Chapter 918 Broken Maiden

Most of the letter was written as nonsense, making Arthur spend almost half an hour pondering it. It might be that Oriole used such a paraphrasing to avoid detection by Sier or someone from Mistletoe.

If Arthur guessed right, Sier wanted to seize control of the union. The first line was an introduction, and the second was the topic of this letter. Once Arthur read the word 'see,' he knew what Oriole hinted.

As for the next part, Arthur did not understand what he meant by freedom and its sheath. Thus, he summoned the other person who knew Oriole and even admired him, Maryam. After several minutes of reading the letter, the runemaster leaned back in her chair.

"I have no idea either," said Maryam with a frown. "Freedom could mean anything; if we don't understand it, we will never know what the rest of the letter means. Oriole seems to be warning us about something."

"Even if Sier took control of the union, how would this affect us?" muttered Arthur with a frown. "Am I supposed to stop him from that?"

"You might not be the hero that he asks for, but the opposite," said Maryam with a sudden realization. "He is talking about something that would save the union, but can this have an opposite meaning?"

"What opposite meaning?"

"The end of freedom in the union, or the seer who would save it," said Maryam while pondering. "However, what does the rest of the letter mean?"

The rest was written in a similar poetic form, with details about the hero and his journey. Arthur and the runemaster remained inside the room to analyze it for more than an hour with no luck and decided to give up.

Julia was the one to suggest a break after finding the two consumed by the letter. Arthur reluctantly agreed and walked toward the outer layer where his goblins had taken residence.

Although they have yet to evolve above Hobgoblin, most did and formed a formidable army. Arthur felt terrible for not visiting them often because as soon as he did, they cheered for him and bowed.

Mero went out of the chief's tent and received him, welcoming him with great zeal. After evolving to a hobgoblin, his rank rose to become an Epic-tier, the equivalent of a deme-ranker human. This leap of ranks staggered, seeming to be limited by his species.

"You honored us with this visit, my lord," said Mero as he knelt on one knee. "I should have visited you once you returned but could not gather the courage."

"I heard about your work in clearing the dungeons for Ascent," said Arthur as he walked toward the Hobgoblin and patted his shoulder. "I failed to give you proper recognition as your lord."

"Not at all," said Mero with a shake. "Without your blessings, we would have perished in Mountain Range Rovero long ago. It is with your guidance that we have survived that incidence."

Arthur then realized that his goblins remained here, unlike in the previous timeline, while Kera went into the trial. This has slipped his mind as to how that happened, and he never thought about asking the goblins themselves. Mero just mentioned what he could be ignorant about.

"Retell that incidence to me, Mero," said Arthur with a frown that made the chief afraid but still invited Arthur inside to answer his questions.

Mero was Arthur's best follower because he never got suspicious of his questions or found them bizarre. Thus, the Hobgoblin told his master about the incident that made him lose Kira but gain a new follower, Marvi.

"A fissure caused by the Yalen Prince?"

"Prince Caleb found us and used a fissure to trap you. It was an attempt to kill you, and Marvi was one of the assassins hired by the prince."

"How did the prince cause a fissure?"

"He did not cause a fissure but knew of its location," said Mero with a frown. "I remember how you mentioned that this was more than just a coincidence."

Arthur was in deep thought, and Mero gave him no further details. The incident against Caleb made Kira get thrown into the trial grounds and meet the past, Arthur. Everything should make sense except the details of the Hobgoblin's story.

Although there was no questioning of his loyalty, Mero was not knowledgeable about the world. Caleb would not foresee the fissure or Arthur himself. There was another method that the Yalen King used to find Arthur.

The question was how, and it might be the message behind the letter. Arthur remembered a verse from the latter half of the letter that made him frown.

"In a pond where the sun meets the moon, the broken maiden awaits rescue. Her tears guide the devils, who seek his life."

"…is it talking about Emma?" muttered Arthur with sudden realization. Mero was confused, so Arthur thanked him and left the tent. The person that he wanted to meet next was Julia, who could gather information for him.

"Caleb and his fiancé?" muttered Julia with confusion while putting down the papers she had read. It seems she was still working even this late at night. "I remember them well. It is hard to miss such a tragic duo."

"Tragic?"

"I heard she was married off to the prince as a part of a deal, but I never knew the details. Once you are around royalties, being nosy will make more enemies than friends."

"I want you to investigate her location," frowned Arthur with apprehension filling his heart. "I sent her letters inviting her to Ascent, but she never responded. Find her and let me know where she is."

"I will, but whatever it is, we cannot afford to lose more time," said Julia as she took off her glasses and rose. She handed him the report that she had in hand, detailing what Runera was doing. "If we wait any longer, we might fight them in Ilios. Runera is filling its lands with runes, making it one of the most difficult places to invade."

"I don't fear runes," said Arthur as he read the report. "Eragon can take care of it."

"…I wish to make that our last resort," said Julia with a frown. "Oren was not wrong when he feared that power. It is something sinister, to put it mildly. Furthermore, I don't like how it affects your temperament."

"My temperament?"

"You are great at concealing it, but those around you could feel the wrath in your chest. It makes you unapproachable, even to people who care and admire you. The other members are being too cautious about triggering it off."

Arthur was not surprised about that. After witnessing footage of how he has turned into the wolf of destruction, he knew his members would fear another incident.

"I can control it now," said Arthur, although he lacked conviction. He handed the papers to Julia, who stared at him with worry. "I will not bring Ascent down."

"How can you bring it down when we are dragging you behind?" Julia said with a shake of her head. "I don't regret joining your guild, but I feel like you have grown too powerful for me to do anything useful."

"You will always be an irreplaceable part of Ascent," said Arthur as he stepped forward. He reached out toward her hand and squeezed it tight, making Julia look at him with surprise. "I did nothing but fight while you built a home for thousands of people."

That was the most basic definition of a guild: it was a home with people you trust and fight with. Julia dedicated her entire time to building it, even neglecting her dreams of becoming the youngest grandmaster. She stared at him with surprise, followed by a tearful smile, and then nodded.

"Once we take Runera back, you will be its ruler," decided Arthur, making Julia open her eyes wide. "I can think of no one better to rule it. Although I built it long ago, I cannot remain in one place. Thus, I will burden you and Ai to rule in my stead."

"You are destined to leave," said Julia with a weak smile. Then, she held his hand and brought them to her face with both of hers. "I will do what you ask me to, Arthur."

"I know you would."

Arthur then left her room, feeling a certain alienation. Their relationship now was a stark contrast to how it began. He never thought that that aloof runemaster would obey his commands.

It might be a side effect of his powers since his charisma has soared after becoming a deme-ranker. He could feel how much his presence affected others, even earning their admiration. It could also be a side effect of his actions.

It made him feel powerful and heard. The feeling was intoxicating, which might be why his father wanted him to be worshiped. Arthur now understood the appeal, and it was followed by self-loath.