Chapter 390: A Trial and A Harbor (1/2)

The cat sank into him like a pebble would into a pond. Arthur didn't feel any change after that, and he was simply left with a memory that felt like it didn't happen.

'Was it a spirit?'

Arthur could honestly not tell if it was even a figment of his imagination, and Hana was the only person to prove otherwise. However, there was nothing left to remind him that it was real, and Arthur could do nothing but ignore it.

”Mister, we are ready!”

His two companions returned as Arthur was pondering the situation. As spirits, none of them had any baggage, at least not one you could see.

”Hey Hana, do you remember the black cat? When did you see it, and why did it appear?”

”Uh,” the girl seemed hesitant to answer, glancing at the monk besides her. ”Well, it was when I first got here. I was crying on the ship, and the black cat rubbed itself against my leg. Then, when I stopped crying, the cat disappeared!”

'Mm, I see,' Arthur nodded. 'It seems the cat wanted me to help Hana. Is this whole thing about Hana or me?' Arthur felt childish to question that, but the cat's golden eyes were unmistakably similar to his.

The three of them left the ship after bidding the captain farewell. Before he left, Arthur made sure to resupply the core with spiritual energy for the past ride.

”The next time we meet, I'm giving you a free ride!”

The captain shouted toward Arthur, who walked off Gwynevere with a smile. Finally, for the first time during their travels, there was a harbor that the ship anchored beside.

As his foot stepped on the wooden tiles of the dock, Arthur was amazed to see many seekers leaving their ships and more spirits to navigate them through proper channels.

”Have you been to this place before, monk?” Arthur asked, and the man hmphed in displeasure.

”I have a name. Yes, I have. This place is similar to the real world because it is governed by spirits who cannot be contracted easily. The fact that the First Seeker gave spirits the ability to feel means he also gave them the thirst for power, greed, desire for order, and patriotism.”

”The First Seeker seems to be a man of many emotions,”

”I don't think these are his emotions, per se, but simply his ability to feel them,” the monk's voice was filled with awe. ”Without his sacrifice and heroism, humans would have never been able to contract spirits and survive the dark ages.”

”Aha,” Arthur looked around and saw spirit talking to seekers and visitors, chatting unceasingly with them. ”The Infra World was silenced, I think. Did it also have such a society?”

”No, it does not.” Lin Zhao shook his head. ”The spirits in the Skyey World are more intelligent and fuller of ego. Therefore, low-tiered spirits are unable to band together and facilitate the contracting process.”

”Hm,” Arthur nodded and walked toward the office constructed on the dock. The three of them stood in line and waited to be allowed entry to the harbor.

”Next!”

A feminine voice called out, and Arthur's turn arrived. The monk and girl were in front of him, and they were allowed entry after touching a crystal held by a spirit looking like a woman.

”Touch the crystal, hurry up,” the spirit urged him, and Arthur looked around. There was a spiritual barrier around the harbor, and the only entry was through this office.

He had a bad feeling about this but could do nothing but comply, hoping for an uneventful passage. Instead, as soon as he touched the crystal, Arthur saw the clear crystal rapidly turn red.

”Please don't,” Arthur muttered, but the crystal gave a loud buzzing sound that made everyone turn to them. The spirit of the woman turned to him in shock before it began to morph into a manticore. ”A shapeshifter?”

”By the authority of Lord Rain, I arrest you for the charges held against you!” Then, the feminine voice was gone, and all that was left was the bellowing of a beast. ”Exhibit resistance, and you will be banned from entering the Spirits Realm!”

Arthur looked at the giant manticore threatening him and the countless spirits surrounding the office. All seekers were evacuated, and the harbor went into lockdown.

'I could take them down,'

Arthur knew, but he wasn't sure about the strength of Lord Rain. Nevertheless, he knew that he wasn't in the wrong here, as the charges held against him were in self-defense.

Furthermore, he already met the gatekeeper and assistant of the Spirits Sovereign, who wished him 'well' on his travels. If matters called for it, then Arthur and the gatekeeper were best friends as far he cared.

”Submit immediately for trial!”