Chapter 26: Chapter 26
Arthur's Point of View
Temple atop Helmsforth
One of the Priestesses started reaching for my wrapping, and I glared at her. "If you remove that wrapping, you best be ready for a fight, and not like the one last time." I said in a dark tone.
Arceana slowly lowered her hand and nodded. "I should not have pushed. Apologies."
I was not happy about this. Any of it. Someone, or something, was making a mockery of my life in this new world. A life I didn't ask for. The Star Creature, while it did send me here with a task, I get the feeling this world itself is fucking with me.
"Do you have any idea who created this book?" Perhaps it was my tone that made them uneasy.
"Well," Although, it could've also been the look on my face. "It was created by 'The Great Sage Aydan'. A master of magic, unlike anything this world has ever seen. This book was one of the few things that remained after he disappeared suddenly." Arceana told me.
"I see." Taking a deep breath, I handed the book back. "I'm sorry. That was rude. This book has put me on edge."
Elincia smirked. "Weren't expecting such an accurate depiction of the orb in your sword?" She asked knowingly.
My eyes flickered to her for a moment. "Not at all." Sighing, I looked between the two Priestesses. "So, what am I supposed to do now?" Both looked at me, confused. "Can you just Knight me in private and get it over with so we can all go about our day, or do you need to set up a really annoying and obnoxious ceremony?"
Arceana smiled at me softly. "Do not worry, Arthur. I will do my best to make sure the ceremony takes much longer than we originally planned and have it be as irritating as it possibly can be." Elincia giggled at that, and I gave a deadpanned look to the pink-haired Priestess. "It'll take a while to get the news out about there about you, our newest Knight, and I'm sure thousands will want to attend and meet you."
"Be warned," I began as I looked Arceana in the eyes. "I will murder any-"
"Arthur!" Elincia chastised, and I turned to her. "My sister was clearly joking. However, we must follow some manner of decorum. There will be a ceremony, and there will be guests to meet you. As our newest Knight, it is to be expected, so please keep a civil attitude towards the process."
"Fine, but I swear to god..." Raising a finger, I pointed between the two. "Should this be overly excruciating, I will burn this place to the ground." It was in a joking manner, but I truly felt that way.
Rolling her eyes, Arceana replied. "Such comforting words, Sir Knight." A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Elincia giggled. "It should only take a day or two to inform most of Helmsforth. Some in cities farther away will receive word in due time. Do not worry, Arthur. It will be a grand ceremony for a man who deserves it."
"Only thing I deserve is a slit throat and to be tossed in some unknown ditch left to die." I commented nonchalantly, and both Priestesses looked at me shocked. "What?" The chapters is up by N0vEI__bin
"Do... Do you truly believe that?" Arceana asked in a worried tone while Elincia watched on just as concerned.
"Does it matter if I do?" I asked back in a dead tone.
Elincia softly put a hand on my shoulder. "Arthur... We may not have known each other for very long, but we are always willing to lend an ear if you need to talk." Concerned blue eyes studied me.
That was rather funny. "I can imagine so, but yes. Please let them know I'd like a place to stay down here. It doesn't need to be fancy and that I would prefer to stay down here compared to living up the mountain."
"Can do!" He said happily. "Glad ya decided ta stay down here, Arthur. Most would hop at the first opportunity ta move to the upper rungs."
"It'll be easier to work from down here." Was my reply. "Plus, there are a few things I need to look into away from prying eyes. One of them being the Hollow Forest." The old man looked at me, confused.
"Why would ya need ta investigate the Forest?"
"Ghouls have been appearing in there often, and one group even tracked me to your home." Rubbing my eye, I sighed. "If more are coming or even tracking me, I'd like to take care of them before they become a problem." Looking at him, I shrugged. "Or at the very least, try to convince them to leave me alone, you know?"
"Ghouls?" Augustus repeated. "Cassidy was talkin about them with Ayda."
That got my attention. "They were? What'd they say?"
Tapping his crane on the ground, the old man shrugged. "They asked what Ghouls were, but neither Priestess answered."
I rubbed my chin in thought. "That's a little odd. Why wouldn't they tell their students?"
"Did they tell you?"
Shaking my head got him to deflate. "I honestly didn't ask. Thought they were common knowledge or something. It's interesting they wouldn't answer what they were."
"Well, were they humans?" Grandpa Reed inquired.
"They were a mix of races. Humans, Elves, and maybe a few more. All of them were cloaked, so I couldn't tell if they were something else." I explained. "Maybe 'Ghouls' is an organization of some kind? I mean, all of them clearly weren't regular members of their races."
"Mmh. Sounds like ya got quite the mystery ta solve. It'll be good that yer bein Knighted with unsavory folk roamin around." The old man said.
Tapping the couch with my hand in a thoughtful manner, I tried to consider what they could be. "Maybe you're right. Only time will tell." Was my distant response.
A knock on the door knocked me out of my thought process, and the two of us looked at each other. "Who could that be?" Augustus asked as he stood slowly.
"You weren't expecting company?"
"Most company is welcome and lets themselves in." The old man replied.
Standing myself, I grabbed Defiance and spoke. "Then let's go find out who it is."
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We hit 798 Power Stones! We were so close to 800 and it should've been easy, but I think people were just super excited about the bonus chapters they forgot to use their Power Stones! It happens. Lol! Glad you guys and gals are still enjoying the story! This is the first bonus chapter! Second one will be coming out in a moment or two! Look forward to it!
The new goal for this week is to hit 800 Power Stones again for another extra chapter! We were so close, and I'm positive we should've been able to hit it, so I think it's a fair goal. If we hit 850 as well, I will release an additional bonus chapter for hitting that goal as well! We know we can hit 750 easy, but can we hit 850? Let's find out! Hope you guys are still looking forward to the coming chapters!