Chapter 899: Prisoner of Conscience

The weapon"s hilt was given mana, and the test was done on the tip. After a few rounds, Maryam returned with a gaping mouth.    

"I think I have erred somehow," said the runemaster as she stared at the report. "I did the test ten times to get the average mana conducted, and every result was the same. This means that the blade has no impurities."    

"I created this weapon using a rune and nothing else. It is the highest possible mana conductor the world can create with zero impurities," said Arthur with an "it is a given" face, not thinking that he had already created a monstrous weapon before even engraving it.    

"You went the extra mile for this one," said Maryam with a gulp as she stared at the report. "I have no idea what material you used, but it gave us a thousand-percent result. It amplifies the mana by ten times."    

"Then, if someone uses this sword and has a thousand in his mana stat, it would produce a result akin to ten thousand worth of mana," said Arthur with a concluding nod. "A decent weapon indeed."    

"This is not a decent weapon. It is a monstrous one," said Maryam with apprehension as she stared at the report. "If it falls into the wrong hands, it can cause ma.s.sacres."    

"This is why I gave it the proper knowledge about the world," said Arthur. "I will choose a righteous owner for itself. We can be sure that there will be no one who would misuse it."    

"Indeed, it will follow the steps of those it receives its knowledge from," said Suyin with a nod. "I think no one is a better fit than Arthur."    

"Then we can start the next test. There are three in essence. Two are for the blade: the mana conductivity and toughness. One for the rune, and one for the unique quality it has gained from being a living weapon."    

"What can it do as a rune?" curiously asked Suyin.    

"It can instantly heal its owner. This rune will gather mana in its blade until its owner needs it and would heal them before anything could kill them."    

"…not an offensive power?" asked Maryam with disappointment.    

"It does not need an offensive ability. This sword alone can defeat most opponents if given to the right person. If someone does not die, they can win a fight."    

"We cannot test this rune unless someone starts using it," said Maryam as she checked someone off her report before turning to Suyin. "We need to know what ability the soul-merging gave it. Since this test has never been done before, we need to have a few goes at it blindly."    

"…or just ask it?" said Suyin with hesitation. The two stared at her, confused, before looking at each other, not realizing this was a viable option. Thus, the asking began.    

As a sword that had just been born, it had little knowledge. It was akin to asking a baby what it could do. Thus, the questioning came with little benefits until the sword said something that changed their minds.    

"I feel like… I am getting stronger…"    

The three of them were confused at first. Then, after several debates, they realized that souls gave humans something unique. It allowed them to evolve and gain special abilities according to their rank.    

"…this is fascinating," said Maryam with excitement. "If this theory is correct, then this sword can grow stronger like a human and even evolve. It might even be able to gain skills and practice certain arts."    

"This remains to be seen, as we have no idea what this "evolution" will bring to an inanimate object. However, whoever wields this weapon will have immense powers."    

"You should take it," said Suyin to Arthur as soon as he finished talking. "I already have a weapon, and you fight without one. This will be safe in your hands, and it can learn as it grows."    

"…I don"t need it," said Arthur with a frown. "My style has never been swords but daggers. I can create weapons just as strong whenever I wish. My sword of creation amplifies mana many times more than this."    

"…that explains the ease you had against Osian," said Suyin with wide eyes before looking at the blade again. "Then, who is going to receive this?"    

"This remains to be decided," said Arthur before he turned toward the wall and stared at the time. "You can start training, as I need to meet with the other guild members."    

"Am I still not one of them?" said Suyin with disappointment. Arthur smiled and looked at Maryam, making her nod and leave. Then, after the two were alone, he replied to Suyin.        

"I was once your teacher, but after realizing the potential that you have, I can never call myself that. Your powers have an equal potential as mine, and this place will not let you bloom."    

"You talk just like my sister," said Suyin with a sigh. "Is it wrong to be in a safe place?"    

"And is a safe place what you always wanted? We both said to live for ourselves, and I will keep advancing. You can follow me if that is what you want, but I believe that you have something more to do. Take your time to decide that."    

***    

Arthur parted with Suyin after he left her with those words. Although he knew she would always be the greatest addition to his guild, he felt guilty. He has gained her affection through the coincidence of witnessing what Other Yin, or Morana, could do.    

Everyone who joined Ascent benefited from that. However, Suyin would do just fine without it. After awakening, her spiritual powers will make her jump through the ranks in no time. It was the basis of potential.    

Thus, Arthur wanted the decision to be hers. She would fill the gap that Orin has left with his leaving. As soon as he remembered his brother, Arthur stopped walking. He has avoided thinking about it, but his brother was his concern.    

Although his current powers were enough to protect him, and even Marvi left with him, Arthur was concerned that his enemies would target his brother. He wanted to make Orin live inside Ascent for as long as he wished to, but he could not force him to do his bidding.    

"We are both the sons of a headstrong mother," said Arthur with a sigh before he changed his destination. Instead of meeting the other members, he visited his mother first.    

Her chambers were the most protected inside the dome. The arrays were healing her nonstop, ensuring her coma would not result in permanent damage. As soon as he saw her, Arthur was no longer the man feared by the world.    

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He sat beside her bed, with sunlight shining on it from above. His mother was breathing calmly, her face peaceful. Arthur did not remember the last time he talked to her before she never woke up.    

Seref might have done this to hurt Arthur or even forced him to seek the holy crown. However, that will result in another clash with the seven families, making Arthur defeat them in the end.    

"Is this all he cares about? War and glory?" muttered Arthur beside his mother as he brushed the hair off her face. She had several age lines on the corner of her eyes. "I just wanted to give you a peaceful retirement. You married the wrong man and had the wrong son."    

His mother has given Arthur and Orin her all. She neglected her health and life to provide for them instead of his father. Sarah was the pillar that prevented their house from collapsing.    

"I fought with Oren again, mom," said Arthur with a smile. "I thought that I have gained his respect too much in recent years for his own good. However, the moment I made a decision he did not like, he left."    

Arthur did not think his decision was wrong, but he knew that Oren was seeking the reality he dreamed about, not the reality he had. He was still too naïve to think these seven families would do anything without being crushed.    

"After what I saw in Ilios and Kera from the neglect and selfishness of its rulers, I realized that I carry a colossal weight on my shoulders. Every second I waste in not changing the course of the world means countless lives lost. This is not glory; it is a curse."    

The strongest man is a prisoner of his conscience. If the world faces a threat, then the strongest must protect it. They must dedicate their lives to saving others instead of living for themselves.    

"You raised us too well, mom," said Arthur with a weak smile. "I sometimes want to leave this world behind and return to a time when I was happy. But, once I saw countless families and children crushed under boulders, I realized that I can never look away."