WE RETURN TO OUR PROTAGONIST'S PERSPECTIVE.
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I remained in silence after the giantess told me how everything had happened. When they told me the first time, it surprised me that the kingdom fell so quickly and easily despite having such strong warriors.
I couldn't believe everything had been so catastrophic; that Augusto clearly is very strong. I guess we'll have to face him. I have to pay back everything the King and Janeth have given me, even if they treated me poorly at first.
Now I also understand the sudden personality shift in the twins: they were being controlled when they attacked me. It seemed strange to me that they cooperated and became so kind all of a sudden, although the part about me being their husband still doesn't sit right with me.
Janeth stood up; she looked lighter after letting out everything she had inside. Sometimes it's good to talk about your problems. She left, and I wanted to follow her to start doing something immediately, but my body was still in a lot of pain. I think in a week I'll be able to walk again; it's going to be hard, but I'm going to help as much as I can.
And so I spent eight days feeling useless just lying there. Old Mona came daily to check my status and said that today I'll be able to stand up. This rest has helped me a lot; my insides no longer scream every time I move, and I feel lighter and lighter.
It was noon when the old woman and the twins entered my room.
—Hey, little animal! Today is the day you're going to stop being a burden —Mona announced with her usual dismissive tone.
—We came to help Mr. Samuel! —Anastasia exclaimed as well.
—We're going to do whatever we can! —Petra followed.
I proceeded to sit on the edge of the bed and my feet touched the floor. My legs felt weak; the brats sat by my side and supported me on their shoulders to get me on my feet bit by bit. I felt all my weight pressing down on the soles of my feet. It was horrible because I couldn't exert any force; I hadn't used them in over two months, and now it was painful.
The girls let go of me and I couldn't hold myself up; I fell face-first against the floor.
THUD!
—Look at you, insolent little girls! Why did you let go of him?! —the old woman shouted at the little ones.
—We thought Mr. Samuel could hold himself up —Anastasia said, on the verge of tears.
—Obviously he won't hold himself up, you silly girls! He's spent almost three months without getting up! —the old woman scolded them again—. Pick him up off the floor!
The girls leaned down and supported me again.
—Thanks for the help —I whispered.
—Sorry, Mr. Samuel, we are useless —Petra said.
—Take it easy, you're doing what you can.
Mona stared at me as if she were examining me.
—We're going to have to get those paws of yours used to having strength again —the old woman said—. For today, lie down; the brats will have to give you a massage and stretch your legs.
—If I had any mana left or if we were in the castle, I would have healed you a long time ago —Mona replied.
Anastasia and Petra helped me lie back down and then began the massage.
I suspected there might be magic in this world, and Mona's revelation made it clear. Since I had never seen anyone use it, I thought it didn't exist here like it doesn't on Earth. From what I can see, very few people can make use of it; perhaps the old woman was capable of it in the past.
—Mrs. Mona —I called out; she looked like she was about to leave.
—What do you want, you filthy animal?! —the old woman looked tired.
—Before you go, I have a question. What is this "mana"? You mentioned it before —I played a bit dumb; obviously, I knew the concept of mana, I just don't want to make this bitter old woman even more suspicious.
—Do you really want to know what it is? —she sat by my side; strangely, she looked cheerful—. Hardly anyone is interested in that. Why do you ask?
—It's just that you said if you had that, you'd heal me right away. That's why I was curious.
—Mana is an energy of nature that we are all born with —Mona got down to business—. Some may come into this world with nothing, and others can practically have it infinitely. It's all a matter of luck. Very few people have studied what can be done with it; those who know how are known as mages. I was one in my youth, long before my son gathered all the villages to create the demon kingdom.
—I remember the first time I used magic —she continued speaking—. I was six years old; I was at the river washing my late father's clothes when I made a mistake and the washing stone fell into deep water. Without realizing it, I moved my hand with force and the rock returned to where I was.
—Incredible! —the girls and I were surprised.
—When I told my late mother, she was happy because I had obtained a unique talent. My parents took me to the shaman so he could teach me; over time I learned everything. From how to heal the sick to creating fireballs that would destroy an entire army. But there was something the shaman didn't warn me about: for some people who overuse these abilities, over time, their mana can run out —she fell silent for a moment—. That is what happened to me.
Everyone in the room grew sad.
—But it's alright, we demons live a long time. That was when I was sixty years old; right after that, I met my late husband. With him, I had two beautiful sons: Zoran, who would become the first Demon King, and Augusto. He was always a bit weak. It hurt me when he died in the war; honestly, I don't know whether to believe he really came back to life and kidnapped Zoran. He was never like that.
The old woman was on the brink of tears.
—I think I've told enough —the lady said, wiping her eyes.
—Hey, Mrs. Mona, how old are you? —Anastasia asked with innocence.
—Haven't they told you that you never ask a lady that?! —Mona scolded the girl—. But if you're curious, I'm one hundred and eighty-nine years old.
—How have you lived so long?! That's why you look like a raisin —I laughed a bit to lower the tension.
—Insolent animal! But you're right: we demons normally live one hundred and fifty years. I am an exceptional case.
The girls finished their massages and stretches.
—We're done, Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Mona —Petra said.
—Then we're finished for today; tomorrow is another therapy session —the lady said, addressing me. Then she left and the girls followed her.
—Goodbye, Mr. Samuel —Anastasia said as she left my room.
Lying down like a useless person, apparently, wasn't so bad; I had learned many things about Priya. I'm a foreigner in these parts, so it's useful to know the landscape. Soon I'll get better and get out of here; I can't wait for the moment we arm ourselves and go smash that Augusto guy's face. We'll recover the kingdom and I'll go finish my mission to kill the Leviathan. With only one year of life left, I have to make the most of it.