Chapter 216: An Insight (1/2)

”What is it?” The manticore smiled and asked. Arthur rubbed his hands together as he pondered.

”The Enders, you know them.” Arthur mouthed out slowly. The manticore's smile vanished. ”What is their current goal?” This was Arthur's chance to gain an insight into this.

The manticore's demeanor changed as it stood up. Its fur swayed gently in the wind as it drew closer to Arthur.

”Why are you asking?”

”Is this your question?” Arthur teased and used the monster's words against him. However, the manticore was still expressionless. With a serious face, it shook its head.

”I'll rephrase it. Why are you here?”

Arthur was taken aback. He didn't think the monster would throw away its only question on this one. However, if it did, then the answer must be important to it.

”To stop the Enders.” Arthur didn't try to lie or sugarcoat it. He could already feel the monster's mana spreading.

”Then, they're here already.” The manticore nodded. It seemed as if it had finally found the answer. ”I wondered how much time it would take for them to make their moves.”

”How did you know they would be here?” Arthur asked with furrowed brows.

”Is this another question?”

”No, forget it.” Instead of sating his curiosity, it would be better to gain some information about his goals. ”You haven't answered me.” Arthur urged. ”What's is their current goal?”

”You must already know that.”

”Yes, but I don't know why they're here. I want to know the details.”

”Most of the convicted here have fallen to the dark side, so I can answer that. They're looking for the artifact that links both worlds.”

”That's not their final goal.” Arthur pushed again. He already knew that, but he didn't know why. He only had guesses but nothing certain.

”They call it End Day. They're trying to remerge the world again. What we live in is an incomplete dimension, a place they can't manifest. That's why they use the mediums to descend. However, even that is barely possible.”

Arthur slumped on the branch as he allowed the information to sink in. Jizo has only told him that if the two worlds become one, calamities would ensue. At that time, Arthur didn't know about the seven families or the Enders, so Jizo hasn't told him.

Rather, Arthur wasn't so sure Jizo knew the future at all. He did know about the past, but that doesn't mean he knew about the present. After all, what can a soul fragment from someone that died countless years ago know about the current world's affairs?

As he realized this, Arthur felt like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. It was contradicting feeling if he was, to be honest. However, the feeling that Jizo wasn't omniscient somehow relieved him as well.

Maybe deep down, he feared the person who changed his life more than he feared anyone else. After all, this person can take away this strength he gave him as easily as he gave it to him.

Master Ronin always wanted him to believe that this was his strength, but it didn't feel like it. Even if it wasn't Jizo, what about the person he has seen behind the portal in the runic world?

The person that was on the other side of the Reality Gates was the source of Arthur's powers but it wasn't Jizo, so what does that mean? Does it mean that Jizo's powers are also borrowed from something else?

”You have one more question left.” The manticore sat back down in front of Arthur, pulling his attention from his thoughts.

Arthur stood up from his seat and dusted himself. He looked at the manticore's bizarre eyes with hope and expectations.

”Where is the artifact?” If he got an answer, then his second legacy quest would be over.

”I don't know,” The Monster of Truth shot his hopes down with a single phrase. ”It has never been a part of Jerano. If it's going to be here, then it'll be in the future. That's a realm I do not know of.”

”Alright.” Arthur nodded. ”Then I get to ask something different.” The manticore grinned at his words and nodded. Since it couldn't provide an answer, it was obliged to take on another question.

This time, Arthur had to ponder his question seriously. He wanted to know how the monster knew his name, but he guessed it was because of his ability. In the end, he had to settle for erasing his fears.