Chapter 1331  Burdens of Power

Garrick Bloodclaw could not handle nineteen awakeners, even with the weakest among them being at the deme-rank. Some had already reached the astra-rank, making them a force to be reckoned with. In a matter of seconds, he was pinned to the ground with swords aimed at his neck, limbs, and heart. Garrick could not even breathe without a weapon cutting into his flesh, forcing him to lie in horror as he glared at Julia, who sat behind them.

"We have members of Thiria better than any other, but it always seems that some p.r.i.c.k from your nation comes over and ruins the image," said Julia, taking several steps forward. "Your punishment was banishment, but you attempted to attack me just now, did you not?"

Garrick continued to glare at her, unable to move his mouth without a sword slicing into his neck. The nineteen figures stared at him with clear killing intent, and he knew that Julia could command them to kill him.

"If I fall, you will face the wrath of Thiria," said Garrick with a grin. "I am backed by the Lord of Thiria himself! I joined your guild to uncover your secrets, so if you kill me, it will result in an all-out war against Thiria!"

"And when did we fear wars?" she replied.

"What?" Garrick paled. "Have you lost your G.o.dd.a.m.n mind? You think you could survive against a nation of beasts? Dragonir could crush you! Right this instant!"

"I would love to send you back with a message, but…" Julia raised her hand. Garrick felt the nineteen figures disappear, jumping away from him as if they knew what was coming. "I prefer that you die."

In the next instant, runic arrays appeared on the ceiling. Garrick thought about fleeing, dodging, or even taking someone hostage. However, the blinding light tore through his body before he could even react, a searing mana beam destroying him until there was nothing left. There wasn"t even a scream before he turned to dust.

The hall was silent as they witnessed a man turn to dust. A man with a name, powerful enough to threaten any of them, was just defeated before he could react. The guild masters sometimes forgot that inside this runic dome, and even outside, Julia was stronger than any of them. Just because she could control this giant monstrosity known as the strongest runic weapon. Even if the other guilds found them, they would need to sacrifice most of their men just to create a dent in this place.

"And this goes to everyone here, and a reminder to myself," said Julia without flinching over the fact that she had just killed someone. "Innocents remain our top priority in this apocalypse. We are what it takes to save the world, but we need to sacrifice our time, wealth, and lives."

The nineteen were silent before a masked man spoke out. It was Li, one of the few to ever follow Arthur when he joined Ascent. "If Thiria has indeed sent this man, then they will retaliate."

"Our encounters with Dragonir have already reached a breaking point. Their members keep attacking us at the expense of the common people. If war is what they demand," spat Julia. "Then war they shall have. Prepare to support our guild in Thiria. In the meantime, I will send someone to lead them. You can be dismissed."

After that, Julia left the hall. Murmurs rose behind her, as she was sure that her act of murder had left a deep impression. She returned to her study and closed the door. Then, she collapsed on the ground, her hands trembling as she covered her teary eyes.

Although it was a necessity to protect Ascent, murder had never become easy for her. Julia was given tremendous power as the vice-master of one of the strongest guilds in the world. She needed to be ruthless in order to enforce order. Garrick was a piece of filth, and she was the one who picked him. Arthur was not here to weed out spies, so she needed to be vigilant.

As the loneliness of holding this burdening power almost became too much, a knock came on her door. Julia flinched as she hurried to wipe away her tears and used the dome"s surveillance to see who was outside. It turned out to be a masked man with short black hair.

"What do you need, Li?" asked Julia from behind the door. As if sensing the runes watching him, he looked at them, and she could see his tree mask through them. He looked at her, and then spoke in a soft voice, unlike himself.

"I think you need some help."

"Help with what? I have already given you the commands," she replied, caught off guard but still managing to retain her composure. Li was silent, as if trying to remember the words she had taught him. She had thought it was more efficient to make him speak their language.

"Can I come inside? If it"s inappropriate, then please come outside," said Li, and Julia hesitated about how to answer him. She considered turning him away, but the man was so silent that it might end up making him antisocial. In the end, she opened her doors after running to the desk and ensuring that no one else was outside.

Li walked into the room, finding her sitting at the desk. She sat there with a confident smile as she leaned forward. "What do you need from me, Li?" she asked.

"I have a question, Miss Julia," said Li as he closed the doors and walked toward her. "Are you a fighter?"

"A fighter?" she repeated in confusion. "There"s more than one kind of fighter."

"Ah, right," he seemed to search for the right word. "Are you a killer?"

Julia slightly trembled, which she tried to ease by cupping her hands together. Li did not rush her for an answer, and she did not provide one even after several minutes of silence. It almost became unbearable until he continued.

"I can tell that you are not a fighter or a killer, but a kind person. You have studied runes your entire life, and now, you lead the strongest guild in the world. It must be… scary."

It was.

"Earlier when you killed Garrick, I could see that you looked away as fast as you could. You did not wish to witness what you consider to be a crime, even though it was not. You were powerful and commanding, exactly what the others need you to be."

"Thank you, Li. But as you can see, I am just fine," Julia rea.s.sured him with a forced smile. "Don"t worry about me, and thank you for looking after me."

"I can be your sword."

"What?" Julia frowned.

"Ah, is that the wrong word? I meant… something that kills in your stead. I have no problem with killing. I have done it my entire life, and for you, I will do it forever."

Julia stared at the man who promised to kill to save her from the agony. Although it was a morbid subject, she couldn"t help but think he was… sweet and caring. Li had always been a mystery. His very existence was something she couldn"t fathom, even though Arthur had told her about the Spirits Realm.

"That"s a sweet gesture, Li. But I have to do it as the vice-master," she said with a smile. "Those who kill others need to be strong enough to do it themselves. I will take that burden because I chose to support Arthur"s dreams."

"I understand," he said with a nod. His head was low, as if disappointed that she had turned him down. Julia smiled as she resisted the temptation of accepting just to make him feel better, and stood up to open the door for him.

Julia was about to pa.s.s him when the robed man spread his arms and embraced her. She found her face buried in his chest, and his scent filled her nose. It was something sweet, yet light. A scent that somehow reminded her of home after a long workday. Her body froze, never expecting him to hug her.

"Reece once told me that… hugs can cure heart wounds," said Li while hugging her. Julia blinked as he tightened his embrace around her, and then let go of her. "I hope this helps you, Miss Julia. I apologize for being inappropriate."

After that, Li opened the doors and left. Julia realized that he hugged her not for romantic reasons, but because he could feel how devastated she was. And it worked because the pain in her heart disappeared, but it was replaced with a longing for the scent that made her feel at home.

A man who wasn"t even from their world, wearing a mask and not speaking their language, turned out to be the only one capable of seeing through her act. Julia found herself crying again, alone in her room. But this time, there was no loneliness.