Read Novel Full Chapter 1534 Envy
Chapter 1534 Envy
Atticus climbed the final flight of stairs and advanced onto an open balcony where a lone figure stood in silence.
Moonlight washed over the city, yet it did nothing to dull the man's golden radiance. Among all his people, there was only one person who would intentionally make himself shine like that.
"This is a very odd sight."
Ozeroth spared him a brief glance before turning his attention back to the city below.
"What are you doing here?"
"Oh?" Atticus replied. "I was only guessing at first, but now I'm certain. What's going on with you?"
"Nothing."
Atticus blinked, studying him in silence for a moment before gesturing toward the city. Below them, a massive bonfire burned bright, its glow carrying with it music, laughter, and thunderous cheers.
"We've just barely defeated the Will Guard and the Abyss faction," Atticus said. "Thousands of people have gathered to celebrate, people singing praise and glory to the heroes who drove back evil."
He turned back to Ozeroth.
"And yet, the great Ozeroth, who would normally be down there basking in all that glory, is standing alone on a balcony. And you expect me to believe there's nothing going on?"
Ozeroth turned fully this time, meeting his eyes. "There's nothing."
'His eyes…'
They were unfocused. Clouded. The look of someone whose thoughts were tangled and restless.
Atticus had known Ozeroth for years. With their bond, it felt as though they'd lived entire lifetimes together. He had seen his childhood, his growth, everything. There was no doubt in his mind.
Something was wrong.
'But what…?'
He tried to pry, only to meet resistance. Ozeroth had blocked access to his mind.
'Is it because of that?'
Only one way to find out.
"It happens to everyone, you know," Atticus said. "Feeling like this. I get it, but it's not your fault. Things just unfolded badly. If any of this were fair, none of them would even be able to stand in front of you."
Ozeroth stared at Atticus as if he'd just said something incomprehensible.
"…Huh?"
"You know," Atticus continued, waving vaguely. "Everything that's happened so far. It's unfair that the Verge would allow the Will Guard to use a weapon that cancels will. And the Abyss faction, let's be honest, the only reason they pushed us back was because of how many champions and gods they had. Nothing but cowards, all of them."
"What are you even talking about, bond?"
Atticus cleared his throat.
"I mean… I'm just trying to cheer you up."
"Cheer me up?"
"Yes. I figured the whole solitude thing, the thinking… it's because you feel like you didn't do enough during the battles. Right?"
"…You think I'm doubting myself?"
Ozeroth's expression twisted into pure disgust.
"You're not?"
"Of course not!" Ozeroth snapped. "The great Ozeroth does not doubt! My greatness is unbending! Those fools relied on cowardly tricks, and even then, they still would've fallen to me if the battle had dragged on!"
"I see. My bad," Atticus said. "Looks like I guessed wrong."
"Of course you did!"
"Then if that's not it, what's the reason for all this?"
Ozeroth froze. After a moment, he clicked his tongue and turned away.
"There is no reason. Why does there have to be one? I'm simply enjoying my alone time. Plenty of great men do this."
"Definitely not you."
When Ozeroth didn't respond, Atticus let out a quiet sigh.
'He's not going to talk.'
He'd always thought Ozeroth's most defining trait was pride. But that wasn't it.
It was stubbornness.
There was no convincing him once his mind was set. He would rather die than admit his truth was wrong. Whisker was the only one Atticus had ever seen influence him, and after watching them long enough, Atticus had learned a thing or two.
"It's cowardice."
"…Huh?"
Atticus turned to face him fully.
"Keeping things to yourself like this. It means you're afraid of what I'll think. Only cowards do that."
Ozeroth's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Ozeroth is not a coward."
"So you say," Atticus replied. "But your actions say otherwise. Something's bothering you, and you're too scared to say it out loud."
"Take it back, bond!"
"What?" Atticus didn't flinch. "Am I wrong?"
He exhaled slowly. "I'll show you what being a real man looks like. Since the ascension games began, my heart has been… heavy. I've been angry. I've been sad. I've even cried. I've come close to losing my people more times than I can count, and I hate it."
"During our fight with the Abyss faction today, I was moments away from giving up. People would think it was because my loved ones were in danger. But the truth is… I was tired. Tired of everything. I wanted it all to end. I even thought that if I died, maybe the burden would finally disappear."
"And it was selfish. Cowardly. I was only thinking about myself. I wanted the easy way out, and I despised every second I spent thinking like that."
"I promised myself it would never happen again, and I mean to keep that promise. It was a moment of weakness. I'll admit that. But do you know the difference between us?"
He met Ozeroth's gaze.
"I'm not afraid to admit it."
Ozeroth's face had hardened completely.
"So no," Atticus continued, "I'm not wrong. You're just being a coward, even if you're too stubborn to say it out loud."
He turned and began to walk away.
"I've always been envious of you."
"…Envious?"
Atticus paused and looked back, genuinely surprised. That was not a word he ever expected to hear from Ozeroth.
"Yes."
"Of what?"
"You've lived two lives," Ozeroth said. "And in both, you had a family. It's shameful, I know, but I always thought you were lucky."
His fists clenched at his sides.
"I've been alone since the day I was born. I survived on my own. But after our bond, after watching how you were with your family, I envied it. I kept telling myself the great Ozeroth needs no one. That I could stand alone."
He smiled slightly
"But meeting that peanut changed everything. What I feel now isn't envy or shame. It's happiness."
He looked back toward the city.
"I came here to be alone because it felt new. And I haven't felt it in a long time." "Bond."
"…Yes."
Ozeroth turned to Atticus, who observed him silently.
"I think my mother is alive."