Chapter 666 - 611: Whos The Thief? (1) (1/2)
The next day after the massacre that occurred in the Royal castle and, especially, the death of the Emperor and the fall of the Fallen God Clan, which only had a few remaining members outside of the kingdom, Ramel city became more restless and the number of crimes significantly increased, even with the interference of the soldiers, who no longer had a ruler to serve or a command to follow.
Only after making sure that Edward Ortberg properly ate and had a good night's sleep did Arthur instruct the mortal to sit down for a serious chat. The man had a very nonchalant attitude and he wasn't even scared of the Empress, who definitely had an unfavorable impression of him.
Arthur remembered that the man briefly spoke about a prophecy, which means that, at some point in time, he must've met Claud Venice, the man living inside the ARK, also known as the Prophecy Holder.
The Prophecies foreseen by the dead scientist tend to always be true and precise to every said letter. Moreover, the serial-killer was even helped by the Frog of Destiny, a mystical being that is seen once every tens of thousands of years, if not more.
”It's really funny, you see…” Edward stretched his sore over-rested arms while speaking.
”You didn't strike me as a talkative man when we met at the prison. I also never thought you're some sort of fantasy shapeshifter.”
Arthur didn't correct the man and, instead, asked with a deadpan face.
”You said that you found the piece of paper somewhere in the forest close to the prison. How did you escape in the first place?”
”I didn't intentionally escape, per se.” Edward widely grinned at the parasite and continued,
”A woman came in and broke me out. Yes yes, you'll want to see how she looks like… let me try to remember.”
He tapped his index on his forehead while crossing his legs, appearing quite relaxed, to say the least.
”She had long silver hair but that was all. The rest of her body was covered in some mecha-like black armor with all many numbers.”
”Silver hair? Are you sure?”
”Yes, I've never seen a hair like that so the sight of it was very memorable.”
Arthur maintained an inordinate amount of time pondering about what was said in silence.
'Could it be Lucy? No, she's with the original body. Then… is it Angelina? The ARK was automatically transferred to her in the war.'
Arthur could remember some of Zodiak's memories but only vaguely as they were not his own. In fact, in the past, Zodiak did travel to a Claud's planet and there was a woman who had an identical appearance to Lucy.
'She was named Angel. Then is she her reincarnation? But she's not the type of person go out of her way to jailbreak a serial-killer.
While Arthur was in deep-thought, Edward cut him off by saying.
”I'm important, right? I do realize I'm not as strong as you and your 'associates', however, there must be a reason for my arrival to this magical kingdom. Maybe you'll be in need of my
intellect? I can do many things, you know.”
”We'll see about that. You'll be coming with me for the time being.”
”Sure, it's not like I can venture on my own.”
Edward spread his hands as if he was stating the obvious.
…
As he was done with possessing Karima's body and the situation in the capital was going out of control, Arthur and the rest left on board of the Silver Spirit Boat, heading North.
Zaarae didn't ask anything about Edward and just chatted with the lively Shen Shen. Fariya was absent-minded as she stood at the edge of the speeding boat.
”'Sup'.”
Edward greeted the quiet Esco, who reciprocrated with a bow as he thought the mortal was one of Arthur's real companions and not someone that had to be brought along due to the confusing circ.u.mstances.
”You one of them too?”
.
Edward saw how Esco acted around Arthur, he seemed to be an outcast and rarely got close or even talked so he got a bit curious, as is his wont.
”Wait! Don't answer… let me guess.”
The mortal looked at the muscular red-haired Esco up and down a few times before spouting
”You're a prisoner too!”
In response, Esco frowned but neither confirmed nor denied the statement.
”You have to be. From what I've seen or gathered, Arthur purposely infiltrated the prison.”
Edward pointed at the s.e.xy succubus.
”She was one of the chief guards but ended up 'leaving.”
Then he switched to Shen Shen and Zaarae.
”That woman called the Empress, although she does not have a good attitude, her status is the highest out of all of us. I also think she was one of the prisoners held in the 13floor. Those twin youngsters are recent prisoners who are devoted followers of Arthur so he must've come to break them out. As for that little girl called Shen Shen, I honestly have no idea. What do you think? Did I get it right?”
The man had astonishing observational skills and amazingly on-point theories. It's surprising to see him reveal the truth with just a couple of interactions.
”Anyway, what's up with your outfit?”
The mortal knitted his brow as he gazed at Esco's clothes. The ex-prisoner wore a blue leather shirt, black and tight pants and jacket-like cloth which was slightly oversized.
”They are my original clothes.”
Hearing this, Edward nodded his head while repeatedly muttering 'I see'. Not long after that, Esco excused himself to his room, saying that he needs to recuperate for some time.
Of course, neither Arthur nor any of the rest bothered with him as he was only an informant, no more, no less.
...
”What are you going to do?”
Late at night, Zaarae sat next to Arthur and wanted to lean her head on his shoulder but he swiftly distanced himself and threw a cold glance at her. After a bit of time, she asked him while gazing at the starless sky.
”No idea. I need to reach the Garden of Words but the prophecy cannot be neglected. Trying to ignore it will only lead to much worse problems.