At the end of it all, Arthur pulled Mash aside, grabbing him by the shoulder and dragging him back toward the room while the others walked into the hallway. The king glanced back toward Arthur who shook his head.
“I have something to discuss with Mash. I will meet you back at the castle.”
The king looked like he wanted to protest, but the general gave him a look that made him sigh. Lex glanced between Arthur and Mash before nodding.
“Fine, but you are needed back soon.”
The king didn’t wait for a response and walked out with the others, everyone except Red. She continued to sit at the table, simply following the group with her eyes. Once the king and his entourage were gone, not just from the room but after they teleported away, did she look away. She turned her attention to Arthur and him.
“Do you want me to leave too?”
Red was a master of tones, and the one she used, told him that there was only one answer to that question. Red’s mood had been worsening since she learned about her father, and even though she could contain her aura, Mash could still feel it with his domain. The emotions that she tried to contain felt a lot like, well, how she normally did, only more depressing. Arthur seemed to notice.
“No, you should stay. Mash would just tell you anyways. I need one second to grab something first.”
Red smiled briefly at Arthur’s response, before standing and walking over to loom behind Mash. She peaked around him as Arthur began rummaging around in his storage space for something. Mash couldn’t help but think about how the interdimensional tear in space that Arthur opened felt so bland. Mash had seen far greater forms of magic that this particular kind had just become mundane. Mash expected Arthur to pull out something magical, but all he produced was a few sheets of parchment. Arthur was quick to shove them into Mash’s hands, and his explanation came out just as fast.
“This is a list of all dungeons with intelligent life within. I believe in some of them you find people like twins. Others have some of those other races you mentioned. If you need people for your world, this is where you will find it.”
Mash took the list gratefully. There were a lot of locations on the list, some of which he noted weren’t on this continent. Red was scanning the list over his shoulder, but she could only barely do it. With his domain, Mash could see that she actually had to hover in the air to manage it. Mash knew better than to comment on it. The many ways her class had changed her were somewhat of a sore subject at the moment. That very mood might have been the reason for her next, very pointed remark.
“Trying to push Mash away from the kingdom?”
That was not a question, and she knew that it would land. Mash glanced at Red. She was never this candid with other people. Red seemed to think so too as she was quick to apologize.
“I apologize, that was unneeded. My class has made it difficult to restrain my words.”
She looked genuinely sorry. Red’s class was tearing away at her emotional control, and she was clearly distressed by it. Mash never said it, but he thought it was a good thing. It felt like she would do something stupid if not for it. Also, he felt like he understood her more now, considering she had been really good at hiding her intentions. This made it a lot easier. He was more worried for Jill whose class seemed to push her over some edge as far as her restraint went. Even with his domain, he hadn’t noticed how big her vendetta was until she revealed it.
“No, you’re right to think it. And it is partly true since the General hadn’t stopped me from taking those. It doesn’t change them though. Those dungeons have people, some who look less than human that are being killed regularly. Others might be trapped in endless horrific loops. I am trying to change this kingdom, to change people, but they just don’t believe.”
Admitting that seemed to frustrate his brother. Mash could hardly remember a time when his brother wasn’t anything but kind toward the general public. Mash didn’t comment on it, taking the papers gratefully. His brother hesitated for an instant then pulled out another set of parchment. This he handed over with a little more reluctance, and his explanation sent a shiver down Mash’s spine.
“Do you remember the incident with the orphanage? Well, it wasn’t a singular case. We discovered several more dungeons similar to that one, as well as two that seemed like more open entrances. This kingdom as well as others have sent high-level adventurers into these dungeons, but not many have returned, and they were hurt. The only ones that managed to make it back were those with classes especially good for escape and survival. I don’t know what to do. The abductions are still happening, though now they are in small towns and settlements, and I. I mean the kingdom can’t stop them.”
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Mash grabbed the sheets but didn’t immediately glance at them. Handing this off was far harder for Arthur than on the previous list. His brother, the one that had reassured him through basically everything had turned to him. It was more than just some dungeons. This would be dangerous, with records proving that people had failed. However, wasn’t he one of the best people for the job?
“Don’t worry so much. I mean, didn’t you hear what they said earlier? I probably won’t ever really die, so, I guess, I’m the perfect guy for this.”
Mash half smirked, though even he couldn’t smile. It was hard to banish the memories of that dungeon. Another shudder ran through Mash, this one running all the way to his toes. When Red grabbed his shoulder, the painful expression on her face made him realize that he had missed something.
“It’s not the danger. He wants you to end them. All of them.”
Red did not mince back her words, and Mash glanced toward Arthur, only to see the truth of that statement in his eyes. Mash couldn’t help it. He shook his head reflexively, his brother wouldn’t… He just did though, didn’t he? No, he wouldn’t do something like that. He said that too.
“I can’t do something like that.”
Mash’s response felt empty like the words themselves were fake. It sounded a bit like a plea. His expression stiffened as his brother’s response twisted his stomach.
“They are targeting children, those without families. The ones nobody would remember.”
Arthur replied just as slowly, his voice no longer had the certainty Mash was used to. The certainty that Mash wanted to hear. Mash didn’t know how to respond to that. It was a request he wanted to accept, but one that bothered him just as much. Saving children was one thing, but this wasn’t something that would just end with that.
“Why not ask the king? Your king? Isn’t it his job to do this?”
Red’s aura flared, the color matching her nickname. Her aura suffused the air in the same way a bonfire warmed it. There was an accusation in her questions.
“I did. But both the General and the King flat-out told me that they couldn’t. I even asked them to just give me an army to do it, but nothing. Irkish gave me the reason. This kingdom is defensive in nature, and she said that we were too weak.”
Arthur’s voice was filled with frustration as he answered Red; his hands were balled into fists, and Mash felt his brother’s whole body shaking a little. Seeing his brother like that caused Mash to want to accept the request; just so that his brother would turn back to the person Mash wanted. That was a selfish wish, but Mash couldn’t shake it from his mind. Red responded to that, with a comment that obviously stung.
“You are just using him.”
“Red!”
Mash shouted, his voice rising far more than he intended. Red winced and looked appropriately ashamed. But he had to stop her. This request was already hard on Arthur. That much was obvious from how much his brother had slumped. His brother had always seemed so impervious to the twisted nature of this world, but it had gotten to him too. It had dragged him down just like it had everyone else. But Mash wouldn’t, no he couldn’t leave him like that. He grabbed Arthur’s shoulder, making sure to meet his brother’s eyes. He hadn’t noticed it before, but he was taller than Arthur now. It was almost too much of a surprise, and it made his words catch in his throat. When did that happen? He couldn’t help but feel like Arthur should be taller.
“I’m taller.”
Mash didn’t know why he said it. The words just kind of spilled out, and he looked down to meet his brother’s eyes.
“You always said that you would be one day.”
Arthur shook his head, and the frustration on his face vanished. His broad shoulders dropped a little, and his entire frame seemed to bend as if carrying some great weight.
“I shouldn’t have asked you that. I’m sorry. The meeting that the Empress is setting up might be a good place to find a different solution. I bet we aren’t the only ones dealing with them. Just keep it in mind for now.”
Mash gave him a slight nod. That was something he could do. A part of him wanted to do more and knew that he should. At the same time though, he didn’t know what he would do. Did he have the power to take on a planet? He thought back to his fight with the king of chains and knew that he did. His brother hadn’t finished talking just yet, and the change in his tone was startling.
“Mash may Luna and I visit your world, we both want to spend some time with you, and not in a situation like this.”
Arthur waved his hands around indicating everything around them; the papers included. His voice had changed too, becoming softer and gentler. Arthur was obviously trying to change the subject too, and Mash was again left trying to keep up with the conversation.
Mash couldn’t help but feel like his brother was rather forcibly trying to move on, and honestly, he wasn’t eager to address the matter either. He needed some time to think, and it seemed like Arthur realized that too. Red, however, seemed about ready to shout, though she managed to hold herself back as Mash held a hand up to stop her. It wasn’t like he wouldn’t talk with the others about it, but he wanted to look at the notes his brother had made first. Maybe he could find a better solution than the one that kept coming to mind.
“Yeah, I can do that much. Let’s go get Luna.”
Mash smiled a little thinking of his sister. It hadn’t really been that long since he had last seen her, but it felt like a long time. So many things kept happening to him. It felt like he was living the life of ten people all at once.
He definitely had his fair share of stories to tell his siblings, and he wanted to hear what they were up to. And a part of him wanted their lives to be mundane. Well, as mundane as it could be with everything that had happened. Nobody could be completely separated from what’s been happening.