832 Origin of l.u.s.t
Hidden deep in Living Forest, the Runic Dome was hidden from the public. Even if one did not look through this forest for days, one would never find the criminal guild deep in this place.
Yet, someone managed to find their way to this place. They were riding a flying mount, which started landing atop the dome. If not for the shadow riding behind atop it, the mount or its rider would never think that the fortress was here.
“Where is he?” asked the tall young man, who wore a cloak to hide his face. However, his handsome features could not be hidden, as his curly black hair and deep green eyes made him eye-catching.
The shadow did not respond to him but disappeared instead into the fortress. After a sigh, the young man got off his mount to jump atop the moving vines. Then, a giant door opened from the dome’s roof, and several figures rose on an elevator.
“It has been a long time since we met, First Ranker,” said the man with black robes, surrounded by three intimidating bunch. Even when faced with his warm greeting, the guest was apprehensive. “You don’t recognize this face, huh?”
After waving his hand, the man’s face changed. The handsome newcomer beamed as he took a step forward with surprise. “Alexie Linan! You are still alive!”
“…and why would I be dead, Jonah?” asked Arthur with a smile as he changed back toward his original face. “I apologize for summoning you in such an urgent manner.”
“I would come rushing here whenever you need,” said Jonah as he pulled down his hood. “I still cannot believe that your real ident.i.ty is the infamous Arthur Silvera.”
“Everyone made the connection, even if I didn’t announce it,” said Arthur before gesturing toward the rest of his members. “These three are our founding members. Two of them will be guild masters, just like you, and would help whenever needed.”
“Ah, that is still…” hesitated Jonah, scratching his head. Arthur noticed his hesitation and decided to lead the man inside before resuming their talks.
Jonah Raver told Arthur why he was reluctant to be a guild master. One of the reasons was the safety of his younger sister, while the other was Jerano having only a few months left until graduation.
“Jerano has two years of study and one year of guild internship. Since there are few months left until the end of your second year, we can arrange something,” said Arthur. “As for your sister, she can live here.”
“…I wouldn’t want her to live inside a dangerous place,” said Jonah with a frown. “As I heard, all nations seek to find Ascent and even want to kick it out of Glory List.”
“Even if Ascent falls, this dome will not,” said Arthur with a smile. “This is the safest place in this world, as long as we have enough mana stones for its arrays. However, there is always the option of teleporting everyone inside to a safe house.”
“Listen, Alexie,” said Jonah with an awkward smile. “When I got your letter, I was thrilled. We never got to meet before you left Jerano since I was training. I wanted to join Jerano for a better life. However, I owe you everything I have so far.”
“You will have that in Ascent,” said Julia, presenting Jonah with an offer. “This is a rough estimate of how much you will make each month as a guild master. But it can be so much more. Furthermore, your family will have around the hour protection by our shadows.”
“…if you are fine with someone like me, then I would be thrilled,” said Jonah as he read the offers, including weapons and skills that would be given monthly. “So, which guild will I be leading?”
“Yuran will lead Highcry, and Alan will be leading Steelshade. As for the rest, there is still room for you to choose. However, they need to be in separate nations.”
“I get to choose which nation?” asked Jonah with a raised brow, and Arthur nodded with a smile. “I have to think more about this, but you have a deal!”
After the two shook hands, Jonah left with Julia to make further arrangements. As for Arthur, he instructed that more guests would be led toward their dome by the shadows, so they needed to be welcomed.
As for him, it was time that he left Ascent and returned to Helios. The executions were still scheduled to be in a few days, but Arthur expected them to change the date to elude the rebels.
After leaving the Living Forests, Arthur teleported straight toward the rebels’ camp hidden outside Helios. He has only been here once, but the army seems to have grown since the last time he was here.
Arthur showed his face at the gates, and after the initial alertness, the rebels allowed him entry. They told him Rain was here, but Lyle had other things to do.
“If it isn’t our beloved third rebel!” said Rain as soon as she saw him and rushed to hug him. “I missed you so much, Arthur!”
“Have you missed me or the pleasure I once let you feel?” said Arthur with a smile as he broke off their embrace. Rain stared at him with a pout, her silver hair tied into a ponytail. “Where is Lyle?”
“He left a message that he needs to take care of things in Living Forest,” said Rain as she hugged his arm and pulled him inside the tent. “It seems the emperor is planning something, so Lyle decided to take action himself.”
“Inside Living Forest?” asked Arthur with surprise. He did remember Julia saying there was an incident in the forest the other night, but he never a.s.sumed it was something significant. “Does he need aid?”
“Nope, he will be fine. We can forget about him and catch up instead!” said Rain as she pulled him to sit atop the bed. “Where have you been? Who is Ai?”
“…the second question doesn’t seem to be about catching up,” said Arthur with a smile before he freed his arm and walked toward the map. “Have you met them already?”
“I smuggled them into Helios city a few days ago, and the three women stormed through the underground world ever since. It seems they found the escapee.”
“Oh?” muttered Arthur with surprise. “I expected their plan to be futile, but we might go along with it in the end.”
“…you didn’t answer me, Arthur. Who is Ai?” asked Rain with a frown. “You trust her a lot, it seems.”
“She crossed the world for me, so how could I not trust her?” said Arthur with a smile. “Does it bother you? I thought you were the Sin of l.u.s.t, not of Envy.”
“…what are you talking about?”
pAn,d a-n0ve1,c-o-m “There is no point denying it anymore, Rain,” said Arthur without turning toward her. “I know the truth about me now. But, of course, you might have always known the truth since we met.”
“…I feared for the worst, but it seems I was right,” said Rain as her expression crumbled. The woman was no longer cheerful and amiable; her eyes had myriad lights. “Are you here for that reason?”
“I came here to finish what I started, but when I saw you outside, I realized it. You are, as I suspected, one of the seven sins. Rain is not your real name, right?”
“If you say that, then your real name is not Arthur Silvera, but Eragon, the Ageless Breaker,” said Rain with a grin as the room dimmed. “I never meant harm.”
“Harm can be defined in many ways,” said Arthur as he stared at the map of Ilios. “We met here at the border,” he pointed, “and I always thought that was a coincidence that you sought me. It was no such thing. You could tell I carried one of the sins inside me.”
“However, I didn’t know you would turn out to be Arthur Silvera, the very reincarnation of the man Eragon killed and perished with. Once I knew, I had to ensure that no one else knew this secret.”
“And for what reason?”
“If the rest of the sins realize this truth, then all of the calamities will be prepared to fight you,” said Rain as she stood behind him. “Ca.s.sius came to this world, and you fought against him, right?”
“I have,” said Arthur as he turned toward her. “However, I have a different question. Don’t try to change the subject, Rain. Ever since we met, you’ve been attempting to seduce me. What would have happened if I gave in to your seductions?”
“I also want to know, what would happen when the Sin of l.u.s.t sleeps with the Sin of Wrath,” said Rain as she grabbed his hand and placed it atop her belly. “What kind of miracle would we create?”
“You didn’t come after me for l.u.s.t, did you?” Arthur frowned as he stared at the crazy woman. “You wanted to have my child?”
“What is the origin of l.u.s.t but the desire to reproduce?” said Rain as she caressed his hair with her hand. “Humans choose their mates based on their survival ability, and no one is stronger than you.”