"Everything is becoming so interesting and out of my control that I don't really know if I can still be arrogant, huh~" Arthur shook his head, feeling helpless.
Nonetheless, he wasn't desperate or afraid because he still possessed an advantage that no one else had: knowledge of the contents of the novel!
With this alone, he resembled a prophet capable of glimpsing the future, even though he understood that the world's current path had deviated from his novel.
Observing Arthur's silence and concern etched on his face, Vivian couldn't help but ask, "Honey, is this burdening you?"
Her voice carried a mix of worry and fear, concerned about what she believed might befall Arthur.
However, Arthur snapped out of his reverie and promptly gazed at Vivian, shaking his head.
"Don't worry, my mom. I'm fine," he replied with a reassuring smile and a soothing tone.
With that, Arthur shifted the topic and steered their conversation away from the subject of the empress's death.
Meanwhile, in Fluxy village, Rian stepped out of the house he shared with his wife, Misa, and daughter, Lyna.
"Did you forget anything, my dear?" Misa inquired, her expression pensive, as she stood before Rian.
Upon hearing his wife's question, Rian paused to contemplate for a moment.
He realized that he had no belongings with him after he fainted because his battle with the members of the Light-Eaters organization had utterly destroyed everything he owned.
So he ventured forth with nothing but his two black daggers and the supplies his wife had prepared.
Rian shook his head gently and cast a reassuring glance at Misa.
"Don't worry, my dear. I left all my valuables behind, and now I only have these daggers," he said, pointing to the two black blades at his waist and offering a reassuring smile.
Misa nodded with a sense of relief, yet her expression still betrayed reluctance and unease.
Rian was well aware of her feelings, so he embraced her tightly, gently rubbing her soft back.
"Alright, don't be sad, okay?" He whispered soothingly.
"Didn't we both promise to reunite once I complete my mission and bring you and our daughter, Lyna, to Rozen?" His smile was tender as he planted a loving kiss on Misa's cheek.
Upon hearing this, Misa took a deep breath, finding comfort in Rian's arms, and hugged him tightly in return.
"You have to promise me that you won't leave me again, okay?" Her voice grew hoarse, and tears welled up at the corners of her eyes.
Rian nodded and replied firmly, "Absolutely! I won't break my promise this time! Please believe in me, okay?"
They held each other close, expressing their affection openly, leaving Lyna feeling a bit left out, like a light bulb.
"Can't you two spare a thought for me?!" Lyna puffed up her cheeks, feigning anger at her parents.
Startled by her remark, Rian and Misa exchanged glances before bursting into laughter, their eyes filled with warmth and happiness.
"Alright, alright, forgive me, my little princess." Rian laughed and released the hug with Misa, then tenderly embraced Lyna.
"My daughter looks so cute when she's jealous," he chuckled, gently stroking Lyna's silky hair.
Hearing this, Lyna hugged Rian tightly, her expression turning sad.
"Dad... please promise to come back to us, okay?" She buried her face in Rian's broad chest, pleading with a touch of sadness in her tone.
Rian nodded and reassured her, "Of course I'm coming back because my beloved daughter and wife are here. There's no way I won't come back," he vowed to Lyna.
Lyna beamed with a smile as the three of them embraced each other with affection, only parting reluctantly.
Rian gazed at his wife and daughter, a smile gracing his lips as he took a deep breath.
"I hope both of you take good care of your health and safety so that when we meet again, we can all live comfortably, alright?" Rian said, his smile filled with love and concern.
Upon hearing this, both Misa and Lyna nodded in unison.
Misa clasped her palms together on her chest, her smile tinged with sadness, while Lyna placed her hands confidently on her hips, returning the smile.
The two responded in unison, "Of course!"
With everything settled, Rian grinned and declared, "Then I'm off!"
"Dad, take care of yourself!" Lyna waved with a happy expression on her face.
"Honey, take care of yourself and your health, okay?" Misa also waved at Rian, her voice filled with love and concern.
Rian nodded and replied, "Sure!"
With those parting words, he slowly turned around and made his way towards the outer door of the village.
Misa and Lyna stood there, watching Rian's broad back recede into the distance, and both couldn't help but shed tears of mixed emotions.
As he walked past the houses of the Fluxy villagers, Rian greeted them all warmly, his presence leaving a sense of camaraderie and friendship among the tight-knit community.
During his short stay, Rian used his skills to assist the villagers of Fluxy, leaving a lasting positive impression on them.
He knew that these people had been instrumental in ensuring his wife and daughter's safety and well-being.
Their support and care had allowed Misa and Lyna to thrive in this village.
As he stood before the village gate, gazing at the dense forest that lay ahead, Rian couldn't help but look back once more, a faint smile gracing his lips.
"Where there is meeting, there must be separation," he muttered softly.
"However, after separation, there will be another meeting," he reassured himself, his determination resolute.
He shifted his focus back to the path ahead, immediately channeling the mana within him.
A surge of extraordinarily potent energy gathered in the core near his heart, manifesting his command over magic.
"I never expected that the seemingly suicidal act of consuming the medicine young Master Arthur gave me would unintentionally heal all my wounds and expel the poison from my body!" Rian chuckled to himself, his fists clenching in excitement.
He could feel his strength surging to its peak!
High-level Elemental Saint!
"Now is the time to fulfill my promise to young Master Arthur!" His gaze grew determined as he declared it.
With a soft whisper, "Wind Elemental Art: Acceleration!"
In an instant, his form vanished like the wind, and the leaves where he once stood swirled around in a whirlwind.
It was as if his body had fused with the very air itself!
...
Evening
Arthur and Vivian found themselves leaning on each other, both too exhausted to engage in conversation.
The rarity of this moment was amplified by the tranquil night ambiance, which enveloped them in silence with only the sound of horse hooves echoing outside.
The ray of moonlight filtered through the carriage's cracks, casting a serene glow on their surroundings.
Unexpectedly, the carriage came to a halt, and a guard who had been standing watch outside knocked gently on the carriage door.
"Apologies for the interruption, young master Arthur and Lady Vivian," the guard said with the utmost respect.
Arthur and Vivian opened their eyes, both sitting up as they regained awareness of their surroundings.
"Is there something urgent?" Arthur responded in a lazy tone, indicating that he had just woken up.
Hearing Arthur's inquiry from within the carriage, the guard swiftly explained, "Young Master Arthur, I wanted to report that Arkham City is now clearly visible from our current location. We will reach there in a few minutes!"
Surprised by the news, Arthur swiftly opened the carriage door and stepped outside.
"Is Arkham truly within sight?" Arthur inquired, seeking confirmation from the guard.
The guard nodded, acknowledging Arthur's amazement, and gestured towards the direction ahead.
Before them, a sight of splendor greeted them—a magnificent and opulent city, safeguarded by a colossal wall.
Even from a considerable distance, Arthur could make out the grandeur of a massive palace.
The way the palace seemed to be floating in the sky, perched behind the towering wall, added to its majestic allure.
"It's the imperial palace of Balka!" Arthur exclaimed in awe, his heart brimming with excitement.
"Alright, lead the troops to Arkham immediately!" Arthur commanded before returning to the carriage.
"Very well!" The guard bowed respectfully and then proceeded to lead the other guards, continuing the journey towards Arkham.
On the other hand, Vivian, who remained inside the carriage but could hear their conversation, couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Are we going to arrive soon?" Vivian inquired, seeking confirmation once again.
Arthur nodded and smiled gently in response.
"Yes, Mom," he replied reassuringly.
"We'll be there in a few minutes, or at most, half an hour," Arthur explained.
Vivian smiled at Arthur's answer, yet a trace of worry lingered on her face, which Arthur noticed immediately.
"Are you worried about my engagement to Lucia, Mom?" Arthur asked instinctively, already sensing what was on Vivian's mind.
Nodding in confirmation of Arthur's assumption, Vivian replied, "Yes, I have this feeling that it's all starting off on the wrong foot."
Arthur was taken aback by Vivian's concern, realizing that this might be where the story would begin to unfold—the war, the upheaval of the two empires, and... David's rebellion.
He understood that everything was poised for action, with only the catalyst needed to set events into motion—the catalyst being Vivian's poisoning.
However, with him present and intervening, there was no way that would happen.
So, the potential catalyst was...
"My engagement to Lucia..." Arthur whispered, gently embracing Vivian to reassure her.
As the horse-drawn carriage continued its journey through the nighttime atmosphere, they drew closer to the magnificent city of Arkham.
...
On the other side,
Rian, his body and face concealed by a cloak except for his eyes, swiftly leaped from one tree to another.
With his strength fully restored, the journey to Arkham became a straightforward task for him.
With a swift landing on a tree, Rian paused for a moment, his eyes fixated on the view of a city shielded by massive walls.
At the heart of the city stood a palace so massive that it seemed to float with its grandeur.
"Arkham City..." He murmured softly before covering himself once more with the cloak and blending into the clear night sky, disappearing from sight.
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