I Refused To Be Reincarnated-Chapter 902: Honor’s Path

"Are you sure he did, that we're talking about the same person?"

Grum'Thal's wide eyes dulled. Relief melted into a jolting, disgusted shock that travelled across the scars crisscrossing his towering frame. The demonic contamination flared in green waves for a split second, as if they would overpower Grash'Thul's suppression after so long.

Adam watched the great shaman tremble without hiding it. All this time, Grum'Thal cared for the child like his own, then the potential savior who would return home to cure him. Even if the child failed, Grum'Thal would have wanted him to live a long and happy life. Every father would. Adam knew it and therefore understood why the old orc clamped his chest painfully, his anger, despair, and guilt coming out with each of his scalding breaths.

"I'm sure. Selene appeared in Sylvaria, the kingdom of the elves. Sryl'vara, Sylvaria... they must have adapted the name to their culture." He shook his head, exhaling a mouthful of stale air. "Enough. I know where it is going. You're wrong, Grum'Thal. I know it, and so do you. Selene did... terrible things. But you said it yourself: the children of the stars stole him before he opened his eyes for the first time. You never educated him; he never heard your voice nor saw your face. You are strangers."

His voice echoed with the convinced solemnness of a judge. "You are innocent, Grum'Thal. As innocent as a crafter who sold a flawless blade to a warrior who uses it to commit crimes. The disappointment stings. It tears through your chest, making you question everything. But if enchanters drop their hammers from fear of seeing their masterpieces wrongfully used, if parents refuse to birth children because they might become disappointments, then we would surrender to despair, stealing hope from the future before it can breathe."

The fire in Grum'Thal's scars flickered, then began to settle in the stretching silence. They gazed at each other, then Grum'Thal shook his head. Not strongly, but a movement that conveyed steeled resignation.

"Selene's choices, not mine... Thank you for bringing the truth, however revolting it is, to my table. Not a shred of my honor flows in his veins. When I think he tried to put you in chains..." Grum'Thal's eyes narrowed into slits as he slammed the table, his voice rumbling with ritualistic brutality. "I declare Selene Sunfire, holder of the wings of pride born in Thaur'Gorath, no child of mine."

Adam nodded. "As it should—"

"You..." Grum'Thal cut him off. "You unearthed legacies you shouldn't have, know things beyond even Haldris' reach. I silenced my curiosity to move forward. It is impossible now. How do you know about Selene and what he did in our home realm? How could he have enslaved you? Who are you really?"

"Are you suspecting me of hiding some dark secrets now? Not at all. Of course, I have my own secrets." Adam shrugged. "As impossible as it might seem, the logical answer is correct. I spoke with Selene as I'm speaking to you. I stood in the ruins of the Silver Moon elves' prison. I discovered the deserted city of Kumari Kandam and the kraken guarding it. I'm a mage stranded in this realm of cultivators. And your Gate is my ticket to return home."

Grum'Thal shuddered in his seat. His jaw dropped, tusks glinting in the braziers' light. Words failed to come out for three heartbeats. Then, he coughed into his fist, his voice cracking. "If what you said is true... No, I know it is. I-I believe you."

He shook his head, grumbling. "Forget about my Gate. I'll skip the investigation, trial, and sanctions after its first activation. Just know that Haldris didn't like losing the Sun, nor the mana expenditure of the Gate. He sealed its magical channels and will kill us all the moment he feels it activate."

"Of course. It would have been too easy otherwise. I still have things to do anyway, and there are better methods than drawing Haldris' rage on the orcs. Forget about it." Adam waves his hand dismissively. "Our deal's not over yet. The cure wasn't in the Silver Moon elves' prison."

At Grum'Thal's immediate slump of shoulders, Adam gave a thin, knowing smirk. "Not because they didn't have it. Because Selene never looked for it, and someone found it before me. It exists. That's about the good news. The bad one... how do I put it..." He scratched his head. "It's inside me."

Grum'Thal's eyes widened. Adam saw hope in them, but also a predatory gleam for what the orc had craved. He instantly raised a brutal palm, his firm voice shattering the grim thought forming in the great shaman's mind. "Extracting it is not the answer. Collaboration, however, will help me cure you once and for all. It might be painful, or even put your life in danger, but I WILL free you from the demonic contamination gnawing at you."

After a moment, Grum'Thal slowly nodded. The craving was still there. Adam could see it. But now, honor shone brighter in the shaman's red eyes. "You trusted me enough to share your secrets and gave up on taking the easy road home. I, Grum'Thal, will trust you." His lips curved into a genuine smile. "Honor is my path. I've betrayed it once. Never again—even if it leads me to my grave. What do you need to cure me, my friend?"

"Secrecy and silence. But mostly secrecy. What you see or hear must not reach human ears, or you'll condemn me. Know this, friend. I'm staking much more than I want. Because you've earned my respect. Because I won't let the orcs suffer if I can help them." He nudged Bao back on his shoulder, then patted the center of the table. "Lie down. We'll diagnose you first to avoid complications."

Grum'Thal moved to the center of the table, a brow arched. "We?" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Adam stretched his open palm. "My partner and I, of course. Come out, Lulu." His voice turned heavy with responsibility. "We have a legend to cure."