Chapter 153: I’m no murderer

Chapter 153: I'm no murderer

(Sylwen POV)

'This is impossible...'

I stared at the shattered fragments of my mask scattered across the ground, incredulous.

A B-Grade Protective Artifact, reduced to pieces! The magical barrier it generated should have withstood two forbidden spells, yet it crumbled before that strange incantation.

My expensive mask, destroyed as if it were common glass...

"You..." I finally found my voice after seconds of stunned silence. "What kind of magic spell was that?!"

How could the supposedly weak exile, Arthur Morningstar, possess such power?

"Hehe, why would I tell you?" Arthur smirked, advancing slowly.

I retreated, but escape felt futile. His demonstrated speed meant outrunning him was unlikely.

'Wait...' Something about his measured approach caught my attention. The hesitation in his steps compared to earlier... 'Could it be? Did that massive attack drain his mana reserves?'

It made perfect sense! No one could shatter a B-Grade barrier without consequences. He must be exhausted!

Seizing the opportunity, I sprang into action, ricocheting between the alley walls to reach the rooftop.

"Hmph, let's see if you can catch me after expending all your mana at once!" I taunted, certain he'd weakened himself.

Below, Arthur's smile never wavered.

That expression...

A chill ran down my spine.

Gritting my teeth, I turned to flee - only to freeze at a familiar voice.

"You think I was exhausted, huh? Not a chance."

There stood the damn Arthur, blocking my path!

***

(3rd Person)

Sylwen stumbled backward, her voice trembling with disbelief. "Ho-how... You should be drained after unleashing such a powerful spell!"

Arthur stalked closer, his smile carrying a hint of mischief. "Hehe, did you really think that single attack exhausted my power?" A warm chuckle escaped him. "I've barely tapped into my energy, beautiful lady."

Sylwen's legs buckled beneath her as reality crashed down. She sank to her knees, eyes wide with dawning horror. "This can't be..."

Raw desperation crept into her voice as she clenched her teeth. "My life is forfeit now. The organization will never take me back - I might as well end it all!"

Arthur's instincts flared as Sylwen's fingers closed around a concealed dagger, its blade glinting as she aimed for her heart.

"Wait—" He surged forward in a blur of motion, reaching to stop her self-destructive act.

"Sylwen," she answered, resignation coloring her voice.

"Why were you ready to end your life earlier?" His question carried genuine concern.

Silence stretched between them before Sylwen spoke, seeing little point in secrecy now. "It's an organizational rule - if someone sees your face for more than a minute, your life is forfeit."

She continued grimly, "Better to end it yourself than be hunted down by the organization."

Arthur's frown deepened. "What a ridiculous group you're working for." He added thoughtfully, "Why not simply lie? Tell them no one saw your face."

Sylwen shook her head. "Impossible. The mask you destroyed had a tracking spell - they already know it's been broken."

Arthur nodded in understanding.

"I could try claiming I concealed my face after the mask broke, that no one saw me for more than a minute," Sylwen added quietly. "But whether they'd spare me is questionable. Failing the mission alone likely marks me for death."

Arthur's discomfort grew. "You're trapped in a truly terrible organization."

Sylwen fell silent, her lack of response speaking volumes.

Noting her withdrawal, Arthur paused their journey. "It'll take time to reach our destination by rooftop." He carefully set her aside, considering their next move.

Sylwen broke her silence with urgency. "Just let me go. If you keep holding me, your life will be in danger too."

"Hehe, didn't expect you to care so much about my wellbeing," Arthur teased.

A flush of embarrassment colored Sylwen's cheeks. "I don't care about you."

"You really do remind me of Firfel," Arthur mused, watching her reaction.

"I'm nothing like her!" Sylwen's sharp retort carried years of buried emotion.

Her response only reinforced Arthur's suspicions about her history with Firfel.

"I mean it. Let me go now. You don't want to be dragged into my troubles." Sylwen's voice carried genuine concern.

"I'm not afraid," Arthur stated simply. "Besides, your organization only knows about the destroyed mask - they can't track who you're with or where you've gone, right?"

Sylwen paused before answering carefully. "True. They don't know my current location. But they'll pinpoint where the mask shattered. Their operatives in this city are probably already heading there."

Arthur glanced back toward the alley with the mask fragments. "So we need to move quickly then?"

Sylwen nodded gravely. "Yes. At our current pace, their operatives will catch up soon. They're skilled investigators - they'll trace our path from footprints and other signs."

Arthur's continued calmness made Sylwen frown. "I know you're powerful - but trust me, the organization has members far stronger than you!"

"Be at ease. We'll be fine." Arthur's confidence never wavered.

As Sylwen wondered at his composure, she gasped as bat-like wings unfurled from his back.

"This..." Fresh shock registered on her face.

"Let's go." Arthur swept her into a princess carry and with one powerful leap, they soared into the sky.