Chapter 546 - A Burning Candle

"I am not sure that I caught that," Oriole took off his goggles as the fumes rose. Arthur pulled a stool beside him and sat down. "Are you certain that you want to take such a leap?"

"Are you too attached to Jerano?" asked Arthur with a smile as he watched the beaker start to shake. As he tapped the liquid, it began to stabilize. "You don't have to tag along with me, Ori," he said. "In this life, you are not dying, and that means you can do whatever you want. My path is dangerous."

"I am not dying thanks to the leap that you did," said Oriole as he stared at the beaker with a smile. "I will choose your side even if everything else falls apart."

Arthur smiled while looking down, feeling relieved that Oriole was in Alka at that time and not someone else. The runemaster was one of the few people Arthur could trust without using his Art of Creator.

"However, there are many things that we need to prepare for, so I advise we don't rush it," said Oriole as he rose to his feet, selecting a vial from the shelf. "A guild that opposes other guilds is not a light matter. It takes one wrong move, and the whole world turns against us."

"As long as we play by their rules, the power balance will prevent anyone from attacking us too early," said Arthur as he waved his finger and the beaker rose in the air. "A careful plan is needed to blend into the seven families, lest they realize I am still alive."

Arthur Silvera also faked his death and turned into Alexie Linan in this timeline. However, some bits needed Arthur to look into them, and one of them was why he came to Jerano despite the change in timeline.

Seref's plans were a mess now because of his choice, but Arthur never did it out of spite for his delusional father. His choice was unpredictable, and the timeline could escape from their schemes.

"I think that you have yet to meet Mistletoe," smiled Oriole as he held the vials for Arthur to pour the potion. "Although you tried to keep a tight mouth around me lest Sier knows about my existence, I am still a weak link."

"I did not trust Sier in this timeline as well?" smiled Arthur as the potion poured into the vials, creating a colorful mix of lights. "I guess it makes sense since he is the vessel of one of the guardians."

"Sier indeed gave you a lot, especially with the fake identity and evading the seven families. However, are we able to trust a guardian?"

"As he said it, Sier was trying to oppose the guardian," frowned Arthur while the beaker rested on the table again. "Lyari was a guardian too, an immortal nonetheless, but it seems he had some sort of plan to make things work for us."

"...you want to make an ally out of them?" muttered Ori with shock as he placed the vial case down. "All they need is a whiff of your scent to come hunting us down."

"I do realize that," Arthur looked at the vial. "However, Nameless and Sier share similar abilities, while the latter can look for me if he grew too powerful. This leaves me with a choice to make. Am I able to trust Sier, or should I get rid of him?"

Oriole did not answer and stared at the vials in silence. Sier was akin to Arthur's friend, and he knew that, but this matter could lead them to their deaths.

"It seems that both of us forget something," smiled Arthur as his finger ran over the case. "Sier and Ronin know I am the outsider all along. And yet, here I am, alive and well. This means that if anyone knows answers, it would be them."

"...can there be a possibility of the Seer Guardian betraying the pact?" asked Oriole with surprise. Arthur answered with a nod before he lifted one of the vials. "These are for you."

"I never requested a potion," muttered Arthur with confusion as he tried looking into them. "These runes are..."

"This potion is used to throw off monsters by amplifying their senses beyond normal," said Oriole. "As the slightest stimulus would trigger a full-on reaction, it leaves the mind in a mess."

"And this is a drug for humans," frowned Arthur.

"Humans can always take the wrong path," sighed Oriole as he nodded. "This is banned in every nation because of its impact on the user's sanity, as they would grow dependent on it."

"And you want to turn me into an addict?" laughed Arthur as he placed down the vial. "I wonder what your aim is, Oriole."

"I know about the side effects of your powers, Arthur," frowned Oriole. "The knowledge that you gained from Gaia is not without a price. It is eating your senses, is it not? There will be nothing to feel at the end other than runes."

"That is enough as well," replied Arthur. "I can tell smells apart better, and I can know the materials inside a food from the runes that created it."

"However, you can never feel them," Oriole took a step forward and pushed the case toward Arthur. "This is of low concertation. It will work to restore a part of your senses enough for your daily activities."

"I appreciate the offer, but I will never drink this," Arthur pushed it back and watched Oriole crumble into sadness. "I want my mind to feel as it is."

"We are no older than twenty, Arthur," Ori gritted his teeth. "However, you have been cursed with this power. Is it alright to miss most of what life has to offer?"

"This curse has its benefits, too," explained Arthur with a shrug. "My emotions are never the one to control me because of it. I will choose the right thing."

"Sometimes, we need to choose the wrong thing," Oriole muttered quietly. "Please, keep this in your possession. I will not ask again that you use it, but it's a medicine that can turn helpful."

"...I am not ill, Oriole," frowned Arthur. "A simple example to show the benefits is this current moment. I would have turned our shop into nothing if it was not for my numbness."

"...I made you angry," realized Oriole with a smile. "I wish that happens more often. But, it is not bad even if we make mistakes."

"Are you aware," rose Arthur to his feet, "what a mistake can lead to, in my situation?" he gave a small chuckle. "I am fine, old friend. I will last until the fight ends."

After placing his hand on Oriole's shoulder, Arthur whispered the last words and then left Hidden Gem workshop. His friend did not chase after him or insist that Arthur takes the potion, making him grateful.

Oriole thought about Arthur's best interest, even though Arthur disapproved of the method. As he stared at the blue sky covering an infinite amount of pedestrians, Arthur was reminded of what he was missing.

There can be a life where he would be more than an observer from behind a glass. Arthur wanted to experience many things too, but drugging himself into that place did not sit well with him.

Oriole treated him as ill, making Arthur wonder if it was true. If this had been the past, Arthur would have shouted the same way that he did with Gala. T Instead, the witch made him smile as he remembered her, and Arthur wondered if the two of them would cross paths in this timeline.

However, even if Oriole was right, Arthur did not want to cure this curse. This battle demanded that Arthur becomes ruthless against his enemies and unattached to his friends.

The time he spent with Gaia left Arthur thinking about what he wanted to do. His family and Diana took priority, and then were his friends, who Arthur wished to live a long and happy life.

Arthur needed to watch himself lose emotions to ensure that the people he loves are safe and well. However, when he reaches that goal, that love will disappear as well.

His life was a candle that would burn itself in the end for the sake of others. However, when his light goes off, Arthur wonders if any of this would matter.

As he walked back to the campus, Arthur questioned everything. However, a question was a question, and his plan was set in stone. The next step was to create a guild, and for that, he needed people who knew how to lead one.

A few candidates rose in mind, and some of them were in Jerano here with him, but Arthur needed to do some convincing. Of course, the guilds will not be happy about this, but Arthur never planned on making them happy.

"Wait for me, traitor gods," grinned Arthur.. "I will make sure that none of you get their desire."