Chapter 757: Astral Light

Layla reached out toward her face and caressed it. The wounds were scabbed, making her face lined with scars. Not a single inch of her face had clear skin, all the way toward her lips.

"How did this happen?" asked Layla, staring into the big blue eyes untainted by the world.

"It doesn"t matter," answered Ai, but then she saw Layla staring into her eyes. "A group of bandits raided my village."

That was all that needed to be said. Layla could feel slight trembling from the healer, which made her feel guilty. Then, she reached out and wrapped her arms around her neck before hugging her tightly.

"It"s alright now," said Layla. "No one can hurt you anymore. It"s alright now."

"I know that," said Ai as she buried her face in Layla"s chest, enjoying her warmth. "I have been given strength that makes me more than a victim."

"And as long as we are together, then I will protect you," promised Layla as she broke off their embrace and looked her in the eyes. "Unless you want me gone, I will always be by your side."

"You have more on your plate than anyone, so why would you make such a promise?" asked Ai with a sad smile. "We both have things to achieve, so let us not endanger each other."

"You saved me before, which is a debt I will never forget," said Layle as she cupped her hand. "I know you are not from this world, which makes things even more dangerous for you. Let me help you find the man you have been looking for," she offered.

"There is no need anymore because he is here," said Ai as she looked out into the street. "I overheard some conversations around here, and many mentioned his name. So he is here, as my blessing told me."

"Who is he?" asked Layla with confusion. Ai turned toward her with an awkward smile.

"Our fates were intertwined in the most unexpected ways," said Ai with sadness. "The man who your grandfather refused to a.s.sa.s.sinate is here in Helios, and he is the man that I have been looking for all this time."

"Arthur Silvera?" asked Layla with genuine surprise. Ai nodded before reaching out toward the table and pulling a newspaper.

"I had to go out and get one after seeing so many people reading it," Ai unfolded the papers. "I couldn"t read what it said, but the photos were enough to confirm that he is the one I seek."

"This happened yesterday," said Layla with confusion. "This explains the patrolling knights, but I thought it was merely a precaution for the executions."

"Can you read it for me?" asked Ai as she squeezed her hand, and Layla nodded before taking the newspaper. Then, she started reading, and her eyes widened as a result.

"Arthur Silvera destroyed the Mansell Gang and executed their leader. Furthermore, he almost killed Erin Voldor and injured one of the Trinity Members in less than an hour."

"Is that a good thing?"

"A good thing?" asked Layla with shock, then she laughed. "I once did the same thing, but all I could do was free the prisoners. It says here that Arthur Silvera not only did that but also managed to cripple the gang forever, with no hopes of recovery. Mansell Gang was responsible for all the human trafficking in Helios, so doing this means saving thousands!"

"As selfless as ever," smiled Ai while looking at his picture, surrounded by the people of Kera. "I"m glad that the man I seek and who he is are still the same."

"If you are from another world, how did you meet him?" asked Layla with confusion as she placed the paper down. "Arthur Silvera is no older than twenty, so he never left Earth."

"In this timeline, no," said Ai with a shake of her head. "However, I received an epiphany that told me what happened another time, and it was enough to awaken this power within me."

"I have seen how miraculous it was, but why didn"t you use it on yourself?" asked Layla. "You could have healed some of these wounds, even if not all."

"I never considered it," said Ai with a smile. "The Seika gave me these powers for a reason, and I would never use them for selfish reasons. These wounds that the world gave me are what made me who I am."

"You must have suffered from them," said Layla with sadness. "Using your powers for yourself is the most reasonable thing to do. You are not a saint to be so selfless. Sorry for saying this, but it"s idiotic."

"Hehe," laughed Ai, taking Layla by surprise. Then, Ai grabbed her hands and smiled. "I will ask Arthur Silvera this and heal these wounds if he wants that. I know it"s idiotic, but it"s a way for him to recognize me."

"I doubt anyone would forget you," said Layle before pulling her hand and kissing it. "Thus, our goals align since I want to seek Arthur Silvera myself. He came to Helios for a reason, which might be regarding the executions. You said you can find him, right?"

"That will be the issue," said Ai with a helpless expression. "His powers of creation are all over the city, making it hard to find him specifically. However, I can tell you where to look."

Ai stood up and pointed toward the distance, and Layla followed her gaze. She was pointing at the Upper Copper District toward the place Layla visited today: The Light Chambers.

"He is with the knights?" asked Layla with confusion.

"You were close to him today," smiled Ai as she turned toward her. "Your body radiates the powers of creation, meaning that you were close to him today."

"The only place I went to is Lyle"s office," frowned Layla. "In any case, we need to learn more about yesterday and why it happened. I know the exact person to seek," she said while opening the second page, which had the photo of a young female knight promoted to captain after the incident yesterday.

***

Arthur adjusted his armor as the two of them waited for the inspection. Lyle was standing in front of him, his back straightened and chest pushed out. As for Arthur, he stared around with fascination.

"Vice-Commander," greeted the guards" captain before turning toward Arthur. "This must be the newest recruit. Has he been knighted yet?"

"Not yet, but he will be soon," said Lyle as he glanced at Arthur. "Would that be a problem?"

"Not at all, sir," said the guard with a nervous face. "After your promotion, you can knight him and deliver his Life Trade to our esteemed emperor. Please, follow me."

The two followed the guard into the Gold District, another world in itself. Everything was white, with statues and gardens lining the streets as they walked. The statues were of great knights, princes, or previous emperors.

Every estate was huge, and the two had to board a wagon that took them toward the Light Palace, which could be seen from the walls of Helios. It was said that the Light Palace was precisely between the Origin Pillars, making it the holiest place in Ilios.

"This batch of Holy Knights made the emperor pleased," said the guard, who sat opposite them. "The report had four Great Blessing, but only three became knights. Is there some sort of problem, sir?"

"The fourth one is my foster sister, Layla Mantra," said Lyle while examining the vast expanse of gold-tiled roofs. "I need time to review what my grandfather poisoned her mind with."

"Ahaha, I see," laughed the man nervously before turning toward Arthur. "What about you? What is your astral blessing?"

"Astral Light," said Arthur before he raised his hand, and light gathered. The man"s eyes widened as he slapped his leg with excitement.

"A bonafide light user! The emperor will be overjoyed!" said the guard before nodding with approval. "This must be why you appointed him as your a.s.sistant, Vice-Commander!"

"He will prove useful," said Lyle before turning to the man. "Who is attending the ceremony today?"

"Everyone," smiled the man. "After the recent events, the Light Emperor saw it appropriate to address the public and rea.s.sure them. There will also be a meeting that devises a plan against Arthur Silvera and how to arrest him."

"As expected of the Light Emperor," said Arthur with mocking surprise. "He is always there for his people."

"That is who we swore to serve," said the guard with pride. "The three Trinity Members will also be here, including the acting Knights Commander."

"It seems the will be two promotions on the same day," said Lyle with a smile. "I wonder what new division would the new commander be a.s.signed to and how it would serve our glorious empire."

If Arthur remembers correctly, the new commander should be the one who tried to a.s.sa.s.sinate him but failed. This means he will be meeting many familiar faces.