Chapter 911: Runera Responds

Helios opened its gates after a month of reconstruction, and it looked better than before. The city"s suburbs, which used to be filled with crooks and starving children, witnessed the biggest change.    

The old worn-out houses were brought to the ground as new houses were built. Many families were given temporary homes throughout the city shelters, with food being served on the streets. After a month of work, the districts looked similar, except for the gold district, which belonged to the n.o.bles.    

A city-wide celebration took place on this day, with music and dancers filling the streets. Ai had worn those clothes, making her blush to see the dancers ahead of her carriage. Visitors from all cities came to witness the new empress, and most fell in love with her beauty.    

Ai looked like she jumped out of a painting with a flawless face and golden hair. After the crown found itself on her head, she looked like a mesmerizing G.o.ddess from ancient times, making the people more than happy to have her as their empress.    

"I doubt I would be accepted for just my looks," said Arthur as he sat atop the roof of one building, watching the parade. "People will always be attracted to beauty, even if it kills them."    

"Half of my strength and wealth came from this body," Rain said as she sat beside him. "Many men fell for just a glimpse of my figure. But what matters when I cannot seduce the one I desire?"    

"It does not matter because there are more important things to obtain," said Arthur with a smile as he turned toward her. Rain raised a brow at him, her eyes telling him she could think of nothing but pleasure. "Good friends are harder to find."    

"…indeed," said Rain after a momentarily stunned face. In recent days, she has been spending her time with Arthur. Although most of their tasks were to either crush any monster uprisings or seduce n.o.bles, it made her happy.    

Ai made an agreement with Duke Garret, as it turned out that he, too, suffered from the losses of famine. It struck him hard, and given the situation, he smuggled countless illegal materials to enhance production.    

Those materials harm the environment, so they have been banned in most countries. Their usage was unfair to others since it was said to steal nutrients from surrounding farmlands.    

After being fined a certain amount, Duke Garret reached an agreement with the empire over his farmlands. They would help fight the famine, and he would support them.    

Not all n.o.bles agreed to the new alliance between the wealthiest duke and the empire; thus, some opposition appeared. However, those that were found guilty by Aurora were left for Arthur to handle. Those houses, alongside their military powers, disappeared overnight.    

  "Are we here as guards?" asked Rain with boredom as he watched Ai wave her hand at the citizens. "I doubt anyone could get past that old man."    

"He is old, and his senses have dulled," said Arthur, and Zonas glanced at him from within the parade. "I guess… not that dull. In any case, we are here to make sure nothing goes wrong. After all, we have our gates open."    

"This will be the case for the next months since winter is coming," said Rain as she laid over the tiles. "Farmers have prepared for this weather and will sell their corps to the major cities. We cannot turn them down, or we will starve."    

"This will be the first winter I experience in a while," said Arthur with a smile. "Most of the time I spent was during summer and spring; the rest I don"t remember."    

"I hate winter, so I feel envious."    

"Rare to see someone who doesn"t like snow," said Arthur with surprise. "I suspect your reasons are…."    

"I cannot wear revealing clothes in winter; most men will hibernate in their houses. This is bad for the business," said Rain as she hugged her bosom, making it rise. Arthur looked away with a speechless face.    

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"There won"t be any business this winter," said Arthur, making her confused. "You will be coming with me to Runera, right? After that, we will go to Sourna."    

"And when is that happening?"    

"Runera has yet to answer me, and I have grown impatient. I will attack them before the year ends and once enough members are in my guilds."    

"How are those guilds doing?"    

"Better than expected. Each has over a thousand members, with the highest being two. In total, we have eight thousand awakeners following our commands."    

"You have to weed them out for spies, too," said Rain with a frown.        

"Aurora has taken several trips to their headquarters, and any spies were captured and imprisoned inside the Runic Dome. As we speak, Aurora is interrogating them."    

"That reminds me of the Prison Warden, Eloisa," said Rain with a frown. "She disappeared after the battle alongside Duke Delano and the crown prince Erin Voldor."    

"…I heard of that as well," said Arthur with a cold face. "I thought he had died, but he disappeared when I fought off the four Astra-rankers. I was more worried about Ca.s.sius and his ability."    

"Ah, many enemies are looming to predate Ilios," said Rain as she rose. "That makes our job as guards even more important!"    

Although the two stayed alert, nothing happened on this joyous day. Empress Ai became the ruler of Ilios, accepted by all parties involved, and the ceremony ended that night.    

An after-party for the officials in the new empire took place inside the Light Palace. Arthur has turned the giant sphere he took from the ships into a new building called the Global Council, where official meetings would be conducted. Thus, the party took place inside the Golden Palace.    

Those attending were the members of Ilios and those who fought against the Light Emperor. Her granddaughter brought Grandma Mo, although she seemed reluctant to be there. She has refused to live inside the Golden Palace, turning down the many people who asked her.    

Most of them cheered for Ai and her new empire, but as the party began, a message arrived from Runera. Arthur was sitting beside Ai when Julia came with the news. As they expected, the answer was not amicable.    

"Runera and its families have called for all nations to cut trade with Ilios and Ascent, and those who refuse will be banned from purchasing their artifacts. This comes as a response to the open threat that Ilios and Ascent have made against Runera, even harming its envoy."    

The hall was silent even after Julia finished reading the announcement that Runera had made. No one looked more hurt than the genius runemaster, who knew this spilled bad news from her hometown.    

"…I did as promise and gave them a way out," said Arthur as he closed his eyes. Then, he rose from his chair, pushing it back. "I cherish your existence in my guild, Julia. However, there are reasons I cannot let go of Runera."    

"You are its founder, Arthur," said Julia as she resignedly closed her eyes. Then, she bowed her head. "The fact that you attempted a peaceful solution is all I can ask for. Runera is no longer the city I once knew."    

"I will make sure it returns to its former glory," said Arthur as he walked away from the table and toward Julia. Then, he hugged her tightly. "I will never harm those you care about."    

Julia was surprised at the gesture, and her eyes slowly closed as she heaved a sigh of relief. Then, she hugged him back, muttering her thanks. After the two broke off their embrace, Arthur turned toward his guild members.    

"Everyone should be aware of what this means," said Arthur to his comrades. "It means Runera wants to go to war against us. Those foolish runemasters have grown too arrogant to think they could oppose the one who created a city for them."    

"We will follow you no matter where you go, Arthur," said Yuran as he raised a gla.s.s. "Your enemies will forever be our enemies."    

"Ilios will also stand by your side in this war and all to come," said Empress Ai with a determined expression.    

Arthur nodded with a smile and looked at each of his guild members, and all of them were determined to follow him. Then, he let go of Julia and walked toward the center of the dancing hall.    

"If so, then let the world know our answer," said Arthur as he spread his arms. Golden mana emerged from his body and covered his arms like strings. "This time, I will be the one attacking."