Chapter 317: He Who Served You

Dia looked at her room, feeling alienated. For this kingdom, she was an enemy, but they treated her well. It was all because of how he treated her. The thought of her betraying her kingdom still didn't sit well with her, but she found her reasoning. 

'It's for Alva.' Dia thought to herself, resolution filling her heart. 'For a better future.'

She knew that the current system placed little importance on the public and focused on the elite instead. And if things went south, the public will be the first to be sacrificed.

Her mother taught her the opposite. That's why she was known as the Saint of Alva. That was before she was assassinated and left Dia alone with her father. Then came 'the awakening' and the beginning of her suffering.

She snapped out of her reminiscence when someone barged in. It was the witch who betrayed her family and her current ­–annoying­– companion. The impudent witch acted comfortably and sat on her couch.

"Sigh," The witch, Gala, sighed. "He's still down after what happened today."

"He shouldn't be, and get out of my room." Dia frowned.

The witch was talking about the Seika they were accompanying. For Dia, his reaction to the hate he received was unnecessary. After all, why would he care about the opinions of these ungrateful humans?

"See it from his point of view. The people he saved hate him saving the city." Gala was annoyed by her answer. "He's too much of a softie."

"He's no such thing." Dia walked toward the door and opened it. "You've seen how ruthless he can be. He kills without batting an eye. Get out."

"To those who harm him." Gala rolled her eyes. "Anyone would do the same. The only reason I enjoy being with him is his soft side, but it's also hindering him. Such a dilemma!" Gala sighed, ignoring the fact Dia was kicking her out. Glaring at her, Dia closed the door and went to sit by the window.

"The Seika hates it too," Dia said while looking at the man in question. He was sitting on top of the giant tree in the distance, alone and unmoving. "He tries to make excuses just to help others."

"With his strength, he doesn't need to make excuses for anyone." Gala sighed.

"No, it's not a facade to deceive others. It's a way for him to avoid getting hurt. A way to pretend that he doesn't care about people nor their hate for him." Dia's eyelids dropped as she closed his eyes. "He's living a lie that he created."

***

The cold breeze made his robes flutter as it raced to greet Mother Rega's leaves. Arthur closed his eyes peacefully as he felt the affinity he had toward the spirit.

"Who are you?" Arthur muttered, but the spirit was still recovering. "Who am I?" He asked, this time to some unknown being watching him.

Arthur looked at the city that was slowly rebuilding itself. A large portion of it was destroyed by his attack, an attack necessary to kill the monster that killed countless citizens.

"You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain," Arthur said the words he heard once as a kid. Footsteps resounded behind him, announcing the arrival of another person.

"You're neither a hero nor a villain," The Knight of Courage smiled as her blue hair fluttered in the wind. "You've created quite the mess while I was gone."

"Only what I had to do." Arthur smiled. "Since you're here, are we going to resume our trip?"

"Are you that eager to leave this place?" The Knight smiled. "Do you want to avoid seeing the destruction you've caused?" Her voice was teasing.

"No, I just want to meet a few people in the capital." Arthur smiled and stood up. "As for the people here, I can do nothing about it."

"You mean: I don't care enough to do anything." The Knight corrected. Arthur thought about it for a second and nodded.

"True, I saved these people, and they didn't appreciate them. I can't force people to be grateful."

"Did you do it to make them grateful?" The Knight looked at the city. "Or did you do it for yourself?"

"It didn't hurt me to do it, that's all," Arthur said as he touched the tree, making it open a path for him to enter. "Go back to the duke's house. Remember to tell the other Knight that if he still tries to punish me for what happened..."

"Then?" The Knight squinted her eyes, asking Arthur for the remainder of his words. Arthur turned and met her eyes.

"Then I don't mind killing him."

After saying that, Arthur walked into the tree's Inner World. He wanted to wait for it to recover, but it seems that he'll have to heal it using his powers.

The islands were the same but now had a serene atmosphere. Arthur walked through them until he reached the hut at the top, to which he felt a certain nostalgia.

Arthur pushed the hut's door open and walked into the room where Rega was recovering. The place looked abandoned, but it was spotlessly clean. In the middle floated the spirit, it still healing.

"Existence is unfeeling." Arthur touched the sphere that held Rega within it and channeled his art. His powers of creation, along with his mana, fused with the sphere and began recovering Rega's body.

It took a few moments for Rega to wake up, opening its marble green eyes and looking at Arthur with both confusion and longing.

"Who are you?" Rega asked. Arthur was stunned.

"Are you kidding me? I thought you knew who I am." Arthur laughed. "Did you fool me just to help you?"

"No, I know you, but I don't know who you currently are," Rega said, making an uncomfortable void reside in Arthur's chest.

"Where do you know me from?"

"You can't remember?" The spirit tilted its head. "You lived here all those years ago. This world was your only home."

"As the scholar guardian?" Arthur thought to himself, but the spirit appeared more confused.

"The scholar... guardian?" It repeated as if trying to recall. "I know him. He was the one who..."

"Who?" Arthur leaned closer, feeling that a question about this mystery was about to be answered.

"The one who served you thousands of years ago."

"No, what?" Arthur shook his head. "That doesn't make sense. What are you talking about?"

"Who are you?" The spirit appeared even more confused. "Why are you asking this?"

"Answer me. What do you mean by that? Who was the scholar guardian serving?" Arthur grabbed the spirit's shoulders, who looked frightened by his actions. With a defeated sigh, Arthur let go of it.

"Please tell me," He said pleadingly. "Stop giving me more questions to answer. I need to know something."

"You never told me who you are." Rega shook its head. "I only know that this tree is your home, and it will forever be."

***

Arthur appeared in his room after teleporting through the city. It was night, a day after the calamity struck the city and an hour after he met the Knight of Courage.

He sat in his room, pondering with his eyes closed. A knock arrived on the door before Dia walked in. Arthur turned her way and closed his eyes again.

"How did you know that I was back?" Arthur asked.

"The bond goes both ways," Dia answered before sitting in front of him. "I think you'd rather have Gala here since she knows what to say."

"No, it's okay. I'd rather stay alone, to be honest." Arthur answered and felt her go stiff. "I'm kidding. It's alright."

"Do you tend to tell the truth as jokes?" Dia asked him, going straight for the kill. Arthur opened his eyes and looked at her with a tired smile.

"So, you want me to shoo you away instead?" Arthur placed his right hand under his chin, leaning on the armchair.

"No, I want to be of use." Dia stood up and walked toward him, standing only a few inches away from his chair. Their legs were almost touching. "How can I make you feel better?"

'She misunderstood the reasons completely.' Arthur looked at her silently. 'Wait, is she...'

"Are you offering yourself to me?" Arthur asked with uncertainty. Seeing Dia nod with the resolution of a warrior, Arthur almost laughed out loud. "I see." He stood up.

Dia had a more petite frame than him, making him look down to meet her eyes. Arthur held her chin between his index and thumb but saw no reaction from the aloft princess.

"You are willing to do this just to make me feel better?"

"Gladly, if it means keeping our goals the same," Dia said with an expressionless face.

"You fear that I changed, that I would want to stay here to fix the city and to help these people." Arthur smiled. "The offer is tempting, but ask me again when you have me in mind instead of your kingdom."