Chapter 1288 Trial of Redemption
Chapter 1288 Trial of Redemption
Arthur watched as the woman called Nyx prostrated herself, pleading for Benjamin to obtain the chance to speak. It was heartbreaking that Benjamin wanted to rob this woman of her future, but she still felt obliged to help him. However, her parents knew better and did not hide their disdain.
"How could you lower your head for the man who wants to rob you of your destiny?" asked the Patriarch, making Nyx confused as she raised her head. "It seems that you are still naïve, Nyx. Benjamin wants his grandson to obtain the Ancient Scroll instead of you."
"His grandson?" muttered Nyx with confusion as she turned toward Arthur. Although she respected him, she did not think that he was capable of threatening her position. "He has barely attained any enlightenment, a rogue at best."
"And that's the reason we rejected his request and imprisoned him. You were training at that time, so you didn't know, and we didn't wish to destroy your respect for the man," said the Matriarch as she turned to Benjamin. "For you to use a girl who respects you, that's a new low, Benjamin."
"How is it low for me to fend for my family?" asked the old man with his hands behind his back. "Nyx is indeed a prodigy, but I just ask for a simple chance for my grandson. He has the right to participate in the trials."
"And what if he obtains the scroll? Is he going to protect our clan when the time comes?" asked the Patriarch with a sneer. "He is an outsider, no matter what blood runs through his veins. And even if he promised to protect the clan against the gods, he will just break it like he lied earlier."
Arthur wanted to reply, but Benjamin raised a hand to stop him. The old man took a step forward and bowed as well. "Let my grandson participate in the trials. If he fails to obtain the scroll, then he will give up his wrath, his blade, and his position in the clan. I vow on that."
"And if he obtains it?" asked the Matriarch.
"I don't plan on protecting anyone," said Arthur before his grandfather could answer, making all eyes turn to him. He was staring at the ground with a smile, his scarred eyes glowing golden. "My goal is simple and singular: to defeat Devaheim. I don't care about anything else."
His overbearing words left the crowd speechless. Nyx stood in awe of his resolve. For thousands of years, the Netherborne fled the pursuit of the gods. But for the first time, someone wanted to be the hunter instead of the prey. The Matriarch and Patriarch exchanged glances as Benjamin smiled and said nothing more.
"We understand," said the clan leaders as they rose. "The trials will take place a month from now. During that month, you can remain here and train, or just leave. But if you lose against our heir, then you will have to give up the Blade of Wrath and leave the clan forever."
"I swear upon it," said Arthur with a nod. The clan leaders were satisfied, believing Arthur to be unable to master wrath in just a month. Benjamin rose with relief, but his face betrayed a little concern for his grandson. "You should trust me more."
"I do, but I don't trust our blood," said Benjamin with a frown. "We should start your training as soon as possible."
"I need to make sure Rain and the others are alright," said Arthur as he turned toward the clan leaders. "If you can please release them too."
"We have no use for them," said the clan leaders with a wave of their hand. The guards went to get his friends, which took a few minutes. Rain rushed to hug him as soon as she saw that Arthur was here.
After the two of them caught up, Arthur came face to face with Princess Sapphire, who was still uncomfortable in his presence. He still remembered how she ganged up against him after the Battle of Kera, hoping to take down the outsider before he grew powerful.
"It has been a while since we last met, Witch of Sourna," said Arthur with a smile, remembering the title quite well. "Are you going to try and kill me again?"
"Did you really have to bring up the subject right off the bat?" asked Rain with bulging eyes as she stared at Sapphire with nervousness. "Please don't fight here. We can work this out."
"There is nothing to work out," said Sapphire as she glared at Arthur through the veil. "We came here to investigate who helped the resistance against our army, not knowing that we had a devil in our midst. You were the one behind the black knight, right?"
"I was indeed," Arthur did not deny it. "And you are the strategist who tried to invade a town for not paying their taxes." Arthur turned to Raheem. Although he was blind, his tone did enough to leak his wrath against the strategist. Raheem shook with fear before lowering his head.
Rain was about to intervene and defend the strategist, but Arthur beat her to it. He was surprised as he looked at the strategist. "I sense guilt within you." Raheem raised his eyes toward Arthur when he heard that. "How could you have changed in just a few days?"
"We visited the town he attacked and they fed us from their food. I guess the best way into a man's heart is through his stomach, huh?" said Rain with a chuckle. Raheem seemed to have calmed down as he lowered himself to the ground.
"You must be the one to stop me, Arthur Netherborne. I want to offer my apologies for my inhuman behavior and gratitude for having stopped me before I committed any more unforgivable crimes."
"I can tell that you have repented, but the same cannot be said for the Wisemen who sent you," said Arthur as he turned toward the princess who stood silent on the side. "The Kingdom of Sourna will not see your actions as maturity, but betrayal. Isn't that right, princess?"
"It depends on what the Wisemen would think."
"I know what they would think," Raheem answered as he rose from the ground. "I accepted my fate. I no longer wish to be the strategist who plagues towns that fail to pay their taxes. If the Wisemen want to strip me of my titles and duties, or even execute me, I will accept that fate."
"But that's not real redemption, is it?" asked Arthur as he approached the man and crouched beside him. It was the same when he met June, but Arthur thought of something different. "How about you seek forgiveness from those you wronged?"
"How could I do that?" asked Raheem with confusion. The tall man looked small, shivering, but a little hope in his eyes. Arthur realized that he truly changed, although he might have never been corrupt to begin with.
"I have a special power," said Arthur as he raised his hand. A black flame appeared in his palm, prompting the attention of Nyx and the clan leaders. They stared at Arthur, confused. "I can summon the souls of those you have wronged. You can face them and seek forgiveness from them."
"But I tried not to kill," muttered Raheem in confusion. But seeing Arthur answer him with silence, he understood that his actions had indirectly killed people. The strategist shook, trying to accept his crimes. "Please give me that chance."
"Very well, but whether you die, break, or survive, depends on you," said Arthur as he rose. He walked toward the pond next to the clan leaders as they stared at him in confusion. "If you truly wish to seek forgiveness, then you will survive."
Arthur clapped his hands together, letting flames burst from between them. The flames rushed to the pond under the confused eyes of everyone. Then, countless wrathful wails echoed through the pavilion, alarming the crowd. A gate began to materialize from the flames with a million wrathful faces.
"This is the Gate of Wrath," muttered Arthur as he stood before the gate of his own creation. "It leads to the kingdom where the souls of those who died and remained. Those who call for your name are still here, Raheem."
Arthur revealed his name although the strategist never introduced himself. His body shivered as his soul screamed for him to escape, but he rose to his feet and advanced toward the gate. Raheem stood beside Arthur as the latter turned toward him.
"Are you ready for your trial of redemption, Raheem?"
"Has anyone ever done this?" asked the strategist. Arthur nodded, remembering Dorian Stormblade who was forever changed by his wrath. "I am ready."
Arthur then pushed the gates open, and the screams of wrath almost engulfed the world. The kingdom behind the gate was black in a world of white, filled with souls that wanted revenge for what happened to them. Raheem gulped and turned toward the princess.
"Dear Princess Sapphire," said the strategist as he looked at her. "Please forgive me for taking a short leave from my duties. I will be back soon." The Princess wanted to reply to him, but he already walked through the gate and it snapped shut.