“Then, that man is why you are no longer a deme-rank?” asked Arthur while covering his mouth. “And the invasion began from the Sin Dungeon, Avarice?”
“That is right,” nodded Juan. “There has been a dungeon break earlier today, but it was called an invasion because there were humanoid creatures within them. Furthermore, the man leading the invasion had demanded from the Yalveran Union.”
“What kind of demands?” asked Arthur before glancing at Maryam, who was about to leave. “And where are you going?”
“I’m going to be less of a coward than you are,” said Maryam. “I can’t believe that you would still turn your back away after everything Oriole did and run.”
“I have a lot on my plate already,” said Arthur without standing back. “And I have no time to justify my acts to a brat. So you can leave if you want. Oriole won’t be there.”
“And you are okay with that?”
“I trust that he will be fine. Oriole is my equal, not my subordinate.”
“…is that true?” asked Maryam as she turned around. “Then, will you save him if he needs saving?”
“I will not just save him but give up my life if that’s what it takes for him to be safe. For now, however, I decided to trust his plan. Anyway, Juan,” Arthur turned toward Juan. “Tell me what the invaders demanded.”
“A piece of the Yalveran Union,” muttered Juan. “It was not a dungeon break but a conquest to occupy our lands. This is the reason that this marks the beginning of the war.”
Arthur was silent as he stared at the man. Maryam didn’t leave in the end and sat on the side instead. Although he had no idea what she was thinking, he was glad she didn’t want to throw away her life again.
“Do you know anything more?”
“I… apologize,” muttered Juan as he shook his head. Arthur nodded and stood up before throwing him a bag filled with coins. Juan looked at him with confusion but accepted the money.
“I knew you a long time ago,” muttered Arthur as he walked toward the man. “And I’m glad that you humbled somewhat. Thank you for telling me all of that, and I will take it from here.”
“Take what…” asked Juan, but Arthur had his hand over his head, and the man fainted. Arthur retracted his hand, which had a memory-erasing rune. There was no specific reason for this, but he knew it was better than leaving traces.
“I need to find a way to reach Kera,” said Arthur as he turned toward Maryam. “You can leave, or you can follow me. Oriole said that you saved him, which makes me indebted to you. So, what do you want?”
“…it seems that Oriole’s fate is connected to yours, and the enemy that took him is also your enemy. This makes it best if I stick around until I find out where he is.”
“You would go that far for a friend you just met?”
“I find it hard to believe, but Oriole is a pure person. Everyone wears masks, even you, but not him. I want to make sure he is okay before heading out on my quest.”
“Then, join Ascent,” said Arthur before walking out of the room. Maryam began to follow him out of the hotel without replying, but her actions bespoke her intentions.
Arthur left the hotel, and the streets were busier than usual. There was an unusual tension in the air as the citizens all monitored the situation in Kera. Most shops closed to prepare for the economic crisis, and soldiers rushed from one place to the other.
“Let’s attack those knights and steal their identities,” said Arthur as he glanced at a pair rushing through the streets. “We can join the army heading toward Kera instead of wasting our energy traveling on our own.”
“I will handle that,” said Maryam before following after the knights. Arthur was surprised to see her take the initiative, but she was quick and decisive.
After the knights turned into a deserted alley, Maryam followed after them and waved her hand. Arthur kept a lookout lest someone saw them, but they were safe. The two knights suddenly stopped moving, stunned.
“They won’t realize that something changed even after waking up,” muttered Maryam as she walked toward them. “Wear this armor as I formulate a shapeshifting potion.”
“There is no need for potions,” said Arthur as he walked toward them. “Hold still,” he raised his rune, which turned their appearance into that of the two knights. “All we need now is to undress them.”
“Pervert,” spat Maryam, looking nothing like her earlier appearance. “We need to hurry.”
“You are oddly cooperative,” said Arthur as he took the knight’s armor, engraved with the symbol of the Yalveran Union. “What changed your mind?”
“This is what Oriole worked hard to achieve, and I’m ensuring his efforts aren’t wasted,” said Maryam as she donned the armor. “Plus, I always wanted to infiltrate the army.”
“…what kind of runemaster are you?”
“A bored one.”
***
The situation was getting worse by the second. Arthur was drained from his fight with Sier, and even using the Art of Creation didn’t replenish his energy in time. Instead, it was spiritual drainage because of reversing the runic-conversion process.
Their attempt to infiltrate the army was successful. As Arthur expected, the two knights were rushing to join their platoon, heading toward Kera. However, no one suspected them, and the two found themselves joining the platoon heading toward the military fort outside of Yalen.
“It seems Kera is still fighting against the invaders,” muttered a knight beside them. “I think we need to focus on protecting the other cities rather than saving Kera.”
“That is why you are just a lowly knight,” said a sharp-eyed woman beside them. “Our lords make these decisions for a reason. Their insight is second to none.”
Arthur listened quietly to their conversation with Maryam beside him. They were boarding a flying vessel to head toward the fort, where they would be teleported via a secrete spatial route toward Kera.
“Are you worried about someone?” asked Maryam beside him. “As far as I know, your father is a noble from Veran. Therefore, you should have no relations to Kera whatsoever.”
“You need to ask fewer questions if you are going to accompany me from now on,” said Arthur, wearing a different face. “Let me rest in peace.”
“What did Oriole like about you, grumpy old man?” muttered Maryam as she held her sword tighter. “Well, you must be too worried to chat. We should rest until we get there.”
Arthur was quiet as he closed his eyes. The word worried was an understatement. He was torn between madly rushing there and saving his strength for the battle ahead. One thing he was sure about: this enemy will be a difficult one to handle.
“A calamity that devours stats,” muttered Arthur as he chewed on the words. “What a troublesome opponent to face!”
“The best he might have are stats,” answered Maryam beside him as the vessel began to land. “At least you don’t have to worry about any trump cards.”
“I doubt that.”
Arthur knew better than anyone how strong the absorb rune was. It was leagues above what Arthur could create using his reality manipulation. It was a cheat. If Jizo truly gave it to another human, that man would be a formidable opponent.
The vessel landed, and the knights rushed toward the fort. Arthur watched the vessel leave before following the other knights toward the circle. It was a hot day, and the blazing sun tried to melt their armors.
“Attention!” shouted a knight standing atop a pedestal with a man beside him. “Salute the Major General, Ilia Perli!”
The knights heartily saluted, and Arthur merely mimicked. He didn’t think he would meet the general once again here. Major General Ilia Perli stood there with a grave expression, looking at the platoons as dead men. He didn’t try to hide it.
“There is a real possibility that all of you will die today and a certainty that half will perish. Those who wish to run away can do so now, instead of breaking formation later on.”
Not a single knight retreated, and it made Major General Ilia smile.
“I am the captain of the Unbroken Corps!” shouted Ilia Perli as he pounded his chest. “My name is Ilia Perli, and I declare that everyone here is a warrior! Your names will be eternally engraved in Yalen Gold! The enemies might be powerful, but we will never break!”
“Never Break!”
“Never Break!”
The knights chanted after him, stomping on the ground to make the fort shake. Then, a platform behind Ilia lit up with runic lights, and the teleportation began. Major General Ilia roared as he pointed his sword toward it, and the troops began to march forward.
“Advance, and protect the union!”
Arthur walked with the troops into the teleportation circle, and he was back in Kera in the next moment.
