Chapter 134: Baby Goblins (1/2)

Whether Master Ronin's words were true or not didn't matter, Arthur's goal was still the same. It was to get stronger than anyone so that he would fend for himself and stop hiding from the world. He would live his life without fearing it might end because someone powerful wished for it.

”Aldo!” Joe turned with surprise as Arthur entered the pub. It was understandable as Arthur didn't show his face around these parts for a while.

”Good to see you again, Joe.” Arthur nodded with a smile. Joe was the proxy he used to avoid selling his artifacts directly and the two shared a good relationship.

”Same goes for you, haven't seen you around for a while.” Joe placed the frame he was holding from his hands. ”What have you been up to? Hopefully not dragged to the recent war?”

”No, I haven't participated. The mercenaries…” Arthur looked around the bar as he saw their dwindling number. Joe sighed and shook his head regretfully.

”Most of them took part in the way that happened a few days ago. From what I heard; half were injured. Most of the rest were okay except for a few. They…” Joe shook his head again and Arthur figured out the rest. They died.

”These are?” Arthur looked at the several frames Joe had. Stealing a closer peek, they were portraits of people.

”A memorial for the deceased.” Joe stacked the frames as he picked them up. ”Want to help me put them up?”

Arthur nodded and the two walked toward an empty wall that looked to be cleaned recently. Joe began handing Arthur frames as Arthur hammered a nail into the wooden walls.

”Urivel Jaman, 28. A good father and a husband.” Arthur read the caption placed on the bottom of the first portrait as he looked at the young man with a scar on his chin.

He hanged the frame and hammered another nail. The portraits weren't many, but they each signified a life taken because of a foolish prophecy. On the other side of Ilios, Arthur was sure the same scene was playing in different parts.

”War is a cruel thing.” Joe sighed as the two looked at the portraits now filling the wall. ”No matter what reason they start with, it means so little at the end.”

Arthur remembered Zas's words when they were discussing the way. 'How many more lives would be ruined because of their whims?' He was referring to the seven families who cared so little for the common folk. Did the lives of Urivel and the others matter so little in comparison?

”Well, they died honorably.” Joe clapped his back as he saw Arthur's eyes lingering on the wall. ”I'm sure you miss your wolf.” Arthur did indeed.

He took one last glance at the wall as he thought to himself: Did the dead feel honor or glory?

Arthur found Kira sleeping beside the pub, a bit bigger than he last saw him. Without calling for Kira, its ears perked up as he sniffed and shot up. He looked at Arthur for a few moments blankly making him fear that Kira had forgotten about him. However, Kira barked before it sprung toward Arthur and started licking his face.

”Haha, I missed you too buddy.” Arthur laughed as he rubbed Kira around the neck making it chirp in happiness. He played with it for a while as Joe watched to the side.

”I've tamed Loya for seven years,” Joe said as he patted the giant wolf next to him. ”Yet yours seem to be more affectionate than it's supposed to be.”

”Well, we shared certain circumstances.” Arthur smiled as Kira rubbed itself to Arthur. It seems to have missed him greatly. ”One of life and death.”

”Wolves are loyal, that's for sure. They know how to repay gratitude.” Joe nodded.

***