Chapter 109 - A Gamble
"Is this some sort of prank?" Prince Kal asked, furious. His kingdom was being involved here, so how could he not get angry? If it turned out to be some sort of trick, the other nations would laugh at their lack of discipline.
"I fear not, Your Highness." Arthur shook his head, still not backing down under the prince's glare.
"Very well," The grandmaster clapped his hands together. "Do you know the identity of this someone?" He asked lightly, but his careless behavior was nowhere to be seen. The words of accusation, once spoken, would cause ripples whether they were true or false.
"I do," Arthur nodded again. "He's someone among the present people." His words were met with silence followed by laughter. Everyone thought he was ridiculous.
"Are we going to listen to this clown? Guards!" Alfred Yalen glared at Arthur and called out to the accompanying guards. They gave an intimidating pressure wearing their reinforced leather armor with metallic boots. Chainmail was thrown over their upper torso to protect them against claws and blades alike.
"If I'm lying, you can disqualify me." Arthur didn't retreat and looked at the grandmaster in the eyes. Meeting his gaze, the old man paused and lifted his hand as a soft command was issued.
"Stop."
The guards would never dream about disobeying the grandmaster, and they stopped in their tracks. It was clear that here, the grandmaster enjoyed a greater authority than the prince.
"That's not enough for a price, young man." The grandmaster continued. "I can let you off with a disqualification, but whoever you accuse here can make a living hell of your life later on." He keenly observed Arthur's reaction.
"… If I'm mistaken only, that is." Arthur returned his gaze with confidence. He only had theories until now, before he came here. He suspected Alfred Yalen merely by the fact he knew how ruthless he can be. However, now that he was here, he sensed it.
The anxiety of Alfred, his desperation of obstructing him, and most of all the stench of Enders. He masked it well on the outside, but in the Iron Dome full of runes, Arthur's senses, or his instinctive hate, picked it up clearly.
"It's good that you're confident," The old man nodded. "However, how do we check if your words are true?" Much to the crowd's displeasure, the grandmaster gave Arthur more face than he could ever hope for.
"Easy," Arthur gestured with his hands. "They're carrying an artifact and your esteemed self is sure to be able to identify its function."
"I'll not yield to such disrespect of being searched!" Someone from Thiria shouted. He had wild hair and a beard that resembled a lion's mane.
"Please, Lord Eskar. If his words are false and he is only wasting our time, then you can take his life." The grandmaster appeased. "Whoever he offends, if proven innocent, will have a weapon inscribed by me."
Once these words were out into the air, the hall turned frenetic. Arthur felt that their eyes, earlier dyed with hostility, now gleamed with a plead to be chosen. Lord Eskar also coughed and retreated. His eyes also turned in Arthur's direction expectantly.
The sole exception for this change was the pensive royal family of Yalen since things would either end in their humiliation and an artifact or their humiliation or an artifact to another nation.
"And what would that artifact do?" The old man asked curiously, resuming their conversation.
"It would…" Arthur hesitated. "Activate a weapon of mass destruction." His words sounded ridiculous even for him. However, he was sure about it. The crowd jeered and spat venomous words about his lacking intellect and degrading background.
"Enough!" The grandmaster's voice was still quiet but it had a commanding tone to it.
"Now then," The grandmaster nodded pleased at the prestige he held. He turned toward Arthur with a smile. It was then that Arthur realized that the grandmaster was taking a gamble. If Arthur's words were true, he would have a favorable impression of the grandmaster for helping him. If his words were false, the grandmaster would lose an artifact. "Tell us who that someone is?"
Arthur could feel the mocking stares of the crowd. However, he hesitated to reveal what he knew. Until now, he learned that surprise attacks worked best. If they gave Alfred the time to defend himself, things would turn for the worse.
"This kid wasting our time!" Someone, probably from Ilios, commented at Arthur's hesitation. Arthur gritted his teeth and saw no way out of this. He has already revealed himself when he caught up with the group.
"It is…" Arthur turned toward the group Yalen. "The Third Prince of the Yalen Kingdom, Alfred Yalen."
Silence spread like a sea flooding its shores, covering every canny of the giant corridor. If not for the growls of machinery the dome's walls allowed, Arthur would have probably heard the crowd's breaths.
"You're mad!" Prince Kal roared with fury. To plot against another kingdom – if found out – is disgraceful. As for an accusation of treason? It would shake a whole country to its core. The trust in the royal family would weaken.
"Guards!" Prince Kal roared again and the guards looked conflicted, seeking the grandmaster for instructions.
"I gave my word, Prince Kal." The grandmaster looked at him blankly. "If he is mistaken, the association would repay you handsomely." The king's brother found himself at a pinch and turned toward the third prince.
"Impudent! You dare disgrace me?" The prince's face was red with rage and humiliation. He looked at Arthur as if he wanted to kill him a thousand times.
"Prince Alfred, if his words are fake, you can do whatever you want to him. I'm sure that would be to your liking, and clears your name of such reputation." The grandmaster amiably continued. "I'd also create a custom artifact to the Yalen family, as well as tutor your younger sister."
The offer was undoubtedly tempting, but Alfred kept refusing to cooperate. From mockery, the crowd's expressions turned to suspicions. An accusation was disgraceful, but the rewards were simply too good.
If Arthur didn't prove himself earlier, he would have been sent away after being disqualified by the grandmaster. After all, it was not worth it to offend a prince from another nation. However, the grandmaster seemed to have seen something in Arthur's talent, making him comply.
"Are you sure this is alright?" Ivy whispered to Arthur after staying silent the whole time. "Your identity has been revealed and we're not even sure it's him that has the artifact."
"It's a huge risk," Arthur nodded. "However, it's better to take them down before they find me." Ivy looked confused but Arthur didn't explain. He was risking his life here because he knew that he can't keep hiding from the royal family after what he did in mountain range Rovero. If he could complete his Legacy Quest and take down an enemy, it was a well-earned risk.
"If your highness is innocent, then I'll lay down my life here for you to take. I won't struggle, I won't run, and I wouldn't even protest." Arthur declared as the grandmaster was about to talk to the prince.
Seeing such conviction, the crowd's trust slightly shifted toward Arthur. After all, they have all seen how Arthur performed in the first region. It was rather illogical that he would throw away his life here. They turned toward Prince Alfred, observing his reaction.
"I'll not concede! I won't comply with the whims of a commoner!" Alfred grounded his teeth together in rage. The grandmaster furrowed his brows in impatience.
"In this place, no nation is more authoritative than the runes association. I'll make sure no malice is conducted on these grounds, no matter by who. Prince Alfred, I've already stated my compensations for this. If you refuse to comply, it means you have something to hide."
Another silence followed as the crowd waited for the prince's response. It was then that Arthur's senses rang in alarm. The atmosphere changed drastically as ominous energy filled the air.
"Watch out!" He roared.
As if a bolt of black lightning struck the prince, his body was dyed in dark energy as the same tar-like substances started to erode the surroundings. The pressure created by this energy was so powerful that it pushed the envoys away.
"Guards!" The grandmaster's voice changed from gentleness to a beastly roar that shook the core of whoever heard it. The guards surrounded the prince who was now covered from head to toe with dark energy as he levitated mid-air.
"You'll regret this, mortal." A hoarse sound like a fork scratching a plate came from Alfred's mouth. He was looking directly at Arthur before bolting toward the gate of the fourth gate.
"Stop him! He's trying to activate the weapon!" Arthur's voice betrayed his panic as he realized this Ender was different from the one that he met before. He was more powerful and the dark energy was more chaotic.