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Chapter 42: Lars's Sorrow (Part 1)
"Are you really going to play horsey with me? Sha La is so happy."
The Little Loli's angelic little face was beaming with a smile like a hundred flowers in bloom.
I... I swear, those eyes are so big and bright. Is this the legendary new signature ultimate move, the Shining Invincible Meteor Eye?
Seeing the situation was bad, I immediately dodged. Thankfully, thankfully, the main target wasn't me, otherwise...
Indeed, the two Barbarian Brothers were frozen as if by the Immobilization Technique, one foot suspended in Mid-air, unable to put it down no matter what. They could only turn around helplessly, their smiles stiff, like zombies.
"Little Sha La, Uncle Doug has a little Matter. How about we play with you next time?"
Doug said with a fawning, almost obsequious expression. Gus on the side also quickly nodded: "Yes, yes, we just heard that a large Squad of Fallen attacked the Villagers. We want to rush over and take a look..."
Damn it, I didn't expect Gus to lie so convincingly. It seems among the four of us, I'm the purest.
"Is... is that so? Then Sha La won't bother Uncle Doug and Uncle Gus. Uncles, please be careful. Come play with Sha La often in the future, okay?"
The understanding Little Loli lowered her head sadly, fiddling with the white little floral sleeves.
"Dad is often not home, and Mom is very busy. Doug and Gus Uncles haven't been here for a long time either. Sha La is so lonely. Sha La is a child nobody loves. Nobody pays attention to Sha La..."
As she spoke, her large, watery eyes turned red, and her fluttering eyelashes drooped. What a Little Vixen! I never expected an old stick like Lars could father such a beautiful Daughter...
The legendary adorable and sorrowful version of the Shining Invincible Meteor Eye is out! Oh, oh, oh, luckily I dodged early.
Doug and Gus weren't so lucky. Under the Little Loli's "innocent" Gaze Attack, their hearts were beaten black and blue. Guilt, shame, and other feelings of sin surged into their hearts. They really are people from the Other World. Forget Gus, even the thick-skinned Doug has that generally simple and honest side. If this were in the original world, perhaps the Little Loli's Appearance like this wouldn't just fail to elicit sympathy and pity, but might even arouse some people's evil desires, hmph hmph~~
What? You're saying that person is me? How is that possible? I'm not that kind of person, really...
In the end, the poor Barbarian Brothers were still dragged away by the Little Loli. On the contrary, I got off easy. The Little Loli seemed very shy. When she looked at me, her gaze always darted away, very cute.
"Wu, congratulations on returning from your Trial."
Lars said to me happily.
"Thank you, Lars. It's all thanks to your guidance."
I said sincerely. My Combat Experience was taught by Lars, and most of my Diablo Knowledge was taught by Akara. The two of them can be said to be my Enlightenment Mentor. They have shown me great kindness. I, Wu Fan, am definitely not someone who forgets kindness. Without the two of them, even if I had the Bugged Amulet, I might have barely survived. Sometimes, relative Experience is often more important than relative Strength. Take Camping, for example. If Akara hadn't taught me, if I just set up camp anywhere, I might wake up in the middle of the night with a few Squads of Fallen playing rebirth in my Tent, hmph hmph...
"What level are you now?"
Lars took the Cup handed to him by his Wife and took a comfortable sip.
"Level 3," I continued my great undertaking of spouting nonsense.
"Thank you," I quickly said, taking the Cup offered by Lars's Wife.
"This is my Wife, Shali."
Lars pointed to the middle-aged Beauty, his tone filled with indescribable pride. Their Feelings/Emotions were truly sweet.
"This is my Friend, Wu Fan." Lars gently introduced me to his Wife.
I looked at Shali. She was indeed a very beautiful woman. Sha La's Little Vixen-like Beauty was probably inherited from her.
"Wu Fan? That's a very special Name. Can I call you Wu, like Lars does?"
Lars's Wife, Shali, chuckled lightly, covering her mouth. Her expression was gentle and charming. Lars is really lucky. He has a good Wife and a cute Daughter.
"Of course you can. It's my Honor."
After Shali withdrew, I said with unconcealed jealousy, "Lars, you're living quite comfortably, aren't you? A gentle Wife, a cute Daughter, tsk tsk..."
Is that so? My words seemed to have touched something. Lars smiled a little Reluctantly.
"What's wrong? You look like you're half-dead. Could it be that you, uh, can't...?"
"You're the one who can't!"
Regarding a Man's dignity, even with Lars's usual composure, his face darkened.
"It's just..." Lars glanced at the two Barbarians playing with Sha La in the distance and said with a look of guilt.
"I just feel sorry for Doug and Gus."
"Hmm, what do you mean by that?"
"Doug and Gus, they are both very talented Class Changers. It's just, it's just that they followed the incompetent me."
Lars suddenly held his head in his hands, his look of Pain catching me off guard. He wasn't a child anymore, how could he cry just like that?
"I can never let go of my home. I always hope to spend more time with Shali and Sha La. I'm always afraid of going to the Battlefield and never seeing them again. Doug, Gus, they are all being dragged down by me. It's all my fault."
"A few years ago, the Class Changers who underwent Class Change with me, some have already headed towards Lut Gholein. The rest are preparing to challenge Andariel. Only I am still struggling along, achieving nothing."
"Wu, do you look down on me? As a noble Paladin, cowardly and incompetent, not striving for progress, always indulging in the warmth of home. Even so, even if I am insulted like this, I am willing. But Doug and Gus, they originally had hope of pushing towards Lut Gholein, but because of me..."
"And Shali and them, they... Wu, you just saw Sha La. She's already a thirteen-year-old child, yet she's still playing the horsey Game with me. Do you think it's ridiculous? No, it's not ridiculous at all. Since she was born, I, this incompetent Dad, haven't been able to spare much time to accompany her. In her heart, the way she communicates with her heartless father is still stuck at the horsey Game she knew when she was three years old..."
Lars, having opened up the topic, was like a floodgate opening. The bitter water and Sorrow suppressed in his heart poured out completely. He sobbed uncontrollably in a low voice, his appearance severely losing composure. It left me Dumbfounded. I never expected the usually steady and humorous Lars to hide such unknown Pain.
I deeply understand Lars's feelings at this moment. As a Class Changer, being bound by family, his attachment to Family Love, and the two contradictory ideas instilled in him since childhood – protecting Sanctuary and expelling the Hell Forces – were constantly and fiercely struggling and clashing. To use a phrase that isn't entirely appropriate but is very fitting, it's "Torn between Duty and Family."
And because of his own hesitation, the two Brothers, Doug and Gus, who followed him, were also achieving nothing and idling away their days. This made Lars feel even more guilty.
"Uncle Lars, you're thinking too much."
I patted his shoulder. Lars raised his head, his eyes red, looking at me.
"Actually, to be honest with you, my Idea is similar to yours. Do you know what my biggest dream is after becoming a Druid? I thought, now that I'm a Druid, my Status is different. I should be able to find a good Wife with this. Then, I'll take her and live in seclusion in the mountains and forests, living a peaceful and happy Life. Who cares about Sanctuary?"
Seeing Lars fall silent, I struck while the iron was hot and said, "So, you don't need to feel ashamed or sad about this kind of Idea. Nobody likes War, killing and being killed. Accompanied by the passing of Life, it's always so painful and makes people hesitate. Nobody wants to part. Everyone has someone they cherish. It's just that their chosen method of Protection is slightly different from yours. They hope to kill one more Enemy on the Battlefield, and the safety of the person they cherish will increase by one more part, while you..."
I looked at Lars with a half-smile.
"...are a bit more exaggerated. Not only do you want to protect their safety, but you also hope to protect their hearts. You might not be an excellent Warrior, but you are definitely an excellent father. Nobody can mock you for this, absolutely nobody..."
"As for Doug and Gus, I don't know what they are thinking, but you don't need to carry any guilt. Following you was their choice. If they didn't want to, they would naturally choose to leave. Everything is their choice, it has nothing to do with you."
"That's right..."
"Are you really going to play horsey with me? Sha La is so happy."
The Little Loli's angelic little face was beaming with a smile like a hundred flowers in bloom.
I... I swear, those eyes are so big and bright. Is this the legendary new signature ultimate move, the Shining Invincible Meteor Eye?
Seeing the situation was bad, I immediately dodged. Thankfully, thankfully, the main target wasn't me, otherwise...
Indeed, the two Barbarian Brothers were frozen as if by the Immobilization Technique, one foot suspended in Mid-air, unable to put it down no matter what. They could only turn around helplessly, their smiles stiff, like zombies.
"Little Sha La, Uncle Doug has a little Matter. How about we play with you next time?"
Doug said with a fawning, almost obsequious expression. Gus on the side also quickly nodded: "Yes, yes, we just heard that a large Squad of Fallen attacked the Villagers. We want to rush over and take a look..."
Damn it, I didn't expect Gus to lie so convincingly. It seems among the four of us, I'm the purest.
"Is... is that so? Then Sha La won't bother Uncle Doug and Uncle Gus. Uncles, please be careful. Come play with Sha La often in the future, okay?"
The understanding Little Loli lowered her head sadly, fiddling with the white little floral sleeves.
"Dad is often not home, and Mom is very busy. Doug and Gus Uncles haven't been here for a long time either. Sha La is so lonely. Sha La is a child nobody loves. Nobody pays attention to Sha La..."
As she spoke, her large, watery eyes turned red, and her fluttering eyelashes drooped. What a Little Vixen! I never expected an old stick like Lars could father such a beautiful Daughter...
The legendary adorable and sorrowful version of the Shining Invincible Meteor Eye is out! Oh, oh, oh, luckily I dodged early.
Doug and Gus weren't so lucky. Under the Little Loli's "innocent" Gaze Attack, their hearts were beaten black and blue. Guilt, shame, and other feelings of sin surged into their hearts. They really are people from the Other World. Forget Gus, even the thick-skinned Doug has that generally simple and honest side. If this were in the original world, perhaps the Little Loli's Appearance like this wouldn't just fail to elicit sympathy and pity, but might even arouse some people's evil desires, hmph hmph~~
What? You're saying that person is me? How is that possible? I'm not that kind of person, really...
In the end, the poor Barbarian Brothers were still dragged away by the Little Loli. On the contrary, I got off easy. The Little Loli seemed very shy. When she looked at me, her gaze always darted away, very cute.
"Wu, congratulations on returning from your Trial."
Lars said to me happily.
"Thank you, Lars. It's all thanks to your guidance."
I said sincerely. My Combat Experience was taught by Lars, and most of my Diablo Knowledge was taught by Akara. The two of them can be said to be my Enlightenment Mentor. They have shown me great kindness. I, Wu Fan, am definitely not someone who forgets kindness. Without the two of them, even if I had the Bugged Amulet, I might have barely survived. Sometimes, relative Experience is often more important than relative Strength. Take Camping, for example. If Akara hadn't taught me, if I just set up camp anywhere, I might wake up in the middle of the night with a few Squads of Fallen playing rebirth in my Tent, hmph hmph...
"What level are you now?"
Lars took the Cup handed to him by his Wife and took a comfortable sip.
"Level 3," I continued my great undertaking of spouting nonsense.
"Thank you," I quickly said, taking the Cup offered by Lars's Wife.
"This is my Wife, Shali."
Lars pointed to the middle-aged Beauty, his tone filled with indescribable pride. Their Feelings/Emotions were truly sweet.
"This is my Friend, Wu Fan." Lars gently introduced me to his Wife.
I looked at Shali. She was indeed a very beautiful woman. Sha La's Little Vixen-like Beauty was probably inherited from her.
"Wu Fan? That's a very special Name. Can I call you Wu, like Lars does?"
Lars's Wife, Shali, chuckled lightly, covering her mouth. Her expression was gentle and charming. Lars is really lucky. He has a good Wife and a cute Daughter.
"Of course you can. It's my Honor."
After Shali withdrew, I said with unconcealed jealousy, "Lars, you're living quite comfortably, aren't you? A gentle Wife, a cute Daughter, tsk tsk..."
Is that so? My words seemed to have touched something. Lars smiled a little Reluctantly.
"What's wrong? You look like you're half-dead. Could it be that you, uh, can't...?"
"You're the one who can't!"
Regarding a Man's dignity, even with Lars's usual composure, his face darkened.
"It's just..." Lars glanced at the two Barbarians playing with Sha La in the distance and said with a look of guilt.
"I just feel sorry for Doug and Gus."
"Hmm, what do you mean by that?"
"Doug and Gus, they are both very talented Class Changers. It's just, it's just that they followed the incompetent me."
Lars suddenly held his head in his hands, his look of Pain catching me off guard. He wasn't a child anymore, how could he cry just like that?
"I can never let go of my home. I always hope to spend more time with Shali and Sha La. I'm always afraid of going to the Battlefield and never seeing them again. Doug, Gus, they are all being dragged down by me. It's all my fault."
"A few years ago, the Class Changers who underwent Class Change with me, some have already headed towards Lut Gholein. The rest are preparing to challenge Andariel. Only I am still struggling along, achieving nothing."
"Wu, do you look down on me? As a noble Paladin, cowardly and incompetent, not striving for progress, always indulging in the warmth of home. Even so, even if I am insulted like this, I am willing. But Doug and Gus, they originally had hope of pushing towards Lut Gholein, but because of me..."
"And Shali and them, they... Wu, you just saw Sha La. She's already a thirteen-year-old child, yet she's still playing the horsey Game with me. Do you think it's ridiculous? No, it's not ridiculous at all. Since she was born, I, this incompetent Dad, haven't been able to spare much time to accompany her. In her heart, the way she communicates with her heartless father is still stuck at the horsey Game she knew when she was three years old..."
Lars, having opened up the topic, was like a floodgate opening. The bitter water and Sorrow suppressed in his heart poured out completely. He sobbed uncontrollably in a low voice, his appearance severely losing composure. It left me Dumbfounded. I never expected the usually steady and humorous Lars to hide such unknown Pain.
I deeply understand Lars's feelings at this moment. As a Class Changer, being bound by family, his attachment to Family Love, and the two contradictory ideas instilled in him since childhood – protecting Sanctuary and expelling the Hell Forces – were constantly and fiercely struggling and clashing. To use a phrase that isn't entirely appropriate but is very fitting, it's "Torn between Duty and Family."
And because of his own hesitation, the two Brothers, Doug and Gus, who followed him, were also achieving nothing and idling away their days. This made Lars feel even more guilty.
"Uncle Lars, you're thinking too much."
I patted his shoulder. Lars raised his head, his eyes red, looking at me.
"Actually, to be honest with you, my Idea is similar to yours. Do you know what my biggest dream is after becoming a Druid? I thought, now that I'm a Druid, my Status is different. I should be able to find a good Wife with this. Then, I'll take her and live in seclusion in the mountains and forests, living a peaceful and happy Life. Who cares about Sanctuary?"
Seeing Lars fall silent, I struck while the iron was hot and said, "So, you don't need to feel ashamed or sad about this kind of Idea. Nobody likes War, killing and being killed. Accompanied by the passing of Life, it's always so painful and makes people hesitate. Nobody wants to part. Everyone has someone they cherish. It's just that their chosen method of Protection is slightly different from yours. They hope to kill one more Enemy on the Battlefield, and the safety of the person they cherish will increase by one more part, while you..."
I looked at Lars with a half-smile.
"...are a bit more exaggerated. Not only do you want to protect their safety, but you also hope to protect their hearts. You might not be an excellent Warrior, but you are definitely an excellent father. Nobody can mock you for this, absolutely nobody..."
"As for Doug and Gus, I don't know what they are thinking, but you don't need to carry any guilt. Following you was their choice. If they didn't want to, they would naturally choose to leave. Everything is their choice, it has nothing to do with you."
"That's right..."
