Chapter 340: A Reality Gate Rune (1/2)
Arthur looked at King Solomon, who was holding into the memory fragment silently. Before he teleported into the workshop, he used his shadow to learn how Solomon created genuine artifacts.
He used a rune.
This face made Arthur question his legacy, but the rune he used was unlike any other before. It was a rune to inscribe runes. The inscribing process was the same for artificial runes, but Solomon can give the artifact a Realty Gate at the end of it.
'Nonetheless, he used a rune.' Arthur still found it unbelievable. He never thought he would witness another person using a rune, making him doubt his powers.
King Solomon seemed to be weighing everything Arthur told him about the memory fragment. With a sigh, he injected mana into the memory fragment.
The fragment lit up as King Solomon began watching the memories. The process took a while, but he opened his eyes again. They were foggy as if he awakened from a long and distant dream.
”Where did he fell into?”
Solomon looked confused, understandably. Arthur knew that he was asking about the dungeon his father fell into after being chased by the mimic.
”I'm not sure. That's a question for you to answer.” Arthur smiled. ”Your father called the bartender Iskavian. Is it a different kingdom?”
”No, it's the previous name of Freda, Iskavia. After I became the King, I changed it into Freda, the Kingdom of Freedom. That will change if this memory fragment falls into the wrong hands.”
”I've realized that. The Law of Racial Equality won't have any effect if the truth becomes known.”
”Aren't you afraid that I will have you killed?” Solomon looked at him with squinted eyes, a trace of bloodshed seeping out of his body.
”I trust that you are smarter than that. If I wanted to harm this kingdom or reveal this information, I wouldn't have told you now.”
King Solomon nodded with a smile. He walked toward his desk and opened a safe where he placed the fragment. Arthur saw him walk toward a couch and sit, gesturing for Arthur to do the same.
”Tell me, Seika, what other gifts do you have for me?”
”I think the Knight of Courage told you already.” Arthur walked and sat in front of him. ”Hidden City will change the way Freda works.”
”A Nobility-Independent Kingdom.” Solomon tapped on the chair. ”They call me Delusional King for wanting equality between races. I wonder what the people would say if they know of your ambitions.”
”This goal isn't unreachable,” Arthur said. ”Even if it's hard. The only problem that remains would be the battle strength of the nobles.”
”Indeed so,” Solomon nodded. ”You're tempting me to take you in as my advisor.”
”Then we can skip the test you've placed.”
”We can, but would the nobles allow it?” Solomon grinned and placed his hand beneath his chin. ”This is interesting. You brought a Seika, a Knight's Medal, and my father's memory with you. What more do you have to offer?”
”Greed is the deadliest sin, your Majesty,” Arthur said while squinting his eyes. Solomon raised his brows and laughed.
”It's your fault for offering so much. I can't help but expect more.” The King then poured himself a drink. ”Maybe, just maybe, you'll prove helpful even in that matter.”
He muttered with a low voice as if he was speaking to himself. His eyes were warm, bitter, resentful, and yearning. As he sat in front of him, Arthur knew that he was thinking about 'her.'
He was thinking about Ruki, Solomon's love, and Arthur's shadow creation. Both of them had no idea where she was, but they shared a bond through her.
'Maybe Ruki never left Earth because she already exists here.' Arthur wondered, but he can never know.
”Now, it's your turn. What do you want in return? I'm not an ungrateful person, you see.” Solomon smiled. Arthur pondered his question as a figure appeared in his mind.
”I want to find the Devils Hunter. He captured someone I know, and I wish to bring them back.”
”That's a pity, but the assistance I can offer you is limited. That man shares my views of freedom, but he doesn't trust me to take care of the Verniz. I only know of their general location.”
”That will be helpful.” Arthur leaned forward, but Solomon shook his head.
”It's not as helpful because they live beyond the Calamity Gates.”
***
Dia looked at the sand watch on her desk, watching the sand slip down grain by grain. She sensed the Seika return to his room after he disappeared earlier.