Chapter 81: Crossed The Line (1/2)

Since the house was surrounded by an illusion, any outsiders would only see a batch of trees in its place. The illusion would also deter away attention in its direction to ward off any unwanted visitors. That's the reason why animals and monsters couldn't disturb it with their aimless wandering.

Arthur opened the window and looked outside. It was eerily quiet. However, flying figures could be seen now and then. Arthur looked at them and realized they were the silver-masked cloaks of the royal family.

”You didn't answer my question,” Amelia said after standing behind him. Arthur ignored her. ”I said…” She tried to ask again. It was about the reason the royal family was here.

”Have you not interfered in my matters enough? Do you think I would help you get stronger if you keep this attitude?” Arthur snapped at her.

Amelia closed her mouth, indignant that Arthur was being too tyrannical. Still, the temptation of getting stronger stopped her from complaining.

”Why do you want to get stronger, anyway?” Arthur saw that it would be a while before they can come out, so he wanted to hear her reasons. In response, Amelia simply snorted.

”Hey, Ice Milk, I thought you were a cold rational person. If I'm going to help you, I need to know your reasons.”

”I'm not just going to tell you my private matters.”

”Oh yeah? It seems you're forgetting that I'm letting you in on my secrets.” Arthur crossed his arms in front of his chest as he watched Amelia hesitate.

”It's… Family issues.”

”Everyone has family issues.”

”My father divorced my mother because she gave birth to a girl.”

”Oh…”

”He said I was too weak to inherit the… guild.” Amelia spat out the last word like it was dirty.

”Your father is a guild master?”

”Yeah.”

”So, you want to prove him wrong? To take over the guild?”

”I don't care about his stupid guild. I want him to apologize, to live forever in regret for leaving my mother.” Amelia's face was dyed in genuine anger that Arthur saw one before in the mirror.

”I see.”

”That's why…”

”Yeah shut up now, I get it.” Arthur waved her off, and Amelia again found him to be too disrespectful.

”You'll help me?”

”Uh, you can't give out any information about me, right?”

”Y-yes.”

”I'll see what I can do.” Arthur thought it was possible to help her using permanent runes. ”Three mana cores. The higher the tier, the stronger you'd become.” Arthur raised his hand to stop her from thanking him as he saw her face full of gratitude. ”In return… I want 10% of the guild shares if you ever inherit it.”

”That's unreasonable!” Amelia stood up from her seat in agitation but Arthur remained calm.

”My strengthening is not a one-time thing. If I want to get those shares, I'd have to help you get there.”

These words made Amelia swallow back the words that were on the tip of her tongue. She looked at Arthur for any signs of bluffing, but she was only greeted with his golden and unshakable eyes. The hut became quiet as Amelia pondered the offer.

”… Okay.” Amelia nodded her head in the end.

***

Deep into the forest, surrounded by bushes from everywhere and shortly after Arthur made his escape, Alfred Yalen was accompanied by the golden-masked person as he lied on his face and had the golden mask person heal his burned-out back.

”A single mutt did this to us?! Why did you not capture him immediately?” Alfred gritted his teeth in hatred and glared at his subordinate.