Arthur's Point of View

Reed Farmstead

Arceana merely looked at me, disappointed before she spoke. “Given that you have had no time to rest in the last several days since your return, I will call upon you later for dinner.” She informed me before turning her eyes to Kheri. “As for your mission, that will also be put on hold. After having such a large force move against us, having a General in our military leave would be foolish.”

“You know… I’ve been thinking.” I began, and the others turned to me. “Why is it the Kingdom of Lestrania?” I asked as Greigh and Ziah just looked horrified at what I might say. “Why not the Lestranian Theocracy? I mean, that’s what you turned this kingdom into.”

A certain Priestess frowned at me. “This ‘Kingdom’ has been just that since the alliance was formed thousands of years ago. However, given its past reputation of Kings, Elincia and I decided that leading as priestesses would be better.” She explained in a ‘don’t question me bitch’ kind of tone.

Tapping my lips in an unimpressed manner as Cassidy caught my eye, I gave a fake look of thought. “Is that why you keep the descendants so close?” My question got her eyes to widen slightly while the rest seemed confused.

I didn’t have any proof aside from Ayda, but her little reaction confirmed my suspicions. Why have Cassidy as a student if she was just a farm girl? Elincia clearly has some manner of relationship with Augustus, which tells me they’ve kept in touch through generations. So, Cassidy was likely a descendent of Robert, and Kine was likely one of Aerowyn.

Aydan was a father figure to them and keeping his descendants close made sense, and I could only imagine they were doing the same with the others. Whether it was for more important means or to have an ace up their sleeve was still unknown. My mind drifted to Floyd and how he fits into the mix. Perhaps Varvara’s line dwindled into obscurity through the mixing of blood?

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However, given the glare I was receiving, I doubt I would get any of my questions answered. “You’ve become quite bold in your time away.” Arceana stated as she dropped her more proper speech.

“I blame my lack of rest.” Gesturing around the farm, I sighed in exasperation. “You send me on a mission, which you didn’t tell me was going to be dangerous. I fought several demons, including one really big one that pissed me off. Then,” I continued as I gestured to the ground. “I come back, wake up, come to the Reed’s, only to battle dozens of Ghouls!” Nodding in an overly annoyed manner, I returned her glare. “So yeah. Kind of tired.”

It was true too. Recovering from wounds is very different than getting actual sleep, and I doubt I would’ve slipped the descendent tidbit had I been more rested. My mind felt slightly frayed but seeing Cassidy off to the side talking on the porch irked me that she was in such run-down clothes.

As much as I didn’t want to, I was going to have to look into this. Unfortunately, that meant I was going to need to talk to Ayda’s and Alwin’s parents. God help me should they be anything like their children. Floyd would also need to be looked into, but there was something off about him that threw me off. My eyes darted over to Augustus, who was talking to a guard, and I wondered if he knew anything important.

“Then perhaps you should get some rest before simple speculation becomes a bigger issue.” Arceana warned.

Sneering, I replied. “Wouldn’t want to miss dinner with you, so I probably should.”

Her eye twitched at that before she looked to Kheri. “Supervise this area and the cleanup.” She ordered before turning back to me and spoke in a condescending tone. “Some of us actually do our jobs, unlike others.”

I shrugged. “You sit in your temple, and I kill any Demons that come wandering into your land. You’re welcome. Job complete.”

Teleporting away, Kheri moved her attention to me. “How you haven’t been stripped of your rank is beyond me.” She commented.

Pointing at her, my eyes widened as I stared at her. “That is a very good question to ask. Perhaps think on it a little harder, and you’ll realize the answer.”

The General gave a more professional nod before moving to issue out orders as Greigh and Ziah stepped in beside me. “Despite what was said, Priestess Arceana had a point. You’re making a lot of waves after just returning.” Greigh commented.

“Then they’ll learn not to piss me off. Elincia was practically flailing about in that fight and is weaker than I thought.” Both the Zugal looked around in alarm to make sure no one was listening. “She and her sister might be able to face an Ancient Demon, but this proves that they have fallen far.”

“So, you said those things because you were disappointed in them?” Ziah inquired, confused.

“I said those things because I was given a mission without the actual details needed to prepare and was set up for failure.” I began as I looked at the two Zugal. “Upon my return, I come to find out that Cassidy and Augustus were told that I essentially took them on our voyage.” Crossing my arms, my eyes narrowed as I glared at the mountain. “I’m not one for a pissing match, but I go all-in when they occur.” My gaze then shifted to Greigh. “Now, since you’re here, what have we missed?”