Chapter 416: Eternity of Love

"How long has it been since I was gone?" Arthur wondered on the top of the mountain as he lost count of the times day turned to night and the opposite. "I should get back."

The problem with the Mernars has been solved, but Arthur still had to answer for their leader's wishes. So, as he teleported toward Aquamia, he cut across great distances and many sceneries.

By the time he reached Aquamia, it was early morning, and the sailors were still yawning as they walked through the harbor. Then, under Arthur's curious gaze, they began to load the ships or unload them.

Arthur walked toward the mansion where his followers were staying. As he walked in, one of the junior knights was about to block him before his senior pulled him back.

"Welcome back, Seika."

"Ah, yes. Thank you," Arthur smiled and walked through the gates. He listened to the senior lecturing the other knight.

"Couldn't you see it was the Seika?!"

"I... He looks a bit different, and there were traces of blood..."

"As long as he's missing an arm, then it's our man."

'For real? You'll allow any handicapped to walk in unhindered?' Arthur was speechless at the lax security. 'And am I known as the one-armed guy anyway? I'm sure there are a few people with missing arms, no need to make it my unique trait.'

As he thought idly, Arthur walked into the empty meeting hall. It seems that Dia, Ma, and Big Bear were still asleep. He took the chance and returned to his room to have a bath.

The bathroom had a giant mirror, as expected from one designed for nobility. How could they take a bath without worshiping their appearance every second?

For Arthur, however, it was somewhat different. Mirrors always brought a sense of alienation because of his rapidly changing body. His stats reaching 300 could be seen already, and his muscles were now chiseled like those of ancient statues. 

His countless battles burned any fats within his body, allowing his six-packs to appear quite prominent. Then, for the first time in his life, Arthur posed by raising his right arm and flexing him.

'This is embarrassing,' he coughed and lowered his arm. He got closer to the mirror and saw that his face had the remaining scars from the previous day's battles.

As his eyes lowered toward his abdomen, he could see Jin's stab. Then came countless scars from various monsters, and then Arthur looked at his missing arm.

It will be almost three months since he came to Alka and a bit less since he lost his arm. The time should have been enough for him to get used to its absence, yet he would freak out now and then.

'The same feeling when you don't feel your phone in your pocket,' Arthur smiled helplessly. 'My choice to have the soul restructure might have been forced by the situation, but it was mine nonetheless.'

At that time, the duke's flames didn't injure his physical body but his soul. So if Arthur didn't choose the Soul Restructure, he was almost the same as being dead.

He didn't attribute that loss as his weakness as he did with other times, as his situation was miserable ever since he was sold off as a slave. The fact that he only lost an arm to run away from those people was almost a blessing, although he could have never achieved such a result without Dia.

As his legs touched the warm water of the pub, Arthur felt relaxed. He closed his eyes while leaning back, enjoying a sense of leisure for the first time.

"My Lord!"

The door was thrown open as a roar shook the bathroom. Arthur simply sighed as he opened his eyes and turned to the pirate who was walking toward him without a sense of shame.

"Couldn't you just wait for me to finish?"

"No can do, My Lord!" Eleven gave a grin as she walked in and jumped to sit on the sink. "Your assistant said that you had a job for me," she seemed excited.

"Are you this excited to work or to simply hit the sea again?" Arthur wondered to himself as he sighed. "Can you at least allow me to get dressed?"

"Do you need clothes to talk?" Eleven titled her head with confusion. Arthur was speechless but simply chose to comply.

"I need you to find someone," Arthur waved his right hand, and a piece of paper flew toward the pirate. "A young girl that is held captive."

"A young girl?" Eleven's eyes gleamed as she snatched the paper. Written on it were names and addresses that Arthur obtained from Hana. "Held by who?"

"Her parents," Arthur saw the pirate switch from a playful attitude to a serious one. But, of course, the fact that she sat on a sink didn't precisely help paint the image.

"My Lord," she turned her attention toward Arthur. "Aren't you simply asking me to kidnap someone's child?"

"Yes, you can see it that way," Arthur stood up as a towel appeared to cover his lower body. "It seems everyone thinks that parents are the greatest protectors, but that's not always the case."

"Tell me about it. My parents sold me for a few golds," Eleven grinned as she pocketed the paper. "However, these people are from the nobility of this kingdom. If words got out that you kidnapped their child, you might stand trial."

"If it comes down to that, then I'll handle it," Arthur got out of the tub as he walked toward the pirate. "Move. I want to wash my face."

"Right after taking a bath? Weird," the pirate jumped off and talked to him. "Are you sure that you can handle being a criminal in the eyes of the kingdom? You might be saving her, but others won't see it this way."

"She isn't the first noble daughter that I allegedly kidnap," Arthur said as he thought of Aimee. He washed his face and removed the bloodstains on it. "How are things with Dia?"

"She went looking for you as soon as we got back," Eleven shook her head. "And since she came back, she spoke to no one. Whatever happened on her little trip seems to have turned her a mute."

"And how do you feel about that?"

"I'm falling for her so badly, My Lord," the pirate sighed dreamily. "The cold princess might feel very few emotions, but she feels them strongly until they became her whole being. Her feelings transcend time and distraction, and that's what I look for: Eternity of Love."

"You are a poet again, pirate." Arthur smiled as he pulled his hair back. "Diana doesn't have a lot of friends, so can I ask you to be one for her?"

"I plan on being more than her friend," Eleven grinned at him. "Don't think that I gave up simply because she has feelings for you. Who knows, she might fall for me too?"

"Or her feelings might fade."

"If they do, that would be a tragedy, and I don't think that would happen. My Lord might feel guilty for hearing this, but Miss Dia's love isn't one to fade. I know it; I know it almost as good as I know myself. We are the broken, and once we love, we love with everything we have."

"I know, and that's why I want you to be her friend at the moment," Arthur sighed. "I believe she would want to leave toward the capital after this for her to resume her plans. There is a lot to be undone and rumors to squash."

"I'll take her with me, then." Eleven nodded and saluted. "I will take care of her as good as I take of my own– No, better than I take care of myself."

"Thank you," Arthur smiled as he turned toward the pirate. "Bring back Hana safely, as she had suffered far too much for a child. I'll be waiting for you with your new ships back in Hidden City and a proper dock this time."

"Oh my, you are as promising as always, My Lord," Eleven laughed as she bowed and turned toward the door. "I'll see you again in Hidden City."

After that, the pirate was gone. Arthur was sure that she was hurrying toward the princess to tell her, as she was almost skipping steps. Eleven would give him one less matter to think about once she brings Hana back.

"At least let me enjoy my bath," Arthur sighed as he tied back his hair, which had now reached the back of his neck. Its length wasn't something he got used to, as he always needed to leave his employers with a good impression. However, he quite liked his new appearance.

As he was thinking to himself, someone else hurried toward the bathroom. Arthur sighed as Ma was rapidly breathing, holding a stack of papers.

"Not even a bath break, huh?"