On the first morning of the cold month, every human knew about the feud between Runera and Ascent. The public tried to glean the truth behind what Arthur Silvera claimed, which the city denied. Thus, extensive research went into figuring out the origins of this new conqueror.
The surname Silvera was old and obsolete. Despite the extensive research into the background, the records about this surname seemed lost or destroyed. The sole clue is that it originated from Sourna.
No one could prove that Arthur Silvera created Runera. As everyone knew, Runera appeared hundreds of years ago, and no records exist. Some scientists believed it was due to a fissure that transported the city into their world, but it undoubtedly caused humanity's most tremendous leap in runes.
For past reasons, most believed that Arthur Silvera was lying about his reasons for attacking Runera. This made the city obtain the support of powerful grandmasters, one of them being the One-Armed Asura and his Titan Guild.
pαпᵈα-noνɐ1.сoМ This news spread like wildfire, and many were excited to see the clash of the infamous guild against the Strongest Titan Guild. Many even lamented the rash decision of Arthur Silvera because everyone believed this would be the end for him.
In Ilios, the situation looked grim. Arthur Silvera was considered a hero for the empire, and many awakeners traveled through the empire for his aid. Helios was filled with proud warriors who felt grateful that the rebellion had saved their families.
Empress Ai announced that while Ascent and Ilios were grateful, involving them in this fight was unnecessary. However, the warriors camped in the Golden Plaza, refusing to leave. The camp grew bigger as the days passed despite the economic crisis Runera gave them.
"It seems that you are more popular in Ilios than you believe," said Rain as she stared at the crowd. Arthur was standing on her side, with Alan behind them. "These warriors are all at the Vetus rank and would prove useful when the war starts."
"We do not have the money or food to supply such a force," said Alan with a shake of his head. As a previous military commander, Arthur appointed him to lead this war. The knight stepped forward and placed his hands on the railings as he gazed at the crowd. "Although we have runes, we lack the time. Food and trade are essential for the war."
"Arthur could make a golden flower field bloom, and it would be the same for corps and food," said Rain as she glanced at Arthur. "You can do it, right?"
"The question is not whether I can do it but whether the soil could handle it," said Arthur with a frown. "If I accelerate the natural cycle of life, a disaster occurs."
"What kind of disaster are you talking about, Guild Master?" asked Alan with confusion.
"I tried to experiment on a small plot of land, and it worked. We obtained the corps in the blink of an eye, but the soil died, and famine struck the land. It seems that acceleration consumes the mana in the soil, making it perfect to be struck with the famine plague."
"…we can sacrifice some land…."
"A famished land will not only produce no corps but would devour those beside it. If we do this endeavor, Ilios will not survive a month. It will be a wasteland by the time we reach Runera," said Arthur with a frown. "The war has already begun, and we are on the losing side."
"How about we take our strongest members and strike them at night?" asked Rain after a while. "A million ants would still be ants."
"Runera will use all of its arrays, and it has more than the Runic Dome. We need soldiers to invade the city while we hinder the powerful awakeners it pulled to its side. The moment we disable the arrays, we will win," muttered Arthur.
"…so, we still need an army," turned Rain toward the warriors. "There are at least five thousand warriors in this place, right?"
"Numbers will always play a crucial factor in wars," said Alan as he stared at the warriors. "It is important to have powerful individuals, but one person can exist in one place at a time. Having you in the vanguard will bring Runera to its knees, but we will never win with you alone against a titan guild and the city or runes."
Arthur was silent as he stared at the warriors. His eyes did not betray helplessness or fear, only a calculating mind trying to use what he had. It was his first time being the one invading others, and it might be his last if he did it wrong.
"I need to meet someone," said Arthur before he turned around and walked away. "Prepare the guilds before I come back. As for the warriors below, send someone to take count and list them."
After that, Arthur opened a portal. It shone with indigo color before it swallowed him, and he disappeared. Rain and Alan looked in its direction before looking back toward the plaza. Clouds soon gathered.
***
On the other side of the world and inside one of its strongest buildings, Yurirl stood inside the dojo swinging his sword. It was then that someone knocked on the door. Yurirl paused as his Divine Sense peered through the door, and his eyes widened.
"…come inside."
The door opened and revealed an old acquaintance wearing black robes and a mask. However, he soon removed the mask and threw it on the ground, revealing his smiling face and golden eyes.
"I thought that God's Blade would have better security," said Arthur Silvera as he walked into the training dojo. Yurirl lowered his sword and stared at him with a cold expression. "No need to look so hostile, given our friendship."
"I was a friend of Arthur Silvera and Alexie Linan both, but not the person they have become," said Yurirl with a frown. "Arthur Silvera would not have waged wars left and right."
"I guess the time affected all of us," said Arthur as he walked inside and stopped several feet from the swordsman. "I came here to talk as a friend, though. We both know what happened in Ilios was no war but an act of revenge."
The swordsman changed his expression after hearing the last sentence, and he nodded with a sigh. Then, he walked toward the rack and placed his training sword before walking toward the mats to sit.
"Have a seat and start talking," said Yurirl as he sat on one mat and offered the other to his guest. Not refusing his invitation, Arthur sat as well. "How is Helios?"
"In a far better state than you left it ten years ago," said Arthur with a smile. "We abolished the districts and rebuilt the slums. The orphanage is now bigger than ever, overseen by Zonas Mantra himself."
"That old man is still as kind as ever," said Yurirl with a rare smile. "If not for that kindness, I would have been a bum. He made a swordsman out of a lost child."
"Then, is this how you repay him?" asked Arthur as his smile disappeared. "Runera has cut ties with Ilios and sanctioned it using its influence, but you stand alongside it. Is this your honor?"
"Do not speak about my honor when you are the one who threatened Runera," said Yurirl as his smile also disappeared. "Runera asked my master for help, and he agreed. I have no authority to influence his decisions."
"However, you will fight us when the time comes, right?"
"Indeed."
"This is what I came here to avoid," Arthur sighed. "You are a good person, Yurirl. I like to believe that I do things for good reasons, even if I am not good. I would hate to see us battle each other."
"I will follow my orders, regardless of what they are. I am also a part of this guild, similar to how you are a part of Ascent. Do you expect me to betray my home?" asked Yurirl with a frown. "You should be the one to stop this madness and give up this war. No one would think of you as cowardly, and the sanctions will be lifted from Ilios if you cut ties with it."
"You wanted to intimidate me using your guild," said Arthur with a smile. "However, this is something I will not back down from. I would rather die than let Runera fall into their hands."
The swordsman stared at him with surprised eyes, not understanding where such a strong determination came from. The Divine Sense could tell him that Arthur was not doing this to rule Runera, which confused him.
"What reasons do you have to go this far?" asked Yurirl with furrowed brows. "Even if you emerge victorious in this war, the world will hate you. You will be treated as a criminal."
"If Anna left something for you, would you care what the world thinks when you try to obtain it? Runera is the gift that the person I love left me, and I will burn the world to obtain it."
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