"Do you want to hear it? The rest of the story."
Those were Lucy's words, and now, Shin was genuinely curious about the whole story.
But prying into someone's private family trauma felt a bit intrusive.
Right then, Alice seemed to materialize out of nowhere, standing right in front of them.
"Let me tell it, Lucy," she said softly. "It concerns my future, after all. If Shin refuses, then my hands are tied."
Lucy looked at Shin, unsure of what to say. They were a tragic pair of sisters, trapped in the dark with no one to save them.
As for Shin, Lucy still couldn't completely read him. She knew you couldn't judge a person based on a single incident, but her gut told her he was dependable—a genuinely good guy.
Alice looked between them and spoke slowly. "My mother gave her final wishes to Lucy, who then passed them on to me. I understand exactly what that implies."
"But it still eats at me, because I never got to see her one last time."
Watching Alice break down in tears, Shin found himself completely at a loss. He had only come here to pick up a damn quest, and now he was knee-deep in some royal family drama.
What was he even supposed to say? It felt like any response would be the wrong one.
So, he just stayed quiet.
"My mother's final words to me..."
"Alice, by the time you read this letter, I might already be gone. I've been sick for a long time, but I miss you more than words can say."
"I pleaded with your father to let me see you just one last time, but he told me your training was at a critical turning point!"
"I know your father didn't want to make that call, but our hands were tied."
"Our kingdom is weak. For years, we've been bullied and trampled on. But things have gotten so much better recently, and your father says it's all because of you."
"I felt so incredibly proud in that moment. I know you might harbor resentment toward your father, but I need you to understand something. It's actually very simple."
"Whatever you do, do not hate him. He is your father, yes, but he is also the King. He has to make agonizing choices that no one else can make. I saw how much pain he was in—he didn't sleep for three days after he sent you away."
"It broke him. I swear to you, that is the truth."
"There's one more thing. I'm deeply worried about your sister. Lucy hasn't had to endure the hardships you did, but your father poured all the love he felt he owed you into her. I know that's not healthy."
"If he continues to shelter her like that, it will only end up hurting her. So, I am begging you to help your father watch over Lucy."
"I know it's a lot to ask, but you are the only one I can turn to now."
"And I know, deep down, that you'll do it."
Hearing all of this left Shin with a heavy heart.
He was just an outsider, so it wasn't his place to judge, but he honestly couldn't blame the King.
The King carried the weight of an entire nation on his shoulders. He was a man first, a King second, and a father third.
Making a choice like that must have torn him apart. He was utterly powerless.
Because their kingdom lacked powerful mages, they were constantly subjected to abuse and humiliation. They had no other option.
It might sound harsh, but when a King's daughter possesses such extraordinary talent, hoarding that power for oneself is a luxury a ruler cannot afford.
The King was caught in an impossible bind between his duty to his country and his love for his family.
But then Shin had a thought. This whole situation was actually incredibly easy for him to fix. As long as he had their mother's body, he could use the Edo Tensei or the Rinne Rebirth to bring her back to life.
He was just about to offer when Alice continued.
"My mother also left me with a third request. And that was..."
"Alice, I know you are still young, but one day, you will meet that person. However, it must be the very first man who ever manages to defeat you. Do not ask why."
"Your mother would never steer you wrong. You have to trust me."
"You must swear an oath. No matter what flaws this man might have, you must bind your life to his. Only then will our kingdom be saved."
For Lucy and the others, this might just seem like a bizarre, dying request. But Shin knew exactly what was going on. Their mother was literally talking about him.
Did she actually possess some kind of prophetic power? If she did, then their mother was seriously formidable.
Then he remembered that their mother was likely of Elven descent.
Elves were legendary for wielding rare and powerful magic, so it wasn't entirely far-fetched.
Shin decided to play dumb. "What exactly does that mean? Follow the first guy who beats you? What kind of weird demand is that? Hahaha!"
"But wait, doesn't that make me the first guy to beat you? Are you saying you have to follow me now? Does that make you my underling? I mean, I guess I could work with that. I'm cool with it."
"If you want to be my lackey, I'm all for it."
Alice rolled her eyes. She knew he understood exactly what she meant, but he was intentionally playing dumb.
"Are you even listening to what I'm saying?"
"I already told you, I am swearing myself to you. If you reject me, then Mother's words were clear—I have to die to make you agree."
Shin was absolutely speechless. What kind of insane mother forcefully pushes her daughter onto a guy like this? Was this some kind of precognitive foresight? Honestly, if these two sisters stuck close to him...
...then absolutely no one in the entire Fairy Tail universe would dare lay a finger on them. Of course, that was entirely due to Shin's overwhelming presence.
Shin rubbed his nose and chuckled. "You two have to be messing with me, right?"
"There is no way any parents are actually like this. Do you think I'm an idiot?"
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