"Silly boy, it's okay, I'm here now…" Ben said, as for a good five minutes Leo did nothing but cry his heart out.
Growing up, Leo never had anything akin to a father figure around him and hence having Ben in his life filled that void.
Ben was more than just an NPC for him, he was like a second father and Leo loved him accordingly.
The pain of losing Ben felt akin to the pain of losing a family member for Leo, and it had been extremely difficult for him to cope with the loss.
The pain of living in someone's absence did not come in a single, overwhelming wave that faded over time, it was instead a constant reminder that the memories shared with them could never be recreated.
Leo did feel a deep sadness in the first few days after he learned of Ben's death, but it was not only those first days that weighed heavily on him.
Everytime he thought of a quote said by Ben while he was training, of every time he entered a room where he shared a treasured memory with Ben, Leo felt his insides welling up, as the pain of that loss bore down heavily on him.
Having spent a good 50% of his gaming career alongside Ben, Leo was beyond attached to the old man, and hence the last 6 and a half months without him had been especially cruel on Leo.
However, once he cried his eyes out, the initial shock and pain were replaced with joy, as he finally let go of Ben and smiled foolishly from ear to ear.
"You're okay? Of-course you're okay, I knew you couldn't be dead–" Leo said, wiping the tears off his eyes as he smiled goofily.
Ben looked confused still, and since it seemed like Leo had recovered enough to hold a conversation, he gently asked him why he thought he was dead?
"Did you not get my letter boy? The one I sent from the capital informing you I wasn't dead?" Ben asked, as Leo blinked at him in confusion and asked "What letter?"
It was at that point that Ben understood everything that went down, as he realized that Leo never read the clarification letter that he had sent him.
The fool seemed to have believed that he was dead just like the rest of the Empire and had apparently mourned his loss greatly.
For a second, Ben's gaze towards Leo softened as he could not even begin to imagine the pain that the kid had gone through over the past few months, however, instead of consoling him once more, Ben raised his fist and smacked Leo on the head hard.
*Smack*
"Ouch–" Leo said, rubbing his head, as he could not understand why Ben would hit him?
"What? Why did you hit me, old man?" He asked, feeling confused as Ben looked at him with the most ruthless face.
"Do you really think anyone but the Demon King or his mount dragon really has the skills to kill me?" Ben asked, as Leo scratched his hair in shame.
Leo had long known that his master was indeed really strong, however, with there being multiple eye-witnesses to his death, Leo assumed the worst.
"B-but if you weren't dead, where were you all these past months? It took you 6 months to come back?" Leo asked, feeling wronged as Ben slapped his face in annoyance.
The reason for him not returning for 6+ months was written in the same letter that told Leo that he wasn't really dead and with Leo not having read that letter, the kid naturally had no idea as to why Ben had not returned home.
"Let's take this conversation to your quarters, I guess tonight's going to be a long night–" Ben said, letting out a deep sigh, as at that moment Lin Mu returned to the scene slightly limping.
"Ayyy Lin Mu is here!" Leo said, looking at his NPC sister in joy, however, Lin Mu herself could barely muster a smile.
Dumpy had really done a number on her and although Lin Mu did not wish to admit it, she needed to rest for a week minimum to recover.
"Have you two made up? Damn, I missed the fight between you two" Lin Mu said, as she tried to assess who won based on the condition of their clothing, but could not decipher much information from it.
"Perhaps if you were not such a pathetic weakling, you could have witnessed the majestic fight unfold with your own two eyes like myself.
Alas, you have no-one to blame but yourself" Dumpy said, as mindlessly lectured Lin Mu for her weakness.
*Twitch*
Lin Mu felt her right eye twitch in rage when she heard Dumpy's words, as despite her injury she suddenly felt ready for round two of fighting, just to discipline the impudent frog.
"What did that toad just say?" Lin Mu asked metaphorically, as she did not actually want a repeat of what he said, but Dumpy gave her that anyways.
"Is your hearing as weak as yourself? Can you not hear my words from such a short range human girl?
I was considering you as a breeding partner for my master given your adequate waist to hip ratio, but if you have genetic defects then perhaps it's best that we disqualify your candidacy" Dumpy said, as his words rendered Lin Mu completely speechless.
"Apologies master, let me introduce my pet Dumpy…. He's a mythical beast called an ancient swamp frog.
He's only a few weeks old and just like a small child doesn't know any better as to what he is speaking" Leo said, apologizing to both Ben and Lin Mu for Dumpy's words, as his frog seemed to become more and more unhinged by the day.
"A few weeks old and already so strong? A mythical beast indeed–" Ben said, as he nodded in acknowledgement for Dumpy, which made the frog's chest swell with pride.
His Lord Grandfather had just acknowledged his strength, it was probably the proudest day of his life.
—-----
/// A/N - Mass Release Chapter 1 of 5 for the day. ///