Level Up Legacy

1171  A Dove's Invitation

Genrick was hesitant at first, but Arthur managed to coax him word by word into talking. However, he never asked who his employer was because Arthur already knew it was the temple using a mercenary for a risk-free operation.

After some inquisitions, Arthur learned of this scout's story. He was an Awakener working for a major guild before the Battle of Avarice, but the changes in Kera and increasing difficulty of clearing dungeons made the guild's branch close. This left him without a job except hunting in the wilderness or working in reconstruction.

Genrick then became a private investigator, willing to spy or infiltrate inside Kera for a meager sum of money. When Arthur heard what he gets paid, he found it insulting given the risk of losing his life. It made him furious.

"No good man should be forced to work this way," said Arthur while rising from the ground, his wrath evident in his voice. "I have means to make you talk without even inflicting a wound, but I would rather not force things out of you."

"You already know everything," said Genrick with confusion. "The information I obtained so far is not even worthy of being bought. The temple would not even give me a bonus for them."

"I captured you for a different reason, Genrick. I want to end the battles happening in Kera between the temple and the extremist. The only people suffering from these are the good men such as yourself."

"Which side are you choosing?" asked Genrick with confusion.

"Helping the temple is out of the question, and I don't think the extremist would take good care of Kera. I need to obtain more information on the temple's plan on dealing with them so we could defeat them both."

"You want me to keep working for the temple to spy on them?" asked Genrick with a frown. Arthur replied with nothing but a smirk. The scout's fate has been sealed the moment he landed in front of Arthur.

After arranging things with the scout, Arthur entered the bustling crowd without raising suspicions. Kera was the safest city for him to travel, since the temple and knights had no reign here. That, however, also meant that gangs and thugs filled the city, but its residents stood strong.

Arthur was making his way back to Joe's place to meet with the rest when he heard some noises a few alleys away. His interest was far from ignited, but one of the voices seemed familiar, but Arthur could not remember who it belonged to.

There was a scuffle, and like an itch in his brain that needed to be scratched, Arthur wanted to know who this voice belonged to. After going into the alley, he found a few men fighting among each other. Arthur stood in the darkness and did not intervene.

Four men surrounded a thin man in a suit with ginger hair and blue eyes. The men tried to mug him, but the man fought with such precision and skill that the four men found themselves sprawled on the ground with an inability to move.

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Arthur was surprised to see, through his golden eyes, that these men's spiritual energy has been disrupted by the man's precise strikes. Even more, he infused his hands with spiritual energy.

"You should not mug anyone who looks weaker than you," said the man with flame-like hair as he adjusted his gray suit. "Appearances can be deceiving."

Arthur remembered who this young man was. It has been almost two years since he saw him, and their interaction was quite brief. After awakening his ability, Arthur joined his old high school to enter a prestigious college.

After going through so much, Arthur realized how naïve he has been to think that what he needed was mentorship. If he could start over, he would work alone on honing his skills and growing stronger.

Once he entered his old high school, Arthur met two noteworthy people in his class. One of them was Amelia, a girl he had no good memories of since she was nothing but a selfish brat. The other one, who was even less noteworthy, was Markus.

Markus was a blunt youth with piercing eyes, but has now grown to be a young man with a dignified aura. Arthur did not know what these two years did to him, but there seems to be a major change in his character.

"Are you the leader?" asked Markus after noticing Arthur standing in an alley with his blue eyes. Arthur was caught off-guard, since he made sure to hide his presence. "You should think twice before doing something foolish."

"I just came here after hearing a scuffle," said Arthur in a magnetic, deep voice. "Show them some mercy. I doubt these thugs are anything other than hungry."

"You are quite the saint for a shadow in the darkness," said Markus as he glared at Arthur with his blue piercing eyes. He opened his mouth to say something more, but then stopped with a frown. "…who are you?"

"None of your concern," said Arthur as he turned around to leave. Even if this was an old acquaintance, he had no desire to rekindle a non-existing friendship.

"Arthur!" called Markus from behind him, making him stop. Arthur turned around with confusion as he looked at Markus who seemed to have lost his composure. "You are Arthur Netherborne."

It took a moment for Arthur to notice that this man has uncovered his identity in pitch-black darkness. A change in Markus' existence proved that this was not a guess, but a realization. Arthur was impressed.

"I'm afraid that you mistake me for him," said Arthur as he attempted to plant the seeds of doubt in him, but Markus just dismissed his attempt as he walked forward and took off his hat. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Please don't deny it. These eyes have never failed me," said Markus as he placed the hat on his heart. "I swear that I carry no malice toward you, just utter respect and regret to have missed someone as great as you are."

Arthur stopped walking and sighed, knowing that this man was saying the truth. He turned around because he was curious how his identity has been discovered so easily. Although he did not fear anyone learning of his existence, he didn't want people to attack Runera just because he left.

"How did you know who I am, Markus? Even my voice has changed, so I made no attempt to conceal it," said Arthur with interest as he turned around. The man smiled and wore his hat again, before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small envelope.

"This is no place to catch up, but I believe that fate has brought us together," said Markus as he presented this envelope. "This invitation is to attend a secret meeting regarding the situation in Kera and the union. Many of the famous families will attend."

"And why do you think I would spare this a glance?" asked Arthur with confusion as he stared at the dove mark on the envelope. "You will never see me again except for this short meeting, Markus. I will not meet you anywhere else."

"But you trust me enough to keep your presence in Kera a secret?" asked Markus with surprise, his hand still outstretched. Arthur looked at him with a blank gaze that bespoke his intentions. "You plan on erasing my memories?!"

"Just this meeting," said Arthur with a smile. "Any last words?"

"The dove mark signifies freedom," said Markus with a pained look. "I cannot say anything more because they have eyes everywhere."

Arthur looked at him for a few seconds in realization. Markus was a part of the resistance against the crown now, and the dove represented a desire for freedom from its rule. After the king abandoned this city in its times of need, Markus was among those who wanted to break free from his reign.

"I am still going to erase your memories of this meeting, Markus," said Arthur as he took the invitation. Markus still sighed in relief as he saw Arthur take the envelope, and he bowed down in gratitude.

"If that means a chance of having you on our side instead of my distant memories, I would offer every memory I have."

Arthur looked at the young man for a few seconds, realizing that he has changed so much. He used to be playful and childish, but he was now polite and mature. It brought a smile to his face.

"Good to see you again, Markus," said Arthur with a smile as a rune appeared atop his palm. "I still have to do this."

"Your secrecy is actually reassuring," said Markus as he pulled on his jacket and leaned back. "I think we will meet again, even without my memories. At that time, just tell me the words cherry blossom to gain my confidence."

"If the chance arises, I will give back these memories," said Arthur as his rune shone bright. "Thank you for the invitation, Markus."

The rune dazzled the young man and left him stunned. As his memories of Arthur were sealed, the latter disappeared into the darkness while eyeing the invitation.