Chapter 226: A Lead (1/2)
”Have you killed someone before?” Henrick asked with a stoic expression as if he was asking about the weather. Arthur flinched and his mouth felt suddenly dry.
This wasn't the first question that Henrick asked, but it was the one that stumped Arthur the most. His earlier questions were normal, mundane to put it more accurately. His interests, his aspirations, and his fears. Runes, to become stronger, and to be helpless were his answers respectively.
”Yes,” Arthur nodded with hesitation. Henrick looked through his monocle and it didn't react.
”Reasons?”
”Self-defense.”
His words were true again. At this time, Arthur remembered how he had massacred those soldiers that were trying to invade the Union. In a way, his words were true.
”Mm,” Henrick nodded as he jolted things down. Even with how advanced their civilization was, there were a lot of outlaws living in the wilderness. It wasn't odd to kill or be killed for awakeners, as that was one of the reasons why one aimed to become stronger.
”What would you do in a dungeon break?”
”Hunt the monsters.” Arthur's words came as soon as the question was asked.
”Why not evacuate the civilians?”
”That can be achieved by government workers and non-awakeners. My job is clear as soon as I awakened my ability, to hunt.”
”Very well,” Henrick nodded. ”Would you risk your life to stop the monsters from hurting the public?”
Arthur paused here as Henrick's earlier words resurfaced in his memory. The third test was a test of character, so this question was crucial.
”If the odds aren't against me, I would protect them. If I would end up dying, I will protect myself.”
Henrick stared at Arthur quietly and nodded. He then gestured for Arthur to stand up before throwing another question.
”Why have you applied to Jerano, Alexie?”
”To get stronger and learn about runes.”
”Is that all?” Henrick stared at him, using his monocle to find the truth in Arthur's words. The answer was no, but Arthur couldn't trust him.
”Yes,” Arthur stared at the monocle and it was unresponsive, the same as it was earlier. He felt relieved that his hypothesis was correct.
The quality of this artifact to be a lie detector didn't come from runes, as he would have felt that when he first saw it. It stemmed from something external and Arthur already had an answer in mind.
Rayxin.
He had gambled that Rayxin would keep his identity and motives a secret from Jerano and it fruited in success. This monocle was connected to the guardian of Jerano and it was the way they discovered lies.
Arthur left the room after that and saw Master Ronin standing beside a window, looking at the lively streets of Jerano city. As Arthur came and stopped next to him, Master Ronin began speaking without turning toward him.
”It was one of my great fears and anticipation that you would meet Rayxin.”
”You knew I would meet him?” Arthur furrowed his brows. ”Why didn't you tell me about his ability?”
”I do not temper with fate.” Master Ronin shook his head. ”Rayxin is trustworthy, one of the few that you can trust. It's the ancient guardian of Jerano, the lighthouse of knowledge in the academic world.”
”He knows of my identity.”
”He knows of my prophecies. It wasn't hard for him to connect the dots when you stumbled upon his space.”
”It was by chance that I did,” Arthur said.
”Was it also by chance that you listened to Sier months ago?”
”It was because…”
”Of your legacy. It's the instinct that drives you forward. Haven't you realized it yet, Arthur? You're slowly, but very subtly, changing into someone else. Or rather… becoming yourself.”
”Master, you know something.” Arthur squinted his eyes. ”Why is that you like talking in riddles?”
”They're no riddles. But I want you to find your answers.” Master Ronin said and paused.
”Why don't just give them to me, then?”
”Sometimes, we know the truth. Despite that, we need to taste it.” Master Ronin stroked his beard. ”Me telling you things isn't the best way for you to believe them. Go out there and find your answers; see the truth for yourself instead of listening to me.”