Chapter 893 Claims
Underworld organizations had arms worldwide but were more present in Ilios than in other nations. Helios had fewer gangs than the other cities because of the arrays that used to be in place, but the commanders were helpless to do anything.
Most gangs were supported by a larger underworld organization, acting as extra revenue or a spy network. Thus, these commanders found it hard to touch these gangs since they were the lesser of two evils. However, one wrong move and their city might be targeted by an underworld organization.
Although the commanders were powerful, there was nothing that these organizations did not resort to. A disease released by underworld gangs even ma.s.sacred some cities. While the guilds were selfish too, they did not restore to evil deeds, in public at least.
"And how can you guarantee that these artifacts would not land in the wrong hands?" asked Marcel Solis before receiving a glare from Rain. "…your Imperial Majesty."
"Our artifacts are different than those of Runera. We have command over them, allowing us to disable those we desire. Ascent has given each of them a serial number, and those missing can be disabled from our headquarters," answered Ai.
"…such a thing…" started Julius with amazement and shock.
"…is impossible!" objected Marcel with an offended expression. "Are you saying that Ascent has reached a level of runic attainment higher than Runera?"
"…reached?" muttered Ai with genuine confusion before bursting out with laughter. "Young man, you have no idea who you are offending. Runera is just a toy that the Seika has created on a whim."
"…how do you…?" Marcel was about to offend her again before Julius covered his mouth. As for Rain, she turned toward Ai to whisper something in her ear.
"In any case," said Ai to change the subject after a slight confusion, "Ascent has absolute control over its artifacts if that is your concern. Please let us know if there is something else to say."
The two men were silent before Julius lowered his hand and suffered the angry eyes of Marcel Solis. Then, after some thinking, Julius made one more request.
"…can we meet him?"
***
Runera had to acknowledge the elephant in the room: Arthur Silvera was no longer a person they could offend. Instead, in just two years, this helpless young man turned out to be a sword hanging on the world"s neck.
Julius first heard about his exploits from his daughter but dismissed him as just another genius. Instead, she insisted that he was a promising young talent who was even better than her at understanding runes.
After a few months, he appeared again as the champion of the Runes Apprentice Cup before his tragic death. Julia was saddened for a while before she managed to get over it. Ironically, she then admired his alias, Alexie Linan.
After the revelation of his ident.i.ty in Kera and the realization that he was also Alexie Linan, Julius laughed. Then, one day, he received a letter from his daughter telling Julius she was safe and sound. Even more, she thinks she has found what she wanted to do.
"Is this what you wanted to do?" asked Julius as he stared at his daughter in the empty hall that received them. She looked more beautiful than ever, making him wonder if he had pushed her too far.
"It is," said Julia with a smile before gesturing toward the chairs. "I heard that Runera wanted to meet the leaders of Ascent, but I would never have a.s.sumed that they sent you here, Marcel. A foolish decision."
"…the only foolishness is that you were ever a part of Runera," said Marcel, staring at the hall. "Are we inside the Runic Dome?"
"Naturally," said Julia before gesturing toward the seats again. "Sit down, and let us discuss what you came here to claim."
"Our claim is obvious," replied Marcel before pulling a chair and sitting. The rest of the envoy sat down, with Julius still staring at his daughter. "This dome is ours. Runera had cared for it for countless years before Arthur Silvera s.n.a.t.c.hed it."
"The Guild Master did no such thing," said Julia with a smile. "If anyone could s.n.a.t.c.h the Runic Dome, then why don"t you try doing so, Marcel?"
"…he used underhanded…"
"He used the key that he already had because he was the rightful owner of this Runic Dome. This brings us to another topic that I desired to discuss with all of you, and hopefully, you can relay my message to Runera."
The envoys were silent as they stared at her dismissing their claim. Most were angry, and others were saddened to see someone betray Runera. The only one who was neither was Julius Vinera.
"What is the claim, Julia?" asked Julius with a smile. His daughter turned toward him and did not smile back. Instead, her eyes twitched as if she was attempting to ignore him.
Julius knew that his daughter felt guilty for leaving him like that. He gave her everything she ever wanted, but she still left without a second thought. However, for Julius, he couldn"t be more overjoyed.
His daughter was finally happy.
"Runera belongs to Arthur Silvera by right. No matter how you try to hide it, we all know the prophecy that can only be shared once someone becomes a Runic Master of the four families. I chose to follow the prophecy, so why don"t you?"
"We already have a ruler," said Marcel, tapping on the table. "Are you telling me that Arthur Silvera was not satisfied with conquering Ilios and now wishes to conquer Runera?"
"There will be no conquering. This is a claim by right. Arthur Silvera has shown me the messages hidden inside the ruins of Runera, proving that he is the rightful honor. Even more, he was the one to create Runera."
"Our great city was created out of visions and prophecies, not by a man," said Julius as he straightened his back and cupped his hands. "That is a simple lesson taught to all the four families of Runera."
"I never questioned it until I learned what people call Arthur Silvera in Alka," said Julia with a grin as she saw her father act normal again. "His t.i.tle there is…. Seika."
The envoys were silent again, and most of them squinted their eyes. That name was a hidden secret in Runera, and everyone knew it. Earlier, Empress Ai brought up the old teachings about the true ruler of Runera and even mentioned the name Seika. It shook their hearts that an outsider knew about the creator of Runera.
"Even if he claims to be the ruler, Marcel did not lie. We have a new ruler in Runera, and you have seen them. Their absolute control over the runes has shown us their ownership of Runera. And, even if we prove that he is the owner, I doubt the other leaders of Runera would abide," said Julius.
"That is fine too because I don"t expect that as well," said Julia with a smile before she clapped her hands together. "Arthur has never desired Runera, even after seeing what it had become. However, during his visit to your ruins as Alexie Linan, he found that these ruins were created for his sake. Furthermore…"
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"Furthermore?" asked Julius, although slightly pained that his daughter no longer considered herself a part of Runera.
"There is a traitor inside Runera, and he wishes to capture them," said Julia, making the envoys speechless. "You may leave now and relay our message to Runera. If you hand us the ruins, the traitor, and the Ghost Ruler, then Runera can keep exiting."
"Keep existing?" muttered Marcel with visible rage as he finally lost his composure. "Is this a threat, d.a.m.n brat?"
"Arthur makes no threats, only states facts. He has the right to claim these things, and his generosity would let you keep Runera. Otherwise… there will be no runic city in this world anymore."
Bang!
Marcel slammed his fist on the table as he rose from his place. As soon as he opened his mouth to shout, arrays activated from the table. He was sent flying toward the walls and slamming into them before metal rods tied him to them.
Everything happened in a split second, leaving the amba.s.sadors shocked. Julia rose from her seat as if nothing had happened before walking toward Marcel, looking at him with pitying eyes.
"Foolish Marcel," said Julia as she stopped before him. Marcel glared at her while trying his best to break free. "Your teenage temper is no longer fit for these discussions. I will let you live for our shared memories, but let this be a lesson."
"Your demands are tyrannical, Julia," said Julius as he rose from his seat. "Even if Arthur desires this, how can you demand these things from us? Do you know the position you are placing us in?"
"Guild Master Arthur had no intention to demand anything," said Julia as she turned toward her father, looking at him with sadness. "He wanted to take what was his even if it meant invading Runera. However, it was me that told him to give Runera a chance. Please convince the rest, father. Arthur Silvera… is no longer an opponent you can handle."