I Refused To Be Reincarnated-Chapter 904: A Father’s Last Look

"This treatment will cure Grum'Thal much faster than the first one." Lulu raised a finger.

Adam let out a relieved smile. Of course. He could count on her. One year would be tedious, but manageable—a trade-off he found more than worthwhile between time and safety.

However, the smile curving on his lips froze when she continued.

"If we use natural materials attuned to mana in purifying rituals that don't yet exist, and as long as we perform them daily, we can wear off the demonic contamination before it can regenerate in just a hundred years. I know it's long, but... I don't like it... But if you rush things, you can shorten the treatment by half if you give up on ten percent of success. He'll still have over one chance out of two to survive cured, but complications never warn. They strike when we least expect it."

Grum'Thal's usual deep voice didn't echo. He smiled on the table, his pitch almost a delight chant. "Seventy percent is better than anything I would have hoped for. Let's do it."

"Of course you do! Then what? I'll be stuck in Thaur'Gorath with you for a hundred years." Adam snarled, rolling his eyes at Lulu. "You believe this is the best option, and I won't deny it. Even fifty years. I haven't even lived that long."

Lulu adjusted her round glasses with a sigh. "You see problems we can fix. For example, Grum'Thal could ask for a position in Brineheart's college. It'll be humiliating; his people will scorn him, but what's fifty or a hundred years to someone who has endured fifteen millennia of corruption? This is the best we can navigate with, Adam."

"Listen, Lulu." Adam didn't give Grum'Thal a second to agree. He lifted his palm in front of the orc, his voice as rational as Lulu's. "You're right, but there is more to it. What if I'm stuck on another field trip or find a way back home? Will Grum'Thal abandon his duty at the college to sneak out with me, avoid the teacher's detection, and then expect Haldris to welcome him back with open arms? What if we miss a single day of treatment or, even worse, if I die before completing it? His body generates demonic energy on its own. We won't just lose one day of progress but several while opening a ton of doors to devastating complications. So yes, in a favorable environment, where time doesn't constrain me, this is the best option. Not in my situation."

"I-I didn't factor in your mental fatigue and goals..." Lulu lowered her head, her transparent wings dropping in resignation. "It'll burden you too much even if we can work out solutions to each problem."

Adam patted her small head, smiling. "That's why we're using our brains together, partner." Then, he turned toward Grum'Thal, his voice growing somber. "My method is different. The risks are... higher. But I'll cure you today, Grum'Thal."

Grum'Thal pressed his lips in a tight line. "How?"

Adam's eyes narrowed into slits blazing with mana and qi. "I'll destroy then rebuild you. The chances of success are..."

He lifted Lulu in his palm and simulation flashed in her eyes. "Under two percent." She said, her lips twisted, her shoulders trembling.

"Not even two? I thought I had at least five." Adam clenched his fist, his voice thundering. "What she said. Around two percent. But I'll hit them. I'll keep you alive. I trust your will won't bend to the parasite consuming you, not after you endured for so long."

Lulu shook her head so fast that her green hair danced in the air. "It's too hopeless. You can refuse, Grum'Thal. If we spend a few years, I'm sure we can work out a better method."

Adam opened his palms, shrugging. "You already know your options are limited."

His voice echoed, then silence. Thick. Heavy, like a curtain hiding the doubts crushing his chest. Of course, the low success rate didn't please him. But he couldn't show it. He also knew Grum'Thal would understand that they might develop a better method, fail, leave this realm, or die. No, Adam had to cure him today, had to cure him now. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Grum'Thal's expression shifted from blazing hope to icy despair, then back to hope, only for it to collapse again. It was painful to watch, but Adam couldn't choose for him.

After what felt way too long but also too short, Grum'Thal hissed his begrudging acknowledgement through his teeth. "You're right. Options are limited. I could keep you here with me, but... we both know I can't betray my ideals, myself once more, or I'll lose the right to speak about honor ever again. Besides, I can't steal your youth from you."

He rose from the table, and Adam followed him to the window. They both gazed outside, at the orcs sharing drinks in carved horns and food on wooden plates. The sound of drums filled the city, accompanying laughter and smiles. On a platform, Adam watched orcs dance, while on a distant training ground, warriors preferred to celebrate in a friendly competition of might. Even the kobolds and trolls joined the joyful atmosphere, not as slaves, but friends.

The corners of Grum'Thal's lips curved as he puffed out his chest. "I didn't endure the torture and war because death terrified me. No, Adam. I survived out of duty for the ancestors. Do you know what I see? I see the legacy I've rebuilt from the ashes of extinction."

His voice was soft, caring, like that of a father watching his grown-up children. "It's no easy choice. I want to guide them a little longer, to see this disgusting green fade from their skins. I want to live, Adam. That's why I want you to promise me something."

"You won't die." Adam bit his lip.

"No. I want you to promise me that you'll extinguish the demonic energy in me before I die, no matter what. I ensured these children are all bound to my cursed blood for this moment." He closed his red eyes, feeling the wind on his skin for perhaps the last time. Then, he smiled at Adam. "I'm satisfied to trade my life for their future, and to free those already gone from the eternal clutches of Grash'Thul. I'm happy it's you who came to cure me. And Adam, in the name of Lady Mortis, I declare you worthy of her legacy. Find it. She used to teach Arcane Combat and Enforcement Theory. It's likely there."

"We'll talk about that later. I'll crush any trace of demonic energy. You have my word," Adam growled like an orc, ignoring one of the seven great houses' legacy to focus on what truly mattered now: saving Grum'Thal.

"Let's begin."