“I know the world has been thrown into mayhem,” Arthur said as he pulled a chair and sat in front of the two. “And I apologize for making you accomplices in my rebellion against it.”
“It is more than just that,” said Maryam while ruffling her hair. “Reports are coming to Runera one after the other. This fight seems more than just an invasion, as it was a warning. The man named Seref Silvera has declared that more of these will begin, and the world is in a state of unrest.”
“When the people start doubting their kings, conflicts shall occur. Even as we speak, many guilds have disappeared from existence and joined the rebellious forces in their nations.”
“This cannot be achieved in a single incident,” Arthur shook his head. “The world has been enduring the seven families in the shadows. How many resources have been taken away from awakeners by the sons and daughters of heavens?”
“In any case, the battle that occurred became the trigger that showed the real face of the world. Your words in the broadcast are backed by many, and many of them gained the courage to step forward.”
“And what can we do about that?”
“It’s not like we need to do anything, but we want to know what you want to do from now on. You cannot return to Jerano after what happened in Runera, so would you assume a new identity?”
“I would rather not.” Arthur shook his head. “You lose a little bit of yourself every time you live the life of another. I… don’t want to be an outsider anymore. A man who runs away from his life by hiding is no different than a coward.”
“However, the world will treat you as a criminal no matter where you appear,” said Maryam with a frown. “It is better to lay low for a while.”
“Even if I know the right choice, sometimes I don’t have to choose it. If we all made the right decisions, we wouldn’t be human. I will carry this identity with pride and face whatever threats come my way. If I die, that would be as much as I amount to: a threat that the world eliminated.”
“…that is a scary mindset,” said Julia with a sigh. “Then, that means you will create Ascent as you have planned?”
“I am,” nodded Arthur. “I need to close the dungeons before another invasion occurs. In this way, I can also grow stronger than before. First, however, we must find a way to know which dungeons will break next. I have a person in mind, but he is still in Kera.”
“You must be talking about the Calamity Foreseer, Ronin Yalen?” asked Julia, and Arthur nodded. “If he can foresee disasters, then he is the best foreseer we can obtain. However, how come this disaster came without warning?”
“I don’t know if he hid it or if Master Ronin failed to see it,” said Oren after coming back with Selena. “However, it might not be a disaster for Master Ronin because it brought what he always dreamed about: his wife.”
“A man’s disasters is another man’s fortune,” said Arthur with a sigh. “I didn’t know Master Ronin had such a complicated past, but it explains a lot.”
“I didn’t get a lot of details, but it seems his wife left him and their daughter, Melania. And it seems she is the queen of whatever kingdom those soldiers served.”
“If that is so, then it can be a part of their plan,” said Arthur. The rest stared at him with confusion. “If Seref knew his plans would be foiled if Master Ronin foresaw them, then his alliance with that kingdom for the sole reason of misleading Master Ronin. This means that his life must be in danger.”
“A truly calculating man, this Seref,” said Maryam. “Is he your father? I don’t understand why….”
“We don’t understand either, but it seems he has changed since we’ve last known him,” said Oren, which made Arthur glance at him. “He is not the father that we know anymore.”
“It is futile to talk about this,” said Arthur. “The world awaits our next move. Then, it will decide how the people see us.”
“If you wish to fight the world, then you need an army, Arthur,” said Julia with worry. “The reason that humans have survived the onslaught of the monsters is that we have numbers! It’s the same for other for the armies.”
“A guild is an army,” said Oren. “If we increase our numbers, we should be able to fight back.”
“Isn’t there a memorial happening in Kera?” asked Arthur with a smile. “It might be time for another announcement.”
***
The world did not sleep well the following days as they awaited their turn for an invasion by someone as powerful as Amelio. It did not lessen their fears when they knew that Amelio was still alive, even after his defeat against Arthur Silvera. Kera had Arthur Silvera to protect it, but what about the rest of them?
After several days after the incident, a world summit was called to reassure the people. It was held in Shon’s high mountains, considered neutral grounds for the Seven Families. It was a broadcast of the strongest people in the world showing their readiness.
At the same time, it was to mourn the fallen in Kera. It took almost a week to find every corpse and bury them on the outskirts of Kera, but it was necessary to pay respect to those who fell during this attack.
Although Kera has been destroyed, many of its citizens returned after the guilds cleared the monsters away. Almost a million people gathered on this day to mourn the loss of their loved ones, friends, and neighbors.
The clouds blocked the sun on this sad day, and it rained. It was the end of summer and the beginning of fall. The rain covered the destroyed buildings and the cliff that had appeared, but the crowd carried the caskets to the cemetery explicitly built for them.
Among them were the soldiers who gave their lives for this kingdom. Their honor was inscribed on a giant stone statue resembling a sword. After the victims were buried across the massive cemetery, the memorial was held with a candle for each fallen victim.
Their pictures were placed around a giant monument that had their names. Their families cried, and their friends drank in their memory. The memorial was broadcasted to the rest of the world, so the other nations could also pay their respect.
After every joy of victory, there was the grief of the lost. War had no winners, and violence was never the path that led to happiness. Millions walked through the destroyed streets of Kera toward the monument to pay their respect.
The world summit began, and the bells of heaven were rung, signaling the gathering of the strong. Their appearance brought relief. They were all sitting across a table, with each chair belonging to the leader of a nation.
The Yalen King and the Madam of Janea sat on opposite sides of the table. Patriarch of Shon, Emperor of Ilios, and King of Beasts were seated beside each other. As for the Queen of Sourna and President of Orlan, the two of them sat opposite the three. A balcony was beside them, where a giant sat there, and it was the Lord of Halin.
Behind them sat the other nations, like Tanera and Berilo, sat on the outer ring of the summit. The appearance of many kings, queens and emperors gathered together made the viewers’ hearts beat rapidly.
“A recent incident in my kingdom made the public tremble with fear,” said the Yalen King, and it was the beginning of the summit. The world leaders discussed the incident in front of the public and presented new ideas to handle such calamities.
Their cooperation and generosity almost made the people feel united. However, several leaders were quiet, refusing to give their opinion on the matter. One of them was the organizer of this event, the Patriarch of Shon.
As the summit was about to reach its conclusion and pay respect to Kera, the broadcast was suddenly hijacked. A man appeared among the crowd, wearing a black suit. His appearance was ordinary, but his golden eyes caught the attention of many. It was none other than the face that had defended Kera from destruction and become the new front of rebellion. It was Arthur Silvera.
The drones were capturing his image standing among the crowds of people mourning the fallen of Kera. Arthur Silvera did the same as he walked through the crowd, which split for his arrival. The broadcast was being transmitted against their will again, and Arthur reached the monument before paying his respects.
After praying for the dead and lighting incenses, Arthur Silvera turned toward the world. Then, he sat in front of the monument and opened his mouth for the whole world to hear his words.
