Chapter 738: The Observer

The Light Commander, Barbora Hoarfrost, was the name and title she used to introduce herself. Arthur shook his head when asked for a name, and it was enough for the old woman to understand. Babo was the name that Li Xue and Little Yin called her.

"I never imagined that she likes you enough to protect you using her body," said Babo, and Arthur agreed. "The thing that happened here should remain a secret, as everything else you saw."

"That is a part of the job," nodded Arthur. "I won't pry either."

"Appreciated, but it seems that foolish girl is infatuated with you, so it will be hard to keep you away. How about we go for a walk?" said the old woman before taking Arthur out of the guest room and through the gardens of her mansion.

The two were silent until reaching a riverbank. The stream was powerful, pouring directly into the ocean. Old Babo strolled to sit on a stone bench before glancing at Arthur to sit beside her.

"This bench is where my husband first proposed to me and the last place we visited before he died," said the Light Commander. "He was far from being a fighter, so he never understood why I trained every day. I told him that people are either seeking their freedom, like this stream or protecting the land, like this riverbank. Which one are you?"

Arthur stared at the powerful stream slamming against the riverbank, racing down the land toward the ocean, desperate for its freedom. Then, he stared at the edge of the riverbank, soaking wet and deformed but holding firm.

"Neither," answered Arthur. "I am myself, the observer sitting on the bench."

"That is an answer I haven't heard before, and I asked this question to a dozen youngsters," smiled Old Babo as she closed her eyes. "Neither the stream nor the riverbank, but the observer."

Arthur allowed her to entertain herself with his answer for a while before he asked her, "What is the reason you brought me here?"

"You are a part of the rebellion, correct?" asked Old Babo, so sure that she didn't wait for his answer. "I want to know what you plan on doing to Ilios. What is it that you seek?"

"Is this how commanders interrogate? I must say, a little underwhelming," Arthur answered without panicking.

"There is no need to hide it, child. The empire, the underworld, and the rebellion. Those are the sides that hold the power balance at the moment. The empire is already aware of the gangs holding the forger, so that leaves the rebellion."

"I'm a mercenary, so the side I serve does not matter."

"You didn't spare the gold a glance, even when it was obvious that we could triple the amount. You are a man of high caliber that only serves causes and beliefs. Listen here, I might be a Light Commander, but I have no interest in who rules."

"I expect to find a three-winged bird more than a commander who has no loyalty to the empire," said Arthur with a smile. "Even if I am a part of the rebellion, would I willingly tell you about their plans?"

"I raised the Bloodflower, picked her up from this riverbank, and took her inside. Do you think I wouldn't have arrested her if I held loyalty to that family?"

Arthur was silent because she made a valid point. He hasn't questioned the relationship between her and Li Xue, but the fact that Bloodflower Boss sent him to a Light Commander seemed odd.

"What do you want to achieve, Barbora Hoarfrost? Do you want to talk me out of this?"

"I want an alliance with the rebellion," said the old lady, surprising Arthur. "There is a wave washing over Ilios, a wave of change, that began with Arthur Silvera appearing again to the world as if he was the long-awaited key."

A strange feeling of alienation overwhelmed Arthur whenever someone talked about him without knowing, almost as if his name was registered in the minds of every citizen in the world.

"The Emperor of Light and the Voldor family will not be able to handle this wave. The rebellion was nothing more than a spark before Zonas Mantra got arrested. It is now a raging fire, engulfing the city."

"Do you think they have a chance against the Imperial Family?"

"A chance is a chance, no matter how small. A mind working in the shadows for dozens of years can craft the most sinister plans, and no light can defeat the devil."

The Light Commander was talking about Lyle, who had been crafting his plans for revenge for so long. However, the real fear was knowing that the devil was prepared to die for his cause.

"Are you seeking a position of power?"

"Far from it. I just want this house and the safety of my children. Of course, you can rebel, overthrow, and kill. However, I just want this house of mine and those I care about safe."

Arthur realized that whatever this woman did, she did it out of love for her children. He then realized she was asking him to protect Li Xue from the ensuing chaos in the capital.

"This is more than the job I agreed to, but I understand. Tell me where we can find the forger, and I'll keep your demands in mind."

"That is more than I asked for," said Babo with a nod. "The forger is with the Mansell Gang, held in their mansion. Whatever means you use to take him out, then make sure to leave no traces behind. The Mansell Boss is a monster."

***

Arthur walked into the room arranged for him, with Elnardo following closely behind him. Even though it had been a few hours since the falling out, he could tell that Elnardo was still feeling resentful.

"Your expression makes me think this is a grave rather than a room," Arthur said, but Elnardo glared at him. "You can leave now."

The knight scowled before leaving the room, and Arthur was left alone. The first thing he did was to create a portal linking to his room back in the inn. This way, he could stay here and teleport there in a heartbeat.

Arthur found a closet he used as a portal gate and inscribed it with runes. Someone knocked on his door as soon as he was done and wanted to teleport.

"Is there something you need?" asked Arthur after he opened the door to find Little Yin. She seemed to be fidgeting in place and glancing at the room.

"Are you going to leave?" asked Little Yin. "I wanted to ask about what you said about my potential. Can you teach me how to utilize it if you think so?"

"I don't know how, rather not wanting to," said Arthur with a shake of his head. "You are safe now, even if those pursuers come after you again. Babo will take care of anything here."

"I thought you didn't want me to rely on anyone," said Little Yin, to which Arthur nodded. "I need to find a way to protect myself without others."

"Listen, Yin," began Arthur with a sigh. "I understand this is the first time you trusted someone, and I'm honored that it was me. However, you must understand that this bond is created solely out of fear. You wanted someone to rely on, and I was there."

"Is that wrong?"

"It can be deceiving."

Little Yin lowered her head, making her eyes hide behind her black bangs. Arthur watched her nod her head and mutter something before leaving. Then, despite knowing she was hurt, Arthur let her go and turned toward his portal.

It was toxic for such a bond to form between them. Arthur didn't harbor any feelings of affection toward her, but he knew she was a good person.

After closing the door, Arthur turned off the lights and opened his closet. Inside was a portal that took him to the inn, where he had another closet. When the teleportation ended, Arthur was in a dark space. Then, he pushed the door open and walked out of the closet, making Rain spit her drink over Lyle's face.

"Glad to see that you are already here," said Arthur to the coughing Rain and soaking Lyle. "A towel?" he offered, taking one out from his subspace.

"Thank you," said Lyle as he started drying his face while glaring at Rain, who seemed to be calming down.

"Is that why they call you Rain?" joked Arthur as he pulled a chair to sit at the dining table. Food was prepared for them, and it seemed he arrived just in time.

"They call me Rain because I make others wet," she said without a hint of shame as she used a handkerchief to wipe her face and neck. "I shouldn't be blamed for Arthur's dramatic entrance. You should have at least knocked!"

"Knocked the closet from the inside?" mused Arthur. "The only wet thing would be that chair since you would piss yourself."

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