TASITEB - Chapter 131

Side Story Episode 1. The Death of Laxus

　
Renisha's child was born.

The news reached Laxus's ears maliciously, intent on provoking his inner turmoil.

By then, Laxus began to feel like his very existence was a punishment.

Watching the only person he'd ever loved form a family with someone else wasn't particularly pleasant.

Not only was it unpleasant, but it was also...

Cough.

Laxus wiped his mouth.

A pungent stream of blood trickled down his nostrils.

He stared indifferently at the blood soaking his palm.

In the room, Laxus was alone.

This small room was all he had.

He ate the food the innkeeper brought him and listened to the news he told him.

There was no trace of Renisha.

Renisha had withdrawn all attention from Laxus.

The thought made his stomach churn again.

"...Damn it."

Even if he wanted to die, he couldn't because he was too scared.

If Laxus died, the Duke of Lottera would come running and bite him.

And it wouldn't just be Baryton.

Everyone who met their end at Laxus's hand, including the Duchess of Lottera, would come running.

Laxus laughed hollowly.

He thought he'd lived a good life, but no one was by his side.

The days when Laxus held the world in his hands had all crumbled away like grains of sand.

Laxus covered his eyes with his dry palms. Every time he coughed, blood gushed out.

"It's time for you to go now, Your Majesty."

The ghost of the Duke of Lottera came all the way here and caused trouble. 

"Puhh..."

Laxus let out a weary sigh and went to stand by the window. Leaning his forehead against the window, Laxus glared outside. 

“Waaaah! Long live His Highness the Prince!!” 

“Long live Her Majesty Emperor Renisha!! Long live Duke Kassius!!! Long live Hientri!!”

The sounds of the streets permeated Laxus’s ears. The people seemed ecstatic. And understandably so. A true heir to the Emperor had been born. Moreover, the high reputation of Lottera made the praise even louder. 

“Renisha, Renisha...” 

Laxus muttered. 

“I heard my daughter gave birth to a son. The one Your Majesty couldn’t give her for so long. A slave knight, you say?” 

Duke Lottera whispered, almost licking Laxus’s ear. Laxus trembled. His shoulders hunched involuntarily. 

“In my opinion, that worthless slave knight is better than Your Majesty. My daughter has a keen eye for people."

Laxus's hand on the windowsill trembled. 

"That's why she didn't love Your Majesty."

 "Aaaaah! Get out! I told you to get out!" 

"Where am I going!! With Your Majesty's end right before my eyes!"

Laxus waved his hand wildly. 

"Get out, Baryton!!!! Gulp!!" 

The blood Laxus had vomited covered the window. Laxus's end was approaching so pathetically. 

*** 

Renisha pursed her lips. She had no idea how the days passed by with the baby in her arms antics. She hadn't been able to let go of work until just before giving birth. Now, that work wasn't even on her mind at all. 

"No!" 

A hand as small as a fern gripped Renisha's sleeve. 

"Is he strong because he takes after his father?" 

Renisha stroked the baby's head. When she rubbed her lips against the child's cheek, the baby burst into a delighted laugh. Kassius had taken charge of the empire in place of Renisha, who was resting for a while. All of Renisha's attendants were following Kassius around, assisting him. Kassius was finding the sudden burden burdensome, but he was managing it. Occasionally, he'd call out, "Renisha!" out of the blue. 

"What's wrong, Kassius? Did the Knights declare a strike like before? Or did a riot break out?"

Renisha asked softly.

Kassius, embarrassed, touched the back of his neck.

“Did I do that? I’ve been bothering you with things like that.”

Kassius cleared his throat. His wheat-colored skin flushed pleasantly.

Renisha gestured to Massius.

“I think our baby just called me ‘Mommy.’ Listen...”

“I’ve decided on a name, Renisha.”

Kassius said, his face flushed. Renisha turned to Kassius.

Kassius quickly picked up the baby.

“I thought about it for a long time. I wanted to give it the best name. I considered the greatest name, the name of the longest-lived person, the name of the most wonderful Emperor.”

Renisha left the baby’s name entirely to Kassius.

And even after the baby was born, Kassius continued to ponder it for two weeks.

“But?”

“I found a better name. There’s one name that has stayed in my heart: my hero.”

Kassius smiled brightly.

“Hero?”

For some reason, Renisha's heart pounded.

She felt like she knew what Kassius was going to say.

Renisha's lips trembled.

"Baryton. I want to give him that name."

Baryton Lottera.

Renisha's eyelids fluttered.

It was the most glorious way to avenge her father's dishonorable death.

"If I have a daughter, I will name her after your mother."

Renisha hugged Kassius tightly.

"How could you think..."

"The greatest hero in my life was your father, Renisha. I grew up watching him. So, please allow it, Renisha. Our child will become a hero for Hientri, and for the people of the empire that carries the name 'Lottera'."

They planned to change the name of the empire to 'Lottera' as soon as Hientri stabilized.

Renisha nodded, her voice choking with emotion.

"...If he takes after your father, she will surely become a great person. Just, intelligent, brave..."

Renisha's father's image seemed to float before her eyes.

That broad back had seemed small just once.

'This father may not be able to protect you until the end. Renisha, our daughter. Still, you must overcome. I...'

Those were the first and last tears she had seen from her father.

Memories buried deep within her heart poured out haphazardly.

It was as if her father were right there by her side. 

'I love you, Renisha. I would do anything for you.'

Renisha closed her eyes.

A tear fell. 

"This is why I like you," Renisha said, sobbing. 

"You only tell me what I want to hear." 

Kassius kissed Renisha's forehead. Did she know that he wanted to do anything for her? Did she know that he was agonizing over what words would make Renisha happy, would make her smile just a little more? And this was also Kassius's sincere choice. 

“Our eldest son, this child will be called Baryton Lottera. Kassius, this child will grow up to be strong, righteous, and intelligent, just like our father. Just as we wished.” 

Kassius nodded. And so, Renisha and Kassius’s first child became Baryton Lottera. 

*** 

The day of the coronation arrived. As before, the streets were bustling. Laxus leaned quietly against the window, then stumbled out of the room. No one stopped him. Perhaps they sensed his end. 

People avoided Laxus, who had turned pale and sickly. Laxus staggered and walked aimlessly. Wherever he went, there were crowds of people. They were all chanting the names of Renisha and Kassius. 

“Cough.” 

Laxus stared ahead with blurry eyes. It was a glorious moment he had never had. 

“This is my place...” 

Laxus muttered. His stubborn, violet eyes glared at Kassius, who sat next to Renisha. 

"She's mine..." 

Laxus spat, his voice boiling with blood. 

"Give her back... She's mine... Ugh!" 

As the crowd gathered, people slammed into Laxus and passed him by without a care.

“Do you know who I am! Everyone, get out of the way!”

Laxus shouted, staggering. His fingers trembled.

The man, meeting Laxus’s hazy eyes, spat.

“Tch! Where did you get those hazy fish-eyes from! Who are you!”

The man tapped Laxus on the shoulder.

“Tell me! Who are you!”

Laxus trembled. Laxus blinked.

All he could see was a large lump of flesh moving before his eyes.

Laxus snickered.

“I am the emperor. That woman is my woman!”

Laxus shouted, blood splattering.

“If you are the Emperor, then I am a god. You crazy bastard! Hey, how could such a blasphemous thing be involved on such a joyous day?”

The man winked at his subordinates.

“See what they have. If you have committed a blasphemous crime, you must pay the price!”

As Laxus was dragged away by the men, his mouth foamed at the mouth. He gasped for breath as he was struck by the thugs' fists. He must see it through to the end before he dies.

He must die with Renisha in his eyes.

He must never forget her again...

Even as a ghost, he must stay by Renisha's side.

“Cough!” 

Laxus groped his stomach and coughed up blood. 

“Hey, you punk. You're not really dying, are you?” 

“So what? I was on the verge of death anyway.” 

The thugs’ conversation grew distant. They searched through Laxus’s arms for gold coins and fled. Crouching like abandoned trash, Laxus breathed intermittently. He could feel his breath fading away. Laxus blinked. 

“Please, Renisha...” 

However, it wasn’t Renisha who had come to see him off. An unfamiliar woman bent down toward Laxus. 

“You really have a tough life. Why don’t you just die like this?” 

Laxus blinked. It was the woman next to Renisha. The woman snickered. 

“What are you looking at?” 

“Renisha, take me to Renisha...”

Laxus said, bleeding. Luna, crouching in front of Laxus, chuckled. 

“Are you crazy? Do you think Renisha would miss you? Isn’t Renisha happy without you?” 

“...Oh, no... That can’t be. Renisha is my wife!” 

Laxus coughed harshly. Luna grimaced and shook her hand. 

“What? Blood is flying.” 

Luna sighed. Renisha had given the order never to kill Laxus. Helena stood behind Luna with a cold expression. Helena put her hand on Luna’s shoulder. 

“He’s going to die soon.” 

“Five minutes at most? Anyway, villains have long lives.” 

"I must tell Lady Renisha right away." 

"It's a perfect coronation gift." 

Listening to the chattering chatter, Laxus slowly closed his eyes. The cold air from the floor penetrated him. Only then did Laxus admit: Renisha didn't care one bit about his final moments.

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