Chapter 163: Manifesting a Weapon (1/2)

The only Solomon that Arthur knew was the person that made Arthur the breaker of the trial. He had saved Arthur's life and asked him to save the Dark Queen, his lover, from the curse of suffering.

However, that led to more questions. Solomon was dead, that was indisputable… or was it? Arthur's mind was chaotic as he sat inside the room. Yurirl had asked if Arthur knew someone by that name, but Arthur denied.

Yurirl was an honest person, but Arthur wasn't the same. He didn't want to share what happened in the trial with anyone. As he sat there watching the duels listlessly, he tried to make sense of the situation.

Yurirl saw him in Solomon's memories. If that was the case, then Solomon's dying words made sense. He said that Arthur looked like 'him.'

Who was him?

'I should have studied philosophy.' Arthur laughed, making Yurirl glance at him with confusion. Arthur didn't say anything and grabbed a bag of chips.

If Solomon has seen Arthur, then it must be in the trial. If Solomon has mistaken Arthur for someone else, then that someone was surely the same person Yurirl had seen. Can Yurirl make a mistake like Solomon, who was likely to make one because of how much time he spent in the trial?

'This is a mess.' Arthur groaned. He felt like there was a knot that he didn't know how to untie. There was something that Arthur was missing, but he didn't know what it was.

”Oh, Yurirl. Who else knows about the diary?” Arthur asked with panic. However, Yurirl simply threw another raisin into his mouth.

”No one.”

”Phew,” Arthur sighed in relief. ”Why did you tell me then? You could've kept it hidden.” Arthur asked with confusion.

”Why would I?” Yurirl asked back with more confusion. ”I don't understand why I would see you in someone's else memories, but it's not like you can harm me. If you were my answer, then it's better to gain your trust. Trust can't be built on lies.”

”Ugh,” Arthur groaned. ”Everyone says I'm their answer, but where the hell is mine?” Yurirl seemed to seriously ponder his complaining.

”Most answers are within oneself.”

”… You're saying I'm my own answer as well?” Arthur gaped at Yurirl. ”Then I'm not your answer, but you are.”

”Are we playing with words?” Yurirl laughed and shook his head. ”Maybe I am, maybe you are yours, who knows?”

”Okay, stop. My head hurts already.” Arthur looked back at the screen. It was Emma's turn again and she defeated her opponent with her summoning rune. It was a battle with no suspense.

The matter of Solomon would have to wait. He didn't have enough clues and Yurirl was the same. Luckily, he had managed to meet this person. At least, he knows that there was something bigger at play now.

”Wait, you said that we partnered through fate. What did you mean?”

”I,” Yurirl looked away. ”I don't know.” He was lying.

”Trust can't be built on lies.”

”Ha,” Yurirl sighed. ”It's a runic card I had. It was called the String of Fate. It would allow you to meet someone you choose in the next few days.”

”Even a dead person?” Arthur tilted his head in curiosity. Suddenly, Yurirl's eyes turned black. He looked nothing like the easy-going person from earlier. For the first time, Arthur saw the rage in his expression.

”No,” His voice was distant. ”I tried that already.”

***

The randomness has been tempered with Yurirl's card. That's how they got to be together. This revelation made Arthur let his guard down. At least, it wasn't anything malice.

He felt that his world has worn another layer of fog. He didn't know what to think of things anymore. There was nothing but mysteries in his path. His father, Jizo, Master Ronin, Solomon, and now Yurirl.

Everyone was connected to him somehow, but he was the only person who didn't feel connected to anyone. They talked of fate and answers but he didn't know if he could answer their expectations.