In the workspace
Arthur, having showered and changed out of his training attire into more casual clothes, leaned wearily back in his chair.
He closed his eyes and attempted to channel his mana throughout his body.
"Despite the fatigue and injuries being gone, my body remains tense," Arthur remarked.
"After all, this is the first instance where I've exerted such a substantial amount of mana in a combat scenario." He opened his eyes and shook his head.
"By the way, the outcome of this battle proved highly advantageous, as it truly unveiled my actual capabilities," Arthur pondered, stroking his chin while analyzing the results of his sparring session with Rian.
He propped his feet up on the table and reclined his head with his hands.
"Rian Fanhard... his strength is truly astounding..." Arthur murmured, unable to resist admiring Rian's incredible power.
To be honest, there were several reasons why he was able to emerge victorious in that match.
However, among the many factors at play, three main factors stood out as the decisive contributors to his victory.
The first factor was the stark contrast between their weapons: Arthur with his sword and Rian with his long dagger.
This fundamental difference had a significant impact on the outcome.
In a one-on-one, open confrontation, a sword wielder like Arthur held a substantial advantage over a dagger user like Rian.
The second factor was Rian's background as an assassin, where direct combat was not his strong suit.
This explained why Rian frequently found himself cornered by Arthur, whether due to the situational advantages Arthur created or the inherent advantage of his weapon.
This factor held significant importance, especially considering that assassins are highly skilled in executing swift and stealthy attacks, often incapacitating their opponents within seconds.
Lastly, the third factor, which outweighed the others in importance, was the notable decline in Rian's abilities.
Rian's life had been marked by constant hiding and evasion due to being relentlessly pursued by the Black Swan organization.
Furthermore, the injuries Rian sustained were severe, inflicted by a person he had once trusted.
As a result, his overall strength, encompassing both elemental power and combat abilities, suffered a significant decline.
In Rian's prime state, Arthur harbored doubts about his own ability to defeat him as effortlessly as he had done in their current sparring.
This reality left Arthur devoid of any sense of satisfaction following his victory over Rian.
He recognized that he remained weak and far from attaining true strength.
Furthermore, considering the formidable strength of David and Emperor Balka, the very individuals Arthur aspired to surpass, it was evident that the consequences of their unleashed power would be utterly devastating.
Therefore, Arthur found himself in a constant process of evaluation and refinement, diligently perfecting his martial arts, swordsmanship, and various other skills.
Undoubtedly, the elemental arts held paramount importance, given their awe-inspiring destructive potential.
While Arthur was lost in thought, a sudden knock reverberated from outside his door.
"Knock!"
"Young Master Arthur, may I enter?" came the voice of a middle-aged man, none other than Rian.
In an instant, Arthur snapped back to reality, redirecting his focus towards the door.
"Please come in," Arthur replied.
In response to Arthur's invitation, Rian opened the door and stepped inside.
"Young Master Arthur," Rian said with a slight bow, showing his respect.
Arthur returned the gesture with a smile, nodded in acknowledgment, and gestured towards the sofa positioned in front of them.
"Please have a seat," Arthur said, rising to prepare tea.
Observing Arthur's actions, Rian couldn't help but feel a tinge of surprise and promptly interjected, "Young Master Arthur, allow me to prepare the tea."
He found it unexpected and inappropriate for Arthur to personally take on the task of making tea.
Upon hearing Rian's objection, Arthur raised his hand dismissively, indicating that it was of no consequence. Without uttering a word, he proceeded to prepare tea for both of them.
Resigned to Arthur's insistence, Rian chose to remain silent and made his way to the sofa, where he sat quietly, casting curious glances around Arthur's study.
His eyes widened in amazement as he took in the sight of numerous stacks of books, resembling a miniature library, neatly arranged in a corner.
On Arthur's desk, he noticed a multitude of documents, slightly piled but seemingly organized with precision.
"This is truly remarkable," Rian commented in awe.
He couldn't help but admire Arthur, considering his reputation for implementing government programs that greatly benefited ordinary people.
In a world where the strong often held sway, many Emperors and Kings paid little attention to the lives of common folk, resulting in higher death rates and worsening poverty within their nations.
Nevertheless, Arthur had managed to swiftly eradicate poverty and significantly reduce the ordinary people's death rate among non-elemental individuals.
This accomplishment was largely attributed to Arthur's proficiency in the government systems he had acquired in his previous world.
Leveraging his comprehensive understanding of various governmental frameworks, he effortlessly implemented effective measures.
Shortly after, Arthur returned with two cups of tea, setting them down on Rian's side and his own before taking a seat.
"How are you feeling? Are your injuries still bothering you?" Arthur inquired casually, taking a sip of his tea.
Rian smiled wryly and responded, "Indeed, Young Master Arthur, my injuries have completely healed."
He couldn't help but be amazed at the remarkably fast healing rate, thanks to the use of highly rare and expensive Tier Three potions.
In the past, even as the leader of the Black Swan organization, acquiring third-order potions had been an incredibly arduous task. They were either exorbitantly priced or extremely scarce.
Arthur smiled in understanding and expressed his apology, saying, "I apologize for requesting a spar with you earlier, Rian."
Shaking his head, Rian promptly declined and replied, "There's no need for you to apologize, Young Master Arthur."
"To be honest, I never anticipated that your strength would be so extraordinary."
"Even though I'm constantly pushed into a corner with minimal chances of overcoming you, I must sincerely commend your remarkable abilities," Rian said earnestly.
This genuine compliment held significant weight coming from Rian, considering the immense pressure he had experienced when facing Arthur.
Particularly noteworthy was Arthur's swordsmanship, which possessed a lethal blend of subtlety and precision.
Rian found it difficult to recall anyone who possessed such mastery with a blade.
The uniqueness of Arthur's swordsmanship left a deep impression on him, a sentiment he cherished, especially considering his background as an assassin.
Upon hearing Rian's words of praise, Arthur chuckled and graciously responded, "I appreciate the compliment."
"However, I must confess that the advantages were firmly in my favor from the very beginning," he added nonchalantly, leaning back against the sofa, his tone tinged with indifference.
Rian's smile widened slightly as he understood the implications behind Arthur's words.
Following a brief moment of encouragement, Arthur swiftly transitioned to the subject he intended to discuss.
"By the way, I will disclose the whereabouts of your wife and child," he declared, rising from his seat and making his way towards the corner of the room, where an assortment of books were kept.
Rian felt a tinge of surprise when Arthur mentioned revealing the information about his wife and child, as he had initially expected Arthur to disclose it during his second request.
However, he didn't dwell on it, and instead, a strong sense of longing filled his heart.
Arthur reached for a map resting atop the cupboard, holding it firmly in his grasp as he made his way back to the sofa.
"Map?" Rian voiced his confusion as he observed Arthur returning to the sofa, clutching a medium-sized map.
Without delay, Arthur seated himself and unfurled the map, laying it out on the table.
Before long, a detailed map revealing various locations unfolded before Rian's eyes.
Rian's attention shifted to the map before him, realizing that it depicted the Balka Empire—the very place they resided in.
Arthur's eyes scanned the map, searching for a specific location.
After a minute of careful examination, he finally located it.
"Get it!!" Arthur exclaimed, turning his gaze back to Rian with a smile gracing his face.
"Right here are the whereabouts of your wife and daughter!" he declared, pointing towards a specific place name on the map.
Rian's gaze fixed upon the place name Arthur was pointing at, and he read it aloud to himself.
"Fluhxly Village?" he murmured, then shifted his attention back to Arthur, awaiting confirmation.
"Yes, that's correct. Your wife and child are currently in that village, located thousands of miles to the south," Arthur confirmed.
And how did Arthur know? Of course it was a plot!
Upon hearing this revelation, Rian's body trembled uncontrollably.
He rose from the couch, lowering himself onto the floor and bowing his head in a deeply grateful gesture towards Arthur.
"Thank you... Thank you..." Rian's voice quivered with emotion, tears welling up in his eyes.
Overwhelmed by the news, he couldn't fathom the possibility that Arthur would deceive him.
He chose to place his complete trust in Arthur's words without hesitation.
Arthur let out a sigh, his expression growing serious.
"Snap out of it. Don't thank me just yet, as this is a transaction. You must fulfill my request," he stated firmly.
Rian's head shot up, his gaze meeting Arthur's with an intensity that spoke of unwavering determination.
"I swear, even if it means sacrificing my life for you, young master Arthur, I am willing to do so!" His voice resounded through the room, filled with unwavering loyalty.
Rian's resolute and unwavering gaze exemplified the determination behind his words.
Upon hearing Rian's declaration, Arthur responded with a smile and a nod, injecting a touch of humor into his words.
"There's no need for that, and I certainly need you alive, not your life," Arthur quipped.
Though Arthur intended it as a lighthearted remark, Rian took it with utmost seriousness, nodding earnestly in response.
With a visible sense of relief washing over his face, Rian returned to his seat, as if all the troubles that had burdened him were suddenly lifted in that very moment.
Arthur grasped this understanding as he was aware of the deep love Rian held for his wife and daughter, which in turn fueled Rian's profound regret for having abandoned them in his pursuit of power.
Aware of this vulnerability, Arthur saw it as a potent tool to secure Rian's unwavering loyalty and commitment to him.
Arthur took a deep breath, his gaze focused and serious as he prepared to share his request with Rian.
"Alright, here's what I'm asking of you," Arthur began, and Rian nodded attentively, fully prepared to listen.
"I want... you to establish an organization of assassins."
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