822 Biased City

Julia was quick and efficient, starting to implant his ideas as soon as their meeting was over. Arthur even watched her register ten guilds under their name, announcing to the world their new intentions. Before she left, she left him with some homework.

“It would be difficult to convince people to join through announcements alone. Instead, record a video message that we could broadcast worldwide.”

“Does my average-looking face convince anyone instead of boring them away?” said Arthur with a smile. Julia stared at him for a few seconds with a smile before a hand mirror appeared in her hand.

“Have you seen yourself lately? I was one of the first to see you so long ago, and you look nothing like before. After every battle, defeated enemy, and awakening a sin, you have changed a little.”

Arthur was confused by her words, and he took the hand mirror to stare at himself. He was never used to using mirrors before and had even less time to do after awakening Eragon.

The mirror showed him the same average face, but it had been hardened by time and stats, making his jaw more prominent. As for his eyes, their golden sheen was now contrasted by a black ring that also lined his lower eyelid in a curve like some sort of makeup.

“What is this?” asked Arthur as he tried to wipe the black lightning mark away, but it seemed embedded into his skin. “Did this appear after awakening Eragon?”

“It receded quite a bit after you restrained the sin, but your whole body is now lined with such tattoos, in case you haven’t noticed. Furthermore, while your features cannot be labeled as beautiful, your aura is… captivating.”

“…just because I now hold a sin within me?”

“Everyone loves unruly men,” said Julia with a grin before taking out a comb and walking to tidy his hair. After a few weeks without proper tr.i.m.m.i.n.g, his hair has grown long again, making even his bangs cover part of his eyes. “Let me help you.”

Julia pulled out his hairband, making his long hair fall over the back of his neck. Then, she proceeded to comb his bangs over it alongside the rest of his hair.

“Showing your forehead has always been considered a sign of confidence, while your att.i.tude is far from lacking it. Record a message for those who aspire to be with you, and promise them protection and wealth if they fight for your cause.”

“An offer of wealth and power is more enticing than my face.”

“It might be, but it would be nice to serve someone you believe in, right? And even our recruits would be warriors ready to die for your sake. Idolization has always brought people together.”

As she finished her words, Arthur’s hair was done. She tied it again using the hairband, and he looked better in the mirror. The black lighting looked like an ancient tattoo, while the golden eyes commanded obedience.

“If we want to shock the world, then we have to do it with style,” said Arthur with a smile before placing down the hand mirror. “I will have the video ready in an hour.”

***

In downtown Kera, the billboards showed countless ads for new workers as reconstruction was still taking place. Most of the destroyed city was being slowly rebuilt by the hardworking men and whatever funding came their way.

Mr. Tate got off his flying vessel and gazed down upon his beloved city. It has been torn to pieces by the Sin of Greed, Amelio. However, the people of Kera were not discouraged. Instead, the war brought them together to rebuild their city.

Since Mr. Tate lost consciousness in the middle of the fight, he couldn’t be sure whether he was a criminal now. However, no reports mentioned his collaboration with Arthur Silvera or Ascent, so he a.s.sumed it to be safe.

As he descended the harbor stairs, he saw many men carrying donations toward the Kera Reconstruction a.s.sociation. It was led by the most trustworthy builders of Kera and was chosen as the destination for all donations. Many lords and ladies supported their cause, but the most prominent one received a statute in the middle of the city.

As he followed these men and the hustle and bustle, Mr. Tate reached the gates of Kera, which had been erected after the calamity wiped out most of the city’s periphery. It was there that he saw the statue of a criminal.

“Protector,” read Mr. Tate as he stared at the statue of no other than the world-cla.s.s criminal Arthur Silvera. The engraving was written in bold strokes, as if unafraid by the government. It just so happened that a group of knights was arguing with the builders.

“Tear it down this instant! This atrocity has lasted for long enough! This man is an enemy of the crown, and further idolization of him will be considered treason.”

“The crown can come over here to tear it down, but it might take him a few years!” shouted an enthusiastic youth. His words made Mr. Tate smile since he understood that he referred to the Royal Fleet’s late appearance to the fight. “If this statute is touched, all of Kera will turn against you!”

The shouting reached the ears of the builders, making them all stop and turn toward the knights with hostile eyes. The young captain finally held his sword after sensing the city’s hostility.

“You are all…!” said the knight as he pulled his sword, but Mr. Tate stepped between the two groups, even pulling down his hood.

“There is no need for violence, gallant knight. You are an esteemed defender of the citizens, not their enemy. Therefore, although this statue can be inappropriate, it does not bring harm.”

“Who are you to lecture me?” asked the young knight while eyeing Mr. Tate.

“Mr. Tate? Is that you?” asked a youngster from the group in surprise. “You are alive! Thank goodness! All of us thought that you were dead for sure!”

“I have almost been, but a heroic knight like this one took me to one of the teleportation circles after I lost consciousness. I have once served the Temple, gallant knight. How about you let this go for my sake?”

After looking at the old man who suddenly appeared, the knights’ captain sheathed his sword. He then glared at the group of builders who obstructed his sense of justice.

“You all need to be thankful that some still have proper respect,” said the captain before pointing at the statue. “That man had forsaken this city when he turned around and ran. Where is he now after bringing much of this destruction?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, a static noise filled their ears. While most buildings were destroyed, some retained proper function alongside their giant screens. There were also holograms urging capable men to join reconstruction, but they all started growing fuzzy simultaneously. Then, the image changed to reveal a young man.

“People of the world,” said the most recognizable man in the world, making the young knight yelp. It was the man he had just insulted, Arthur Silvera. Mr. Tate smiled when he saw the knights take a step back while the builders all stopped to watch the broadcast.

“Arthur Silvera!”

“Is he giving a speech?”

“It has been so long since he made an appearance! I thought he was fighting injustice in Ilios?”

Cries like these could be hard in the public square, and Mr. Tate realized that Kera might be the most biased city that favored Arthur no matter what he did. After all, he was the one to fight off Amelio.

“It has been a while since we last spoke,” said Arthur Silvera with a smile. But then, his appearance changed as his aura grew more commanding and threatening. “And I come here with a different plea.”

Mr. Tate saw that Arthur was floating as the camera zoomed back from the original half-body shot. He was inside his runic control center of the fortress, making for a magnificent scene of magic.

“You have all heard about my guild, and I received your countless requests to join. I thank you sincerely for every one of them. However, you have endangered your lives for me while I did nothing in return.”

“Cut off this broadcast!” shouted the young captain, but the simultaneous glares of the citizens made him close his mouth.

“I am here to announce that I will take those joining me under my wing of protection and support while fulfilling the labels I have been called. Most nations called me a rebel, criminal, or even devil. I will be if that is what I am to them.”

His words confused the crowd. Then, more people started leaving their temporary homes to see what was happening, crowding the public square.

“I hereby create ten guilds under my name, and those joining them will join my cause. I will protect those fighting for what I believe in, freedom and justice. Join me to end the injustice of the world.”