"Oh, certainly." Arthur nodded, agreeing to Carina's request and attentively preparing to listen.
He hadn't anticipated Carina's sudden desire to share a story, which caught him off guard.
However, considering her agreement to cooperate, it seemed reasonable.
Perhaps, within her narrative, he might uncover valuable information that had eluded him in the story.
Upon hearing Arthur's consent, Carina's smile transformed.
It radiated genuine warmth, in stark contrast to the artificial smiles she had worn in the past.
Arthur found himself captivated by her smile, recognizing that it suited her perfectly.
"You may already be aware of much of it, but allow me to tell you directly, Arthur," Carina said with a deliberate pace.
Her gaze shifted to the gradually brightening sky following the rain.
"Twenty years ago, I resided alone in a modest village nestled amidst the verdant mountains, near the border between the Balka Empire and the Savaran Empire," she reminisced, a lovely smile gracing her lips as she spoke, her tone tinged with nostalgia.
"At that time, I was twelve years old and living without my parents," she shared.
"In our village, we enjoyed a peaceful existence, and overall, I was content."
"However, I often felt a profound sense of loneliness, particularly during the nights when I found myself alone in our house."
She paused briefly before continuing, "In any case, my parents are no longer with me."
"Consequently, I would spend my days in solitary pursuits, isolated within the confines of my home."
"Observing children my age living harmoniously with their parents stirred within me a potent mix of jealousy and helplessness," she revealed, her voice resonating with a blend of envy and resignation.
Upon hearing her account, Arthur refrained from interrupting or offering consolation.
He understood that at this moment, Carina simply needed someone to listen attentively.
"One day, while engrossed in my solitary play, I unintentionally overheard some neighbors conversing about an execution that had taken place eleven years prior," Carina disclosed, her head bowed in sadness.
"To my utter shock, I soon realized that the individuals they were discussing were my own parents," she continued, her voice heavy with sorrow.
"Compelled to eavesdrop further, I discovered that my parents had been killed during a visit to Rozen, where they had gone to purchase daily necessities."
"Regrettably, they were suspected of espionage by Duke Asvold's mansion," she revealed, her tone unusually grim.
Arthur, upon hearing this truth, had not anticipated such a story unfolding.
However, he harbored no doubt regarding Carina's words.
During that period, when tensions ran high between the forces of the Balka Empire and the Savaran Empire, David, who harbored a profound animosity towards the Savaran Empire, likely regarded anyone who ventured into Rozen with suspicion.
Coincidentally, the village where Carina resided lay in close proximity to the border between the two empires.
Given the circumstances, it was plausible that David had entertained suspicions about Carina's parents, perceiving them as agents sent by the Savaran Empire to gather intelligence in the southern region—a bordering area directly adjacent to the Balka Family's firmly controlled eastern territory.
As Arthur reflected on these details, he began to comprehend the rationale behind her acceptance of David's assassination mission, as depicted in the story.
However, a lingering question remained unanswered: How was it possible for him to have a child with David, namely Alicia?
"Is there more to the story?" Arthur pondered silently to himself.
Naturally, he refrained from asking and instead remained attentive, fully immersed in the unfolding story.
Undoubtedly, the answers will reveal themselves in due course.
With that in mind, Carina resumed her storytelling.
"Overwhelmed by grief and disbelief, I found myself inconsolable, locking myself away for over five agonizing days," she confessed, her tone tinged with self-deprecation.
"Until one fateful day, our village fell victim to the very black-robed army you're familiar with, Arthur," Carina revealed softly, her gaze directed towards Arthur by her side.
In understanding, Arthur nodded, indicating his comprehension of the events she referred to.
"They subjected all the abducted women to intense and inhumane training regimens," she continued, her voice filled with somber recollection.
"You might already be aware that in our village, there are no awakened individuals; everyone, myself included, is an ordinary person," she added with a gentle smile, pausing momentarily to take a sip of her tea.
Arthur remained silent, his mind slightly perplexed by her statement.
The information Carina shared left Arthur perplexed, as it contradicted his understanding.
In his perception, assassins relied on elemental arts for an effective offense.
Despite the confusion, Arthur maintained a composed expression, nodding in acknowledgment of Carina's words.
Carina, noticing his response, smiled and proceeded, "In the end, I was the sole survivor among all the women who were abducted."
"Afterward, they subjected me to rigorous training for over five years," she revealed.
"In those five years, they also conducted experiments on me, known within their circles as "transformation," she explained with a hint of nonchalance.
"It involves the removal of a person's heart and its replacement with an elemental heart," she elaborated casually.
Arthur, taken aback by this story, couldn't conceal his shock as his eyes widened involuntarily.
Thankfully, Carina had her head lowered at that moment, unaware of his reaction.
His heart raced with intensity, pounding rapidly within his chest.
"Removing a person's heart and replacing it with the heart of an elemental?"
"How does that process occur, and how does it function?"
"There's absolutely no mention of this in the novel!" He inwardly exclaimed.
Completely bewildered, Arthur found himself at a loss for words.
The information he had received was utterly incomprehensible.
The idea of cutting out a person's heart would undoubtedly cause immense suffering.
Removing the vital organ responsible for pumping blood and replacing it with another individual's heart seemed unimaginable.
This was beyond extraordinary.
Moreover, the loss of the heart, the very core of an elemental's mana, would inflict an even more devastating blow.
"I shouldn't underestimate this world," he thought to himself.
"Furthermore, the organization responsible for Carina's abduction was not extensively described in the novel, which means I have to remain extremely cautious of them in the future," Arthur pondered, shifting his attention back to Carina at his side.
Somehow, he felt a deep sense of sympathy for this woman.
While Arthur may have been ruthless and wicked, his cruelty was reserved for his adversaries alone.
He would never harm anyone he encountered without cause or indiscriminately.
He had no desire to lose his humanity like David had.
With these thoughts in mind, he swiftly reconsidered and adjusted some of his plans.
Carina's voice suddenly broke Arthur from his contemplation.
"So, Arthur, do you understand what I mean?" Carina asked softly.
Arthur nodded and let out a sigh.
"Do you really have to put yourself through this, Carina?"
"You even had a child with David?"
Arthur attempted to provoke Carina to gauge whether she had succumbed to David's influence and surrendered or if she shared his perspective.
As expected, Carina's eyes instantly grew cold, and a potent aura of hostility emanated from her.
"I am willing to do whatever it takes to get close to David and kill him," Carina declared, her voice filled with determination.
"Even if it means sacrificing myself!"
Hearing these words, Arthur felt a sense of relief, knowing that Carina had not abandoned her goal and that he could trust her.
However, he was also amazed and astounded by her unwavering resolve.
"To be willing to sacrifice herself just to approach and kill David?"
"But how many years have passed without being able to lay a finger on him, even when faced with him?"
"What patience!" Arthur thought, unable to comprehend the level of determination and endurance Carina possessed.
It was beyond his understanding.
Carina took a deep breath and turned her gaze towards Arthur, who was beside her.
"So, Arthur..."
"Are you truly confident that you can help me avenge David?" Carina asked, a peculiar smile gracing her face.
Completely convinced, Arthur smiled faintly and rose from his chair.
He made his way towards Carina, standing in front of her and locking his eyes with hers.
Carina, slightly perplexed by his actions, found herself looking up at Arthur, who towered over her while she remained seated.
Unexpectedly, Arthur lowered his head slightly, meeting her gaze and delicately cupping her chin.
"Of course, I can most certainly fulfill that promise."
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