Hidden deep in Living Forest, the Runic Do was hidden from the public. Even if one did not look through this forest for days, one would never find the criminal guild deep in this place.
Yet, soone managed to find their way to this place. They were riding a flying mount, which started landing atop the do. If not for the shadow riding behind atop it, the mount or its rider would never think that the fortress was here.
"Where is he?" asked the tall young man, who wore a cloak to hide his face. However, his handso features could not be hidden, as his curly black hair and deep green eyes made him eye-catching.
The shadow did not respond to him but disappeared instead into the fortress. After a sigh, the young man got off his mount to jump atop the moving vines. Then, a giant door opened from the do's roof, and several figures rose on an elevator.
"It has been a long ti since we t, First Ranker," said the man with black robes, surrounded by three intimidating bunch. Even when faced with his warm greeting, the guest was apprehensive. "You don't recognize this face, huh?"
After waving his hand, the man's face changed. The handso newcor bead as he took a step forward with surprise. "Alexie Linan! You are still alive!"
"…and why would I be dead, Jonah?" asked Arthur with a smile as he changed back toward his original face. "I apologize for summoning you in such an urgent manner."
"I would co rushing here whenever you need," said Jonah as he pulled down his hood. "I still cannot believe that your real identity is the infamous Arthur Silvera."
"Everyone made the connection, even if I didn't announce it," said Arthur before gesturing toward the rest of his mbers. "These three are our founding mbers. Two of them will be guild masters, just like you, and would help whenever needed."
"Ah, that is still…" hesitated Jonah, scratching his head. Arthur noticed his hesitation and decided to lead the man inside before resuming their talks.
Jonah Raver told Arthur why he was reluctant to be a guild master. One of the reasons was the safety of his younger sister, while the other was Jerano having only a few months left until graduation.
"Jerano has two years of study and one year of guild internship. Since there are few months left until the end of your second year, we can arrange sothing," said Arthur. "As for your sister, she can live here."
"…I wouldn't want her to live inside a dangerous place," said Jonah with a frown. "As I heard, all nations seek to find Ascent and even want to kick it out of Glory List."
"Even if Ascent falls, this do will not," said Arthur with a smile. "This is the safest place in this world, as long as we have enough mana stones for its arrays. However, there is always the option of teleporting everyone inside to a safe house."
"Listen, Alexie," said Jonah with an awkward smile. "When I got your letter, I was thrilled. We never got to et before you left Jerano since I was training. I wanted to join Jerano for a better life. However, I owe you everything I have so far."
"You will have that in Ascent," said Julia, presenting Jonah with an offer. "This is a rough estimate of how much you will make each month as a guild master. But it can be so much more. Furthermore, your family will have around the hour protection by our shadows."
"…if you are fine with soone like , then I would be thrilled," said Jonah as he read the offers, including weapons and skills that would be given monthly. "So, which guild will I be leading?"
"Yuran will lead Highcry, and Alan will be leading Steelshade. As for the rest, there is still room for you to choose. However, they need to be in separate nations."
"I get to choose which nation?" asked Jonah with a raised brow, and Arthur nodded with a smile. "I have to think more about this, but you have a deal!"
After the two shook hands, Jonah left with Julia to make further arrangents. As for Arthur, he instructed that more guests would be led toward their do by the shadows, so they needed to be welcod.
As for him, it was ti that he left Ascent and returned to Helios. The executions were still scheduled to be in a few days, but Arthur expected them to change the date to elude the rebels.
After leaving the Living Forests, Arthur teleported straight toward the rebels' camp hidden outside Helios. He has only been here once, but the army seems to have grown since the last ti he was here.
Arthur showed his face at the gates, and after the initial alertness, the rebels allowed him entry. They told him Rain was here, but Lyle had other things to do.
"If it isn't our beloved third rebel!" said Rain as soon as she saw him and rushed to hug him. "I missed you so much, Arthur!"
"Have you missed or the pleasure I once let you feel?" said Arthur with a smile as he broke off their embrace. Rain stared at him with a pout, her silver hair tied into a ponytail. "Where is Lyle?"
"He left a ssage that he needs to take care of things in Living Forest," said Rain as she hugged his arm and pulled him inside the tent. "It seems the emperor is planning sothing, so Lyle decided to take action himself."
"Inside Living Forest?" asked Arthur with surprise. He did rember Julia saying there was an incident in the forest the other night, but he never assud it was sothing significant. "Does he need aid?"
"Nope, he will be fine. We can forget about him and catch up instead!" said Rain as she pulled him to sit atop the bed. "Where have you been? Who is Ai?"
"…the second question doesn't seem to be about catching up," said Arthur with a smile before he freed his arm and walked toward the map. "Have you t them already?"
"I smuggled them into Helios city a few days ago, and the three won stord through the underground world ever since. It seems they found the escapee."
"Oh?" muttered Arthur with surprise. "I expected their plan to be futile, but we might go along with it in the end."
"…you didn't answer , Arthur. Who is Ai?" asked Rain with a frown. "You trust her a lot, it seems."
"She crossed the world for , so how could I not trust her?" said Arthur with a smile. "Does it bother you? I thought you were the Sin of Lust, not of Envy."
"…what are you talking about?"
"There is no point denying it anymore, Rain," said Arthur without turning toward her. "I know the truth about now. But, of course, you might have always known the truth since we t."
"…I feared for the worst, but it seems I was right," said Rain as her expression crumbled. The woman was no longer cheerful and amiable; her eyes had myriad lights. "Are you here for that reason?"
"I ca here to finish what I started, but when I saw you outside, I realized it. You are, as I suspected, one of the seven sins. Rain is not your real na, right?"
"If you say that, then your real na is not Arthur Silvera, but Eragon, the Ageless Breaker," said Rain with a grin as the room dimd. "I never ant harm."
"Harm can be defined in many ways," said Arthur as he stared at the map of Ilios. "We t here at the border," he pointed, "and I always thought that was a coincidence that you sought . It was no such thing. You could tell I carried one of the sins inside ."
"However, I didn't know you would turn out to be Arthur Silvera, the very reincarnation of the man Eragon killed and perished with. Once I knew, I had to ensure that no one else knew this secret."
"And for what reason?"
"If the rest of the sins realize this truth, then all of the calamities will be prepared to fight you," said Rain as she stood behind him. "Cassius ca to this world, and you fought against him, right?"
"I have," said Arthur as he turned toward her. "However, I have a different question. Don't try to change the subject, Rain. Ever since we t, you've been attempting to seduce . What would have happened if I gave in to your seductions?"
"I also want to know, what would happen when the Sin of Lust sleeps with the Sin of Wrath," said Rain as she grabbed his hand and placed it atop her belly. "What kind of miracle would we create?"
"You didn't co after for lust, did you?" Arthur frowned as he stared at the crazy woman. "You wanted to have my child?"
"What is the origin of lust but the desire to reproduce?" said Rain as she caressed his hair with her hand. "Humans choose their mates based on their survival ability, and no one is stronger than you."
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