The Tale of a Great Fixer Who Once Reached for The Dream, part 11 (after battle)

Quiet, huh?

But it's not such a peaceful place. Even now, they are observing us.

…….

There will be more wars. After the war of humans and Bloodfiends, I mean.

I can see it. The war against the nebulae beyond the Outskirts is all but written.

Humanity's inability to find satisfaction is the very hunger that leads to war. It is an inevitability.

... Look at me. Talking the ear off of someone who's about to forget everything.

…….

I know I said this already, but let me say it again.

You won't remember anything once you drink from this river.

Me, your Father, your Family. All the stories we've shared, including this very conversation.

I know.

Once you drink the water... I will lead you to the place where you will reside.

I saw an abandoned lighthouse not far from here. It's unlikely anyone would find you there.

... Okay.

So that's it, then?

But how will you... live on?

I don't know.

I've lost everything. And now I prepare myself to lose even the remnants of what once was. Do you think that question means anything to me?

You ask a question better asked once I slumber.

…….

Once I drink the river's water...

Leave me.

Thank you, Bari. For everything.

But the river merely made me forget my instincts as a Bloodfiend. It did not free me from them forevermore.

Because we... are forever bound to our base natures.

Through my Father's Rocinante, I could hide every aspect of Bloodfiendhood from the rest of the world...

... but it only left me drifting in a ridiculous dream.

Now I am awake. Bare of feet.

Yes. Thus... it reopens...

This ... La Manchaland.

What happened here?

A tale as old as time.

They could not forgive me... and I could not forgive them in turn.

Open the gates...

Father, Don Quixote... please! Don't leave us here in the dark! Forgive us!

Still... you refuse to share my will...

Do you still... fail to understand...? La Manchaland... must remain sealed forever...

Th-then... we... have n-no choice...

I... I want to feel... I want to feel happiness again...

It's... your turn, Priest.

…….

Forgive not our sins, O venerated ancestor, our Father in blood.

And please... please...

Do it now... STAB HIM!!!!

…….

Ah... ahhh...

For... forgive us...

No, please save us...

If you won't...

We'll make you suffer... with the rest of us...!