Chapter 565 - Berilo Kingdom

The Ghost Ruler seemed to be accepted as the Ruler of Runera for an artifact he possessed that controlled the city. However, Arthur remembers implanting no such thing, so whoever created this artifact and wielded it must be people he knows.

Arthur stared at the pond in his pavilion and wondered who it was. Runera decided to host this party for the sake of appearances, and he had no intention of participating in it. However, the person standing next to the pond did not like that.

"You signed an agreement to participate," said Julia with her flowery dress and a long necklace. "Are you sitting there like a monk again?"

"I have no intention of being a monk or participating in the party," replied Arthur.

"You are sitting in a lotus position on a rock. If you are not a monk, the Shon Theocracy is no better. I was sent to bring you, Alexie. You are the star of the show."

"I'm no more than a runes apprentice," he replied with a smile. "I would never dare attend a party as grand as this one."

"The artifact you submitted makes every runemaster to shame. However, you are an apprentice by choice, and Runera has no intentions of letting its golden boy sit idly."

"I am no one's golden boy," scorned Arthur the mere thought. "I will not be coming to the party. That is final."

"...I will be scolded," the runemaster folded into herself like a paper. "I cannot believe that I wanted to impress my father through this. So now, I will be mocked forever."

Arthur watched the older woman crouch to the ground and allow her dress to spread on the grass. Her face found its home in her hands as she began to wallow in self-pity.

"What does your father have to do with it?" asked Arthur.

"The families of Runera are vying to impress the Ghost Ruler for bigger energy allocation. However, the Ruler is interested in the ruins we found inside Runera, so the family who finds a way inside will be the one allocated with the training arrays."

"And where do I come along?"

"It was the Ghost Ruler's idea to start inviting outsiders to participate in the exploration. We figured that he wanted publicity for Runera, and you were the infamous Alexie Linan. I vowed to be your attendant to the party to prove to my family I was still their greatest asset."

"I just want to visit the ruins," sighed Arthur. "I get it, so stop crying. I will attend the gathering. Just give me some time first to get dressed."

"...I won't let you back down," she said after snapping her head upward and jumping to her feet. "I will be waiting at the cafe on the end of the road."

Julia walked out of the pavilion and closed the door behind her. Arthur disagreed because he felt pity, but he could tell that two people had appeared inside his house.

"You found a lot of new friends as Alexie Linan," said Miko as she strolled out of his inner chambers. "And another reputation in the runes path."

"It seems you brought company," said Arthur as he looked at the young man standing beside her. His hair was combed backward, as silver as his eyes. "I can't say we had the honor of knowing each other."

"I knew you for a long time, Arthur Silvera," said the young man with a smile. An earring glowed on his ear as the sunlight struck it. Arthur could faintly tell that it was an artifact. "I am Kirk Berilo and Miko's cousin."

"Berilo is a kingdom close to Uninhabited Lands," muttered Arthur before turning to Miko. "You never told me that you were royalty."

"I am far from it," said the short woman with a shake of her head. "This kingdom is just a cover for our family. Kirk was there in the trial of the holy crown."

"I know, we met," smiled Arthur as he rose to his feet. "We met for a few seconds, and I introduced myself. You laughed a lot about things making sense."

"Please forgive my thrill to meet the outsider," bowed Kirk Berilo with elegance. "I sometimes come out as too eager. Nevertheless, I am an ally."

"The Berilo Family has been nothing but kind," said Arthur as he turned to Miko. Her silver eyes glared at him with confusion, realizing that he was different. "However, I must ask something."

"Anything for the Creator," rose Kirk with a smile. Arthur frowned at the certainty because she told him her family wanted to make sure that he was the outsider the last time he met Miko. This was where Hazel and her family came along.

There was mention about the Tanera Kingdom wanting to use Jerano as summoning grounds. However, Oriole knew no such incident, but if it happened, then it explains what made Miko hate him.

"Who else knows about my identity?" his eyes glowed dangerously golden as the pavilion grew darker. Kirk and Miko stared at each other and instinctively tried to teleport away. However, their attempts were a failure. "I locked space here."

"We have no intention of angering the Creator," said Kirk as he adjusted his clothes. Arthur noticed that he was not flustered, which might be due to the earring he was wearing. "The Berilo Royal family knows, but no one else."

"Then, I need to meet them," smiled Arthur as he waved his hand. The three of them were standing beside the pond earlier, but the soil beneath their feet disappeared and was replaced by bricks. "We are friends, right?" asked Arthur as he turned to Miko.

The short woman looked at him with the same hatred he had seen yesterday. She did nothing to mask it, probably assuming that he was no different from before. Arthur sighed.

"I have changed," he said while raising his hand. "Kneel," he commanded, and their kneecaps struck the ground in the same instant that his command rang. Arthur took slow steps toward them. "I have to make sure that no one knows of my identity. I repeat no one."

"You are making a mistake, Arthur Silvera," said Kirk with the same calm he had before. The confused one was Miko, who looked at Arthur as if she did not recognize him. "You cannot kill me."

"Is this confidence coming from this little artifact?" asked Arthur as he reached out toward the earring. "I assume that it is a protection of some sort."

"And a lethal weapon," smiled Kirk. "We are not here for chitchat. Berilo wants exclusive information about what's inside the ruins. We know that you can be the first one to enter them."

"You are... demanding me of something?" his eyes widened with surprise before a laugh escaped his mouth. "Is this the result of our friendship, Miko? Did you report that I was a pushover like before?"

"You are not going to harm us, Arthur, even if you can," she smiled. "You are not a man who makes difficult decisions. I have known you for a long time. You are a good person, and maybe that is your greatest flaw."

"You do not know what I have been through," Arthur shook his head as he walked toward Kirk and held his arm. "I will not allow any slip-ups anymore."

"What are you doing?" asked Kirk as fear appeared in his eyes. The runes on his earring began to glow, ready to activate before they were diffused. "What... what happened?"

"You got too overconfident, prince. I am not the same as before, and showing yourself to me is the greatest mistake you could have possibly done."

Arthur twisted his arm as he said so, and it bent unnaturally. Kirk Berilo looked at it for a second before opening his mouth to howl in pain, but no sounds came out. Instead, the prince wiggled on the ground as Miko stared at the scene.

"We are friends, no matter what," said Arthur towards her with a smile. "This is the reason I'm letting you go back to Berilo. Warn them and relay my words. If the world knows that I am still alive, in any way, Kirk Berilo dies."

As he said so, Arthur waved his hand, and the two of them returned to the pavilion, and Miko was still on her knees in shock. The silver-eyes turned toward him with confusion before looking for Kirk.

"Where... where is he?" she asked while trying to stand. Arthur looked at her and shook his head. "What have you done, Arthur?"

"I will not tolerate any more failures. This time, there will not be any loose ends. Tell the Berilo Family of my threat. If they are truly on the side of the outsider, then they should be happy to keep Kirk on my side."

"You cannot expect the Berilo Kingdom to stand idle as their heir is kidnapped!" she looked at him with fear. "This is idiotic, Arthur!"

"There is no other choice for them.. Otherwise, I will bring their kingdom to the ground," said Arthur, his golden eyes unwavering.