Chapter 651 World-Class Criminal The broadcast was cut off, but it resumed as if nothing had happened. First, the man in question stared at the cameras, ensuring his voice reached the end of the world. Then, his lips parted as he narrated the story of how he was targeted.
The mystery behind the attack on Runera remains to this day, and Arthur revealed the involvement of the Ilios Empire. Although there were rumors regarding the situation and how the fallen beings found a way inside, no one dared to speculate.
The existence of the seven families was a secret to the public, although the powerful awakeners and the elites knew about it. However, Arthur did not stop there. He made sure to explain the reason behind their actions.
"The Seven Families want to resurrect their ancestors," it sounded too unbelievable once it was out in the open. "Therefore, they are trying to merge the two worlds. Can you imagine the destruction that would ensue once Alka becomes one with the earth?"
The scene in Kera that was transmitted to the world was still fresh in her mind. Arthur made sure to control the drones to make sure that they show the world what destruction it would face. It was not his intention to make the citizens panic, but it's better than the rug being pulled from beneath them.
"Earlier, General Ilia Perli asked his soldiers to shoot down the drones when I was about to reveal this secret. These drones were allowed so far to make the Yalen Army shine in battle, but they are a threat now."
The words made the weak Major General shake, and his face grew paler. Of course, Arthur did not have something against the Major General himself, but the people would believe a public figure rather than the words of a dead man.
"I risk my life here to tell you this: the kings you serve are not on your side but selfish bastards who want to achieve their goals at the expense of your safety. Even after witnessing this destruction, are you fine with letting them do it?"
Arthur never believed that just his words would be enough to oppose the seven families, but since his identity was compromised the moment he fought Sier, it made no difference.
The seven families cannot find him unless he shows himself, and he can just teleport to the other side of the planet the moment he finds himself in a losing battle. Arthur did not overthink the details, but Ascent will rise regardless of the opposition.
"Are you done playing around?" asked Amelio with rage as he took off his shirt, leaving him with nothing but tattered brown pants. His body was covered with scars, but his muscles were more prominent. "Let us fight to our heart's content, outsider!"
"I am done explaining anyway," answered Arthur as he turned toward the calamity. "I came here to take you down and prove my words to the world."
"Take me down?" laughed Amelio as he stood several meters away from Arthur. "I like you, kid. You remind me of myself. We both had nothing in the beginning, just weakness. But that rune changed everything. You, however, failed to use it right."
"And what is the right method to use it?"
"Killing everyone in your path and stealing their stats!" grinned Amelio as he clenched his fist in the air. "That is what this rune is about, to take!"
"Then, I just have to kill you and absorb your stats. That is the fastest method to grow stronger, right?"
"Haha! Yes, it is! I don't care about anything anymore, as long as I obtain that rune!" shouted Amelio as he took the same stance from earlier.
"You keep mentioning that, but don't you also have that rune?"
"All runes have different stages, right?" grinned Amelio. "You have a higher form than mine, which only absorbs stats!"
Arthur understood the difference between him and Amelio. The man before him was a stats freak, but he did not have as many abilities or skills. Thus, obtaining Arthur's Absorb rune was his way of growing even stronger, even while he was sealed.
"Mero, assume formation. Shadows Legion, hold back the rest of the monsters. As for the soldiers, you can either fight me or fight him. I am not the one who seeks to kill you."
The soldiers were conflicted as they stared at the two sides. Amelio was the invader, but Arthur was not considered a world-class criminal for revealing the information from earlier. However, their enemy's enemy should be their ally since they are defending their world. All of them turned to Ilia Perli.
"Arthur… Silvera…" coughed the Major General with a tired and pale face. "You were once the hero of our kingdom before you perished. However, the words you have muttered earlier are forbidden lies; therefore, we will arrest you here!"
Arthur frowned as he turned toward Major General Ilia Perli, who summoned his lightning astral spirit. He wondered whether the Major General had lost his mind, but the man took steady and confident steps toward Arthur. The soldiers looked conflicted but readied their weapons anyway.
"As a world-class criminal, we will arrest you when this fight ends. Until then, the mission takes priority. Soldiers! Aid Arthur Silvera and his followers in their fight!"
"I knew you were a sensible man," Arthur grinned before turning toward Amelio. "However, I decline to be arrested, even after this ordeal ends."
"No matter how much flies gather around, it can never match an overwhelming difference of strength," said Amelio as he pulled his arm backward, ready to strike. "Heaven's Wave, Second Stance!"
The sky roared as Amelio took his stance. A great ethereal figure of a wave appeared behind him, towering in the sky. If this was an actual wave, then slamming them would kill all those present. Arthur stared at the monster and his stance; he could feel that this attack was stronger than before.
'I cannot handle another reflection, even if I used all of the mana,' inwardly thought Arthur while assessing his body. 'The wounds from earlier have healed thanks to the Scholar's Mansion, but the strain it placed on my body is irreversible.'
Arthur needed another method to defuse the attacks, and Ruki was that exact answer. The shadow queen jumped in front of Amelio, who was ready to kill all of them.
"Do not mind the attack, and strike!" shouted Ruki as she raised her hands in front of the calamity. "I will absorb the blow!"
Arthur dashed forward, and so did the rest of them. Amelio punched with his fist again, and the world rumbled as if it was being torn apart. The only one receiving the attack was the shadows that Ruki erected.
A dagger of sharpness appeared in Arthur's hand as he materialized the concept as he did with Sier. General Ilia Perli stared at the sword with amazement before summoning his spear, Lexus.
The two of them disappeared and reappeared behind Amelio. The air pressure from his punch pushed them backward, but each of the two struck a different side of the calamity. Amelio's fist slammed into the shadows, and the force was absorbed into the shadow realm that Arthur shared with his minions.
"I have spared your life once before, but do not expect a second time," said Amelio as his fist dived into the shadow. Ruki coughed dark blood but retained a smile before raising her hands.
Amelio's fist was directed toward the sky, sending most of its force toward the infinite. Lexus and the Dagger of Sharpness struck his back on each side, each piercing through his skin and his torso.
"You bastards!" shouted Amelio as he arched his back and waved his arm at them. Even though this was not one of the stances, it was still enough to kill the two of them. Arthur grabbed Ilia Perli and teleported away, reappearing behind Ruki.
"Attack!" shouted the soldiers as their attacks rained on Amelio, making the wounds Arthur and Ilia inflicted even deeper. The gobkins darted through the battlefield, leaving deep marks on the ground. Then, they raised their weapons and struck the calamity before retreating and avoiding his attacks. Each one of them continued to take runs and strike before running away, letting Amelio flail his arms around without result.
"Damn flies, disappear!" shouted Amelio as he brought his two fists down on the ground, sending a shockwave that sent everyone flying away. Arthur waved his hand, and the dust disappeared, revealing the tired and injured Amelio.
All kinds of attacks rained on him earlier, and the gobkins gave him no time to regenerate. The fallen god Amelio was driven into a corner like a beast, breathing in deeply with rage and fatigue.
"Annoying weaklings! No matter how much you harm me, I will regenerate!" shouted Amelio as his wounds began to disappear, except for one on his back. The calamity was shocked and looked at Arthur, who smiled.