Chapter 317: He Who Served You (1/2)

Dia looked at her room, feeling alienated. For this kingdom, she was an enemy, but they treated her well. It was all because of how he treated her. The thought of her betraying her kingdom still didn't sit well with her, but she found her reasoning.

'It's for Alva.' Dia thought to herself, resolution filling her heart. 'For a better future.'

She knew that the current system placed little importance on the public and focused on the elite instead. And if things went south, the public will be the first to be sacrificed.

Her mother taught her the opposite. That's why she was known as the Saint of Alva. That was before she was assassinated and left Dia alone with her father. Then came 'the awakening' and the beginning of her suffering.

She snapped out of her reminiscence when someone barged in. It was the witch who betrayed her family and her current ­–annoying­– companion. The impudent witch acted comfortably and sat on her couch.

”Sigh,” The witch, Gala, sighed. ”He's still down after what happened today.”

”He shouldn't be, and get out of my room.” Dia frowned.

The witch was talking about the Seika they were accompanying. For Dia, his reaction to the hate he received was unnecessary. After all, why would he care about the opinions of these ungrateful humans?

”See it from his point of view. The people he saved hate him saving the city.” Gala was annoyed by her answer. ”He's too much of a softie.”

”He's no such thing.” Dia walked toward the door and opened it. ”You've seen how ruthless he can be. He kills without batting an eye. Get out.”

”To those who harm him.” Gala rolled her eyes. ”Anyone would do the same. The only reason I enjoy being with him is his soft side, but it's also hindering him. Such a dilemma!” Gala sighed, ignoring the fact Dia was kicking her out. Glaring at her, Dia closed the door and went to sit by the window.

”The Seika hates it too,” Dia said while looking at the man in question. He was sitting on top of the giant tree in the distance, alone and unmoving. ”He tries to make excuses just to help others.”

”With his strength, he doesn't need to make excuses for anyone.” Gala sighed.

”No, it's not a facade to deceive others. It's a way for him to avoid getting hurt. A way to pretend that he doesn't care about people nor their hate for him.” Dia's eyelids dropped as she closed his eyes. ”He's living a lie that he created.”

***

The cold breeze made his robes flutter as it raced to greet Mother Rega's leaves. Arthur closed his eyes peacefully as he felt the affinity he had toward the spirit.

”Who are you?” Arthur muttered, but the spirit was still recovering. ”Who am I?” He asked, this time to some unknown being watching him.

Arthur looked at the city that was slowly rebuilding itself. A large portion of it was destroyed by his attack, an attack necessary to kill the monster that killed countless citizens.

”You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain,” Arthur said the words he heard once as a kid. Footsteps resounded behind him, announcing the arrival of another person.

”You're neither a hero nor a villain,” The Knight of Courage smiled as her blue hair fluttered in the wind. ”You've created quite the mess while I was gone.”

”Only what I had to do.” Arthur smiled. ”Since you're here, are we going to resume our trip?”

”Are you that eager to leave this place?” The Knight smiled. ”Do you want to avoid seeing the destruction you've caused?” Her voice was teasing.

”No, I just want to meet a few people in the capital.” Arthur smiled and stood up. ”As for the people here, I can do nothing about it.”

”You mean: I don't care enough to do anything.” The Knight corrected. Arthur thought about it for a second and nodded.

”True, I saved these people, and they didn't appreciate them. I can't force people to be grateful.”

”Did you do it to make them grateful?” The Knight looked at the city. ”Or did you do it for yourself?”

”It didn't hurt me to do it, that's all,” Arthur said as he touched the tree, making it open a path for him to enter. ”Go back to the duke's house. Remember to tell the other Knight that if he still tries to punish me for what happened...”

”Then?” The Knight squinted her eyes, asking Arthur for the remainder of his words. Arthur turned and met her eyes.

”Then I don't mind killing him.”

After saying that, Arthur walked into the tree's Inner World. He wanted to wait for it to recover, but it seems that he'll have to heal it using his powers.

The islands were the same but now had a serene atmosphere. Arthur walked through them until he reached the hut at the top, to which he felt a certain nostalgia.

Arthur pushed the hut's door open and walked into the room where Rega was recovering. The place looked abandoned, but it was spotlessly clean. In the middle floated the spirit, it still healing.