Chapter 442: Loose Ends.

Chapter 442: Loose Ends.

I would like to officially inform all my readers that I have started writing a new story called Heavy Metal [ A Monster Evolution LitRPG ] You can probably figure out what it's about from the title and hope you give it a try. If you like Runesmith, then I think that you will enjoy it as well. There aren't that many chapters out yet but I hope you all follow it for later and if you are inclined to, give a nice rating :D

Roland paused mid-step, his hammer still ready to strike while Elythaes's words hung in the air. The Baskerville Knight's eyes widened as he came to some sort of realization and his face was a mix of disbelief and anger.

"...are you actually...?"

A question was thrown and it indicated that his opponent knew something. His face had been revealed and there was an implication that came with it. He had never met this person without wearing his suit of armor nor did anyone know how the missing Arden sibling. However, there was one particular thing about his family that set it apart from the others. It seemed that their fathers genes took over when it came to male offspring but when it came to females, they took the mother's side of the family. This was also the reason why his brother Robert, instantly recognised him a few years back.

Y-youre one of them, right? Y-you must be Robert? Now this all makes sense

It seemed that this man had come in contact with his family members and this was not anything out of the ordinary. The Baskerville Knight family in a way took over the responsibilities of the Arden estate that was previously also one of Castellane's guard dogs. Even after Wentworth Arden rose to his position of proper nobility, the Baskerville Knights continued to maintain a close relationship with them due to their shared history of loyalty and service.

When he was between the ages of five and ten, he had witnessed them as well and through those exchanges, he came to know of the three Cerberus Knights. It wasnt strange to assume that this person had seen either his eldest brother Reyner or the second Edwin. He didnt seem to know Robert at all but the resemblance was there and it seemed that his identity as one of the Ardens had been exposed.

No, how could you be Robert this strength Not even the firstborn was this capable could you be

What does it matter who I am?

Roland stopped for a moment but then resumed his approach. He knew why Elythaes was confused as Rolands power was just too high. At most, he could assume that he was some bastard who had been born before Reyner. It wouldnt make sense for Robert to be strong enough to take out the Cerberus trio on his own.

No wait! If youre from the Arden family please reconsider! Do you want a war to break out between the families? Do you think you can win against the Castellane house?

Roland paused once more but his hammer was still clenched tightly. The mention of potential conflict between the Arden and Castellane families made him contemplate the issue. It was true that any action he took here could have negative repercussions, not just for himself but for his family as well. He had raised his hand in opposition to Viola Castellane and already killed some of the Baskerville knights with Andreas being the most prominent one. While the other side started the conflict, some might say that he had overreacted.

You tried to murder me and Lucienne Arden as well, now that you are defeated, you seek a truce?

Elythaes struggled to rise from the swampy ground, but he seemed to be trying to make amends.

Please my friend, think about it. I had no choice in this matter Im sure that you understand, people like us have no choice in these matters, I was just following orders.

Roland's expression remained unreadable as he listened to Elythaes's plea but his mind was racing. There were potential consequences of continuing with his actions now. He understood the balance between the noble houses and how they would probably not let this issue rest so easily. It would be clear to the Castellane household that he was the man responsible for all of this.

But what are the other options here? If I let this bastard go, he will report all of it and they might just come back with more forces or even hire an assassin

If one strategy didnt work it was useful to use another. While it was true that the Baskerville and Castellane families would probably back off for a moment, they would hold a grudge. The issue could potentially be dropped as it would put the other families in a bad light, the only thing that nobles feared than the higher nobility was bad rumors. There was a possibility that they would halt their advances and even issue a public apology. However, after the overreaction he witnessed today, Roland wasnt sure if they would honor anything.

I understand your predicament but it doesnt sound very genuine when youre just trying to distract me, did you think I wouldnt notice?

For a moment he did give it a thought, revealing himself could potentially have this whole thing end without any future bloodshed. While he didnt see the Castellane family apologizing for this issue, it was possible to make amends and form some type of binding contract that would safeguard his sister. Both sides would come to some kind of agreement and let things rest but it wouldnt be so as the surviving Roman had been lingering in the background.

Shit

Roland had managed to rip off this mans arm but he was still a tier 3 class holder. With enhanced bones and internal organs, even without an arm it was still possible to move around. People at this tier had advanced from being regular humans and were closer to monsters.

It seems that you wish to negotiate with your swords raised?

...

Wait, is this spiritual energy, not mana? It looks like a mana phantom could this person be?

It finally hit him, this person was not an illusion nor was it a hologram, it was a specter. Roland recalled the description that Arion had given him of the Institutes Spiritualist and this old lady fit the bill. She wasnt very tall and hunched forward while holding a cane in her right hand. Her nose was somewhat large and elongated. Her face had several large warts and she was also wearing a large hat which made her look like an evil witch from old fables.

Its just how Arion described, I thought he was exaggerating with the description

How rude, shouldnt you introduce yourself first, young man?

My apologies. I am Assistant Professor Wayland from the Institute

He mentioned his current hidden name but he wasnt sure how much this person had heard of his conversations with the now-passed Elythaes. Considering that he was talking with a Spiritualist who could talk with the dead, this was troublesome. Was his secret exposed already, or would it be soon after?

Oh, youre that new fellow from the Institute? What brings you here?

The advancement classes?

Oh right, there was that!

It seemed the Spiritualist, despite her eerie appearance, was not immediately hostile towards him. However, letting his guard down was not an option. She clearly came out from hiding to keep him from sending Ulfine into the afterlife. It seemed that she wanted to protect this woman who had wronged him.

I must say, you made quite a mess inside the dungeon.

The old woman commented while looking around, the bodies of his three enemies were still there and the blood was quite fresh.

I was just defending myself, they initiated the attack, and I had no other choice.

Oh, dont worry young man, Im not judging you but next time try to keep it down, its hard to concentrate while the spirits are in such disarray!

Sure

He wasnt sure what to make of this old lady, she seemed unperturbed by the circumstances that led to the deaths of these men.

What are your intentions Professor Fortuna, I assume?

I guess I dont need to introduce myself then! My intentions? Well, isn't it obvious? I'm here to ensure that justice is served, young man. But it didnt look like you needed any help, so I just waited.

You waited and justice? If I may ask what are your intentions with Professor Ulfine

Professor Fortuna let out a cackling laugh, which echoed eerily in the cavernous dungeon.

"Oh, my intentions with dear Ulfine? Dont worry young man, she wont be bothering anyone anytime soon

Roland couldn't help but feel suspicious of the old Spiritualist. The lady was giving him goosebumps for some reason and it felt like she was quite dangerous. While they were talking a large quantity of will-o'-the-wisp spectral monsters appeared around the area. Their numbers were quite large but this wasnt all. This womans spectral avatar was quite something too, the magical fluctuations it was giving off were tremendous.

It wasnt hard for a mage to measure their opponent's strength through the spells the other party was using. This person he was now up against wasnt simple and potentially had more mana than even he had. Considering that the Institute let her live in the dungeon and even allowed her to ignore meetings, made her probably into a special existence. She was perhaps someone quite powerful, maybe even someone that he wouldnt be able to go agains

I would like to officially inform all my readers that I have started writing a new story called Heavy Metal [ A Monster Evolution LitRPG ] You can probably figure out what it's about from the title and hope you give it a try. If you like Runesmith, then I think that you will enjoy it as well. There aren't that many chapters out yet but I hope you all follow it for later and if you are inclined to, give a nice rating :D