Chapter 614 You Continue To Exist Because Of Him

Chapter 614 You Continue To Exist Because Of Him

The crisp air brushed against Arthur's face as he stepped out of the imposing estate, the grandeur of the mansion fading behind him.

The quiet rustle of leaves and the distant calls of birds were momentarily disrupted by the sudden vibration of the device on his wrist.

Pulling to a stop, Arthur tapped the sleek screen, his movements quick and practiced as he slid an earbud into place.

"Uncle Derek?" he queried, his voice tinged with both respect and urgency as he paused on the manicured pathway leading away from the estate.

The line crackled briefly before Derek's voice came through, warm yet slightly distracted, "Sorry, Arthur. I was busy in a meeting and I saw your missed call. Is something wrong?"

Arthur's eyes focused, "Yes. I uh...I wanted to ask something. Can I know if there is any reason why you can't deploy Hunters to those countries that the Thundering Reaper might attack? I mean, sending them without any strings attached. No government would refuse such help, right?" His tone was hopeful, seeking clarity and perhaps reassurance.

A heavy sigh resonated from Derek, as if he was burdened by something, "Arthur, it isn't that easy. Politics and its legalities are more complicated than you think. Even if we do what we said but things go south like collateral damage or casualties, we will be held responsible, and our Hunters might get crucified for no fault of theirs. Our agency will be expected to compensate for all that. So many countries are eagerly waiting for a chance to discredit our work and vision, and they will use any opportunity to do so. You wouldn't want that, would you, Arthur?"

Arthur's stride faltered slightly, his brow furrowing under the canopy of ancient trees that lined the estate's driveway, "I..." he started, the simplicity of his initial query unraveling before the complex realities Derek outlined. Though Derek's words made logical sense, a nagging feeling tugged at Arthur's conscience, suggesting that even if his words sounded logical, it didn't sound right.

"Looks like you understand. I have a guest coming in, so let's talk later if you have more to discuss. Okay?" Derek's voice, now edged with a hint of urgency, broke through Arthur's contemplation.

"Sure, Uncle Derek," Arthur responded, a note of resignation threading through his words. He removed the earbud, his gaze lingering on the stately mansion he had just left.

Why was it appearing as if people were hiding things from him or trying to make him believe something he found hard to believe? Even if they mean well and say it was for the better, was it really right?

He couldn't help but remember what Advisor Ash told him, even if he said it in a rude way.

With a heavy heart, he turned away, the crunch of gravel underfoot punctuating his departure.

—-

Just a moment before, A desolate industrial building, a relic of times gone by, stood forlorn under the weight of its own decay. Rust adorned its steel skeleton like a disease, and the pungent smell of old metal and mildew permeated the air. Within this dark setting, Derek, clad in a suit that seemed out of place against the backdrop of neglect, raised his hand against his ear.

As the call ended, he tapped his earpiece and turned with deliberate slowness to address the figure standing ominously before him.

Anna hummed contentedly, the warmth between them tangible as she hugged him and nestled her face against his chest, "I like how warm you make me feel whenever I am in your presence," she whispered, her voice muffled against his shirt.

Arthur responded by kissing her head gently, his hand caressing her face, "And I feel lucky that I get to hold you like this. I can't imagine living without you," he confessed, his words laced with deep affection.

A blush tinted Anna's cheeks as she looked up at him, her gaze filled with love, "So do I..." She interlocked her fingers with his, her voice steady yet filled with concern. "Now, are you going to tell me what's troubling you?"

Arthur's hazel eyes darkened with the weight of his troubles, "It's more than just one thing. I feel so useless and angry at myself that I am unable to protect the people against the Thundering Reaper. I don't know how to catch her and stop her before she keeps killing hundreds of innocent people. The other thing is, I visited my father to find out more about my mother, but he didn't want to tell me and only said that it was for my own good. I don't know what to..."

"Artie...I am sorry..." Anna's voice was soft, her grip tightening on his hand in a gesture of shared sorrow.

"Why are you apologizing? This is all because of me..." Arthur murmured, shaking his head slightly.

"Because I want to help you with all this and make you feel better, but I can't..." Anna replied, her smile wistful yet filled with a hint of pain as she added, "..and that makes me wonder if I complete you...if only fate didn't cripple me, then I-"

"That's enough," Arthur softly but firmly said as he covered her lips with his palm and added as he looked into her dark gray eyes, "Fate didn't cripple you but brought us together. You complete me in ways you don't realize. So please don't ever talk as if you aren't enough for me. That hurts me more than I could say."

Anna's eyes flickered with guilt as she gently lowered his hand and kissed it before looking up at him with a soft smile, "I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just want to see you happy always."

"I want the same for you too. So promise you will always stay by my side. That is the only way we both can stay happy like this..." Arthur said as he pressed her hand against his chest.

Anna looked into his eyes deeply for a moment before her lips formed a warm smile, "I promise," She said softly, making Arthur smile warmly as well.

Her eyes then focused as she asked, "But...this is the first time I heard you pondering so deeply about your mother. What made you think about it all of a sudden?"

Arthur shook his head slowly, and he said with a wry smile, "I always had that thought at the back of my mind and yet I never thought too deeply about it. But when my combat advisor mentioned my mother...it just stuck to my mind, and I felt this urge to know more."

Anna slowly nodded, but then she gave a playful frown and asked, "Don't tell me that guy is still being rude to you? Why would he talk about your mother?"

Arthur wryly chuckled and said, "He only mentioned my mother to prove some point regarding my mentality. You don't have to worry. Even if he is rude...his words have some truth to it..." Arthur trailed off as he pondered on Ash's words.

Anna sighed and said, "Maybe. But you should be careful. Guys like him always try to take advantage of kind men like you."

Arthur lightly laughed, "Haha. I shall be on my guard. Don't you worry."