Chapter 924  Fifth Commander

Ilia Perli has been recovering all this time, although there was not much to recover from. His biggest wound was the one in his loyalty since he had to decide to forsake his vows to the Yalen King.

Although Arthur has foreseen Ilia Perli showing his grat.i.tude, he always thought the man would be too proud to jump ships so quickly. Thus, he was surprised to see him announce his loyalty to Arthur.

"I am grateful, but I must say that I did not expect this from you. Although I trust that you have seen reason in abandoning the Yalen King, how does it make sense to serve his enemy? How do I know you wouldn"t serve mine one day?"

"As long as you are on the side of justice, I will never betray you. However, given your strength, would I be a threat even if I did? Four Astra-rankers tried to ambush you, only to fall apart."

"These words do not sound like you," said Arthur with a raised brow. "You are a man of words and loyalty, so what changed?"

"I became a soldier hoping to protect humans, not watch them slaughter each other. As I stood there with my final orders to take you down or forfeit my life, I watched the Light Emperor oppose everything I believed in. Thousands are dead because of his selfish desires, and this is where I realized that our world is corrupted. Power should have never belonged to the few."

"You want to abolish governments?"

"And build them anew," said Ilia without rising. "I foresee a world where the mind rules before power, and those possessing power are not the ones making the choices."

"Such a world is impossible," Arthur interrupted his words, and Ilia Perli was silent. Then, he walked over to the kneeling man, prompting him to raise his head. "However, there is an alternative."

"An alternative?" muttered Ilia Perli with confusion as he stared at Arthur offer his hand.

"Long ago, humans did not need power because the world did not have monsters. As long as monsters exist, we need the power to survive. As long as we have power, we are the monsters. I want to strip humans of their strength and give them no reason to pursue it."

"A world with no powers?" muttered Ilia Perli with shock, looking at Arthur as if he had lost his mind. Abilities and mana have become a crucial part of existence, an everyday ordinary thing. "How would you achieve such a thing?"

"I have no idea yet," said Arthur with a shake of his head. "I don"t possess the world to prevent the world from giving abilities to its people. However, if we ensure that humans can survive independently, the world would not need to help them."

"If such a thing is possible, then it reinforced my belief that I should serve you," said Ilia Perli, bowing his head again. "Let me build this future alongside you, my lord."

Arthur was a little overwhelmed since Ilia Perli has always been a figurehead in the Yalveran Union. Although his memories were vague, he remembers hearing about his name in his cla.s.srooms. Yet, such a renowned general and awakener was begging to serve him.

Life has changed so much in the past two years. In the blink of an eye, he was now a deme-ranker who could create a domain of existence. Although he was just an ant two years ago, every ruler feared him now.

"I have seen your resolve and accept your request to join me," said

Arthur as he extended his hand further. "Take my hand, and be my fifth commander."

Ilia Perli rose as he shook his hand before he was confused. Arthur smiled and guided him outside toward the fifth division, which remained without a commander. As soon as the soldiers saw him, they saluted him.

Whispers spread among the crowd as they saw Ilia Perli, former Major General of the Yalveran Union. Most saw Arthur executing the astra-ranker, so their confusion was immeasurable.

"Fifth Division, a.s.semble!" shouted Arthur as he walked among the crowd. All soldiers rushed to stand uniformly, proving how much they respected and feared Arthur. "I don"t need to introduce this man because he has made himself known worldwide. He will be your commander and lead the attack against Runera."

There was silence among the crowd. Arthur noticed how some of these soldiers glared at Ilia Perli with hatred and did not understand why. Then, a woman stepped forward from the crowd and knelt on the ground.

"May I speak, sir?" asked the woman as she knelt on the ground, and Arthur gave her permission. "We would never disobey you, but I must carry the desire of my brothers and sisters. I once served as a knight in Ilios, and Ilia Perli killed many of our comrades during the invasion against the Yalveran Union."

Arthur was enlightened about what made these soldiers seem so full of hate. However, it did not sit right with him to treat Ilia Perli as the enemy, even though these were the invaders.

"Then, he should be the one hating you," said Arthur with a frown as he surveyed the soldiers and glared at them. "You invaded his home and expected him not to retaliate?"

"Our brothers and sisters have been following the commands of the unjust emperor," said the woman who raised her head to look at Arthur. "Even if we were wrong, our bad blood remains."

"Some of you fought against me six weeks ago, and I let it go. Others have been there to a.s.sa.s.sinate me in Runera, and I let it go. How is there no bad blood between us? If your excuse is the commands of an unjust ruler, then how is Commander Ilia any different?"

The woman had a change in expression as Arthur made a point none of them could refute. The fact that Ilia Perli was standing here proved that he had forsaken his king just like how they abandoned theirs.

"This foolish soldier greets her commander!" shouted the woman as she slammed her fist into her armor, making it clang. "Please forgive me, commander!"

Then, the soldiers followed, saluting the confused man wearing casual clothes. Arthur smiled as he saw them accept him as their commander and relinquish their prejudice against outsiders.

"I feel sorry to put you in this position, but you are the man with the most war experience," said Arthur to Ilia Perli as he patted his shoulder. "These are your new unit and are ten thousand strong awakeners. You can also recruit your soldiers in the Runic Dome if they desire to follow you."

"Have you expected my request, my lord?" asked Ilia Perli with a weak smile. "It seems this division remained without a commander until I arrived."

"I wanted to leave a spot for the best man for the job, but I would have given it to someone else if you did not desire to lead. So, what is your answer?"

"If you demand I walk through flames, then I will conquer h.e.l.l," said Ilia Perli as he bowed down to him. Then, he turned toward the soldiers and saluted them back. His voice boomed as he addressed them. "An honor to lead the proud warriors of Ilios! Consider me your comrade before your commander because I will always risk my life for any of you!"

Arthur watched Ilia Perli become himself again. This was the dignified Major General of the Yalveran Union, whose heroism has been the story of his childhood. Then, he left the man to his bidding as he returned to the tent.

As he returned, he found Rain to be combing her head inside. Arthur smiled and did not say a thing, choosing to enjoy her humming as he wore his black and golden robes.

The army soon began their march again toward Runera. At this point, the world has heard of their journey toward the City of Runes. Unknown to Arthur at that time, the world was turning against him because of this war.

Their second day of marching went without any troubles, too. Another bonfire was lit, this time with Rain accompanying them. Most soldiers around the fire did not care about the music or the other women, as they were mesmerized by the Sin of l.u.s.t.

Rain has a beauty different from the rest since it ignited a fire in the heart. Thus, the night was less peaceful since Arthur could feel their l.u.s.t over the devilish beauty. However, even then, Rain remained without a hint of l.u.s.t.

Many men tried to get close to her, some with chiseled bodies and handsome faces. However, Rain declined with a smile, which made him even more confused. The usual calamity of l.u.s.t would never give up the opportunity to bed a man, especially a powerful one.

As he returned to his tent, a similar scene played. However, Rain was the one in his bed this time, but she was clothed and combing her hair before bedtime. Arthur stood at the end of the bed with As he returned to his tent, a similar scene played. However, Rain was the one in his bed this time, but she was clothed and combing her hair before bedtime. Arthur stood at the end of the bed with confusion.

"…what are you doing here?"

"Don"t be silly," said Rain as she placed the comb down with a smile and threw herself on the bed. "I am ready to sleep. Come over here."

Rain lay her arm on the bed as her hair spread beneath her nightgown. Then, she opened her hand just like night. It seems that she thought it was given that their second night would be the same. Arthur was rooted in place, speechless. How would he get out of this?