Chapter 34: Chapter 34
Arthur's Point of View The chapters is up by N0vEI__bin
Reed Family Farmstead
After Arceana and Elincia had no choice but to accept their gobbling, the day moved on. Alwin and Kheri left with the Priestesses, as did Ayda and Typhon. Probably to brief them in some manner. However, the two High Elves did give everyone a quick briefing on how I saved their lives from a sudden assassination attempt. Of course, Tor was after me, but the Priestesses didn't know that. I felt no need to correct them either.
Two days had passed since my fight with Tor and the misunderstanding with the Lestranian Rulers. Cassidy, Austin, and Augustus all checked in on me multiple times as I slept. Offering food, water, and anything else they could think of to help me. They didn't know why I was so tired, and they tried to get me out of bed a few times, but I just gave them a look before returning to my slumber.
Now, a new day had arrived, and I was feeling much better after all the rest. "Glad ta see yer awake." Augustus greeted me in the kitchen as I took a seat. "Ya hungry?"
"Starved." Was my reply as I leaned back in the wooden chair.
The elderly man moved about the counters and cupboards as slow as usual. "Ah can imagine. Slept for two days straight! Glad yer feelin better. We're ya sick?"
"Just tired." Tapping my fingers on the table, I yawned. "Dealing with the Priestesses and the attempt on their lives wasn't easy."
Of course, I knew Typhon would likely inform Arceana and Elincia that the creature was after me and not them. He was present when Camoa said that I was being hunted. This would no doubt result in another round of questions from the two Priestesses, but after letting them live, I was hoping both would stop acting like bitches.
"Saving the Priestesses lives only a few days after bein Knighted... It's almost as if it was fate." Grandpa Reed pointed out.
"Don't look to fate for answers, Augustus. You'll just be disappointed." Was my dull reply.
He stopped for a moment to look at me. "Good ta see that savin the Priestesses didn't get ta yer head. Looks like ya still got that same pessimistic attitude as ever."
Giving him two thumbs up with a fake smile, I replied. "It's my winning personality!"
Picking up his cane, he pointed it at me. "If that's winning, Ah'm concerned."
Chuckling at that, I replied. "No need to be."
"Mmh. Cassidy and Austin were both worried about ya too. Ya should let them know that yer up and about." He gestured outside. "They'd like ta see ya."
"Can it wait?" I asked back as I closed my eye. "I'd like to just sit here for a minute."
"Ah'm not one ta force others into doin things, but ya could at least let them know yer okay. Food won't be done for a bit, so ya got time."
Rolling my neck until it hung limply above my chest and stood begrudgingly. "I supposed I should go let them know I'm awake." Stepping outside, where I assumed the younger Reeds' were, I immediately saw Austin over by the barn. "Austin!" I called out to him with a muted wave.
Giving her a look, I gestured all around. "Uh, in case you haven't noticed, you live in a very racist and classist society. I barely saw any humans in the upper rungs, and even the Zugal were far and few between. Magic seems to be the main factor to determine if you're somebody or nobody." Then I nudged her. "With a few exceptions here and there. Regardless, I probably won't take a huge role in this nonsense."
The farm girl was clearly surprised to hear this. "If what ya said is true, and ya believe it, how could ya just stand by and do nothin?"
"Easy. You see me just standing here?" I asked her as if it was obvious, and she gave me a disapproving look in return. "Look, I just got here, and getting into a political shit storm is not what I had in mind. I've barely been here for, what, two weeks?" My rhetorical question got a small nod from the redhead. "And how much have I already had to deal with?"
"So, yer just gonna let this go on, even when ya could do something about it?" Cassidy inquired.
"For now, yes. Maybe in the future I'll address it, but there are more pressing matters that I need to take care of first." Was my reply.
Putting her hands on her hips, the farm girl looked annoyed. "Like what???
Gesturing to the Hollow Forest, I spoke. "Maybe making sure the forest is clear of Ghouls and assassins?" Mostly train and learn about my new powers and body, though. "Not only that, but I'm supposed to be getting a new house to live in, and I'd like to get settled before making any waves."
"Ah suppose that's fair." Her hands slipped down as her anger seemed to disappear at my reasoning.
"Yeah, not only that, but I'd like to become more familiar with the surrounding area and the shit storm that'll be waiting for me if I do attempt to switch things up." Then I shrugged. "I've got a lot to do, but not enough time to do it for the moment. So, I prioritize."
Cassidy was quiet for a moment before speaking. "Ya done somethin like this before?" She inquired, and I glanced at her. "Seems ya been through somethin similar or have experience in this regard." Then she gestured to me. "Kinda like how ya fight. Yer clearly trained and from somewhere else."
Moving towards the door, I replied. "Something like that." Was the only response I gave and Cassidy knew better than to push me with more questions.
Unfortunately, the day went by far fast than I hoped as I relaxed and tried to get my feet back under me after my fight with Tor. My body might've healed, and the energy I used during the encounter had recovered, but I still wasn't used to that level of strain, or at least, my new body wasn't.
My memories of the fight were fresh, as I was back at the scene and I stared at my handiwork. "I still can't believe it." Looking at the crevice, I shook my head as I turned away from it. "Let's see if there is anything else lurking in the forest."
It was still the same day, but I left before anyone could hear that I was awake, and they'd come find me. Specifically, the Priestesses, the Town's Guard... Ayda Farro... Or someone else. Sadly, it wasn't meant to be. My eye was still wrapped, but I could feel people getting closer through the forest. Annoyed that I was likely once again followed or tracked, I went to meet them.
To my surprise, Cassidy and quite a few others appeared through the underbrush. "There he is! I told you we were going the right way!" Ayda shouted victoriously.
Groaning internally, I whispered to myself in no small amount of hate. "You've got to be fucking kidding me." Looking up as they entered the recently made clearing, I sighed. "Why did I think I could run?" I asked myself.
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Some of you might be wondering why this random chapter has been released. After all, it's not a bonus chapter or apart of the regularly scheduled releases. To be honest, this is a thank you and for Thanksgiving. While some of you might not celebrate it, I hope each of you have a great holiday and enjoy the extra chapter!
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Happy Thanksgiving guys and gals! This is just an extra chapter as a Holiday Bonus! Hope everyone has a great day and is looking forward to the weekend!
This weeks goal is going to be the same as last week! 800 Power Stones for the first Bonus Chapter and 850 for the second! I think we should be able to get it easily this week! Fingers crossed it happens! As usual, hope everyone is still enjoying the story! We're almost to the next arc! Look forward to it or read it now on my patre-on! Up to you! Later!