"These scars aren't the only thing he left behind," Avadil touched his face, running his fingers on the wound. "My father left this kingdom bleeding, and the calamities feast on its blood."
"The calamities should be behind the gates," Arthur smiled, acting oblivious to the fact Kar, the Vampires Overlord, existed in the shadows of this kingdom. However, Avadil was clearly warning him when he mentioned blood.
"We are the greatest calamity, Seika," Avadil sighed and stared at him weakly, showing Arthur a vulnerable and tired side. "Humans will fight between them until all left are corpses, and the monsters will reap the benefits."
"And do you want the war to stop?"
"I want it to end because there is no stopping it. The war against the calamities is the reason we are here, and it is the ancient task delegated by the gods."
"The gods tend to make an appearance whether they wished for it or not," sighed Arthur at the absurdity. However, he needed to keep an open mind about this. "So, which gods are you talking about?"
"Those who abandoned us," the previous prince said with a smile, and Arthur struggled to hide his surprise. He heard these words only twice, and one of them was told by the Spirit Sovereign itself.
This world was the one the gods abandoned, and they chose half to use half of the people as a shield against the calamities. But, of course, no one knew of this story, and Arthur wasn't even convinced.
"Why do you think they abandoned you?"
"We have been tasked with an ancient task: to fight against the calamities. Since we can remember, it was our sole purpose, but no one said why we needed to fight it. So what are we protecting, exactly?"
Arthur couldn't tell this young man that they were protecting the lineages of the guardians in the other world. It was too cruel of a fight to be used as a meat shield against the calamities. What kind of cruelty was it to have someone die just so that another one sleeps peacefully?
Those living on Earth thought that the dungeons were the worst this world had to offer, but they were wrong. The dungeons were only meant to prevent them from going to Alka because the split would undo itself if more gates were opened.
This was the final task the legacy asked of him, and it was the task assigned to people of this world. They needed to answer to the wishes of powerful ancient beings to protect others. This was the task they were given, and they had no way to refuse.
Arthur could abandon his legacy, though. The only thing stopping him is that whenever he used his power, the legacy was the safety net that prevented him from losing himself to that power. If he truly had no legacy, he didn't think that his power of creation would be gone, although his runes might not stay.
It was a gamble with an ancient scholar, who seemed to have a different inheritor in this world. Arthur wondered if there was more than one inheritor for each guardian. The future has yet to tell.
"Whatever we are protecting," Avadil continued with a self-ridiculing expression, "seem to have no relation to us. Nevertheless, we have been given a duty to protect, and we need to answer it. Otherwise, we will die."
"You seem to hate such a fate," Arthur squinted his eyes, his lips pressing against each other. "I imagine that you aren't going to sit idle and do nothing about it."
"Is it not the norm to fight injustice?" Avadil gave a dry laugh as he scratched his head. "I indeed have my plans to counter this destiny, but that is a story for another time."
"Then what story do we have today?" Arthur leaned in, resting his chin on his palm. "You gained my interest, and I am willing to listen to your proposal."
"You are too kind, Seika," Avadil said with surprise. "Before I came here, my people advised me against making contact with you because it would be too dangerous, given your tales."
"They are wise people because I am indeed not the best person for allegiances," Arthur laughed. "I have a habit of making enemies with most, even if I don't do anything."
"A trait of destined people who bring change," Avadil smiled as he took out a scroll from his inner pockets. "This is a contract between my auction house and your city. We will resell your artifacts with no commission attached."
"And what would you gain?"
"Political power, public interest, and sales," said Avadil with a smile. "We are aware that your city has yet to develop into a trading center and that it is facing some financial crises. Therefore, we are willing to be a middleman in your purchases of materials and guarantee fair prices that align with the market."
"Are you aware that you are making an enemy out of everyone through this?" Arthur was surprised as he took the contract and opened it. "This will bring you more harm than good, Avadil," he sincerely advised.
"Are you more worried about me than about your city?"
"My city can find other ways than hurting others," Arthur said as he placed down the contract. "I can't sign this if I don't know your real motives."
"Are you afraid that there is a catch?" Avadil sighed. "You have the right to think that way because I am nothing but a suspicious salesman on your doorstep."
"And you are offering me money and support with nothing in return," Arthur pointed out. "I need to know why."
"The reason is simple, but I am not sure that you are going to believe it. I am sure that you aren't going to believe it."
"Try me, your highness."
"Well, I am doing this out of guilt," Avadil paused, and he explained once he saw Arthur's confusion. "My father did horrible things to this kingdom, and it keeps me awake at night when I think of all the harm he did."
"It is unrelated to you," Arthur said with a frown.
"You are kind, Seika, but I disagree. My existence is a sin in itself because my father's blood flows through my veins. So many lineages disappeared because of my father, but his blood survived through me."
"Then, what does that have to do with me?"
"You are trying to help the people of this kingdom. You can do so through your artifacts. If helping you means the people have something to eat, then I am willing to walk through hell for you."
"That is what you call extreme heroism," Arthur frowned.
"Whatever helps me sleep at night," Avadil said with a weak smile as he stood up. "I will leave this contract with you. Then, if you wish to work with me, you can sign it and send it over along with someone to arrange the dealings between us."
Arthur took a moment to read the contract, and it was simple enough. However, he still needs to make Ma and his people go through it before signing it.
"When is the next auction?" Arthur asked as the auction master made his way toward the room. Avadil turned around with a smile.
"An hour from now," he said as he met Arthur's gaze. "Are you interested in attending?"
"I am more interested in making some noise," Arthur said. "I wish you have come to me earlier. At least, I would have brought more artifacts along with me."
"Does that mean you are going to work with my auction house?"
"I am," Arthur stood up. "I will believe your story about feeling guilty and wanting to help the people through me. Do you want to know the reason?"
"What is it, Lord of Hidden?" Avadil stared at Arthur's eyes as he stood a single step away from him. Arthur smiled warmly in response.
"Because if you betray me, I'll just kill you. That would be the greatest redemption of your sins."
***
Arthur didn't want to threaten the prince, who was kind to him. However, he needed to make sure that Arthur or his city could not be crossed. Avadil took the matter lightly as if he had nothing to fear.
"This is great!" Ma jumped from his chair in excitement. "This will solve our current issues refills our treasury! But, Seika, how did you convince the prince to give you such an offer?"
"I didn't do anything. He gave it to me on his own," Arthur said as he looked down, deep in thoughts. "Make sure that there are no loopholes in the contract."
"I will assign one of the civil officers to read it countless times before we sign it," Ma nodded and jumped to run out of the room. "Ah, but we didn't bring any good artifacts along…" the manager stopped and turned to Arthur.
"I have a few," Arthur said with a smile as he stood up as well. "It is time to prove that my threats aren't empty."
