CHAPTER 72: RETURN

Elowen was gently lowered onto the terrace of her room, the night air cool against her skin.

"Can you stand?" Arthur asked, his voice calm as his arms held her steady.

She gave a soft nod and, while still clutching his shoulders for support, carefully lowered her legs to the ground.

Arthur didn’t let go until she found her balance.

But even then—she didn’t release him.

Her fingers lingered on his cloak, her touch faint but firm. Because she knew... the moment she let go, he would disappear.

His mask. The way he avoided the court. The silence. It was all proof—he didn’t care for recognition or rewards. His mission was to protect her. Nothing more. Now that he had, he would leave. Vanish like a shadow.

"Can you let go of—"

"Can you answer me something?" she cut in, her voice quiet but steady, stopping him before he could finish.

Arthur let out a slow sigh, his gaze falling to the palace below.

The soldiers who had gone into the forest were now returning, rushing toward the palace with the news—The Princess had been found. It wouldn’t be long before this quiet terrace filled with people, and he’d have no choice but to disappear.

"I was sent to protect you," he said before she could ask. "By the Goddess you serve."

But Elowen shook her head gently. "That’s not what I was going to ask."

Arthur tilted his head slightly.

She looked up at him and asked, almost in a whisper, "Can you stay with me?"

His brows furrowed. "You won’t be attacked again. There’s no reason to panic."

"I’m not panicking," she said, searching for the right words. "I’m not asking because I’m scared something will happen. It’s just..."

She trailed off, her eyes darting around like she was trying to grab hold of a thought that kept slipping.

And then, quietly, she found it.

"When I’m near you... I feel like no matter what happens, you’ll protect me. That you won’t let anything happen to me. Even when we were surrounded by those demons, even when you were taking me straight to them—I didn’t feel afraid. I don’t know why. I just... trusted you."

Arthur looked at her, unreadable. But then his frown deepened.

"After receiving the blessing of the Goddess of Fortune... how can you still sound so pathetic?"

"...!"

Elowen’s breath caught. His words struck harder than any blade.

Not just because of how brutally honest they were—but because they carried no hesitation, no softness. And more than anything... because her charm, her vulnerability, the subtle hope that he might care for her—had no effect on him at all.

She had heard stories—how boys, when faced with a girl asking for protection, would feel moved. Aroused by the instinct to shield, to be her strength.

But Arthur was different.

He didn’t bend.

And most of all, he didn’t care to flatter.

"If I had what you do..." Arthur’s voice was low, but sharp like glass. "If I possessed even half your blessings—nothing in this world would dare touch me."

He stepped closer. The mask hid his face, but the weight in his tone crushed any hope she clung to.

"And yet what do you do with those gifts?"

"You flaunt your position, parade your blessing, boss around people—your brother included. And when it comes to what truly matters when the storm begins to rise..." His gaze seemed to pierce right through her. "You choose to close your eyes."

0

Elowen stood frozen, his words shattering her in places she didn’t know could break.

Arthur hadn’t planned to say this much. Maybe remind her to treat her brother with respect. But seeing her like this—soft, shaken, clinging to hope that someone else would carry her through it all—it stirred something bitter within him.

He placed a hand gently, yet firmly, on her shoulder.

"If what happened today shook you that badly... then find a bunker. Hide there." His voice was merciless now. "Because one day—no matter how blessed, how guarded—you’ll be alone. And when that day comes, if you’re still this weak..."

He let the silence finish the sentence.

This wasn’t a tale from a book.

This was reality.

A world where power invited enemies. And blessings painted targets on backs.

There were knocks at the door—soldiers, most likely. Arthur stepped back, already turning away.

"Become strong..." he said without looking at her. "Or hide."

"There is no third path."

And just as the doors burst open, Arthur jumped from the terrace and disappeared into the city.

Elowen rushed to the edge and tried to track him...but he was gone.

Leaving a deep impact on her.

....

After leaving the palace, Arthur headed straight toward the teleportation center.

But the moment he arrived and saw the sheer number of soldiers stationed there—swords drawn, mages on standby, scanning everyone who entered—his last flicker of hope quietly died.

’So much for the shortcut...’

He lowered his head slightly and turned on his heel without a word. The path home was sealed for now.

’Sorry, mum... I’m going to be late.’

His eyes lifted toward the distant border walls—tall, and unyielding—rising like sentinels between the city and the restless ocean beyond.

A cold breeze brushed past his cloak. He sighed.

No teleportation. No problem.

Just the night. And his own two feet.

Arthur tightened the straps on his gear, checked his blade one last time, and exhaled deeply.

’Let’s see how far I can go in a single breath.’

With that, he kicked off the ground—vanishing into the twilight like a shadow lost in motion.

*****

It had been over a week since he began studying at humanity’s most prestigious academy.

The institution was home to only six hundred students, divided across three academic years. Each year was further split into ten sections, ranked according to the student’s overall performance.

Thanks to his academic brilliance and outstanding results in the practical assessments, he was placed at the very top.

He was on his way to the cafeteria for lunch when a voice called out, "Kevin."

Turning around, his eyes caught the red, gold, and black badges pinned to the speaker’s chest.

Red—second-year.

Gold—top-ranked class, just like Kevin.

Black—Council member.

Kevin felt a slight jolt of nervousness but quickly approached with respect.

"Yes, senior?"

The older student’s brows were slightly furrowed. "Didn’t expect someone praised so highly by Anastasia to be this arrogant."

Kevin blinked, stunned. Anastasia praised me? But he shelved that thought; it wasn’t the point.

"Did I do something wrong, senior?"

The upperclassman spoke firmly, "It’s been over a week, and you still haven’t introduced yourself to the Council."

Kevin looked puzzled. "Wait... can someone actually request to join?"

"Of course they can. Every year, students beg to be considered for Council positions. You’re the rare case of being invited—only because the current President seems to like you."

"Senior Cassie?" Kevin’s surprise deepened. The President knew who he was?

"I want to see you in the Council office. Sharp at seven tomorrow."

The third year didn’t wait for a response. He turned and walked away.

Kevin let out a long breath—first from tension, then from disbelief... and finally, from joy.

He had been invited by the Council.

That wasn’t something most students could dream of.

Looking off into the distance, Kevin softly whispered, "Art... I really wish you all were here right now. I’m so... so happy."

He couldn’t see them, not yet. But come winter break, he would return home with stories worth telling.

******

Arthur huffed, resting his hands on his knees.

It took him nearly a day to return home through the ocean.

He had to take the help of fishermen to help him travel for most of the distance and take the help of the spirits.

Once he was back in Aldercrest, he instantly used the teleportation to return to Atinberg.

Now, a few meters away from the house, he was taking some time to rest. Because he knew, right now returning home would have him run around to escape his mother’s beating.

"Guh...she must be mad." He told her he would return yesterday, and there was already a day late.

However, he must go back. He can’t stay out for long.

After preparing himself for a few minutes he slowly entered the house.

Without making a single sound, he entered the main gate and first peeked from the window...the lights were on, and the carriage was parked. It seems his father was at home...thankfully.

He slowly pushed the door and saw his father sitting on the chair.

He first looked around and found the battlefield was empty.

He finally entered the house on his toes, and arrived behind his father, "Dad."

"You are back." He responded as if he knew he would be returning now.

Arthur softly asked, "Is Mom asleep?" Arthur couldn’t see her around so he hoped.

However, Aston smilingly got up and rested his hand on his son’s shoulder, "I really wish she was sleeping."

Arthur felt a chill running down his spine as he felt his other shoulder being held...even though Adrian’s other hand was down.

"Arth~ur."

He was dead.

********

A/N:- Thanks for reading.