1153  True Ruler of Runera

The moment that someone came out of the Red Tower, a tired Julia rushed out toward them. However, her pace slowed when she saw how he looked. Although he looked similar to the Arthur she knew, he was different.

His hair had grown longer, but it looked trimmed and tied in a small ponytail. Beneath his eyes were two symmetrical black cracks that ran down his face, as if he were some kind of robotic human. Furthermore, his expression was the same even as he saw her.

Although she chose not to rush forward anymore, his gait was the same. As slow as the sea tide and as steady as a mountain, he made his way toward her without stopping.

Julia has been waiting for his return ever since she awakened. Her uncle, Asura, made sure that she remained guarded at all times. The moment that these guards saw someone leave the tower, they rushed to protect her.

"No… wait…" muttered Julia as her mind could not react in time. The guards blocked his path, brandishing their weapons at him and demanding that he identify himself. Before Julia could raise her voice again, the guards began collapsing.

Arthur did not slow his pace one bit but walked forward as the guards collapsed to the ground without issuing a sound. While they were uninjured, Julia saw a black flash that tore away their consciousness.

As there were no more obstacles between them, Arthur only stopped when he was three feet away from her. She had to raise her head to look at his unfamiliar but familiar face. In his golden eyes, she saw concern and sadness.

"I returned, Julia."

Although his voice has also changed, she recognized it immediately. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at how much he changed. His beard has grown, and so did his height. However, something far beneath the surface seemed to have disappeared.

Arthur used to be reliable, as one would count on him for anything once he knew what he was capable of. Julia herself wanted to befriend him because of his immense talent regarding runes. However, as she grew to know him more, she started to worry for him just like an older sister would. In her eyes, he was not the most-wanted criminal that led nations to ruins. Arthur was just a lost child who suffered a terrible father and a comatose mother.

For now, he looked human but felt like a mountain. His shoulders have grown broad, and no movement of his seemed unnecessary. Even his words and sentences grew shorter and more concise.

But he was still Arthur.

And she still cried and hugged him.

"How could you go to such a dangerous place, you moron?" cried Julia into his chest as she hugged him tight. Everything she has bottled up exploded into the world. Her body shook as she remembered everything that happened, almost driving her insane. But then, his arm wrapped around her back.

"I'm sorry," he said while hugging her back. "Everything will be alright now."

The depth of his voice made her calm down, as she felt his warmth and care. Her sobs grew quieter as she tried to wipe away the tears. And as soon as he said it, everything felt like it would be alright. As she backed away from his chest, he gave her the space she needed.

"You look different," she said again, and Arthur nodded. "Is it a bad change?"

"Just a little change, not good nor bad," said Arthur as he looked at her, placing a hand over her shoulder. Then, he smiled. "I have grown stronger again."

"Through another hellish experience? Did you think that would make me happy?" she said while slamming a fist to his chest. It felt as if she has struck a wall, not flesh. "Please don't tell me you are still using that same power again. The last time you used it… I had to…"

"It will never be like that again," said Arthur as he looked into her eyes with sincerity. "I will never lose control again. Inside the tower, I mastered those emotions. But instead of using this power, I now realize that it's a necessity."

"A necessity for what?" asked Julia with confusion.

"For the world to move on."

Julia could not understand what he meant, but more people came out from the portal. She was scared that these came chasing after Arthur, seeking his harm. After seeing how threatening they were, Julia tried to pull him aside.

"Are they enemies? Let's go into the city," said the runemaster with fear, but Arthur chuckled and patted her head, ruffling her hair. She was confused and stunned as she saw him walk toward them, his black and golden robes fluttering in the wind.

"These are my new allies," he said while walking back. Julia watched how they knelt on the ground as they met him, realizing that they were not just allies. They were his loyal followers, each stronger than the last. "And I have one more thing to do."

Arthur then walked toward the Red Tower, past his kneeling warriors, and touched the red gate of the tower. A moment later, the tower began to shake as Arthur raised his eyes to stare at it. Golden light rose from his body, filling the world with warmth.

Her uncle and the rest of Runera, including members of her guild, came out as soon as they heard the news of his return. However, the first scene that they witnessed was Arthur doing something to the tower as it began to disappear.

Golden mana overflowed through the world, reaching its every corner. Its abundance was alarming, as if Arthur has once again taken another leap ahead of them. The battlefield still smelled like blood, but golden flowers once again blossomed from the ground.

As the field of golden flowers covered the plains around Runera, the tower began to disappear, like a fading image. Then, the image shattered into red dots, like fireflies flying in the wind. Arthur stared at them for a while, while the crowd stood amazed.

"A great man has lost his life just now," said Arthur without looking back, addressing everyone who followed him. "He gave his life so that we would disappear. No one saw him fight, and no one would recognize his contributions. However, this man saved the world countless times."

After that, Arthur turned toward them. His new allies rose from the ground, while his guildsmen stood behind them. Julia, Yuran, Aurora, Alan, Maryam, and Rae stood there looking at him.

Everyone has awaited his return from the tower and suffered so much because of him. Arthur looked at them, each one of them, for a few seconds before walking back toward them. His eight warriors followed after him until he stopped before his guildsmen.

"I caused everyone so much trouble," said Arthur with a smile as he surveyed their expressions. "But I don't plan on disappearing for a while now because our world is facing another challenge."

"Another challenge?" asked Yuran with confusion, to which Arthur nodded. "Can't this wait until we catch up? What did you do while you were away?"

"I would tell the story later, but it would change our lives forever," said Arthur as he looked at the magic gunman. "First things first, the world needs to hear from me."

***

It has been a little over a week since the war against Runera ended. During that time, Ascent took hold of the city and collaborated with Velos, the sole man remaining to protect the city. As for its various leaders, everyone met their end at the hands of the criminal, Yuvan Perli.

During this ordeal, the runic city stopped supplying the world with artifacts. This caused a major shortage throughout the world, as artifacts had a certain lifespan before becoming unusable. This shortage had detrimental effects on the economy because everything depended on runes.

Corps became harder to cultivate, while goods became harder to transport. Services that used to take a few minutes now needed a day to complete, making people go out of business. Artifacts had integrated themselves deeply into the economy, which caught the nations off guard.

No one expected that Runera would fall, so their workshops could not handle the sudden demand for artifacts. Unemployment, homelessness, and famine became common issues that the nations faced with varying degrees.

These three fueled the rebellions that have already been taking place. Instead of sitting and waiting for their demise, many citizens began joining groups that would attack their ruler's trade, crippling entire nations.

For those reasons, no nation had time to send their armies to Runera to capitalize on the situation. And given that Janea was facing famine, potions also became rare items in the world.

During such a critical time, Runera broadcasted an announcement throughout the world. Any screen that the world had showed this announcement of its new ruler that has ascended, Arthur Silvera. However, he did not introduce himself as such.

"Greetings to anyone who hears this message," said the man with black and golden robes, sitting atop a throne made from floating runes. "My name is Arthur Netherborne, the true ruler of Runera and guildmaster of Ascent."