Chapter 343: A Meteor (1/2)

”Killing...” Courage paused. ”Well, if they disturb us, I'll do it myself. After warning them, of course.” She said with a serious expression.

”Let's hope it doesn't dissolve to that,” Arthur said while looking up. ”Oh, it's here. Manager Gruen!”

”Yes, Seika?”

”Did you make sure all of your staff are here?” Arthur asked as he opened the door, making the Knight of Courage steer her horse away as it neighed.

”What are you doing?” She asked with a frown as she pulled on the reins of her horse.

”We have a little guest called a meteor.” Arthur pointed upward at the bright light coming their way. ”I think it's a little too flashy.”

He jumped off the carriage and kicked the ground, darting in front of the convoy. Crouching on the ground, Arthur bolted upward to meet the meteor as he used his Skill, Wings of Wind.

”HALT!”

The Knight of Courage roared as the meteor came crashing their way. The horses began flailing to run away, and the Knight waved her hand to cut them loose.

The world stood still as everyone pulled to a stop and watched the meteor descend. Arthur flew toward it as a golden radiance surrounded his body.

”Break.” Arthur raised both of his hands as his mana of creation was unleashed. As he felt the heat of the meteor, Arthur couldn't help but think how Dia could handle this kind of attack easily.

His barrier appeared, and his creation mana supplied it. The meteor met the barrier, breaking it after a slight pause. He frowned as the meteor began pushing him back while deviating from its original course.

”Scatter!”

Arthur roared at the people below, and they ran everywhere. He held the meteor back, but his strength looked puny in comparison. As the people below scattered, the meteor pushed Arthur away while descending on the carriages.

The destruction it left was immense. The moment it touched the ground, the meteor destroyed the carriages and whatever they held within.

Arthur descended as the Knight of Courage raced toward him. She threw water over his burning clothes, extinguishing them. As he shook his wet arms, Arthur held a thin smile while watching the destruction of his carriages.

”Why are you smiling? Everything is gone!” The Knight of Courage looked wrathful. ”We need to find the person behind this!”

”I can tell you their identity, but it wouldn't change a thing. It's just another obstacle. Whoever did this is gone by now.”

”So, we should just sit around and cry over what we lost?” Courage huffed in anger. Arthur looked at her silently but didn't say anything.

”Seika!” Gruen rushed toward him. ”Are you alright?”

”I am. The staff?”

”All are unscathed because of the time you gave us!” Gruen grinned, making Courage even more confused. She turned toward the staff and saw that all of them were calm.

”You knew this was going to happen?” Surprised filled the Knight's voice as she turned to Arthur, who simply nodded.

”I expected an arson, not a meteor, but yes.” Arthur shook his head. ”Such ruthlessness... so many people would have died if not for me stalling it.”

Arthur could have destroyed the meteor, but he didn't want their plans to fail. He wanted them to believe that Arthur didn't have any of the resources he needed, giving him enough time to build his city without interference.

”Let's go.” Arthur walked toward the place they were supposed to build their city. The rest of his crew followed them, walking on foot after the horses ran away.

They reached the clearing after half an hour, where a group of small hills and trees mottled the landscape. As Arthur stood in the middle of it, he breathed in and out.

”You seem excited.” Gala walked over toward him. He turned toward her with a grin.

”It's exciting to build something from scratch, knowing that it will succeed,” Arthur said. ”Aren't you excited about building your own potions workshop?”

”Not that excited since getting the materials to work will be a pain.” Gala shrugged.

”Even with the ones we bought?” Arthur pondered.

They bought ores and herbs of all kinds, enough to supply them for now. They would first have to clear the place from monsters, trees, and hills. After that, they would build the buildings and start making this place more habitable.

'A dock is also necessary.' Arthur realized as he looked at the river in the distance.

”What we bought can be found everywhere. The rare herbs are always hoarded by workshops and cultivated for their use.” Gala sighed. ”I used to have a giant workshop, but I got bored of it.”