Chapter 93:
Arthur's Point of View
Helmsforth Temple
Nodding in irritation, I moved towards the line of candidates and stopped in front of a young male Elf. "What is a hero?" I asked him.
He seed surprised at the question. "It's soone who puts others first and always acts to save the people entrusted to him."
Moving down the line, I gestured to a young female Human. "A hero is soone who always knows what to do and is willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good."
Candidate after candidate, they all gave similar answers. "All respectable answers, are they not?" Arceana inquired, but I rely looked at her blankly. "Every one of these candidates was hand-chosen by my sister and I. Even your fellow Generals had a hand in selecting them. Each is talented in their own way and will be a great boon to you."
Elincia smiled warmly as she walked behind them. "So of them must have piqued your interest."
"No." I said plainly. "None of them gave the answer I was looking for." The priestesses and candidates blanched at that. "Which works in my favor because I don't want a squire. Don't even have a way to take care of them." Looking to a wide-eyed Arceana, I crossed my arms. "Is there anything else you summoned for?"
Apparently, Alwin didn't appreciate my answer. "Then what were you looking for!?" He asked in a raised and angry tone. "Clearly, you know sothing we do not! Why not share!?" The general's outburst startled a few present.
Smirking at that, I moved in front of him while the others looked at him in surprise. "A hero is rely a word, General Alwin." I stated simply. "It's a pretty word, if anything. Villain, evil, hero, justice, and many more are all words that play off of each other."
Alwin seed unable to respond. "Arthur, I know not what you went through in the few days you have been missing, but all of us looked for you." Elincia said from behind . "Despite your beliefs on heroes, that does not change everything you have done for Lestrania in the short ti you have been here." Gesturing outside of the Temple, she smiled. "Many in the streets call you a hero, and you are. Be the hero they think you are."
Looking at her, images of her younger self covered in blood filled my vision. Turning away from her so the mories would fade helped little. After all, to Elincia, it was thousands of years ago, but everything was still fresh to . Barely even a week ago, I was a king fighting for this kingdom and its people.
"I will do as I have always done." I replied softly. "What I think is best." Turning to Candidates, I continued. "Without a squire, that would likely be unable to learn anything from ." My gaze then moved to Arceana. "You don't want teaching your people."
"...Very well." Arceana then motioned to the candidates. "General Alwin, General Kheri, please show the candidates out while we speak privately with Sir Arthur."
While they were doing that, I moved over to Typhon, and he smiled at . "Sup, Ty?"
He laughed. "Just you causing more trouble." Then he shrugged. "The usual."
Chuckling a bit, myself, I nudged him. "Hey, rember that one of those tis was your fault. Your mommies got all pissy at thanks to you."
"I already said I was sorry!"
"But I'm the one who causes trouble, right?" I asked rhetorically.
"Well, you kind of do." Typhon confird.
"Yeah, I know." Then I quirked a brow as I looked at the young Dragon. "What do you think a hero is?" My question was out of pure curiosity.
Typhon paused at that and looked down. "A hero is soone who suffers and bears more so others will not need to, and they do so in silence." He then looked up at . "He knows what happens to people who get called heroes and takes the mantle of responsibility anyway."
Looking at the earnest and serious expression on his face, I smirked in response. "Is that so?"
If I were to pick anyone present to be my squire, it would be Typhon. His dragon lineage allows him to live longer than most Elves, and most importantly, I could take as much ti as it would take for him to be where I need him to be. Perhaps if given the opportunity, I will give him the chance to make that choice. Plus, it would be a bonus for pissing off Arceana and Elincia. Was it petty? Yes. Was I okay with that? Also, yes.
Elincia and Arceana made their way back to their thrones as the Generals moved beside them. "We have important questions to ask you, Arthur. Questions that need answers."
"I an, all questions need an answer. It's just the matter of getting it that tends to be the problem." I replied as a few just frowned.
"Why have you revealed your eyes only now?" Arceana inquired.
I shrugged and crossed my arms. "You and your sister already knew about them. Plus, it seed pointless to to limit myself based on what your people might think about them." Closing my eyes, I continued. "A few people have been uneasy around since revealing them, but I'm not about to put on a blindfold to make people happy."
Elincia leaned to the side of her throne as I opened my eyes. "I can understand why many would pause at the sight of your eyes. No such eyes have ever been seen before in all of history."
"Call unique." I retorted.
"I doubt anyone would call you anything but." Was the blonde-haired priestesses reply. "What of where you went after Ayda's spell? Clearly, the spell in question concerned you little, but your wounds after returning tell another story."
"I had to deal with so personal matters. I'll just leave it at that."
Arceana examined her scepter as she spoke. "And Rudnurth? What of him? Why go out of your way to try and kill him in the condition you were in?"
Pausing at that piqued everyone's interest. "Let's just say that we have a history, and him." Taking a deep breath, I exhaled softly before continuing. "I'm going to leave it at that."
Both priestesses frowned while the other Generals glanced at each other. "What you say concerns ." Arceana began as she leaned back. "Rudnurth has been sealed away for quite so ti. To have history with him would an you are quite old."
"I've said I was before, but I didn't co here to talk about my age. If there are no more questions-"
"We will say when there are no more questions." The pink-haired priestess interrupted .
"And I say when I'm done. As I've said before, I'm not like the rest of your guards. My loyalty doesn't co without question, and I've seen a lot that gives pause." Then with an overly theatrical bow, I opened a portal. "If there is nothing else..."
Both priestesses narrowed their eyes at from the statent and threat of leaving.
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