Arcane Era-Chapter 58: The Confrontation

Once the bubble crashed into the ground, it exploded, causing the waters to part in every direction. The only thing that remained intact was the boy who stood within its center.

He remained at the point of impact, kneeling as he coughed and spurted water out of his orifices.

"Gaahh... Ack!"

He was on the central stage, at the center of the Event Hall, surrounded on all sides by the Mercenary Crew, while the King and his Joker stood in front of him.

The Joker had a grinning face mask, with a colorful dress that displayed an exaggerated flair. She giggled as she watched him struggle to gain his footing, completely drenched by the water that constantly dripped from his exhausted body.

Her white hair danced like it was a part of her gown, a perfect contrast to the appearance of the Mercenary King she stood behind.

"Theo... you’re quite obstinate, aren’t you?" Gerald calmly said.

His gray eyes showed no emotion as they stared at the boy breathing raggedly. Beneath his mask, he frowned deeply, and his fists were clenched, but they were well hidden as he folded both hands. His overwhelming presence remained as intimidating as ever, but he chose to be gentle in his words.

"I’m impressed." He continued. "Your loyalty and dedication to this bastard is admirable... something you rarely find in the world."

Stretching a hand to Theo, he made a sincere proposition.

"Join our side, Theo. I can guarantee that Shen Ak’ashi isn’t worth your fidelity." freewebnσvel.cøm

At this point, Theo was on his two feet.

He spat out a mouthful of water, chuckling silently while glaring at the Mercenary King before him. In his eyes, the man was an imposing monolith—an obstacle he had to overcome in order to achieve his goals.

’Like I’d ever even consider taking your side...’ Theo had long made up his mind regarding the matter, however, he still needed to buy himself time while he figured out his next move.

As such, he reckoned the best move was to drag out the conversation.

"Really? I didn’t see your flag when I got rescued from imprisonment, though."

"...."

"In fact, I can’t think of any positive thing your Crew has done. You can call Lord Shen and the Ak’ashi Guild evil as much as you want to, but it’s pretty obvious that they’ve done some good and contributed to the world in some meaningful way." He scoffed.

Kaycee’s hometown was saved by the Ak’ashi Guild, inspiring the child at the time to become a member and travel the world so he could also help others. The Ak’ashi Guild provided a safe place to live for all their active members and their family, and it offered a lot of facilities as well as subsidies to those who contributed to the organization.

"They also saved me from my captivity... and showed me the most beautiful sunset I had ever witnessed." Theo remembered his time on the beach and a smile formed on his face.

The beautiful moments he had with the Zenith, the wonderful memories of his friends he couldn’t have had without the Ak’ashi Guild... and the destruction of his oppressors in the Great Sarvos Fortress...

"You offer none of that!" Theo proclaimed proudly. "All I see is bitterness and an insatiable thirst for revenge—all self-serving reasons, and not at all the bigger picture that the Ak’ashi Guild at least has."

After listening to him speak for a while, Gerald finally spoke, taking a step forward. "It’s not wise to belittle the Mercenary Crew when its leader stands before you."

"You don’t like what I said? I’m just telling you why I think—?"

"How much do you know about the Divine Ones? More specifically... the 12 Heavenly Kings of the Divine Court." Gerald interrupted Theo, his voice as still as a river.

’The 12 Heavenly Kings? What do they have to do with this?’

Quite frankly, Theo knew very little about the Divine Ones. However, even he knew some legends, and the most popular Divine Ones aside from Great Sun and Grand Moon were the 12 Heavenly Kings.

"They represent the 12 Constellations that shine brightest, each having cycles of appearance and power that surpass the other Divine Ones that watch over our world from the High Realm."

"There is a prophecy... about the will of the Divine Court." Gerald sighed. "The 12 Heavenly Kings ruled the world of the Divine Ones before the advent of Great Sun and Grand Moon. Their powers reigned supreme within the High Realm, but their authority has been diminished by the beautiful Moon that rules them at night, and the mighty Sun that dominates the day..."

’Of course, I know about this, but what does that have to do with anything?’ Theo frowned. ’What prophecy is he talking about?’

"Do you even know of the origins of the Divine Ones? They once walked the world of Trae’h until they ascended, leaving behind their possessions to dwell in the High Realm. Many have speculated that they were once Mortals, but since those events happened so far in the past—during the Divine Era—and most records of their civilization vanished during the Times Unknown, it remains a mystery..."

"What are you getting at?"

"There are things we can know about the Divine Ones... for example, the origins of the 12 Heavenly Kings." Gerald said, his voice growing louder. "They once ruled this world as supreme kings, leaving behind their supreme possessions—the Supreme Grade Armaments."

"Oh?" This was the first time Theo was hearing these things.

"The Heavenly Kings had the greatest power among the Divine Ones and still rule the Divine Court, but what does their origin tell you about them?"

"You think because they once ruled the world and wielded the Supreme Armaments, then if you do the same, you can become one of them? Isn’t that—?"

"I will!" Gerald stepped forward once again, his steps shaking the very ground. "I will burn this abominable Guild to the ground and eliminate that false king called Shen. From the ashes of this corrupt place, I will build my own Kingdom and will rise above all other nations to become a candidate of the Divine Court."

"But, doesn’t all of this rest on the assumption that the Divine Ones were once Mortals? There are many who believe they were gods. The Armaments were of no value to them because they all possessed Arcane Abilities and had no need for their possessions." Theo argued.

After all, the fact that they could even leave behind their Supreme Grade Arcane Instruments meant those things were of very little consequence to the Divine Ones.

That, or they would not matter at all in the High Realm.

"Pfft! It’s no use, Theo!" Shen’s voice suddenly echoed from his chamber above. "Even you can’t snap him out of his delusions."

Theo looked up, seeing Shen for the first time since the Combat Exams. Despite the dim screen of purple that tainted the glass, he could see that the Supreme Lord of Tyranny had not changed in the slightest.

He remained composed, perfectly unfazed by his imminent fate.

’Such confidence... does he really have a way to escape?’ Theo wondered to himself as he saw Shen’s broad smile.

"Shut up! It’s not delusion!" Gerald yelled, instantly losing control of his temper. "I found records in a Site of Fortune, where I was able to gain an immense treasure of Armaments."

"Maybe someone planted it there to play a prank on you. Who knows?" Shen shrugged playfully.

"But why would they leave behind Armaments?" Theo loudly wondered. "Could it actually be... a misinterpretation? How were you able to decipher the ancient language of the Divine Ones? Even the Arcane Institutes of the Great Nation of Haiaiel can barely comprehend it, and even the little they could comprehend is due to the brilliant mind of Lady Se’re Eh’tel, Supreme Lord of the Stars."

A lot of thoughts went on in Theo’s mind at that point, but he suppressed them.

’Let’s not forget the priority...’ He swallowed, dialing down his curiosity. ’Finding a way to rescue Lord Shen comes before anything else.’

"You are all ignorant... truly ignorant." Gerald shook his head, growling as he stared at Theo in sheer disappointment.

"I thought you might be able to comprehend even a tiny bit of my words, but it seems Shen’s brainwashing on you is complete." A hint of pity oozed from his aggressive tone. "My last act of mercy for you, as future King, is to end your life right here."

"... End?" Theo shuddered.

"Yes. It’s a shame, and a waste of incredible potential. But you’re too dangerous to be left alive, and since you are unable to see the truth... perhaps prematurely sending you to the Heavenly Palace is the best move."

When Mortals died, they returned to the embrace of the stars in the High Realm.

Those who completed the trials of the Divine Ones and were found worthy could be granted refuge into the Heavenly Palace. Those who weren’t... there were many outcomes that could befall them.

"Then again, for your sin of siding with the false King, perhaps you will be punished once your soul ascends. What will befall you, I wonder. Will your very essence be shattered like glass? Will you be consumed by the Cosmic Eraser and vanish from existence without a trace... or perhaps will you be reborn as a Tainted Blight? Only the Divine Ones will know once they decide."

With every word Gerald spoke, he got closer and Theo shrank back.

"Run away, Theo! You can’t take him on." Shen’s concerned voice echoed into the air.

"No!" Theo sharply replied, quickly glancing at him. "Remember what you told me back then... when I was still in that cage? You wanted to be amazed the next time we met. Well..."

Brandishing his blade, Theo made a fearless smile and took a fighting stance.

"Prepare to be amazed!"

"Tch. What evident wickedness..." Gerald shook his head, preparing for the execution that was afoot. "Pretending to care for the young lad’s life when you desired his appearance. Where did your confidence go, Shen? Did you not tell me that he would prevail over me? How laughable!"

Counting the Regal Grade Armaments in his possession alone, he had three of them.

As for the others...

"Guh!" Theo’s eyes widened as soon as he felt a pressure within him, forcing his body to slowly bend in response to the power that oozed from the Mercenary King’s weapons.

"T-two Imperial Grade Armaments?!"