learned about him, the more I realized he wasn't really a heroic figure or someone that was willing to lead entire nations or be someone amazing that could save the world. He was really just… a farm boy wanting to go back home. But deep down, I can also feel a flame within his heart. He's not all he says he is either. He's actually a hero, and heroic too, a bit at least. His strength and his technique, and the way he takes decisions fast… He's not just a stupid farm boy.

"You're a petty liar, there's no way you're not slightly heroic deep down, I can already tell by the way you fight and take decisions. You're pretty strong minded too." I said. "You're just too depressed over al the shit you went through, but man, it's normal. You don't have to get so worked over it. We all get our fair share of shitty experiences… It's fine to be affected by it and show it, you don't have to hide everything from everyone."

"Haha…" Sol laughed, as he smiled honestly and gently. "To think that someone would give me such a meaningful lecture when I am already dead…"

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