Arthur's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

"Leave us." Arceana whispered, and a moment later, the room quickly filed out.

Blood soaked the walls and floor as it looked like there was a horrific battle in the throne room. Elincia glanced around in distaste before her eyes moved back to me.

"Something you want to say?" I asked the High Elf.

"Why did you do this?" Arceana asked me softly. "This was unnecessary. There were an infinite number of other ways to go about doing this."

"Hopefully, I won't need to do this again." I responded. "Your love for the Elves is making them useless." She looked at me with wide eyes. "They're a dying breed, and you know this, but surely there were better ways to protect them."

The pink-haired priestess glared at me. "You act like you know what happened to them." She practically seethed.

I nodded. "Essentially, yes." Her eyes widened. "It's not your responsibility to protect them. Whether it be out of pity, duty, or kinship, the Nobles have continued to cross lines. The rest of your people suffer under them, and many have shown themselves to be corrupted."

Elincia placed a hand on her sister's back. "That may be, but the Nobles have rallied behind us time and time again."

"The Nobles were created by you two from what I can tell, and there isn't a single Human or Zugal that is a member of Nobility." Then I gestured to the blood on the floor. "See how the Nobles die just as easily as everyone else." A frown came to my lips as I looked at them. "You have segregated the people of this land and placed them in different classes. Incase either of you were wondering, I do not approve."

"It is not your place to approve." Elincia shot back.

"And it wasn't your place to interfere with someone who attacked me. Especially in your throne room surrounded by your guards. This whole thing was a farce, and I'm getting sick of it." Gesturing around the room, I continued. "Both of you knew he was guilty and drug this farce of an inquisition out. This was the result."

"Do not blame us for this massacre!" Arceana shouted.

Shaking my head, I replied. "I don't blame anyone but Baron Brightwood for this outcome. He was caught, and neither of you moved to arrest him until he had already crossed a line." Then I tapped my chest where he stabbed me. "Then you pleaded for his life, and he yet again crossed another line."

Elincia sighed. "I already told you we would support your decision. Even the Baron's funds would have gone towards your projects down in the bottommost rung." She stated. "You assume the worst every time, and this is the result."

Quirking a brow at that, I looked around and chuckled. "I assume the worst?" I repeated mockingly. "What if they had attacked you instead of me? Would they have been classified as assassins or traitors? Which punishment would they have received then?" All these answers led to death.

"That is not a fair assessment." Elincia pointed out.

"I think it's more than fair. Treason is the only term to describe his actions." Gesturing to myself, I chuckled again. "The funny thing is, I'm doing more for your people than your Nobles have in hundreds of years, and yet both of you are mad at me for killing someone who tried to murder me."

"The way you go about doing so was just barbaric!" Elincia finally shouted in annoyance.

Pointing at her with a smirk got her eyes to narrow. "Exactly! Word will spread, and there isn't going to be a single Noble putting their nose in my business anymore. Which, my business, is increasing Lestrania's defenses, military power, and way of life." Then I shrugged. "Anyone who starts looking into me now will either be extremely stupid or someone who wants to help."

I really missed the days when these two would just admit that I was right before going about their day. Life hasn't been easy for them, and creating the Nobles probably helped them rule and survive, but this was ridiculous. Whatever brought about these events, there was a lot I needed to do to rectify them.

One of the side doors opened, and I saw Lucia enter the room quietly as she looked around, horrified. "Now, I think I've been fairly reasonable since coming here, but I will not stand for these standards you've put on me." Leaning toward the two Priestesses, I lowered my tone. "Fix it!" My firm tone got them to frown. "Or I will." Turning away from them and starting to leave alarmed them. "Keep your people out of The Slums unless they want to help! I got enough shit to deal with!"

Elincia's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

"What happened in here?" Lucia asked, but we ignored her.

"We miscalculated once again." I stated as my sister tapped her scepter on the ground as the room started to glow with her magic. "It would appear Sir Arthur is no longer hiding his true power."

My sister cleaned the throne room with a frown. "This needs to stop, and we need time to plan." Arceana said out loud to herself.

Lucia moved over to us. "Are you two okay?"

Looking at her for a moment, a small smile came to my lips. "When are we sending out that airship to head East? Surely an ambassador of sorts would need a guard of sorts."

Turning to me, confused, Arceana then looked to Lucia and frowned. "No."

"This is our best option! You want time to prepare and bury the hatchet. Give our Knight a mission with the betterment of Lestrania as his goal! He cares about this Kingdom. That much is obvious!" I told her and then gestured to Lucia. "Arthur, despite his methods, has done nothing but good since he came here."

"Whether or not he was in the right does not give a person reason to murder someone in front of an audience in such a horrific method!" My sister raised her voice in agitation.

Gesturing to Lucia, I continued. "You are right. It does not. However, he said he interfered with the Succubae for personal reasons when it came to rescuing Lucia and Alwin. We should use that."

Lucia finally stepped between us and held up her hands. "If this is to trick our Knight, I will not do it. The man saved my life, and no matter your differences, tricking him is not something I am going to agree to."

"I would never ask you to trick him, but he has asked about you a few times from what I have heard." I informed her. "We are putting together a mission to head East and speak to our allies of the Desert Kingdom. If you go, it would only make sense for him to go as our most trusted and powerful Knight."

"He is your only Knight." Lucia shot back. "If this is something you wish for me to do, I will do it, but do not expect me to play any part of these games."

Arceana sighed. "Get everything set up. Arthur may not like this, but he will not have the choice in going for this mission. I was already thinking of sending him anyway. However, it worried me that he would be required to be diplomatic." Her gaze then shifted to Lucia. "If Lucia goes, she can represent us in a more civilized manner."

Turning to Lucia, I smiled. "Looks like you get to go on a trip. It will take a week or two to ready everything, so get your affairs in order."

She merely gave us an emotionless look in response. "Perhaps our dear Knight is right in his actions." Lucia stated before leaving.