Demon's Virtue

Chapter 783 The Good and the Bad

783 The Good and the Bad

"... He died of old age?" Eiro asked, looking at Armodeus' solemn expression. The dwarf slowly nodded his head.

"Aye. By then, I had already become an Elder Dwarf, so my lifespan... well, it was incomparably longer to his. I basically stopped aging, while he got older and weaker," Armodeus explained, taking a mouthful of his drink.

Eiro hesitated to continue asking questions. He knew that Armodeus was in pain, and making him live through all of that again might really just make it worse. But Eiro really didn't need to ask, since the dwarf quickly offered it all up anyway.

"I know that it probably sounds weird to ya... the fact that I don't want to return to the town we settled in," he said, letting out a long sigh, "It's foolish, and childish, but... every time I go there, and I walk those roads, I just can't help but think of him. Beo was the love of my life, and no matter where I go and what I do, he's there. I already see 'im in the flames of my forge every day... I... I am a coward, I know that. And stickin' around with you has been making me better... But do ye have any idea what it would be like ta see a town filled with the ghost of the only person that made me feel like I had nothin' to be scared of?"

"It would be painful beyond belief. Remembering the ones you lost is hard for anyone," Eiro said, trying to somehow comfort his friend, but Armodeus head slowly disappeared in his palms.

"It's the worst pain in the world. I keep tryin' to cling onto what I have left of 'im. Trying to remember the contours of his face, the exact color of his eyes. The sound of his voice," Armodeus cried out, "I nearly forgot how he liked his tea a few weeks ago..."

That was a feeling that Eiro couldn't relate to. Within weeks of his birth in this life, he was given an ability that made it literally impossible to forget.

"But do ya know the worst part, Eiro? I actually caught myself being relieved when I didn't think of him for a full day. A full day where I didn't feel my heart get broken all over again."

Eiro widened his eyes just so slightly as he realized what Armodeus meant, "You want to forget Beowulf?"

Immediately, Armodeus jumped up, "I- No, I could never want that! But... I can't live the next few hundred years like this. Forgetting him might be easier, and going back just... It's going to make me feel like the day I lost him again."

Staying silent, Eiro looked up at Armodeus. He had always been quite emotional, but this was something else entirely. Eiro had never seen him like... this. Armodeus was clearly in a lot of pain, and Eiro didn't know exactly what he should say. And then, a few thoughts sprung into his mind.

"I can do it. I haven't done it before, but I'm sure I can. I've been hit with memory magic before, and with the arsenal of spells I have right now, I should be able to do it. If you want, I can let you forget him right now."

The dwarf's eyes lingered on the book, "You... could do that?"

Eiro nodded, "I believe so."

Armodeus wasn't sure what to respond to that. Saying it was one thing, but actually being given the opportunity to? That was a whole other. Though, it only took Armodeus a few moments to let out a loud groan, though.

"Y'know, you're kind of a dick sometimes... Ye know I can't actually do that," Armodeus laughed slightly, and Eiro nodded with a smile, making the book disappear.

"I know. I'm sorry. But being faced with the opportunity helps make you realize your own feelings pretty quickly sometimes," the demon said, looking at his friend, "Go back to the town. Give it a shot. I don't know why Shimour asked you to go back, but... we both know you'll regret not helping out there when you know you could have."

Armodeus grabbed his glass, nodding his head, "Aye, ye're right. Will ya be fine without me for a while?"

"Everyone will miss you, but... you're coming back, right?"

The dwarf nodded without hesitation, "Of course I will. I just don't know how long it will take."

"It doesn't matter," Eiro replied, smiling at him while holding forward his glass, "This is your home. Take as long as you need, and come back when you're ready."

The two clinked their glasses, finishing their drinks. Eiro poured both Armodeus and himself another one, as the two just sat there for a while, talking about the good, and the bad.